Monday, February 27, 2012

Click It Up A Notch- February 2012 Photo Contest Entry


Badger Nubbins aka Badge. Photo taken 02.02.12. In case you can't tell, he hates us.


Click It Up A Notch

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

P90x Day 15: Chest and Back

Last night's workout was tough. Mentally and physically. The kiddos spent the Sunday night with Ricky's parents because of our video game day and the fact that Monday was a holiday for the kiddos. Since the kiddos weren't here, I took the opportunity to sleep in after Ricky went to work. Ricky called around 9am and woke me up, but after our phone call I rolled over and went back to sleep. He called again at 1pm and woke me up again. It's not completely unusual for me to sleep that late when the kiddos aren't here, but the feeling I had after waking up was odd. I felt sluggish, weak, and my head felt kinda fuzzy. That feeling lasted the rest of the day/night.

By the time Ricky was home and the kiddos were heading to bed I really was not up to doing our workout. Honestly, neither was Ricky. While our workouts are a good way for us to spend time together, we are beginning to miss hanging out on the couch, watching movies/playing video games for a few hours before heading to bed. Our exercise routine is cutting into that and we are missing it. Last night we both admitted to each other that we felt that way. But we also agreed that we were not going to quit. We made a commitment to do 90 days and that's what we are going to do. I really want to do Insanity after we finish P90x, but I think we're going to take a couple weeks off before we jump into it. Another reason I think it was harder to get started last night was because we had missed a couple workouts. That makes more of a difference than I realized.

Round 1
Standard Push-ups: 10 on knees (I did 1/2 a non-girlie one, best attempt ever so far!) (R:10)
Wide Front Pull-ups: 8 with chair (R:3)
Military Push-ups: 7 on knees(R:6)
Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 8 with chair (R:7)
Wide Fly Push-Ups: 10 on knees(R:10)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:3)
Decline Push-ups: 0 (R:5)
Heavy Pants: 15 with 10lb weights (R:12 with 20lb weights)
Diamond Push-ups: 3 on knees (R:5 with a wider grip)
Lawnmower: 15 with 10lb weights on each side (R: 20 with 20lb weights on each side)
Dive Bomb: 0 (R:4)
Back Flys: 15 with 10lb weights (R:20 with 20lb weights)

Round 2
Wide Front Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Standard Push-ups: 6 on knees (R:10)
Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 5 with chair (R:5)
Military Push-ups: 5 on knees(R:3)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Wide Fly Push-Ups: 5 on knees(R:7)
Heavy Pants: 15 with 10lb weights (R: 10 with 20lb weights)
Decline Push-ups: 0 (R:5)
Lawnmower: 15 with 10lb weights on each side (R: 15 with 20lb weights on each side)
Diamond Push-ups: 0 (R:0)
Back Flys: 15 with 10lb weights (R: 10 with 20lb weights)
Dive Bomb: 0 (R:3)

With not feeling well, I remember assuming that I was doing/going to do worse than previous Chest & Back exercise days. I mean, it makes sense. If you're not feeling 100%, you can't give 100%, so you won't do as well as normal. Well, even though there were few exercises that I had to sit down and skip, overall I still improved from last weeks workout.

If I didn't have Ricky working out with me I don't know if I would have stuck with P90x for this long. I have come across several of the reasons that other people have quit, but Ricky and I refuse to. We may miss a few days here and there because of life happening, but that is not going to keep us from continuing. Just like if you're on a diet and have a bad couple of binging days, most people just give up, but you shouldn't. You should just start where you left off and continue, because you're still doing better than you were in the beginning. You won't have to start over completely if you don't ever quit completely. Slowing down isn't the same as quitting. I know it sounds contradictory with my beginning statement about not knowing if I'd have stuck with it without Ricky.

I often have trouble sticking with things that don't show immediate results (as I'm sure a lot of people do). I've been seeing results in the form of increased exercise reps and my pants fitting better, but I can't help but wish for more. I want to see a lower number on the scale (even though I know that a higher number doesn't always mean more fat). I want to wear a size even smaller pants (even though I know that I'm working my way there by making the size I'm in now fit better). I want to be able to do a regular non-girlie push up (even though I can do more of one now than I was able to do 3 weeks ago). I have all these "goals" in my head that I want NOW that I know aren't realistic. I know that. But that doesn't stop me from wanting them. And even though I know they are unrealistic, not achieving them makes me want to quit. I have to remind myself daily that even though I'm not achieving the goals I want to, I am achieving the goals I need to so that I can get to achieving the goals I want to.

