W4D6, PiYo: Sweat + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.

W4D6, PiYo: Sweat + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.

Chalene must be focusing on legs and booty these past three days, because my legs and butt are really feeling it. Drench, Strong Legs, and Sweat in succession is a real killer. OH MY!!! Today, however, something in my right hip flexor felt like it was popping and sort of opening up. I was somewhat of a latent pain on the move that starts in a deep lunge then raise the knee of the back leg when you stand. I had to pull back a bit and not go down as far, but it didn't affect my sumo squats. I sweat like the dickens!!!

The flow was good. For the first time, I didn't over step and lose my balance doing the first flow. I was very happy for that. Also, the splits were still stable and opened up to my low mark.
‪#‎PiYo‬ beat me up this week so I am very glad to make it to my off day. I'm going to take advantage of this day and rest up. I can't believe I'm already half way done the program. I'm going to have to really bring it in the second half.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

W4D5, PiYo: Strong Legs + SPS: Functional Cardio 2 + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.

W4D5, PiYo: Strong Legs + SPS: Functional Cardio 2 + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.
True Confession: I was planning to workout in the morning, but when I woke up, my legs were aching from yesterdays workout so I wimped out, got an extra 90 minutes of sleep and did my workout in between my day session classes and night session classes. Yes, I wimped out! Drench Legs was really tasking and then the SPS weights had a legs progression as well so double whammy for my lower body yesterday. I expected to be very sore and I was. I checked Strong Legs last night and yep, Chalene uses the Power Slides so I was like, "Oh Shoot!" I probably doomed myself with that attitude, but the soreness was real.
When I started the workout, I was still sore, but there was no way around it this time. I had to go through it. Basically, today's routine was the entire Legs progression from Drench, Plus a few other moves. This is something that I don't want to do again. I did make it through most of the first progression again, but my weaker side (right) I couldn't go past the slow lunges without taking a break. Then, after that, I felt like I was on the verge of cramping up on my hamstrings so I took a quick stretch break between most of the moves and side transitions. Today was really tough, but I don't think I would have been that bad if I had not done Drench the previous day. Yeah, I know, I sound like a baby. In the end, I manned up and stuck it out till the end. I am SO glad it was only 20+ minutes and no longer!
When it rains, it pours! Today's SPS focused on lower body. I had to really push through to get it done. But the 10 sets were invigorating so I was re-energized as I got closer to the end. On the In-and-Out move, I was trying to focus on keeping my knees together as much as possible so I could get more on my core. THAT was tough. I usually have my knees a little open, so today was a lot tougher. Short but really intense cardio workout.
By this time, my legs were like rubber and shaking like a wet, scared chihuahua. But I had to push through and do the flow. I had to baby my right knee again. I tried to go as fast and smooth as possible with full range of motion. It was hard to control my speed so as not to rush. Combining speed and full range of motion is extremely difficult. The first two times, I lost balance and focus. This happened to me yesterday and the day before when I tried to speed up. It is almost like I need to calibrate my body with two junk flows to get my bearings. Once I get my bearings, I can jam! Subsequent flows were a thing of beauty. I am moving closer to being ready to video the flow. Still a little self-conscious about that though.
Splits were good. Hip right flexor needs to open up a lot more though. I'm trying to push it, but it is tight and painful, so I need to go slow and controlled. I didn't go down any further, but I'm getting used to the newest mark thus far, so I hope to go down a bit more in a couple days. But for now, things are going as well as can be expected.
Question about splits training: Is splits training something I should do EVERYDAY, or is it okay to take a rest day?
When all was said and done, I burned just under 600kcals today.

W4D4, PiYo: Drench + SPS: Weights 2 + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.

W4D4, PiYo: Drench + SPS: Weights 2 + Tai Cheng Flow + Splits.

I couldn't really understand how low impact could "drench" me in sweat. I found out rather quickly how. There were about 5 progressions and my butt was dying on the first Leg progression. I almost made it through the second fast bowlers, but I couldn't take the pain in my butt so I had to tap out for a quick stretch but I got back into it quickly. There was a lot of lower body and leg work. The upper body and core came into play over half way through with the PiYo Push Ups. I was sweating up a storm, but didn't get any sprinkler action due to the low impact. This is the longest routine in PiYo so far, a good 48 minutes. I was a little nervous to do a longer routine, but the time went by fast. Awesome workout!

The weights today were really tasking. The program itself is really good, but the way the videos are carried out is extremely shoddy. For example, on the video, Mike Chang says, "Do 3 sets..." but on the work sheet, it calls for only 2 sets. There are a lot of those little discrepancies. So I decided to do 3 sets of everything. It was very tough, but I got an excellent Pump and burn! Felt good.

