P90X3 Review The Challenge

So there is this one workout above them all that really REALLY pushes me. Calling it The Challenge wasn't just a pun. It is 30 minutes of pushups and pull ups (or in my case barbell work-I'll explain later). 

The Challenge is all about pushing and pulling. You pick your numbers of how many of each you are going to do in the set and you do them. You get a wee little break and then another set. When I first did this workout I started doing 3 push ups and 5 overhead presses. I was SUPER excited that nearing the end of the program and the last time I ever had to do this particular workout that I had increased my numbers to 8 pushups and 12 overhead presses. There must be about five or six sets of each, I always lose count.

Now our house is not really set up well for a pull up bar. We do all our workouts in the living room where the TV is and installing two bars (one for Rock and one for me) is just not an option. Sooooo I could have scrapped that whole particular disc, swapped for something else, skipped all together. But no. Instead I chose to be adaptable and we pulled out my Les Mills Pump gear. When they were doing pull ups in the workout I was doing a variety of overhead presses, deadlifts, rows, and bicep curls. All depending on the type of pull up being done.

I really never knew before that there were so many different types of push ups and pull ups. Standard pull ups, V pull ups, vaulter pull ups, chin ups. Then under pushups there are fly push ups, standard push ups, staggered, and military pushups. Those military push ups were something special too because you had to raise one of your legs. There was NO hope in those first few weeks but somewhere between days 60 and the end all of a sudden BOOM I could do it!

I have to say that this is one of the workouts where I can really see what X3 has done for me. After two years of doing Jillian Michaels I was still doing push ups from my knees. Only a few weeks into X3 and I was doing them in that full position. And not only that but I was doing those one legged suckers too!

This is really a workout that tests not only your body but your mind. Push ups and pull ups have to be two of THE most disliked body weight exercises. They must be right up there with burpees. If you can get past that scared voice in your mind and just do it you will surprise yourself.

If you do P90X3 and have struggled with strength before you will find yourself Rocking out The Challenge too!

Jessica's Rockin' Spicy Ranch

We all have those things. You know the ones. Even though you know they aren't good for you you keep on having them. Dressing is one of those things for me. I am a ranch addict. Have been for a loooong time. 

I've gradually switched to different brands, settling last year on a Bolthouse ranch. By no means clean but one of the closest to clean as far as commercially available brands go. I had tried on several occasions making my own but I found with needing to get certain ingredients for recipes vs. how much to make vs. how much I used just didn't make sense. 

I can proudly say though that I have kicked my store bought salad dressing days to the curb. As of a few days ago I made the PERFECT substitute. It is spicy, it is dilly (secret to ranch), and has a nice tang that tradition buttermilk ranches have.

I am addicted! I have been putting in on my sandwiches, dipping my veggies in it, on my salad, and last night I put a dollop on top of my bolognese (DANGEROUS).

Super easy to prepare. These are the measurements to make just one serving so be sure to double or triple it if you want more!

Jessica's Rockin' Spicy Ranch

1/4 cup plain greek or balkan yogurt 

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp granulated garlic

1/4 tsp dill

1/8 tsp salt

few cracks of black pepper (I like mine peppery)

just a smidgen of cayenne, about 1/16th of a tsp, you can be more daring if you like 

Just put it all into a container and stir it up and there ya go!

I have an actual set that measures a smidgen. Aren't these the CUTEST??!?!

This is so handy for me because I always have greek or balkan yogurt in the house and those spices should be standard in any clean eating kitchen. I'm going to have to make a bulk batch of it and store in a jar just so I can eliminate the step of pulling out my set of spices each time.

Give this recipe a whirl. Hope you enjoy my Rockin' Spicy Ranch.

Hold Your Life In Your Hands

Do you feel in charge of your life? Do you ever sit down and map out what you want. Do you focus on that which is most important to you? Are you holding your life in the palm of your hand or are you stuck in the flow of what the 21st century deems as "life". 

I want to share this with you. This is my life in the palm of my hand. Literally ;) 

I have this to keep sharp and consistent focus to my days. When I narrow down on what is important to me, where my passions are everything else that may be going on falls away. When something is stressing me out, pulling my attention in a different direction, I feel out of sync with myself.

The things that are important to me are my faith (cross), my family (coloured stones), my health (dumbbell) , and music (treble clef). I am passionate about these things. These are what I live for.