By comparing our reps week to week, we are improving, but on a daily basis it doesn't seem like much has changed. I am trying to decide whether I want to continue logging our progress strictly on my blog, or if I want to blog it as well as use the P90x Worksheets. By using the worksheets I can look at how we've been doing at a glance, and then I can push myself to do better by knowing what I did last time. But if I don't look at the numbers, then I rely on my ability to dictate the number of reps that I do. And it feels so good to compare them afterwards and see an increase. I just don't know which is better.

-BritneyMarie

Friday, February 17, 2012

P90x Day 12: Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper X

Ricky and I really pushed ourselves tonight. I have increased my weights double what I started with (from 5lbs to 10lbs) and I was still able to increase my reps to 15 or stay close to 15 for each set. My arms are on fire! I know I'm going to be feeling the burn tomorrow and I LOVE it!

Round 1:
Alternating Shoulder Press: 15 using 10lbs (R:12 using 15lbs)
In and Out Bicep Curl: 16 using 10lbs (R:16 using 15lbs)
Two-Arm Tricep Kickbacks: 16 using 8lbs (R:16 using 10lbs)

Round 2:
Alternating Shoulder Press: 15 using 10lbs (R:10 using 20lbs)
In and Out Bicep Curl: 16 using 10lbs (R:7 using 20lbs)
Two-Arm Tricep Kickbacks: 16 using 8lbs (R:16 using 10lbs)

Round 1:
Deep Swimmers Press: 15 using 10lbs (R:10 using 15lbs)
Full Supination Concentration Curls: 15 using 10lbs (R:16 using 15lbs)
Chair Dips: 25 with knees bent (R:10 with legs straight)

Round 2:
Deep Swimmers Press: 15 using 10lbs (R:15 using 15lbs)
Full Supination Concentration Curls: 15 using 10lbs (R: 10 using 15lbs)
Chair Dips: 25 with knees bent (R:15 with legs straight)

Round 1:
Upright Rows: 15 using 10lbs (R:15 using 15lbs)
Static Arm Curls: 16 using 10lbs (R:16 using 15lbs)
Flip-Grip Twist Tricep Kickbacks: 10 using 8lbs (R:7 using 10lbs)

Round 2:
Upright Rows: 15 using 10lbs (R:13 using 15lbs)
Static Arm Curls: 16 using 10lbs (R:16 using 15lbs)
Flip-Grip Twist Tricep Kickbacks: 10 using 8lbs (R:10 using 10lbs)

Round 1:
Seated Two-Angle Shoulder Fly’s: 8 using 8lbs (R:10 using 10lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: 15 using 10lbs (R:10 using 15lbs)
Lying-Down Tricep Extensions: 13 using 10lbs (R:8 using 15lbs)

Round 2:
Seated Two-Angle Shoulder Fly’s: 10 using 8lbs (R:12 using 10lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: 15 using 8lbs (R:15 using 10lbs)
Lying-Down Tricep Extensions: 15 using 8lbs (R:15 using 10lbs)

Bonus Round 1:
In and Out Straight-Arm Shoulder Fly: 16 using 8lbs (R:12 using 10lbs)
Congdon Curls: 15 using 8lbs (R:8 using 15lbs)
Side Tri-Rise: 10/10 (R:5/10)

Bonus Round 2:
In and Out Straight-Arm Shoulder Fly: 16 using 8lbs (R:10 using 10lbs)
Congdon Curls: 15 using 8lbs (R:10 using 10lbs)
Side Tri-Rise: 15/15 (R:10/10)

Ab Ripper X stats:
In and Outs: 25 (R:25)
Seated Bicycles: 25/25 (R:25/25)
Seated Crunchy Frog: 15 (R:10)
Crossed Leg/Wide Leg Sit Ups: 0 (R:25)
Fifer Scissor: 14 (R:20)
Hip Rock and Raise: 25 (R:20)
Pulse Ups: 25 (R:15)
Roll Up/V-Up Combo: 0 (R:20)
Oblique V-Ups: 0/0 (R:10/10)
Leg Climbs: 12/12 (R:12/12)
Mason Twist: 30 (R:50)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

P90x Day 11: Stretch X

Our schedule is a bit off. Tonight we were going to do Yoga X but Ricky asked if we could substitute Stretch X instead. (He really hates Plank and Downward Facing Dog.) He actually said he liked this one a lot. It helped loosen up all the tension we were carrying from the past few days and it felt so great.

-BritneyMarie

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

P90x Day 10: Rest Day

Ricky and I are taking a rest day today. It's been mentally and physically exhausting for both of us. The kiddos have just been put to bed and we still haven't started on our dinner yet. I feel a little guilty about skipping out today, but not guilty enough to not do it. I plan on making time tomorrow to get today's workout done while the kiddos are at school.

