It’s not the perfect beginning but if I can do this at my lowest emotional point, think of how much easier it will be on the good days.

I sucked it up, put on my workout clothes, and hit play.

It’s the first day of P90X.

Chest and Back. Ab Ripper X.

The first hour wasn’t so bad. As I kept going, I felt more energized and awake. The sluggishness started to fade away and I was getting pumped by the half hour mark. I’m not great at doing push ups or pull ups, but I know that if I keep going, it will be easier.  My goal was 16 reps for each exercise. I did 10 reps with 15 lb weights for lawnmowers and heavy pants. For back flys, I did 10 reps with 5 lb weights.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could be using 15 lb weights to start! But I believe I am stronger than I was during the last attempt at P90X.

For Ab Ripper X, I decided to go for 20 reps of all the exercises instead of the full 25. I didn’t think I was ready…and I was right. My abs burned and I started to sweat halfway into the routine. By the end, I was practically shouting the numbers going through the last few exercises. And I did 30 Mason Twists. It was all my body could handle.

I was spent but satisfied that I completed Day 1.

Post workout: my arms a little sore with a slight ache, my abs feel like I still need to stretch them out, but overall, my mind and mood is better than it was this morning.

Exercise is my emotional savior.

THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME!!

I started to freak out, thinking I must have gained a lot of weight since the last time I wore them a couple of months ago. But the scale told a different story. My weight was still steady as it has been for the past few years.

So what changed?

To be honest, I haven’t been working out for several months and my body fat to muscle ratio is probably higher than it used to be. I have lost muscle mass and tone, replaced by fat.

It really hit me that if I want to stay fit for the rest of my life, I really need good habits that will make exercising second nature. I started P90X back up again…classic this time around. Though the exercises are familiar, my body doesn’t remember it as easily and I am starting over. This time, I hope I can finish it properly.

I guess it’s a good thing that I buy clothes that fit my body without too much spandex or stretch material to let me know when I’m slacking on my exercise routine.

Instead of giving up, I’m starting again. So what if this is the X-th time I’ve failed to reach my goals? As long as I keep trying, it will get better. I’m taking it one step at a time.

Forget the past and start fresh.

Starting Stats

• Height: 5’1″
• Weight: 97 lbs
• Chest: 30″
• Waist: 25″
• Hips: 33″
• R.Thigh: 18.5″
• L.Thigh: 18″
• R.Arm: 10″
• L.Arm: 9.5″

First of, I went to my first Tough Mudder in Norcal at Squaw Valley.

Yes, I did finish this 12 mile course. No, I did not do all the obstacles. And I was carrying a 10 lb backpack for a good portion of the hike because I thought it was a good idea to stock up on water, bars, gels, etc…and bring  my hefty SLR for photos. That was a bad idea.

It was tough, it was grueling, and at the high elevation, I was dizzy, nauseous, and I had to take breaks to gather up my strength. In the end, I felt so empowered as if I could conquer the world! It was such a great feeling.

As for my goals to train for Tough Mudder, I didn’t complete any of them. I did do a 10 mile hike in Muir Woods that kicked my butt the last 3 miles. I’m hoping that this year I will get back on track.

Taking it one step at a time.

For the past couple months, I haven’t been completely idle, but a jog here and some yoga there isn’t exactly the best way to stay in shape. Spurred by my friend’s overzealous participation in the LA Marathon, Century Ride, Tough Mudder, etc. it’s given me a kick in the pants I sorely needed to get back in shape.

So for the next few months, I’ll be “in training.”

Today, was the first solo run in a long time…2.97 miles according to Nike+. It wasn’t my best run and I have a mile long list of excuses but there are several things to keep in  mind for next time as I train for the Tough Mudder.

• No cotton sweatshirts (too heavy and warm)
• Need a strap to keep my iPhone from bouncing around
• Get used to cold showers – the colder the better
• A glass of chocolate milk after a run is good for the body

Last time I did P90X, I tried to follow the plan very closely and I ended up getting burnt out and exhausted. Now, I’m taking it at my own pace and I hope that I’ll build a better exercise routine that I can maintain on a regular basis.

