We got the P90X set in last week, and my husband and I did the first video in the “lean” program on Friday. We were going to start the program full-bore then, but since the program is basically set up for “day 1″ to be Monday, with the “rest” day on Sunday, we decided to officially start on Monday. I was tired and sore, but decided to see if I could do the second video on Saturday.  Because of what the program calls “muscle confusion,” I figured that the second video would work out different muscles from what the first video did; but that I would get some good stretches of those same muscles anyway (since it was the cardio video — I figured it would be full-body work, with jumping jacks, running in place, etc.). I felt better after that video, because of the great stretches.

So, on Monday, we did start the program. My husband has complained about soreness, but I haven’t really had that much. I wonder if I should be pushing myself harder, but when I’m doing it, I push until I can’t push any more.

One thing that makes a big difference is that I haven’t been working with weights or bands. They weren’t an integral part of the program until yesterday. (By that, I mean, that yesterday’s workout — the shoulders and arms — required weights on almost every exercise, as opposed to the core and cardio workouts which only had a few with weights.) I’ve done a few different workout videos that had weights as options, with the instructors saying that form is more important than weights, and you can do your own resistance by concentrating and going up and/or down slowly.

Yesterday, I watched the video through once, and then my husband and I did it. Because I’m not that much into working out with weights, nor working my arms, I was afraid that I couldn’t even get through the workout (it’s an hour, after all!), if I used any weights. I was especially afraid of the “chair dips”, and really was worried that my arms would be too sore to do those if I had used weights. My goal for that video was just to make it through. Which I did, with ease. Oh, I could feel it in my arms, but I didn’t struggle. So next video, I’m definitely going to be adding some weights.

My husband got himself some bands and me some weights (1.5 & 5 lb) at Walmart yesterday, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m a little afraid of adding the weights, but it’s just ridiculous not to. I want to make it through the workout, and don’t know how much weight will be too much on the workouts. If it were up to me, I’d just use soup cans or something for the weights, but my husband rolls his eyes at that. So we’ll see how it goes!

Yoga video is today! I’ve never done yoga, and don’t like the Eastern mysticism that is its roots, but I’m looking at it as some good stretches, and I know the positions are difficult to hold and get into, which will be good for me. I’m pretty limber anyway, but my husband hates to stretch; so this will be extra-good for him. When we did the P90X pre-test, I was able to reach 5 inches past my foot, while he could only reach 6 inches short of his foot. Let’s just say, he’s looking forward to the results, but not to the process.