Even though I feel klutzy doing Kenpo, I like it. I just can't seem to get my feet to move as fast as theirs do.

Did ARX which I skipped on Monday, but my legs were tired from the Kenpo, so my reps were not so great. I was doing the exercises from memory, and left leg climbs out. Oops!

Ate a little lighter today. Since it's apple season, I have a lot of them at home and at work, they are a great snack and filling, so less desire for snacking, even if it's good food.

I can see additional improvements -- that line down the middle of the abs, it's getting longer. I'm also able to see more definition in the back.

Week 7 starts tomorrow!

I took an actual REST DAY on Wednesday. I think I needed it. Thursday was C/S/T. I forgot to print my workout from last week, so I had to guess with the weights. I guessed up most exercises, which was the right thing to do, my arms were feeling like rubber at the end! Friday Plyo went well. Saturday was Back & Biceps, I heavied up as much as I could, but my left wrist is weak, so I haven't been able to increase the 21s or the Static Arm Curls... I am at 29lb for lawnmower regular & elbow-out. Pullups I tried to increase by at least 1 the chair-assisted.

My diet -- LOL, I ate lots of smarties and candy corn. They have HFCS and dyes, but no fat. However, I calculated them into my calories, so I think I didn't go over very much. The candy was pretty much my lunch and snack. We'll see how well I am doing on Wednesday, last day of Week 7.

Recovery week of Phase II!

Day 47 -- Kenpo X

Did this while listening to the election results. I selected the silence and cues mode. It was a little hard to follow, and I probably didn't do quite as many reps as the gang, but I worked hard! I also did ARX from memory after a brief break while I was watching more election results. I think I've finally gotten a handle on the V-obliques. I was able to get my legs off the floor. If you sort of lean on one buttock, then you can get everything off the floor, legs & shoulders! Did all 50 reps

Day 48 -- Rest. I rested.

Day 49 -- Core Synergistics

I am mixing up the routines because I want to do Yoga on Saturday & Monday, so last night was Core, tonight is Kenpo. Core went great! Once again I forgot my printout, so I guessed on the weights. I was able to do the Sphinx Pushup! I did 10! Of course, it could just be that I put my arms further in front of me so I could actually do them. The Banana roll, Boat to Bow and Superman/Banana, I did not lift my legs off the floor when I was on my back, I could feel my back muscles tweaking.

Increased Prison Cell Pushups from 6 to 10, and Walking Pushups I increased from 3 passes to 5. Hopped across the towel, not just stepping and hopping. In the plank/chaturanga run exercises, I did motionless plank during the chaturanga part. At least I wasn't resting. In the P/C Iso, I did plank knee during chaturanga.

I am pretty sure I will be doing a Round 2. I may skip Plyo and Kenpo once in a while during Round 2, because my kids need more of my time. Plus, I am still shrinking, I may not need as much hard core cardio.

I think Core on Thursday was actually day 50...

Friday, I got home to discover my tub and toilet had overflowed, the sewer line had backed up -- I am on the ground floor of an apartment bldg. I cleaned instead of doing Kenpo like I had planned.

Saturday, I broke my dairy-free diet and had quesadillas with corn tortillas (wheat-free). Yummy! Skipped Yoga X, I didn't feel like it. Sorry.

Sunday, I had to choose between doing Yoga X or Kenpo X. Since I am doing Yoga this evening, I decided to do the Kenpo X, plus I had to burn some extra calories because we went to the circus, and all the food there is free because it's my firm's Family Day, and I had some popcorn, funnel cake and an ice cream. No soda. That was lunch.

So I missed Yoga X and X Stretch so far in my recovery week. However, they are repeated, so I will still get them in at least once.

Well, I got through about 1 hr, then I was permanently interrupted by my kids. My wrist was bothering me, so I had difficulty doing the vinyasas, and crane I was able to do a one-toe version for a few moments, and then skipped to the next balance pose.

Core syn tonight.

Core Synergistics was great! I increased my weights in the squat X-press to 8lb. I did 9 Dreya Rolls, although again I was not able to get up smoothly, but I though it was better to do the exercise for the most part than just do nothing. I skipped the bonus round, ran out of time.

I had skipped X Stretch for the last few weeks and taken a full rest day, but I won't be doing that again! This was definitely needed - my muscles were a lot tighter than they were a few weeks ago. I did it right before bedtime, and felt relaxed after it was done.

Phase III! It's so nice to do this workout again, I really enjoyed it. I am continuing to do the pullups with the chair further away, and it's working well, I am definitely lifting more weight.

I was able to increase my Dive Bomber reps. I'm not getting terribly close to the floor, but my arms didn't give out, so that's an improvement. Heavy Pants & Lawnmower both 24lb, with the first Lawnmower 29lb.

I will take my measurements and 60 day pictures this weekend.

Day 60 today! I posted my pix in the Before & After thread, go take a look.

I was able to get through the first round of Hot Crosses without switching feet early! Yay! Still could improve my form, but nobody's perfect.

