What Beachbody Workout Programs Have Taught Me

One of the greatest things that Beachbody programs have taught me is how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I call myself a "recovering quitter" because I just never spent time doing things I didn't want to do. I didn't see the purpose of it...this behavior was as recent as when I lived in China and just didn't see the purpose in hiking The Great Wall. Sometimes this attitude still perks up...but A LOT LESS than it used to!

So, how has Beachbody programs done this? Well, first there is a program for anyone, at any stage they are at. My first program was Les Mills Pump because I wanted to add strength training to my running. Immediately I felt muscle strength and saw definition that I couldn't achieve after years of doing my own thing at the gym. THAT feeling pushed me a little farther and soon I wanted to do P90X...who was this new person ? Before I knew it I had completed the entire 90 days of P90X, P90X3, Les Mills Combat...and TODAY I COMPLETED INSANITY! If you would have told me a year ago that I would do Insanity...I would've admitted you! That was the scariest, craziest sounding and looking program out there for me. But when I completed each program the reward, strength and empowerment I felt propelled me to move a little bit farther out of my comfort zone that I didn't even recognize how far I had come! So...what is next for THIS INSANITY GRADUATE? Well, I am now training for a FULL marathon and using P90X3 as my cross training. A full marathon is not something I EVER wanted to do...but after getting half way through my half marathon training I felt confident enough to step over that comfort line yet again! It has been ONE YEAR since my first Beachbody program and I cannot believe how far I have come in that time! I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE what the future has in store now that I am comfortable being uncomfortable! WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN ONE YEAR?

Les Mills Combat

This might just be my new addiction! Mixed martial arts...FEELING TOUGH! 

Week 12 of P90X started and Combat too! 

BRING IT!

P90X3 Decelerator- Week 9- Post Workout Wrap-Up

I was really excited to begin week 9 today! 

Week 9 begins the last five-week block of P90X3. And I feel great accomplishment that I have done every single workout in the first two blocks.

BUT Decelerator GETS EXTREME! I feel like the intensity was KICKED way up. So much to the fact that I had to modify every.single. exercise. And I wasn't loving Tony in this workout. Nobody likes a show-off Tony!

HOWEVER, with all of that being said...I cannot wait to see next Monday and how much I improved. Definitely starting from ground-zero with Decelerator!

P90X3 Pilates X- Week 80- Post Workout Wrap Up

Since I am also following the 21 Day Fix Schedule I got to do DOUBLE Pilates and it was FABULOUS!

I think I have felt the MOST progress in my core. My tummy is so much flatter and I actually hold it in on a regular basis now, instead of just when I am getting my picture taken. LOL Although, I am a FIRM believer that abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym so my clean eating from the "fix" has made a HUGE difference.

Back to Pilates X. I feel great doing all the exercises EXCEPT anything with side planks. You hear this from me OVER and OVER. Instead of doing all the leg action, in a side plank, I just hold that plank for the duration. It helps me to strengthen those areas and EVENTUALLY I will be able to do it. 

I am always so glad when I hear Tony talk about his pops and cracks. My left hip and shoulder pops and cracks a lot. But, I really like when we are laying on our backs and doing the large hip circles. I know I have issues and that feels like a massage for those areas. Do you suffer from pinched nerves? Does yoga and pilates help? It has been a saving grace for mine! 

TOMORROW: CVX...one of my faves!

P90X3 Accelerator- Week 8- Post Workout Wrap Up

Holy Donkey!

Three things to say about P90X3 Accelerator!

1. Traveling Planks suck!
2. Still Cannot do the Donkey Kicks (although I was MUCH better than before!)
3. We do not have to do this workout again until our last week! Week 13!

It IS hard! But that DOES NOT mean we skip it! 

Part of the process is challenging yourself and getting a little better each time. How do you feel when something is really hard and you surprise yourself by doing it? THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD!

Now go out and surprise yourself!

P90X3- Week 7 MMX- Post Workout Wrap-UP

Wouldn't you run from me in a dark alley?

I vow to always start my Saturdays off with P90X3 MMX forever and ever...not really, but I hope to! I love this workout so much! This is the third time doing it now and sprawls are now my friend. Why? Because I have gotten, stronger, better and MEANER during this workout. I actually visualize (don't laugh, you should too!) being in a FIGHT and the sprawl gets me away from my opponent. HA! Take that mugger! Also, the coordination with feet and kicks is so much better! JUST GOES TO SHOW...follow the schedule. If an exercise is HARD, DON'T GIVE UP! How would I have ever known how BAD A&$ (excuse the language, endorphins talking  I really am if I gave up????? WHOOP! Let's get this Saturday going and kick it's BOOTY! 

P90X3 Incinerator- Week 7- Post Workout Wrap UP

Two days ago I talked about my legs being carved and sculpted, today it is all about arms, shoulders and back. I don't hate Incinerator, but it is not my favorite. I am not too fond of the cast in the video and while the exercises are good, something about the process just doesn't get my endorphins pumping. With that being said, my push ups are killing it. I LOVE using the power stands. I am up to 10 lbs on almost every dumb bell exercise on this one too, which feels amazing! However, the pull ups are still so confusing to me. I wish Tony, himself, could just show me how to use the bar and be progressing forward. I hope I am and I just don't know it. The best part of Incinerator, for me, is that MMX is next, hooray!

