Tag: P90X3

Working Out Week 14 of 2014

April 5, 2014 kimberlee 5 Comments

Week 14 of 2014 – and the final week, week 13, of P90X3 is complete for me! I am so pleased with myself for accomplishing this 90 day program that I began in January of 2014.

The workouts for this past week were only for 5 days and not 6 as in the past. The final weeks workouts were:

Monday – Isometrix
Tuesday – Accelerator
Wednesday – Pilates X
Thursday – X3 Yoga
Friday – Dynamix

Below are my final photos from the program:

I really love the Isometrix workout and I was so glad we got to do that one in the final week.

Accelerator was the final cardio workout for the week. I have missed doing this one as it had not been in the rotation for the past 4 weeks.

Dynamix was the final workout on Friday. A great total body workout to end the P90X3 program in my opinion.

My overall assessment of this workout program is that it is an excellent program that gives you a wide variety of workouts and you will see results if you stick with it. I committed and stayed with the program for the full 13 weeks – even taking it with me on my spring break trip – and can tell you I have achieved positive results. My body is much more toned than it was before.

I have been working out regularly for the past 10 years so I was not going for a total body makeover and weight loss. My reason for doing this program was because it looked interesting, fun and challenging and it was all of those and more for me. The program really increased my fitness level and I lost a total overall of 4 1/4 inches. I don’t own a scale so I don’t know about the amount of weight I lost. I do know my clothes fit a little loose and I even have a couple of pairs of shorts that were snug around the waist and aren’t anymore. I have also noticed that my core and back are so much stronger and toned than before and my arms and shoulders are much more defined, too. My hips have had the greatest weight loss of 1 inch as well as my thighs that have gone down 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

This program works – so if you are interested in learning more you can click on the link in the sidebar. Also, my tips for success in staying with it are:

Write down or post the calendar they give you and commit to doing it every day 6 days a week
Do your workout out in the morning before the rest of your family gets up – its only 30 minutes so you just set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier and DO IT! Sleep in your workout clothes if you have to…
Get a friend or family member to do it with you and hold each other accountable
Join a facebook fitness group and participate in posting your fitness journey – this is a great motivator, in my opinion
Make sure you include a healthy eating plan when doing the program for increased success and results

As far as dieting goes I DO NOT diet. I just choose to workout and eat healthy. While doing this program I did increase my intake of protein by including protein shakes and foods that are higher in protein. I also tried to eat a high fiber diet – which is something I try and do anyhow. I do enjoy eating dessert a few times a week – in small portions. There are some great websites and recipes you can get from pinterest for healthy foods and meal planning. If you are going to make the commitment to workout you also need to make the commitment to eat a healthy diet and you will see amazing things happen to your body in 13 weeks.

I read this book recently called “7 Days to a Positive Attitude.” I got it on sale at Barnes and Noble, it is a Blue Mountain Arts book. Anyhow – there is a great paragraph in there about half way through the book about measuring your progress:

“It’s easy to get discouraged when you compare yourself to those who seem to have gone so much farther down the road you’re traveling. Remember that we’re each on our own individual journey to a unique destiny – not competing in a race to see who arrives first. So measure progress by your own milestones. Keep your spirits upbeat and your heart full of hope – because you’re on your way to a beautiful destination.”

I really like this quote and I think it just reminds us that each of us is different and that life has its ups and downs. You need to measure your own progress and results and not compare yourself to others and you will be much more successful in all you do.

Well now that I am done with P90X3 I plan to go back to using my Cathe Friedrich dvd’s and Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s. I have created a schedule for myself alternating the weeks with them. I will plan to do P90X3 again in the future but I will probably just make up my own routine using the dvd’s I enjoy the most. I also realized that in the Lean schedule that I chose to do that two of the dvd’s were not used so I need to go back and try those out sometime in the near future.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise

Tags: exercise, fitness, fitness program, P90X3, working out, workouts

Working Out Week 13 of 2014

March 29, 2014 kimberlee 1 Comment

This week I finished week 12 of P90X3. I can not believe there is only one week left to go in the program. The variety this exercise program has makes it go really fast and with the workouts only taking 30 minutes a day, six days a week, it is easy to fit into a busy schedule.

