Tonight I’m watching SKIN on Netflix. Yes, a very exciting New Year’s Eve at the Solomon-Strutz household. For those who have not seen the movie it is about Sandra Laing, a black child born in the 1950s to white Afrikaners, unaware of their black ancestry. I’ve seen several movies regarding apartheid South Africa but this one resonated with me since it focused on raising children that others indicate don’t “look” like you.

I know so many couple that are raising biracial children and many of them probably have heard several of the following comments: Is that your baby? Your baby has “good” hair! Your kids must look just like their father/mother. I know that my mixed children might encounter some hardships but we all do. What leads a biracial child to adopt a particular racial identity? I struggled at first thinking about how can I share both my heritage and my husband’s with my kids. Ultimately, as long as they are raised in a family where they are taught to celebrate diversity and appreciate an upbringing with various cultures they can only succeed.

Nicholas and Akilah

A couple years ago Jason took a stab at P90X. He ended up losing about 20 pounds and I loved doing the P90X workouts. However, once the kids demanded a bit more of our time sticking to the Nutrition Plan and fitting in daily hour long work-outs was difficult. Then the promotions for P90X2 began. Not sure what made Jason buy the latest set of workout DVDs but I’m glad he did. Now let’s see if we both can get ripped.

I had Jason take the infamous Day 1 pictures so I guess it’s time to get started.

175lbs my starting weight

My Thoughts about X2 Core vs. Core Synergistics: I loved loved LOVED Core Synergistics and watching Pam the Blam get down to business with Tony Horton. I could feel each set through my entire body and it really encouraged me that the workout was working. I couldn’t feel the burn on each exercise in X2 Core and a lot of that had to do with me not being able to finish all the sets. Perhaps some of that I can blame on just having led a 2-hour TKD class.

Nonetheless the X2 Core definitely takes balance and patience. So I’m encouraged that as I continue to work at it I can improve the number of sets that I complete. I’m excited to be able to actually do more than four Dreya Rolls with a medicine ball at a time. The DVD also encourages using a foam roller, stability ball and medicine ball so it seems to push the gadgets/equipments down your throat. Luckily I already owned a stability ball and medicine ball so there was not need to run to the store (might need to add some air to my stability ball). Then I modified the stretches performed with the foam roller but will more than likely spend $15 and grab one to get the full benefit. Not sure how I would have felt if I didn’t already own most of the equipment.

Jason is feeling under the weather so he’ll more than likely start after the holidays in 2012. However, I have already been testing out cooking a couple of the recipes in the P90X2 Nutrition Guide. Thumbs Up on both Bruschetta Chicken and Broiled Lemon Basil Salmon. Aside from the time (marinate for at least an hour) it was easy to cook and delicious. So far… so good. Looking forward to Plyocide!