-BritneyMarie

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

P90x Day 9: Plyometrics

Tonight Ricky and I got ready for our most intense workout of the week. We were determined to get all the way through it this time. We started out hard but not so bad that we would pass out half way through. My favorite move on this one is definitely the Heisman. I feel like I could do those all day. Not that I would really want to!

I remember having a bit of trouble on the Swing Kicks the first time around. This time it was hard, but I was able to keep up and complete the whole time. I wasn't going very fast, but I did keep moving for the full time. I'm counting that as a win!

When we first started the Military March I remember thinking how easy they were. They get harder. Much harder the longer you do them! Very deceiving at the beginning!

One thing that I haven't been able to do are the moves where you spin around. I get dizzy very easily and those mess me up every time. Right now I'm taking a water break during them, but I am going to do some sort of exercise during them next time. Jumping jacks or something similar. I had the same problem during Zumba. If there were moves that required spinning, I rarely did them. I hate that I have this problem.

-BritneyMarie

Monday, February 13, 2012

P90x Day 8: Chest & Back

Round 1
Standard Push-ups: 10 on knees (R:10)
Wide Front Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Military Push-ups: 5 on knees(R:4)
Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 5 with chair (R:10)
Wide Fly Push-Ups: 5 on knees(R:8)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Decline Push-ups: 0 (R:5)
Heavy Pants: 15 with 8lb weights (R: 20 with 15lb weights)
Diamond Push-ups: 5 on knees (R:0)
Lawnmower: 15 with 10lb weights on each side (R: 20 with 15lb weights on each side)
Dive Bomb: 3 on knees(R:3)
Back Flys: 15 with 10lb weights (R: 15 with 15lb weights)

Round 2
Wide Front Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Standard Push-ups: 7 on knees (R:5)
Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 5 with chair (R:5)
Military Push-ups: 4 on knees(R:4)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-ups: 5 with chair (R:2)
Wide Fly Push-Ups: 5 on knees(R:10)
Heavy Pants: 15 with 10lb weights (R: 15 with 15lb weights)
Decline Push-ups: 0 (R:1)
Lawnmower: 15 with 10lb weights on each side (R: 20 with 15lb weights on each side)
Diamond Push-ups: 5 on knees (R:0)
Back Flys: 15 with 10lb weights (R: 15 with 15lb weights)
Dive Bomb: 3 on knees(R:2)

Ab Ripper X
In and Outs: 25 (R: 25)
Seated Bicycles: 20 forward & 15 backward (R: 25 forward & 10 backward)
Seated Crunchy Frog: 2 (R: 2)
Crossed Leg/Wide Leg Sit Ups: 0 (R: 20)
Fifer Scissor: 8 (R: 10)
Hip Rock and Raise: 25 (R: 15)
Pulse Ups: 25 (R: 20)
Roll Up/V-Up Combo: 0 (R: 6)
Oblique V-Ups: 3/5 (R: 5/5)
Leg Climbs: 5/5 (R: 10/10)
Mason Twist: 20 (R: 25)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

P90x Day 7: Kenpo X & Ab Ripper X

Technically, Ab Ripper was supposed to be done two days ago. Technically, Kenpo X was supposed to be done yesterday. And technically, today was supposed to be a Rest Day. But this week we had to do a little flip-flopping.

We had our Bad Movie Night on Friday and our friends came over a little earlier than usual so we could get a movie in before I had to go to bed early. When the two of them showed up, I wanted to turn off Legs & Back and just get on with our movie, but I thought about how important it was to finish what we start so we postponed our movie for 15 minutes and we finished. One of our friends, Mitch, who is working his way down from 380lbs (he's already down 36lbs to 344lbs!) joined in a bit at the end of our workout for pull-ups and squats. I did feel guilty about holding off movies another 15 minutes for Ab Ripper so Ricky and agreed to do it the next night. We all watched Chillerama, but I had to go to bed half way through at 10:30pm.

The next morning I got up at 3:30 am and met another friend outside for our yard sale. We did pretty good, about $350 between me, my friend, and her mom. I came out with $52 but that was awesome since everything I put in there was from the previous two yard sales. This time everything that didn't sell was hauled away so it is no longer cluttering my garage. Oh, the garage is still a disaster zone, but it just needs to be reorganized, which I plan on doing this week while the kiddos play outside.

We packed up about noon and at 3pm I was exhausted. Ricky watched the twins so I could take a nap, and I woke up at 5:30pm. A few hours later, Sam called and let me know about some late-night babysitting. It worked out perfect since I had gotten my nap in! Between the time the kids went to bed and the time I needed to head out the door, we just had an hour, so Ricky and I agreed to switch our workout to Sunday and have our Rest Day early. I headed over to watch the kids and got home a little before 2am.

