Reboot P90X 2015: Day 5 Legs and Back

Another week has passed from Yoga to Legs and Back. It’s been busy and it’s so easy to put off working out. But I’m still getting back into it. With Legs and Back today, I had to push myself to keep on going.

The Exercises

• Legs and Back

I skipped the Ab Ripper X portion since my body is still not ready. I did half of the legs and back exercises before my legs started to feel really weak. Every time I have to do a movement, I can see my body jiggle with fat. Though I know I’m not where I want to be, seeing that made it more real. Seeing that makes me want to keep going. I want to finish this program and get to the point where I feel and look fit and toned and healthy. I know it seems like it might never happen, I have to keep going if I want that body and that lifestyle.

The Meals

• Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
• Fish and Chips
• Steamed rice, steamed fish, steamed lettuce with oyster sauce

It’s been easy getting breakfast but the rest of my meals aren’t as clean as I want them to be. My brain knows what’s good for me but my stomach rebels. It wants something greasy, something heavy, and sometimes, I listen. But the next day, I don’t feel as energized and I know it’s due to my not so great food habits. I need to start adding in some more fruits and veggies!

Reboot P90X 2015: Day 4 Yoga

A week passed before I finished the Yoga session of P90X.

I went rock climbing and hiking with some friends during the weekend but it was hectic trying to squeeze in a workout during the week. Getting started on wedding planning kind of interrupted everything. Instead of an hour workout session, it was replaced by family and friends helping me find venues and dresses for the wedding.

The Exercises

• Yoga

I did half of the yoga session and like always, my wrists are a bit sore from all the planks and downward dog movements. It felt really good to stretch out and do twists. It was what my body needed to relax and release all the tension that was built up from the week.

The Meals

• Cinnamon Sugar Oatmeal
• Pork and Leek dumplings
• Steamed rice, sautéed tomatoes and scrambled eggs, steamed fish, and steamed bok chou

But I remember that I made this pact with myself to keep going even if I skip days. I haven’t failed yet, I have only just begun and I have to keep on going if I want to succeed. A few setbacks won’t deter me this time.

Reboot P90X 2015: Day 3 Shoulders and Arms

Another day of soreness, my body is still getting used to all this movement. Today, it’s working on the shoulders and arms.

It feels good to have a regular routine and exercising different parts of the body. Though it sometimes seems like everything is sore, it’s not true. Arms and abs are probably the most sore parts of my body. Hopefully I’ll get better and it won’t feel as sore anymore.

The Exercises

• Shoulders and Arms: focusing on shoulders, biceps, and triceps
• Ab Ripper X: skipped

I did one round of 12 exercises for the weight lifting portion. 10 repetitions with 10 lb. weights. Skipped the bonus round. Completely skipped Ab Ripper X because after doing the first exercise, my stomach felt like it was on fire and completely refusing to do anything. I could hardly use it, so I just stretched it out for a bit.

Though it feels like I’m doing a light portion of the workout this week, I need to establish a baseline and to ease my body into this program. P90X is intense and if you go too hard in the beginning, it can cause injury and pain enough to get you to stop. But you have to keep going, even if it means not finishing everything.

The important thing is that you keep going!

The Meals

• Cinnamon and Sugar oatmeal
• Lomo Saltado (leftovers): stir-fry beef with onions and tomatoes, steamed rice and fries
• Pulled Pork Burger with beans and coleslaw
• 1 small bag of tortilla chips
• 1 cup of spiced chai tea

In the spirit of being healthier, I am trying to add a fruit or veggie side to at least one meal a day. People think being healthy means you have to cut this, stop eating that, and it’s all no, no, NO to things you love. It makes it hard to stay on track when you’re denying yourself so to flip the script, I focus on adding something positive. Try one extra helping of veggies. Go for the healthier meal option today. Make one positive choice to improve yourself and if you keep going, it’ll be easier to make more choices that are better for you.

One small step to being healthier can lead to big changes ahead as long as you keep on going.

Reboot P90X 2015: Day 2 Plyometrics

It’s Day 2 and it’s time for Plyometrics.

After yesterday’s workout, I’m definitely feeling it in my back and armpits. My chest and arms, not really. Perhaps I could have gone further with the exercises, but I know next time, I can push harder.

The Exercises

• Plyometrics: jump squats, run stance squat switch pickups, double airborne heismans, swing kicks

Plyometrics was brutal! After doing 40 lunges and 40 squats in the warm-up section, my legs were already burning. I didn’t get very far into the program, I completed the first set and I was done. Cardio isn’t my strong suit and my heart felt like it would pound right out of my chest! I took a break after the first 4 exercises and the second set wasn’t very good. So I called it a day and hopefully my body will recover from the shock of all this movement.

The Meals

• Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal
• 2 Spicy Mayo Salmon Tacos on Corn Tortillas
• 3 fried chicken wings, steamed lettuce with oyster sauce, seafood egg flower soup, and steamed rice
• 1/2 Asian pear
• 1 small bag of tortilla chips

I made an effort to eat healthier today. I need more vegetables in my diet but it’s a challenge when the rest of the family doesn’t like them. Not sure about fruits because they’re too sweet or tangy for my taste buds. Since I’m more of a savory person than a sweets person, I grabbed a small bag of tortilla chips that was leftover from a Chili’s outing. A few steps forward today and I know it will get better.

