My P90X+ Daily Journal

UNLEASH THE BEAST!!!! P90X+

2008-05-11T10:04:00.002-05:00

Alright! Alright!! It's been long enough, I've had time to let my shoulder get fixed. I've had time to have my second son. (OH YEAH!) During the break, my wife and I had our second son named Zachary! Born Feb. 2nd. He's GORGEOUS!!!! And I've had time to pack on ~5 lbs of body weight in the mean time. Not bad. Going from 215lbs to 185lbs during round 1, and now I'm up to 190lbs for being 5 months out.

However, during the past month, I've convinced my wife to join in on the fun and action. So occasionally during my daily entries, my wife will give her insight on what it feels like going through the program from a "women's'" perspective. I'm just excited that I got my wife to do it along with me!!!. Plus, I think it will be a great addition to everyone out there following along and wonder if a husband and wife can do the same program AT THE SAME TIME! I'll be using the weights and she's going to be using the band that came along with P90X. When it's time for pull ups, she'll use the good 'ol "Band in the door jam" method.

HERE'S THE KICKER!! This round is going to be taken to the next level! THAT'S RIGHT!!

During this past month of gearing up to do Round 2 of P90X, I've been contemplating whether to do Round 2 of P90X, which I've done, or try my luck going to the next level. Well, long story short. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!! So P90X+ it is... Though I could have purchased my products through beachbody.com, I decided to go to www.extremebodyworkout.com and purchase from them. My stuff was ordered Monday and was at my doorstep by Thursday! Super Fast!

So I'm going to be going through the NEXT Level of P90X. With my wife, hopefully, right next time me, I'm going to write just like I did in Round 1. I'll be adding all the good stuff, like weekly photos, new food recipes I find, my daily weights/rep spreadsheet.

I'm also working on a P90X+ workout spreadsheet, like the one I have for P90X, but changed to either include the +, or just be specifically P90X+.

Well, It's time for my first fit test before I unleash the beast tomorrow!!!

WISH ME LUCK!!!

Until then, keep pushing play!

BRINGING IT IN ROUND 2!

2008-01-20T12:05:00.000-06:00

Back by popular demand: ROUND 2!!!!!!!!

I've taken enough time off to give my shoulder an ample amount of Physical Therapy. Which, in turn, should provide me with the needed shoulder stability to bring it "X-like" in Round 2 that I am going to start with tomorrow.
Hey Adam,

I am going to start another Round of 90 Days. Being that I've been out since Mid. December with that shoulder injury at Day 78, it didn't make sense to finish out a program that is designed to be completed from start to finish. (or at least that what I think).

Between rounds, I didn't stick to the rigid meal plan provided by P90X, but I did stick to the "guidelines" of the amount/type/serving size of food I ate. I did bring along some of my favorite dishes too. Taking what I've learned from the nutritional program to make my own meals.

Here are a few things that are going to stay the same, and some that are going to change:

*I am still going to be posting weekly photos of my progress. I truly believe this was my #1 motivator making me stick to the program.

*This round since I've been through the meal plan once and know how much I should eat, what kinds of foods, etc.. I am adding/deleting some meals and replacing them with others. I am going to try my hand at the meal plan provided by www.milliondollarbody.com

* I am going to also try my hand at making my own protein bars!! This should be interesting since there are hundreds of recipies (baked & non-baked) for protein bars. I'll post which recipie I use and my thoughts about each.

* Obviously with my shoulder injury, I am taking out one or two of the tricep excercies where my shoulders flare out making my rotator cuff open.

That's about it... Just alittle here and there, but over all, it's still P90X!!!!

I'm actually excited about working out again and trying to beat my results from round 1.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play once again!

Day 78 - The Final Chapter of Round 1

2007-12-11T21:12:00.000-06:00

Today, I am writing the final chapter of Round 1 of P90X.

I woke up this morning with my shoulder just slightly less sore than yesterday. This soreness is also in my upper left pectoral and lat muscle. My therapy sessions were ICE every hour for 20 minutes. This went on all yesterday and will continued all today until I tried Plyo tonight. Right off the bat, stretching game me the problems. Being that your shoulder muscles are also connected to the muscles in your arms, chest and back, every stretching move you do, in some way, makes use your shoulder muscles.

I finally had to stop about 10 minutes into the workout because of the aggravation on my shoulder. I don't know how to put in words how I felt as I sat there icing my shoulder. I felt highly aggravated, annoyed, sad, disappointed. I was mad that I was hurt; annoyed that I couldn't do the workouts; sad that I knew my shoulder needed more than acouple of days to get better; disappointed that I will not be able to finish or complete the rest of the week.

I don't know if I'm more disappointed with the fact that I won't finish my 90 days than the fact that my shoulder is hurt. I know that the injury was an accident and that there is nothing I can do about my situation. But it's just that I've come so far (in the program) to fall so short of the finish line. In comparion, it's training all session long for a big race, then twisting your ankle the day before a big race. Like studying for a huge final exam for months, and to fail by only 1 missed question. However, at the end of the day, I've come along way. I've come leaps and bounds of what I use to feel like, eat like, and LOOK like!!!! I've come farther in the past few 77 days than most people (myself included) in thier lifetimes. I've changed my life for the better and I have myself to thank for that. It was the dedication to the program and commitment to myself that I made each and every day of pushing play come high mountain or low valley that made me who I am now.

P90X, or specifically BeachBody, put together a program that puts everything a person needs to change themselves. They put together one of the best AT-HOME workout programs ever. It brings cardio, stretching, resistance training that hits every muscle in your body, Yoga to strengthen the inner-self as well as outside. It brings Plyometrics, Martial Arts, and some THE best support system for any training system with MillionDollarBody and W.O.W.Y. Those websites have become my second home. I've been people from around the U.S., as well a quite a few local Texans. We even get together once a month to do a P90X workout, plus it a great way to renew support, motivation, and dedication.

For the past 2.5 months I've changed. Changed on the inside as well as the outside. I've changed the way I eat; changed my self-esteem; changed the way I feel & look; changed my outlook on life; changed my thoughts & processes on the way I live my life.

Even though this final chapter in the book: P90X - Round 1 has ended. (Not completed, but ended) This by no means that the book is finished. Not by a long shot. I am taking the Christmas Holidays off to get my should back so that I can start P90X - Round 2 at the beginning of 2008. While, I might have fallen short of the finish line, I'm picking myself up and giving it my all until I cross it. Either First Place or Last Place. I still am going to finish it.

Until then, "Do your Best, and forget the rest!"

Day 77 - THE OBLITERATOR

2007-12-10T11:08:00.000-06:00

My new name for pain: The Obliterator

Because when your in pain, nothing else can exist. Not thought, Not emotion. Only the drive to escape the pain. When it's strong enough, the Obliterator strips us of who we are until we are reduced to creatures less than animals. Creatures with a single desire and goal: Escape.

While my 90 Days are coming up, they will have to take a small detour. Monday started my week 12 and CS&T. Well, I was going to failure on each and every workout since this is the last resistance week of P90X. And half way through my workout. Something happened.

As you all know, I have a left shoulder that has been dislocated and subluxated acouple of times in the past years and once recently acouple months ago. Anyways, while doing the leaning overhead tricep extensions, I had my elbow alittle to far back, which in turn, opened up my rotator cuff alittle more than I should have it and BAM!!! My shoulder subluxated again. I was in the workout room all by myself trying to get my shoulder back in.

But this time it was different. Usually I can get my arm back in within minutes. But for some reason, my shoulder didn't want to go back in. I tried almost every move I knew.
This time took more time.
Way too much time.
I could not get it back in before my shoulder muscles started to go into shock and tighten up. If anyone has every dislocated/subluxated a shoulder knows that all you senses heighten by 10x. Every move causes some amount of pain and if you move the wrong way, shards of pain shoot through your entire body as if you've been shocked by a enormous battery. All I wanted to do was to escape. Escape the pain, the situation, the room, my body. I wanted out. But I couldn't until I got my shoulder back in.

Luckily, after about 10 minutes, even with my shoulder and myself in shock, I was able to get it back in. Almost passing out, I sat down and let my nerves calm.

Needless to say I did not finish my day at work. My wife came to pick me up and I've been icing it ever since. Usually, I can pop it back in and the next day go about my business. This is day 2 after and it's still sore. Ice has been my closest friend.

I will not let this get me down. I will continue to do cardio and legs, some yoga and kenpo to a small degree to keep with the program. I'll be able to give a better progress report on my ability to continue the program after I try Plyo tomorrow.

Throughout the years and the numerous times my shoulder has subluxated has been a burden on me. This time in particular, when I could not get it back quickly and took every bit my will to not pass out and to continue to fight to get it back in, makes me feel like I'm falling apart. Like a old horse that's plowed to many fields, and I'm only 28 years.

It's time to ice.

Day 74 - My Yoga Belly getting smaller

2007-12-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

It's the same-old-same for Yoga today. It's become a workout that I highly look forward to doing. I close myself off from the outside world, put on some nice smooth relaxing music, push play and the Breathe. That's it!!

I'm not going to lie, Yoga really wasn't/isn't that enjoyable at the beginning of my journey. All through Phase I and most of Phase II, I was Mr. Uncoordinated, Mr. Off-Balanced, and Mr. "OH MY GOSH, THIS POSITION SUCKS!". I counted down the minutes till the workout was over. Not anymore! Each and every time I've done Yoga, my "inner-self" has become stronger, "balanced", stretched out, and "quieted".

I don't know how it worked out, but after 3 days of some intense P90X, work, family, problems, bills, "you name it", having Yoga on day 4 is perfect. It couldn't go in any other days' spot.

Yoga has be the aid to "put my mind right."

Over the course of the past three months, the following is what I've learned by incorporating Yoga X and Stretch X to my life: (It's what I "think", it may not be true for everyone, but it's what I belive Yoga and stretching has done for me).

If you watch someone practicing yoga, you will notice that they are not straining or breathing heavily and that their face is placid and calm. Perhaps you may even notice that they seem very focused and they are not distracted by what is going on around them.

Yoga meditation and breathing techniques can relieve many of the physical symptoms of stress (palpitations, shortness of breath, insomnia, nervousness and more). It will help to tone and stretch your muscles and keep your body flexible, and they bring live-giving blood and oxygen to every part of your body.

How Yoga accomplish this? Essentially, the total yoga workout (physical, breath and meditation) works on the central nervous system and through that conduit, it lowers blood pressure and evens breathing to take the strain off your body and mind.

Yoga requires you to enter and remain in an altered state of mind and focus. When you focus your attention on your breathing, you allow problems and other thoughts to pass through your mind and continue on their way, and you remain connected to your body in the here and now. You don't become distracted by other thoughts or stressors. This takes some practice, but it is something that ANYONE can do!

When you relax your breathing and take longer, deeper breaths, you feed your body and help your mind and emotions relax and focus as well. Instead of the short, shallow breath you take when you are under stress or worried, your breathing becomes even and slow and you breath into your abdomen instead of up in your chest.

P90X has become more than one of those fly-by-night workout programs that come and go like a One-Hit-Wonder. Being that I'm in the final two weeks of P90X, I thought I'd try (knowing what I know now) to find a workout/nutritional program that can match (or beat) P90X. I've looked, and without going into a lengthy list of the programs I've read into, I have NOT found anything that comes close to matching what P90X can do for someone.

P90X has become a lifestyle for me that I will never give up. Not P90X itself, but the process of working out in a set pattern, eating healthy, incorporating jump training, stretching, and Yoga.

P90X... "It IS the Best, so forget the rest..."

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 73 - Go Up, or Go Home!

2007-12-05T14:11:00.000-06:00

Well, this is the last time that I'll be able to do the Shoulders & Arms workout. I took what was written in the P90X fitness guide to heart today:

Phase 3: .... At the onset of this stage, you should be rested and ready to leave everything you've got on your exercise mat. No holding back. This will be the time to push to exhaustion and near muscle failure on every single set. Give it your maximum effort, each and every day, and you will know the true meaning of X...

I took this to heart on Chest and Back and today was no exception. I blasted through today workout, with only one thing on my mind: Perfect Failure

What I mean by perfect failure is to do AS MANY moves as I can till I can't push/pull anymore. BUT!!! With perfect form. Quality over Quantity the saying goes. Tony says that people stop way too early. They stop because their mind hits an invisible barrier where you start to tell yourself it's OK to stop. People need to go past that barrier and they'll hit a new level. Keep pushing/pulling with the best form you can do till your BODY (not mind) can't give any more while maintaing proper/perfect form.

I had the gym (at my work) all to myself. I had some great workout music playing, I had my dumbbells, water, and my P90X worksheets.

I tried to go up +5# on every exercise. If it was 20# in week 9 and I did 15 reps, then I moved up to 25# this round. Keeping to my original goal of honing and toning I still kept in the 12-15 rep zone. Perfect Failure. I surprised myself that I was able to do more weight and still keep up the same number of reps. I continued this mental perfect failure battle through the entire workout.

After it was all said and done I was amazed as I looked down at my sheet. I have come along way since Week 1. My weight has gone down, my muscle tone has gone up, my definition is starting to show through. Comparing my week 1 # vs. Week 11. WOW!

My max on dips when from a struggling 20 to a tricep pumping 36 in the time giving. Some bicep exercises went from 15# to 30#. Maxing 12 reps of 20# to 15 reps of 25#.

Another sign of a GREAT workout is the "Face Washing" Test. You know you've worked out that after you can barely wash your face because you arms are PUMPED! My arms had such a workout that I had an amazing pump. The skin around my biceps and triceps were taught to where I thought my muscles were going to pop through. As I tried to go into the shower room to wash my face, it was a laughable site. I could barely touch my face. But I digress.

