Growth and Progress: May 10, Day 10

I am 10 days into my 90-day challenge of P90X! It makes me so proud to say that....

Today I pushed myself through arms and shoulder/back exercises as well as Ab Ripper X, that lovely 16-minute workout that I struggle with most. I like working on my arms the most because I see results- my puny little arms are no more! They reflect the strength I am developing and show the world my efforts. (Or at least I think they do.)

I will admit to you, I was frustrated at myself that I didn't finish Ab Ripper X. Yes, I'm confessing to it! I was spent. But I did succeed at finishing a leg-raise exercise in Ab Ripper X for all 25 reps, which I haven't been able to do before! So, do I consider the exercise a success because of my new accomplishment, or do I consider it a failure because I couldn't finish the remainder of the workout?

It was then that I realized how much progress I have been making. I think people get frustrated at not getting exponential results immediately that they give up entirely. Yes, I gave up on Ab Ripper X today. But I am doing P90X!!! One year ago I couldn't even fathom trying P90X, and here I am, giving up 7 minutes before Ab Ripper X was finished. I was spent after pushing myself, so I stopped. SO WHAT? I was spent after pushing myself. I stopped because I had pushed myself to my limit.

It was a new limit for me. I couldn't even have finished my arms and shoulder exercises six months ago. I almost threw away the gift of progress today until I became my own cheering section. I needed it to realize my growth. Everyone needs to pat themselves on the back along the way of their fitness journey.

You can watch my initial reactions on my YouTube channel video for the day:

My YouTube Channel: May 10, Day 10


Have a wonderful weekend! Kick it into high gear! :)

May 8, Day 8: Week 2 Begins!

Today was the beginning of week 2 already! I am encouraged by the fact that I already finished one week of P90X! I feel so much momentum from the fact alone that I am on week 2, despite the fact that today was quite challenging. But, then again, shouldn't it be? It is P90X, after all.

Today's workouts were the Chest and Back as well as the Ab Ripper X. I am proud of myself for using my newly-purchased pushup handlebars, thus minimizing stress on my wrists! Ab Ripper X was still difficult and I needed to take breaks, but I pushed through even when I didn't want to.

You can also check out my daily video blog here: Amanda Plazek's YouTube Channel

(From Yesterday) Day 5: This One's For My Team!

Yesterday I had a busy day at work but wanted to keep it up for my challenge group team, a group of people who all have similar goals in health and fitness. Do you have an accountability partner? Your odds at pushing through and succeeding are much higher if you do!

You can check my video out on my YouTube channel here: May 5, Day 5: Legs and Back and Ab Ripper X

Day 3: Shoulders, Arms and Lean Protein

Today is day three of my P90X challenge! I did the arms and shoulders routine as well as ab ripper X. Again, I am surprised at how well I do some of the routines...I was expecting to struggle more than I  am. So I am heading to the store tonight to buy 10-lb hand weights (an upgrade from the 8 lbs that I currently use)!

Ab ripper X is still a definite struggle. Why wouldn't it be? I am only on day 3...but I did more than I could on day one, and with that I am pleased.


I am trying very hard to adhere to very clean habits of eating, which is hard on days like yesterday when I had work until 9pm last night and was starving when I was done... But I am doing the best that I can and reducing my late-night snacking (which is definitely my weakness).

Today I am out in the city, in between events, and need to eat out. I am trying to eat an increased a amount of protein (which is recommended in the P90X nutrition guide) and so I am getting a steak salad with romaine lettuce. No French fries for this Pittsburgh Steak Salad! I could just get an order of spinach and artichoke dip but alas, I am going for protein+vegetables. :)

Tonight is grilled chicken for dinner- more healthy protein for me!
How are you starting this weekend off healthy?
Have a great Friday!