It’s only the beginning, so I can’t beat myself over it. I showed up, I pressed play, and I did my best.

Forget the rest.

Reboot P90X 2015: Day 1 Fit Test and Then Some

After much delay and much failure, I’ve started back up again. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall down, what really matters is that you get back up.

So here I am again on Day 1 on P90X. I did the fit test without the heart rate monitor and it’s quite sad to see the numbers. Sure, they’re only numbers but I remember when I was more in shape when I first started P90X years ago. Age has not been kind to me and my body keeps rebelling.  It is time to start over.

The Exercises

• Chest and Back
• Ab Ripper X

I did one round of C&B, that’s 12 exercises, and I didn’t repeat the rounds. It was tragic. 10 pushups per set and about 15 pull-ups with the green bands. I modified most of the exercises to the most basic format: alternate between pushups and pull ups. For Ab Ripper X, I made it through all 11 exercises and 25 repetitions. It was exhausting but I’m glad I did something.

The Meals

• Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
• 2 Eggs, 2 Slices of Ham, and 1 Pack of Instant Noodles
• Lomo Saltado: Peruvian stir fry with beef, onions, and tomatoes with a side of rice and fries
• 1 shortbread cookie

For meals, I don’t follow the prescribed diet. I am a normal person trying to eat healthier but honestly, it’s hard. I don’t fake my meals. I eat real food, even if it’s not good for you. I don’t do supplements, recovery shakes, protein bars, etc. I like whole foods that are as natural as possible. So yes, for today, I had some instant noodles and I used half a pack of seasoning that comes with it. And shortbread. So what? This was what I ate and I know I can do better.

Because I have done this program before, it makes me feel more embarrassed about my body. Knowing what it used to be able to do, what it used to look, and even where I started…I have become such a slouch! I wonder if people noticed I let myself go and why didn’t they say anything? Then again, what can they say that will sound positive and not judge-y?

Here’s to tomorrow! Show up and let’s go!

Embrace The Body That You Have

We as a society focus too much on self-hate and self-loathing.

Advertisers and marketers prey on our insecurities to get us to buy things.

Need to lose weight? Try some diet food program or sign up for gym membership. Want to have more confidence, why not get some plastic surgery? It’s all a trap to get you to spend more money on things you don’t need or things that don’t necessarily help you get to your ultimate goal.

You have only one body and once you accept it for all its perfections and imperfections, the better off you’ll be. You have to work in this body, sweat in this body, and love in this body. If you want to change it, then be smart about it and seriously consider your options. Don’t expect to look like Conan the Conqueror if your body type lends itself more towards Bruce Lee. Don’t think that you’ll become Keira Knightly if you’re more shaped like Beyonce.

It may have taken you a few months to get to your current unhappy state, but it may take years to get to your happy place…and that’s ok. It takes more work to be healthy and fit than it does to be the opposite. Look around, there’s fast food on every street corner and maybe one healthy restaurant per district. It’s easier to be unhealthy, but it takes real guts to become healthy.

So do yourself a favor and stop whining.

Get out there and work out!

I Don’t Believe in Cleanses

Every once in a while, I run into a friend, colleague, or stranger who mentions that they’re doing a cleanse or a juice fast. They usually say they want to clean out the body of toxins and/or lose weight.

Flush out toxins…understandable.

Lose weight…in the short term, maybe. In the long run, not so much.

It’s still only a short term solution and I don’t think it’s as beneficial as some may think. I’m no expert and this is just my own opinion, but I think cleanses are a waste of time and money…especially if you have to buy special cleanse liquid packs and such.

How will your body benefit by being on this special diet? Your body is a well-functioning machine and it is self-regulating. Unless the cleanse somehow stimulates your liver, kidneys, and bowels…there’s no increased rate of detoxing that goes beyond what your body normally does. You may lose weight, but once you begin eating regularly again, you’ll gain it all back and more.

Instead of doing cleanses, eat better. Throw in an additional fruit or vegetable into your regular diet. Eat more fiber and dark leafy greens. Pretty soon, your substitutions will become easier and phase out your “unhealthy” habits. Then you’ll actually be eating what your body needs instead of what’s fast, cheap, and convenient.

If you make it a lifestyle choice to eat better and take gradual, positive steps toward change, then you’ll be healthier.

Don’t rely on quick fixes…they will only let you down.

Weekly Update IX

Exercise Plan

It’s the tail end of the Recovery Week and the start of Phase 3 of P90x Doubles. I felt a bit under the weather and took a 3 day break…sigh. Another delay in completing the final phase of P90X, but hopefully it will be the last. Instead of doing cardio exercises three times a week, it’s being bumped to four days a week. So I’ll be alternating between Plyometrics and Cardio X for my cardio workouts so I don’t overwork my body.