The flow today was very good. I felt really fluid through most of it. I lost balance a few times because I was over extending. Once I realized the problem, I was able to rectify the situation and the following flows were very stable. Also, my right knee felt a bit gimpy and I had to baby it a bit by changing my stance a bit.

Splits were good. I mainly worked on stretching out the inner thigh and hamstrings. I was doing it while watching a recording of the SOTU so I wasn't focusing on the pain, but rather just dropped into it and sat.

After all was said and done, I burned over 1200kcals today. Huge burn!

W4D3, PiYo: Full Body Blast + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Tennis.

W4D3, PiYo: Full Body Blast + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Tennis.

Another full morning of activity. Started my day with Shakeology and then PiYo. What a MAJORLY INTENSE routine it was. I got further today through the first progression than I did the last time. I made it through the next to last move before I had to tap out for a break. I still contend that the Power Slides are a GREAT TOOL!!!! I am able to do most of the advanced moves along with the guy except for the sliding plank to pike move. I can't slide both hands back at the same time, I have to slide-walk my hands back. That guy must have incredible core strength, something that I hope to have one day. Got a great workout this morning.

Drove right to the my next venue for tennis. I arrived early so I stretched out and did my Tai Cheng. I did several warm up flows then I went for the big one. I did SIX continuous flows and I ended up 10 paces directly in front of my starting point. Looks like I'm where I am supposed to be. I could count my flow breaks on one hand during my 6 flow run. I'm very happy about my results so far.

Tennis today was on point. I don't know about the end result, final score 6-0, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. I say I don't know about the result because my opponent said that he was a bit under the weather. But as for my play, I was striking the ball solidly and hitting the lines with accuracy. I was also very good with my footwork. I just went with the flow and I was very successful with my game. But throughout the whole match I was feeling PiYo on my core and legs. I worked it hard and am reaping the benefits of it in my performance today.

It's been a great week 4 so far, let's keep it going!

W4D2, PiYo: Hardcore on the Floor + SPS: Functional Cardio 1 + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Splits.

W4D2, PiYo: Hardcore on the Floor + SPS: Functional Cardio 1 + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Splits.

I was still feeling extremely tired from my work on Sunday, so I decided not to do a morning workout and worked out after work in the late afternoon. I was still BLAAH but I knew I had to work so I pressed PLAY!

According to the schedule, I could choose between Core and Hardcore, so I'm always up for a challenge so I went with the new routine. I won't say I regretted it, but from a pain and grueling point of view, yeah, I regretted it. I maxed out several times during the routine and my core was hard. Worked it from several different angles and felt like it really targeted the right places. I realized how much work I need to do on my core. I'm glad it wasn't any longer that is was. I really enjoyed the rocking back moves. They are fun and inject a playful atmosphere in the midst of the pain that creeps up on you.

I want do spread the weights from SPS out from now on, so instead of doing the scheduled weights today, I went with the the cardio. Final time for this routine of Phase 1 so I really wanted to bang this one out of the park. But the problem was that I lost count of my sets and I am sure I did the prescribed number, but when I wasn't sure, I did two extra to make sure I did the 10 sets. So actually I may have done 12 sets. I'll never know until I can time travel and check. Got a good sweat and pump today. Upped the number of push up jacks by 2 over the 10-12 sets. I challenged my son to a set and I crushed him! LOL! But it served as motivation for him to workout. He doesn't like losing to me... at anything!

Flow focus this week is... TRANSITIONS. By transitions, I mean I want to really iron out the movement from one step to the next so the flow actually flows and is not like a stop-and-go feel to it. Perpetual motion is the key work this week. Keep on moving and flow. Worked out well and made good transitions, but I lost my balance a few times which interrupted the flow, of course, so I need to keep working until every flow I do is automatically picture perfect and a pleasure to watch.

I am beginning to get comfortable with the pain of the splits. But, the Straddle to right move is the most painful of all and therefore needs the most work. So I am putting in more time with the right side because it is being the left side by a good 5-7 centimeters. For now, I'm satisfied with my progress. Got a lot of good advice and am very thankful for it. Hopefully that will speed things up, but I have to stay consistent and not shy away from the pain.

Good start to my workout week that officially started on Saturday night, but today is the first scheduled on time workout of Week 4.

W3D7/W4D1,Tai Cheng-Full Flow + PiYo: Strength Intervals + SPS: Weights 1 + Splits.

W3D7/W4D1,Tai Cheng-Full Flow + PiYo: Strength Intervals + SPS: Weights 1 + Splits.