Day 2: Plyometrics

Today was day 2 of my P90X challenge as well as the first time I tried the Plyometrics workout. I was a little intimidated as Tony Horton described it as "the mother of all P90X workouts", and so I began the 60-minute workout warily. However, I did the entire 60 minutes without quitting!! As a matter of fact, I was surprised at how well I did. I was expecting to struggle a lot (I had heard stories of people having to pause so many times, especially at the beginning of the 90 days), but I only had to hit pause briefly for 30 seconds, twice. I was very pleased (more like psyched!) and went about my day normally.

In retrospect, I am so inspired by the fact that I could finish today's workout. Six months ago, I couldn't have even considered trying to do P90X. I've never been in shape, and here I am, keeping up with Tony Horton. I want so many people to realize their potential like I did. Being in shape is a definite possibility for everyone. I want you to reach your goals on your fitness journey! We can do this together.

May 1, Day 1: My P90X journey begins!

I am writing this entry to you after doing my first day of P90X! I decided to go with the classic program, which meant that day one targeted my chest and back as well as "Ab Ripper X". The Chest and Back workout intimidated me at first, but I liked the pacing and the variety! I made sure that I didn't go too gung-ho at the beginning, and by the end of the hour-long workout, I was surprised at how many pushups I had done! I do not have a pull-up bar at the house right now, so I used an old door hinge to secure my resistance band. Was it the best idea? No, I don't recommend it. Did I get hurt? No, but I still don't recommend it!

Ab Ripper X was much more challenging than I anticipated. I'm glad that I got through it, but I didn't finish every move. I can't wait until Ab Ripper X becomes less difficult- I will know that the process is working!

You can see my initial thoughts on my YouTube channel here:
http://youtu.be/QlxArFkhS5E


Piyometrics come tomorrow...wish me luck for Day 2!

April 30th: the Challenge starts tomorrow!

Sunshine on the lake!

After a very hectic weekend, I am happy to report that I ran a lovely 3.5 miles today in our local park. The sun was shining, the sky was so clear, and it was truly such a beautiful day to run. I tried to keep a nice pace and not push too hard because I don't want to be in bad shape for tomorrow (which is day 1 of P90X!).

I am intimidated, to be honest, but I know that if I could commit to my other fitness goals, I can commit to this. I am going to allay my fears by looking through everything tonight so it does not just look like a scary box filled with challenges!

Have a great day- talk to you on the other side of the challenge!

Who, What, Why

This is my very first post on my new fitness blog! I am very excited to share my story and my journey as we go along.

Who I Am, What I Do, Why I Do it
I am a twentysomething who was absolutely never in shape in my life..until I started my wellness journey last summer. I began to eat much healthier than I used to. I then decided on October 1 to begin my journey towards being in shape. I wanted to set a goal for myself which seemed difficult but attainable: I want to be able to run one mile by Christmas 2012. I started off on my goal slowly (I remember calling my brother, bragging about how I had run .7 miles!). Exactly one month after I started, I ran that first mile. And then I kept running for another mile. Within one month, I doubled the goal I had set for myself. I was shocked- how in the world did I do this??? I was never a runner.
With renewed inspiration, I set a new goal for myself: I want to be able to run 5km by Christmas. This, again, seemed like an impossible goal....and then, on December 22, I ran 3.2 miles without stopping. 

2013 arrived with renewed motivation for my fitness goals, and so I became a Beachbody Coach. I cannot express to you how much I want to help people. If I can reach my fitness goals, you can too! I know, without a doubt, that I reached my goals (and will continue to do so) because of my support system. I had people rooting for me and supporting me, sharing stories and setbacks just like mine. They made me feel human and accept the times in which I did not live up to the goals I set, while still pushing me towards that finish line I set for myself. One of the best feelings in the world, to me, is finishing a goal you absolutely never thought you could accomplish. It's so encouraging. 

Which is why I am starting P90X on May 1. Before my fitness journey began, I ABSOLUTELY NEVER would have considered doing P90X. But I also absolutely never would have considered running over 3 miles (which is now four, by the way!). I'm sick of saying "I am not the type of person who would do this. It's just not me." Why not make it something you do and throw away those stereotypes? 



It's less than one week until I start P90X. Will you join me on May 1 and become the change?