That doesn't mean you have to always actively be doing these things. We are scheduled to the max but keeping them close to your heart so that you always know what you are doing it for. Obviously there are things in life that still have to be taken care of but since when does adding extra stress, worry, and mental energy to a situation ever make it any better?

I'm not saying I always have a handle on things. I still get flustered by upsets to my day. I still have stuff happen in my days that really can bring me down. Big time. But when I step back and view everything based on where my mental energy should go, on what is truly important, I can see that whatever the situation is it can't steal my joy.

Do you ever feel out of sync with yourself? 

Between work, family, responsibilities, everything that comes along with being an adult, do you ever feel like something just doesn't feel right? You are you but who ARE you? We all have things we love to do, that make us come alive inside. When life gets busy we push those things aside. We forget what we are doing it all for and oddly what we are doing it all for we can't even do anymore.

What to do what to do? 

By focusing on the things we want out of out life we can change how we think. We see value in a greater context. You can see a bigger picture. We live in such a McWorld. We need to SLOW DOWN. and need to bring joy back to our lives. We need to do the things that bring us joy. Do the things we are passionate about.

Do something in your life that will help sharpen your focus. It doesn't have to be as much a statement like my charm necklace but something that is a gentle reminder of where you want to go. Write your life priorities on a list. Keep the list in your purse or wallet. I have all sorts of lists like this on my iPhone.  Pull it out as a reminder. Create a vision board (think like a collage of your dreams). When you feel pulled in a contrary direction, one that brings you down, look at it, remind yourself where your focus should be.

Even though we lead busy lives it is oddly true that it isn't that we don't have time, we don't MAKE time. If everyone was literally too busy to live their passions then how do hit television shows get those ratings?? Hone in on your focus, look for small ways that you can bring the things you love back into your life. Don't just live your life. Rock it!

P90X3 Yoga X Review

I'm a bit behind on doing my recap reviews of all the P90X3 workouts but I'm back at it with a post today about X3 Yoga.

I have to honestly say that I have never been a yoga fan. It moved too slow. I always felt bored. My balance was always sucky to begin with. I was much happier lifting dumbbells and squatting.

However I must say that I have become a believer in the importance of adding yoga to your regular routine thanks to this particular workout being a part of the schedule. If it weren't part of the schedule and if I weren't trying to be faithful to the schedule I probably would never have done it.

So far I have really noticed a huge benefit to my balance. I'm normally a klutz, trip a lot, and a little on the unsteady side. I can honestly say that the once a week yoga has helped with that.

We are doing the Mass Schedule of P90X3 and doing the yoga has also helped out TONS with nicely stretching out.

As a naysayer of yoga I also used to think that you really couldn't get a good workout from just yoga. I was wrong. I have changed my tune. My legs are usually just as sore after this as they are from a straight leg workout. Having to hold those tree and chair poses makes you really have to flex those hamstrings and glutes!

Then there are the mental benefits. At first I was still really distracted while doing it but the more I did it the more I would let my mind go. I began to to focus more. Instead of thinking to myself when is this going to be over I consciously let go and zoned out.

There are a variety of moves in this workout. Downward dogs, chair pose, tree pose, warriors, triangle, and more. My favourites have to be the bound side angle pose, downward dog, and tree pose. I love the stretch and strength I feel from doing these. Feels great to lengthen out after those more focused upper and lower workouts. The hardest still for me are the half moons but I'm getting there.

I know I have progressed for sure. I can go deeper into chair. I can balance no problem in tree (even holding a toddler). When I started I had to go pick up a block to use because I just couldn't reach all the way but it wasn't long until that block became unnecessary.

So a moral to my experience with X3 Yoga is GET OUT OF THAT COMFORT ZONE! You never know how you can rock your life in different ways unless you try.

Brazil Butt Lift ON SALE!!!

If you have been holding back from joining one of my challenge groups for whatever reason WAIT NO LONGER because Beachbody has put Brazil Butt Lift on promotion for the month of April. It is currently on sale for $140. That is the cheapest any challenge pack EVER gets. 

You save $20 off the regular cost of the challenge pack but buy purchasing the challenge pack you are actually saving $70 over buying Shakeology and Brazil Butt Life separately. This is the perfect way to try Shakeology and own an excellent workout.

I have been adding several of the Brazil Butt Lift workouts to my regular P90X3 routine and LOVING it. It is a great workout, lots of fun, and my glutes are always on fire when I'm done.

