May 25, P90X3, Week 3, Day 1- Total Synergistics.

May 25, P90X3, Week 3, Day 1- Total Synergistics.

Looking at my schedule, this is the final week of the raw Block 1 because next week looks like a recovery week.  So, I decided to really push it hard from the get go. But instead of increasing my weights, I figured I'd just go for speed and a higher level of intensity concentrating on form. From the first move, I really tried to make my form as perfect as I could with as much range of motion as I could. As in move 2. Crescent Chair, I tried to keep my chair a 90 degrees and then my back leg as straight as possible, with chest up, elbows locked. I think I did pretty well for a novice.

I tried to go as low as possible on the Plie squats (6), That was painful. Legs straight on all the "Boat" moves. Everything was going very well. I felt really good, so I decided to go ahead and up my weights from 10kgs to 12kgs. Not so much, but it made a big difference. On the (11) Glamor Hammer, I barely got 12 reps on the right and barely 10 on the left. Last week with 10kgs, I got 12 on both sides with some struggle.

I should have gone up in weight on the (13) Flying Warrior. I'll admit, 5kgs in each hand was too easy, but my form was good. I think my balance moves were a lot better this week. Then the last three moves. (14) Squat Rockers up to 12kgs. OUCH! Dropped to 8 reps from 14. I really tried to get low on the chair move. I had to come out of it a few times. (15) Side rise Punch, I broke the rule, I caught myself holding my breath on the last couple reps on both sides.

On the final move, (16) Warrior Squat Moon. I was determined to have perfect form, straight back leg, strong reach up, and out. I went from 7 to 8 reps. My butt was in major pain on both sides by the 8th rep. Maybe a little too much pain. I didn't cramp up or anything, but I will admit that I got a touch of dizziness right after the move. Maybe pushed it a little to far. Took my cool down a little slower and longer today.

Yes, I will be careful tomorrow. But WEEK 3 is off and running!  BRING IT!!!

May 24, P90X3- Rest Day

May 24, P90X3- Rest Day.

I didn't do anything strenuous today. Really rested today. However, I did Foam Roll for 35 minutes in the evening while watching "Whose Line is it Anyway?". When I would laugh while rolling a hot spot... OUCH!!! Calves especially had several hot spots. Along with my lats and Tris.

Vanilla Shakeology for Dinner. That flavor is fast becoming my favorite. Not because of the vanilla taste, but rather because the way the vanilla enhances the tastes of the various fruits I add to the Shakeology. Delicious!

May 23, P90X3, Week 2, Day 6- The Warrior

May 23, P90X3, Week 2, Day 6- The Warrior.
Today was rather different from last week. First off, I knew today was going to be a double day so I made a concerted effort to get to bed a little earlier than usual. But before going to bed, I put the Cold Start and The Warrior onto my iPad because I don't have a DVD player at the gym. I got up early and went to the gym and did the Cold Start and The Warrior. I was able to hang until the Super Burpees.killed me. I pushed it hard, but only lasted 30 seconds before I had to take a breather. The other moves were great. I think this is one of my favorite workouts because it doesn't repeat the moves, and I love the variety of the moves. The combo of upper body, cardio, and core is a great systematic approach to the routine. It forces us to push when we can push and then raise the intensity when we can, namely, the core moves.

In the next moment I played a tough match of tennis. At first, my legs were like rubber. Warming up was tough. I just couldn't get my legs under me. But as I was getting into it, my energy started coming back. Great match, with some great games and rallies. I mean, so major knock down bang up hitting all out rallies. So much fun, and those awesome rallies just energized me more. Final score, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. There were 5 games that I fell behind 15-40, but I came back to win in 4 of those games. Good scrappy play. Tons of fun!

Total calorie burn 1600+kcals in over 2 hours of P90X3 and Tennis! Totally great way to end the week!

May 22, P90X3, Week 2, Day 5

CVX.

Pushed it hard today.

I kept the weights in my hands the whole time. Last week I had to drop the weights from 4kgs to 2kgs for one move. My shoulders were dying with the March and Reach.

This is such a great workout. Last week I burned 494kcals, but I burned close to 650kcals.

