Week Two-Four - P90X3

Four weeks down! Nine weeks to go! 

I am feeling pretty accomplished that I have completed four entire weeks of P90X3 without missing a workout.  Each week had it's own set of challenges, but I continue to persevere.  During the week I don't have much of a problem sticking to my diet and workouts.  I have a daily routine of packing my lunch and snacks for work and getting the program in right when I come home and then dinner.  Not too exciting but it is my routine now so it is easy to follow.  At this point I would just feel so guilty if I did not work out after work.  I mean it is only thirty minutes, I can do that!  Then there are the weekends when there are no schedules or routines.  I try to stay on track as much as possible, but I have my slip ups.  

Photo Bomber

The second weekend after starting X3 Rob and I stayed at the Biltmore for a night to enjoy some time to ourselves.  This meant we were eating and drinking out. Although I still try to make healthy choices it is not as good as preparing my own food.  Who really know what they are cooking with anyway?

While we were there we spent some time at the pool and for the first time in years I put on a bikini. I was still fairly self conscious, but I wore it anyway and that felt pretty dang good.  As a reward to myself I enjoyed a few adult beverages at the swim up bar and thoroughly savored every sip.  There is just something about a swim up bar that makes having a drink so much more enjoyable.







The following day I met a few friends for High Tea.  Now there is really no way to not indulge when having afternoon tea.  The tea sandwiches, scones, and desserts may be small, but when you have five of each you are going to pay for it.  And I did!  It took me the entire week to loose any weight after that little splurge, but well worth it.  Not just because of the food, but for the experience and time with friends.

The third weekend was a friends birthday wine and cheese party.  I can say I stayed away from all the food, but the wine not so much.  I intended not to drink anything, but I ended up partaking in the festivities.  Luckily a few glasses of wine does not seem to hinder my weight loss progress as much as eating poorly.  This however does not give me the idea that I can have a glass of wine every night without consequence. 

This past weekend was a holiday weekend and my parents and grandparents wanted to come down for a BBQ.  I let them know up front that if they were eating here it was going to be healthy.  A typical BBQ with the family usually consists of all the fixins: burgers, chips, dips, starchy salads, and too many desserts    Don't get me wrong all of that is delicious and I will have all that again every once in a while, but try to stay away until I reach my goal.  Instead we had BBQ chicken, sweet potatoes, and salad.  They did bring some treats for themselves, but even when having company I stuck to my diet. 

I often think about how food is the center of socializing.  From parties, movies, going out to eat, etc. there is always food involved and it is typically not healthy.  There are always temptations, but every time I say no I get closer to my goals. I may get a little off track here and there but I will keep moving forward and keep my eye on the prize.  I know that reaching my goals will feel so much better  than anything can taste.

 The majority of my weight loss journey does focus on nutrition but there is the exercising aspect too.  One of the reasons that I am enjoying the P90X3 program is because of the variety.  There is a new routine to complete every day of the week.  Weeks one-three I repeated the same seven work outs and week four was a transition week that has a different set of seven routines.  Week five is the start of Block 2 which introduces more new work outs .  The constant changing of routines is meant to cause muscle confusion and eliminate any plateaus.  I have seen a steady weight loss throughout the program, but as I get closer to my goals it does seem that it becomes a little more difficult to shed the pounds and inches.  However I continue to get results.

Feeling Good After a Work Out

Hannah Loves Agility X

Below are my results from the first four weeks of P90X3:

Measurements:
Day 0                  Day 28Weight = 138          133 = 5 pound weight loss
Chest = 31.5            31  (I don't need or want to lose more here)
Waist = 30.5            29
Hips = 39.75            38.5
Thighs = 19             18
Arms = 11               10.5
Total = 161.75         155.5   = 6.25 inch loss
(includes both arms & legs) 
 
In total since I started The 21 Day Fix back at the end of April I have lost 16 pounds and 20.5 inches!  Below are my before and during pictures to date.  I am not to my after yet.

 I still have some work to do but I am making progress everyday.  There are also many things that you don't see in this picture.  Like the fact that I am stronger than I have ever been.  I am actually doing a few real pushups not just the girl version.  To me this is very impressive since I have always had very little upper body strength.  I  have more endurance, improved balance even on my bad ankle, and increased flexibility.  My hamstrings are very tight so touching my toes is a big deal which I could not do before.  I also feel great, happy, healthy, and fit! 

With the program I have all the keys to succeed.  Nutrition, exercise and support.  I don't think I would have come this far if it was not for the encouragement, accountability and support I receive from my coach and my challenge groups.  Becoming a Beachbody coach  has allowed me to reach out and help others with their fitness goals and in order to help others I have to work at it myself.  This gives me the motivation I need to keep going.  I mean if I can't do it myself how can I help anyone else.

I can't wait to get started on week 5!