P90X, Day 18: Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X

I realized that I have almost no trouble waking up at 5:00-5:15 to do these work outs. It's refreshing looking forward to a work out -- especially one you'd wake up at the buttcrack of dawn for!

Today's was Shoulders & Arms and I am so happy I bought the weights. There was no chafing or anything; there was just my full range of motion and the appropriate amount of weight even on the way down. I had trouble doing the tricep dips because I couldn't go all the way down. I'm still sore in my shoulders from the chest & back exercises I did with the pull-ups and push-ups. Like the first time I did this, I had to figure out what weights work best for me, so there was a little bit of adjusting; also, there was time wasted in pushing the knob back and forth to get the correct number of weights I wanted. That's the setback about these adjustable weights: it takes time to adjust them. I'll admit I'm sure there are better designs than the one from Jillian Michaels, but for the price I'll spend an extra 4 seconds to get the weights I want.

Abs was good. I think I could have worked harder. Instead of oblique v-up things I did planks and did obliques there. I was wiped out by the end but still did the 50 of the end things where you raise your legs and twist back and forth. It is really hard getting your legs out there straight.

Yesterday I was pretty good. I drank my 42g protein shake, 2 bananas, asian pear, apple, nuts and lunch was vegetables and tofu. Oh, and I also ate an Odwalla bar. I didn't want to, but I was starving and the bars are vegan. I've been ravenous for the past two days. Some days I am just hungrier. I realized now I just have to cut, cut, cut the rest of the bad stuff out of my diet: white sugar, white carbs. Pretty good on that. Yesterday after lunch I was craving sweets but the only sweets here had milk in them so that was a no. I'm proud that I powered through the craving. It gets easier the more days you do it. I previously craved bread and other grains but I'm doing so much better now. It is just hard to get over that initial hump of cravings.

P90X, Day 17: Yoga

So that was Yoga fail. Got up at 5:15 surprisingly without hassle after a pretty bad sleep (fuck you, asshole who called me at 1:36AM. You have to double triple check to make sure you're not calling the wrong number after 9PM, okay? Seriously.). Did 0:15 of yoga. It was too boring. Too repetitive. Too non-exhilarating. Well I suppose it's supposed to be relaxing and calm but I hate staying in the same place more than once. Or, I should say, I don't like holding poses. Sometimes it's because my balance is off, but it's mostly because it's boring and I know I'm going to do it again and again and again. Don't get me wrong; I don't think it's easy at all. It's just boring. And the thing where you plank, get down very low on the ground and return face up is very difficult. I cheated there. I'm also pretty sore -- my abs and my upper back near my arms. I could never get sore like this using bands!


Happy Cinco de Mayo, and May the Fit be wit you.

P90X, Day 16: Chest & Back + Ab Ripper X

Yesterday I wasn't too good. I had 2 huge samosas, and they weren't even that tasty. Well I started off with 42g protein smoothie (with mango sorbet, mmmm :) ), then I had some mung bean cake probably... apple and 2 bananas some time throughout the day (the latter with pb of course), the 2 samosas, and then banh mi for dinner, which was atypical because I hardly ever eat after 6 or 7, but I was quite hungry! And then I went home and ate 2 mung bean cake pieces :)

This morning the fourth was with me. Or shall I say, the fourth wath with me. I did Chest & Back + Ab Ripper X. I suck when doing push ups. So bad. And pull-ups. So bad. My form is so off. I HATE DIVE BOMBERS. The weights are totally awesome, just as awesome as I had hoped. But I'm afraid I'll require heavier weights soon, crap. I used the max (12.5 lbs) on heavy pants and lawn mowers. 10 lbs on the sitting down ones. I pushed myself through the ab work out and now my abs are sore which is good. I tried my hand (stomach?) again at the oblique v-ups and I really think I will just do the move from Insanity where you get in a low plank and bring your knees to your elbow, alternating knees, instead.

Today I ate: banana, 42g protein smoothie, banana w/ pb, 1 pc mung bean cake, asian pear, and then cauliflower, carrots and broccoli with eggplant hummus. I ate a lot yesterday so I toned it down today esp on the refined carbs. I still sometimes crave sweets but I mostly only crave sweets after a big lunch. So if I don't have a big lunch I'm usually okay.

I'm a little bit in trouble. My boss requested I come in at 9. Lately I have been coming in around 11. I will have to wake up earlier (back to waking up at 5:30..) because I know I will not work out when I get home. Also I'm losing time due to coming and going at high traffic times. I'm so screwed. I am thankful I have a job, and I'm thankful for my able body. I must make it work.