Check out the video below for more deets!

and while you are at it give yourself a laugh and watch me do the Cardio Axe dance combos

Here is a little breakdown in writing:

When you purchase a challenge pack you aren't just getting a workout. These workouts come with several discs meaning a variety of different workouts. You get a meal plan guide. You get a workout schedule (in this case there are four different ones depending on your goals). You also get the world's best health shake, Shakeology, to get you in the right direction with your nutrition. Also included is a free trial membership to the Team Beachbody Club where there are meal plans and exclusive content. 

BEST OF ALL you get ME as your FREE coach!!

I lost 101 lbs and learned a lot about health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness and I love sharing that with my challengers. You get the knowledge I spent almost three years getting. You get entry into my private challenge group to keep you motivated and pushing forward. 

Let's face it, it is spring now. It is warming up (hopefully where you are, where I am it is literally snowing outside). People are starting to think of summer plans, getting out the swimsuits, getting out the shorts. It has been a long hard winter. Why not do something fun and spicy and reach those weight loss goals in time for a rockin' summer.

To get started go check out the challenge pack page and sign up for the Brazil Butt Lift challenge pack and you will have me as your coach. Let's get you rockin your way to your goals. And doing a little Samba too :)  

P90X3 Agility X Review

Last night was a LATE night workout but I did it. You just have to pop that sucker in a push play sometimes. If you think about it too much you'll talk yourself out of it. Anyways, Agility X was on the schedule last night so here is my review on what this particular workout has to offer. 

I have to be honest this is one of the discs that I dread putting in the most. I am NOT a cardio fan. Also the fact that I rolled my ankle the very first time doing Agility X doesn't help. One tip: WEAR COURT SHOES NOT RUNNING SHOES. Tony tells you that. But I didn't listen.

But while I dread putting this one in I always feel pretty awesome and revved up afterwards. I have made definite improvements in many of the moves.

It is an interesting smorgasbord of moves actually. Lunges, squats, jump moves, balance work. Everything designed to get those legs moving (big calorie burning muscles) and get you quick on your feet. This is a workout that I kind of wish we did when I played high school basketball.

There are a few moves that I do modify mostly in terms of the footwork. Like I mentioned before I did roll my ankle doing this one so I am extra cautious of that. There are a few moves (like running around the lines, doing grapevines, and figure eights) that I have to slow it down just a touch so I don't risk injury. I am all about being smart with my workouts and you have to know your limits, which doesn't mean skipping something but means making it work for you.

A major component of this workout is also hitting specific parts. You set up tape on the floor and put Xs on them. You aim to hit those targets. When you are doing the lunges, and certain jumps, you look for those spots and hit them. Just like Tony says "X marks the spot people".

I have to say that Tony Horton also brings his A game with the humour in this one. He cracks a lot of jokes and his monologue during the cool down is particularly epic and sobering.

I hope you have been enjoying my breakdown and review of the various workouts included in P90X3. Remember if you are interested in rocking out some X3 yourself leave a comment, find me on Facebook, I'd love to coach you through the process.

P90X3 Total Synergistics Review

Last night we kicked off the start of the third last week of P90X3 with Total Synergistics. This is actually one of my favourite workouts in the X3 collection to do because of it's wide range of strength moves.

This workout has a lot going on. There are planks and balances and pushups. There are weighted squats and yoga poses. I get to use both dumbbells AND my body. I guess that is why they call it Total Synergistics.

Total Synergistics gives you 16 moves in all. Each move is done an average of 10 times (some more some less depending on the move).

One of my favourite moves in the workout is the side rise punch. While laying on your side you push yourself up with top arm and then while holding a dumbbell you punch out and then lower yourself back down. You get to hammer your arms in a few different ways with this one.

Another one I like is the glamour hammer. Maybe I like it because the name but also because I like hammer curls. They make me feel bad ass.

One particular move the I have a love hate relationship with the boat/plow combo. This one gives both my husband and I some trouble. Same goes for the push up side arm balance and the crawly plyo pushups. However at this point in the program I am actually getting considerably better at those as well.

As usual the cast is fantastic. I especially like the two girls who both appear in some of the other X3 workouts.

When I am all finished with the P90X3 program Total Synergistics is definitely a workout I plan to rock out on many occasions just on it's own.