Monday 23 January 2012

Something New!

Today I went to BodyVive-

http://goodlifefitness.ca/GroupExercise/Strength/BodyVive.aspx

This class is designed to focus on your core and posture, improving your functional fitness. It is quite different from my normal classes in that you don't feel exhausted at the end. It's meant to give you more energy, no drain you. I'm not sure how I felt about it. The class starts using a ball which weighs next to nothing, but is supposed to help you connect to your posture. I didn't really feel that part. Later when we got to the resistance tubing, it was more my style. Some of those exercises were a challenge!

I'm not sure that I will go to this class again.  Apparently you burn  (on average) around 500 calories per class. And I am a big believer in cross training to increase your fitness level. So, maybe I need to change the attitude that if a class doesn't leave you feeling like you're going to collapse it isn't a good workout. Whether or not I go back, at least I tried it!


Wednesday 18 January 2012

Day 3

In the original P90X there was a workout called Plyometrics. It was brutal. I think Plymoetrics must be Latin for Hell. I nearly threw up almost every time I did it. Luckly me, no Plyometrics in P90X2! Now there is Plyocide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfw7icNN4xI

Oh it was hard. It is, luckily, shorter than Plyometrics, but they make up for that by adding intensity. I was awful at it. I am not looking forward to doing this one again, but I will because I know how much it will improve my aerobic conditioning. The original workout did that for sure. Oh, and I almost forgot, this new workout has a large balance component. Damn Tony Horton insisting on making my core stronger! I hope I can make it through work tonight after that!

Yesterday I blogged about how hard it is for me to stay on track at work. Well, last night a very nice coworker bought me an Oreo baked pie from McDonalds, and I didn't eat it! In fact, I actually had no interest in eating it. Success!

I need to go drink some water-I am behind on that today, especially after such a hard workout.

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Day 2-who says yoga isn't a workout?

I've been doing yoga for years (on and off), and it's always bugged me when people say it isn't a workout. There are different types of yoga. Some designed for relaxation, some designed to increase your heart rate. P90X2 yoga is definitely designed to increase your heart rate. I was sweating, my legs were shaking, and my shoulders were burning. It was a workout indeed!

As for nutrition, I've been doing pretty good for a whole 2 days now! I have to work this evening though, and work always presents a challenge. My job is very demanding, and it makes me hungry. I never know how many extra calories I should eat. Also, my job is mentally demanding, so I'm always tempted to eat out of stress, and when that happens I don't usually reach for an apple. Evening shifts are especially bad for this.  I haven't even gone in yet and I want a chocolate cake! Another problem is drinking enough water while I'm there. I think I fell like eating because I am dehydrated. My focus tonight is to try and drink water whenever I can find a second. Hopefully that will help.


Monday 16 January 2012

The Equipment Needed for Success!


This is basically what I use for my P90X2 workouts, along with a pull up bar. The picture was hard to get because the stability ball kept rolling away. This tendency to  roll away, even when I am on it, is why that damn stability ball is my new nemesis.

OK, P90X2 balance and power is H-A-R-D!!!!! I really had to modify. I fell off that stability ball a bunch. My legs are still burning a half hour after I finished the workout. I was so sweaty it was crazy. It turns out I have neither balance nor power. I'm already looking forward to doing this workout again next week. Yes, I clearly am nuts :-).

Day 1. The starting is the hardest part.

I am going to do this. 90 days. Eat right, exercise.
I have been down the weight loss road many times. I lost 75 lbs on Weight Watchers. That’s right, 75 lbs! I weighed 225 lbs when I started the program. I was doing great. Then I hit that inevitable plateau when the weight would just not come off anymore, and I still had about 15 lbs to lose. I got discouraged, got complacent, then went back to school and just got plain too busy. I gained about 25 lbs back, and it had been brutal trying to get myself back on track. Enough is enough though!
I was super pumped to see P90X2 being released. I loved P90X. It made me want to puke, and I screamed at my TV (I said some terrible things to Tony Horton!) a lot, but I loved it. I love working out, but it has to be a challenge. So, I am going to do the 90 days of P90X2 and follow the diet plan, with a few modifications. I also go to the gym, so some days I will be replacing P90X2 workouts with trips to the gym for my favourite classes. I am going to write this blog every day to help make me accountable.
So, here is my plan for today:
P90X2 Balance and Power. First time I am doing this, but watching a few of the moves it looks like it will be tough! I’ve included the trailer so you can see what I am in for. I will let you know how I did.
http://youtu.be/ktu-OjB4wS0
For diet, the plan is basic high protein, low fat and carbs.This is a rough idea:
Meal 1-egg whites
Meal 2-whey powder, almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 C blueberries (post workout)
Meal 3-1 oz almonds, 1 apple
Meal 4-6 oz chicken, 5 c salad, 1/2 c brown rice
Meal 5-1 c yogurt
Meal 6-6 oz chicken, 1 c veg, 1/2 c beans.
And of course, lots of water.
Here I go! Up to make my egg whites and get ready for my workout!