Since I'm still new to this daily workout thing - I missed yesterday. Went off plan big time. But, the sun is shining, tomorrow is the first day of spring, and I'm planning to do the steady strides again. (and maybe lower body since I missed that yesterday).

I think I'm ready to do the power push next week; I've got most of the moves down for the foundation tape.

(People are saying my skin is looking better - I expect it's a side effect of SWEAT!)

Jule

Good for you, Julie, just jump right back in. I've noticed on Power Push that my mileage varies from one workout to another. I do best in the morning as soon as I wake up. I feel like I can do more, and I walk away fatigued in a good way. If I do it at night, I don't do it as well.

I've also realized that sometimes I think I'm doing good, and then realize that I'm not getting my leg up as high as they are, or I'm not lungeing as deep as I could be. I realize something new each time I do it, and it is always helpful to get the reminders from Kathy to hold my shoulders up or to control the move and not let momentum take over. I could complete more of the workout in the beginning than I can now, and I think that is due to better form and more effort, deeper moves, etc.

Jennifer, you are so right - the last time I did the upper body, it was like I finally realized, okay, I'm supposed to use THAT muscle to but the weight up there - instead of just moving it into position.

Also, the cueing really helps with the timing of each move, so I don't get into moving the weight with momentum.

Julie

Okay, I did Power Push - I am so glad that I took an extra few days on Foundation, MUCH easier to follow the routines. . .Hopefully in 4 weeks I can actually lift my body off the floor for the routines at the end. . .

WooHoo, Jennifer - I finished the first full set of the tricep dips today!!! And four of the rapid fire. . .

I noticed from your journal that you're doing the Long Lean - is that also built on top of Power Push?? (I still haven't gotten the jumping jacks of that yet . .)

Julie

Hey Julie! Good for you on the triceps. I'm on upperbody tomorrow, so I'll shoot for 5 rapid fire. I really hate those, lol. I hope they aren't in the full body circuit!

Some of Long Lean is built on PP, but much of it is new stuff. I recognize a few of the moves from her Timesaver workout. The alternating knee raises where you do it in the middle, and then facing each side - sorry, can't remember the name! - those are in there, and the shuffles are in there, and something similar to the mountain climb (but easier) is in there. This one is a little more dancey in a way. Still not 'dancing' but she calls it attitude. There is one shimmy thing that makes me feel stupid, but it only lasts about 15 seconds so I just skip it.

There isn't any kickboxing in this one. Overall, it doesn't seem harder than PP, but I can't keep up with them in a few spots. My feet just aren't quick enough. I'm wondering if I'd be faster on a hard surface instead of carpet. The carpet might be dragging my feet.

I overslept this morning BIG TIME so no time to exercise (alarm was on PM, duh). I didn't get home until 8:30 tonight, and experience tells me exercising that late is a crappy workout, plus I'll be up all night, which is a guarantee for another crappy one in the morning.

Well, my VCR is good and totally broke , so I will be trying to find a new one today. It swallowed a tape and won't give it up! Luckily it wasn't one of the PY tapes!

I have the same question in my mind about the carpet - the 'happy feet' in Power Push - my legs are still not rapid fire enough for that or is the carpet drag - And that shifting shuffle in the later segment? Oh well, when/if I can do them in the next 3 weeks. . . But I keep my feet moving. Sometimes I'm drinking water instead of moving my arms, but oh well!

I'm hoping that those hip lifts at the end of the chair aren't in the full body circuit. . .

Julie

Hello fellow P:You-ers! I'm Connie. I found about this thread from the Ask Kathy Smith board, and I am so excited!! This is a really cool thread, just what I've been looking for! I'm just starting my 7th week of P:Y and am enjoying many great results already. I just love this Project!

I hope it's ok for to me to chirp in here regularly...?

I'm not very sure how this board works, and I hope I posted this right. I'd appreciate any posting tips you might have for newbie FC.

Connie

Jennifer,

I overslept this morning too! Ack!! I had to get up very early today to have time to exercise, but I guess my body just doesn't do 6:30 AM. LOL I was really looking forward to my first Full Circuit workout, but I can use today as a Rest day and jump back in with both feet tomorrow- at a more sane time.


