P90X Update: 30 Days

It's hard to believe I've made it through my first 30 days. I'm still alive and kicking and feeling better than ever. There have been some bumps and wrong turns on the way. Most of these are related to food, not working out. I haven't missed a single day of scheduled working out. I have taken my rest days and only did the X-Stretch one time when I first started and was extremely sore and knew I needed it.

What I have learned:

• Cheat days meals are OK. I have allowed myself one treat meal per week. This has come in handy with social eating situations. I haven't gone over board but I've only once felt justified and happy that I ate a cheat meal. I've been very disappointed with most of them, they didn't live up to my expectations and actually disappointed me. I had no idea the food guilt would hit me so quickly, I've always been a rebel. I couldn't even make it without carbs for a week during South Beach, now I can go an entire day without them if I wanted. I love brown rice, wild rice, wheat bread and potatoes but I don't have the huge urge for them like I did before. I know I could never do cheat DAYS, so I have enlisted the treat meals instead. One meal isn't going to force me off the wagon, an entire day may. (story to come on this in a bit). Note: I don't recommend cheating at all but I'm human and I can't be completely perfect 100% of the time.
• Protein is vital for nursing your muscles. I didn't purchase the recovery drink from P90X. While it seems amazing and tasty it's also expensive and I was already in the hole when purchasing the program + all the extras you need (weights/bars/etc). I've instead started using a protein shake as my after workout recover drink and the soreness in my muscles has gone down 10 fold. 
• You must follow the meal plan. I can't stress this enough. It's hard to get used to at first, it takes a lot of planning - however our grocery bills are actually better now vs. before I started the program. Instead of purchasing 3-4 total meals like I used to, I purchase three different types of lean protein, tons of frozen veggies and a few other staples we need for breakfast or snacks. 
• Protein bars are amazing. It took a while to find one that I really liked and that fell closely into the P90X brand guidelines but they are the perfect on the go snack. I will say that putting them in the fridge really makes them go down easier. They seem less gummy and more like a treat when they are chilled.
• I'm stronger than I gave myself credit for. I never thought I'd be doing half the stuff I can do. I am still weak in some areas but the fact that I am able to progress with push-ups going lower and lower and more reps is awesome to me.
• I have pain in my knee but I've learned if I can do my best and "forget the rest" I'll be just fine. I popped my knee joint the first weekend of trying this program and it's been tender but getting better every day. How did the pain start? In week one I was kneeling over to turn off the PS3 after my workout - when I stood up I heard a loud pop and fell to the floor. I was so sore for the next 4 days but I made it through.
• Using Yoga blocks doesn't make you a sissy. I was discouraged that I wasn't as flexible as I thought for a few moves, however once I gave in and purchased the yoga blocks I realized that I could open up my chest so much more and have better form and balance for the postures and that is the most important, breathing and form. I'm also excited that I can hole the Crane pose for 20 seconds before tumbling. {Although I don't look as professional as that woman when I do it).
• Mike and I love eating healthier - we keep commenting about this every night. Not only are the meal plans easier they are just as exciting and with treat meals as a possibility we don't get burned out on chicken, fish or pork with the staples we've been getting for sides.
• Chocolate protein powder makes me gag. I hate it. I will only drink vanilla now and it's 100 times better with milk vs. water. I have also found the Whey protein powder to be more tasty than the soy. Thank you for that tip of switching Shandal.
• Alcohol can hurt your progress. (At least I feel like it has for me). I haven't drank heavily in quite some time. I usually reserve drinks for the weekend only. I have learned though that when I drink, I am more sluggish in the AM for my workout routine on Saturday and Sunday morning. Which makes for a long day. We've gone kayaking twice so far since I started and each day it's after doing a workout in the AM. Alcohol is not listed in the diet plan, which leads me to believe it's not something they want you to have. Moderation is the key and busting your butt to make up for drinking while working out doesn't hurt.
• Slacking isn't an option. I haven't missed one workout yet - until now. I am getting ready to go on vacation and with half a week before leaving it didn't seem like a good idea to try to start phase 2. I will come back from vacation refreshed and ready to rock for Phase 2. It might hurt my results but in the end I always figure I can give p90x another run.
• I NEED NEW WORKOUT SHOES! I'm rocking New Balances that I've had for about 5 years. Now granted they have not seen a ton of miles - running, working out or otherwise but I can tell they aren't giving me the support I need for the higher impact workouts. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated - do I go for cross training? Walking? Running? What will give me the best bang for my buck - help me ladies/gents!
• I need to get a heart rate monitor & a fat percentage measuring device. Both are vital to my quest to do better in this program.
• I want to be able to do 1 pull-up then 2 then 3 then more and more!

