P90X Day 6 and sundries
May. 1st, 2009 10:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stoney321I know I've been bad about replying to comments, I've read them all, I'm just running out of time. I have a nice long rainy day to look forward to this weekend, so I'll do my best. Don't get your feelings hurt, it's not you, it's me. :)
Yesterday I didn't get to do my workout (horrors!) because I went in to film what's called a "slate." It's me talking into the camera about something for 20-30 seconds so casting directors can hear me, see me move, etc. Good times.... At first you think, talking about myself? Until they get what they want? Awesome! Then you realize how boring you really are and you just feel dorky. Just me? Okay, then.
P90X Day Six - KEMPO
Remember how I said Plyometrics was my fave? It may have been muscled out of first place. Ditto on the "I've never sweat so much in my life" category, too. This one is a bit too complex for me to break it down bit by bit, but it's essentially kick boxing with self defense mixed in. I had no shortage of "targets" for my punching and kicking. Heh.
One of my favorites: Stand in a boxer's stance, one leg leading, fists held loosely and close to your torso. Visualize an attacker in front of you. Forcefully drive your hands up to their "collar," grab it and pull them to your knee, which you envision driving into their face. Release, step back. That's one. Do 15, then do 10 with a "yell" on "impact." And thank you for using "impact" correctly, Tony Horton. :)
There's jabbing, uppercuts, crossed, blocks, it gets very Mr. Miyagi there for a bit. There is no bad there. I loved all of the kicks, sideways, back... One thing I like about these programs - it's about perfecting your form, not necessarily getting the rep #. I know that eventually I'll get to where I can do every one of them as many times as they are, but there were times I had to hit pause because I felt like I wasn't do it right, etc. at one point I felt my heart rate was way too high, so I hit pause, "jump roped" in place for a bit to get it back down, and then picked back up where I started. It makes me feel like I'm doing it right, not just doing it.
I was doing all of the kicks in my bathroom (I have a big screen TV in my bedroom, I can see it from my master bath) because I wanted to see my form in my mirrors. It's very empowering to see muscles standing out where you're not used to seeing muscles. Like, those little stabilizer muscles that wrap around the outer part of your thigh? Ditto on the inside of your thigh? Bad ass. After ten minutes of jabbing and punching my arms were red - you can see the blood really moving in your body. BAD. ASS. it's only been a week, but I can already see some definition in my arms where there wasn't before.
My thighs have been puffy, but I know it's water weight because of all of the micro-traumas in the muscles from working out. Not to be gross, but I've also noticed in the past 24 hours an increase in bathroom visits, which makes me feel less puffy. I know the weight is going to come off, but more importantly, I know the muscles are getting stronger. COOL. (I've put on almost 4 pounds this week. I'm not worried.)
Later today I'm going to do what should be today's workout, the Recovery and Stretch routine. Awesome. I've got some fierce knots in my calves that need some deep stretching to get rid of.
Some of the punches/kicks
side kick get in "horse stance" which is a semi-squat, knees and toes facing forward, legs slightly bent, back straight and fists at your side a la Bruce Lee. Drag left heel to right arch, lean left and side kick (straight out) with the right. Do NOT hyper-extend, be in control of the motion both out and in. Go back to neutral. That's 1. Do 15, then do 10 with a yell and kick higher. Repeat on opposite side.
back kick get in fighter's stance (mentioned above like you're going to punch someone in a fight) have left foot forward, lean forward at the waist, turn, LOOK AT THE TARGET BEHIND YOU, and kick WITH YOUR HEEL straight back. be in control of the kick back and in. Do 15, then 10 with a yell and kick higher (leaning down more in front)
sword/hammer with side lunge DUDE. Medieval times! Hahahaha. Hands up, feet together, lunge sideways (think fencing) extending lead arm (if you're stepping left, lead arm is left) like you're stabbing someone through with a sword, make a fist, pop your hand down - called a Hammer Punch - in control of the muscles the whole time. 15 reps, then do other side. This feels AWESOME.
