Oh my, such a chatty group today! I love it!
This morning was my second attempt at Chest and Back. Much, much better!!!! I approached the workout with patience, calmness, and determination. I really focused on form throughout. I actually wasn't able to do as many push ups and modified pull ups as the first time, but I know my form was better on the ones I did do. Catherine (fitfairy) from the Chinners Check-In gave me a great link to learn how to progress with pull ups. It was very helpful and informative. I feel that this time I made a difference, and I can feel it in my mid-back. The first week I felt it all in the shoulders, which I don't think was right. Those diamond push ups, by the way, are brutally hard if you do them right!! In fact, that might be what worked my mid back so well. I did most of them on my knees, because with straight legs I just couldn't go down far enough for my chest to touch my hands. On my knees still felt tough tough!
Ab RipperX feels harder every time I do it! What's up with that? LOL! I guess I'm just getting better at focusing on form. I really carefully watched the gang doing the oblique v-ups, and think I've finally figured out how to do them properly. This means, mind you, that I barely get my upper body off the floor! To watch how high those people get their upper bodies off the floor is amazing. Maybe some day....
The Mason Twists just seem to get harder, rather than easier (maybe I'm more fatigued because I'm doing the previous exercises with better form?). I tried to slow them down; that didn't work. What I need to work on is being able to hold my feet off the ground. My back and hip flexors are worn out by that point, and I just can't seem to do it. So, I think on Wednesday, when they all do the Mason Twists I'm just going to do boat pose with my arms out to the sides. When I feel balanced and in control with that, then I'll start to add some twists.
Traci - push ups on your toes?? WOOHOO!!!! Progress, progress, progress!! I love it!!!! Make sure the next time DH walks into the room you casually fall to the floor and do a few. Show it off! You read my mind about Life-After-P90X. I had planned to do one of the Cathe faux-P90X rotations, depending on how I feel at the end of thes 12 weeks. That was some great advice you gave me yesterday about the "countdown" way of looking at the workouts. I realized today that I only do Chest & Back one more time before moving on to Phase Two. Made me a bit disappointed, because I'm starting feel like I'm getting the hang of it. I have a feeling that next week I'll be challenging myself even harder than today. I will need that rest week! I guess they is method to Tony's madness after all }(
Jeanette - I know pull ups really hit the biceps, so it's reasonable to presume that the Bowflex works them, too. I'm really feeling it in my forearms today. No doubt we'll have strong grips when we're done this rotation!
Tracy - My DH has a few Spinervals dvds. I can't comment on them, though, because I've never done them. Oh, and he hasn't, either
Buffy's a huge CC fan, though. I'm sure she'll have some great suggestions.
Laurie - Do I understand that right?? Do you have 9 children?? Or more??? Or are you saying that DD is 9 years old? I'm glad you're feeling better and regenerated. Have a great workout!
Gayle - if P90X is something you think you're going to be able to commit yourself to, then $95 is a great deal, I think. Go for it! (full enabling happening here).
Buffy - I love that feeling when you can hardly lift your arms over your head! There was a time with PUB gave me that. That C/SH/TRI workout sounds lovely. I'm looking forward to it!
Lea - We had a great weekend, thank you for remembering! The Xmas party went really well. DD1 enjoyed her sleepover at the neighbours so much that we didn't see her until 2:30 Sunday afternoon. I love hearing about progress! I can't wait to be able to write the same thing.
Monica - WELCOME!! Many of us here are in the first couple of weeks. Myself and Jeanette found that during the first 2 or 3 days of the Fat Shredders eating plan we were both really hungry, but it was gone by the 3 or 4 day. Is today the first day of a significant change in your eating? BTW, the FS eating plan actually adds 3-400 more calories/day to what I was eating before, so I was surprised to be so hungry for a few days. I guess it's all about change. At 30 you might be the youngest member of the group. I'm 36, and most of the rest have admitted to being 40+. Cool, huh? I live in Edmonton, Alberta; 2 kids (6yrs & 14months); no pets anymore; DH is the supportive spouse working is a$$ off while I attempt to finish my Sociology dissertation in my "spare" time.
X - Great to hear how excited you are about the program! If DH gets on board with you, you two will have a ball together.
I'm doing PlyoX tomorrow morning, and am looking forward to really bringing it. The lack of high-intensity cardio battering (aka Cathe's interval workouts
)has left me feeling very rejuvenated. I feel like I can give it some gas tomorrow.
My neighbour and I are swapping afternoons of babysitting this week (maybe next, too). So, I now have a 12month old critter for the afternoon, along with my own 14 month old. Tomorrow my neighbour will take the babies, and it will be my turn to get some work done. As long as I stay off the computer....
Have a great day!
Sandra
