Before I get into my P90X review, I want to log what I have been up to this week. I managed two 5k runs this week and have been adding some mild strength stretches into my day.  Since most of my work consists of sitting at a computer, I have been trying to stop and get up and do some reps in between editing photos.  I have added some planks back in, side stretches and squats.

I am definitely moving slower into my workouts than usual, but since I had been plagued with injuries in December I want to ease in slowly so that I can keep going. This week I will add some more core work into my routine and try to do one more 5k.  After this week, I am going to try to increase my distance.  I haven’t knowingly run past 5k in a very long time and looking at the numbers on the treadmill somehow make me feel like I should stop at 5k so it will be a mind over matter thing to push past and go forward for the 10k.

I thought I would start off my reviews with one that I did last year.

P90X

photo: from beachbody P90X website.

 Last summer, my Sister lent me her P90X to try out.  And all I can say is that it kicked my butt.  P90X is awesome, but truly not for the faint at heart or health.  This workout system is an amazingly intense full body program.  There are 12 different workouts that you mix and match to achieve how you want to look.  You are given calendars to follow, eating advice and bonus workouts to up the intensity.

I chose to do the “Lean” workouts because I was trying to slim down and don’t like it when I bulk up.  I lasted two weeks. Each workout is almost an hour long and I just did not have that much time every night to devote to working out and passing out. Lame excuse? Perhaps, but its the truth.  With Apple not even two, I had to workout during her naptime or in the evening (which ended up being the time of choice most of that two weeks) and by the time I was finished, I was truly finished for the night.  I should have pursued the third week, but just couldn’t do it.

For the program, you don’t need any extra equipment, just yourself, some hand weights and possibly a mat.  If you are getting into some of the higher intensity buff workouts you might want a chin up bar, but you can do without.  Each exercise is shown by at least three people doing it in different intensities, I tried to always take the middle of the road, but sometimes took the easier route because it really is hard. Each workout moves you through some stretching, warming up, cardio, strength moves and cool down.  There is a bit of yoga type moves, kick boxing moves and basic training type moves.  If you don’t like your workout one day, it will be different the next.

After I was finished with it, and truly I was finished, Hubby decided to give it a try.  He did great and I can say he benefitted the most from it in our house.  He did it for at least a month, every day and then switched up some of the workouts with other ones.  He slimed down and lost the extra weight he was trying to lose and yes, has managed to keep it off with running.

As for my Sister, she lasted much longer than either of us, as a matter of fact, I think she is still going with it.  Not every day, but several times a week.  She is lean and strong and doesn’t have children so can spare an hour a day plus recouperation time. Would I recommend this to you?  Absolutely, if you have the time.  It will hurt at first, but after a few days the pain subsides and you just start to feel good.  If I had more time I would continue with it, but it just means I wouldn’t have enough time to work on my photos, perhaps I will do it again when Apple is a bit older and can amuse herself or join in with Mommy while I am working out.

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

As I was setting the table last night, I had a moment.  One that I didn’t think I would ever have, but it happened so I can’t ignore it.

Growing up my Mom cooked dinner every single night, well except when we went out for supper, but that rarely happened so basically she cooked every single night.  And it was our job as the kids to set the table.  Every night, Mom would call one or all of us to come set the table for dinner.  My Sister and I would fight over it until the younger ones were old enough then, we let them have it.

Dad may have been late for dinner, but for the most part we all ate together every single night.  Something that Hubby and I have been doing too since we have been together.  Dinner time around the family table is very important to us.  For the most part the tv is off and we share in our day with each other. Even when A is here he knows that is it family time at the table and you have to share.

Hubby and I had been talking about getting a new table for a while. Our old one we bought before we were married from the grocery store, it was inexpensive, but served it’s purpose.  Now that Apple is no longer sitting in her clip on chair, it had become increasingly obvious that we needed a larger table to seat our whole family.  We have been on  a search for one, but nothing we saw suited us nor met our needs.

Before Christmas my Mom and Dad finally decided it was time to get a new kitchen table.  The one they had they bought before they were married.  It had been used and abused and refinished and just didn’t match their kitchen.  Mom and Dad, knowing we were looking for a bigger table, asked us if we wanted it.  At first, we were a little reluctant, it’s old (43 years), a different colour than ours, funky chairs.  But, we decided it would make do until we found the table we were looking for.

Last night as my daughter was helping me set the table, which without its extra leaves is still larger than our old one, I realized that for most of my life, I have eaten at this very table.  I had my first birthday at this table, my first day of school, middle school, high school.  My first date sat and got grilled from my Dad at this table.  My friends would gather around this table after school for snacks, I have done homework at this table I have cried at this table.  This is the Family table.  After it sat in our kitchen for a couple of days, Hubby and I both realized how well it matched the cabinets and even with it’s funky chairs, we love it.  It is entirely possible that we will not continue our search for a new table, because the this table, the one that has now been passed down to me from my Parent is all we need.