While I was happy with my workout today, at the same time I was annoyed at myself that I hadn't been "BRINGING IT" like this since Day 1. Instead of pushing myself to the brink each and every workout, I tended to go up to the point to where I mentally stopped. Never pushing through like I did this workout. What I thought when I was giving 100% was me merely going till my mind told me to stop. If I had been pushing through my mental stop, who knows the results that I could have right now. Instead of doing curls w/ 25-30#'s, I could be in the 30-35# range.

A perfect example is my pull-ups. All the way through Phase I and most of Phase II, I'd been using the chair as a crutch. I never tried to do any without the chair, knowing that my Fit Test Day 1 I could only do 3. It wasn't until I kicked the chair away and started doing pull ups on my own, going to failure, and ONLY then would I burn out using the chair that I started getting results. I went from doing 3-5 on my own from Phase I till the end of Phase II, to doing 10-13 in Phase III. Pushing myself past my mental block I put up about my inability to do pull ups. That's what I started seeing results.

I'm nearing the down hill run of Week 11. With week 12 on the horizon and the final week of my resistance training on P90X, I still have alittle bit of time to keep trying for "Perfect Failure".

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 72 - Plyo-Breathing

2007-12-04T20:57:00.000-06:00

It seems that, after today, I only have Plyo two more times. :( Time flies by. The funny thing is that I've done Plyometrics 10 (TEN) times before and I still find it funny that while I've been able to get through the workout with alittle bit more energy each time, it never gets easy!

One one hand, THAT'S AWESOME! Gives me something to keep me on my toes and something concrete to base my endurance and stamina against! On the other, it kinda makes you feel that you haven't progressed, in terms of endurance and stamina, being that you've done it 10 TIMES Hopefully, all of that just made sense.

Last Plyo-Post, I mentioned that I found out something new about the breathing and how it is one of the most important things to focus on during working out (in addition to form.

ACE, who is a die-hard triathlete and I had a conversation. He was telling me about key points on breathing and "HOW TO" breathe properly when exercising. Instead of paraphrasing, I thought I'd quote him:

Aside from just focusing on breath with control you may want to also think about "how" you breathe normally. Most adults breathe into there chest area, so when they inhale you can see their chest rise and fall. This doesn't fill the lungs completely. And less oxygen = more fatigue. Watch your son breathe sometime. Especially as he sleeps. I'm willing to bet that his chest stays still and his stomach moves up and down. This is called belly breathing and it is much deeper than the shallow breathing most of us adopt as we age. Basically your son is literally filling his body with oxygen which in turn can mean more stamina and faster recovery. Ever wonder why he can just go and go and go? Belly breathing plain and simple.

All that aside it isn't hard to move back into that type of breathing pattern. Just lay on your back with one palm on your chest and the other on your stomach. As you breathe try to keep the palm on your chest still while you try to push the palm on your stomach up. You want to think of filling your belly with air. Once you get the sensation you can practice it whenever you think about it. Soon it becomes normal and you should see a big difference in a lower heart rate and overall stamina.

Taking his advice, I continued through the rest of last week's (week 10) workouts and paid close attention to my breathing during Yoga and Kenpo X (which I substituted with Billy Blank's Fat Blasting Cardio). At first, it was hard to breathe the "proper way" as described by Ace. However, about 3/4 the way through Plyo, I had it down. While my breathing awkward through the entire workout, and trying to focus on breathing and jumping at the same time, the workout was actually "harder", but I actually had "energy" during the workout. Weird isn't it. Usually, I'm huffing and puffing and starving my body of needed energy by re-directing it to support my breathing. Not this time! My "focused breathing" allowed my energy to be expelled on my Plyo.

Which leads me to TODAY'S Plyo workout. With my new breathing technique in had, I blasted through Plyo with more energy that I've had during any other time I've done plyo. While, it wasn't "easier" it terms of difficulty and intensity. I did have more energy so that I wasn't bonking at the end of workout and being able to pushing to till the time hit 0:00 on every exercise, and when Tony called for 2x the intensity, I could go that extra "bonus" he wants.

HINT:
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Wacky Jacks, Single/Double Heisman's, Mary Katherines, and River Jump were a few exercisers where it's a great chance/time to focus on proper breathing.
-----

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 71 - Chest & Back One Last Time

2007-12-03T21:43:00.000-06:00

Back to the Basics with Chest and Back this week. The chest workout is great because it needs no weights and there are only three back exercises that need weights. Being that this is the last "Resistance Week," I decided to work out at home instead of working out at my work's gym. I wanted to "hang out" the Tony and the Kids for my last week. Plus, since I don't/didn't have to worry about changing weights, it was perfect to see if I could "hang" with the boys.

I'm am so amazed on my progress these few short months. Looking at my rep. stats, I've almost doubled my reps on every exercise. In addition, I'm doing pull-ups ON MY OWN!!! That's the kicker that makes me smile each and every time. On week 1, I could pump out 15 standard pushups before the clock ran out. Now, in week 11, I pushed 30. Pullups, I went from being able to barely do 3 to doing 8 before I even think of going to the chair to burn out.

As for pushups, I'm super impressed with my diamond and decline pushup numbers. Week 1, I could only do 6 of each before my arms gave out and I faced planted to the ground. After 10 weeks of P90X, I've MORE THAN DOUBLED my decline pushups with 17, and TRIPLED my diamonds with 25. WOW!!

The reason why I know my chest muscles have grown in size and strength are due to the combination of 1)Muscle Confusion in P90X and 2)The sequence of exercises in each workout incorporating biceps & Triceps.

Tony's talked about developing a "muscled" chest requires that you also build your triceps and front deltoids. The three work as a unit. And what do you know, I strengthen those two muscle groups and all of a sudden, BOOM, my chest got stronger and toned. In addition, we all know that women prefer men whose torsos have an inverted triangle -- a broad chest and shoulders and a narrow waist.

Once more P90X has thought of it all. They put Chest and Back together. If you develop your chest at the expense of your back, you cause a muscular imbalance that makes you prone to injury and also gives you really sloppy posture. You may have a champ's chest, but you'll walk around looking like a wimp. With the amount of Pull-ups and upper/lower back exercises in P90X: The "wimp" look with never happen and the Power-V will be all the ladies see. :)

Well, The Chest and Back chapter of my First Round Journey is complete. I did my best, and forgot the rest, and I'm completely satisfied with my results thus far. If I've gone this far during this first round, I can't wait to see what I transform myself into during Round 2.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 70 - Alitte R & R --> Recap & Re-think

2007-12-02T14:12:00.000-06:00

10 WEEKS!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!! I've gone strong for 10 weeks. It feels like only alittle while ago I was 25 lbs over-weight. You wouldn't have caught me dead outside without a T-shirt on. My self-image was shot.

NOW LOOK AT ME!?!?!
Week 10 Photos

After coming off being sick for a week and trying to "Bring It", I think I look good.

While I'm not 100% of where I think I should be, it's almost night and day of what I use to look like 70 days ago. Now that it's been 70 days, it feels like a blink of an eye that I've been spending with P90X. Only acouple more chapters in this book of my First Round of P90X until the end. But I've come leaps and bounds of where I've been. Not only have I changed myself for the better, everything about my life has changed. My self-image/self-confidence has increased 10x fold which has helped out in my marriage. I'm now the new cook in the house.

People have come up to me and noticed my changes and say they are going to start up getting back in shape. I told them if I can do it, they can do it better.

The things that I've learned/learning from P90X are going to stay with me for a lifetime. P90X hasn't taught me how to workout, I already knew that. It's taught me how to make smarter decisions in and out of the kitchen. I'm eating healthier that I ever have in my life. At first, it wasn't easy. I had to make small choices in my eating habits, then those good choices become good habits, and after a bunch of small good habits, then it becomes a lifestyle. Now, I'm easily saying "NO" to double portion portions, No to the extra gravy, No to the calorie laden dessert, No to late night snacking or eating just for something to do.

It's taught me commitment by pushing play EVERY day. I made a promise to myself Day 1 of this program. Bring it each and every day. No matter what the time. Obviously there was week in there were I was sick as a dog. However, when I wasn't sick it didn't matter if it was 1pm or 1am. I pushed play. It didn't matter if I was on the road, in my room, or on vacation. I pushed play. At the end of the day, I can see and feel my rewards.

It's taught me humility, I still cannot keep up with the Kids when doing some pushups and pullups, but that's something I can work torwards. I'm not in a competition with anyone but myself. Sometimes competing with others or stressing ourselves to prove that we are better, can be a lot of fun and provide enjoyment and rewards. Friendly competition with friends, when all are participating with goodwill, is entertaining.

There is a downside in trying to win or achieve more just for the sake of feeling superior to another person. Just because someone does 30 pushups or 20 pullups doesn't mean that I have to do that many. If my arms are giving out at 12 or 15. Then I stop. Even though there are 15-20 more seconds on the clock, that doesn't mean to bust out 5-10 more. There's a point where over exerting yourself does your body more damage than doing what you can, and moving on. Do your best and forget the rest.

This week and chapter comes to a close with Stretch X. A good relaxing workout to end a great week.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 69 - Kenpo takes a back seat

2007-12-01T20:37:00.000-06:00

Over the past three months, Kenpo has gone from my absolute favorite workout (that gets my heart pumping, my legs kickin, my hands punching, and that fat burning) to one that I just seem to hit play, go through the moves, and move on with my life.

Don't get me wrong, I still "BRING IT" during Kenpo, but it doesn't have that "BAM" anymore. I've had to add hand weights to make the blocking section actually worthwhile. Ever since Day 1, I've had to 2x the punching and kicking to get a good workout.

Months before I started P90X, I came into possession of some Billy Blanks Tae-Bo DVD's. I admit it, I did tae-bo. Proud to say it, because if anyone knows how to merge martial arts and cardio workouts together it's Billy Blanks. Anyways, while cleaning/looking through my DVD collection, I found some. I thought that since it's kenpo day today, and I remember that these DVD's are pretty intense and they're very similar to Kenpo X, I'd give it a shot.

I popped in the "Fat Blasting Cardio" it's 45 minutes of not stop kicking, punching, stepping, and every combination under the sun. I remembered that this video was my favorite when I did them back "in the day".

After pushing play I remember why I loved it! If there was any place within the P90X system that could use a re-vamp or some pointers it's Kenpo X. And if they want to know what a TRUE kicking/punching/balance cardio workout should contain, they should watch this workout. While P90X has the workout flow, sequencing, and structure, this workout has the "meat and potatoes". My heart rate was up there in "The ZONE" throughout the entire workout. The workout more motivating, the moves never got old, and I didn't have to do 2x the moves or add hand weights to get a workout.

I'm not saying it, maybe, just maybe when I start Round 2 of P90X, I'll be substituting various Tae-Bo DVD's for Kenpo X. If not for the Kenpo X, at least when I do cardio. However, I've heard that Kenpo X+ (which I think is coming out with the P90X+ package) is bigger, badder, and better than Kenpo X. We'll just have to come back and compare notes after P90X+ comes out. But, being that P90X can be modified and intensified so many different ways, (and depending on $$$ of P90X+) I might just stick with P90X.

Week 10 Photos are coming up online tomorrow so we'll see what kind of results I've gained in a week. While I've stayed off the weight scale, my pants scale feel roughly the same so I think I didn't lose/gain any weight. But I'm at (what I think/believe) is my ideal weight of 180-185lbs. So now, I'm going to focus on body fat % loss and definition.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 68 - Legs

2007-11-30T22:37:00.000-06:00

YES!! IT's pullup day today.. Oh yeah, I have legs too :)

Today, I really wasn't as pumped on doing the workout. It's Friday, it's been a really long week, work has been hectic as every... blah...blah...blah... I just wanted to come home, have a nice dinner and have alittle R&R for the rest of the day. I was actually trying to talk myself outta doing Legs & Back today. Giving every excuse under the sun about slacking off today for God Only Knows type of reasons. So I had to take a step back and take some of my own advice I've been giving out.

I was already home, my son was asleep, wife busy doing "girl stuff" on the computer, and I had the living room all to myself. So I made myself a deal. Push play for 10 minutes and re-evaluate after that.

Well, after an hour and twenty minutes later (the ENTIRE Legs&back and Ab Ripper X) I was feeling pretty good about myself. I was so glad that I pushed play. After the 10 minutes, I was already in the groove, my heart rate was up and I already had done a few pullups. So there was NO WAY I was going to push STOP.

I knew after the first exercise of Reverse Grip Chin-ups that I wasn't going to stop, NO WAY, NO HOW. You want to know why? Because I busted out 12 chin-ups. NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!

Man, I was pumped. I just did more reps today that I've ever done. I was excited, I even ran into the office where my wife was and had to tell her what I just did. While she thought I turned crazy, jumping up and down about doing chinups, I was ecstatic. I even did more of the much hated: Squat Jump Switch Pickups.

On all the leg exercises that called for weights, I used 15#.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 67 - Yoga saved me $1320

2007-11-29T22:18:00.000-06:00

Another great Yoga Workout done!

Today is going to short entry day because Yoga for me hasn't changed.

However, I would like to comment that I'm very excited about my flexiblity increasing since I started just 2 months ago. But what I'm most happy about is how it has helped me more than in my flexibilty.

If you look at my Back view Week 1 photos, you'll notice that I'm "off-balance". If you look close, you'll notice that my whole right side looks higher than my left. I think it is due to the past years of having to sit infront of a computer screen.

Prior to P90X, I would wake up with stiff necks, lower back pains, and stiff upper back. I've gone to chiropractors who want me to come 3x a week for at least 3 months to help fix my body to go back to "normal'. These hour long sessions are $40. If you do the math, that's $120/week -> $480/month -> $1440/complete.