Connie

today was my first day with project you and I really liked the workouts. It was really hard trying to schedule in time to get it down with the kids off of school. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Hi Connie, welcome to 3FC! You posted just right. You are a about 3 weeks ahead of me. You'll actually be getting more ahead of me as the next few days go because I have to nurse an injury before I get back to the program. I'm swollen from the knee down on my left leg. Most likely not getting my leg all the way up in kickboxing, and dragging it along the carpet. I never felt a specific pain when exercising, so I don't know how it happened. It could have happened anywhere, but I'm guessing the probability is high with PY. I love the program, though, and can't wait to get back to it. I will ask to be released when I go back to the Dr on Thursday. Right now I am supposed to be iced and elevated and I'm not doing either one. I'll go do that promptly, though!

I am so grateful to have found this program. I've got an enthusiasm for exercise that I've never had. I feel so GREAT after I workout with this program, and I can really see a difference. The scale is moving slowly (but for me it always has), but after 4 weeks I do see a big difference in my legs and abs for sure, and I feel so much better. I took measurements at the start of the program, so I'll look forward to measuring at the end.

Keep your fingers crossed that I get released on Thursday. I can't stand the wait! Let me know how the first full circuit goes. I'll be there in 2 weeks.


Bev, congratulations on the first day! Try and do it in the mornings, if you can squeeze it in. I have so much more energy in the day if I do it in the AM. Be sure and make time for yourself. This is for your health and you deserve it.

Hi!

Glad to see some other Project You'ers!

Connie - I've been lurking on the Ivillage and beachbody sites - I think it's so cool that Kathy posts on those boards!

I started week 3 over again, since I missed about 3 days last week for equipment problems, plus not feeling quite the thing since I started a cycle of steroids for a skin problem.

So my goal this week is to do it EXACTLY as written. . .

I think the low impact modifier (Jennifer ) is my best friend on Power Push. I did do Foundation for two weeks to get the kickboxing section down, and I'm really glad. I have a problem really keeping the speed up in the skiing section towards the end of Power Push, but I keep on telling myself that I'll be able to really see my progress at the end of this cycle when I can keep up. Same with some of those leg workouts. .

Jennifer - so sorry to hear that your leg hurts. I have a similar problem with the lunge series and the carpet and being able to lift myself fast enough to do them in tempo.

But the 30 minutes fly by! I don't even check the little clock anymore to see how long I have to go!

Julie

well this morning i did foundations and upper body/abs. I did much better this morning than yesterday. I really liked both workouts.

I was wondering if you ladies are following the eatting plan with project you or doing your own thing. If you are following Project you are you using a protein shake like stated in the eatting guide. I am so clueless with protein shakes that I don't know what brand to use. I am still undecided whether to follow Project you or something else. All I know is that my weight keeps going up.

Hi Jennifer,

I'm so glad I posted "right"! I haven't posted on 3FC for a LONG time. Eeekk! I'm excited about being back and having some new friends to share in this P:Y program.

So sorry to hear about your injury! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you to be released on Thursday.

The scale is moving slowly for me, too. It seems that's how these last 60 pounds or so are going to come off. That's ok with me, as long as I keep seeing progress. lol I've noticed wonderful changes in my Core, thighs, and upper arms since I started P:Y. For me, the most important thing this project has given me is the power to connect with myself in a deeper way. My mind and body are working together now and I've become very aware of my hunger and other signals that my body sends to my mind. It's been very enlightening and empowering. I just love how Kathy tells us to make this project our own- that's the secret to success!!

Take care of that knee! Nice to meet you!

Connie

Hi textjewel! Nice to meet ya!

I just love that Kathy answers questions on those message boards! She's answered a few for me over the past couple years, and it always SO cool! And her advice is always right on. She's a really neat lady.

I'm sorry to hear about those steroids, but I hope they help with your skin problem. My sister has severe eczema and has to go on steroids for a few days sometimes. She has a really rough time handling the side effects. I feel so bad for her during those time. I hope you don't experience many side effects.

Don't worry about having to take a few days away from P:Y. Make it work for yourself, and pick it up as soon as you. That will be fine.

I had to take 2 weeks away from P:Y when my grandma died and my whole family went to be with my grandpa. And last week I had to modify my Week 6 (recovery) because I'm having to care for my mom while she's at home recovering from wrist surgery (she fell and severely dislocated her dominant wrist). She's home this week, too but she doesn't need as much help or "supervision".

Life happens, just do your best and make taking care of yourseld a priority each day no matter what.

I had a hard time with Ski section of PP, too. I had to do the slow part of the move low impact, otherwise the bottoms of my feet would cramp up. The last week of PP I was finally able to do 1 set of the Ski series just like Kathy, the others I modified to work for me. That PP was a tough workout!! It was neat to watch myself progress through it though. I bet you'll notice improvements, too.

Take care,
Connie