P90x week 9 & 10

So here's my recap on weeks 9 & 10 of Beach Body's P90x Lean Program.  I originally was going to separate these weeks, but due to technically difficulties with getting a new iPad, I lost week 9 before I had a chance to post it.

Week 9 was a tough week for me.  My body is still getting adjusted to the early school mornings, double workouts, the increased running miles, and a tougher p90x workouts.  I feel like I am finally fueling properly, however I am still worn out by the end of the day.  Monday started with Les Mills body flow & a short 1 mile run in the morning, followed by chest/back & ab ripper x in the evening.  Tuesday, I skipped my am YMCA spin class because of an appointment, but if finished up the long day with cardio x.  I went for a 2.7 mike run Wednesday afternoon, then finished cursed my way through shoulders/arms & ab ripper x. Thursday was a relaxing day started with Body flow and ended with yoga x.  I skipped the yoga belly x section, tired.  Friday, D'reardon and I went for a 2.7 mile walk at Glasgow park after the girls went to school, I tried to convince him to join me for core synergistic but he declined. Saturday was a great calorie burning day, I woke up before the family and met up with Black Girls Run for a 3.1 mile run at Glasgow (big hill x2), then I kicked butt in Kenpo x. My body was screaming for a rest on Sunday... But really laundry and cleaning were my workouts instead.
Here's my photo from week 9...

Week 10 was a little more creative for me.  Another adjustment... Getting used to being back on the road.  Reminding myself of all of my ways to stay healthy and energized while traveling.  I decided not to take my laptop with me, trying to cut down on the amount of stuff going to and from Palm Springs.  That being said, I wrote down my daily workouts, and all of the exercises in order.  Since I flew out Monday afternoon, I was able to fit in my YMCA Body Flow class, and my p90x workout before leaving for the airport.  Tuesday morning, I woke up insanely early, 4:15am PDT (thanks EDT for messing up my body clock).  I completed p90x cardio x in my room, then headed out for a 2mile desert run.  I actually had a long day of meetings, I grabbed a quick dinner, and was asleep by 8pm (worn out).  Wednesday, I woke up a little later, 5:05am, so I decided to run to the gym (which was at the back of the resort) and do my Back & Bicep workout there, I skipped the ab ripper exercises due to time.  Fortunately, the hotel had an amazing gym, however, I forgot my exercise list... So I relied purely on memory to do the exercises, I got in a pretty decent workout considering.  Thursday, I slept in until 6:15am, woo hoo, and even better it was yoga X day!! I think I know the video by heart, so no lists needed.  I turned on my favorite yoga Pandora station and started.  I felt great, and relaxed to start my day... Which was great, because that was presentation day.  Friday was my flight home, yay.  I woke up early again, thanks EDT, and decided if I wanted coffee, I had to put out a little effort.  I went for a 2 mile walk around the desert resort before grabbing coffee and fruit for breakfast.  I moved my p90x rest day to Friday because flying from west to east, makes for a long, long day... So, my walk was a bonus!  Saturday was core synergistic and it was tough.  I think I was just worn-out from traveling.  I just wrapped Sunday's workout, Kenpo x... And after a long week, and a long day Saturday it was hard.  Fortunately, week 10 brought one more bonus, the p90x app was free... it has all of the workout lists and a calendar to keep me on track!  It even has the videos available for purchase, here's the bigger bonus no more writing down the exercises or traveling with my laptop, yay!
Here's my week 10 photo, I actually took it Friday...

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Overall, weeks 9 and 10 were productive, and butt kicking!  Still to this day, I love yoga x...  My least favorite exercises are splits, half moon pose, superman/banana (mostly banana), all pull-ups, and prison push-ups.  I am still amazed that after 10 weeks these workouts are still challenging.  But i must admit, Week 10 without Tony's voice & jokes was awesome... Naturally, after 80+ straight days with someone, they will start to get on your nerves, especially if they're making you do something hard, like working out.  This is why most people only see their personal trainers a few times a week.  Wish my and my tv luck on week 11, I'll try to work it out, with out, kirking out on Tony & my tv.

P90x Week 7 & 8

Since P90x Lean Program's week 7, consisted of the same workouts as week 5 & 6, I decided to include it's review with week 8.