P90X, Day 15: Plyometrics

Rest Day was Day 14, but since I didn't work out Wed-Fri I worked out today. My schedule is all off and I threw it even more off because I did Plyo today instead of Chest & Back + Abs. I decided to wait for my weights to come (today!) so I can do the weights training with weights and not bands. I am SO EXCITED to receive them. Speaking of which, I found a body tape measure on Amazon for like $5 + free shipping!! It's a little contraption kind of like a normal tape measure where you can pull out the (flexible) tape measure but this one allows you to insert the beginning of the tape into the contraption so it creates a loop. I'm going to measure EVERYTHING: biceps, thighs, waist, Armando's head...

I really pushed myself through Plyo today. I just kept thinking that summer is coming and I need to look good! I was pooped by the last 25 minutes which is... halfway through. I actually did some of the jump-touch-your-knees and some of the rockstar jumps which are SUPER hard. I almost tripped over myself doing the circle runs. You need space for the monster truck tires and the last thing which was the football thing.

I'm drinking this sample pack of creatine. I don't know what it is or what it does. Something about building muscle and it doesn't come from animals. Tastes fruity. I like it. I wonder if it really does help build muscle.

This weekend I had 2 birthday celebrations so I kind of fell off the healthy-eating wagon. Well, Saturday with the french toast + french fries, I was fine with; I think I also forgot to mention half a slice of ice cream cake. Sunday I ate 2 bananas w/ pb, some crackers w/ pb, 30g protein shake and then we went to the Stinking Rose where I ate two of the bread rolls ( :( ) and some roasted vegetables. And a lot of Armando's fries. Well, after I ate two fries that were fishy (they were part of his fish and chips) I stopped. Ew. Oh and there was taro cake too. Yesterday I had 30g protein shake, 2 bananas w/ pb (...when I get addicted to something, it's ALL I want to eat), like 2-3 potatoes' worth of sweet potato fries, some nuts, the rest of the vegetables I didn't eat from the Stinking Rose.

My skin is doing better but not as better as I had hoped. Hoping for it to clear up after this week.

I found this article on MSN's Fitbie section (their health and fitness section I totally never knew about) that describes the same thing as the article I mentioned a while back that described the tendency for people in relationships to gain weight, except this article takes it from the other side and describes why it's better (maybe I should say "easier") to maintain your figure when you're single (and without kids).

The majority of the 7 points in this article are, again, pretty much opposites of why people in relationships gain weight:

1. You're your own priority. No one else to suck up your time except your friends, who are always around and aren't jealous or as demanding.
2. You live alone. Just as people in relationships gain weight when they live together, people who live alone (or at least, are more in control of their food and share less) eat exactly what they want, how much they want, and when they want. "A study of nearly 7,000 young adults published in the journal Obesity revealed that cohabitating increases the odds of becoming obese by 63% for women and 30% for men, while marriage doubles the risk of obesity for both genders." The next part I have an issue with: "Moving in together often leads to more home cooking—including heavy meals like steak and pasta, says Manuel Villacorta, RD, creator of Eating Free, a diet and weight-management program. “It also means staying at home and watching TV.” " First of all, this is the first time I've ever heard of home cooking being worse for you than eating out. Secondly, you don't have to be in a relationship to stay home and eat. I thought you go out more if you're in a relationship. Thirdly, you don't have to be in a relationship to stay home and watch TV. If anything, I stay home and watch TV more when I'm single. Manuel Villacorta, RD (whatever that means), I am not ever subscribing to Eating Free.
3. You get more exercise. I've heard both sides of this one. Actually, Ryan Seacrest on KIISfm posed this question to the people at the radio station and the listeners, and I think it was pretty even: those who got in relationships didn't feel the need to stay looking good anymore either consciously or subconsiously (in other words, they only worked out because they were scouting, or they put working out as a lower priority because they had someone already) versus those who were encouraged to work out by having an automatic workout buddy. The part I do agree with though is that when you're single you have your own schedule, making it easier to work out more often.
4. You eat like a girl. Self explanatory. If you're around people who eat a lot (as avg guys typically do, not that it's "a lot" but it's a lot compared to what avg girls should eat) you will eat a lot too.
5. You don't sync schedules. Self explanatory.
6. You distance yourself from drama. This one is based on the decrease of mental health that occurs from breaking up leading to weight gain. This one is weird because if you're broken up with someone doesn't that mean you're single now? This one also cited stress being a trigger for more eating.
7. You don't share a bed. You have a higher chance of getting a bad sleep if you share a bed, and getting enough sleep is crucial for both weight loss and your health in general.