Today has been pretty lazy. Ricky let me sleep in, then I let him go back to bed while I took the kiddos over to my mom's house for a few hours. We watched some television and then had dinner at Mom's. After the kiddos went to bed we put in Kenpo X and got to work. The first half is tough! We got just under 30 minutes into it before we had to pause it for an extended break. But after a couple minutes, we pressed play again and finished it up. I really enjoyed it. I knew that I would have a bit of trouble with it because when I went to a Kickboxing class at the Wellness and Fitness center I could only last 30 minutes before I wussed out and left. I had quite a bit of trouble keeping up with the pace/speed on the dvd, but I did get all the reps in. I assume the speed will come with time.

Directly after Kenpo X, we put in Ab Ripper X to finish off the night. Here are our stats for our second attempt.

In and Outs: 30 (R: 25) (We each improved by 10 from last time!!!)
Seated Bicycles: 25 forward & 0 backward (R: 25 forward & 25 backward) (Ricky improved by 5 in each direction from last time!!!)
Seated Crunchy Frog: 10 (R: 5)
Crossed Leg/Wide Leg Sit Ups: 10 (R: 22) (I improved by 10 and Ricky by 2!!!)
Fifer Scissor: 10 (R: 10)
Hip Rock and Raise: 25 (R: 25) (I improved by 5 and Ricky by 10!!!)
Pulse Ups: 25 (R: 25) (We both improved by 10!!!)
Roll Up/V-Up Combo: 3 (R: 10) (I improved by 3 and Ricky by 5!!!)
Oblique V-Ups: 10 (R: 20)
Leg Climbs: 10 on left, 10 on right (R: 10 on left, 10 on right) (I improved by 2 on left and 6 on right!!!)
Mason Twist: 20 (R: 20)

I can't believe that we've improved in just 7 days! I didn't think we would be seeing results like that that fast! I have felt a lot more flexible lately so I decided to see if I had improved any in the Toe Touch since my Fit Test in January. January 17th I could just barely reach my toes so it was 0. Tonight, I got +6! I can hardly believe it! This makes me want to do Stretch X while the kids are in school a few times a week to see how much more I can improve my flexibility.

-BritneyMarie

Saturday, February 11, 2012

P90x Day 6: Rest Day

Today I had a yard sale so we moved our Rest Day. I assure you, I am in no mood to do any kickboxing tonight.

-BritneyMarie

Friday, February 10, 2012

P90x Day 5: Legs and Back

I have nothing funny or insightful to say about tonight's workout. I am physically exhausted and I have a yard sale at our house tomorrow morning. A friend is coming over at 4am to get set up. I need to get to bed but we have friends over for Bad Movie Night. I will be getting to bed within the next hour or so though. I expect to sleep well tonight.

Our stats for tonight:
Balance Lunge: 10 on right, 10 on left (R: 10 on right, 15 on left
Calf-Raise Squat: 25 (R: 15 with 10lbs)
Reverse Grip Chin Ups: 0 with chair (R: 8)
Super Skater: 25 on right, 25 on left (R: 25 on right, 25 on left)
Wall Squat: 0:40 (R: 0:40)
Wide Front Pull-Ups: 4 with chair (R: 3)
Step Back Lunge: 15 on right with 8lbs, 15 on left with 8lbs (R: 10 on right with 15lbs, 10 on left with 15lbs)
Alternating Side Lungs: 25 (R: 14)
Single Leg Wall Squats: 0:10 (R: 1:00)
Dead-lift Squat:20 on left, 20 on right (R: 10 on left, 10 on right)
Switch Grip Pull ups:5 with chair (R: 7)
Three-Way Lunge with two-Kick Option: 5 on left, 5 on right (R: 5 on left, 5 on right)
Sneaky Lunges: 20 (R: 20)
Reverse Grips Chin Ups:5 with chair (R: 10)
Chair Salutations: 1:00 (R: 1:00)
Toe-Roll Iso Lunge:20 on left, 20 on right (R: 20 on left, 20 on right)
Wide-Front Pull Ups: 5 with chair (R: 1)
Groucho Walk: 0:45 (R: 0:45)
Calf Raises: However many he did (R: However many he did)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull Ups: 5 (R:3)
80/20 Siebers-Speed Squats:30 on left, 30 on right (R: 15 on left, 17 on right)
Switch Grip Pull Ups: 6 with chair (R: 5)

Our friends came over while we were finishing up "Legs and Back" so we didn't get to Ab Ripper X, but before Ricky turned it off I did do 25 In & Outs. 5 more than last time! W00t! We'll be doing Ab Ripper after our workout tomorrow.