While I didn't have the $$$ to do this, and insurance wouldn't pay for it since it wasn't work/medical related. I decided to go for about a month. Well, after a month of this chiropractoring and $480 later. I did not feel or see any results. I still was waking up with stiff necks, lower back pains, and stiff upper back. Plus, that's $480 being taken away from being used towards bills and family. I decided to discontinue.

Well, after just one month of P90X, and looking at my Day 1/30 comparison photos there is are huge "SEE-ABLE", "FEEL-ABLE" results.

1. A HUGE difference can be seen in my alignment of my hips/shoulders/spine.
2. I've stopped having upper/lower back problems.
3. I'm not waking up with any type of stiffness.
4. My posture has improved significantly
5. My shoulders and hips are parallel with the floor now.

These results came within the same time frame that a month of going to the chiropractors couldn't do. Plus, w/ P90X at $120, that's only $40/month rather than $40/hour.

P90X not only has improved my body's skeletal support structure it's also saved me $1320!!!!!!!!

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 66 - It's good to be BACK (& Biceps)

2007-11-28T21:31:00.000-06:00

It's great to be back in the swing of things.

Coming back full-bore after being on the sick bed for a week is TOUGH. Coming back full-bore doing P90X ... You gotta have Big Cahonies!!!

Chest, Shoulders, and Tri's left half of my upper body still feeling blasted from the workout. Now it was time to get the other side. And, today I got to work on my "now" most favorite exercises: PULL-UPS!

Week 7 I had had to take P90X on the road, so all my "weights" were with the GREEN band (and we all know how much I dislike using the bands because I like NUMBERS!!) I wanna know what I'm pulling/pushing, not a color. But either way, I used my reps from week 7 with the weight #'s of week 6 and added 5 lbs. I know I'm getting strong because I was able to hang with the +5lbs.

I've noticed something about P90X and myself. I definitely like the workouts (A.K.A. THIS ONE!) is that there is NO REPEATS! Every exercise I give it my all, go to or near to failure on each and once I'm done.. I'm DONE! I can go all out on that exercise and get it out of my mind and move on to the next exercise with the thought of : "Crap, I gotta go back and do it all again." Don't get me wrong, I still get pumped on all the other workouts, but I think it's just a mental thing for me.

Another reason why I like this workout is that I'm still doing more pullups than I EVER have before in my entire life. If you look back on my Fit Test Day 1, I struggled to barely pull out 3 wide pullups. Now I'm hitting 8-9 consistently since the starting of phase III. I don't know what happened, but it just hit midway through phase II.

I believe it's due to the fact that I stopped using the chair during all my workouts as a crutch. It makes sense. At the start of P90X, I used the chair on ALL my pullups. I didn't even try to do any by myself, and that started me into the habit of always using the chair and never pushing myself to do them by myself. After I started to work out at my work's gym since I wanted to start the Doubles program and working out at the gym during my lunch time freed up time at home to pull out Cardio X. While working out at the gym, there were guys doing pullups like they were second nature. They'd do 8-10+ at a time. Me...HA, I still used a chair as a crutch. But how "cool" (or whatever you wanna call it) to see someone doing pullups with a chair?

So I made a mental change. At the start of each and every pullup exercise, I will do as many pullups on my own as I can, then after giving everything to pull myself up, I'll have the chair there ready for me to use to bust out the remaining. And that's how it all started. At first it was 4, then it was 5, then 6, then 7, now I do at least 6-7 on my own before I even start to get fatigued enough to pull out the chair. My main goal is to bust out 15. I don't know why, it's just a number that strikes me as a milestone.

Being that I only have two weeks left until my first round of P90X is complete, I still have a long ways to go, but we'll see when I do the fit test on Day 91.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 65 - The "Mother" Returns

2007-11-27T22:10:00.000-06:00

This is the one workout that NEVER gets any easier. I don't know if it's that I just got off the sick bed and layed low for 5 days or that my endurance is still that much outta shape. (I hopin it's the sick part haha) While this time my heart rate stayed around the range it usually should 165-175 bpm, unlike the 190-200 bpm last week, and I was able to complete the entire workout, I was still sucking air pretty hard.

It seems that this workout has gotten harder for me since phase II. I remember in phase I, I was hoping not to throw up. Phase II, I was Plyo King and Domonique had nothin on me, what ever he jumped -->I jumped. Now in Phase III, I' somewhere in between.

After talking to some of my friends who are avid runners, tri-athletes, and other that are WAY MORE knowledgeable about about stamina/cardio, they told me it's all about the breathing and how it is one of the most important things to focus on during working out (in addition to form).

There have been times where I put more of my focus on the doing the moves, jumping higher, etc... instead of focusing on keeping my breathing controlled and steady. Which in turn makes me HAVE to (not want to) stop early not because I'm pushing myself to hard, it's because I've spent all my energy huffin and puffin to the point where I feel I can get air in fast enough.

The work of breathing is increased during exercise and requires up to 15% of the total energy spent in high intensity exercise. The harder the respiratory muscles work, the less blood flows through the legs. This means that the respiratory muscles take blood instead of it being sent to the arms and legs. Therefore, anything that lessens the respiratory muscle workload means more blood (which contains oxygen, sugar for the muscles and gets rid of lactate and carbon dioxide) can flow to the legs and arms during intense exercise.

The respiratory muscles are subject to fatigue just like other muscles in the body and this fatigue can reduce blood flow to the peripheral muscles(i.e. arms & legs).

The impact of this on the athlete is the impact on the ability to inhale adequately. The athlete may perceive breathing is very difficult causing them to work even harder to breathe and thus causing problems related to the work of breathing.

So basically, the more I focus and control my breathing, the more "energy" is given to my body to perform the tasks. Interesting, Something so trivial to think about becomes something so important to remember. Who would have thought?!?!

I would like to comment that the Glucomsamine that I've been taking has (at least in my mind) helped out with my knees. They don't snap, crackle, pop as much. I can do more of those side to side ski twist hops without my knees tingling or starting to hurt. I can also tell in my wrists and hands, they don't pop as much either.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play

Day 64 - Chest, Shoulders, Tri's---Oh My!

2007-11-26T21:23:00.000-06:00

Well, I'd like to first say that I'm back to my old self again. Old self in way of pre-cold. I was actually looking forward today to Chest, Shoulders, & Tri's. This is one of my favorite workouts.

As I said in the past post, last week "didn't happen." Nope, Nada, No Way. I went 9 straight weeks without any major hitches to working out. I was staying focused and pushed play practically everyday. Since Phase II, I've almost been pressing play 2x a day. However, with me being sick last week and the thanksgiving holidays where I'd be traveling to visit family, friends, and the in-laws. I decided to let my body get back in better health before going back to X-treme workouts. So once again, last week of me not working out didn't happen. I'm picking up right where I left off. Week 10

And today marks the beginning of Week 10. After being off for acouple of days being sick, I knew that I wasn't going to come in today and throw up some awesome rep/weight numbers. With my worksheets in tow, I was off to workout during my lunch break.

Today's workout was pretty good. I took a little longer than my usual hour workout, but I went at a consistent pace to get the burn on the last three and transition to the next exercise with just enough down time to make the workout flow.

I tried to stay as intense as I could during this workout. While I didn't feel like I was back at day 1, it felt more like day 30. I had a number in my head (usually the number that I pushed the last week in Phase II) and aimed for that. I was going to hit that number no matter what. If it was 30, then I did 30, if it was 10, then I did 10. Sure, sometimes I took alittle intermittent pause at rep 15 & 25, but I got it done. I didn't quit. I gave it my best effort with my best form.

And as Tony says: Do your best... And forget the rest.

I can't believe I'm in week 10 already. At first, the weeks seems so long, then gradually phase II seemed to be here and gone. Now, each week feels more like a day they're so fast. Only 2 more weeks left (not counting this week) till my P90X journey is over.

However, even though this chapter of P90X will close, this is in no way means the book is finished. This is just the beginning, just round #1. With the way P90X is set up with the different ways to modify, to intensify, there is no way to burn out on P90X. P90X could be done several times over and it never get old. In addition, from what I've been reading and hearing, beachbody is coming out with P90X+. 5 new dvd's (supposedly out at/around Christmas) that take the already insane P90X to a whole new turbo charged level. With P90X and the addition/mixing of P90X+. You'll never get bored, never be under-challenged, and probably never have to step into a gym again.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Happy "Cold" Thanksgiving!!!

2007-11-21T07:15:00.000-06:00

For a little over a week, I've been battling a pretty nasty cold. Coupled with a recent trip my took to see my in-laws (who ALSO happened to be sick), suffice it to say that I've been feeling like crap lately.

However, playing it X-Style, I tried to continue out my training regimen.

Last Monday I attempted Chest,Shoulders,& Triceps. Let me tell you that it DID NOT go well. My body felt like it had been put through a cement mixer with concrete bricks. Coupled w/ the head pressure and running nose, I had absolutely 0% energy. My rep/weight numbers were really low that day. Tuesday (Plyometrics) was a complete disaster. Didn't get 15-20 minutes into the workout and I had to quit. I thought my heart was going to burst it was beating so fast. My heart rate monitor said I was around 195-200. HOLY COW!!! Usually on a good plyo day it stays around 175-180. I finally stopped shortly after seeing that and asked myself, "Wait...Is it even safe to be working out while you're sick?"

Who doesn't catch a little cold right in the middle of the week when your workouts were going so great? There's been many times that my workouts were 100% the best I've ever had and right when I was on top of my game - I caught some cold bug and it frustrated me to no end!

Common sense tells me that the body should fully recover before engaging in an intense workout, but is a light day or a less intense cardio day okay?

On one hand you don't want to break progress by waiting too long between workouts, yet on the other hand, you don't want to remain sick because the body will have to allocate nutrition in building muscle tissue as opposed to building an immune response."

Well after some research and getting some advice from one of my friends ACE, who is an amazing Triathelete, This is what I've come up with:

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The rule is: If your chest is congested, you have a fever, chills, dehydrated, or any other cold ailment from the neck down, DO NOT WORKOUT. Chest congestion and any type of exercise do not mix well. Aerobic or anaerobic activity can overwork your heart and can cause your chest cold to develop into a bronchitis or pneumonia. Lifting weights can naturally increase blood pressure. Combined with over working your heart, you can really cause damage if not careful when exercising while ill.

However, if you have a head cold with minor sinus pain, sniffles, sneezing, etc., it is fine to workout as long as you have a normal energy level and are not feeling sluggish. Be careful not to overdo your activity with high-intensity workouts. You need to drop your intensity level a bit because your body is using energy to fight whatever is that's making you feel ill. Keep hydrated by drinking 3-4 quarts of water a day and eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. This will enable your body to fight off the “bug” causing your symptoms.

There is no evidence that you can “run off” or “sweat out” a cold. Studies have proven that you cannot decrease the duration of the cold or flu symptoms by exercising. In fact, if you workout too hard, you can actually get more sick.
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So, being that it was the Thanksgiving holidays, and my family is/was going back to see the in-laws, I decided to take the rest of the week to let my body get back to 100%.

Being that I would only miss 4 actual days of workouts, I will just start back up next week as if this week never happened. I'll be able to come back to the workouts at 100% and give it 110%. While I'm a little disappointed and annoyed that I will have to break up my 90 day straight workout, I think it's in my best interest to get well.

I'll be back NEXT WEEK pushing play.

Day 63 - A little R&R Today!

2007-11-18T18:45:00.000-06:00

After the past two days of feeling sick with a stuffy nose, I woke up today with a full blown head cold. NOT WHAT I WANTED! But when you have a wife and kid that had the crude this week, I knew I was bound to get it. I carried a bottle of Purell around. HAHAHA.

Thankfully, today was Stretch or rest day. And we all know that "Rest Day" isn't even in our dictionary. Luckily, STRETCH X is in the dictionary.

Every time I think about what and how P90X is changing my life I get super pumped up.

For instance, stretching... One of the most important "things" to do that I NEVER did was stretching. Mainly because I was about as flexible as a steel beam.

I was -1 on my toe touch on day 1. Day 60 I'm +4 from a cold dead stretch.

NUFF SAID!!! The results and pictures speak for themselves.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play. (Hopefully, with a head cold)

Day 62 - Kenpo X

2007-11-17T20:07:00.000-06:00

EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING!!! KIYAH!
MY KICKS ARE FAST AS LIGHTING!!!

Come on everyone, you know the song!! Kenpo X and I met again today. I had my hand weights, my rising sun head bandana (Mr. Miagi gave it to me), along with Tony and the Kids.

Not much on today's workout. Just like the rest. A kick-butt, sweat pumping, ninja kicking, karate punching good time.

I have to admit that I DID NOT want to workout today. I have 0% energy, 0% focus, 0% mind set yesterday and today when doing my workouts. I guess I'm getting into that holiday slump. Don't get me wrong, I'm seeing GREAT results, I have a great support team on MDB P90X Forum, but I've been feeling alittle stuffy in the head, and with long days at work it doesn't help.

SO... after talking it over w/ my friends on Texas P90X Warriors Forum in MDB, I've come up with 8 ways to keep you on target. If I've forgotten any, please give me a shout and I'll add them

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1. Put your money where your muscle is.
A trainer still charges if you cancel without notice. Treat yourself the same way. Pay your wife, husband, or friend $5 if you miss a scheduled workout. Or take the opposite tack: Pay yourself for every session you make. Put the money in a fund for a set of some nice SelectTech Dumbbells.

2. Set a 10-minute rule.
Make a deal with yourself that even when you're dog tired, you'll push play for 10 minutes on your scheduled days. If after that ten minutes, your "bonking" stop. But if your like me, once your started, and already sweating, you might as well finish.

