Life After P90X?

For a change, I thought I'd have yogurt and berries for breakfast this morning.



Man, blurry BlackBerry pics just look mouthwatering, don't they? :)

I hit the gym last night for 20 minutes on the bike, followed by a super-sweaty chest/shoulders/tris workout. I was definitely feelin' it last night -- I don't know if it was the 20 minutes of cardio beforehand, or if it was my less-than-diligent weekend of eats, but I was hurting for sure. Especially as I tried to knock out my pushups. It felt like a freaking elephant was sitting on my back.

Last night's workout marked the start of week 11 of P90X. Um, yes, it HAS been more than 11 weeks since we started the program. See, both PhillyGuy and I have been less than diligent about following the schedule to the letter. P90X prescribes six workouts a week, in rotating order. Every week involved three strength workouts, hitting the major muscle groups in varying splits (this week, for example, is chest/shoulders/tris, back/bis, and back/legs); 90 freakin' minutes of yoga; plyometrics; and Kenpo.

In any given week, I'd get to the gym 4 or 5 times, reliably. Usually, I'd do all three strength workouts, plus yoga, plus a run or two. I abandoned Kenpo after the first time I tried it -- it bugged my knee and gave me a lot of trouble, since I'm the least coordinated person ever. After Broad Street, I also more or less abandoned Plyo. I've replaced those two days with alternative cardio -- preferably running, but two past two weeks have been hot dates with the recumbent bike. And since my hip injury, I haven't done yoga, either, since most of the poses irritated my poor hip and left me walking around the house like Igor.

And as for the diet? Well, I've stuck to it...sort of. I've added in more servings of carbs. And veggies. Which likely means I've increased my calories. Which is fine. And I've also thrown it out the window when it comes to eating out, which we do at least once a week. Sometimes twice. Which is also fine. But I'm definitely not losing fat at the rate I was when I first started. Overall, I'm down about 7 or 8 pounds from when we started, which is great -- but I know I'd be down a lot more (in terms of both weight and inches) if I was more diligent about the nutrition plan.

So, the end is approaching and I'm not sure what I want to do next. My hip is feeling much, much better -- and I'm pretty confident I want to train and run the Distance Run/Rock & Roll half in the fall. I'm also REALLY missing my weekly yoga practice, so at a minimum I want to keep doing that -- whether it's the P90X quad-killing DVD, or maybe a membership at the local Bikram place.

And I've REALLY been enjoying the P90X lifting routines. In fact, I kind of want to master (or mistress, I guess) some of the moves a bit more fully. It'd be badass to be able to do unassisted pullups. And one-arm pushups. (I can do like 6 or 7 with about 1/3 range of motion, which may not sound like a lot, but seriously, YOU try it!)

So, I guess what I want to do is sort of what I've been doing. Which is half-assedly following this workout plan, while flirting with injury from running.

Sounds like a completely airtight plan, doesn't it?

Law of the Fist!

Oh my god.

So, yesterday, I was SUPPOSED to do a plyometrics DVD. My dear husband raved about it -- he did it in the morning, before he left for work, and he kept telling me how intense it was. How he could barely complete some of the sequences. How his legs were burning and screaming.

I was really looking forward to it. After walking Sophie, I went upstairs to our "home gym" (formerly known as the "guest room," more recently and realistically known as "the room that only has a lamp and an ironing board in it"), set up my laptop, and opened the DVD package only to find out that my dear husband had forgotten to take the plyo DVD out of his laptop when he finished his workout. Those burning legs must have distracted him.

So, I poked around on the internet to find out what would be a good substitute. PhillyGuy wasn't getting home until after 8, and I didn't want to wait that long to work out. Half of the review sites suggested substituting an hour of cardio, the other half suggested substituting the "Kenpo X" DVD. I checked our schedule -- we're supposed to do Kenpo on Saturday. So, I figured I'd just swap it out -- do Kenpo then, and plyo on Saturday.

