Week 6--Day 38, 39, 40, 41, 42

I don't know why it's gotten hard to post, but it has.  The newness has worn off I suppose. ;) But nonetheless, I still feel accountable to myself to keep posting, so I can look back on these when I'm done and breathe a big sigh of relief that it's over.

I'd say the biggest part about this experience is how time consuming it is.  The food aspect alone can be exhausting. The shopping for specific foods, preparing and eating the same meals, counting servings, etc can get a little annoying.  An hour and a half work-out a day alone has you wondering where time is flying to. I feel like I have literally lost about 4 hours (if not more) out of my usual schedule.  This can cause some insanity with the personal life and relationships. (So beware...) You definitely need a supportive spouse to be there mentally and to pick up the slack, emotionally, physically, psychologically....(I could go on?). Definitely has invaded all aspects of my life.  I have to say though, it has been worth it.  Yes, it's trying, but I feel fabulous!

I have really started to notice the fatty parts of my body slimming down, in some spots there is no longer any (at least visibly) ;).  Muscle is amplifying a ton, especially in the legs, arms, and back.  I can only imagine where I'd be now if I hadn't had to lose that extra nagging baby weight.  Due to that, I don't think I'll be carrying around a six pack when I finish necessarily, but that was never exactly my goal either. 

It's encouraging to be able to do some of the moves that I started out thinking, "*Scoff* Yeeeah, riiiight".  I do dread a few of the work-outs still, but there are a lot that I look forward to.  I would definitely get weights instead of bands for this, because the bands are not giving me enough resistance at this point.  (Ah, to be able to have a full gym and weight-set in the house.....)

And yet again, I've been pondering what my work-outs are going to be like when this is done, because as wonderful as it's been, I have a hard time imagining doing this program again.  Although, I'll definitely use some of the videos in my daily routines. Anyone have suggestions for a well-rounded work-out schedule that they like to do?

Week 5--Day 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and Week 6-- Day 36, 37

You may wonder why when I post, I don't just do 31-37....Well I work hard for every one of those days so they deserve their own number. ;) Since it has been so long, and the work-outs are nothing new, I will go ahead and just post about the overall performance this week.  It was a little harder to work on my diet, as we had some family in town, but I still worked out every day, I have yet to miss one.  It is my personal challenge, and so far have yet to disappoint myself.  I guess that's not hard when you lead a life of monotony. ;) I can now do regular push-ups, and finish pretty much every work out, doing all the moves.  I figure if I still sweat a ton through all the work-outs, they must be working! It's getting easier to push myself a little more each time.

As you can see, I posted some progression pictures, and I am pretty happy with the results so far.  Not where I want to end up obviously, but I wasn't expecting to see so many improvements yet.  They're obvious to my jeans and I at least, must be working at least a little. 

It's hard to believe I'm almost halfway there.  It seems like it's taking forever, but it is definitely becoming my way of life now.  I don't really have anything specific to add currently, but that's pretty much because my mind is currently blank from exhaustion.  This is why I usually post in the morning! All I see are Z's.  Hope everyone is doing well!

Day 1 photo- Day 30 photo

Now normally, it would be embarrassing to post these pics, as I am scantily dressed and do not look like my usual model self. ;) But I cannot resist, as you can clearly see the insane results thus far!






                 Day 1

                         Day 30

Week 4-- Day 26, 27, 28 and Week 5-- Day 29, 30

Whoa, I am seriously slacking on posting. 

Ah, Core Synergistics.  It was much better this time around and I was able to do much more.  It is still a crazy work-out though.  The Yoga is coming along nicely, I am able to do almost all the moves.  Still unable to do the "Crane" though. (If you don't know what this is, I encourage you to look it up, and then try to picture me doing this move, and then laugh really hard.) That is my goal by the end of this, to achieve the Crane!