3. Track the benefits.
Keep a job-performance journal on the days you exercise and the days you don't. You'll find that you do more on the days you exercise, despite taking time out for your workout. Keep track of your weights and reps. You never know where you going, if you don't know where you've been. That's why I put together my Interactive P90X Workout Spreadsheet

4. Schedule your training.
Make appointments for exercise as you do for meetings. WOWY (Working out with You) has been an excellent tool for me to workout and keep a schedule. Also, you can work out with people from around the world. Having a workout buddy makes you credible to your workouts.

5. Cross off your workouts.
Mark an X on your calendar on the days you exercise. Researchers found that those who used this simple system of tracking workouts made more progress than those who didn't. Which is a perk added to the Interactive workout Spreadsheet

6. Ask your wife to join you.
You'll follow an exercise program better if you work out with your spouse. Nearly half of men who exercise alone quit their programs after 1 year, but two-thirds of those who exercise with their partners stick it out. Or so they say.

7. Set specific goals.
Research shows that people who set goals that are too general ("I want to get in shape") typically don't achieve them. Make specific, challenging, yet realistic goals. And set a deadline. WOWY allows you to set weekly/monthly goals which you see every time you log in.

8. Switch it up.
This is where P90X shines brighter than the sun. It's all about change. There is always something new. With the muscle confusion schedule that P90X has, there is never a dull moment. Even the moves themselves can be "modified" to increase/decrease the intensity per your fitness level.
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Hopefully, I've gotten them all.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play

Day 61 - These Legs were made for walking!

2007-11-16T21:03:00.000-06:00

Before I get to the workout I'd like to say that I've lost my Day 1 photos. I can't find them anywhere on my computer. The crummy part is that the only place where I know there is a copy is the photo album that I created using myphotoalbum.com. HOWEVER, once you upload them that's it. You can't download them to back to the computer. EVEN IF THEY'RE YOURS!! So I'm looking for another photoalbum site.

So long story short, there won't me any Day 60/30/1 comparison photos because I can't find my day 1. I might throw up Day 60/30 comparison photos. Man, am I bummed.

Ok, now for the workout.

I'm starting to like my back days more and more. Ever since I busted out 7 pull ups and then 9 pullups during my fit test, I want to get my back muscles to where I can do just as many pullups as I can dumbbell curls. I don't know what happened but I'm liking working out my back more and more.

I used (again) 15# dumbbells during my leg exercises to intensify my legs. All-in-all another great workout at the gym at work. I have cardio later on tonight.

Keeping you up on my nutrition so far:
I've been keeping true to P90X meal plan during phase I & II. I've also become a MDB/WOWY member (million dollar body / Work out with You) and they give you access to a personalize meal plan that changes EVERY WEEK, unlike every month with the P90X provided nutritional book. I put in that I was doing P90X, when I started, my goals (weight loss/gain, etc) and a personalized meal plan was created for me. Giving me breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks EVERY DAY!!!

It also gives you 3 printable weekly grocery lists. Which is great! I can go to the store and buy for for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Since my job is on a bi-weekly payment schdule, I can portion out my $$$ and food every two weeks, so I don't buy too much or too little

Another plus is that WOWY/MBD meal plan gives you the opportunity/choice of going even more personalized by allowing you to pick and choose the foods you want to eat (A.K.A. Tier I&II of Michi's Ladder) and it will create a schedule for you. Can you say AWESOME!!!!

So for Phase III, I am going to use the personalized meal plan that MDB made for me. The ONLY reason why I'm switching is that the meals are easier to prepare (especially since Phase III for me falls right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is alot of traveling) and it switches EVERY WEEK! The meal plan is still proportioned out via P90X specs.

I've been using the meal plan for about a week now and it's a nice change. I'm still going to add in old Phase I & II favorites.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 60 - Yoga and Progress Report

2007-11-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

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DAY 60 PHOTOS POSTED!!!!!

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Well today is the DAY. Today was JAM PACKED with P90X. I had to do:
1) Yoga X -- Have to stay on schedule
2) Fit Test -- See where I'm at on Day 60
3) TAKE PHOTOS!!

Let's go down the list and see how today went.

First off is Yoga. So far, this workout has gone from being rough and tough and almost impossible to go through without having to take a break from all the sweating your doing, or crying out in pain from the positions you have to put yourself through to a workout that is almost that "ZEN-like" state.

I've gone against the grain and instead of listening to the P90X music, I've been using the music off selection and put in a meditative CD of mine. I turn up the volume to where the sound fills the room (without being obtrusively loud). So I just have to hear the queues on when to change. If anything comes out of this workout it's that I'm calm, collected, and more approachable after Yoga. The little things don't bother me as much after Yoga. The cry son, the barking dog, the bills in the mail, the mess I have to clean up after son spills something. It just doesn't bother me as much. But of course, that "zen" state can only last for so long ;). HAHA.

THE FIT TEST! DAY 60:
I know that they say you do the fit test after Day 90 in the program, but just like the photos and seeing your progress, it's also nice to visually/graphically see your progress in numbers as well. That's why I've decided to do the fit test on day 60 and day 90. I've incorporated a simple graph system for each of the steps in the Fit test in my Interactive P90X Workout Spreadsheet.

While I did surpass all my Day 1 numbers, it was my pull ups that completely shocked me. While on day 1, I was fighting/kipping/struggling to bump barely 3 pullups (it wasn't a pretty site) I am so proud of myself for getting 7 (really 7.5 but it wasn't a full 8, so I round down) pullups. Here are the numbers:

	Day 1:	Day 60
1: Resting Heart Rate	65	60
2. Pull Ups	3	7
3. Vertical Leap	20	25
4. Pushups	30	47
5. Toe Touch	-1	+4
6. Bicep Curl w 20#	19	30
7. In & Outs	55	90
8. Heart Rate Maximizer
Immedite	179	172
1 Min Rest	146	135
2 Min Rest	130	117
3 Min Rest	126	111
4 Min Rest	108	108

PHOTO TAKING TIME!!!
Now it's come down to taking photos. Can it get better than this? Working out solid for 60 straight days. Through all the ups and downs, I have something to show for it. Oh in this case, something I don't have: My dwindling stomach fat. Hopefully with the extra cardio that I'm doing in Phase III, my 90-day pictures will be amazing.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 59 - Armageddon III

2007-11-14T20:15:00.000-06:00

So far... So Good with Phase III. I'm really excited about having Chest&Back and Shoulders&Arms this week. I like chest and back because it uses every pushup under the sun so the workout can be less free weight intensive. I loved seeing that I did X amount of weight in Phase I and now I'm doing X + 10#, 15#, etc. And today was just that sort of day.

I used the weights and reps that I did in Week 3 (Phase I) and added 5#. So if I curled 25#'s in Phase I, then I picked up the 30#. I thought it was a good way to see where I was at in terms of strength increase, and if 5# increase was too little, then since this workout repeats itself, I was able to go up (or down) another 5#.

I did put a limit of no more than 10#, because the point of my journey (this round) of P90X is to shred some fat and get my muscle tone back. I have the mass, I just need the definition, and with me doing 12-15 reps on each move, putting a weight increase limit on myself would help from blowing my arms out and be out with an injury for the rest of the Phase.

If you've been keeping up with the posts on my blog, you'll remember that I have an old left rotator cuff injury and that a month or so ago, I re-subluxated it. Well, I've added rotator cuff excersices (i.e. Scarecrows both vertical and lateral) to my each and every arm/shoulder workout. This will help build up my shoulder muscles and strengthen my rotator cuff muscles.

I can't wait to see what my 60 day progress photos look like compared to day 30 and day 1. Since tomorrow is Day 60, I am going to revisit the fit test and see "the progress". On the Interactive P90X Workout Spreadsheet that I have, I added a progress tracker that is similiar to the one on the MDB/Beachbody website. This will be a great way for me to SEE my progress not only in pictures but in a graphical way.

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 1 DAY
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In the past few posts, I've been contemplating on wether or not to continue the "Doubles Routine" for Phase III. I really enjoy working out with the videos at night, but with the weight room at work, it poses a perfect opportunity for me to use a wide assortment of free weights, benches, mirrors, etc. Plus, it frees up time for me at the end of the day to throw in Cardio. It's a win-win situation. In addition, since this journey is all about complete and total transformation, AND I still have this "tire" around my waist, there is NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE CARDIO!

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 58 - Plyoland

2007-11-13T20:30:00.000-06:00

If there is one workout that I've gone from loving to "not" loving is PLYO!!!
ESPECIALLY when doing plyo right after a recovery week. It's 2x as tough.

I thought by Phase III that I would have become Mr. Plyo by now. Jumping circles around Tony and the Kids. HAHAHAHAHA!! Ah, man how that is completely the opposite of what I did today.

I don't know if it's because I came off of a recovery week or what, but today's plyo kicked my butt. (Which is awesome!!!) I'm glad that I'm not at the point to where I'm breezing through the workout. I hope that I NEVER get to that point to where plyo is "easy" for me.

I did manage to push through each exercises till the buzzer rang 0:00, powering and paining through my least favorite moves like "squat jump switch pickups" and "hot foot". However, there where a few times where I wanted to cut my jumps short, quit while there is still 5 or so seconds on the board. Then I thought to myself:

Who are you cheating? Tony doesn't care, the kids don't care. They all have the bodies that they want. Your only hurting yourself by not pushing through. You've come THIS far. You have 60 Day Photos coming up. Why "quit" now. Get your flabby butt back out there and JUMP!!

I think this workout is my "Love to Hate" workout. While I don't look forward to pushing play on this day, afterwards I'm glad that I did.

Today, I think that even though I found Plyo "tough", my endurance has increased. I was able to continue through the burn, and move from one exercise to the next with shorter breaks. I've been using the P90X Recovery Drink from the very beginning, I took a little bit before the workout and had a small amount in my water bottle during the workout. Then, finished off the rest of the recovery drink afterwards. I truly think this played a part in me having more "energy" to power through.

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 2 DAYS
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 57 - Chest & Back Reunion

2007-11-12T21:03:00.000-06:00

IT'S HERE! GLORIOUS PHASE III !!!

In addition, it's also a reunion with my old Phase I favorite Chest & Back. One thing I love about this workout is that I get a great workout in my chest. Before "in the old days", I do chest workouts, but afterwards I'd feel it more in my biceps and triceps than I did in my pecs. NOT THIS WORKOUT!!! This programs uses the best pushups combination to hit every angle in my chest and targeted to where I definitely feel it the next day. And I KNOW I'll feel it tomorrow after the workout I just had.

Another great about this workout is that you use your own body weight 95% of the time. Only 3 exercises do you use free weights. I was in the gym, huffin and puffin and sweatin using only a 6ft x 6ft area and my own body weight. Of course there were other guys in the gym on the bench press, leg squat machine, etc.. looking at me doing my pushups and pull ups.

But I kid you not, my arm, shoulder, and chest muscles were popping and looking ripped just as much (probably more) than theirs. Funny thing is that I noticed two guys, look over at me after I got done doing Hindu pushups, then look at their arms in the mirror, then back at me and give one of those appreciative head nods of acknowledgement. One of them even came over asking what program I'm on. I told him PHASE III of P90X!!

The response I got back:

"WOW! I've seen that infomercial for it, but I thought it was bull. After seeing what you have to do, I'm convinced it's not."

NUFF SAID!!!

However, something happened today that made it all worth it. All the pain that Tony has put me through, pushing play every single night, changing my nutritional intake COMPLETELY, putting up with the great tasting recovery drink, keeping track of my weights, signing in every workout in WOWY, this list could go on and on and on......

MY UN-ASSISTED PULL UP #'S DOUBLED!!!

I cannot believe it. Just a mear 8 weeks ago I could barely, barely do 3 regular pull ups and not a single wide grip pull up to save my life. The first pullup move: Wide Front Pullups. I've always had to use a chair. You know how many I pulled before even having to think of going to the chair????? 5

That's right 5... F.I.V.E....... The big 5.0

Holy Smokes. I was able to pull 5 pullups of my OWN body weight without the help of the chair. Of course, after that five, I put my foot on the chair and maxed out, but MAN!!! This was a GREAT start to an awesome workout. Looking at the rest of the rep/weight count on my workout sheets I was able to do at least 2x more "unassisted" pullups that I did in phase I.

If this is all I got out of doing P90X, along with this new great looking body, and TODAY as Day 90. I'd be happy. The great thing is that today isn't day 90, it's day 57. Which means I still have 33 MORE days of this!!!!

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 3 DAYS

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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 56 - Recovery Stretch/Cardio

2007-11-11T12:47:00.000-06:00

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WEEK 8 PHOTOS ARE POSTED!!!!!!!!

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Once again, today is SUPPOSE to be a day of rest. However, if you know be by now, you'll know that IS NOT an option for me. So away we go for some cardio and stretching.

I'm really enjoying my Doubles program this phase. I haven't taken any measurements, but I KNOW that I've lost some body fat %. I've had to go buy a new pair of pants, my abs are now showing through (well, they're at least peeking through), I can see the ripples in my shoulders and arms when I move things around.

YES! YES! I confess, I walk around w/ my shirt off alot more than I use too. Ok, you got me. I had to break out the sleeveless shirts again!! I'm man enough to say it!

I did cardio early in the morning so that I could get that outta the way before Church. Even though this week has been a recovery week, I've added cardio in on the days where I don't have any cardio-like workouts. (Ex. Yoga & X Stretch) Core and Kenpo get my heart pumping to that fat-burning range without any help.

Stretch was really nice to end the week. Get my body all limber and flexible so that tomorrow I can hit it hard and run full bore for the last and final Phase. I'm also ready to start a new meal Plan as well. Phase III menu has some tasty looking recipes, (I think they should put more pictures in the book. EVERYONE likes to see what the recipes look like).

