Never underestimate CardioX!

It was only the second day, but I already needed an extra push to actually do the workout.  So I asked my husband to join me in doing CardioX.

My husband, who was much stronger than I was, had been following the Classic P90X program, so he was understandably hesitant about "downgrading" from his own workout.  He eventually gave in after I gave him my best puppy-begging face.

We popped the DVD in early evening, a little before dinner.  It was the perfect time because I still had enough energy from my late lunch of rice and butter chicken marsala, but it would also help us work up an appetite for the delicious-smelling pot roast that had been sitting in the crock pot for several hours.

The first half hour was comprised mainly of a series of Yoga poses -- runner's pose, warrior 1, warrior 2, and reverse warrior.   Not only did it stretch us out, it was enough to get our bloods pumping.

The second half got us jumping, with quick punches and roundhouse kicks, high knees and wacky jacks.  It was simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting.  Well, more like the latter.  By the end of the workout, we thought we were going to pass out.  Yes, even my husband.

So even if you're fit as a horse, CardioX can still make your heart race.

Lean Mean P90X Machine!

That's right.  I'm attempting the infamous P90X workout to achieve that oh-so-sexy beach body.  Why? Because it's popular right now; I'm easily swayed by TV testimonials; and out of sheer curiosity.

There are three types of P90X programs: Lean, Classic, and Doubles.  Lean focuses more on cardio than muscle-building.  Classic is meant to tone and strengthen.  Doubles is for the hardcore bodybuilder who barely breaks a sweat with the other two programs.

Naturally, I chose to do Lean.

So here's chronicling my very first week and very first day:  I did Core Synergetics, a workout that is said to be the foundation for all the others.

It's a reasonably uncomfortable workout that focuses on -- what else -- the core.  If you have no idea what the core is, you'll find out once you start doing the workout.  Because I definitely felt the discomfort in that area. In case you're still clueless, the core pertains to the center, the abs.

I was able to do most of the exercises, except for most of the push-ups and that damn Chaturanga or whatever it's called.  I did enjoy the Dreya Roll, and Superman-Banana.

It helps that Tony Horton is funny probably without meaning to be.  He can sound like a jerk but he still makes me laugh, which helps when I'm wheezing in pain.

I haven't made any drastic changes to my diet.  Rather, I haven't made any changes at all to my diet.  Today, I had white rice and sweet pork longganisa (a type of Filipino sausage) for brunch.  Dinner was white rice and bulalo (a Filipino style beef stew).  And I had a midnight meal of white rice, sweet pork longganisa and a fried egg.

Tomorrow, it's Cardio time! Stay tuned.