My day of rest is always welcome, and I ran into it with open arms.  Yesterday was my first day of Training block 2. (which is the 2nd of 3 sections, starting month 2). The work-out was Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps.  I actually really really liked it, but it was very hard work.  I am now able to do several regular (non-sissy) push-ups.  And I must say, my muscles are starting to look very sexy ;)

As I approach the 30th day today, I've started to analyze my diet, and although I am starving to death all the time, I have lessened my calories a little because I'm not seeing quite as much fat loss as I'd like.  It is a slow process though. I should be moving onto Phase 2 of the eating schedule, but I have decided to stay behind as I don't think I'm ready for more carbs currently.  I'll probably do phase 1 for one more month until I shed all the fat I need to.  (Dang pregnancy...)

Plyometrics was today and I am really starting to love this one! It is so hard, but so so good.  Everything has gotten a lot more bearable now that I am starting to get into a routine and know all the moves.  Overall, I am feeling fantastic and am finding I don't need as much sleep now either.  All sorts of changes going on, can't say I am not thrilled!!

I have to say, as much as I dread these work-outs sometimes, I do love this program completely!!  It's a huge work in progress, but I am totally excited by the results thus far.  I will try to post pictures later today. Granted, I don't expect to walk away from this with insanely cut abs, but am definitely hoping for a flatter, tighter stomach, and am confident I'll be able to achieve it.  I can't believe more people don't do this.  Although it does take extreme dedication which is about to be tested.  My grandma is coming into town next week to stay with us so I'm moving the TV and work-out equipment into my bedroom! lol.  I don't like anyone watching...... Imagine me being shy. ;)

This is a pretty typical week ahead of me, nothing new, nothing crazy, just back to the old grind.

Week 4--Day 22, 23, 24, 25

Wednesday was the beginning of my "rest" week, and I have now unfortunately found out that I was correct, and this is anything but rest! Yoga was on Wednesday, which I am starting to enjoy, although still very teetery on the balance poses.  (Me? Uncoordinated?? No....) One of my favorite parts about the work-outs are improving my forms and getting better at everything I try after multiple times.  What can I say? It takes me awhile to get used to stuff. :)

Onto the devil of all work-outs.....my first time doing Core Synergistics was Thursday and for the first time in twenty something days, I can say I didn't feel like I got a good work-out because I wasn't able to do half the moves.  Mainly I blame the fact that the day before I think I did something to my back during yoga and it was killing me.  I feel like my body has been falling apart this week, not getting enough rest.  Tangeant:  Dane sprained his ankle very badly on Wednesday so I've been taking care of three babies this week. ;) Things have been a little difficult to juggle, so the work-out has been on the backburner of my priorities (although still managing to do them every day....it's just coming at a cost.)  Anyway, needless to say, this work-out is a killer.  My absolute least favorite thus far (but isn't every new one??).

Kenpo was yesterday and I'm finding that I somewhat enjoy it more and more every time (one of the previously hated ones also).  Once again, now that I'm learning the moves, it's much more enjoyable and I feel much less of a fool.  It's always a good cardio work-out. 

Today was my first time doing the stretch video (as I've opted out of it (hey, it's optional!) every rest day that rolls around, I don't think anyone can blame me!) and it was phenominal.  I love stretching! Easiest and most relaxing workout yet!

It's hard to believe I'm almost (ahem, only???) 1/3 of the way to the finish! I cannot WAIT for December! I'm going to baby my poor, tired, aching body for at least a week! I keep thinking about where I'll go from there.  I can't imagine doing this thing all over again (unless I feel like a glutton for punishment), but I do see myself using some of the videos again in my daily routines.  I would much rather switch it up between all different kinds of work-outs, to try other videos, or perhaps to start going to a gym with Dane. This has opened the doors at least to the fact that I do love the burn, love the high, and can't get enough of feeling fab.  Down to a total loss of 2 inches off the waist now, can't complain about that!

Week 3--Day 18, 19, 20, 21

Well I guess you could say I took a break from posting :) It was a busy weekend and Dane was off work for 4 days, so I decided to relax my fingers.

