Push, Pull…and Step Away

Since I have been sort of forced to lay off running for a bit, (injured my ankle, not sure how) I decided to dust off P90X and give it a go, again.  While some of my work days are too filled with exercise to commit to the entire 6 day program, other days definitely allow me to put in an additional half hour to hour of fitness and of course I want to do things I don’t do at the gym.  Yesterday, I asked Mitch to put up the pull-up bar and popped day 1, chest and back, into the DVR.  While I cannot do even 1 un-assisted pull-up or chin-up, EVERYONE can do them by simply putting one set of toes on the back of a chair (as demonstrated in the video) and push off the chair.  One would think you would hardly get a workout this way, but I am here this morning to say….I am DEFINITELY feeling yesterday’s workout (which took about 30 minutes) in my lats, my chest, my back, and my abs.  Once again, I am reminded of the importance of mixing things up.  I look forward to Thursday, when I will commit to the yoga video, which always kicked my butt (and all other parts, as well).  I still contend that Tony Horton and this particular Beachbodies program, is about as good as it gets–intense, but not insane, smart, effective, and safe!

I had the opportunity to watch the first 2/3s of the Chopra special on PBS and walked away with some good tips.  He suggests when we are thinking about grabbing food, to ask ourselves “What am I hungry for?” and then a series of other questions like “How hungry am I? –Am I hungry for food, or something else that is unfulfilled? –Am I famished?–On a scale of 1-10, 1 being famished, how hungry am I?” and those types of questions.  The purpose is to be aware.  He suggests that awareness is THE key to weight loss and weight management.  He also suggests that if 1 represents famished, and 10 represents stuffed (the way we feel after Thanksgiving dinner) that we walk away from our meals when we are at a 6 0r 7, which represents feeling satisfied.  I have to admit, that while I believe I make super healthy choices at most meals, I probably eat more than I should and definitely eat more than I need to.  Last night at dinner, I realized how quickly I was eating and slowed down.  I thought about the scale of 1-10 and also about those of my friends who are so good at eating just until they are satisfied  and how that reflects in their bodies and weight.  I was able to be done with dinner before I got that “I’m so full” feeling and was none the hungrier post dinner.  Awareness…it is always the first step to change, and with less than 7 months till Kyle and Nicole’s wedding, I vow to be aware at every meal 🙂

Time to go turn dull into vibrant.  This morning, I think that means 16 minutes of ab ripper x.  Nothing dull about that sequence.  I wonder if I stick to the program if I will ever look anything like this guy.  Hey, gotta have goals!