No more holding back.

May 21, P90X3, Week 2, Day 4

The Challenge.

In one word, OUCH!!!

Last week was the first go so I was a little conservative and found my limitation. Today, I pushed my limits. My number was 25 push ups, and 10 pull ups/chin ups. I went up on the push ups by 5. I stuck with 10 pull ups, because I only went to 10 on the first round, then I had to break it up 6-4 after that. Today, I went to the 7-3 split. The push ups were a real challenge. I knew doing that many sets would push me. I was able to stay up for all the sets except the second to last set. I had to go on my knees before the last 5.

Back to pull ups, I got the 10 in the first round, the 7-3 split on the next 5, and then had to go back to the 6-4 split on the very last set.

The Burn Out I wanted to really push it, so I just kept going and was able to up the set count by one. From 10 to 11. Parallel Grip pull ups and then 3 regular push ups.

Got such a major burn. It took a longer than usual to get my heart rate down out of the zone. It took almost 15 minutes to get out of the zone. Then, I could barely lift my arms to get my undershirt on. Talk about rubber arms.

Finally, I think my new favorite grip is the Vaulter Pull up. I really felt like my arms and back were supporting each other as they got burned out. I couldn't have done any other form at the end. That was a great grip to put at the end of a grueling workout.

GREAT WORKOUT!!!

May 20, P90X3, Week 2, Day 3

X3 Yoga

I had some extra time today so I was tempted to do X2 Yoga instead of X3 Yoga, but I stuck with the program as scheduled, because there was another little program that I really wanted to try out. So After I did X3 Yoga, I did that other program. But first, X3 Yoga.

Last week I didn't realized that there was Cold Start on X3 Yoga, but I noticed it this week and I did it. Sound weird? to do a warm up before Yoga? Not at all! No matter what workout I do, it always take about 10-15 minutes for me to get into a zone so the Cold Start is perfect to get me up and running so to speak. I was able to do the wrap better, but I realized that I have more power in my left leg that I do my right. Not exactly sure why. Maybe I was positioned wrong, but when going from Plane to Crescent Pose, I needed assistance on my right and popped up on my left. I'll have to pay attention more next time to see if it happens again and if it does, why. I didn't feel as rushed this time around either, except when Tony says, "We don't have time..." and "Gotta move." Then I felt a little rushed. I guess it's all mental. Over all felt really good and energized afterwards.

Then, I went right into Mark Lauren's "You are Your Own Gym" program. I just started with his first novice workout. Only four moves at four sets each. The whole main workout was only 15 minutes long, 12 if you take out the explanations. Plus 11 minutes if you add the warm up and cool down. I did the whole thing so it was an extra 25 minutes or so. Nice little program for just a little added boost. Easy moves, but became a bit of a challenge by the final set.

To close out the week, I've got three tough workouts waiting. I almost did The Challenge today and X3 Yoga tomorrow, but again, decided to stick to the program as recommended and provided. I'll save the changes for my hybrid after everything is done.

Did a little something different with my Shakeology tonight. I added whole grain Muesli. Thought it would get a little grainy, but it was a nice surprise to see how much the taste was enhanced.

Have a great day!

May 19, P90X3, Week 2, Day 2

Agility X.

My left ankle was feeling a lot better so there was no issue with it today. I could go all out, as much as I could. This is the one workout where I wish I had more space. My "X points" have to be closer than I'd like them to be because of the limited space. So on moves like 8 Sprint 3 and 3.4 Run. I am basically doing something like the towel run in P90X's Plyo X routine. So it is a lot more high knees to compensate.

I love this workout, but it doesn't seem like an "Agility" workout to me. It still seems like a regular cardio workout. And man was it cardio. I totally got that vibe going. I was able to hang with most of the workout until the Scissor Kick Jumps. I kept up with the pause at the end of the line, but when I did it without that pause, I could only hang for about 15 seconds. Totally burned me out. Great move. Still can't get my legs that high though. Working on it.

Over all a great workout, again with the Cold Start. Odd, because I burned 60kcals (51 yesterday evening) on today's CS. I guess it's because I worked out in the morning today.

Hope everyone is starting off their week well!