This week the schedule was the same as week 10. You can look at my post on that to see the exact schedule. Some photos are below of the workouts.

I really love the Pilates program. It is fun and challenging and I always look forward to doing this workout when it is on the schedule. The pretzel exercise at the end (lower right photo) is one of my favorites in this routine.

The Decelerator workout was on the schedule twice this week. I like this workout but twice in one week I do not like so much. There are some really great exercises in this routine though – like the starfish push ups (lower left photo) and the superman-bow (lower right photo). There are also some that are super hard and I can not do completely like the crane cracker push ups (upper left photo) – I am doing the modified ones there with just the knee on the elbow. The full move is to go forward and raise your leg that is behind you up, extend your leg on the elbow out straight and do a push up. I think if I tried that I would land on my face for sure. My cat seemed to like doing this workout twice in one week.

I also did my Exhale Core Fusion a few times this week. I did the Abs & Arms dvd this week. The segments I did were Upper Body with Band, Abdominal’s with band, Abs with Leg Curl Variations and Band. The segments are 10 minutes that I did after P90X3 a few of the days this past week. A couple of days I was too busy with having to get my kids to school early to be able to do an extra 10 minutes.

The Pilates book I checked out from the library a couple of weeks ago was also used a couple of times this week. I am trying to do between 6 and 10 of the different exercises in there at least three times a week. The pilates is so good for strengthening your core and leaning out your body. The book is called Pilates Practice Companion by Alycea Ungaro. A great book with color photos of each exercise.

Also, on the subject of books I finished reading the Tony Horton book The Big Picture.

This book was an excellent read full of positive and motivating advice and information. One of the main things that sticks with me and one of his 11 laws is to “Do your best and forget the rest.” I am trying to remember this when I get stressed out about everything I have to or want to do or accomplish. I need to remember that doing my best is the main focus – not doing more just to say I did more. I am not talking just about fitness here – about things in everyday life as well. Another great chapter in the book is Law 4 “Variety is the Spice of…Everything” I totally agree with that. I am a person who is creative and I get bored easily doing the same thing (especially when exercising) over and over. Take the Decelerator workout for example. I have done that one 6 times in the last 4 weeks and to be honest with you I am tired of it. I like it okay but I have done it so much lately it is starting to annoy me. Tony mentions in his book that you should not do something just because everyone else is doing it – I tell my kids this all the time. He also talks about how adding variety to everything in your life, not just with exercise but in all areas, makes things more fun and interesting – another thing I totally agree with. You can click on the book link to read more information about the book if you are interested in learning more.

This week I also became an affiliate of Beachbody programs. The icon is in the sidebar for P90X3 if you are interested in learning more about the workout or in ordering it. I have really enjoyed doing this program and all my previous posts about it can give you more information. I do not endorse things I do not like or believe in.

Well, I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It is finally getting warmer here in Texas. I am ready for spring and was actually able to wear sandals a couple of times this week.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Books Exercise Health

Tags: books, exercise, exercise books, Exhale Core Fusion, fitness, P90X3, reading, Workout program, workout routine

Working Out Week 12 of 2014

March 22, 2014 kimberlee 6 Comments

I am back into the workout routine at home once again. This is end of the 11th week of P90X3. I can not believe there are only 2 weeks left in the program. It seems like it has gone by pretty fast, in my opinion. I guess having the variety in the workouts has kept it interesting and makes you want to keep up with the schedule.

This week the schedule was the same as week number 9. To see that schedule you can look at my previous post on that week. Below are a few photos from a couple of the workouts this week.

Do you see my black cat in some of the photos? He worked out with me almost every day this past week. I think he really missed our morning workout sessions when I was gone last week. He seemed pretty happy to be hanging out with me again every morning. It is interesting how our pets get into a routine. My other cat was pretty close by too for most of the workouts but she is camera shy and tends to stay toward the side of the room by the wall – or maybe she is smart and just doesn’t want to get stepped on.