step drag/claw/low punch I love how everything feels like street fighting. Back to Fighter's Stance, lunge forward with left leg, extending left arm out in a claw, like you're going to grab someone's still-beating heart from their chest (my words, not theirs. But come on. Mine's better.) Jab with your right as if you're punching them in the gut. 15 reps, then 10 "doubles" which means both hands come out at the same time. Switch and do the other side.
front back knuckles/ball kick/back kick Get in Fighter's Stance, left leg leading. punch out BOTH arms as if you have an opponent directly in front and back of you. Kick forward straight out - being in total control of your leg in and out (decide where you're kicking. Groin? Gut? Face? I went for groin.) then kick behind you (leaning forward and looking back at your opponent) being in control in and out. 10 reps each side.
vertical punches BRUCE LEE IN THE HOUSE! Hahahaha. Squat into Horse Stance, fists at side. Alternate chest high vertical punches, getting faster with every 10. Do 100 of them. Each punch is 1. Tony lied to us and kept us going past 100 - we did 130. Arm. Killer. And totally awesome.
There were cardio breaks every 10-15 minutes where we'd jump rope, do jumping jacks, jog in place, leap in the air. It's all finished with some awesome deep stretches.
Later tonight I'll do the next workout. There are 12 in all, so we're half-way through my spam. :)
I was graciously given a Dreamwidth account, and while I originally said I wasn't going anywhere, I can see myself using that site and making this one friends only, or vice versa. That was I can have personal stuff locked down in one spot. I'm not sure how I'll work it out yet, but I'm pretty lazy, so... I'm "Stoney" over there, which is FANTASTIC. I wish the name squatter over here on LJ would dump his LJ that's not been updated since 2002... If you have an account, please comment with your username so I can add you on my list. :)
I have yellow roses popping open all over outside. Thank you, spring rains! Chilling outside after some hard work is going to be sweeeeeeet. Have wonderful weekends!
Yesterday I didn't get to do my workout (horrors!) because I went in to film what's called a "slate." It's me talking into the camera about something for 20-30 seconds so casting directors can hear me, see me move, etc. Good times.... At first you think, talking about myself? Until they get what they want? Awesome! Then you realize how boring you really are and you just feel dorky. Just me? Okay, then.
P90X Day Six - KEMPO
Remember how I said Plyometrics was my fave? It may have been muscled out of first place. Ditto on the "I've never sweat so much in my life" category, too. This one is a bit too complex for me to break it down bit by bit, but it's essentially kick boxing with self defense mixed in. I had no shortage of "targets" for my punching and kicking. Heh.
One of my favorites: Stand in a boxer's stance, one leg leading, fists held loosely and close to your torso. Visualize an attacker in front of you. Forcefully drive your hands up to their "collar," grab it and pull them to your knee, which you envision driving into their face. Release, step back. That's one. Do 15, then do 10 with a "yell" on "impact." And thank you for using "impact" correctly, Tony Horton. :)
There's jabbing, uppercuts, crossed, blocks, it gets very Mr. Miyagi there for a bit. There is no bad there. I loved all of the kicks, sideways, back... One thing I like about these programs - it's about perfecting your form, not necessarily getting the rep #. I know that eventually I'll get to where I can do every one of them as many times as they are, but there were times I had to hit pause because I felt like I wasn't do it right, etc. at one point I felt my heart rate was way too high, so I hit pause, "jump roped" in place for a bit to get it back down, and then picked back up where I started. It makes me feel like I'm doing it right, not just doing it.
I was doing all of the kicks in my bathroom (I have a big screen TV in my bedroom, I can see it from my master bath) because I wanted to see my form in my mirrors. It's very empowering to see muscles standing out where you're not used to seeing muscles. Like, those little stabilizer muscles that wrap around the outer part of your thigh? Ditto on the inside of your thigh? Bad ass. After ten minutes of jabbing and punching my arms were red - you can see the blood really moving in your body. BAD. ASS. it's only been a week, but I can already see some definition in my arms where there wasn't before.