I said I'd mention more about the treat meals. Since I've started this program I've had a few hurdles to get over. Mike and I always eat lunch at home unless it's a busy day at work - and usually this means we can stick to our goals. Thankfully the P90X meal plan does give us the chance to pick selected OK meals at Fast Food places. This has helped a lot. We've only had to resort to fast food twice in one month, so that's great! We've had a few family dinners to attend since I started which worried me. By keeping my servings smaller and not cheating otherwise I've been able to maintain the 1 cheat meal a week. Like I said I can do a cheat meal, if I give myself a complete day I'll fall off the wagon. I've noticed that even after one month of eating better the cheat meals gross me out more than curb a craving or make me happy. Suddenly my comfort food isn't so comforting. Who knew I could love veggies so much and eat so many of them. Thankfully Mike and I already have a diet rich in chicken, pork and turkey that switch wasn't that hard - and knowing the right cuts of red meat made the treats even better for us and our tastebuds (and our guilt).

Ok enough chatter - I know you really just want to hear my 30 day results so here goes.

P90X Day 0 / Day 30
Weight: 195 lbs. / 189 lbs. (-6 lbs.)
Chest: 44" / 41.5" (-2.5")
Waist 38" / 36.5" (-1.5")
Hips 42.5" / 42.5" (-0")
Right Thigh: 25.5" / 25" (-0.5")
Left Thigh: 25.5" / 24.5" (-1")
Right Arm: 13.5" / 12.5" (-1")
Left Arm: 13.5" / 12.5" (-1")
(After only 1 month, I'm pretty impressed to have this type of change)

Enough with the numbers I guess the photos will speak for themselves. Before posting the images I have to say it took a lot for me to do this. My before pictures are just horrible to me. I can't believe that I allowed myself to get to the point of feeling so bad about myself mentally and I can't believe I was as big as I appear in these images. I was shocked. This isn't the first time I've gained a ton of weight, but it's certainly the most weight I've ever gained. For months, make that almost 2 years now that needle on the scale has been flirting with 200 lbs. I've been near tears many times. The final straw was purchasing jeans around New Years Eve that were bigger that I ever have. They weren't tight but they weren't roomy either. This was a personal struggle for me. Add to this the fact that my BMI measurement registered me as obese and it really took a toll on the way I view myself. I had to do something fast and thankfully P90X has given me that power.  These pictures were rough to look at for me. I actually didn't study them until taking my 30 day pictures today. I couldn't face the harsh truth that was my before. To be honest though I haven't had my picture taken in a long time. Last images I have of me were from New Orleans in October of last year - unless someone else took them when I wasn't paying attention. The only person that I have been OK with taking my picture has been Mike's mother - she loves pictures of the family and I've told myself over and over in the past two years - just think of them as your before shots. Well it's time for some afters people, that's all I have to say. I've also never been out in a bathing suit, without a cover up in years and forget letting someone take my picture - again Mike's mom was the last one to do so and that was when I moved here 5 years ago. So bare with me. I have to apologize for the images they aren't the best quality. I need to really look over my digital camera and make sure I have the settings correct. (Please be kind this was a challenge for me to show you...)

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I'm excited that my face has shown so much thinning in the first month. I hated how round it was getting. Overall that is where I see the most difference. Maybe a bit in my "gut" and my neck/shoulder area.

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Less love handles/back fat is always a good thing! I've been living with it for too long. Please excuse my tattoo, yes, I'm not a fan of it. I got it on my 21st birthday and I really am over it and contemplating a more meaningful cover-up. I'm just not ready to drop the big dollas on that right now.

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I've lost 1 inch off my arms from toning - I'm excited about that! Thrilled! Don't I look happier. My before picture looks like a mug shot, better yet it looks like my passport image and I swear I look like a terrorist. No bueno. I can tell my beer belly is less as well.All good things! Note: I forgot to take profile shot for my Day zero, so I will try to remember to do that on day 60 so I can show you all the differences from day 30-60-90 as they come about.

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I noticed this morning my bikini top was crying less about holding me up! I would be over the moon if this program helps turn my tig ole's in to biddies!

Overall I'm extremely pleased. I might have done a little better had I not drank, or had cheat meals and upon returning back from vacation I am going to be harder on myself when it comes to cheat meals and learn the power of NO. I'm already noticing that my body thanks me when I eat well vs. eating bad so we shall see. I couldn't have asked for better results in one month. I've always heard it's healthier to lose up to 2 lbs. a week any more and you risk slipping back and gaining it all quickly. I'm all about a lifestyle change and P90X is giving me the tools to make this happen. I'm enjoying it and it's fun... for the record I have no idea what the did with the old Kelly or where they've taken her to but if this is the new Kelly speaking, I'm keeping her!

Stay tuned for more updates and the 60 day review.