CL/PH2/Wk1/Day3 (I love being able to write Phase 2!)
Hi all,
Wow, this board is too busy to even attempt personals for all! It's nice to see the renewed enthusiasm for fitness.
Today I did Back & Biceps for the first time, and ARX. I gotta say, I really like BB! It works you quite hard and thorougly, doesn't it?
Does anyone else get rock-hard forearms during the P90X workouts that focus on biceps and from pull ups? At one point today I thought my forearms were going to explode. I had to take an extra long break just to let them relax a little. But when I was done the workout I still couldn't put my palms flat on the floor to support myself during the ARX In-and-Outs. I cracked myself up because due to the severe pump in my forearms, I actually did the In-and-Outs with my arms straight in the air. I never would have attempted that, if not for my arm situation. Too funny. Nice to see improvement with ARX! I actually did extremely well with that one today. Must be because I didn't wear out my core doing push ups and leg work. Who knows. Maybe just a good day.
Traci - oh my goodness you made me laugh y-day when you said you did a Cathe workout just so you could put a sticker on your calendar!!! I am so with you on that one! I ordered my calendar late, so it hasn't arrived yet, but I ordered extra stickers and you can bet your booties I'll be doing something just so I can use one. Or two. Or maybe three...You said you have a problem with getting your butt out of the air during SL push ups. How are you at doing straight-legged, straight-arm planks? I would suggest, if you haven't already done so, that you frequently throw in a plank or two at the end of your workouts. I think it's the Slow and Heavy Series that has a rather long plank section - but they're not the super hard kind that has you lifting a leg off the ground. Planks are an awesome, awesome way to strengthen the entire body. I was perturbed by the lack of planks in the first three weeks of P90X; was very happy to see them in Core Syn. What's with the lazy sleep-in this morning?
Are you coming down with something?
Tracy - ooooh, I'm sorry your back is causing you such grief. But at least you're listening to it, and taking good care of yourself. I'm impressed that you could still do so well at ARX. You're amazing!
Gayle - I did laugh at you yesterday; but I was laughing WITH you
Like I said, we ALL said that about PlyoX the first time. I think it's Tony's private joke on us all. I did PlyoX y-day too, for the 4th time. My whole lower body was stiff from that this morning. My understanding is that the last three reps should be HARD, but that you should be able to maintain your form. If you feel like you have to "cheat" to get out another rep, then you're done. But if you're feeling like you can do another 2 or 3 with good form, then you should either increase your weight, or do the extra reps. Keep going until you can't go anymore. By the time you get through Week 2, you'll have a better sense of what that feels like. You're right - it is an adjustment from Cathe's approach. There's a number of ways to do assisted pull ups. I'm using my high step with all my risers (8) set out about 2 feet in front of me. Long enough that I can put my heels on it and have my legs straight. I'm still working on doing one unassisted pull up, but I honestly don't even worry about it anymore. For me, the point of doing pull/chin ups at all is to work my back, and I know I do that very well with my feet assisting me. The women on the Chinners Check In gave me a terrific link on how to progress to unassisted pull ups. Check it out:
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle.php?aid=51 I'm glad you found some supplements that work for you! The HB are pretty good, aren't they? Believe it or not, I've actually stopped using the supplements, as of this week. The Sports Nutrition book I read over the weekend basically said that real food works just as well. She's not negative about the bars and drinks; just says it's less costly to use real food (but gives the bars and drinks kudos for being convenient).
Deb - I find the scissors in ARX to be the easiest, too. I often wonder if I'm really doing it right, but I appear to be. Maybe it's because I have very flexible hamstrings? Are yours really flexible, too?
Laurie - ooooh, the dreaded bug! High-five on doing PlyoX. That should have sent those bugs running for cover.
X - thanks for all that great P90X trivia!! I'm going to go snoop around and see what you're talking about. I wish Tony had kept the jump-roping in. I did it quite a bit in one of Cathe's rotations, and just loved it. It's quick and dirty cardio. Your poor body is going to spend the next 12 weeks in that land of confusion. Nice to see you back at it! ARX hits my quads quite well. I always feel it in the hip flexors and down to the knees. In case you haven't done YogaX yet, I thought I'd let you know that I always feel that one in the glutes and hamstrings really strongly. I don't know if that will influence your decision to swap it with Kenpo or not. I'm glad you're not discouraged about PlyoX. You have 11 more weeks in which you will definitely see improvement.
Lea - I am buoyed to hear how well IMAX3 went for you yesterday. Please remind me - have you been doing additional cardio during the first two phases? Super-dooper news on the strength gains! You Phase-three-ers are so motivating for us farther behind you! I'm feeling a THOUSAND times better today, thank you for asking. Man, sugar-overload is really as bad as an alcohol hangover.
Jeanette - "legends in their own minds" LMAO! That's hilarious. So, you're stronger than you thought, hey? 60lbs! I hope your photos show the improvements you've made! BTW, I looked at your pics a while ago, and was quite impressed with your starting point. If you've improved on that, then you will be looking quite awesome!
Monica - By the end of the "recovery week" I was chomping at the bit to get on to the second phase. But frankly, I think that's what they want to have happen. Try and be patient. Your body needs the rest. I'm impressed with the DOMS in the core! I didn't get that from CoreSyn last week (got stiffness, just not outright DOMS). You must have really "brought it."
Debra - so glad you're having a great time with DH around. When does he leave again? Or does he? Is he home permanently now? Step Blast! I'm so jealous! That's my favourite Cathe cardio, hands down. It's always my go-to workout when I just can't face anything else.
DB - my understanding is that doing pull-ups with knees bent is easier than with straight legs, so perhaps it's good that you have a low bar? I also have to bend my knees a bit if I'm going to keep my feet off the floor. But, since I usually have one or two feet on my high step the whole time, it doesn't matter at this point.
Have a great day!
Sandra