I also incorporated some of my Exhale Core Fusion workouts a few of the days this week using the Body Sculpt dvd. I did the Upper Sculpt, Stretch Sculpt and Ab Sculpt this week. I really like how these dvd’s are divided into those short 10 minute segments and it is easy to fit one in after I finish my 30 minutes of P90X3.

The black cat is once again working out with me – right next to my side in the above photo. He is kind of hard to see as he blends in with my navy shirt.

I also went to the library the beginning of this week and found a new PIlates book that I had not seen before. It is called Pilates Practice Companion by Alycea Ungaro. I really like the book and how it is formatted into beginner, intermediate and advanced workouts. I used the book a few times this week and plan to use it more in the next couple of weeks. I really like how the Pilates lengthens and strengthens my core, waist, hips and legs.

I have also gotten back into eating better this week since we are at home and I am still trying to incorporate lots of protein and fiber into my diet. I found a really good oat bran muffin recipe from another blog and have made it twice this week. It is from the Pink Recipe Box and the recipe is for Healthy Chocolate Chip Oat Bran Muffins. I did not have the exact ingredients so in place of the applesauce I used a 1/2 cup of almond milk and the first time I made them I added a little extra brown sugar as I didn’t think 1/4 cup was going to be enough since I didn’t use the applesauce. The second time I made them I did reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup and I thought they were just as good. I really like how this recipe is low sugar and high in fiber. The oat bran I used was NOW brand the first time and Bob’s Red Mill the second time.

My family also liked the muffins and so did my friend Karen. I met her yesterday at Starbucks for our coffee and knitting get together that we have been trying to do a couple of times a month and she really liked the muffin and wanted the recipe.

I hope everyone had a great week and got in some workouts. Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise Food Health

Tags: exercise, fitness, muffins, P90X3, pilates, working out, workout routine, workout schedule

Working Out Week 11 of 2014

March 16, 2014 kimberlee 4 Comments

The past week I was on vacation for Spring break with my family and we traveled to Destin, FL to see my parents and then traveled to Ashburn, GA to see my husband’s family. I took the P90X3 workout dvd’s, my exercise mat and my exercise bands with me so I could stay on track with my workout schedule and not get behind. I am proud to say I worked out every morning of our vacation with the exception of Saturday, since we had a 15 hour car trip back to Texas. I am going to try and fit that workout in today, Sunday, to make up for not doing it on Saturday.

This past week the schedule was as follows:

Monday – MMX
Tuesday – Decelerator
Wednesday – Triometrics
Thursday – Pilates X
Friday – Decelerator
Saturday – CVX

Since we were out of town I was not able to take any photos the past week of the workouts. I did take photos of our trip though. The weather was nice enough in Destin the first couple of days that we were able to enjoy a little time on the beach. The above photo was taken by one of my twin sons of me and my mom sitting in a gazebo by the ocean.

We also went to the Gulfarium and saw a dolphin show and some of the other features in the various tanks around the place. They had a shark moat but it was kind of dark in there so I was not able to get any good photos of the larger sharks. I was able to get a couple in the other tanks of a smaller shark and a hammerhead as seen in the above photos.

I am really pleased that I was able to maintain the workout schedule even though we were out of town. I brought the dvd’s and my laptop so I was able to workout where I could find room and thankfully at the condo in Destin there was a nice TV with a blueray player and enough floor space to workout. The workouts only take 30 minutes of your time so it was easy to just get up and get it done – just like I do when I am at home. I will say I did not get up quite as early since I had to consider the other people around me in the small place we stayed in. At my in-laws in Georgia I was able to get up at pretty much my regular time since they operate a farm and are early risers. I would take my laptop into their spare living room and use the dvd’s on there to workout. My oldest son was sleeping in there on the pull out couch so I did kind of wake him up but he is a teenager and just put a pillow over his head and went back to sleep. He wasn’t too interested in getting up and working out with me.