S & A, I increased my Concentration curls & Congdon curls to 13.5 lb. Since it's only one arm at a time, it gives my weaker left wrist a little break. Week 1 I was using 5 & 8lb on almost all of my exercises. Now I am using 5-8 on triceps, 8-10 shoulders & 10-13.5 biceps. Progress! Was able to do 20x straight arm on the right for Side Tri-rises, weaker on the left. I skipped ARX, ran out of time.

Tonight I won't get home until 9:30, so I will do X Stretch today, Yoga X on Wednesday instead.

Here is one 60 day photo anyway:

I almost did an unassisted chinup! I pulled myself past the 1/2 way mark, but I was so excited, I don't know if I tried hard enough to get all the way up. Maybe it was a 3/4 chinup. I'll try again on Thursday when I do Back & Biceps.

The routine went well. I didn't have any problem with the wall squats, and I was able to increase my Calf Raise weights to 18.5 for two out of three. I am using that much weight because I am trying to improve the strength of my left hand. I've been successful, going from barely being able to hold the 10lb through the three positions in the first week to 18.5 in the first two positions. I increased my assisted pullup reps to 103 from 99 last week. I am using the bands less now. I know it helped me in the beginning to gain strength, but I don't use them now in the second round, to give myself more no-band pullups

So does anybody else have problems with Plough in Stretch and Yoga? At first it felt like I was going to choke when I was in the shoulder stand. Now that's not a problem anymore, but my stomach rolls impede my progress into plough. Of course I don't have any rolls when I am standing, but when I'm upside down all mushed up, there they are! They are getting smaller though, so it's not as uncomfortable.

I BROUGHT it during Kenpo, my arms were feeling very strong, so I really upped my intensity in the upper body moves. I also did ARX which I skipped the day before.

Wednesday I went to my annual physical, and my heart rate was 52. My doctor asked if I was exercising, since it was really low. I said I was, and told her a little bit about P90X.

I got home late because of Parent-Teacher conferences, and ended up just doing chores and laundry. I skipped Yoga AGAIN! Mea culpa.

I ate waffle fries today at lunch. Shameful! I will be better at dinner...

I am going away again for the weekend to the West Coast. I bought Aquabells (you fill them up with water), which can weigh 8 or 16 lb, depending on how many of the "weights" you put on the handles. I think this will work better than the bands for me. I also weighed a large beer bottle (the 500ml size, 1pt 8oz), which was 3.5lb, so I will buy 2 of these large bottlesto use as my lightest weights if needed.

Did great on Back & Biceps! I am now pulling 29lb for the two back exercises, and tried to increase to 13.5 on as many biceps as I could. 13.5 for 4 exercises, 10 for 7. I used 15 on Congdon locomotive. I didn't use the bands as much for the back exercises. Instead I was able to get more assisted reps near the end of the routine.

Traveled on Day 65, so Plyo moved to day 67.

C/S/T I used the Aquabells, and they were perfect for me! I am at 8lb on most of my shoulder and tricep exercises. For the arm circles I used the large beer bottles, and that worked fine, they were a little light, but 8lb was not happening. I also used the bottles for 3 other exercises. I did not have as many pushups as last week, I think I put my hands too close together in the first exercise and wiped myself out.

I have also improved my form on some ARX exercises, bringing my reps down. I used to have my lower back on the floor doing Leg Climbs, now I try to be in a V. Also, the V-obliques, I am able to lift my legs on the right side, but can't get to 25 reps anymore, so I do as many as I can.

Plyo was good again. Still modify as needed, but got a good workout, did my best and forgot the rest!

Yoga got left out. I will try to do it on Wednesday instead of stretch.

Yesterday I was jet lagged, but did L&B. I did no bands, and got more total chair-assisted pullup reps than ever, 118. I increased my weights on Calf Raises to 18.5. My weak left wrist is getting stronger! I could lift more calf-wise, if I could only hold on to the dumbbell. Yes, I could use a strap to "tie" it to my hand, but I actually want to make my hands stronger, and this method is working. Maybe I will try 20s next week.

I will do ARX today before Kenpo.

Diet wise, I did so-so, no pastries and candy while I was away. I'm pretty sure I went over my calories though. I had 1 vodka tonic at the airport on Friday (more vodka than tonic!) and then 1 glass of wine with my 8oz steak, rice & broccoli dinner Sat & Sun, and I tasted the beer I'd been using as weights. Both days I had eggs & hashbrowns for breakfast, and various bars, apples, raisins & walnuts for lunches & snacks. I did have 3x cane sugar soda. No aspartame, Splenda or Sweet & Low though! Last night I ate several Nairn's oatmeal crackers (45 cal each) during my workout. It gave me a good boost. I have to really move on the diet now, just in time for Turkey Day and my BDay on Saturday. I will probably try to be slightly under on Wed and Fri and Sun to compensate, and fill up on low cal snacks (hello carrot sticks & cucumbers!)

you're doing very well

Sparta bound!

I did Yoga X on Wednesday instead of X Stretch. I was able to hold Crane for maybe 6 seconds, as in long enough to actually HOLD it, not try it and fall out of it. Skipped Yoga Belly 7 and the cool down.

Yesterday I did Thanksgiving, and had no time to do a routine.