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 4 DAYS

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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 55 - Recovery Yoga

2007-11-10T22:29:00.000-06:00

Ouch! Eww! Oh! Uhhh! Eeeep!!!

Those are just a few of the noises I was making today during yoga. I get going hard and strong in Core this week, as well as "mistakenly" doing Chest/Shoulders/Triceps on Monday kinda put my muscles into "I hate you" mode and decided to stiffen up and become sore on the one day that being sore and stiff DOES NOT HELP!!!

Eventually, after the hour and a half of contorting my body into positions that are equally as painful to be in as they are to get into, I became pretty stretched out and actually pretty good afterwards.

Once again, if you don't have a Yoga Block, I highly recommend buying/borrowing/making one. This really saved me today. I was able to get a nice stretch, and use the different heights of the block to support me so that I didn't have to "hang" there.

My left rotator cuff still gives me problems when I do my left hand high in the air. So modifying for me, I just put my hand on my waist and point my elbow as high as I can.

One of my friends even used a 5lb bag of sugar once because they didn't have a yoga block and needed something ASAP. Another friend used a small, but thick, hardback book. So you see, there are lots of items around the house that one could use to get the job done.

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Wow! Has it been 8 weeks of 13 ALREADY!?!? I feel like I'm an oldie now. I'm about to start the Final and Last of the phases: Phase III.
It's almost like that senior in high school feeling when you know that your going to graduate and move on to bigger and better things, but you have to leave your friends behind. Well, I'm not really leaving anyone, but you guys get the idea.
I'm excited about this phase because it changes every week!!! WOO HOOO!!!!
My wife made be go buy some new pants the other day because she was tired of me wearing pants 2 sizes to big.
I'm going to be posting my week 8 photos tomorrow and Day 60 photos are coming up on Thursday.
I truly don't think I would have gone this hard, this long and stay this focused if it wasn't for:
1) Me keeping this blog of my progress
2) Keeping/Posting all my workout weight/reps and Photos
3) All of you checking in on me

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So tomorrow will close this chapter of Phase II with the posting of Week 8 Photos. Yet, another chapter will open with Phase III.

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 5 DAYS
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 54 - Core Syn

2007-11-09T22:01:00.000-06:00

Core two times in a week. WOW! When P90X says this will be a recovery week, they were totally kidding. The only thing related to recovery is the P90X Recovery Drink that I have after these butt-kicking workouts.

Once again focusing on keeping my core "engaged" this was a great workout. I tell that I'm losing body fat and gaining muscle definition because my abs finally are starting to show through... WITHOUT ME HAVING TO FLEX!!!! hahaha. I've gotten a 2.5 pack now, all I need now is the other 5.5.

My favorite exercise that I love to hate is the Prison Cell Pushups. I don't know why, they just are.

Short and sweet entry today.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 53 - Day of Stretch

2007-11-08T18:04:00.000-06:00

So far this recovery week has been great. It couldn't have come at a better time with this week having longer hours at work.

Today, my wife got tired of seeing me wear all my "before" pants around. These pants "DID" fit me two months ago, now they're 2 sizes too big. TWO SIZES TOO BIG!!! Aaaah, that feels good to say. All this hard work is paying off.

So she treated me to getting a new pair of slacks for work. I WAS a 36", now I fit comfortably in 34"s. I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT!

I'm seeing great results from these past 50ish days. I can't wait to take/post up my week 8 photos and shortly there after, I think by 4 days, I'll be posting my 60 Day Comparison Pictures.

I do have to admit, while my chest, arms, back and leg muscles are starting to show through, I'm still having the hardest time with this tire of mine. It's turn from snow tire, to truck tire, to car tire, now it's a spare tire. While it is decreasing, it's still a tire non-the-less. It seems that this is the hardest place for us men to get rid of stored fat. AAAAARG!!

Oh, well, I'm doing my best and forgetting the rest. It'll come off in time. Plus, when I compare what I look like now to what I looked like on Day 1...... WOW!!! It's almost night and day. So that's encouraging.

I noticed in X Stretch today that I'm getting farther and farther down in my stretches. I think because my stomach isn't getting in the way anymore. (joke)

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 52 - Recovery Kenpo

2007-11-07T22:25:00.000-06:00

Kenpo Today was like Kenpo any other day.

So far so good with kenpo. I'm still using my hand weights, still keeping at a slightly faster pace than Tony and the kids, and still coming out completely drenched and worked out.

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I've commented in the past about my knees popping and cracklin (due to my old age of 28 yrs-haha). I've always heard of that adding Glucosamine in a person's daily vitamin supplement could help in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues.

Being that I am, as well as everyone else using P90X, do alot of kicking and do high impact moves in Plyo, Cardio, and Kenpo. I thought I'd do some research on Glucosamine and share it:

Description:
Glucosamine is an aminopolysaccharide (a combination of an amino acid - glutamine and a sugar - glucose). Glucosamine is concentrated in joint cartilage where it is incorporated in longer chains known as glycosaminoglycans and finally into very large structures known as proteoglycans. The proteoglycans function to attract water into the joint space for lubrication of the cartilage during movement.

Claims:
Glucosamine is a dietary supplement that lacks the damaging side effects and long term toxicity of COX-2 inhibitors or NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or aspirin
Reverses osteoarthritis
Protects joints and tendons from injury
Decreases inflammation

Theory:
The principle behind glucosamine supplementation is that the glucosamine is delivered to the joint space and incorporated into proteoglycans of joint cartilage to maintain structure and repair damage. Glucosamine may also stimulate chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to begin producing healthy new cartilage matrix (both collagen and proteoglycans). Usual Dosage 1500 mg.

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I think that if it can't hurt you and if the only thing that it can do IS help you, especially if it helps reduce arthritis and joint deterioration. WHY NOT TAKE IT?!?! I'm going to pick me up a bottle from the Natural Health Food Store on the way home from work today.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 51 - Hard to the CORE

2007-11-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

That's what I feel like after finishing this workout.

Today's CORE I tried to focus on keeping my core engaged throughout the entire workout. Last recovery week I would have my core muscles engaged at the start, then after awhile when I'm getting alitte tired, I find myself just going through the motions without my core engaged. This time since I've been through the workout 2x and needing only Tony's queues on what move to do,

I was able to focus more on my core than:
1)What moves comes next
2)What does this move look like
3)HOW MUCH LONGER IS THIS PAIN GOING TO LAST!

Yes, it's easier to do the moves without having your core muscle tight and YES, it takes focus to keep them that way since ever move doesn't make the Automatically kick in like when your doing Super-Banana Man. But, No Pain-No Gain. And what is the #1 Lady Killer???? Nope, not arms. You could have arms like Mr. Arnold himself, but it's the chest, stomach, back and botty collectively that women love. (Or at least that's what I'm told ;) )

With keeping/focusing on my core muscles being "flexed" or "engaged". This workout was 2x as tough. I didn't have them so tight, so flexed that I couldn't move or breathe. It was a consistent "tensed" feeling that I tried to maintain. MAN-O-MAN, WHAM-BLAM-A-JAMA!!! That about sums up the workout today.

Keep Focused, Stay Focused!

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 50 - Recovery Week Ooops

2007-11-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

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This week's entry's are going to be relatively short due to this week is a very busy week at work and at home. My company is getting ready to release a new version of our Oilwell Logging Software and this means lots of over-time, staying late at the office, trips to our test site facility in Austin, etc....

I will try to give as much detail about my trials and tribulations of P90X this week.
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I've been trying to do the "Doubles" workout sequence of P90X since Phase II. I'm proud to say that I've actually kept up with it. At first it was tough, working out twice in one day was something I've never done before. To help with the weights and from taking time away from my family's time when I'm at home. I've started using the weight gym at my work during my lunch time. I think of it as that I'm getting paid to workout (even though it's my lunch hour). I work out, shower, eat, then back at my seat before the next meeting starts. It's AWESOME!! With working out during lunch time, that allows me to do Cardio at night when I get home.

Well, today is Day One of the Recovery Week for Phase II. Except that I forgot today was recovery week and I ended up doing Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps. OOOPS!!!

Or is it? Even though I'm suppose to be in Recovery Week, and I'm suppose to be taking a break from resistance training. I'm glad that I made this mistake. I had a great workout. On some exercises I've even had to go up in weight or will have to go up in weight next time, because I was able to perform 15 perfect form reps, with the ability to do 16. At this point, it's time to up the weights. So I've noted on my workout sheets which ones I need more weights on and which ones I'm still going strong on. This is also another reason why working out at my work's gym is a plus, they have a full set of weights incrementing by 5 lbs.

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Nutrition:
I love Phase II!!!! Not only because of the new moves and fresh new workouts, it's the MENU!!!! Pita's, Burrito's, Pasta, CARBS!!!! This phase had some delicious recipes. My favorite was the grilled chicken burrito and the grilled chicken pita. I even spiced up my own life by combining the recipes: The cucumber from the pita, the cilantro from the burrito, etc.. to make my own NEW FAVORITE recipe. I could eat it everyday (well, maybe not).

With the addition of the carbs into my diet and the extra cardio workout. The carbs couldn't have come at a better time. I haven't had the "bonk" or "wall" in my workouts because I follow the P90X menu. I've even incorporated some of MDB's personal meal plan recipes to change it up some.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 49 - Day of Cardio/Strech

2007-11-04T18:03:00.000-06:00

Well, this day is the day of Rest for me according to "The Program."

But is resting Xtreme? No!!! So are we going to rest? No!!
What are we going to do? P90X!!

While I did want to take today easy, and let my body "cool down" from a hard week. I didn't want my last day of pre-recovery week Phase II to go out sitting. So I threw in some Cardio in the morning. It was a nice light workout that burned some calories and made my body feel fresh.

Today, it was family day. We went to church, went for a nice walk since the weather is great, and hung out with some friends for a nice bbq of chicken, vegtable kabobs and salad. It was great. Even though some had steak, potatoe salad, etc.. I didn't even blink. I didn't want to eat the "un-"healthy food. (Not that steak will EVER be unhealthy ;) ) It's that since doing this program, I've made new habits of making healthier decisions. I've made these choices over and over again to where now they're not choices, they're habits.

At the end of the day, I close this chapter of P90X with some X stretch. Stretching out all the troubles of the week, the soreness of muscles, the stress & tightness.

Just taking into account that my body is changing before my eyes to a physique that I haven't had in years and congratulate myself for making it this far in a program that is all about self-determination, self-motivation, and self-sacrifice.

Tomorrow is Recovery week and Count down to Day 60 Photo Results.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 48 - Kenpo Kid: The Sequel

2007-11-03T20:16:00.000-05:00

These pictures put a whole new meaning on Kenpo X for me. Since the starting of P90X, my son has loved to do Yoga and Kenpo with me. Before bed every night he asks if he can do yoga-kenpo. Well, a few days ago was Halloween, and guess what my son wanted to go as??? That's right!!!

Since there are no "kenpo" costumes, we found the next best thing. A Ninja Costume. It fits him perfect, and it is completely "him". He made the more perfect ninja. He is soooo smart too, he incorporated some yoga moves and made them his own "Ninja Moves". It was very hilarious and made me so proud. And being today is Kenpo for Me, I thought it was appropriate to post pictures of my little "Kenpo Ninja".

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Kenpo today was great! I stayed with the gang like I always do. My balance has increased the past couple of weeks. I did all the combination kicks without letting my kicking foot re-touch the floor. I had my Kenpo Gloves on as usual, and got a great workout, as usual.

My left hamstring is/was still a little bit stiff yesterday's leg workout, so just as I did yesterday, I increased the cool down stretch time to have more time to do acouple more stretches on my legs. I never want to have to Frankenstein walk ever again. That week hurt.

I've noticed that with all the plyo, kenpo, core, and cardio that comes in this program, I've noticed that my knees are getting a bashing. They're starting to alittle pain in them from time to time. They crackle more than they use to, but it might be from me getting old. (hahah, I'm only 28). But it's starting to concern me; you see all these people that are in the old age and can't walk cause of knee problems. I don't want to have to chase my grandkids around in a scooter, or those walkers w/ the tennis balls on the legs cause I didn't take care of my knees.

I'm pushing my body pretty hard, and I think now it's starting to push back. I'm going to invest in some Glucosamine or the likes for my recovery week and phase III. It suppose to help the ligaments and joints.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 47 - Legs To Die For!

2007-11-02T21:51:00.000-05:00

Friday FINALLY!! Good, Great, Awesome, Can't Be Beat Friday!!! As you can tell, I'm pretty happy about it being Friday. Not because it's the weekend tomorrow, it's because:

I GET TO GO BACK HOME! BUSINESS TRIP IS OVER!

While this business trip has been fun, and I was able to "BRING IT!" each and every day in my hotel room and not have security come get me after a round of Plyo, I'm ready to go home. I get to see my wife, my son, my own bed, and my workout room!!!!

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Well, I'm home. Made it safe and sound. Gave the son a BIG BIG hug, the wife a kiss, and the dog a rub on the head. Now It's PUSH PLAY TIME!!!

Legs were alittle stiff after driving and sitting for 3.5 hours, so I made the stretching portion before and after the workout alittle longer. My left hamstring has been alittle bit tighter this week so I thought alittle bit more extra care would do me better.

Now for the workout:

I don't know what I ate, drank or did. But, I killed it today on pullups. I added at least +1 or +2 NO CHAIR, TOTALLY ALL ON MY OWN pullups on each pull up exercise. I think because I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express it gave me more power (remember those commercials on tv?).