Eating a healthy diet while traveling is always a challenge. I tried to plan ahead on the drive over there and had healthy snacks and even packed our lunch so we didn’t have to stop for fast food for lunch and dinner, only dinner. When we did stop for a meal during the whole trip I tried to make healthy choices and get a grilled sandwich, no fries and a water to drink. It is possible to eat fast food and not overeat if you are careful about your choices. I am looking forward to getting back on track this week though with cooking healthy meals at home and will be planning my menu today and probably shopping today or tomorrow since we don’t have much food in the house.

Well, I hope everyone is having a nice month of March so far. I will update again at the end of the week on week 11 of P90X3 – only a few weeks left in the program.

Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise Vacation

Tags: exercise, fitness, P90X3, spring break, traveling, Workout program, workouts

Working Out Week 9 of 2014

March 1, 2014 kimberlee 4 Comments

This last week of February has gone by so fast! I can not believe it is now March. This past week I completed week 8 of P90X3 and I also did a few extra workouts after my 30 minutes of P90X3 using one of my Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s. I like those workouts because they are pilates-yoga based and are divided into 10 minute segments. I did one segment each day this week after P90X3. I really like how the Exhale Core Fusion tone your whole body – especially your abs and they give you a great stretch, too.

This week was transition week again for P90X3 so the workouts were as follows:

Monday – Isometrix
Tuesday – Dynamix
Wednesday – Accelerator
Thursday – Pilates X
Friday – Agility X
Saturday – Yoga

Isometrix and the Pilates are probably still my favorites for this week. Below are the photos from those workouts:

The Exhale Core Fusion dvd I used this past week was the Lean and Toned. I did the following sessions: Pretzel & Core – did this twice, Upper Body, Flat-Round Back (very hard ab and thigh workout) and Gluteal toner. I have decided to try and start incorporating my Exhale Core Fusion workouts – since I have all of them – into my daily workout just for a 10 minute session. These workouts really help tone your whole body. Below are photos from the upper body session which is done with light weights. Try doing the push ups with your hands forming a triangle underneath you – it is hard.

This past week was also the start of another fitness challenge for me called Power of Vitality. This challenge is through my husbands work and spouses are allowed to participate. You receive points for your daily workouts and at the end of the challenge, which I forgot to check the specific date on, you get to go shopping with your points and possibly get something really nice depending on how many points you have. I think it is great that his company is encouraging their employees and their families to get fit and lead a healthy life style. The Power of Vitality website also has a lot of great health information and even healthy recipes. I tried one this past week. It was a rice dish made with brown rice, turmeric, coriander and sundried tomatoes. I had it for lunch two different days and it was really good.

Brown Rice with Sundried Tomatoes — Brown Rice with turmeric, coriander and sundried tomatoes

I am also reading the new Tony Horton book The Big Picture – 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life. I am now on Law 5 – I guess that would be chapter 5. So far I really like the book and it has a lot of great advice.

I hope everyone had a great February and are looking forward to an even better March. I am going to continue on with the P90X3 program and also try to do my Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s as a bonus workout.

Have a great day!

Kimberlee

Categories: Books Exercise Health

Tags: books, exercise program, exercising, Exhale Core Fusion, fitness, health, P90X3, reading, working out, workouts

Working Out Week 6 of 2014

February 8, 2014 kimberlee 1 Comment

This week was my completion of week 5 of P90X3. The schedule was different from the previous weeks. I would say the intensity has increased with the addition of some of the new dvd’s. The schedule for the past week and the next two weeks are as follows:

Monday – Triometrics
Tuesday – The Warrior
Wednesday – X3 Yoga
Thursday – MMX
Friday – Incinerator
Saturday – CVX
Sunday – Rest or Dynamix

The workouts that were new: Triometrics, MMX and Incinerator. Below are my photos from those workouts:

I really liked Triometrics. It was challenging for sure. Each move progressed into a more intense version of the move. I was definitely feeling this in my legs all over when I was done and the next morning.