OK, guys, Kenpo X is everything that I find laughable about P90X. The description? "Kenpo means "law of the fist", and that's exactly what you'll be throwing during this cardio-intense workout, that and a whole bunch of kicks, elbows, knees, and forearms!" OK, REALLY? "Law of the fist?" WTF. How can I take this seriously?

I have mixed reviews on Kenpo. My heartrate did get up decently high -- max of about 170 -- but not as high as it would get during a run, which is more like 180-195. Also, I am not particularly coordinated, and there are a LOT of combination moves in this. Before this will be really effective, I think I'd need to get through it a few times so that I don't spend the first few reps of each move tripping over myself trying to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to be doing, and where my legs are supposed to be vs. my arms, etc. I'm not sure it's worth the strain it put on my knee, though -- I'll give this another shot next week, but this might end up being a cardio sub-out for me.

One thing I'll say for the Law of the Fist! is that it didn't leave me nearly as sore as the chest and back day. My abs are still sore, but nowhere near as bad as they were yesterday, when I thought my stomach was going to rip open when I sneezed and I could not even sit up in bed without propping myself up on my arms. Which is good, since tonight we've got yet another "Ab Ripper X" session on deck after our shoulders and arms.

This weekend is going to be a challenge. PhillyGuy's aunt and uncle are coming into town for a couple days with our niece/cousin (technically she's a cousin, but since she's about 20 years younger than us, it feels weird to call her that), and I know we'll be spending a TON of time out on the town with them. Usually, this would be one of those occasions where I'd throw diet and restrictions to the wind and indulge with everyone -- have a nice glass of wine or two with dinner, share some dessert, order whatever I wanted. But we're not even a week into this new plan, and I'm just not interested in derailing it. Dinner with the fam wouldn't be so bad -- we're taking them, by request, to Fogo de Chao -- if I didn't ALSO have a client lunch earlier that day at Smith & Wollensky. I'm inclined to just order soup at lunch and stick to the salad bar at dinner and just fill up on my "normal" food during the afternoon -- at least I have an excuse.

You know, it'll be really nice in a couple months when I'm posting my "after" pictures and I can tell you wonderful bloggers how worth it this all was!

Win and a Fail

It's the beginning of what's supposed to be a week of rain here in Philly -- including a nor'easter this weekend! Perfect opportunity for me to spend some quality time with that one-bedroom condo they've called a "gym" for the past year and a half :)

Last night, I hit up said "gym" for push (chest/tris), cardio and my first round of knee rehab exercises. I had been debating all day about what KIND of cardio to do -- easy three or four mile run? Easy two mile run plus 15 or 20 minutes on the elliptical? I was torn, because on the one hand, Broad Street is only six weeks or so away, and if I'm going to run it, I need to, well, RUN. On the other hand...I JUST went to the doctor. I'm not sure how much I can handle right now, and the treadmill seems to be signficantly harder on my poor knee than the road (weird, right?)

So, I ended up making a last-minute decision to ride the stationary bike. I figured it was low-impact and would be good for strengthening my quads, which is my whole problem in the first place. I eyed that thing up suspiciously -- I NEVER ride the bike! -- and then hopped on, picked a program (hill intervals), a level (10), and a time (30 minutes), and went for it. And WHEW, was that a workout. Not necessarily in the calorie-burn sense, although I was sweating like mad, because my heartrate just wasn't anywhere near what it is when I run. No, I mean in the "OMG my quads are ON FIRE" sense. (And also in the "holy crap, my butt is KILLING ME" sense, because recumbent bikes force you to sit the whole.freakin.time.)

Lifting was the usual:
-chest press, 3x8 at 75lbs
-tricep bench dips, 3x8, bodyweight/straight legs
-shoulder press, 3x8 at 45lbs
-skullcrushers, 3x12 with a 20lb dumbbell
-tricep pressdowns, 3x8 at 45lbs

What REALLY surprised me was the knee rehab stuff. I got a printout with exercises to do from my doctor. The first "exercise" is a hamstring stretch. It cautions you to start with the hamstring stretch and then "build up" to the other exercises once your quads have gotten stronger. So, I figure -- oh god. This isn't going to be enough for me. I mean, I have some DIESEL legs. Andplusalso, I stretch my hams EVERY FREAKIN' DAY. So, I went right for the rest of the exercises. Which were, generally, non-weight-bearing, short range of motion things, like "side-lying leg lifts" and "quad sets" -- where you, no joke, sit up with your injured leg straight out and basically flex your quads for 10 seconds at a time for a whole bunch of reps.

