Day 23 – P90X Plyometrics

So happy to see you again. Wishing you more happy health!

I am closing in on my first 30 days of P90X and that means I will soon be posting my 30 Day progress photos. Taking a picture of myself in a bikini is always a little scary to me, but I’m feeling a little more confident about it this time around. Although there aren’t huge visible changes for me since I started P90X, there are significant changes in my stamina and metabolism and I am noticing less wiggle and jiggle in my jumps. Since I wear the BodyBugg, I am able to monitor my resting calorie burn and compare how many calories I burn at rest as well as when I’m working out. I am burning more calories at rest now than I was a month ago. That means that even while I’m sitting here typing this update, my body is burning calories at a higher level than it did before. This allows me to eat more food and still lose inches. Because of my busy schedule, I find it hard to get in all the calories I need, so I have started adding Vanilla Whey Protein Powder to either my Shakeology drink in the morning or my P90X Results & Recovery Formula after I workout. It adds a creamier texture to either drink and it gives me the added nutrition my body needs.

I have missed a few of the P90X workouts because I spent two weekends away to go to Turbo Kick training. Trust me, I wasn’t slacking at training. Each day of Turbo Kick training included about three hours of high-intensity activity. I burned more calories those days than I ever thought possible. Since I was busy doing Turbo Kick, I missed two Yoga X and Legs & Back days. Again, that’s okay, because one of the Turbo Kick training days we did PiYo™, which brings Pilate’s and Yoga together to burns more calories while transforming the body. It is intense!

Last night was Plyometrics night and my legs were screaming about half-way through. I cannot believe that after doing this several times, I still get that burn. Do you know what Plyometrics means? According to Mr. Horton, Plyometrics (Plyo for short) comes from Eastern Europe in the early 1970s. It is also known as “jump training.” The drills in Plyo are designed to improve your ability to run faster, jump higher, and maneuver in multidirectional sports. Plyometrics can help improve performance for the casual to serious athletes in the areas of court sports, track, field, mat, pool, ring, rink or mountain – I think that covers about all sports. Plyo is not easy and you will find yourself gasping for air. You have to keep reminding yourself you can do it! Most of the drills are only 30 seconds long. I find it helpful to count my reps out loud and not look at the countdown clock on the screen. When you feel like your legs are about to collapse, and they will feel that way, five seconds more can seem impossible. Focus on your form, focus on the rewards, focus on your goals, focus on your breathing, focus on yourself – whatever it is that centers you, put your focus there – you can make it through!

I encourage you to take the warm-up and stretch time seriously. The warm-up is essential in preparing you for the workout. Start at the beginning and work through to the end. Plyo is a ‘repeat workout,’ meaning you will perform a sequence of four exercises which you will repeat before moving on to the next set of four exercises. Keeping this in mind, do not go all out on the first set. Exert effort, but don’t burn yourself out – you will be using the same muscles again in a few minutes and if you fatigue them on the first round, you’ll be toast on the second round. Patience young grasshopper!

So, all-in-all, how would I rank my first three weeks with P90X? Great! I am excited to go into the first Recovery Week. Quick note: P90X is a 90 day program, broken down into three 30 day Phases. Each phase has three weeks of intensity work and one week of recovery. Tony Horton is quick to point out that Recovery is not easy either, it just means that the body gets a break from heavy resistance training. I will be doing my Recovery week while on vacation in Cancun! I will let you know how it was when I get back.

If you want to talk more about any of the fitness programs or nutritional supplements I’ve mentioned in my blog, please let me know. Let’s talk!

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