Day 15 - Start of Week 3

I googled "Ow!", and this is the image that came up. I'm not sure whether it's because she's hitting her head, or the extreme wedgie her bathing suit is giving her. Either way, this is similar to how I felt this evening as I finished Chest and Back, Week 3. I figured if I could get past Week 2 that I was sailing. Not really the case. I upped my weights tonight, because I wasn't working as hard as Tony wanted me to, I was "doggin" it. So I bumped my 10s, to 15s, and let me tell you, there was no doggin' it then. Obviously my reps went down, so I didn't feel guilty for having smaller numbers there, but so stoked that I could put 15 in my "weight" column. (And a circle around it, which means I went up in weight that week!)

I've only finished 2 weeks of P90x, and I feel good. I feel like I can't wait to see how much 2½ more months can do. So I'm still extremely focused on my goal day but tackle it week by week. It's still hard to sometimes juggle my daily schedule to fit in my workouts, but I know that if I do manage, it's just another step closer to Day 90. It feels so good to cross each day off after i'm done my workout.

Menu of the Day

Breakfast:
Protein Pancakes
Turkey Bacon
(kind of a staple, and i'm not even close to getting sick of them!)

Snack:
Nothing! (Got too busy at work, that I completely forgot to eat it!)

Lunch:
Protein Chili (Ground turkey and 3 bean)
Veggies and Low Cal Ranch Dip
½ Clif Builder's Protein Bar (Peanut Butter...delish!)

Snack:
Quakers Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Apple

Supper:
Roasted Chicken Breast
Roasted Sweet Potato and Onions (Yum, I love ANY roasted vegetable!)

Dessert:
90 Cal Granola "Crunch'ers"
Hot Chocolate

Day 11 - A Good Thursday

Yesterday was a good day. Not even just for p90x, but for life in general. And to top it all off with yoga, ah man, SO good. I wish the majority of our nation could realise how good it feels to be eating healthy, and to be exercising. Everything else seems...better somehow. It'd do wonders for the overall self-esteem of our country.

I felt so much stronger and in control with yoga yesterday now that I know the poses and am just stronger after a week and a half with Tony. Breathing and focusing on my entire body during the balance poses help me get through them with only tumbling once, or not at all (not quite what happened last week.). I still attempted the Crane pose, and although I wasn't even close to getting it yet, I managed to stay up for about 5 seconds, a personal best! My favourite pose: Plow. I've never realised I could actually bend that way before, and to do it with grace, wow!

Tonight is the killer: Legs and Back. (And of course the dreaded Ab Ripper X....) Bring it!!!

Menu of the Day:
Breakfast:
2 Protein pancakes
1 egg
3 piece turkey bacon

Snack:
Cottage Cheese and raw veggies

Lunch:
Bowl of homemade Turkey and 3 Bean Chili
60 Cal pudding cup

Snack:
Apple
Yogurt

Supper (5:30ish):
Chicken Fajitas (No cheese, and substituting sour cream with Greek Yogurt.)

Day 9 - Plyo, Pork and Potatoes

Yesterday was my second and more successful day of Plyo X. When Tony mentions during quick breaks to "wipe the sweat out of your eyes", I always thought that was gross...like, who sweats into their eyes? Tonight I finally experienced the "sweat in eyes" thing. And yup, it's pretty gross! I sweat a lot during Plyo, more than any other day. Even my knees sweat! But I feel the best after Plyo, exhausted but rejuvenated at the same time. I still couldn't complete my second set of dive bombers though, those are killer.

For supper I had thawed out a pork chop, and have had this idea in my head to make a Sweet Potato and Apple dish to serve with it. So I experimented, and this is how it went.

Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole (because i can't think of a better name)
1 small to medium sized Sweet Potato, peeled and sliced thinly (these are the orange ones you normally find in your local grocery store, not to be confused with yams, which have no relation to the sweet potato actually!)
1 Apple, cored, peeled and chopped. (I used an Ambrosia apple, because I didn't have anything else)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Cayenne
2 tbsp Splenda
Splash (?) of water
Salt and Pepper to taste

Oven at 375º. Partially cook your apple in a small saucepan first to break it down, almost to the point of apple sauce, but still fairly chunky. To help this process, put in a splash of water(or sugar-free apple juice) to help it cook down. Add Splenda, cinnamon and cayenne. Once water has evaporated and oven is to temperature, pour apple mixture over sliced sweet potatoes which have been tossed in your olive oil and lightly seasoned. Use a shallow casserole dish with a cover. Throw this in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a fork can pierce the sweet potatoes without any resistance. You can also add a few small dollops of butter over top before putting in the oven if you're feeling rebellious.

I'm going to keep experimenting with this recipe, adding shallots, nutmeg, not cooking down the apple, adding apple juice, etc until I can perfect it, but it's so delish and so healthy, and it compliments a plain ol' boring pork chop.