Let me tell you -- that is DECEPTIVELY effective. As silly and Jane-Fonda-esque as I felt laying there on my side, lifting my leg over and over again with no added resistance, I was REALLY feeling it a few reps in. And then it hit me -- um duh. You are clearly not as diesel as you think, because if your quads were as strong as you seem to think they are, your patella would stay where it belongs and you wouldn't be sitting here doing "exercises" that belong on a video hosted by women in tights and sweatbands and leotards.

So, in short, that was a WIN. Now, on to the fail:

Last night I prepped myself overnight oats for the first time. I used 1/2c oats, 6oz blueberry Chobani, and about 2-3oz water. I didn't put in any other spices, since I wasn't sure what would work with the fruity yogurt. Popped it in the fridge overnight and grabbed it when I left for work -- I got in about 45 minute early this morning, since I had some work to get done ASAP.

Well, I don't know if I got the proportions wrong, or if this just isn't my thing, but...EW. I stirred it and it seemed normal enough, but I popped it in the microwave for a minute to take the fridge-chill out of it. Stirred again, again, normal! Tossed in a little pack of dried cranberries, got so excited to taste it and...oh, GROSS. It just seemed...off. And I don't know why -- if it was the texture or the flavor or what -- but I just know that I could NOT stomach it.

So, that is how I found myself wasting 15 minutes of my precious early morning running down to DiBruno's for some PROFESSIONALLY-made oatmeal. Much, much better.

Also...SWEET, it's Friday! Any good plans for the weekend? I think I mentioned yesterday that PhillyGuy and I are car shopping...I can barely contain my excitement. :) I'm actually pumped to get a new (to us, anyway) car, but just less pumped about the idea of spending hours at dealerships, in a nor'easter, to get it.

Wow.

This week was AB-SURD.

Things kept blowing up at work, all week. I could recap, but honestly just don't want to. It was a lousy, lousy week -- I went to the gym Monday and then didn't go again until yesterday.

Blech. But things are looking better. I have to go in for a while today to finish up reviewing a bunch of documents that I should have reviewed earlier this week, but couldn't get to because, you know, things kept blowing up. Once I have these reviewed, I should be back on track -- thank god.

The gym felt AMAZING yesterday:

- 30 minutes on the (stupid) elliptical, random program, level 10
- bench press, 3x8 at 75lbs
- tricep dips on bench, 3x8 at body weight, straight legs
- shoulder press, 3x8 at 42.5lbs
- bent over lateral raise, 3x8 with 10-lb dumbbells
- straight bar tricep press-down, 3x8 at 45lbs
- skullcrushers, 3x15 with 20-lb dumbbell

Today, I'm debating going for a run. I know, I know -- I'm so stupid. I have an appointment on Tuesday to get my knee checked out and, hopefully, get started with some PT. I really, really, REALLY want to run this stupid race. But give me a week without really working out and I start to get stir crazy!

Of course...

...the same day I signed up for Broad Street, my knee WOULD start acting up again.

Last night, I went to the gym, prepared to do my typical 20-minute treadmill intervals. Ran the first 5 minutes at 6.7, as usual...midway through, stopped for 10-15 seconds to stretch my piriformis and hips, which had been tight since Monday's run. During those next few minutes, I started feeling a little nag just below my right patella -- not the typical pain I've known from my PFS, almost like the beginnings of a shin split, but further up. I pressed on. At the 5-minute mark I increased my speed for the "down" portion of the intervals. Over the next 70 seconds, the pain in my right knee escalated and started feeling more familiar. Then, I started feeling another little nag in my left knee.