My thighs have been puffy, but I know it's water weight because of all of the micro-traumas in the muscles from working out. Not to be gross, but I've also noticed in the past 24 hours an increase in bathroom visits, which makes me feel less puffy. I know the weight is going to come off, but more importantly, I know the muscles are getting stronger. COOL. (I've put on almost 4 pounds this week. I'm not worried.)
Later today I'm going to do what should be today's workout, the Recovery and Stretch routine. Awesome. I've got some fierce knots in my calves that need some deep stretching to get rid of.
Some of the punches/kicks
side kick get in "horse stance" which is a semi-squat, knees and toes facing forward, legs slightly bent, back straight and fists at your side a la Bruce Lee. Drag left heel to right arch, lean left and side kick (straight out) with the right. Do NOT hyper-extend, be in control of the motion both out and in. Go back to neutral. That's 1. Do 15, then do 10 with a yell and kick higher. Repeat on opposite side.
back kick get in fighter's stance (mentioned above like you're going to punch someone in a fight) have left foot forward, lean forward at the waist, turn, LOOK AT THE TARGET BEHIND YOU, and kick WITH YOUR HEEL straight back. be in control of the kick back and in. Do 15, then 10 with a yell and kick higher (leaning down more in front)
sword/hammer with side lunge DUDE. Medieval times! Hahahaha. Hands up, feet together, lunge sideways (think fencing) extending lead arm (if you're stepping left, lead arm is left) like you're stabbing someone through with a sword, make a fist, pop your hand down - called a Hammer Punch - in control of the muscles the whole time. 15 reps, then do other side. This feels AWESOME.
step drag/claw/low punch I love how everything feels like street fighting. Back to Fighter's Stance, lunge forward with left leg, extending left arm out in a claw, like you're going to grab someone's still-beating heart from their chest (my words, not theirs. But come on. Mine's better.) Jab with your right as if you're punching them in the gut. 15 reps, then 10 "doubles" which means both hands come out at the same time. Switch and do the other side.
front back knuckles/ball kick/back kick Get in Fighter's Stance, left leg leading. punch out BOTH arms as if you have an opponent directly in front and back of you. Kick forward straight out - being in total control of your leg in and out (decide where you're kicking. Groin? Gut? Face? I went for groin.) then kick behind you (leaning forward and looking back at your opponent) being in control in and out. 10 reps each side.
vertical punches BRUCE LEE IN THE HOUSE! Hahahaha. Squat into Horse Stance, fists at side. Alternate chest high vertical punches, getting faster with every 10. Do 100 of them. Each punch is 1. Tony lied to us and kept us going past 100 - we did 130. Arm. Killer. And totally awesome.
There were cardio breaks every 10-15 minutes where we'd jump rope, do jumping jacks, jog in place, leap in the air. It's all finished with some awesome deep stretches.
Later tonight I'll do the next workout. There are 12 in all, so we're half-way through my spam. :)
I was graciously given a Dreamwidth account, and while I originally said I wasn't going anywhere, I can see myself using that site and making this one friends only, or vice versa. That was I can have personal stuff locked down in one spot. I'm not sure how I'll work it out yet, but I'm pretty lazy, so... I'm "Stoney" over there, which is FANTASTIC. I wish the name squatter over here on LJ would dump his LJ that's not been updated since 2002... If you have an account, please comment with your username so I can add you on my list. :)
I have yellow roses popping open all over outside. Thank you, spring rains! Chilling outside after some hard work is going to be sweeeeeeet. Have wonderful weekends!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 03:49 pm (UTC)Also, have you watched the Twilight movie with the RiffTrax playing yet? HILARIOUS.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:14 pm (UTC)I suppose not hearing back from anyone is a sign I don't have it together, lol
Agents and editors are notorious for taking a long time over manuscripts. It's annoying but normal; they have to deal with so many, after all. This should help, but it doesn't. Every writer that I know--and this includes me--gets into a panic when a manuscript is out there and the editor or agent hasn't responded yet. I've talked to dozens of friends who realized that the story's fifth page had to be fixed the minute they stuck it in the mail, who are convinced that the agent hasn't responded because she secretly hates the manuscript's genre, who are certain that there must be something wrong with the way they're querying, who demand a thousand times a day if I would tell them if their manuscripts were bad. (Which, duh, of course I would. And have. And I've gotten the same responses in return, sometimes. My friends and I are ruthless with each others' work, thank God.)
