Back & Biceps and Ab Ripper -- Day 14

Wow!  It seems like more than 14 days since I began this program.  I've missed a few, but I think I've been pretty dedicated overall.  I even had a friend make .mp4 files out of the workouts so I could put them on my iPod for travel.  However, because I hadn't done these workouts before, the iPod was a little awkward.  Trying to view the screen to see the exercises, while keeping my headphones from getting tangled up in the bands was a bit of a challenge.  I think once I know the exercise I will be able to listen without much looking at the screen, which will help a lot.

Generally, I really like the Back & Biceps workout and I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more when I'm at home with my own space and weights.  Because I'm traveling I brought along my bands, which I only use for chin-ups at home (using the chin-up bar).  Here, I had to use them for every exercise ... and that wasn't fun.  First, for many of the exercises you have to make a loop and stand on the band to get the right tension.  But because the space I'm working out in has carpet the bands kept slipping.  So I was constantly pausing the iPod to re-wrap and/or tighten the bands.  They also provide a very limited range-of-motion for shorter exercises.  Then, when it came to chin-ups, I had to improvise by looping the band between the door and the hinge.  It worked fine, but I was a little worried about pulling the door off so I took it a bit easy on these exercises. 

The Ab Ripper is just that ... a ripper!  I'm glad I listened to the intro because Tony Horton gave caution to doing too many exercises.  If you kept up with them you would do over 300 ... which is WAY more than you should do when you start.  As well, from my Pilates training I've learned it's quality over quantity.  So I did no more than 10 of each exercise, but focused on keeping good form with my abs tight and good breathing throughout.  I do wish I'd have started this at the beginning as I know my abs would be looking good already.

So after two weeks here's my assessment ... I do feel stronger in my arms and legs, but I'm not losing any weight.  In fact, I've put on 2 lbs since I started!  I am still very motivated to keep with the program, but I am beginning to think that the 90 days isn't going to be enough for me to get into the "shape of my life."  I can see sticking to the program exactly how it is (without upgrading to the intense level) for a full 6 months.  For now, though, it is interesting enough that I don't think I'll get bored even after that amount of time.  I'm hoping that in the next two weeks the weight starts to come off ... then I'll really be sold.

Day 14 down, 79 to go.