I said "F this," got onto the stupid elliptical, and made a mental note to make a doctor's appointment. The hell I am letting this stupid pain go untreated AGAIN. And so I've put in a request and, hopefully, will be able to get back in front of the doctor and start doing physical therapy so I can actually train for and run this race.

Besides, I can't let my $33 go to waste, right?

I had planned to do push last night, but it was one of those nights where every. single. piece of equipment I needed was taken. At the same time. So, I did pull (chest/shoulders/tris) instead. Even though I'd just done those muscles on Monday, I wasn't about to blow everything off, and I didn't have my knee sleeve to do legs.

So, repeat of Monday:

- Chest press, 3x8 at 70lbs
- Tricep dips on bench, 3x8 with body weight, straight legs
- Shoulder press, 3x8 at 45lbs
- Bent over lateral raise, 3x8 with 10lb dumbbells
- Straight bar tricep pushdowns, 3x8 at 45lbs

Thrilling. Tonight is date night for PhillyGuy and I -- we haven't been out to eat in a while, and I'm really looking forward to hitting up Twenty Manning after work. Any fun weekend plans?

Ghost Town

That's what my building is like right now.

The office isn't closed today -- we were yesterday, so everyone just worked from home. And really, for a day at home, I was decently productive. I didn't bill (or accomplish) as much as I would have in the office, but I still managed to bill a solid 6.4 hours, which -- when you consider the puppy begging to be played with, the sauce pictures begging to be uploaded, and the Style network begging to be watched -- ain't so bad.

But, today is a normal workday. For my office, anyway. For the rest of the building, and for the rest of Center City? Not so much. My usual Starbucks is closed -- CLOSED! DiBruno's in the Comcast Center didn't get their bread delivery this morning. Lobby of my building? Total ghost town, with maybe 2 or 3 people wandering around instead of the usual 8am rush. Weeeeeeeird.

Recap of last night's workout:

As I suspected, the gym was PACKED when PhillyGuy and I got there, because, well, WTF else do you do when it's snowing like the dickens out, and the gym is IN your complex? So, I had to split my weights and my cardio, which I don't like to do. But otherwise, I'd never have gotten a machine.

I ran 2 easy miles in 18 minutes. The goal was to run all 30 minutes, but about 15 minutes in I started feeling a tug in my knee, so I opted to cut it short at two miles and hop on the ever-faithful hamster wheel elliptical for the last 12 minutes. Good thing I did, too, because near the end of my stretch on the elliptical, I felt my IT band come a'callin. Foam roller, party of one.

Push (chest, shoulders, tris):

- bench press, 3x8 at 70lbs
- tricep bench dips, 3x8 with body weight, legs straight (when doing sets of 12, I keep my legs bent a bit)
- shoulder press, 3x8 at 42.5lbs
(broke in the middle here for cardio)
- bent over dumbbell reverse flies, 3x8 with two 12lb dumbbells
- tricep pushdowns with flat bar, 3x8 at 40lbs
- skullcrushers sets - 12lb dumbbell

For skullcrushers, I did three sets of an exercise PhillyGuy taught me from his college football days. Instead of using a heavier weight for fewer reps, you use a lighter weight and go to almost the point of exhaustion, alternating sets of skullcrushers with quick benchpresses and counting down. So, start with 7 skullcrushers, immediately follow with 7 presses, then immediately to 6 skullcrushers, 6 presses, blah blah blah and finish at 1/1. It's brutal and I love it, though next time I'll move up to 15lbs.

You know how yesterday, I was excited to be working from home in sweatpants? Well, today might be even better. I'm working FROM WORK in sweatpants.

That's right. I wore my snow boots, because, well, duh. My usual rule, in crappy weather, is to wear skirts and tights, because otherwise, the hems of my pants get wet and dirty. But, I don't know. I just wasn't all about the tights today. So, I put on a pair of black lululemon flares -- it's an older style that they don't sell anymore called the "Dig My Pant," but it's essentially fleece-lined yoga pants that aren't as tight as their other styles. They cuff up nicely, keep me warm, and stay out of the snow.