Using my #'s from week 6, I start off doing as many pull-ups on my own, and then when I cannot go any farther, I stick a leg on the chair to burnout till failure. This week, MAN-O-MAN, if I had 3 wide grip is week 6, I had 4 this week. I had nine switch grips last week, I had 10 this week. Each time, I did +1, it got me more pumped up to do it again on the next exercise, and on the next exercise. My goal was to do at least +1 OMO (on my own) pullups before reaching for the chair. I didn't care if my overall total reps went down, it's that I made up for it by doing more pullups OMO.

Ex. Week 6: 3 omo / 11 total

Week 7: 4 omo / 10 total

I also intensified the leg workout as well. My hands were attached to my 15# DB's through the entire legs portion of this workout. That was the weight were I could stay w/ Tony, not overload or cause pain my my shoulders/arms, and intensify my workout to get that little extra that will help me to the "next level".

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Since my trials of taking P90X on the road are over, I would like to comment on how it worked for me.

With the aid of my green band and my dvd's, I received a workout just as good as I would have at my own house or gym. With some modifications by using the green band loop method to increase/decrease resistance, and the fact that I had to use the "door hinge" method of securing my band during pull-ups/downs, I was able to get the burn, resistance, pump, etc.. that my DB's give me.

However, I would like to add that while the green band sufficed, sometimes it was WAY too much resistance or sometimes too little resistance. If someone was to travel alot and/or cannot afford solid DB's or don't want to waste their time w/ those twist lock DB's, a complete set of bands, which come in three sets: 3 bands-15 to 30lb, 3 bands - 20 to 40lb, or 10 bands.

All-in-All, the P90X system is completely portable, do-able, and achieveable in your on the road constantly. All you need is "fight" mentality to fight the temptation(Flight syndrome) of slacking and using your travels as an excuse to fly away from staying fit and healthy

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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 46 - Yoga

2007-11-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

Nothing to end a long day of sitting and working than to stretch out and work my "inner" self.

I think today was my best Yoga workout (if you can call it a workout). Since the start of P90X, yoga put me in some painful and uncomfortable positions that I could barely even do. Each time, I became alittle more and more flexible, alittle bit more and more relaxed, and my inner body became stronger each and every time.

Today, all I did was BREATHE! I was the most relaxed during this workout than I've been. The positions just seem to lock into place. I didn't focus on my balance, it just happened. I didn't focus on my flexibility, it just happened. I didn't focus on the time, it just passed on by.

I think the key this time was that I turned off the volume to the DVD, and put in some meditation music. I've been through the workout enough to "kinda know" what's coming next, so I just used Tony's changes in form to queue me to change.

There were/are still some positions that I cannot do YET, and there are some moves I have to modify so that I take care of my left shoulder. Alot of those moves are the poses were the right hand is on the ground, and the left one is stretching up and back. Those positions put mine/your rotator cuff in the fully open position, and if my muscles are fatigued or weak or pushed to far, my shoulder has a susceptibility of popping out. Which is NOT on my list of things to do. So I just put my left arm on my side/hip and try to open up my chest as much as possible.

Also, it was just me in the room. No son running around, no dog, no TV on the background. No outside noise.

It was great.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 45 - Rubberband Man

2007-10-31T21:15:00.000-05:00

Back and Biceps was today. It was just me, my green band, and my hotel room. I was skeptical at first on if I could use only my green band and get a full Bicep and Back workout.

Since I didn't have a door attachment for my bands I followed one of my MDB (Million Dollar Body) forum buddies advice about putting the band in a open door hinge. I wrapped my band w/ a hand towel so that the hinge or door wouldn't cut or pinch my band. I knew that the band would/can either be too much or too little. In this weird and awkward door hinge time. It was just enough. I did the ISO hold move on every rep, and just did as many in the time alloted for the pull ups. So instead of doing 8-10 or 12-15. I did 16-20. I'm impressed. Got the burn that I'll definitely feel tomorrow.

I have to say that with only one band and a door I got quite a good workout. While I still fancy the chin-up bar, the band is a great alternative. However, after using it during the first part of Phase I and now exclusively during this week, I would highly recommend if a person were going to strictly use just the band to get a complete set. Sometimes the green band wasn't enough, sometimes it was WAY TOO MUCH! So the B-line package of bands would do the trick. Especially if one was to travel alot. Also, get the door attachment. Right now, I've had to use the "door hinge" method to do my exercises.

I, however, would rather use DB's over the bands. Since the "weight"/tension on the bands are never constant, I don't know exactly what I'm lifting. And with me having an engineer mind, I like concrete numbers. I like it when I see one week, I lifted 20#, the next week 25#. W/ the bands, all I can go off of is the # of reps or the size of the loop in the band.Don't get me wrong, I still get a great workout w/ the bands, but I'm a DB man. If you need to get more weights, depending on how much more weight you need, you might want to look into some "Selectable" weights. You know.. those dial-o-matic DB's. Of course there are the SelecTech by bowflex, which are the 5-25, 5-52, and the 10-90. $$$$$, but there are some cheaper ones around town. I know Rebook makes some that 5-25# for about $50/DB. I saw some at Target that went from 5-25 but they were around $60/DB.

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I would like to also add that I've had to eat out for lunch and dinner and I've done really well. While everyone is getting steak, loaded mashed potatoes, sugar and fat loaded desserts, hamburgers and fries... I'm getting grilled chicken, salmon, rice pilaf, sweet potatoes, vegetables, grilled chicken salad. I'm not saying I'm been a saint, a few indulgences like lobster tail, or ordering raspberry lemonade instead of water.

So even though if someone is away from the P90X meal plan, or out with their friends, etc.. You CAN stick to your guns and eat healthy. It's not a matter of "Oh, I'll just eat unhealthy this once." Because that once will turn into twice, then thrice.. Then, your off your diet and the whole world falls apart (joking).

It's a choice. If you can't change the little things like holding out on dessert, getting the right size portions, feeding your body the right fuel. Don't expect any type of gains or losses that you want.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 44 - Plyo Power

2007-10-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

Another day of plyo done, finished, in the books, el fin......

In addition to completing "The X in P90X", it was done in my hotel room. So even plyometrics CAN BE DONE when on the road!! No excuses everyone. I'm putting this one to rest.

Even though I was still huffing and puffing through the entire workout. I was able to reach my goal. After 6 weeks of plyometics, on this 7th week. This Grand, Glorious, Golden Week I have finally been able to keep up with Dominique. YES!! HOORAY!! KUDOS TO ME!!!

Don't get me wrong, this workout still kicks my tail each and every time, but if you've been keeping up with me, you should know that it's been my goal to mirror Domi. Each workout, I get a little closer, and a little closer. Finally, today I was able to creep up right next to him.

I'm writing this done as a MILESTONE DAY!!! The first time I did plyo, my goal was not to throw up or pass out. Seriously!!!!!

Slowly, but surely, "The Mother of All Workouts" is becoming "The Mommy".

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I've been trying to keep my nutritional intake at it's best. However, without my normal kitchen and having to eat out for lunch and dinner, it's a little harder than I thought. I stay to the restaurants that have "healthy" menus. Smaller Portions, Better selection of vegetables, chicken, fish. No mexican food, no heavy italian food, no pizza, no burgers, no bbq. Healthy all the way.

I'm doing pretty good (~8 on 1-10 scale) on making healthier food choices and portion sizes. I also have a folded up copy of Michi's ladder so I know what foods to pick and which ones to not.

I don't expect to eat 100% perfect or healthy all the time in these 90 days. But it's the journey of changing my mindset to make the choices. Small choices today will become habits tomorrow. Throw a bunch of habits together and you have a pretty nice lifestyle which will stick with you forever.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 43 - Hard Rock Hotel

2007-10-29T22:20:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day that I am taking P90X on the road. I'm going to see how well I can take the P90X DVDs, workout book, and the green workout band that came w/ P90X, and put to rest the excuse of not being able to stay true to the a workout program and skipping workouts just because you have to go out of town for whatever reason: work or pleasure.
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When I checked in last night, the first place I went to was what they considered their "workout gym". I was highly displeased that it was nothing more than a small room with 2 treadmills and a StairMaster. So problem #1 is: What am I going to about chin-ups. There was nothing that I could use to attach my band since I did not have the door attachment for the bands. But I will try to fix the problem by the time I have to do Back& Biceps.

The first workout of Chest, Shoulder, and Triceps went fairly well. I had to rearrange some furniture inside my room, but after that I had just an adequate amount of space to do all the exercises. However, Problem #2 showed it's ugly face: The green band is pretty stout and pose a problem of doing most of the shoulder exercises.

To fix this problem, I had to do a "Karate Kid" pose, by placing the band on a chair and then stepping on it with one foot to minimize the distance between my shoulders and the band under my foot. This not only worked my shoulders, but turned out to be a Core balance posture as well. The exercises that needed this Karate Pose were: Scarecrow, Weighted Circles, Fly-Row Press, and Cross Body Blows. All the other moves my feet were placed firmly on the ground.

I'll said it for the past three weeks: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps is my FAVORITE workout. Coupled w/ Back and Biceps. It's the ulimate WHAM-BLAM-THANK YOU-MA'AM upper body workout. I like it better than the mix in Phase I.

Ab Ripper X isn't getting any easier either, but I'm able to go farther into the reps before having to take a few seconds of break time before finishing the 25. Today I was able to get through ALL of the moves WITHOUT stopping. That was my goal. No matter how much it burned, how much it hurt, I would keep going. Alittle mind over matter.
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TIP: COUNT BACKWARDS!!!!!

It was ALOT easier for me to focus on how many reps

I had left than how many more I had to do. I dunno, I like it when

I had 5 left, 4 left, 3, 2, 1. Than saying 19,20, 21.

More like "Backwards Mentality" BUT IT WORKS!!!

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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 42 - Kenpo X

2007-10-28T11:54:00.000-05:00

Woke up this morning and my legs are still alittle bit stiff. Making the decision to switch Kenpo and Stretch was a very smart idea. Stretching yesterday gave my legs and body the needed down time for all my muscle tissue to rebuild themselves, while allowing me to stretch them out to get rid of all that built up lactic acid.

Kenpo today was just as good as any other day. While my kicks weren't as high and as powerful as they usually are. I still gave each move 100% effort.

The hand weights that I added to my Kenpo X arsenal worked GREAT again today. I highly recommend someone who needs that little extra in this workout to buy/borrow a pair of weighted gloves.

Wish me luck tomorrow as I leave out of town for an entire week. I'll try my hardest to bring it every day with P90X and post on how each day went. I'll only be using the green band that came with my P90X package for weight resistance. Also, being that I do not have a door attachment to take along, I hope that the hotel will have a workout gym and if they do, a chin up apparatus.

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My nutritional plan (a.k.a- Man's Diet) is coming along nicely. After talking to my friends on the MDB message boards, I have some new recipes that taste great, fit into my meal plan, and have the right amount of protein/carb/fat ratios that are in line with my program to getting to my goal of losing body fat % and body weight. So, while staying true to the provide P90X nutritional plan for Phase II. I might switch out one dinner on the plan w/ a MDB recipe.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 41 - Stretching Out Frankenstein

2007-10-27T22:50:00.000-05:00

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! Yesterday I jokingly commented on me walking like Frankenstein. Well, today, I rolled out of bed and my joke that was so funny yesterday was SO NOT FUNNY NOW!! I felt muscles in my legs hurt that I didn't even knew could hurt. When I say hurt, I mean really sore from working out.

I felt it in my calves, my thighs, my hamstrings AND ESPECIALLY in my Gluteus Maximus!!!! Each step was like someone taking a dull stick and poking me in each cheek. Going up and Down the stairs at my office was a workout in itself. There was NO WAY that I was going to be able to have the workout I did yesterday and have enough leg power to do Kenpo today.

So I switched up the flow of things. I swapped out doing X stretch tomorrow for Kenpo X today. I definitely needed to get these hardwork muscles stretched out before doing any other exercise that needed my legs. I knew that I didn't, it would be only hurting me in the long run. The phrase: "Take one step forward, and two steps back" comes to mind in this situation.

After Stretch, I fell alot better in my legs and especially my Glut. Max. With seeing all this new definition start showing up and my weight going down and spare tire going away, I guess I over did it alittle bit yesterday during legs.

I found out yesterday that I'm going to have to go out-of-town for work. So I'll be taking my DVD's and green band with me. This is a great test of the P90X system to see how easy it is to use P90X and eating "healthy" while traveling. Since I cannot bring my chin-up bar and I do not have the door attachment, I hope (pray) that the hotel that I stay at has a chin-up bar/machine. I'll keep you posted.

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Steps Taken Today: 8,200 "Pain is Good" steps
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 40 - The Frankenstein Walk

2007-10-26T21:32:00.000-05:00

Today I tried the "Doubles" regimen of P90X by working out at the gym at work. Once again, I'm really liking it. I'm able to use a wide assortment of weights, mirrors, and benches. I can believe that I didn't think of doing this while I was in Phase I. But, the flip side to working out all the time at the gym is that I would not have gotten the use of the DVD's.--> I'll speak more on that later.

With my printouts in hand, I started bringing it to my legs. MAN, did I work them out. On all the exercises I used 20# DB's that 1)weren't pullups and 2)Had the "Add more weight" under the Intensify note. This weight gave me that burn that Tony wants us to have on the last 3 reps.

I can feel a huge difference in the way my muscles reacts and feels when I switch through exercises without having to waist 20-30 seconds using my old twist lock DB's. Since it's more of a circuit training, they feel like they are always "engaged" since they do not have time to "rest and relax". I felt like I was able to be a better workout on my legs by constantly blasting them through the different exercises. I was feeling the burn alot earlier in my reps that I did during week 4. Also, maybe because I didn't do Legs & Back in week 5, they had alittle TOO much rest time.