P90X3- Triometrics Week 7- Post Workout Wrap-Up

Triometrics Week 7 Post workout Wrap-Up: I had put in my mind that I was doing eccentric lower this morning and was a little bummed, at first, when I saw it wasn't. HOWEVER, triometrics is a KILLER workout that had my legs buzzing just as much (if not more) than eccentric lower. BUT the big a-ha for me today was how much my balance has improved...you know what that means, right? STRONGER CORE BABY! I was dripping with sweat after this one and welcomed Tony's chatting for those breaks! Bring on the day! 

P90X3 Eccentric Upper- Week 7- Post Workout Wrap-Up

Eccentric Upper- Week 7 Post Workout Wrap-Up:
Do you like eccentric upper? I do! I used 10 lb weights for all dumbbell exercises, except the ones where he says use light weights...8 lbs for those.I can't believe that I actually LIKE push ups now. It has so much more to do with core than I ever thought! I am still using the bands for pull ups and much more satisfied with the progress...still working toward real pull ups on the bar!
I missed Agility so much that I did it immediately after eccentric upper. If you are not feeling your progress, I strongly recommend going back and doing agility. Week 1 feels like I was such a different person! Looking forward to lower eccentric tomorrow!

P90X3- MMX- Week 6 Post Workout Wrap-UP

P90X3 MMX (week 6) Post Work-Out Wrap Up-
What a DIFFERENCE a week makes! Last week I struggled through those sprawls and cursed the entire time! This week I loved this routine EVEN MORE and didn't say a bad word the entire time. Was I perfect? HECK NO! What is hard? HECK YES! But it wasn't as hard as last week! PROGRESS, BABY, is what it IT ALL about!
I really love how, if you start on a Monday, this routine falls on a Saturday. Inspired, for sure! What a great way to start off our weekends, by kicking and punching and sprawling to burn excess calories. How can you NOT go out and make it a great day after that?
One word of advice..don't rush through those sprawls. Look at form over speed. This can do damage to your lower back if using momentum, rather than core strength. So do less and work that core. Feet apart or feet together? Whichever YOU FEEL supports your back well.
Also, some of the sequences toward the end can get tricky. Like the push, kick, Superman.....you know the one. Slow down and focus on one at a time. Last week I mumbled it all up, this week I focused on the push, kick part...a little bit at a time will keep you moving forward.
I even was ready to go OUT and sign up for an MMA class! I LOVE IT!

P90X3- Week 6 Yoga & Pilates- Post Workout Wrap-Up

AHHHHH...who would've thought that exercise could feel so rejuvinating? LIfe has been CRaZy (in a good way) in Beachbody world with the launch of the 21 Day Fix and I have been working my fingers to the bone...SO tonight I went into my garage, where I workout (is your garage warmer than your house? Mind is!), turned off the lights and did X3 Yoga and Pilates...I feel AWESOME!
So, with just the light from the TV I decided to hit the "music & cues" only...have you done it yet? LOVE! The music is relaxing and goes right with the moves AND Tony only says what to do next...no mumbo jumbo. Glorious! Can you tell I really enjoyed my last hour? 

So, in week 6, I AM DEFINITELY getting stronger! I held crow for .5 seconds (NOT 5 seconds, a HALF OF A SECOND)! Not joking, that is a BIG improvement! I've never been able to even get my toes off the ground! WOO HOO! However, my celebration quickly deflated when I was 23 minutes into Pilates and I would do ANYTHING in side plank... SO.VERY.HARD.FOR.THIS.GIRL!
Bottom line: stressed? busy? overwhelmed? Yoga X and/or Pilates X will take care of it!

P90X3- Week 5- MMX Post Workout Wrap-Up

I am really sounding like a broken record! Oh, how I "love this workout". But MMX was an awesome mixture of kicking, punching and grunting! If you have any aggression in your bones, do MMX (or great for PMS). 

I kept up fairly well and was feeling quite good about myself until the word "sprawl" started coming up more often. WOW! Sprawls are kind of like a burpee but so much "more fun". I cannot wait to get better at the sprawl exercises!

P90X3 - Day 30 Stats- SUPER HAPPY

I CANNOT wait to see what the next 30 days brings!

Do you remember how much you weighed the day you got married? I do! 
And I am BACK AT IT! I have only seen this number TWICE in the last 20 years! WOOHOO! Thank you #tonyhorton

TODAY is the very last day to get this SUPER EFFICIENT and FUN 30 minute a day workout program AND meal plan for the INTRO PRICE! Tomorrow it goes up!
Message me if you want to snag it!

P90X3 Eccentric Lower- Week 5- Post Workout Wrap-Up

Awesome workout!

I know you think I am just saying this, but honestly, each P90X3 workout just gets better and better! I love working legs and when you put core strength in with it? Well, BOOM!