-BritneyMarie

P90x Day 4: Yoga X

I was told by several people that Yoga X was difficult. In my mind, I thought they were crazy. How can stretching and doing random poses be difficult? Turns out, I was wrong. Very wrong. This workout is the longest of the set at 90 minutes and Ricky & I made it 42 minutes in before we were in a heap on the floor complaining about how tired we were, how our extremities were sore, and how sick of Planks we were. It was at this point that we wanted to quit. We hadn't quite gotten to the Balance Postures (we were like 30 seconds away) so it just seemed like it was going to be too much. But thanks to some cheering and pleading from our "Sore Muscles" group on Facebook, we agreed to continue on. I kept thinking to myself, "You don't stop when you're tired. You stop when you're done."

At the beginning of the dvd, Tony was saying something about how Yoga takes "strength, balance and coordination", I turned to Ricky and said, "Well, you've got one of those three things going for you!" I love him, but he really lacks balance and coordination. (Except when he's on the roof of a house. Nimble on a roof, tripping over himself on the ground. I will never understand him...)

I enjoyed doing the first half of the dvd, but towards the end of the first half it became sort of monotonous. I am quite content never doing another Plank, Upward-Facing Dog, or Runner's Pose. The second half was better, just like I was told it would be. The Balance Postures were quite fun. One of my goals for these 90 days is to be able to do the Standing Leg Extension with a finger lock instead of having my hand on my knee/calf.

The Floor Work was pretty enjoyable as well. Ricky and I were actually able to do The Crane pose. Ricky did it first with the dvd, then we paused it so I could have him help me. I was determined to at least attempt it. At first, my legs were pinching the skin on my arm which was pretty uncomfortable. Eventually, I was able to hold it for about a second before falling. I'm sure we were doing it incorrectly, but we have time to work on that. I'm just proud that we were able to get our feet off the floor! I was pretty sure that I could to Wheel, and I was right. I used to do that all the time, I just called it a back-bend.

I can't remember what the name of it is, but the one where you keep your shoulders on the floor and lift your legs and back off the floor was impossible for me to do the other day during Stretch X. Just like The Crane, I had Ricky do it first, which was no problem to him at all. He's bendy. Then we paused it so he could help me. He helped me to get my legs up, but I was able to hold the pose and do the variations all on my own. I was actually more flexible than him in some of those poses. The competitive side of me smiled a lot when that happened.

A common occurrence throughout the whole dvd was Ricky and I tripping into each other. We looked like we were drunk. The more I concentrated on keeping still, the more I would move and eventually fall over. We crashed into each other several times. There was even one time that I fell over into the couch and Ricky tried to catch me but his reaction time was a little too slow. It was a valiant effort though.

One thing that kinda confuses me is that some of the moves are difficult and I can really feel them stretching me. Then there are other moves that seem easy, too easy. I wonder if I'm just more limber in that particular pose, or if I'm doing them incorrectly.

This is Ricky's least favorite of the series so far. But I think that is because he knows it is longer than the rest and he seems to have the most difficulty with it, with the difficulty balancing and being uncoordinated. I think, with time and practice, that he will come around to enjoying this one. If I can push myself to see past the monotony of the beginning, I think this one might be my favorite so far.

-BritneyMarie

Thursday, February 9, 2012

P90x Day 3: Shoulders and Arms

I hurt. I hurt so much. But surprisingly, I'm not ready to quit yet. This morning I had to lower myself onto the built-in shower seat with the hand rail because my legs didn't want to work right. But I'm not ready to quit yet. I know that in a few days the pain will go away, even though it is more than it was yesterday.

Yesterday everything hurt, so I figured stretching would be a good idea. I put in the Stretch X dvd while the kiddos played Reader Rabbit on their computer. I was only able to get through about 30 minutes of it before the "Mommy, come fix this...", "Mommy, come do this...", "Mommy, I need juice..." "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!" got to be too much. But that 30 minutes made a lot of difference. I just wish I had worked on stretching my legs out, 'cause all I got to do was my arms! :)

Once Ricky got home from work, we all ate dinner and he put the kiddos to bed. Then we got started on 'Shoulders and Arms'. I was not expecting to last the whole dvd but I was sure going to try my best to make it...and we DID! We even did the bonus section! And then moved on to Ab Ripper X before completely passing out! I was so proud of us!

I can't remember what exercise it was on Ab Ripper (I think it was the Scissors one) but we were both lying on the floor next to each other and to push ourselves further we grabbed each others hands and held them through the pain. We could feel the squeezing pressure of each other as we forced ourselves to do just a few more reps. It was so great!!