Tonight is Shoulders and Arms. LOVE today! I picked up some heavier weights from my brother's last night too...so hopefully soon enough I can add a few bigger numbers to my work sheets!

Protein Pancakes

So my diet during this phase is basically an absurd amount of protein, and very little of everything else. I have a hard time trying to get in protein of a regular basis, so my creativity levels have had to go into overdrive when it comes to ways of getting in my protein. An easy meal for me is normally breakfast. I have been eating eggs and turkey bacon, but after researching online, I found an awesome recipe for Protein Pancakes which are SO delish, you'd never know they were chalk full of protein and so healthy! (THANKS TO MY BROTHER SAM FOR THIS IDEA!!!)

Protein Pancakes:
1/2 C. Oatmeal
1/4 C. Cottage Cheese
4 Egg whites
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tbsp Splenda

1)Blend your oatmeal in a blender so it becomes more of a flour substance.
2)Add the rest of your ingredients, and blend until mixed. Do not over blend. (It may seem liquidy, that's okay! Have faith!)
3)Pour onto a hot non-stick pan (I use a bit of spray so they it gives it that extra non-stickiness). And flip pancakes when bubbles appear on top.

These are the bomb, and so full of delish protein. I also make a few slices of turkey bacon with these as well. Another good option for protein is Greek yogurt. It can be expensive in the store, but has nutritional facts that are comparable to cottage cheese. Roughly 20g protein for about 3/4 cup, and tastes so good with a bit of liquid honey. If you're also sick of having to down straight cottage cheese by the ton everyday, I've also been making my cottage cheese into veggie dip by adding dill, garlic powder, and black pepper, and giving it a good stir.

Yesterday I started week 2, and am SO ready to take on this week. I found Chest/Back super hard on Day 1, could be because everything was so new and intimidating, but now that I know I can do it, I brought it! I feel kind of like a car ran over my chest today, but it feels good. It means something is happening! Plyo tonight!! Woohoo!

Day 6 - Kenpo X

It's funny how one's state of mind can do a complete 180º with 8 hours of sleep. Last night, my family and I went to 529, a steakhouse here in Winnipeg, for dinner. I was going to edit my Menu of the Day post from last night, but it's really quite embarrassing/impressive all that I consumed last night. Between the steak tartare, onions rings, shrimp cocktail, rack of lamb, beef tenderloin, creamy mashed potatoes, sweet mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, fried potatoes, and then the 3 different desserts we ordered....I packed away the calories. (Obviously we shared the side dishes. That wasn't ALL for me!) Funny thing is, I didn't feel guilty at all! I got my workout in yesterday, and I knew I wasn't going to be eating like this every day, or even every month. That dinner was maybe a once every 4-5 month kind of deal. So I enjoyed it to the max!

After dinner, we were all thinking we'd never be hungry again, and the thought of working out the next day just made me even sleepier. That's not what happened the next morning though!

I woke up, and made an extreme high protein breakfast of 4 protein pancakes (Basically egg whites, oatmeal, cottage cheese, and vanilla in the blender to make the batter) and 4 slices of turkey bacon. Funny how after a huge dinner and a big sleep, all of a sudden my appetite is back, and I'm stoked to workout!

I rocked out Kenpo today. I kept up with Tony and the gang, although I'm highly inflexible, and I kick like a girl. I'm positive I looked absolutely ridiculous. Good thing no one was watching! I worked hard enough to work up a sweat and have been downing water since finishing. (Water during Plyo/Kenpo = Nectar of the Gods).

So I'm taking Sundays off, which means I've completed my first week of P90x. My confidence level has boosted, and like I mentioned, I'm already seeing results, which is awesome. From here on in, I'm not sure I'll be posting every day, but I wanted to post everyday during my first week as I settled into the X. I'm going to continue doing my best....and forgetting the rest! YEAH BABY!!!

Day 5 - Legs and Back...YEAH baby!

I love resistance training. Free weights. Lunges. Squats. Pull-Ups. There's nothing more raw than lifting heavy weights, to become stronger. I felt like one of the gang this afternoon with Tony and the kids. Obviously not lifting or squatting as much weight as them (except maybe pull-ups..I'm pretty sure i'm heavier than Drea...who, for the record, i'd love to one day look like. She's my favourite.) but still giving my best, and forgetting the rest!

The TSN turning point for me today were my calves. I've never done many calf raises in my day, but the calf raises with Tony, I seriously thought i might lose all control of my bowels they were so tough. Single leg wall sits...sick. I can't even cross my legs while i'm sitting here at my desk. But there's nothing that feels better.