Cardio tonight was great! I HATE (and hate is a strong word) to do cardio. Jumping on a treadmill and just run for 20-30-40 minutes is not what I call a fun time. But throw me some basketball, martial arts, couple hours at the dance club. YEAH!! That's what I'm talking about. With all that in mind, CARDIO X is fun, fun, fun!!! I get the cardio that I need to speed up the fat shredding, the sweat that makes it feel oh-so-good all while doing something that I enjoy doing. Mixing up some plyo, kenpo, core, and yoga.

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About working/not working out with the DVD's. I feel that even though one could workout w/ the DVD's, I am so so so glad that BeachBody decided to add in a workout book that is basically a written duplicate of the DVD's. This is great for ANYONE who is traveling alot, or working out at different places other than their home. Even though I have a portable DVD player and a player on my laptop. I'm not going to set it up in a workout gym. Beachbody gives me the option of photocopying the workout descriptions, and my weight/rep sheet so that I can work out when and WHERE I want. But of course, there is always a evil for every good. The drawback is that it's solely up to you to push yourself, to motivate yourself, to keep "Bringing It!". That's the hard part. I try to keep my pace to where I have about 10-15 seconds between exercises to keep my workout under an hour.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 39 - Yoga w/ my son

2007-10-25T23:49:00.000-05:00

Nothing like a good day of Yoga. Unless it's a good day of Yoga w/ my son. He has become obsessed with Yoga. Every night he wants to do yoga, he carries around his Yoga block. Before bed he says: "I have to do Yoga Daddy." It's a riot. He's learned to 1)Turn on the TV, 2)Turn on the DVD player, 3)Push play.

Sometimes I'll be in the other room and all of a sudden hear Tony in the back ground. (I leave my DVD's in the dvd player.) I walk in and my son says "He HAS to do Yoga." Even though, the Yoga DVD isn't even in the player.

Here are two pictures while doing Yoga. He lasted about 15 minutes this time before having to go to bed.

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I'm getting better and better with this thing called Yoga. I'm able to hold some of positions that I couldn't get before.

One positive about this workout, is that I was able to go from downward dog to runner's pose every time on each leg with my foot hitting the ground early and I have to grab it and pull it up into place. (If that makes sense.)

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Steps Taken Today: 8, 125
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 38 - The Gun Show II

2007-10-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

WHAM-BLAM-THANK YOU-MA'AM!! That's all I'm gonna say about today's Back & Bicep workout.

I was able to workout at my work's gym today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE having a full set of free weights. 15# to light: BAM-> Go to 20#.. 35# to heavy: BAM-> Pick up some 30#. I didn't have the fumbling around screwing/unscrewing my DB's trying to find the right weight. I was able to go from excersice to excersice with no problems.

Another great thing that the gym has are MIRRORS... No, No, of course I don't use them to eww and ahh over my bulging biceps. No way. I use them strictly and only to allow me to see my form. HAHAHAHAHA Whatever.. OH yeah, and don't forget the sleeveless T-Shirt.

I went up in my weights on some moves and stayed where I was on others. I paced myself to were I was in-and-out in about an hour (which is about the same time on the DVD's). I got a really good pump in my biceps and especially my forearms. P90X kicks some major butt!!

I do have to say that I miss watching and working along with Tony on the DVD's. Feels like I'm missing out working with my friends, even though I know it's just a DVD. But I still get the workout that my body needs to transform.

Since there was no repeats, I tried to go to my max Pull ups each and every time I had to do them. On weights, I tried to pick a weight than made my max around 12-13. Not 8-10. My main focus is to tone, hone, and shred the muscles I do have so that when I get this layer of fat off of me, I'll be ahead of the game. Then I'll go for mass.

I do have a comment to make:
There are 3-4 guys that workout at the gym the same time I do... All they have going for them is mass, No Definition at all.... Sure they're chest and arms are pretty big, but that's about it. It's muscle definition that drives women crazy. The ripples, the lines, the grooves. That's what get the ladies. Not a body so big and stiff you have to walk sideways through doorways to get into places.

So why'll they spend 30-40 minutes on bench press trying to see who can outlift who. I'll be over doing my P90X thing, getting ripped. Even though I'm happily married and in no way of looking for any women.
**I know what makes my wife tick and what gets her all riled up--> And that's ALL that matters.

As for cardio. Completed. Done. Check. I've noticed that I start to get alittle bit of that "bonk" near the end of the workout. I'll probably have to eat a half of a protein bar or something so that I have some quick carbs in me to keep me going.

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Steps Taken Today: 14, 183 (not including any workouts)
**Even if I take out an aggressive # like 1000 steps for the bumps
taken when driving to an from work (~1 hr total) that still leaves

13,183 steps today!! WOW!!! I was a walking fiend.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 37 - My feet are on fire.. Literally!

2007-10-23T22:12:00.000-05:00

Well, not literally on fire, but they sure do feel like it.

Plyo today was fun. Had my #1 fan jumping along with me. It's so funny to see my 2 yr old trying to mimic Tony. The funny thing is that my son can almost do it as good as I can. AND I'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR ~6 WEEKS! I'm going to try to see up a video camera next time to video tape it. If not video, I'll have my wife snap a bunch of pictures of me and him working out. But he only lasts about 5-10 minutes, after that he either becomes bored, tired, or hungry.

Plyo today has been like it's been for the past few weeks. My endurance has upped because I can stay with the pack more and more each time. Actually, today was the first time, I've gone through plyo COMPLETELY without quitting early on some jumps and without taking longer than the given water break time.

The only thing that is getting me is that during some of the constant jumping (A.K.A. Hot Feet) my arches start to get pains in them like they're cramping almost. It hurts to the point to where I have to stop. This is the FIRE I'm talking about. It's like I'm being stabbed in the middle of my foot. I have NO clue on what it could be. I'll look into getting some of those neoprene arch support sleeves, maybe that will help.

All-in-all, Great workout. Sweated like shaggy dog on a hot humid Houston day.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try to keep to my goal of transitioning over to the "Doubles" version of P90X by working out at my work's gym and doing cardio when I get home. Wish me luck!

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Steps Taken Today: 7853 (not including plyo)
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 36 - The Gun Show

2007-10-22T14:33:00.000-05:00

Today I thought I'd spice it up and try a new way of working out in Phase II. I've been complaining about having to waste time and energy switching out my twist lock DB's, and how I need to do more cardio but no time in the world. Well, today it changes.

At my place of work, they have a "full" workout gym area: Free weights, benches, smith machines, weight machines, treadmills, etc..... Since they have two full sets of sold DB's: WHY NOT WORKOUT THERE during my lunch break, and do cardio at night. BRILLIANT!! But would it work??

Well, reporting back: It WORKS!!! I copied the worksheet and exercise descriptions from my book and brought it in. I was able to go at my own pace, keep it under an hour, and get a great workout in!!! I was able to switch to a different weight if it was too heavy or to light. I had a greater assortment of weights so I was able to go find out what weight ACTUALLY worked for me. I got a great workout in, sweated just as much and feel SUPER ENERGIZED to finish out the day. AND!!!!! I now have time to do Cardio when I get home. YEEEAAAHHH!!

Funny thing is that today, two people came up to me, they were watching me and they saw all the different pushups and tricep exercises I was doing, and asked if I was doing P90X! I told them that I was and how'd they know?? This is how they answered:

We've seen you around work the past couple of months and notice that you have
(in the past month) looked like you've really lost weight and see the muscle definition increase through my shirt.

They told me that they were doing P90X as well, but were only in Phase I. I told them it's the best thing ever done. I've lost 10lbs, and dropped ~5% body fat in just 5 weeks. They were all smiles. Looks like I have some P90X friends and workout buddies closer than I thought. What a small world.

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So far, the nutritional plan is going fairly well. While, the meals are ALL different, the dinners have been alittle bit more time consuming since they call more mostly different ingredients than Phase I. The ingredients that I bought in Week 1 of Phase II (Week 5) of what I thought was enough to last me two weeks didn't. Either I didn't buy enough, or the stuff I did buy went bad (bean sprouts, lettuce, etc.)

So when that happens, I just cook up a Phase I dinner and add some Carbs like from bananas or slice of whole wheat toast, or something off the Carb list on the Michi's Ladder.

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Steps Taken Today: 10,138 (including Cardio X)

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 35 - I can touch my toes!!!

2007-10-21T22:16:00.000-05:00

Can't say enough about the need of this day. Stretch X.

"A longer muscles is a strong muscle." That's what I've heard and that's what I'm sticking too.

This week took it's toll on me. It was the first week of a new Phase and my muscles feel as if it was the end of week 1 all over again. I know that by confusing them they're going to get stronger, bigger, and more toned. However, I needed today to just "relax" and let them take a breather by strecthing them out.

I have to say that I can not only touch my toes (Fit Test: Day 1 = -1), I can now grab around my feet and on a good day even grab my heels. I'm not gonna throw out any concrete numbers, but I think I'm now around +2 or +3. I'm more flexible now that I've been probably most of my life.

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Steps Taken Today: 8,423 --> Driving back from the parents
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 34 - Kenpo Kid II

2007-10-20T21:58:00.000-05:00

Judo Chop!!! --> (My impression of Austin Powers Skills)

Ah, another round of Kenpo. This week, I was cleaning up around the house and I found 3lb weights that can be velcro'ed around your wrists or ankles. Also, it just so happened to be Kenpo day.

I've wanted to spice up the blocking section of this workout since the first time I did Kenpo X in Phase I. Usually, I'm sitting in a deep horsestance and going 2x faster than the group during the blocking phase. Not really getting anything out of it. Believe me when I say that I'm using good form and trying to hit each and every move. I'm not just flailing my arms around. These 3lb weights might give me that difference I need.

It makes a BIG difference. I just used the 3lbs, and I was feeling it in my shoulders and triceps. Nothing like Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps workout, but enought to give Kenpo that extra needed "KICK" so that I get every ounce of workout from the DVD. While I still went faster than the group on the blocks, I got one heck of a burn!!!!!! These weights are now part of my MUST HAVE list of equipment when doing P90X.

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Today, I visted my Mom & Dad. My dad got a new grill and wanted to try it out. There is nothing better to break in a grill than STEAK!!!! So while I didn't have the P90X meal of the day, I still stuck true to eating healthy by making it Lean Steak (Michi's Tier3), sweet potatoe (Yams) (T1), a whole wheat roll(T1), and a salad w/ Fat Free Ranch. YUM! YUM! YUM!
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Steps Taken Today: 7,985 --> Driving half the day took alot of my steps away

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play

Day 33 - Black Friday

2007-10-19T19:51:00.000-05:00

Today WAS suppose to be Legs and Back. However, this day I was unable to workout.

No, not because I was sick; or hurt; or dying; or in the hospital; or out saving the world.

I didn't workout today because I just didn't have time. And that still is NO EXCUSE!

I could say that I didn't get much sleep last night, and add that I had to stay late at work. I could even say that when I got home I had to do some "Honey-Do" chores around the house, then put my son to bed. But I'm not going to.

In addition to all that, I would then add that I after putting my son down, my body was just too exhausted from the lack of sleep and the poor eating I did today due to not eating because projects run into each other and I have to be in two places at once.

But then again, it's all excuses.

It was the "shoulda, coulda, woulda" syndrome, and it's my fault for not pushing play today.

I'm just gonna cut my losses now, and just call today "Black Friday"

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However.....
Steps Taken Today: 10,004
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play. NO EXCUSES THIS TIME!!!

Day 32 - Me and My Yoga Belly

2007-10-18T23:25:00.000-05:00

Before I go into today's Yoga workout, I wanted to show everyone my son yesterday trying to keep up w/ Dad during Back and Biceps. My wife got a shot up him doing this while I was on the chin-up bar.

He has the form almost perfect ;) He gives them back to me, saying that it's my turn. So I do a few. He looks at me, and says "You did good Dad." HAHAHA.. Well, Thanks Son.

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Almost through the first week of Phase II. Today was a much, much needed yoga day. My biceps, triceps, forearms, chest, and back were all crying for yoga to come save them and to be stretched out.

I was able to get off alittle early today, so I rushed home and threw in a round of Cardio X. My work schedule 7am - 430pm makes it impossible for me to get a workout in the morning. So this was a treat to have some time to get a round in.

The reason for this extra push for Cardio is that I want to get this tire off my stomach ASAP. I'm not seeing it go away as fast as I would like. So I'm trying to kick it into overdrive.

I know that Yoga is making my inner-self stronger. I'm able to hold my positions longer, my lunges are deeper. And what makes me the happiest of all is that my flexibility is getting better and better each day.

For the first time EVER, I've been able to grab AROUND my feet during the sitting straight leg stretches. I've NEVER been able to do that.

I highly recommend getting a yoga block. Either go buy one, borrow one, or make one (that's what I did - 4"x6"x9"). It has helped me get that "controlled" stretch.

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Another day added to the books of sticking to the meal plan. The food this phase is easier to make and better tasting. They say that the first step to weight loss is the food you eat. Well, I can contest to that. I'm down 10lbs since day 1. AMAZING!!! But I think p90X had alot to do with it also. However, I'm not seeing as fast of results in week 4 and week 5 like I did in the first three weeks. Hopefully, the change in diet and adding Cardio X will change that.
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I did 11,583 steps today. That counted Cardio X too.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 31 - Back & Bicep

2007-10-17T23:21:00.000-05:00

Did Back & Biceps for the first time last night.. This workout has the potential to give me amazing results on the "Guns". But at the end of it I was alittle bummed and disappointed w/ myself.

I was doing the WOWY thing, which gives you a time limit. A specific amount of time for each workout. You click Start, there's a timer that ticks down, and you click Done when your done with your workout.