Here are our stats for Day 3:

Round 1:
Alternating Shoulder Press: 15 using 5lbs (R: 13 using 20lbs)
In and Out Bicep Curl: 16 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 20lbs)
Two-Arm Tricep Kickbacks: 20 using 5lbs (R: 10 using 20lbs)

Round 2:
Alternating Shoulder Press: 15 using 5lbs (R: 10 using 20lbs)
In and Out Bicep Curl: 25 using 5lbs (R: 10 using 20lbs)
Two-Arm Tricep Kickbacks: 20 using 5lbs (R: 14 using 20lbs)

Round 1:
Deep Swimmers Press: 20 using 5lbs (R: 10 using 20lbs)
Full Supination Concentration Curls: 20 using 5lbs (R:6 using 20lbs)
Chair Dips: 15 (R: 15)

Round 2:
Deep Swimmers Press: 15 using 5lbs (R: 5 using 20lbs)
Full Supination Concentration Curls: 15 using 5lbs (R: 5 using 20lbs)
Chair Dips: 15 (R:9)

Round 1:
Upright Rows: 20 using 5lbs (R: 10 using 20lbs)
Static Arm Curls: 16 using 5lbs (R: 16 using 8lbs)
Flip-Grip Twist Tricep Kickbacks: 5 using 5lbs (R: 5 using 8lbs)

Round 2:
Upright Rows: 15 using 5lbs (R: 8 using 20lbs)
Static Arm Curls: 16 using 5lbs (R: 16 using 8lbs)
Flip-Grip Twist Tricep Kickbacks: 5 using 5lbs (R: 5 using 8lbs)

Round 1:
Seated Two-Angle Shoulder Fly’s: 16 using 5lbs (R: 14 using 8lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: 15 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 8lbs)
Lying-Down Tricep Extensions: 15 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 8lbs)

Round 2:
Seated Two-Angle Shoulder Fly’s: 16 using 5lbs (R: 16 using 8lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: 15 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 8lbs)
Lying-Down Tricep Extensions: 15 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 8lbs)

Bonus Round 1:
In and Out Straight-Arm Shoulder Fly: 16 using 5lbs (R: 16 using 8lbs)
Congdon Curls: 15 using 5lbs (R: 15 using 8lbs)
Side Tri-Rise: 10 on left, 10 on right (R: 5 on left, 5 on right)

Bonus Round 2:
In and Out Straight-Arm Shoulder Fly: 16 using 5lbs (R: 12 using 8lbs)
Congdon Curls: 15 using 5lbs (R: 12 using 8lbs)
Side Tri-Rise: 5 on left, 5 on right (R: 5 on left, 5 on right)

Ab Ripper X stats:

In and Outs: 20 (R: 15)
Seated Bicycles: 22 forward & 10 backward (R: 20 forward & 20 backward)
Seated Crunchy Frog: 10 (R: 5)
Crossed Leg/Wide Leg Sit Ups: 0 (R: 20)
Fifer Scissor: 10 (R: 10)
Hip Rock and Raise: 20 (R: 15)
Pulse Ups: 15 (R: 15)
Roll Up/V-Up Combo: 0 (R: 5)
Oblique V-Ups: 10 (R: 20)
Leg Climbs: 8 on left, 4 on right (R: 10 on left, 10 on right)
Mason Twist: 20 (R: 20)

I am already noticing a difference in things since our Fit Test. I couldn't do any 'Ins and Outs' during the Fit Test and last night I did 20! Ricky could only do 1 and now he can do 15! I think part of it was we didn't know what we were doing during the Fit Test, and being able to see how they look on the video makes it easier to know how to do it. But still! 19/14 better than last month! Score!!!

Ricky has been known to spout more than a few obscenities at Tony during the course of our workouts. And last night was no different. But he also managed to say a few things that made me laugh and can be repeated. :) During one of the harder sections he pushed himself as far as he could go and when he collapsed on the floor he says, "I hate his face. I hate his family's faces. I hate his friends and their faces. I hate his friend's family's faces..." and he just kept adding to the list. It was so funny! And while getting the remote for us to start Ab Ripper X he says, "Curling air hurts!"

Tony said something that managed to make Ricky laugh, during the 'Lying Down Tricep Extensions' he says, "Tip of the Day: Don't smash your face!". It's really a good rule to live by.

-BritneyMarie

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

P90x Day 2: Plyometrics

Last night was Plyometrics. I had no idea what it was so I turned to my dear friend, Wikipedia. It was much easier for me than Day 1, but it was still super hard! I think a lot of it has to do with taking Zumba for the last year. I may not be in great shape, but I am in better shape than I was last year at this time, and I can tell!

At the beginning, I noticed that the stretches felt especially good. I was so sore from the push-ups and pull-ups (more specifically, the attempts to do them) from the night before. My backside hurts from all the squats. This time I actually made it 5 minutes farther in the dvd than Ricky. He tapped out at 30 minutes and I made it to 35. I physically could not will my legs to jump again. It reminded me of that scene in "Kill Bill" when The Bride is saying, "Wiggle your big toe..." only in my case, my legs gave me the finger instead of jumping. I think I can do better next time and I'm looking forward to the times that we get to repeat these dvd's so I can see if there really is improvement.