Same routine, Yoga was Saturday, Legs and Back on Sunday, Kenpo on Monday.  Yoga was uneventful, I'm starting to enjoy it because when I'm done I feel so limber and relaxed, it's nice not to feel tight all over after every work-out.  Sunday was a great work-out like always, I wanted to die afterward and I've been sore ever since.  I always find that with that one, I usually end up in tears at some point or another.  Still not sure if it's just because I'm tired at the end of the week, or if that work-out really is the most difficult. Whatever the case, I always get extremely overwhelmed during it. I usually have to stop and get pumped up several times by Dane throughout it.  I go through the, "I can't do this anymore" speech, then I cry and lay on the floor and sob, and he tells me I'm amazing, so I get back up again and keep going.  This is becoming routine.  Which brings me to my next break-down.  Kenpo.  I do seriously believe that they made this video as their one "BS" video, for lack of anything better that they could come up with. Because it is absolutely retarded and the people working out with Tony are flabby, gross, and annoying.  Or maybe I just have an attitude when I'm doing it.  In any case, I once again threw a fit like a child because I'm for some reason not getting the whole "swing of the hips" motion at the beginning.  Which led me into, "I'm not doing this, this is stupid, it's a waste of time" rant.  I contemplated just skipping it, but my conscience will not allow it. Stupid conscience.  I ended up continuing and finishing thanks to Dane, my hero, once again.  I wouldn't really call it a work-out though because he was making me laugh the whole time by bouncing around in ridiculous positions and we made fun of the people on the video the whole time.  (And imagined people we know trying to do it. I know.......it's terrible.  You gotta do what you gotta do to get through it sometimes though!)

This week should be good because I get my "break" of resting up my body a little.  And boy were they right, you REALLY do need it after three weeks of beating up your body.

I wasn't as good this week with food, I usually have more discipline.  I gave into the peer pressure of my husband on Saturday night and we got Chinese.  It's also kind of difficult when you hang out with friends often, and everyone goes out to eat on the weekend, etc. Sometimes I'm bad, and most times I'm good. ;) I'm not sweating it too bad though, I'm burning off calories enough that it shouldn't be a huge stress.  I'll do better this week. 

I wasn't expecting how much this whole thing was really going to cut into my life.  Everything is scheduled around working-out and eating.  I also feel like I'm always running short on time and neglecting certain things that I need to do and pretty soon it's all piled up on top of me.  I really must manage time better now.  You really don't realize how much an 1 1/2 workout, eating, and menu planning cuts into your day.  My husband is a wonderfully patient man.  He deserves a reward at the end of all of this. (Oh wait, that's gonna be me! ;))

Today is my break, and I'm taking it....now. Week 4 starts tomorrow!

Week 3--Day 16 and 17

Is it Tuesday yet?  Oh how I love my break day.  Plyometrics was insane yesterday, all I wanted to do was sit on the floor and watch.  Jumping around wasn't ideal for the state I was in, but nonetheless I hopped around like a kangaroo (much more suave than it sounds ;)) until sweat was once again pouring down my body.  It's amazing to me how much I can dread working out but so love the feeling I get afterward.  I feel like I've been a little more negative about all of this lately, but I really mean it only to be extreme exhaustion.  I do love these work-outs, but I wish I could just fast-forward through them like in the movie "Click".  Nothing worth having comes easy I suppose.

I severely wanted to take a mental health day today, it's kind of been a rough week, but persuaded myself out of it. (I'll save one of those for when I truly need it). It's one of my favorites anyway. Today my hubby was home and was watching off and on while I was doing the arms and shoulders work-out.  He was amazed how muscular my triceps are starting to look, honestly I hadn't really noticed.  So it is a nice surprise when he is starting to notice little things like legs looking smaller (which he assures me didn't mean they were fat before..................I love husbands.), arms looking muscular, overall strength and endurance etc.  I'm only on day 17, so I'm ecstatic! For all those people who want fast results out there, this is the work-out for you.  (Notice I said fast, not EASY.)

I'm wondering from all this writing if anyone is considering starting, or have I scared you all off? ;) It is not for the faint of heart, that is for sure.  You always have a cheerleader in me though! I definitely will sing P90X praises to all when this is all said and done! Can't wait to see the end results! Are you on the edge of YOUR seat as much as I am??