P90X Week Two - Almost Complete

Before I get down to business, I just want to say that working out is my favorite part of the day...

Anyway, I am closing in on the second week of P90X, and I have lost a LOT of weight in just a week and a half. I have lost over 7 pounds. But those pounds have not been replaced with flabby skin, but rather muscle definition. I am noticing distinct definition in my obliques (WHAT?! definition in my stomach!?!?!?!?! NEVER!!!!!!!), and I am utterly shocked!

Here is the breakdown of the total inches lost:
Stomach (measured from my belly button): -2
Hips/Butt (measured exactly across the middle of my butt): -1
Thighs (measured in the middle) : -1
Arms (measure upper arm - where there is the most flab!): -.5

HOW INSANE IS THAT?! I literally lost a jean size in less than two weeks. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am OFFICIALLY only one jean size away from my ultimate end (for those philosophical readers out there, don't over think that I called a jean size my "ultimate end," ok?!).

Thank goodness for taking pictures to track my progress.

Before and Now (I can't believe the first picture was less than two weeks ago!):









I can't wait to see what I look like at the end of day 30!!!!!!!

For all of you out there working on your own concept of perfection, keep up the good work. And always try to keep in mind how far you have already come!

Oh... and I tried on my old pants tonight.... it made me cry to see how far I have come. I am NEVER throwing those old pants away - ever. I don't want to be that ever again.

P90X Day Five

P90X is probably the best thing I could have ever done at this point in my weight loss journey.

At the end of day four I have lost a total of 7 pounds. I am NOT joking or exaggerating. I was completely and utterly shocked when I got on the scale this morning.

After months and months of Atkins dieting, I was terrified of following the diet specified by Beach Body. I was REALLY worried about eating what I thought was "so many carbs." Here are my new diet percentages: 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fat. I am working out so much that my carbs are being burned before they can be stored as fat.

At the end of each workout, I am COMPLETELY drenched, and I feel FANTASTIC. I feel stronger, I have a TON of energy, and I want more! Granted, I am sore for DAYS after the work outs, but I really do feel amazing.

Some side injuries and plans of traveling have made it difficult for me to complete the first week exactly the way the schedule says to, but I am trying.

I have learned this week that NUTRITION IS 90% OF THE BATTLE. YOU CAN'T WORK OUT AND EAT CRAP AND THEN EXPECT TO SEE SERIOUS RESULTS. YOU CAN'T HALF-WAY COMMIT - IT HAS TO BE ALL OR NOTHING.

Stay healthy!

Starting Over

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
~Benjamin Franklin

Here's the thing about weight loss: it's hard. Oh yeah, and the more weight you lose, the harder it becomes to continue to lose weight. Your body doesn't respond to the same diet and exercises the same way anymore.

Example #1:
At the beginning of dieting, you can do some serious food changes. You can limit your fat and carbs/sugar and eat lean protein. Done, done, and done. The pounds melt off. 65 pounds later, you are eating "clean" food and limiting calories. But you want to lose more weight. What do you do? You can't cut any more calories or cut out fats or carbs completely.

Example #2:
At the beginning of dieting, you can add some intense workouts to your plan. When you go from doing NO exercise to about a mile a day, your body makes some SERIOUS changes. 65 pounds later, a mile doesn't work anymore. You need to do at least 3-4 miles a day to see similar results.

Example #3:
At the beginning of dieting, you can add some weight training. Your muscles are shocked and bulk quickly. Now, the same workouts are "boring" to your muscles, and you see NO more results.

This is why I have decided to do P90X. Yes, I know I sound like an infomercial, but honestly, I was getting so frustrated with my lack of results lately, that I needed to do something different. I will still be doing the same updates, and I will also be taking pictures, as the program prescribes.

I will also be following the diet plan prescribed by the program. Thus, my percentages will be changing. I will now be eating 50% protein (that is normal for muscle building), 30% carbs (SCARY), and 20% fat. This makes perfect sense. If I am doing more intense workouts, I will need more carbs to keep my energy up. Those carbs SHOULD be burned before they have a chance to be stored as fat. If I don't lose any weight in the first week, I will tweak the diet. But I will be honest: it is about to get intense!

I am looking forward to a new level of fitness. Wish me luck!