It's scary, putting your work out there like that.
I'm glad that you're trying to make the proposal better, though. That's a good sign. (Queries and proposals are practically an art form. A very necessary and very terrifying art form.)
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:23 pm (UTC)I'm reminding myself that it takes WEEKS and MONTHS to get anything done in the publishing biz, and to not panic. I, uh, have to remind myself that a lot. :D
I'm trying to keep the proposal in my voice and tone, which is how the book is written. I figure that needs to be in sync. Thanks for always having advice for me, btw! I really appreciate it all.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:33 pm (UTC)If you do indicate that you want the chapters back, you may get notes, comments, etc. about what they liked and what they didn't. You may only get a form letter--I confess that I've never gotten the notes and comments with rejected work. But I know two or three people who have. (And personal notes giving you advice indicates personal interest and possible future contacts. Even if they don't buy the work, it's still valuable.)
I'd ask for the chapters back. Look them over. Probably cry and rage over the rejection. And then send them out again. (Of course, I have problems getting things printed out, so I'd definitely want my copies of the chapters returned.)
Thanks for always having advice for me, btw! I really appreciate it all.
You're welcome! I want Oh My Heck! to be sold and to become a best-seller so that I can read the whole thing!
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:34 pm (UTC)And the saving the environment part by reusing is something I should have thought of first. :)
Hahahaha, I hope the same thing!
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 05:39 pm (UTC)i also say (i know it is non-fiction) that maybe you could go tool around on Baen's Bar (its their forum section) where you might bump into someone who also does non-fic and see if you can get specific advice (this presumes you have not already done this, a thing i have no knowledge of. i would like to assume you have, except that i know many people don't even think that its a possibility) the reason i suggest looking at Baen's is two-fold: one is that they are really nice people who all pretty much critique everyone else and there is very little friction in that, and two is because there are a *lot* of pros just hanging out with us amateurs, and the pros pretty much *never* mind helping.
but its just a thought. it might not work for you, might take too long, something. i am just trying to help. i want to read this book! i plan on buying it the *day* it comes out (and i RARELY *buy* non-science-fiction books!)
good luck!!!
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 04:41 pm (UTC)Your exercises make my muscles ache just by reading them. Do you do this to music? Sorry, if you've already mentioned this and I've missed it. Is there a Stoney's Workout Playlist?
I'd dearly love to read your book when it's in print, because I'm sure it will be soon.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 05:03 pm (UTC)Boy, I would sure love for that to happen!
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 06:04 pm (UTC)Your workouts sound like they would kill me. But it's intriguing too. I am so glad you have a place to process what is going on! It's gotta be so good for you.
Publishers can take forever with books. I would definitely encourage you to keep track of who you send the book/chapters too so that you don't accidnetally send it to someone twice. That happened to a friend of mine.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 08:01 pm (UTC)I've been doing that very thing: writing down when I submitted, and what in particular, and if they list a time frame to expect a reply, I put that down, too, so I don't jump the gun. My white board is my bff.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 06:28 pm (UTC)I'm over at DW too same name as here.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 08:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 06:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 08:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 08:33 pm (UTC)For my general exercise needs, I try to kill myself with African Dance classes twice a week! The live drumming is usually loud enough to be heard throughout the entire dance gym.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 10:02 pm (UTC)I have no idea what that means.
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 10:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 10:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 10:18 pm (UTC)http://community.livejournal.com/thefulcrum/27856.html
It takes you step-by-step through installing Mixit layout themes on DW. And this fixes an issue with usernames not showing up on the Friends page: http://dw-styles.dreamwidth.org/5062.html
:D
no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 10:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-01 11:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-03 04:00 am (UTC)*hugs*
kiltmama