Workout Report: Days 19 – 21

Friday, April 16
P90X Legs and Back Results:

• 61 minutes, 45 minutes in target zone
• Average heart rate: 132bpm
• 360 calories burned
• Soreness factor: 8 (I tweaked my lower back!) 
• Body parts that snapped, cracked or popped: elbows, knees

Saturday, April 17
P90 X-Stretch Workout Results:

• 58 minutes, 0 minutes in target zone
• Average heart rate: 82bpm
• 110 calories burned
• Soreness factor: 3 (But I was still sore from the day before.)
• Body parts that snapped, cracked or popped: ankles, back, elbows, hips, knees, shoulders, toes

Sunday, April 18
I didn't exercise today since my back was still hurting.

Week 3 Results: April 12 – April 18

• 5 workout days
• 1310 calories burned
• Overall soreness: 7 
• I took it easy the last two days due to my lower back strain, but I still managed to get in one cardio, one flexibility, and three strength training workouts this week.

AWW – XoXo

Workout Report: Days 19 – 21

Stretch Me Please

When I was doing ballet, one of my favorite parts of class was "Partner Stretch." Typically during barre (i.e., warmup), each person stretches alone using the actual barre as resistance. Occasionally, my Bulgarian teacher would surprise the class and call out "partner stretch"—an exercise that is much more fun because you have someone to talk to and a person can push you much harder than any barre can. I never said "ouch" when I stretched alone until I encountered Tony Horton and P90X.

Today I completed P90X's X-Stretch workout, which is exactly what it sounds like—an hour of stretching every muscle in your body. From your neck to your hamstrings (and even your wrists!), your body lengthens and relaxes, as your mind focuses on breathing through the soreness and tightness. My heart rate dropped below its average 70bpm. Although there are some yoga moves in this workout, P90X has a separate 90-minute yoga program. You won't burn many calories doing X-Stretch, but trust me, your body will thank you afterward. Even Winston, my English Mastiff, enjoyed this workout; he fell sound asleep as he watched me attempt a shoulder stand. I think he was amused, and perhaps confused, by my efforts.

X-Stretch Workout Results:

• 64 minutes, 0 minutes in target zone
• Average heart rate: 88bpm
• 112 calories burned
• Soreness factor: 2
• Body parts that snapped, cracked or popped: hips and ankles

AWW – XoXo

P.S. My husband is taking me to see Paul McCartney in concert on Wednesday. Is seeing a former Beatle for the first time a good enough excuse to skip EMAO for one day?

Stretch Me Please