After yesterday's little freak out, I needed today to boost my confidence yet again. Not only did I rock out my workout this afternoon, but I stepped on the scale this morning, and I've also lost all my holiday/pain au chocolat/croissant weight, in just 4 days. (For those who aren't aware...I was in South Africa and Paris for a month about 2 weeks before I started the X.) So that's a big confidence booster too. I can feel myself getting stronger already, so I'm very much looking forward to finishing these next few weeks to see the results of Phase 1. Bring on Kenpo tomorrow!

Menu of the Day:
Breakfast
-Oatmeal
-Banana and Peanut Butter

Snack:
-Raw Veggies and Low Fat Ranch Dip

Lunch:
-Clif Builder's Protein Bar
-Spaghetti Squash with homemade vegetable pasta sauce
-Diet Caffeine Free Pepsi

Supper:
-Will have to edit this later. My fam and I are hittin up a steak restaurant tonight...so I will most likely be having steak! Woohoo!

Day 4 - Yoga X

After my highly successful day yesterday, today was my first real struggle to actually do my workout. I knew I was going to encounter these days, where I just do NOT feel like doing it, but I didn't realise they'd happen so soon. I had to figure out a way to just get 'er done.

My routine normally goes something like this: Wake up, make protein loaded breakfast, get ready for work, go to work, come home from work, get into workout clothes, grab 2 bottles of water from fridge, and head downstairs to rock out whatever Tony has in store for me that day, eat protein loaded supper immediately after workout, and relax for the rest of the evening. But, today was a wake up call, when I had to fit in my workout between doing all my grocery shopping, making supper, and going to visit a friend tonight as well. I literally came home, dropped groceries on the floor (put cold things in fridge), grabbed a Clif Builder Bar as my "supper" and ran right out the door again. So when all was said and done, I didn't get home until about 8:30, I hadn't eaten a real supper, and I didn't sleep much the night before, so here's where the excuses started to flow out of me. "Anna, you haven't even eaten anything for supper, and you didn't sleep last night, maybe you should just take a rest day." or "Anna, you're not even flexible enough for yoga anyways, what a stupid program!"

But I put on my workout clothes, laid out my yoga mat, and pressed play. I have readers that are depending on me to blog tonight!

Going into the workout with the negative attitude and empty stomach did not help my situation. It's currently -43ºC with the windchill, so my basement is very cold as well. I pushed through it though. Some poses were bringing me to places...well..I've never been before. The balancing poses went a lot smoother than I had thought they were going to go. Of course I attempted the "Crane"...and lets just say we're going to have to work up to that one! I was getting frustrated with my inability to do a lot of the poses, but towards the end of the video, as I loosened up, I was rocking out, almost to the point where I even enjoyed the ab portion. And by the end of yoga...I was letting out the loudest and longest "Ohms" you've ever heard.

I can't say I'm looking forward to Yoga X next week, but I've definitely learned a lesson today. Life goes on, even if I'm trying as hard as possible to be committed to this 3 month relationship with Tony. I just have to learn to make time to "push play."

Menu of the Day:
Breakfast
-Two Eggs over Easy
-3 Pieces Turkey Bacon

Snack:
-Banana with Peanut Butter

Lunch:
-Spaghetti Squash with Homemade Vegetable Pasta Sauce
-Tossed Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
-Quaker Oatmeal Snack
-Cottage Cheese with Raw Veggies

Snack:
-Nectarine
-Half a Vanilla Dipped Doughnut (Yes, forgot to add this yesterday. One of the service techs bought one for me. I succumbed. Somehow I stopped halfway through, and gave the rest to Sam, who I'm sure, devoured it.)

Supper:
-Clif Builder Protein Bar (ugh, i know i know)

After Workout:
-½ Cup 2% Cottage Cheese with Salsa

Day 3 - Shoulders/Arms and then Ab Ripper X...of course.

Yes!! Today was a GOOD day! Y'know how I mentioned a couple days ago I thought I was a strong chick? Well that came in handy today. Shoulders and arms have always been my favourite muscle group to work at the gym, so I was pumped for tonight's workout. After the last two days, I needed a workout where I knew I could kill it. I wouldn't say I did exactly that, but I felt strong, and I was going until complete failure. (For those who may not understand what I mean by failure, I mean muscle failure. Lifting to the point where I can no longer lift a single pound even if I even wanted to.) I was keeping up with Tony and the gang pretty well (with most likely half the weight that Drea was using), but I was still grunting out the last few reps. All the shoulder and triceps exercises I'm starting on 7lb weights, and biceps I'm starting with 10 and it seems to be a pretty good place to be for now.

Wednesdays are my new favourite days. Except for the Ab Ripper X part...which is still so so hard, and I definitely had to pause a few times for fear of upchucking. Hey...I hate it....but I LOVE it!