This is another odd day, sort of. Normally Saturday is an off day for me, but since I have to work on Sunday, which is usually the Day 1 of my workout week, and that work will go late and I would potentially be unable to workout. So that is why I'm doing my day 1 workout for week 4 on day 7 of week 3, then taking Sunday off.  However, I may do a small supplemental workout if I feel up to it and if it is not too late.

Today was a beautiful day. I spent over 3 hours outside with my daughter just playing, talking, Ripstiking, etc. So I had the idea to do the Tai Cheng Flow. I did it several times and then I had the idea to do consecutive flows. So I did a series of 4 flows in a row. Very interesting vibe from that. Felt very peaceful and fluid. I probably did over 30 flows. Not in a row, but between activities with my daughter.

After sunset, I started my regular workout.  I didn't make it all the way through Strength Intervals the first time last week, but I made it all the way through this time.  However, at every Child's Pose I literally collapsed down.  That is a short but extremely tough routine. My quads were already burning in the WARM UP!!!  When that happened, I knew it was going to be a good workout. The LEGS section is up first, and it kills! I barely made it through the other two progressions. I got stronger with the other programs so I enjoyed the sets of push ups, but the slow push ups were giving me a good pump and burn.

I was really fighting with myself as to whether or not I should go all out with SPS. Whether I should just go with a cardio routine or the scheduled weights routine.  As noted, I ended up going with the weights.  I also thought I would go a little lighter, but no, I went full on and pushed myself to failure and I had to lower the weights for the third set on the shoulders and lats circuit.  I also had to break up the final set of bicep curls to 8-4.  Got an extremely good pump, burn and sweat.

The splits were actually pretty good today.  I tried to stretch out a lot and it paid off. I went further down again today, just by like half a centimeter, but I could feel it pulling down.  I think I'm getting used to the pain. But the left hip is still extremely tight so moving from straddle splits to front left splits is impossible without coming out first.  Hopefully that will fix itself as I stretch and train.

It was a good day and a very beneficial workout.  But I still miss my off day. Tomorrow is here. But with work, won't feel like a true off day. :-(

W3D6, PiYo: Full Body Blast + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Splits.

W3D6, PiYo: Full Body Blast + Tai Cheng-Full Flow + Splits.

Let me say that I am a bit surprised that I don't recall anything in this group about this particular routine. THIS ROUTING WAS AMAZING!!! I had been wondering when the Power Slides were going to come into play and they came out in an incredible way. For me, those Power Slides are probably the most simple and yet revolutionary fitness tool I have. Who knew that they were so amazing! Before today, I had only slid around on them a bit and my daughter played with them a bit. Long story short, I was totally dying using them. I only made it through about half the moves without needing a break. The first lunge series... OUCH!!! I was just barely keeping up with the four count, but when the two count came, NO WAY! I needed a break before going into it. I also needed a break before the 4-count bowlers and the 2-count bowlers on both sides. The plank to tuck was another KILLER move. My core has never been so tasked in any workout thus far. The intensity necessary both in and out is incredible. Definitely a LOVE/HATE relationship with these things. Also, with the simple oblique move she did, I felt like my obliques have never been so worked over... EVER! And that is even more than the side pikes in Ab Ripper X. It felt like a total oblique workout. And I was spent after that small number of reps. INCREDIBLE!!! The Slides are my new favorite fitness tool... among all my other favorites.

This is the final day for Form Focus on the Flow. Staying focused through out the whole entire flow, I 100% nailed the flow on both sides. Zero detectable mistakes. There were a few adjustments I had to make because of my limited space, but I felt perfect! And it felt GOOD! I'm sure that Dr. Cheng would find several flaws, but until I can do it in front of him or another Tai Chi Master, I'm satisfied and at peace. Now, I was so happy that I tried to pick up the speed and really move. The first time through I lost my balance a few times, but kept it together. The second time, I focused on balance. I believe balance will be on line for next weeks flow focus.
Okay, Today, I really nailed my splits. I went down further than any other time thus far. I got down a whole inch further than yesterday. I've almost draws even with my marks. Once I draw even with my feet marks, that means I will have opened up by 3.5 inches since December, when Tai Cheng started working on splits in Neural Reboot 4. If I can keep that pace, I should be to full splits by the middle of September! Encouraging results today! I asked yesterday if I should hold or push on the splits. I think my body just answered that question. PUSH!!!

No SPS today, but I am going to workout tomorrow because of my Sunday Schedule. I have to work on Sunday and its going to be a long tough day. But I'm so happy for today's successes and pain! Hello Weekend!!! I'M HERE!!!