MMX is a martial arts – kickboxing type of workout. I really like kickboxing workouts and enjoyed this one a lot. The time flew by because you were so busy punching, kicking and sprawling. A great cardio and total body workout.

Incinerator was not what I thought it was going to be. Based on the name I thought it would be some high intensity cardio workout but it was more of an upper body and core workout. The workout uses dumbbells or resistance bands, a pull up bar, if you have one, or a resistance band attached over a door and you also do lots of variations of push ups. The reps are not that high so I am thinking I need to up my weight next week. This past week I used 8 and 12 pound dumbbells. Next week I am going to try 10 and 15 and see how I do. I may have to use 8 for some of the tricep exercises. This is a great strength training workout and I felt it in the back of my arms and shoulders the next day. Especially since the morning after doing Incinerator I had to do CVX – the cardio workout that uses a dumbbell.

I am also big on motivational quotes and this was mine for the week:

I will update again next week on the workout program. I really like all the positive changes I am seeing from doing P90X3 – not just physically but even mentally. I think a good exercise program and being healthy really does give you a positive mental outlook. It probably does not happen over night but after a month or two you begin to see all the benefits.

Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise Health

Tags: exercise, fitness, health, P90X3, P90X3 workout week 5, workouts

Working Out Week 5 of 2014

February 1, 2014 kimberlee 7 Comments

Five weeks into 2014 and this is my fourth week of completing P90X3. The past week was called a Transition week and the schedule was a little different than the previous three weeks – some new dvd’s replaced a couple of the other ones. The schedule the past week was:

Monday – Isometrix
Tuesday – Dynamix
Wednesday – Accelerator
Thursday – Pilates X
Friday – Agility X
Saturday – X3 Yoga

The workouts were a nice change and I really like Dynamix and the Pilates workouts a lot. Below are my photos from those two sessions:

The Pilates workout was a great challenge for the core. I really felt this one in my abs while doing the actual workout and that evening and the day after I could feel a change in my hips and legs. One of my favorite moves in this workout is the pretzel – shown in the above middle photo. I am familiar with the move as they do this in one of my Exhale Core Fusion dvd’s. This is an awesome move to tone up the legs, glutes and hips. It looks easy but looks can be deceiving with this one.

Results so far with the program are:

Overall feeling really good and healthy (I considered myself healthy when I started but feel even better)
Increased energy and positive mood
Seeing a lot more definition of lean muscle in my arms, shoulders and back; loss of inches in hip and thigh area

The exact amount of inches I have lost so far are 1/2 inch in my waist, 1/2 inch in my upper hip area, 1 inch in my lower hip area, 1/2 in. in each of my upper thighs. My lower thigh and calf have actually increased about 1/4 inch but I think it is the muscles definition because it doesn’t look any bigger to me. My upper arms have stayed about 1/4 inch within my day 1 measurements, too but there again I am noticing a lot more defined lean muscle so I am okay with that.

Above are some motivational words I posted for myself this week. I thought it appropriate since we were in a “transition” week and doing some new things, like the PIlates workout. That workout will take anyone who has never done Pilates way out of their comfort zone and work muscles you didn’t know you had. I also think these words can apply to anything in life really. If things aren’t working it is time to try something else or do something about it.

My challenge group on facebook is a great support group for all of us that are doing the P90X3 program. I think there are about 30+ of us in the group and we are all keeping each other accountable and motivated on a daily basis. I think being in a dedicated group makes all the difference in the world of completing a 90 day program like this and I am so glad to be a part of it.

Next week we are on to our new group of exercises called Block 2 – Days 29 to 56 of the program. I am looking forward to some of the new dvd’s we will be using – especially MMX – the kickboxing workout. I have not done it yet but I watched a little of it to see what it was about. Another new one is called Incinerator – I have not looked at that one but the name alone kind of scares me.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

-Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise Health

Tags: exercise, fitness, P90X3, working out, workout routine, workouts