Menu for the Day:
Breakfast:
-2 Scrambled Eggs
-2 Pieces Turkey bacon
-Banana with Peanut Butter

Snack:
-½ cup 2% Cottage Cheese
-Baggie of Raw Vegetables

Lunch:
-Tossed Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
-2 Hard boiled eggs (Well...I had every intention of if being two. I couldn't finish the last couple of bites, because I should probably point out....I do NOT like eggs. But here I am....scarfin' 'em down for sake of the X!)
-Kashi Bar
-60 Cal pudding cup

Snack:
-Yogurt

Supper:
-Turkey bacon, tomato, and cucumber on toast with Low Fat Mayo. (Basically a BLT).

Day 2 - Plyometrics

I seriously didn't know if I could survive through Plyo tonight. I've been so *bleeping* sore all day from yesterday's workout that I could barely put on clothes this morning. (Don't worry, I managed.) But as sore as I was...it's a GOOD sore, and I LOVE feeling it.

When I got home from work, I ran upstairs, put on my workout clothes so I could head back downstairs to "push play." Mom has been encouraging me all day by saying "Plyo is the HARDEST, if you can do it you can do anything.", "Plyo X is what puts the X in p90x...its SOOOO hard." So of course, I was expecting a breeze of a workout.

I thought I was doing pretty good as we went through the exercises. I felt strong, my breath was in control, and heart rate was climbing to a comfortable level. Then as we continued, I started questioning Tony. "Whaaaa? F'real??" as he would describe the next move. I started huffing and puffing. I took a look at how much time I still had left in my workout (you know it's bad when you're checking to see how much is left.)

27 minutes.

Seriously. I was only halfway done, and my quads were burning, my calves were just about sliding off my legs, my lungs...were actually still okay. This is where I started shortening my reps, not going as deep into the squat as Tony would like me to, not jumping as high as I should've been. But I was giving my best, and forgetting the rest!!

I made it through in once piece, and don't even hold any grudges. I'm actually stoked to tackle it next week, because jump training is something I will most likely see an improvement on the quickest. I just have this feeling. Positive attitude is the key.


Menu of the day:
Breakfast:
-2 egg omelet with mushrooms, onions, and green pepper
-Nectarine (the nectarines at Safeway right now, are delish!)

Snack:
-½ cup 2% cottage cheese (with dill, garlic powder, and black pepper) for dip
-Baggie of raw carrots, peppers, cucumber slices.

Lunch:
-1 cup spaghetti squash
-3/4 cup homemade hearty vegetable pasta sauce
-2 chicken thighs
-tossed salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette

Snack:
-60 calorie pudding cup

Supper:
-2 6" flour tortillas
-2 chicken thighs sliced up.
-Vegetables for fajitas.
-Sour cream and salsa.

Day 1 - The beginning of the end.

For the past few days, I've been dreading having to start p90x. Today I discovered why. I wasn't very amped the entire day, after eating a rather large meal of Pad Thai, and other saucy and spicy Thai dishes last night, I felt rather queasy all day long. There was no way I was going to bag out though. My brother encouraged me to start this blog, as it worked for him to keep him motivated to "push play."

I like to think of myself as a fairly strong person. I'd say probably above average for a girl, especially my upper body as I've been pretty faithful in keeping my shoulders, back, chest, and biceps worked at the gym. After doing the Back and Chest DVD, I've never felt more incompetent in my life! I'd finish my max reps, and Tony and the Gang would continue for another 20 seconds after that...and fast! Like...is this guy f'real?

Diamond Push-ups are from hell. I wouldn't wish those upon anyone.

After I'd finished the Back and Chest portion, Sam (my brother) and my Mom (who is also currently doing p90x...'atta girl, Kath!) warned me about Ab Ripper X, which follows soon (a little too soon) after the cool down from the workout prior. I'm thinking to myself, "Oh good, crunches!" Ha...yeah....not! It was only in this portion of the workout where I actually really started to sweat, grunt, and do all those nice things that come with a killer ab workout. By the last few reps of oblique crunches (which apparently, I'm not at all co-ordinated enough to do) and mason twists, i was ready to hurl my bottle and a half of water I'd downed during the workout. And then it was done. Over. Cobra pose and Child's pose are my favourite place to be.

Although I didn't feel at all competent enough for Chest and Back, the fact that I can barely life my arms to even type this post, gives me slight satisfaction. No pain, no gain. So, here i begin my journey over the next 89 days. Phew. Here we go....


What I ate today:
Breakfast:
-Two egg omelet with onions and mushrooms
-Nectarine

Snack:
-1/2 Cup 2% Cottage Cheese with Salsa on top.

Lunch:
-Tossed Salad, with homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
-2 Hard boiled eggs
-60 Calorie Pudding Cup

Snack:
-Cucumber Slices
-Apple
-Yogurt

Supper:
-Curry Breaded Chicken Breast, with Raspberry Chipotle Relish
-Roasted Sweet Potato with Splenda

Dessert:
-Kashi Dark Mocha Almond Bar
-Hot Chocolate