Week 7, well how did go? Not so great... I made it through, but I was pretty un-enthused all week.  I had originally planned to my double workout days back in, but the YMCA was basically closed (except for Spin classes) for building maintenance.  So, on Tuesday, I decided I would get in a double workout... Yay, right... Wrong!  I did an hour of a hard Spin class breathing in air filled with floor varnish fumes... Bad idea.  I think I would of rather smelled sweaty people, because after class, I was light headed and ended up with a 2-day headache.  I still pushed through my evening P90x workouts, but I must say, it was tough!  The rest of the week, I found myself going through the motions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  I moved my rest day up from Sunday to Saturday due to the Barnes Family Reunion and the Holiday Weekend.  Sunday, then became Kenpo X day, which was a nice way to burn some goo from the weekend's food.  Clearly, I was looking forward to week 8, I was so over this same workout rotation for 3 weeks... besides I really dislike the Legs/Back workout.  I did set a running goal for me this week, which I did not even get to... Fail.  On a positive note, I did do a better job refueling myself, and keeping up with my mid-day snacks and hydration!


I do love my photo from week 7... the Joy of Motherhood, No Privacy!

Week 8, brought a much needed break, the same way week 4 did.  No major weight training workouts, just a big focus on core, cardio, and stretching.  The biggest bonus, 2 Yoga X days!  Monday was Labor Day, and pretty low key for us, I welcomed a new Lean Program week with Yoga X, a great way to kick off Fall.    Tuesday, I skipped a double workout at my local YMCA, to paint my youngest daughter's new big girl room... Which come to find out, was a workout in itself, and Core synergistic did not give my sore painting muscles a break ;-(.  Wednesday, I felt really productive and great, I touched up Mia's room, then ran 2.6+ miles, and gave a good fight to Kenpo X.  Thursday brought another double workout day, focusing all on stretching!!  I did Les Mills Body Flow class, then X Stretch that evening... I felt so loose!  Friday and Saturday, I skipped my scheduled runs, but not my favorite Cardio X and Yoga X!  Sunday was D'reardon's birthday, which meant I was giving myself a present of rest!!  Week 8 was really a much better week for my workouts, but not for visible results (Thanks to being super bloated)... So, I decided not to take a photo!

Bring on Week 9, and all of the extra workouts... I will "do my best, and forget the rest"!!

How My Workouts Work Out!

Many struggle with fitting workouts into their already busy schedules. I've had the same problem for years, and it got worse after I had kids. As you know, I travel a lot for a living, so not only do I have to workout at home, but I can't skip it on the road... That's like taking 1 step forward, and 3 back!

So here's how I make my workouts work out...

1. Schedule & Plan
I schedule my workouts on my calendar as I would a meeting or the kids swim lessons. Then I plan, I make sure to bring my gym clothes, bottle water, after workout snack with me, so there's no excuses! I wish I could "fly by the seat of my pants" but if I did, I would find everything else in the world to do but workout. I love it once I'm there, but just like most, getting there is the problem... So, I schedule & plan!

2. Recruit a Workout Buddy
I have a handful of friends & co-workers that I workout with. First, because I am meeting them at the gym, I can't stand them up! They hold me accountable! I also have recruited friends with similar fitness goals, so we cheer each other on (which is great motivation for those days I don't want to workout). Second, I don't feel alone when there's someone to talk to, plus it makes the workouts go by faster!!

3. Attend Group Classes
I enjoy group classes because the time is already set, and the class is planned out. So I'm not left wandering the gym trying to figure out what to do next. Plus, good music makes the classes go by faster too!

4. Trainer
I currently do not have or pay for a trainer, however I have in the past. They have designed plans for me on my days in the actual gym. I suggest, most gyms offer at least 1 free training session with your membership... Take advantage of it, and be very clear about your fitness goals! Also, if your budget permits, hire a trainer for a few sessions until you get acclimated with the exercises. If you opt to try it out on your own, remember to keep that heart rate up in between sets, switch exercises or keep it up with jumping jacks, squat thrusts, etc...

Here is my Daily Workout schedule at Home...
Monday: Les Mills Body Flow & Easy Run
Tuesday: Spin class & extra cardio during swim lessons (elliptical, cybex, swim laps)
Wednesday: Run (tempo or speed work) & core exercises
Thursday: Les Mills Body Flow
Friday: Long Run
Saturday: Yoga or an Easy Run (sporadic, family time & activities take precedence)
Sunday: Church (workout for my soul)

Here is my Daily Workout on the Road...
Monday: Easy Run
Tuesday: Xtrain Cardio (elliptical/bike) & upper body exercises
Wednesday: Run (tempo or speed work) & core exercises
Thursday: Xtrain Cardio & lower body exercises
Friday: Long Run
Saturday: Yoga in my hotel room
Sunday: Rest

With every workout day, I stretch & stretch a lot. I don't do a whole lot of weight training, I prefer to use my body weight for the resistance, which works well on the road (no equipment I have to bother with).

I hope my tips & schedule help your workouts work out in your daily life!!