One week down and 11.5 more to go.

Today begins my exercise regimen for 2011. I’ll be doing the regular P90X schedule.

Onto Chest and Back and Ab Ripper X.

I had a good start but soon tapered off to the point where I couldn’t continue. Gah! I’m so out of shape.

I had gotten through 20+ minutes of Yoga X when I started getting light-headed and dizzy. I remember this feeling when I first started Yoga X, but I thought that it was a one time thing. Apparently, my body is not used to the changing movements and elevations so I had to stop and recollect myself. It took a while to subside, but I guess I’ll just chalk it up to being unfit.

For me, it’s such a strange feeling because I remember being able to accomplish so much of the P90X program when I was doing the Doubles schedule, but months later, I’ve taken several steps backward. I’ve become more out of shape than before I started the first round of P90X.

No fun. This won’t be as enjoyable until I get to the point where I can get through these programs without wanting to throw up. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Shoulders and Arms - Two Rounds

• Alternating Shoulder Press – 12 reps with 10 lb weights
• In & Out Bicep Curls – 16 reps with 10 lb weights
• Two Arm Tricep Kickbacks – 15 reps with 5 lb weights
• Deep Swimmer’s Press – 10 reps with 10 lb weights
• Full Supination Concentration Curls – 16 reps with 10 lb weights
• Chair Dips – 15 reps
• Upright Rows – 12 reps with 10 lb weights
• Static Arm Curls – 8 reps with 10 lb weights
• Flip Grip Twist Tricep Kickbacks – 10 reps with 5 lb weights
• Two Angle Shoulder Flys – 16 reps with 5 lb weights
• Couching Cohen Curls – 12 reps with 5 lb weights
• Lying Down Tricep Extensions – 15 reps with 5 lb weights

Skipped the bonus round and Ab Ripper X. It felt good to do some exercise but I’m still pretty weak. Little steps first and bigger steps later.

I’m hoping to complete the full 90 day workout just in time to ring in the New Year.

Today, it’s Chest and Back and Ab Ripper X.

I did half of the Chest and Back workout, so only one round instead of two. Plus, I did half of the Ab Ripper X workout as well since I started getting a migraine that made me nauseous. So not the best start, but I didn’t pick the perfect day to start, I picked today.

• Standard Push Ups: 20
• Wide Front Pull Ups: 20
• Military Push Ups: 15
• Reverse Grip Chin Ups: 15
• Wide Fly Push Ups: 15
• Closed Grip Overhand Pull Ups: 15
• Decline Push Ups: 15
• Heavy Pants: 15 with 10lb weights
• Diamond Push Ups: 15
• Lawnmowers: 15 with 10lb weights
• Dive Bomber Push-Ups: 10
• Back Flys: 10 with 10lb weights

And once again, it’s time for photos. I’m back to square one…or perhaps negative one?

I’ve been lazy and there are plenty of excuses as to why I didn’t finish Phase III of P90X, but I won’t go into it. Lately, I feel more motivated to keep exercising and maintain a regular schedule.

For me, exercising everyday is almost too much for my body to handle, so I’m scaling back. I’ll be using the P90X DVDs, but I spacing the workouts to every other day. Sunday, I went on a  7 mile hike near the Griffith Observatory. It’s the second time hiking up there, but last time, it was a 5 mile hike. I was pretty exhausted and it definitely took a toll on my body. The view was pretty amazing and it’s kind of nice to step away from the metropolitan culture of L.A. and indulge in a little bit of “nature.”

Gosh, I’m really out of shape!

So yesterday, I did half of Yoga X because I don’t want to overdo it in the first week and knock myself out. So, I’ll start small again and build up from there. I’m starting over, but I’m going at my own pace.

As for food, I’ve been trying to keep things simple. I got pretty sick of eating oatmeal, so I had to find another alternative. This week, breakfast is natto and rice.