Final workout week before first recovery week

Today, it all starts again. Chest and Back. I feel kinda like Morgan Spurlock, but in reverse. I'm feeling healthier than I have and I know my endurance has gone up. Ashleigh keeps telling me I'm slimming down, but every time I look in the mirror, I see my old self. I've decided to wait until the end of my first 30 days before I look at my 'before' pictures again. August 11th. I'll post both sets then.

I still feel very weak in my chest and back. My performance today was better than my last two runs through this disc, but still not where I'd thought it'd be. Just need to stick with it. Tony says, "Rome wasn't built in a day." I say, "If there were a method to get that awesome body in 30 days, it'd be called P30X, wouldn't it?"

This time around, however, I did more of the push-up exercises in proper form than I did previously before falling to my knees. The inclined push-ups still kicked my ass, though. First set, I was able to do three. Second 'bring-it' set, I couldn't do one. I psyched myself up and everything, but my chest and shoulders just said 'Nope.' A valiant effort all the same. Just can't let it get to me.

I'm doing a lot better with the ab ripper portion of the workout days, however. I'm actually able to do more than half of most of the exercises! That's a HUGE step compared to where I started. I'm still a little soggy around the mid-section and, as a result, I can't do any sit-ups that use my legs as a counterbalance. (Just need to wedge my feet under the table to do them.) I'm also cautious about my lower back. I've thrown it out three times in my life and I'm not looking forward to another. If I feel a twinge after five sit-ups, I'm going to stop. Eventually, I'm hoping, my back will become strong enough that I won't feel any pain.

Now, I'd like to take a moment to talk about the support forums that Tony keeps bragging about in the videos. He says if you have any questions or need some motivation, to check out the forums.

Yeah... I've asked three questions, trying to get some motivation and, so far, nothing from the other members. Yesterday, I sent a direct message to my coach (I'm assuming that, when you sign up, you're assigned a random 'coach' who you can ask questions, etc.) asking her about how I should set my goals and what I could be doing differently as far as my diet. To my honest surprise, I got a response! Quickly! And not canned! Holy cow, there ARE people who care and are willing to answer questions from newbies. (Prior to sending my direct message, I had seen a few threads on the message boards from people looking for help because their coaches were nonexistent. That, and I got an unsolicited message from someone else asking to be my coach who only replied to my messages with canned responses. Sorry for doubting you, Vickie, and I thank you for your help.)

So, into week three, made contact with an actual coach and my hunger pangs are subsiding. I feel my motivation returning and confident that, by 90 days, I'll be lookin' sharp.