The 90-day challenge

Saturday--Dec 1:  (I think I'll switch to a Sat. start to the week, since this is Day 1 of 90)
Finally broke down and bought P90.  First of all, the exercise wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, given the build-up from my sons; second, the program involves much more repetition than I thought it would be as I look ahead at the schedule.  Somehow, I thought there were a lot of different exercise, but the exercises stay the same for 90 days, just moving between cardio and stretch, with the option of two different levels for each.

Will review this more as I move along, but Day 1 was relatively easy and almost all things I'd done before, only more of them (e.g., each type has 8-15 reps; the videos I'd done had 3 sets of 10 reps, so I'm actually used to doing more.  Good news:  I felt very strong doing them and I'm surprised, for example, at how many push-ups I can do.  Checking myself in the mirror makes me think I'm not in awful shape for my age or the lack of recent exercise.  Also:  I'm planning on buying adjustable weights because my 8 lbs weights that once felt so heavy now feel just fine.

 Bottom line:  it made me feel, as exercise typically does, like eating better (finally cooked up the pumpkin I had and made some spicy pumpkin soup), drinking less, keeping more active in general, and I slept relatively well (hot flashes still a problem).  I am also (partly because of the money I spent) planning to stick with this and other exercise every day for the next 90.  Am looking into a running club or training program for a half-marathon, though I'm not sure whether it's more likely I'll commit to an exercise program in the winter or whether the spring/summer is better for an autumn half marathon--both have their drawbacks, as summer can be pretty sticky.

If nothing else, it will keep me moving between now and end of February--the winter doldrums.

And so:
Saturday:  Day 1 P90 (sculpt)
Sunday: Day 2 P90 (cardio + abs)
Monday: Day 3 P90 (sculpt) and 40 min run (+10 min walk)

Report out on P90 so far:  my shoulders are slightly sore in places that's not the good muscle sore, more of a "I think I moved the wrong way" sore; I'll have to watch some of the weights I use and consider going down in the weight on some exercises until I'm more sure of my form.  Lower back hurt after the abs on Sunday; I think there was too much strain on the lower back--wasn't happy with some of the moves (very little relief from constant lower back effort or time to stop and stretch between moves), so may consider how I can modify them for back issues.  One big drawback to the P90 video is that there are very very few suggestions as to how to modify for various common concerns, and the moves are rapid without much time for setting up carefully.  True, one can pause the disc, but that gets annoying.  Advantages include the fact that each set is only about 35 min long--hard to say I can't find time for that.  Some moves are new; more weights overall per week than I generally have done so I can see why there is the "sculpt" expectation.  A bit of hot dogging it this week (oh, I can do this!) and so I probably overdid as well, so partly it's my bad!  I did feel like running today--could barely get home to change and run, so I think the workouts are revving me up!

Tuesday: Day 4 P90 (cardio) abs from Pilates and yoga classes
Wednesday: Day 5 P90 (sculpt)--took it easy on some by reducing weights, and yet still had a sore back today.  There's something about the exercises that, on a daily basis, is hard on the lower back, and I do know how to be careful about exercising.  Will do tomorrow's P90 and, have a rest day (which is built into the system, and which I hope can be a long walk day) and then a day of yoga to supplement a very basic P90 class.  I will try this another week, but if my back is suffering, it's Tony Horton getting trashed!
Thursday: Day 6 P90 (cardio) cardio went fine, though I tried to "tone down" any exercises that could impact lower back--tried concentrating a lot more on form.  For abs, I switched in my Pilates ab routine, but even with that, I started having lower back pains and so did some stretches and yoga postures that are good for core, but mild on lower back.  1:45 p.m. and feeling okay, so with rest day tomorrow (when I'll take a long walk), I will start the next six-day routine with a little more caution.
Friday:Pouring rain, so decided not to run or walk today; instead, Strength Training tape (60 min); I do like the care and control of my other "instructors" cfd to Horton!