• Core Synergistics: Finished it in its entirety but it still feels difficult to complete.
• 3 Day Break…I don’t remember how this happened!
• Yoga X: I’m getting better at the Right Angle Pose, Twisting Half Moon, Wheel, Crane, and other more advanced poses. Surprisingly, the yoga belly section is getting easier and I can actually feel my abs “engaging.” I like it.
• 1 Day Break
• Plyometrics: It’s been challenging completing all the exercises, but it was done. I got to finish Phase 3 strong, so no more breaks!

Food Plan

Made a pact to avoid eating at chain restaurants after spending a dinner a California Pizza Kitchen, CPK.

I’ve been eating pretty sporadically but now, I’ve been planning meals and made some great meals for the next week.

Photos

PB&J Pumpkin Pancakes, 1 Hard-Boiled Egg, Nonfat Frozen Yogurt with Berries and Flaxseed Meal

Carrot Bread with Raisins and Walnuts and Sorrento Salad and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Japanese Vegetable Curry with Sorrento Salad and Steamed Rice

Chipotle BBQ Chicken with Fusilli and Sorrento Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Udon with Scallions and Quail Egg

Weekly Update VIII

Exercise Plan

Working out after a 3 day break isn’t the easiest thing to do. I had to ease my body back into the workouts which extended my schedule once again.

• Plyometrics: Plyo is always more difficult to complete after the weekend and this week was no exception. I ended the workout 15 minutes early because I just didn’t have enough energy to complete it. A bit disappointing, but it’s my fault for having a 3 day P90X break.
• Break (1 day)
• Legs & Back / Ab Ripper X: I was feeling a bit unmotivated, but I sucked it up and knocked these two workouts. I probably could have gone lower on the lunges, but at least my form was good. Used blue bands instead of green for pull-ups and I felt the increase in tension and a slight soreness the next day.
• Kenpo X: This is one of my least favorite workouts because I’m never quite sure if my punches and blocks are good. A mirror definitely helps and taping my wrists helps my form. It’s still difficult to punch air.
• Yoga: I skipped the Stretch/Rest day because I’m eager to get into Recovery Week. I made it through the Yoga Belly section fairly easy after skipping it for two weeks. I guess my core got stronger in the meantime. I actually held Crane for 60 seconds while resting on my head, did the right angle pose finger hold, and attempted Wheel. I still need to get better at half moon and twisting half moon.
• Core Synergistics: I did half of the exercise before I felt fatigued and light-headed. I should probably eat before doing this workout.
• Kenpo X: A good cardio workout but I need to improve my form.

Food Plan

I’ve been tracking my food intake and I stayed in the 1400 calorie range this week. Then again, I haven’t been working out in the mornings so it definitely knocks out a couple of extra calories that I’d be burning. Also, my food plan kind of went out the window and I’ve been eating more sporadically.  I had pizza for lunch one day, but everything else was pretty healthy…steamed veggies, stews, soups, and rice.

I did notice that I haven’t been eating enough fruit even though I have several packs of frozen berries. Perhaps it’s because I rarely have anything in my freezer that I don’t think to look in my freezer to find the fruit and put it with my yogurt. I’ll be working on increasing my fruit and veggie intake next week.

Photos

Chicken Adobo with Celery and Steamed Rice

Mochi balls with Sesame or Almond Meal

Weekly Update VII

Exercise Plan

It’s Week 7 of P90X Doubles, one more week until Recovery Week. I only got through half the week before I felt super tired and I needed a break. But that doesn’t mean I was a lazy bum….I just haven’t been doing P90X. But once Monday comes around, I’ll be back on it! =)

• Plyometrics / Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps / Ab Ripper X: Plyo never gets easier after the weekend. For the strength-training exercise, I mostly used 10 lb weights with 10 reps and modified the push-ups so that they are regular pushups. No Ab Ripper X, did it yesterday.
• Plyometrics: I completed the workout at 10 PM, which wasn’t a good idea because I was really tired by the end, but it makes for a good night’s rest.
• Plyometrics / Back & Biceps / Ab Ripper X: skipped Plyo today because I wasn’t that energized, perhaps it’s due to yesterday’s late workout. For strength-training, I mixed between 15 lbs and 10 lbs…Felt a bit stiff the next day, but in a good way.
• Yoga X: I completed everything except the Yoga Belly section (7 mins) I think my abs need a break. Got a good stretch for all my slightly achy muscles and feel more flexible this time around.
• Break (3 days)

Food Plan

I’m not listing out my daily caloric intake, because it’s too long but I’m learning to track it online.

This week, my average is about 1750 calories. Three days I went over 1850 calories, two day I went under 1600, and the rest fell between 1600-1850. The calorie counter I’m using isn’t all that accurate since I make all the food myself,  can’t always find the same ingredients/brands that I buy. I guess that comes with ethnic cooking. There are some things I eat that are kind of obscure so it doesn’t show up like Chinese sausages, French macaroons, and water chesnuts.

I think it was a pretty good week, food wise..made lots of dishes that lasted me until Friday and they weren’t expensive or hard to make either. Just tasty and delicious!

Photos

Sweet and Sour Chicken with Celery on Sweet Potato Bread

Stewed Tofu with Mushrooms, Fungi, Dried Shrimp, Chinese Sausage and Steamed Rice

French Macaroons from Jin Patisserie