I am going to run through each of the exercises and what I used and my thoughts:

• Squats- 10 lbs- careful of your knees!
• Lunges- 10 lbs- classic and efficient.
• Sumo- 10 lbs- squeeze bum!
• Weighted Pistol- 5 lbs (when Tony tells me to pick light I obey! I probably need to hide my 5 lb weights), Make sure to engage your core for help with balance.
• Side Kick- Loved this! It took me a few times to realize I needed to bring my knee to my chest.
• Front Kick- 8 lbs
• Albanian Squat- 8 lbs- Make sure you bend your BACK knee and keep your front knee over your ankle! Did you do the toe or top of foot on your chair? I did top....
• Adducter Lunge- 10 lbs...great move! I even made a video (will add:)
• Cross Reach- 5 lbs- Don't get bogged down with the balance element. Use opposite arms and engage core for better balance BUT if you NEED to put your back foot down, DO! It is about the legs more than the balance.
• **I have no idea what the name of the next move was because I can't read my scribble, but it was when we were on our back and they were tapping Tony's hand with their foot in the air....but I used 10 lbs on my hips and I noted to get my BOOTY up, not my leg**
• Hip Flexor Splits- DID those men really support all their weight on their hands? WOW!
• Calf Leg- Love this one!

YOUR THOUGHTS?

P90X3- Week 5- Triometrics Post Workout Wrap-Up

Triometrics Post Workout Wrap-Up: Okay, for the first 17 minutes I was thinking, "this is great! Trio is hard for me but when you work up to it in a minute format (20 sec easy, 20 sec moderate, 20 sec trio) I could do it! However, once the 12 minute mark came up I quickly changed my tune... Hard to where I gave up? Almost....but NO WAY! I did what I could, struggling with balance A LOT, and I am looking forward to the next time I do it being all that better! For me, this has been the most difficult X3 workout yet. Final thought...ONCE AGAIN, it amazes me that this is a "Leg Workout" where I sweat and work the core/balance all in 30 minutes! BRILLIANT!

P90X3- Week 5- Eccentric Upper Post Workout Wrap -Up

Eccentric Upper Post Workout Wrap-up: I was glad that I had an assortment of weights for this workout. If you don't, DON'T FRET...grab soup cans or water bottles and keep them close by. I used a variety of 5,8,10 lb dumb bells for this workout. This workout is all about "time under tension", which means "up, hold, down slowly" for push ups, pull ups and dumb bell exercises. I like this method a lot because you can feel the tension and pressure and that is what changes our muscles. It is ALSO what makes us sore the next day...so this would be a great workout for R&R (but aren't they all?). I am starting to realize that every Monday to just expect pull ups and push ups...that is totally okay because that means Tuesday is NOT ANY! For me, I am still concentrating on how to make the pull ups most effective for me. I am using a lot of leg strength and worry I will never be able to do one...but I just wipe those thoughts away and say, "I WILL DO IT"! Can you relate?

P90X3- Pilates X- Week 4- Post Workout Wrap-up

Never done "Pilates" in my life...but I really, really liked it! This is one of those workouts that you KNOW will improve your body and strength as a whole! The core is such a vital area to strengthen so that we can perform better in all aspects of life, even getting out of bed in the morning. Again, I can't wait to see improvement each time I do this workout! I LOVE P90X3!

P90X3- Accelerator- Week 4 Post Workout Wrap-Up

Okay, I had to modify the heck out of this! Coming back from being sick, and all! But it was a super fun workout, even the Donkey Kicks, which I was so warned about:) I can't wait to do it again (looking at the schedule it is not for another four weeks) and see how far I have improved! My favorite Tony quote from this workout was, "P90X3 Accelerator...like swimming, only wetter." LOL

P90X3 Isometrix- Week 4- Post Workout Wrap-Up

Isometrix Post Workout Wrap-Up~

Week 4, Day 1

So I started week 3 of P90X3 today, so it was my first time doing Isometrix. I was a little bummed because I am a cardio junkie...but I QUICKLY learned that THIS workout is AWESOME! I loved it!
Isometrix is NOT yoga (cause I know some of you "love" yoga). It is all about strength! I felt super strong and planks used to be hard for me, but I actually could do these with modifications. SO COOL! It reiterated that X3 is making me stronger! I loved the core workout in Isometrix. This is where it is at. Do not get discouraged if you stumble...I sure did. Concentrate on your breathing and I loved how Tony spoke a lot about believing. It reminds me that fitness and health IS SO MUCH about our minds and THEN our bodies. If you believe you can achieve! I, also, REALLY loved when Tony talked about a bunch of "perfectionists sitting around doing nothing". Oh man! That spoke to me because that used to be ME! I was such an "all or nothing" person and when I started to change that I noticed BIG amounts of PROGRESS! A little bit is always better than nothing. That is key with everything, especially Isometrix! Do what you can. Make notes. You WILL improve weekly!
Share your thoughts below on Isometrix!

P90X3 Dynamix- Week 3- Post Work Out Wrap-Up

Thanks for watching!

Do you love Dynamix as much as I do?