I have noticed that I am looking forward to our workout. I don't know how long that will last, but I am really enjoying working out with Ricky. He's more competitive than I thought. And that just helps us push each other harder.


-BritneyMarie

Every time that I think about how many days left we have (88!) I just remind myself this:

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

P90x Day 1: Chest and Back

Last night Ricky and I did P90x: Chest and Back. I have to keep reminding myself that this is an "extreme" fitness program designed for people who 1) know what they're doing and B) were in some sort of decent physical shape before beginning. I am neither of those things. Neither is Ricky, but he's still more in shape than I have ever been.

Here are our stats for Day 1:

1. Standard Push-ups: 5 (R:5)
2. Wide Front Pull-ups: 0 (R:3)
3. Military Push-ups: 0 (R:1)
4. Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 0 (R:7)
5. Wide Fly Push-Ups: 6 (R:8)
6. Closed Grip Overhand Pull-ups: 2-with chair (R:2)
7. Decline Push-ups: 0 (R:5)
8. Heavy Pants: 31 with 5lb weights (R: 15 with 20lb weights)
9. Diamond Push-ups: 3 (R:0) (I think I did these wrong)
10. Lawnmower: 15 with 5lb weights on each side (R: 15 with 20lb weights on each side)
11. Dive Bomb: 3 (R:2)
12. Back Flys: 15 with 5lb weights (R: 10 with 20lb weights)

We made it 31 minutes into the hour-long dvd. It's much better than the 5-10 minutes we expected to last. We were supposed to do the Ab Ripper dvd but skipped it. Looking back, I wish we had at least attempted it. There's always Day 3 for that.

-BritneyMarie

Monday, February 6, 2012

Just Dance, Baby!

Today is the official kick-off for the Team Beachbody Challenge. Ricky and I are supposed to start P90x tonight (Yeah, yeah, I know, I said that already last month!). In case we wimped out again, I wanted to at least get some sort of work-out in today. So I called Ricky up to instruct me how to hook the X-Box up to our big television (as opposed to the little tv under the big tv that Ricky uses while we watch our shows at night). Once it was all hooked up I popped in Just Dance 3.

This was my playlist:
1) Apache (Jump on it)
2) ...Baby One More Time
3) California Gurls
4) Dynamite
5) Forget You
6) I'm So Excited
7) Lollipop
8) Take On Me
9) Tightrope
10) Apache (Jump on it) (Did that one twice 'cause I like it.)

After I finished my playlist, I had unlocked the "Simon Say's" mode. I danced to Party Rock Anthem before calling it quits.

My whole work-out was about 45 minutes of actual dancing plus water breaks and choosing songs. Not too bad. When I started the first song, my lets began burning almost immediately. Not sure why. I don't know if it was because I hadn't danced like this in a while, or if all the other times I'd done it I wasn't doing it right so I didn't feel the burn. Whatever the reason, I felt it today!

I look like a hot mess right now. I needed to jump in the shower but I ended up making myself a peanut butter sandwich 'cause I hadn't eaten lunch yet. I sat down to eat it and write this post and now I've run out of time before I have to pick up the Twincesses from school. Hmmm, maybe if I make it really really quick I'll have time.




-BritneyMarie

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Other Funny Things *January Edition*

Ricky: "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at Titanic."
Me: "Why are you mad at Titanic?"
Ricky: "'Cause it's an impossible standard that I cannot live up to."

Me: "You could have chosen video games."
Ricky: "No, I couldn't. It's a twap."

Me: "Do you want to sit on the couch and watch "Titanic" with me? Or do you want to play X-Box and watch one of our tv shows together?"
Ricky: "Titanic?"

Mitch: "She smelled like a dead body filled with hot garbage."

*The girlies are in the bathroom brushing their teeth and arguing*
Me: "Ricky, you better get in there before Olivia decides to hit her with something else!"

The lady in line in front of us has a cart full of Banquet tv dinners and Depends. I don't wanna know.

*After popping a mini-bag of popcorn*
Deidre: "This isn't popcorn, it's a cruel joke."

Baby Kitty just brought me the tie to my bathrobe as a gift.

*the kiddos came home with homework and I figured Ricky would like to help them on it to spend time with them before bed*
Me: "The kiddos have homework that you need to help them on."
Ricky: "Is it math? *think about what he said* "Oh crap, are you mad?"

Ricky is singing Rapunzel songs in Skeletor's voice.