The studies show an overwhelming majority of females in relationships gaining weight. I wish it was the other way around -- that women stayed the same and men lost weight in relationships! haha. Unfortunately it's hard to eat less and easy to eat more. Armando's lost weight since we got together: he goes out a lot less (because he's not scouting). Me, I'm in the best shape of my life. It all depends on how you set and keep your priorities. Well, I always said I never wanted us to be the typical couple, anyway. :)

P90X, Day 13: Kenpo X

Whose idea was it to put Kenpo X right after working out the legs? My glutes and thighs are a little sore. Kenpo X was the normal kick lots and punch lots. The star punches were easier this time around, but I'm still super annoyed that there is NO introduction to the moves. I admit I started to get tired near the end of the workout and started to get a little sloppy but I did my best. It's a little boring but admittedly time passed by fast. I already ate a banana with pb (which i'm going to eat again in a sec) + 30ish grams of protein. Stinking Rose tonight. Garlic with veggies on it -- YES!

P90X, Day 12: Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X and Why It's Harder For Women to Gain Ab Definition

I can't believe the last time I worked out was Tuesday. I FINALLY got to working out tonight. Wednesday I was supposed to do something at night which made me have to go to work early; that didn't end up happening, but I still didn't work out at night. Thursday I had training class at night, so I went to work early again. Thursday I was also told to get to work early on Friday + bbq at night so that's 3 days in a row of waking up early, 2 days of getting home late, and 3 days of not working out.

Yesterday I had the rest of the oatmeal-date square, no smoothie, 1 banana, 1 banana + peanut butter all in the morning; then I had the longest meeting ever which made me have lunch 3-4 hours later. I had some nuts on the way to Subway and at Subway I got a salad: lettuce, spinach, red onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado. I wish they had corn. I escaped Subway before I could turn around and order a cookie (most likely 2). I got a side of sweet onion dressing and was dipping my fork in it until Dakota got a hold of it and licked it so that was over for me. Probably for the better anyway. That's our Dakota -- keeping me in check! At the bbq I had a veggie patty (no bun!) with tomato and guac and ketchup. I also had red and yellow bell peppers, both raw and bbq-ed. And more guac. I also ate a lot of corn chips.... oy. Oh and corn. And 3 stalks of asparagus. I just realized I'm a huge party pooper at bbqs: I am "that person" who doesn't eat meat or drink alcohol at bbqs. Oh well, at least I'm that "skinny" "healthy" person. Also escaped this bbq without eating the brownie bites. My discipline immediately becomes stronger when I set a hard, steadfast rule like "no eggs or dairy" rather than "cookies and brownie bites in moderation."

I *almost* got out of working out tonight but I just finished -- it's 10:40 PM. I'm so glad I did it. Today I had 42g protein, 2 pcs of mung bean cake, and chocolate french toast and french fries from 26 Beach (I didn't want to, but Meg made me... ;) ). I think we finished lunch around 2 and then right now I had 0g carb / 20g protein powder. I really pushed myself in this workout. Summer is coming soon, that's why. At the urging of Ab Ripper X Master I did the Oblique V-Ups. I managed to do like 3-5 on each side. I think I'll continue to do them; it's comforting knowing I'm not the only person who sucks ass at doing it. Er, I mean, Ab Ripper X Master told me she couldn't do it at first either, and that I just had to practice. I better eat well (continue what I'm doing now -- I'm eating fairly well), get more sleep, and continue to work out. The next half month is going to be challenging with a huge project at work but I better not freakin miss 3 days of working out again. I'm slowly phasing out processed foods and eating more raw foods.


I wanted to post this excerpt of an article Armando and I read from this month's issue of Esquire:

The thing I wanted to point out was something Keith said to me earlier: that women have a harder time obtaining ab definition. I just thought it was because men (are supposed to) have less body fat. But according to this article, hormones play a role in this too, in that estrogen increases the level of abdominal fat. I think this is weird because I thought men tend to get fat in their stomachs whereas women typically retain fat around our thighs. But maybe they're comparing skinny men and skinny women. Either way, this just means I'm going to work harder...