Of course, WITH the sweats I'm wearing an otherwise normal work outfit -- long navy cashmere cardigan, white t-shirt, and a long, sort of funky pearl necklace. I brought a pair of grey flannel trousers to put on when I got here. But then...I had to come in, drop my files and run back out to find coffee, since the 'Bux was closed. And I didn't want to change into heels just to run downstairs, you know? And on my way out, I ran into the office managing partner, who was wearing jeans. And then when I got back, I noticed that pretty much everyone else was dressed down.

And that sold me. Screw it, I'm not changing. Until someone calls me out, I am going to pretend you can't tell that I'm wearing fleece-lined yoga pants and not actual work-appropriate clothing, and I am going to rock my pearls with my sweats. Heaven.

Single Parenting is Rough...

PhillyGuy is in Chicago for business for a couple days this week, which leaves me and Sophie to have a couple girls' nights. She's funny -- last night around 9:15, it occurred to her that "Dad" should have been home by now. With a troubled look on her face, she headed down the stairs to sit on the landing and wait for him to get home. I felt so bad for her...he's not coming, sister.

Yesterday at the gym was 30 minutes of steady-state cardio, followed by push. I knew I planned to run again tonight, so I didn't try to push it too hard last night -- running three days in a row (and four out of five days) is probably pushing my luck right now. Instead, I entertained myself with a scintillating US Weekly (feature: Kardashians, then and now) and did 30 minutes of hill walking, 4mph at inclines ranging from 5.5 to 12%. I was sweaty, but it's not even remotely as fun as running...

Lifting was good. I did:
- bench press, 3x12 at 60lbs
- tricep bench dips, 3x12 with body weight
- shoulder press, 3x12 at 35lbs
- bent over dumbbell reverse flies, 3x12 with two 8-lb dumbbells
- tricep pushdowns with flat bar, 3x12 at 30lbs
- skullcrushers, 3x12 with an 8lb dumbbell -- this was weird, I'm not sure what to use here. Normally I would use an EZ bar, but we don't have one, and the angles of holding a dumbbell are just odd.

I'm having trouble focusing on work today. I don't have a TON to do, but it's enough, and I'm just having one of those mornings where I can't seem to get into the swing of things. Don't you hate that?

Oh well...t-minus eleven hours or so until LOST :)

I cannot believe...

...that it is only Wednesday.

Monday and Tuesday were quite enough "week" for me, thanks. I'm ready for it to be Friday! I spent so much time this past weekend working, cleaning and running errands (including an absurdly long time spent in the vaccuum cleaner aisle at Target trying to pick out a new small/stair vaccuum...what do I know about this kind of thing?!?) that I didn't get a chance to do the more fun things I'd had planned. Like my much-needed manicure and pedicure. And a haircut. And man, are these brows scruffy...

so, THAT is what I am looking forward to this weekend.

In the meantime...yesterday's eats came out well. I dragged out the George Foreman from the depths of the under-the-counter appliances cabinet, where it has been more or less banished since we got an actual outdoor grill, and grilled myself some chicken which I threw on a salad. That I made in a big salad bowl meant to, you know, SERVE salad to a tableful of people. There are worse things in life than giant vats of fresh veggies!

Gym was good, too, but it felt strange to only do 20 minutes of cardio, stretch, and leave. As I've mentioned, I'm following an Oxygen magazine plan that calls for three days of lifting and four days of cardio, but cautions that the schedule should be followed "to the letter." So, who am I to judge? I dutifully did my intervals (and 20 minutes left me quite the sweaty mess, I might add) and headed back home.

Tonight is legs night. You may recall that last week, legs night left me all but incapacitated for several days. My butt hurt. My hamstrings hurt. After busting my legs on Thursday, I wasn't really back to normal until Sunday. I am sort of interested to see whether the same thing happens this week.

In any event...we're halfway through the week. It's SUNNY out! And court was cancelled for me this morning, which means that I'm NOT stuck on a train out into the 'burbs right now. All in all, a good day...Time to get back to work!