Finishing out the Lean

Well, I've decided to just finish out the lean program with P90X. After my recovery period I'll start up with the classic program. I guess it just makes sense to finish what I've started instead of busting it up with something else. :)

The weather has turned fall-ish and I'm loving it - ESPECIALLY for going running, like I did last Saturday. I absolutely love the warmth of the sun with the coolness in the air (and lack of major humidity helps, also). I think I adore this so much because it reminds me of the mountains in summer - which are my absolute favorite thing ever (besides horses, that is - can't forget my other favorite thing!). The cool, dryer air with the warm sun. . .. . it makes me feel so energized! This being my first run this year in that kind of weather, it was just great all around. I felt strong, even though it's been a good two weeks since my last foray out on the running route. I didn't have a whole day of eating behind me, so I actually tried this little trick: I mixed a 1/4 of the normal amount of recovery drink in water and had that before I went out. My thinking behind this is that the simple carbs in the drink would be instant energy - like endurance athletes have little simple carbohydrate snacks or gels etc. to sustain them during a competition. I think it made a hell of a difference - I had a lot of energy! Feeling great helped me push on, probably harder than I would have normally if I didn't have that extra energy. Some people use caffeine to fuel their workouts. .... well, maybe this is my version of 'caffeine', since I don't actually drink the stuff and haven't for the last year.

Of course I paid the price a bit the day after, feeling the vague soreness in my quads - but it was a good sore! :)

Eating has been going okay. Of course there are still times (birthday dinners/lunches, things of that nature) that can't be avoided, and I just make sure that these don't set me back too far mentally. I don't go crazy with these and pig out, but I do accept that these will happen - and resolve not to beat myself up about it too much. I figure if I'm going to be living and eating clean long-term, then a few minor detours here and there (not often) aren't going to be the death of me.

So speaking of sore (after running) . .. .. I did the chest and back workout this week. Holy mother. I can't remember exactly what they are called at the moment, but those pushups where you go 'under the fence' and then back out the same way - with wide hands wide feet? HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. Those are killer. This is the first time in the lean program that I have encountered this particular workout, so I hadn't tried those yet. ..... but welcome to the jungle for when I do the Classic P90X! That workout is part of the mix, I'm quite sure. I guess it's all about mixing it up - so it's kind of fun to have something 'new' that I haven't done yet, to keep it fresh. Even though they were killing me!!! Eeeeyikes.

Got some pushup stands (clearance, Target!) which I do like a lot. I have to be careful with the wide stance pushups tho - I think my right shoulder could get injured if I try to go too deep on those. .. . so I just did what I could, not going too deep.

Tony says to avoid saying "I CAN'T do.. .. (insert here)", for instance - chin ups. He says to say instead "I currently struggle with. ... ". Okay, I STILL currently struggle with chin ups!! And I'm almost done with the 90 days?! I think my body is just not meant to do these?!? On the reverse close grip ones, my left wrist DOES NOT like this move. It's ok for the first 2 or 3 tries, then starts to feel like it has to snap to feel better (like when you crack a knuckle)? I'll keep at the ol' chin ups - someday I'll get to where I'll be able to do one unassisted!!

Keeping up with working out 6 days a week is still a bit of a challenge at times - it's just alllllll too easy to let life get in the way. But I'm keeping at it. I think once I finish out my first 90 days, it won't seem like such a 'hump' to get over in future, b/c I'll know that I've done it before. I'm trying to lay the proper foundation to make this a lifestyle, not just a temporary 'thing' I'm doing.

People who know I'm doing this program ask how it's going - and some I may not have seen in a while - and when I say it's going good, sometimes I wonder if they think I'm full of crap - because I don't look much different than I used to. They probably think I'm lying about how hard I'm working (or so I think, because I'm disgusted sometimes with the lack of visible, drastic results). Maybe they don't actually think this, who knows. My body is just that incredibly, undeniably, ridiculously stubborn. Seriously. So..... . I have come to the conclusion, that, sadly - I am just going to have to work twice as hard to get half the results that others may get. My metabolism and body is JUST THAT STUBBORN right now. This is the genetic (or whatever) hand that I've been dealt, and I'm just going to have to, well, deal with it. Though it seems to make sense that at some point, when I've (SLOWLY) replaced muscle with fat and am in better shape, that maybe things will kick in and happen faster as far as results. ....... but who knows. I mean, I wouldn't have thought that it would be THIS SLOW to see results for all this hard work (both eating AND working out faithfully). .... so who knows. All I can say about the 'work twice as hard' thing is...... no flippin' fair!! What did I do to deserve this genetic/metabolism bomb??! But, what is the alternative? Get fatter and more out of shape? No thanks.

So stick with it, I will. If I start up the classic after a two week recovery, then I'll be finishing up the end of a 13 week Classic run at the end of the year. .... . so here's hoping to be ripped by Christmas. That's the plan, anyway. ... . :)