P90X: Week 11, Legs and Back

How did I NOT celebrate this accomplishment last Friday?

CHIN-UPS!

Take that! Sucka!

Ok, so I did two.

Yes, you read that right.

Two.

And not two in a row.

I did one unassisted. Then used the chair.

Then, during another set, I did one. Unassisted.

Continued on with the chair assist.

BUT . . .

REMEMBER WHEN I THOUGHT IT HAD BEATEN ME?

I reached a point of FIRE and DETERMINATION on Friday. I KNEW I would pull myself up - all of myself - by myself.

P90X ends officially on April 2.

I did it.

P90X: Week 11, Shoulders and Arms

Huge milestone today.

Unassisted chin-up or pull-up?

Nope.

I'm learning where I'm strongest physically. And it ain't at the bar. At least not during this round of P90X.

However.

Shoulder strength?

Triceps?

Biceps?

Holy moly, folks, the improvements that I've made on these muscles in just shy of 90 days are pretty incredible. And I've been tracking my progress, so I'm not just pulling numbers out of the sky.

Today, I, as Tony would put it, "Brought it." Big time.

I pushed through each rep, even adding another when I didn't think I could - with visions of P90X Recovery Formula dancing in my head. No kidding. I love that stuff.

I did not slack ONCE.

And then, on Ab Ripper X, for the first time ever, I was able to complete the entire 15 minutes without stopping. I made contact a few times on the Oblique V-ups, and completed all Mason Twists (49) with legs raised.

Just as with ChaLEAN Extreme when it took me almost a full 90 days to complete Burn Intervals without stopping, I can now say that I've reached the place with P90X where I can get through Ab Ripper X without pausing.

BUT.

IT TOOK TIME.

There was NOTHING easy about the last 11 weeks. NOTHING. I have yelled at the TV, eaten carpet, bonked (due to poor nutrition), cursed the chin-up bar (yes, I have), and wondered if I would really get through 90 days.

I essentially have one more week and then a week of Recovery.

And then, my friends, I am a P90X grad.

When I meet Mr. Horton in June, I can proudly say, "Sir, you told me to bring it. And I did."

Turbo Jam will be a nice respite from the heavy lifting, and a chance to really focus on cardio and core. After that, who knows what will be next.

But, you know me. I'll plan it out.

Thanks for sharing this journey with me!

Turbo Jam: NEXT!

Turbo Jam.

It's a household name for those of us in the Beachbody biz. I was first introduced to Chalene Johnson via ChaLEAN Extreme. For long time readers, you know that it rocked my world. In a good way.

I moved to Turbo Fire.

Then, P90X.

I completely skipped Turbo Jam! Where have I been? Under a rock?

So, immediately following P90X, through which I am experiencing a slow down of weight loss and inches lost, but an increase in strength and muscle definition, I will be focusing on fat-burning cardio and working my core with Turbo Jam.

For the record, weight loss was NOT my goal for P90X. I chose P90X because it is the golden child of Beachbody and there was no way I was going to attend the Coach Summit in June having not done the program. It has always looked too difficult. Intimidating. Well, in three weeks, I will be a graduate. So there.

Turbo Jam is VERY WELL PRICED. And, along with 5 workouts and a great nutritional guide, you also get 2 bonus workouts and Sculpting gloves which I have even used during my Kenpo workouts with P90X.

I'd love for you to join me for April, May, and June. I will also be returning to running when the weather cooperates (I'm a fair-weathered runner).

So, for me, the plan is Turbo Jam AND running.

You can still join my Mountain Challenge if you would like, using Turbo Jam and Shakeology.  I'll also start a Facebook Group Page for accountability.

Stop trying to figure out plan for yourself. You are going to make your head spin. Beachbody programs do all the thinking for you. Just follow the plan by pressing "play".

Let me give you this assignment, and as you once remember from school days - a due date. The assignment is Turbo Jam. The due date is June 15 (2 and a half months of cardio and core). You would never dream of blowing off an assignment by not completing it. I know you. You're the responsible type. Your "school" project is due in June. So get going.

You can find out about Turbo Jam on my Team Beachbody site. Just click the Turbo Jam box to your right to read up on this awesome program.

The first week of April is right around the corner, and while that will technically be my Recovery Week for P90X, I'm going to start Turbo'ing that week.

Whose ready to jam with me?

P90X Benefits: Rewired Brain

I've shared with many of you that I have experienced more benefits than merely physical ones since beginning my journey last April.

The physical benefits are obvious.

There's no doubt that weight loss, decrease in inches, loss of fat, and a generally more sculpted physique are definite perks to intentional, consistent exercise.

But there's more. More that you can't see. Well, you can . . . and yet, you can't.

For example, there's this one benefit that is all in my head.

At least, it STARTS in my head, where you can't see it. Over time, however, this benefit has moved to my FEET and been transformed into ACTIONS you can see.

What is it?

Mental fortitude.

In a nutshell, exercise had developed a "go get it" attitude that has manifest itself in many crazy ways in my life. There is something about P90X specifically that builds an internal determination to keep going, push harder, and finish strong.

Today, for example, during a workout that I DIDN'T WANT TO DO (yep, that even happens to me), I realized that I have a switch in my head that now gets automatically flipped when I'm about to throw in the towel.

The switch turns on a laser-guided determination to forge ahead. To do one more rep. To improve my statistics from the prior week.

I am more clear headed and internally focused than I have been in years.

P90X has rewired my brain.

This new mental fortitude has also provided me with the courage to:

• Audition and land a role in a show. (Something I've not done in 7 years)
• Apply for every writing job that meets my passions and interests. (And learn a new skill that I'll need for a wonderful opportunity that has come my way)
• Admit that there are some areas of my life that need to be pruned. (Always a difficult process, but essential for growth)
• Assign new goals for myself which compliment my personal priorities in life (Jesus, my family, and my desire to motivate and encourage others)
• Attack my day with purpose and efficiency. (Rather than stumbling though it haphazardly and then falling into bed with nothing to show for my efforts)

There is a renewed fire within me that's been missing since my mid-30's. 

And to think, all I wanted was a flat belly and to wear a bikini once again.

Now, my brain is looking mighty darn hot also.

P90X: brain surgery for the SOUL.