Today I am working, then celebrating my birthday right after work. Maybe I can do X Stretch tonight, depends. Best would be to do C&B, if possible.

Tomorrow I am taking my kids to sell candy for our Finnish School Bazaar (my mom is Finnish), and then have been invited to a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner at 4. Fortunately I can squeeze in a Plyo workout at my mom's, since it doesn't require equipment. Which leaves me totally messed up this week! I don't know what I'm going to do! Plus I had a gigantic chocolate bar yesterday, and 1/2 a bottle of red wine. And I was so good with the meal! I even ate only the filling in the pie...

There is no shame for those who keep trying. The best way to overcome your worst weekend ever is to try to have your best week ever now. That weekend is in the past. You still seem very motivated. So don't let a couple of bad days ruin your mindset.

You are doing a great job. You really need to understand that there are people out there who are affraid that they cannot do this kind of program. It is tough and demanding. But you haved proved that you are not affraid and that you are tough.

So keep your chin up. Things happen we are all human.


Ken

Thanks Ken! I decided I was going to do my best and forget the rest, so I managed to get 3 workouts done on Saturday & Sunday. Now I only have 4 workouts to cram into the next 3 days. Tonight I will do Yoga.

Saturday morning I did C&B for the last time this round! Sniff. I was able to do a total of 65 pushups up from 58 Week 9. Compare that to 27 week 1! I couldn't even do 1 Wide Fly pushup, now I can do 7. I can do 3 diamond, started with 0. I also did pushups from my knees for add'l reps.

I am still using a chair for pullups, but I was able to do 3/4 of a pullup last week, so during round 2 I will get there. Lawnmowers I am using 29lb now. Had to skip ARX.

Sunday around 2pm I did Plyo, then at 7:30 I did S&A. I figured it was 1.5 days after C&B, so I had somewhat of a rest. I really pushed myself, I only used 5lb on the second round of Flip-Grip Kickbacks, and even went up to 10lb with my Lying-Down Tricep Extensions. I also went up to 13.5 for a total of 6 biceps exercises. I ended with ARX. I'm going to try to figure out how to squeeze ARX in 2x the next 3 days, I'm not sure how...

Only 16 workouts to go!

I did Yoga on Monday, did OK. I still have trouble with some of positions (half moon etc) while on my left foot -- bunions from high heels and all.

Tuesday I did L&B. I decided to not push too much, my knees were creaking last week. I did the Calf Raise Squats move with no weights this time, went lower instead. Did a .75 chinup, also I still managed to crank out a few more chair-assisted pullups (121, up from 118). The first week I did 52 chair assisted pullups! I used to average 6 reps, now I average 13, and that's with the chair farther away. I think this week I will try to improve my form on the pullups, keep two feet on the top of the chair, but try to be in an L position the entire time. Maybe change to a taller chair?

I was behind, I hadn't done Kenpo and yesterday was day 7, but I had dinner with an old friend last night, so that didn't work out. Maybe I'll be able to double up the Kenpo and X Stretch this coming week 13.

Veerukka you are doing really well and looking really good! Keep up the good work! Watch out sparta!!!

Thanks VetToPolice!

Week 12:

Thursday, did B&B. I got a taller chair, which meant that I got less leverage on the pullups. My reps were less, but I was lifting more of my body weight. I tried to increase my weights, using 15lb on the cross-body curls, hammers and curl/hammers. Using 13.5 on 2 others, and a mix of 13.5 and 10 on the rest. Upped locomotive to 20lb.

Friday & Saturday, life interrupted my P90X world. However, I stormed back on Sunday and did 3, yes 3 routines! I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS, but I was desperate, I had 4 days to do 6 routines.

10:30 AM I did CST. Upped a few exercises to 10lb: Lying Triceps, Y-Presses, Cross-body blows, moved up to 8 on some more, so I only had 3 exercises using less than 8.

4:30 PM I did X Stretch. Very relaxing.

9:30 PM I did Kenpo X. I had a mild sinus headache, I knew Plyo was out of the question. It was a lame workout, but I burned a few calories, more than 0 at least.

This leaves Plyo, Legs & Back and Yoga. I think I'll do Plyo today, L&B tomorrow. Wednesday I have another dinner w/friend, but I should be home by 8:30-9, so Yoga won't be a killer after dinner.

I am going to eat as cleanly as possible, avoid any problem foods that might make me bloated (dairy, wheat) to make sure I am at my optimum next Wednesday, picture day!

Don't everybody laugh at once, but I just figured out yesterday, i.e. Day 81, that each crossleg/wide leg situp is one rep. I thought you had to do one on each side, and that the pair would be 1. So I've been trying to do 25x2 or 50 reps! I could never do that many, big surprise. This time I was keeping up with them, and suddenly realized they couldn't possibly have time to do 25 on each side. I've been so unhappy that I was only able to do 12 reps, but I was really doing 24 reps. So I've been doing much better than I thought! Plus trying to get to 50 was slowing me down so much, ARX was taking me 30+ minutes.

You are such a gunner!!

You mean that you're now going to only do as many as the rest of us?

Couldn't resist a little poke of fun. Keep bringin' it!!

Kevin