Blogs

Persevering Through P90X2

by on ‎01-20-2012 12:23 PM

See if you can imagine this scene…Mom and Dad are on the ground trying to do sit-ups, sweating, uncomfortable and angry at the world that they are there in the first place. Two two-year-olds alternating between screaming and crying, while attempting to kiss Mom and Dad or climb on top of Mom and Dad's head, arms and legs. Does that sound like fun? Nope. That has been my reality for the last week and a half as I and my husband took on the challenge of P90X2. If you can't visualize this merry family scene (note the sarcasm) you can see it on my video blog on my Facebook page or my most recent one right here:



Since college, I have been a workout fiend. Yes, it clears my head and makes me less grumpy. Yes, I want to be healthy and live long, but most of all I work out five to six days a week because I like food. Honestly, I don't want to give up eating. If I don't eat, I am mean. When I worked in news, my husband would tell every new photographer I worked with that no matter what, "Make sure you always have food in the car for Kerstin." I am not fun when I am hungry. And sadly I am not a naturally petite woman. I'm 5'9" and I have thighs, hips and a derrière that won't go away. The only thing little about me is my chest (funny joke, God, thanks.) I was a chubby kid and always struggled with my weight.



So now I know if I don't work out nearly every day my body will easily fall back into its naturally larger position.


When I was a struggling actress in Los Angeles (truly I was more a waitress than a working actor) I started teaching yoga and spinning classes.



I loved it and eventually started teaching Pilates and aerobics too. That lasted through the first five years in broadcast news (yes, most local newscasters need to have a second job to survive). My husband introduced me to the beauty of running and nothing on earth has helped me stay slim like pounding the pavement every day. I do not love it and if I didn't have to do it I wouldn't, but it's what works.



After I had babies the jog stroller became (and still is) my best weapon against the bulge. (I didn't want to spend time away from my miracle babies, but I had to get rid of the 60 pounds I gained while pregnant — see that glorious picture here.  Now at 2 and 2-1/2, I push all 90 pounds of toddler and stroller through the streets nearly every day. THAT is a workout.



When QVC asked me to try P90X2 and allow viewers to follow me through the process, complete with before & after swim suit shots (those are coming January 31) I said, "No problem." P90X2 is unlike any workout regimen I have ever tried. It uses hardcore weight resistance, core work and plyometrics. I love that it incorporates a good deal of yoga, and as an instructor I admire the way Tony Horton stays true to power yoga. I am only a week and a half in, but I do notice I am using different muscles during my workouts and really shocking my body. I am excited to see what happens at the end of 90 days, if my kids allow me to continue. My husband, who hasn't worked out since last summer, is doing it with me. I love being able to share an hour with him even if it is sweating my bum off!


However, I do find our results heartbreakingly unfair:


Me: I cut back to one glass of wine a week, watch what I eat and no sugar.


Him: He still drinks when he wants, eats more and finished half a tub of cookie dough in four days.


Me: Lost 0 pounds


Him: Lost 5 pounds


Grrrrrrrr...


That's okay, I'll keep at it! I keep telling myself I'm gaining muscle and that weighs more than fat, right? If all else fails I will just go back to my standby exercise of chasing around two toddlers.



What's your biggest weapon against getting out of shape? Any words of wisdom for the next 90 days of P90X2? Don't forget to follow me as I do this every day on Facebook.


Until next time,


—Kerstin