P90X: I Love It? Really?

When I became a Team Beachbody Coach clear back in April 2011, I ordered P90X. I was in the middle of my first round of Insanity and truly loving it. Truthfully, the only reason I ordered it was because I felt that if I was going to be apart of the company, I needed to be a graduate of both our big name programs. I had never really had too much interest in doing P90X...ever. Looking back, I know that my attitude going in to the first day was ultimately set me up for failure three, yes 3, times. 

I really didn't want to do it and therefore the excuses were easy to come up with. I was only starting because I felt I HAD to if I was really going to do my business justice. Three times I started and not once did I make it past the second day as scheduled. There was one attempt about a year ago that I did get 4 workouts done, just not consistently. If I remember right, I think those 4 took me a week and a half to get through and the program is designed to be 6 days a week. Hmmm... I couldn't handle the slow pace after Insanity and Tony Horton's jokes were not amusing in that mindset but I wasn't confident in my lifting to mute everything but the cues. I lent the program out to friends quite often because I just wasn't doing it. 

Fast forward two and a half years later and we find that today I am on Day 4 (Yoga day) and I am honestly loving it. My arms are feeling yesterday's Shoulders and Arms workout. That means that I am changing and I LOVE it. This time around, I had already made up my mind that I wanted to really learn about weight training, so I did my research. I learned about form, movements, and sought motivation. (The internet...man what did we ever do without it!? ha!) I decided that I WANTED to do P90X not try but DO. I set this week as my start and had to get my set back from a friend. I got the discs back on Monday afternoon and spent Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon going through the guides again to re-familiarize myself with the workouts. Wednesday morning, 6 am, I pushed play and completed Chest and Back.  It wasn't pretty.  You do one full round of the movements (mostly push-ups and pull ups) and then you do them again in different order.  The second round, there were sets that I could only get out 3 push-ups and the 3rd had such poor form I should have stopped at 2. :/  BUT!!!  I finished and it felt awesome!

Day 3 After Shoulders and Arms.  I have a long way to go.  This is only the beginning of this journey!

I have now successfully completed 3 days and about to get Day 4 on the books.  I do love yoga!!!  It's all about attitude and desire.  I set a goal for what I want to accomplish with this program.  I am keeping myself accountable by posting on Facebook and will continue to log here as well.  I am going to be a P90X graduate in 86 days.  Help keep me accountable and follow my journey, add me on Facebook.  If you want to join in and have your fittest holiday season to date, my next challenge group, Fit the Season, starts soon!  Use the Contact option you see on your screen or message me on FB!  Tons of fun, motivation, easy healthy recipes, and more.  You won't want to miss your spot!

Choose to be a better you today!

~Laura

Hello! My First Message to YOU

Hello and welcome to Laura Raymond Fitness!  I believe that in order for you to be truly healthy, you need to reach beyond fitness.  You need to be aware of what you are eating - everything we put in our mouths either fuels or famines our well being.  You must be humble and appreciate all of life, even the parts that you don't understand.  You HAVE TO LOVE YOURSELF so that you can be a light to some one else.  It's treating your mind, body and spirit right and sharing that compassion with others that truly makes you YOUR HEALTHIEST YOU.  The WHOLEistic way.

While I have been interested in health and fitness for most of my life, I never really understood how important it was for me to go beyond my daily fitness routine and clean eating until recently.  

Yes, of course I felt better getting back in to fueling my body with nutrient dense foods instead of junk and getting my butt moving again, but it wasn't fueling my soul.  My fitness results were hindered by my psyche and so were my personal relationships.  Yes, you need to exercise and avoid fast food, processed food, sugar, etc for your internal health.  BUT by feeding your soul too, you are less likely to be depressed and anxious which will boost your internal health as well.  Think about it, when you are feeling down in the dumps (we all have those days) you don't feel good.  You may not have the sniffles or be vomiting, but your immune system is weakened by your mood.  Crazy you say?  Not really.  Stress can actually over-activate your immune system which can lead to an increased risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and arthritis.  Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University monitored the emotional health of 300 participants and then exposed them all to an infections virus.  They found that the subjects that were happiest were 3 times more likely to NOT get sick than those that were depressed or stressed.

This blog is a place for for inspiration, tips, recipes, family, fun, and spiritual freedom!  I invite you to share your stories in comments or when I am holding an open discussion on Facebook. I want to hear from you on what you want to see so if there is ever anything that you like and want more of TELL ME!  I'm listening because it's YOU who keeps me my healthiest!

I just want to throw this picture in because to me, it is perfection and fills my heart with happiness! :)  I took this picture of the Tetons on top of Grand Targhee Ski Resort where despite the brutal wind that day, I felt warmth, purpose and spiritually fulfilled.  God is amazing.