Breaking Through a Rut!

I've been working out to Beachbody products for over 2 years now. Most of my first year was spent solely on P90X, then I moved on to P90X Plus, so I hadn't really gotten bored with my workouts until just recently, this summer.

I found myself not really applying myself anymore. Feeling bored with the workouts, I decided I needed something new, so until I could purchase my latest workout (Brazil Butt Lift), I decided to change up my existing routine. I started by alternating between the two programs I already had - regular P90X and the Plus. Instead of doing the 90 day program straight through on one or the other, I would do one week on schedule with regular P90X and then switch the next week

to the Plus schedule.

I would also reverse the order of my workout. Instead of starting at the top of the workout sheet, I would start with the last exercise and move up the sheet in reverse. That may seem really simple, but it made a big difference. Doing that was a really great way to confuse my body and break up the monotony of my workouts. It's amazing how you get so use to doing the workout in the same order each time. I found that I could do alot more reps (or weight) than before when I was doing these excercises at the end of my workout - doing them at the beginning, when I was fresh and rested.

I also use music as a motivator. I love music, so I have found that it really helps me to apply myself more. Especially, on workouts that aren't my faves, like Plyo. If I can get lost in some great music, I find that the exercise is over before I know it and I'm dripping sweat.

Another thing to remember, that can be very effective, is to maybe just take a good long break. I do something easy, like walking (quickly) on a treadmill. Sometimes it's nice to just do a brisk walk on the ol' treadclimber, getting lost in a magazine or book or music while I walk/climb.

Or here's a novel idea... sometimes, I just... sleep in!!! Whaaattt?! I give my body a rest - I don't allow myself to feel guilty - and I come back in a week (or more) revived and renewed in my commitment to workout.

Supplements for the Girls

When I first started my P90X journey, there wasn’t much out there regarding supplements for women, so after some trials and two years of work - here’s what I like and continue to use. I hope it helps others on their journey!

My supplements:

In the morning, before my workout, I take a ½ scoop of BSNs N.O. Xplode mixed with water in a large tumbler. I mix it with about 16+ oz of water; which is quite a bit, I know. You can take yours with less water… about 6-8 oz.; depends on your taste. I think it’s important to drink plenty of water when using this product.

• I buy this at bodybuilding.com. They have the best price I’ve found. You can buy this online or at their various store locations (we have one here in Boise on Milwaukee).

• This drink gives you energy and focus for your workout. I would start out slow on this to see how your body reacts to it. I started with a ½ scoop and worked my way to a full scoop. Recently, I backed it down to a ½ scoop again – for no other reason than it just lasts longer and I do just fine with ½, so why not keep it there.

I also started adding a teaspoon of Glutamine powder to this drink. This helps with muscle soreness and aids recovery.

• I buy this at WalMart. It is located in the health food section, with the protein bars and shakes, near the pharmacy area. Don’t confuse this with Glucosamine. That is something entirely different.

It takes me about 20 minutes to drink this. I work out about 10 minutes later.

On resistance days (when I’m lifting), I also like to take about a ½ a scoop of BSNs Volumaize (or some other Waxy Maize product – there are a few brands to choose from) mixed with about 10 – 16 oz. of water and drink this “during” the workout.

• Again, start slow with this (1/4 scoop) and build up. Also, as with the other drink, test it with the varying amounts of water to your taste.

• This drink gives you more focus and drive during the workout & helps with blood flow to the muscles. I find that I try harder. Instead of just giving up at 5 reps, I want to push myself to get 8 reps (as an example).

• As with anything, there are mixed reviews for this product. I’m just writing about what I like and what has worked for me. Also, I think it’s important to note that it is recommended to go off these products for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. I drink plenty of water and follow the instructions carefully.

On my cardio days, I just drink plain water during the workout.

After each workout, I drink about 6-8 oz of fat free (or 1%) chocolate milk with another teaspoon of Glutamine powder mixed in as a recovery drink. There are other products out there specifically for recovery, but I’ve found that this is a very effective recovery drink. You can’t get much simpler than good old chocolate milk.

Check back tomorrow for information on my breakfast staples, calorie counting and other vitamins/supplements I take regularly.

Other future topics: My clean-eating journey, recipe hits and misses and other nutritional finds.

Welcome to my blog!

If you would've asked me two years ago if I needed to lose 30 pounds, I would've said, "no, maybe 10 pounds, but not 30". I didn't think I had 30 extra pounds to lose. But, guess what? I did! Have you ever heard of P90X? It totally changed my body and slowly, but surely, my mind (how I think about food & nutrition) has changed as well.

I heard about P90X from my Pilate instructor (I had never seen those infomercials). I bought the program because I wanted to tone up & maybe get back down to a size 8. Now, I didn't consider myself an exercise novice. I worked out regularly; 5 days a week for about 30 minutes or so, plus I did Pilate's once to twice a week. I thought I was in good shape, but whoa was I in for a shocker. During the first week of P90X, I realized I hadn't been working out hard enough with the right mixture of exercises and I definitely wasn't eating very clean. I'm a "foodie". I love food. I love to eat it. I love to talk about it. I love to share it. I love to prepare it. Food is actually a big part of my life and my personality, but I digress.

So, what does all this mean? After two years of P90X and P90X Plus and cleaning up my diet and portion sizes, I am down from a size 12 jean (& 169 pounds) to a size 4 jean (& 137 pounds). It has been and continues to be a journey. Mind, body & spirit. I have changed the way I look at food. I have researched and gleaned information from books and other sources. I have changed the way I cook and how I nourish my family - it has been trying at times, but mostly its been fun and healthy.

I started this blog so I can share information I have learned, to inspire, to swap food stories & recipes, and to pass along supplement, vitamin and other nutritional information. I love food and cooking and that has been a huge part of my journey. I hope I can help you on yours.