Funny Things My Kids Have Said *January Edition*

Ricky and Emma are in an argument about whether or not girls can be mean. It turned a bit one sided when a tickle fight broke out.

*Ricky and the twins playing "Castle Crashers*
Olivia: "Where's Olivia??"
*Ricky saves her*
Olivia: "Olivia's back!"

Emma: "Look at that, you messed it up, Daddy!"
Olivia: "You 'sploded my corn dog!"

Olivia: "I want to watch the cartoon Smurbs"

*After seeing a photo of Don Draper from 'Mad Men'*
Olivia: "It's Josh!"
Me: "That's Josh?"
Olivia: "Yeah!"
*looks up photo of Keanu Reeves*
Me: "Well, who's that then?"
Olivia: "It's Josh too!"

*from the bathroom*
Emma: "I'm done! I've pooped all of the poops!"

Days it took them to clean their room: 4
Days I expect it to take them to destroy it again: 1

Em and Liv are working on Day 4 of cleaning their room. The only difference this day is I can hear them singing the Theme from Cops in there.

Emma: "We're ready to go to Grammie's house. I have my mittens. I have my hat. 'Cause it's cold outside."
Me: "Well, if it's cold outside, aren't you missing something?"
Emma: "My jacket. Oh yeah. I'll go get it."

Emma: "All of our kitties are nice. Big Kitty is nice. Habby Cat is nice. Choo-Choo is nice..."
Me: "I thought you didn't like Choo-Choo."
Emma: "That's right. Choo-Choo is evil. She needs to get out of our house!"

*Looking at a photo from our wedding*
Olivia: "Mommy, are you a princess?"
Me: "Yep."
Emma: "One day I'm gonna be a princess. Emma and Olivia are gonna be princesses and Daddy's gonna be the king."

Em and Liv thought it would be a good idea to smuggle crayons into the hallway and draw all over the wall. And now I think it's a good idea for them to scrub it all off.

I think Olivia might be actively trying to murder her sister. I turned my back on them to walk into the kitchen and then I hear screaming from Emma. Apparently, Olivia kicked her directly in the eye. They weren't arguing or fighting over anything. So, I really don't know what happened.

Em and Liv are playing Marvel vs Capcom 3. Liv just beat Emma.

*Emma comes into the kitchen while I am making grilled cheeses for their dinner*
Emma: "Mommy, can you not cook mine?"
Me: "You don't want your grilled cheese cooked?"
Emma: "No."
Me: *Puts cheese on buttered bread and puts it on a plate and hands it to her*
Emma: "Thank you!"

*Comes up and measures me with Ricky's tape measure*
Emma: "You're not tall enough. You're short like me. Daddy's tall."

*Hands me the movie "The Parent Trap*
Emma: "Can we we watch this? It looks like me and Olivia!"

*Listening to the kiddos drawing with chalk on their easels*
Olivia: "I'm gonna draw you, Emma."
Emma: "Okay!"
Olivia: "Here's your mustache!"

*talking to Ricky at bedtime*
Emma: "I went to the doctor, and the doctor said, "No more dumbbells on my head" Bloods!"

*Talking to Grandma on the phone*
Emma: "Mama called the doctor and the doctor said. No more dumbbells hurtin' on my head!"

Ricky: "Olivia, say 'Transform and Roll out."
Olivia: "Transformers roll out!"

Olivia just said that Batmanuel was Daddy. And that Mommy is Captain Liberty.

Olivia: "It's time to transform!"

I received a phone call from Em and Liv's teacher. Seems the girlies got into an argument about who brought their lunch from home today. Emma asked for a sandwich, and when I asked Liv she said she wanted school lunch. Well, apparently once there, she changed her mind.

*Emma is trying to pull a Twin-Switch on me.*
Me: "Olivia, get your shirt on."
Emma: "I'm Olivia."
Me: "No, you're not."
Emma: "I look like Olivia. I'm Olivia."

Olivia keeps twirling. Then she looks at me like I'm the one who smashed her face into the dresser when she falls into it from being dizzy.

Olivia: "Emma, state your problem."
Emma: "I like my mom and dad, but Daddy has to go to work!"

*Emma finds a nerf dart from Ricky shooting at them from the living room*
Emma: "What's this?"
Olivia: "Daddy's trying to kill us!"

Ricky: "Time to stop playing video games. It's time for lunch."
Olivia: "But we're busy, Daddy!"

Olivia just ate 1/2 bag ramen noodles, 4 bagel bites, and is now asking for a can of Vienna sausages. I'm afraid she's going to eat the paint off the walls soon.

Olivia: "Mommy, make me a mustache." *hands me purple play-doh*

*Emma reciting out loud what she is pretending to write down*
Emma: "Dear Mommy. I love you. Love Daddy."