P90X: Day12: Legs and Back

In some ways, this fast-paced, virtually non-stop workout could be considered the most difficult of the program. Combining pullups with intense leg exercises with little time for breaks makes for a really intense workout. The leg portion of the workout is a killer. There are so many moves that I don't usually do in daily life, so I find that my body has some difficulty in dealing with the mechanics of the exercises. Today's issue was super skaters, which involve deep knee bends while standing on one leg. My legs protest during that move and maintaining balance is a challenge. Hopefully, with more yoga and more focussed concentration, my balance will improve. Tip of the day: patience.

P90X: Day 11: Yoga

Yoga was like a balm for aching muscles. The past few days I've tried to increase the intensity of my workouts, and I'm feeling soreness in more areas than previously. Yoga, coming at mid week, helps to deal with muscle issue and to re-focus the mind. It may very well be the most important workout of the program.

P90X: Day 10: Shoulders and Arms

Like the last few workouts, today saw some incremental improvements over last week's workout. One of the most important aspects of this program, and any personal exercise program, is to write down results. If you don't, you'll only be guessing about what you did and what you should be doing. Not only do I check my previous efforts, I also make notes to myself about the future. Lift more! Watch form! Information is a valuable key to success.

Today, I lifted heavier on some exercises. I'm still a bit tentative on Crouching Cohen Curls for some reason (probably because I don't really like them) but I made a note to lift heavier next time.

I'm starting to get back into the rhythm of this program. I like the demands it makes of me, I like the discipline required to stick with it, and I like the energy I'm starting to feel. It's all good.

P90X: Day 9: Plyometrics

Things are improving, as Plyo wasn't quite the grind today as it was last week. I may be a bit out of shape from all the running I did during the warm months, but it doesn't seem to take too long to get back up to speed withnjump training. I'm still breathing hard and sweating buckets, but I'm not pausing the tape and I'm able to give maximum effort on all the moves.

There's still room for improvement, but I'm pleased with how things are going so far.

P90X: Day 8: Chest and Back

On to Week 2, starting with Chest and Back. Last week, I lightened the load on a few exercises, and didn't manage to reach the number of reps I'd have liked to attain on some others, so there were some goals in front of me for this workout.

I like to hit 30 reps on all pushup exercises (except the downward dog type), both rounds. Towards the end of the second round, this gets a bit challenging for the decline and heart-to-heart pushups, but I know it's a goal that can be achieved and I really stretch for it.

This is still a workout that kicks my butt. It moves at a fast pace (I had to pause twice to catch my breath and carry on with the next exercise) and gives a great pump at the end of it. It's probably one of my favourites in this series.

P90X: Day 6: Kenpo Cardio Plus

I've decided to swap out the standard Kenpo X (part of the P90X DVDs) for Kenpo Cardio Plus, which is part of the P90X Plus group. While I initially found Kenpo X a challenge, I soon got used to it, and it didn't really do much for my heart rate after a while. Kenpo Cardio Plus is more challenging for me and I thought I would benefit more for including it in this Round.

After starting the workout, I thought that I had made a mistake. My legs and butt were killing me from the Legs and Back workout, making Kenpo much more difficult. This is where the mind kicks in. You can quit, or you can tell yourself to keep going and finish the workout. I knew I wasn't injured, so I forced my body thorough the moves and finished up Week 1 strong.

Now that Week 1 is in the books, Weeks 2 and 3 will be repeats. Having been re-introduced to the series, I'll now be in a position to up the intensity.