I wasted so much time switching out weights, since I have those spin lock DB's, trying to figure out what weight to curl. One exercise I need 20# to get that burn around rep 12, the next is 10#, the next 16# (I have 3#'s not 2.5). With switching out weights, unspinning the lock, switching out plats, spinning back on the lock and trying to get it all done in time, I guess my mind was more into finding the weight instead of doing the exercise. So even though I got a really good pump, I didn't get that feeling that I worked out to my full potential.

I expected this to happen since the same thing happened on the first workout of Shoulders and Arms trying to find the right weight. But, on the flip side, NOW I KNOW what weights I need. So next time, I'll be able to give it my all and do the right weights.

I definitely need to save up some money (which will take forever w/ wife and 2 kids) or start up a "Nicks D.B. Fund" to get me some solid DB's or some of those sweet selectable DB's.

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HOWEVER, on the plus side. I'm LOVING the new meal plan!!!! The new foods, recipes, and finally CARBS!!!!! I brought back the Beef&Broccoli recipe from Phase I cause it was my favorite. It's going to be alot easier staying focused to the plan being that the assortment of food is more inline to what I already eat.

PLUS! My wife (being the pregnant finicky eater that she is) said that the food looks and smells good and that she'll probably eat the food along w/ me. So that'll cut down on having to buy MY food and HER food.
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In addition to Phase II, I am carrying around a pedometer. They say that the normal "office" worker only gets in around 2,000 steps in a day. The recommend amount is 10,000. WOW!! So I'm going to also keep track of how many steps I take a day, and do what I have to do to get at or around 10,000 steps. If that's going for a ten minute walk w/ my son: GREAT!! If that's walking my overweight dog: GREAT! If that's adding Cardio X (since I hate running) that day: AWESOME!!!! I'll keep you guys up-to-date on the step-o-meter.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play

Day 30 - Plyo all the time!

2007-10-16T23:32:00.000-05:00

Day 2 of Phase 2.....

I'm still feeling it all over my arms and chest today, but I guess I'll probably still be feeling the after affects of Chest, Shoulders, Biceps until the end of the week.

They should really change it to Chest, Shoulders, and TRICEPS because Tony said that your pushing the entire time.. Well, if my memory is correct, isn't the TRICEP a pushing muscle and the BICEP is a pulling muscle?? Hmmmm... Seems some one feel asleep in Health Class. But either way, it doesn't matter what it's called.

Had to postpone my usual 9:00 PM scheduled time for all my workouts till around 10 tonight due to my son not wanting to fall asleep. He wanted to play trains, read book after book, go to the bathroom. Just about every excuse in the book. Finally, we had alittle talk and he went to sleep just fine. Unbelievable how kids as young as two understand and comprehend. Amazing. Or maybe my son is just brilliant ;)

Now done to business. PLYO! "The mother", "The X in P90X"..... Once again, this routine lives up to it's name. I was a jumping and a movin and a twisting and a whole lotta sweatin. Had to pull out my "Bigger, Faster, Stronger, Better" chant to keep me going.

I know that the P90X conditioning is helping.. Each time I do Plyo, I'm able to keep up w/ Dominique alittle better each time, which has been my goal since the first time Plyo came into my life. I can see it in my legs that I'm getting more definition and less fat. I can feel it in my body when I'm able to keep up w/ Dom.

This round, I focused on getting deep in all my lunges, stances and hops. OOOOOHHH The burn!!!!

The Phase II meal plan is GREAT!! Of course, I'm sure it'll get monotonous at week three, but the foods and recipes are delicious. Yesterday's meals were great! The chicken burrito (which I had to use turkey cause I was out of chicken)----Awesome. The dinner of grilled chicken, wild rice, and the mushroom, zucchini, onion saute---Couldn't get enough. So far so good on sticking w/ the nutrition plan. I wonder if it would be ok to bring back some dinners from Phase I, I really liked the beef & broccoli dinner.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 29 - It has BEGUN!! Phase II

2007-10-15T23:23:00.000-05:00

Today is the Start of Phase II. This phase throws in the mix of muscle confusion by changing up the routine. Instead of Chest & Back, now is Chest, Shoulders, & Biceps. Unlike the previous workouts that have repeats or sequences, this one doesn't. It runs through 24 Non-Stop Chest Pumping-Bicep Bulging-Tricep Tapping Exercises. Also, we can't forget the infamous Ab-Ripper X!!! Not one repeats, so there is no need to "Pace Yourself," like Tony use to say.

It's balls-to-the-wall pushing until your body just doesn't go any more. That's right, going until failure or at least until you hit that magic number that make the last three tough.

After last week's Recovery Week, I was ready to get back into the groove. I have to admit that I didn't adhere to the P90X rules. I added a round or two of Cardio X on my Yoga Days. Sorry, I couldn't help it. I just felt like I was slacking (I don't know how or why, I just did). Plus w/ my progress report coming out at the end of the week, I wanted to try to get those extra few inches, lbs, or whatever out. No Pain... No Gain....

On this routine, right out of the gate, on the first exercise I knew it was going to be a long, hard, great workout. The Slo-Mo Pushups... PHEW!! If this is just #1 of 24............

I know I've said it in the past about some of the other exercises, but THIS!! THIS workout is now my Favorite. It pushes you to the extreme edge of mental and physical limits. There were times where I knew my mind wanted to go on to hit that magic number in my head, but my body just didn't want to follow. And it's times like that when you have to, you must, make the two hit the same goal. Throughout Phase I, I found where my limits were so I had an idea of what numbers worked for me.

When it came time to doing the pushups or any exercise w/out weights, Tony stressed "MAXIMUM REPS", which to me meant: Keep pushing it your body physically won't let you. And that's exact what I did. There were many times, where my face ate the floor (padded), and each time, I got right back up and try to push one more out.

My arms felt like they did back in the day of workout out hardcore in the gym. Biceps and triceps "pumped" so much that you could barely wash your face or brush your teeth. LOVE IT!!

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However, I'd just like to say that there was a exercise that I would like to stress caution on doing. One in particular was the Pour Flyes. The one where you do a straight arm flye, then twist your wrists as if you were pouring water. SUPER SUPER tough on the wrists if you are using to large of a weight. You have to use a weight to were you get the burn in the shoulders, but not to much to were it puts tons of stress on your wrists.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 28 - Today is the Day!

2007-10-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

DAY 28!! 1/3 THE WAY THROUGH THE TOUGHEST AT-HOME WORKOUT PROGRAM ON THE PLANET!!

Well Everyone today is Progress Report Day! It's finally come. Today marks the end of the first of three Phases to the P90X program.

HERE ARE THE RESULTS:

Day 27 - Yoga Belly

2007-10-13T22:15:00.000-05:00

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Yoga X is steadily growing to be my #1 (without weights) workout.

Working on my inner strength, is just as important on working on my outer strength. I impressed myself today. For the first time, I was able to hit and hold EVERY position!! Usually, I have to come out early because of the pain, or I fall over due to my inability to balance. This marks a new mind barrier that I've had through this program.

On the stability/balance positions, I've had a hard time clearing my mind. So my "chi" is off and I'm wobbling all over the place. Not Today! I focused on my breathing, had some different music playing instead of the provided music, and I did it while there was no wife, son, or dogs in the house.

Nothing and no one but P90X and me. It was great. This recovery week has surpassed my expectations. I was first afraid that I'd digress from the progress I've made in the three prior weeks. That I'd start to slack. However, the exact opposite occurred. I stayed focused to the nutritional requirements even when I ate out w/ friends and family. Core, Kenpo, and Yoga kept me mentally connected to the End Goal. And the MDB community and especially the WOWY workout schedule and buddy system kept me focused and dedicated to pushing play every night.

PHASE II... LOOK OUT, CAUSE I'M COMING FOR YOU!!

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 1 DAY
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I'll be back tommorow pushing play.

Day 26 - Core Synergistics

2007-10-12T20:43:00.000-05:00

Another WHAM-BLAM-PLEASE DON'T THROWUP! WORKOUT

This Core program has me sweating every time! This time I was ready for what was to come since I did this same workout just a few days ago.

While I was working out, my son, who is my #1 fan and shadow, decided that he'd join me during Core. I had my pushup bars over in the corner, and he just HAD to do pushups. He started huffin and puffin, and grunting. I had no clue what he was doing. So I looked over and there he was on the bars. He told me he was "Doing Daddy Pushups."

Fortunately, I had my camera around so I paused Core and took some pictures. You should see him try to do Plyo. It's a riot.

It's times like this that make everything worth it. Getting up, going to work, coming home, being a loving husband and father. Putting all your needs second to family. Then, when you just have barely enough time to rest, you push play for another round of P90X. The interaction between my son and I. Spending time together. It's about the quality of the time spent, not the quantity.

Refreshed from my little break, alittle happier and alittle energized from picture time. Finishing up strong with Core. Couldn't have had a better workout.

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2 DAYS TILL PROGRESS REPORTS COME OUT!!!! HOPEFULLY, I'M GOING TO HAVE A PASSING GRADE! I'VE STUCK TO THE NUTRITION PLAN (~90%) AND TO "BRINGING IT" EVERY WORKOUT (~100%)
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I'll be back tommorow pushing play.

Day 25 - Stetching Out

2007-10-11T22:30:00.000-05:00

This is the first time, where P90X has required me to stretch. Usually, I do X Stretch on Sundays or what I'm suppose to consider my OFF day. But after Kenpo AND Core Synergistics back to back, I definetly need this. It couldn't have come at a better time.

"They think of everything." --> or so Tony says.

My flexibility (along w/ pullups) has always been my weak point. I was in gymnastics in high school and used my tumbling skills all throughout college. I even have 4-5 years of martial arts under my belt, but even with all this, I'm on un-flexible person. I use to be able to put my knuckles on the ground during standing straight leg stretching, however, that was 2 years ago.

X Stretch, being the only stretching video I've used, has greatly increased my flexibility in my legs and hips. This workout is just long enough to get the maximum results, but short enough not to OVER stretch.

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 3 DAYS
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I'll be back tommorow pushing play

Day 24 - Kenpo Kid

2007-10-10T22:20:00.000-05:00

Ah, another day of Kenpo.

While the last time I did this workout, I was a freakin Kenpo Master. Kicking, Punching, and Blocking that Jet Li, Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris couldn't defend. (Yeah, I'm that good... Just kidding). But today was another story.

For the past two days, I've had some sick bug that I got from my son who's been sick the past couple of days. I've got the congestion, runny nose, stuffy head. In addition to all of this, I was blind-sided tackled by Core Synergistics yesterday. So putting together yesterday, and me being sick, instead of Kenpo Master, I was Kenpo Kid. I still gave it my all, and sweated outrageously like I always do. Just this time, I just stuck to the "normal" kicks and punches. I still had to 2x during the blocking section, but that's nothing un-usual.

Also, along w/ doing P90X on my own, I've started to find some workout buddies on WOWY on the Beach Body website. It's nice to give each other some words of advice and motivation, workout, then chat with each other on how we did. Great Motivation to keep coming back tomorrow and pushing play. While some are states away, we're all striving for the same goal. It's fun.

It's almost Day 28 PICTURE DAY!!!!!! I can't wait! I've forgone putting up Week 4 pics that are taking at the beginning of the week. I'm going to wait till the end of the week my body shows the results of completing Phase I.

I'm going to switch up the pictures to be taken at the end of the week instead of the beginning so that they are in sync w/ the picture taking times of the P90X program

I'll be back tommorow pushing play.

Day 23 - Core Synergistics

2007-10-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

Core synergistics was an workout that I have been looking forward to doing since the start. As I've mentioned yesterday, being that this is a recovery week, I was kinda worried about letting go of the resistance training. I thought that I might lose my momentum. I actually started thinking of just continuing the resistance training. But I HAVE to, I MUST stick w/ the program to the T.

I quickly, and I stress quickly, found out that Core Synergistics is no walk in the park. What you think you might miss out by not doing resistance training, Tony fills in the gaps with "persistance" training (doing lots of excersices using your own body weight with multiple reps). Tony put me through the paces, constantly reminding me to "ENGAGE" my core. We went through exercises I've never seen or heard of before that put a whole new style of "good pain" in me. I actually felt like I was back on Day 1, Week 1. I was uncoordinated, I fumbled, and tumbled w/ some of the moves. Sometimes, on the new moves, I had to let Tony do one or two before I jumped in.

This is NOW my new FAVORITE workout. It's great. It's Fun, rough, tough, wham-blam-thank you-ma'am type of workout. This workout made each exercises hit all of my muscle groups AT THE SAME TIME! Each exercises had my stomach stinging, my legs aching, my shoulders burning, my chest throbbing, my heart rate pounding, my back flexing. And when you weren't doing that, you were giving high knees, or jumping rope. Core to the EXTREME!!

WHAM-BLAM-THANK YOU MA'AM!

I can't believe that I'm almost 1/3 the way through this program. Think about it.. I've been going strong for 23 days straight with one of the hardest workout programs out there. I've stuck as close to the nutrition plan as I could financially. I've given every single workout my all, as well as keeping up this blog and it's starting to pay off. I've lost weight (fat), my body fat % has lowered, my belt buster is leaving. My flexibility is increasing, my arms, legs, and back are getting toned. In addition to eating healthier, I've become quite a chef in the kitchen (which my wife likes.)

This has been one wide ride and amazing experience. Instead of complaining about my body and my weight,etc... So far, P90X has done more for me than just be a workout program that will eventually get stowed away in the closet. It's becoming more of a lifestyle: Eating Healthy, Staying Healthy, Getting Fit, Staying Fit. I've gotten my wife to join in on the nutritional side of it. (Being 5 months pregnant, I don't see her doing any pullups any time soon). And I have my workout buddy, my 2yr old son.

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Countdown till Progress Reports (& Pics): 5 DAYS
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 22 - Recovery Week (Yoga)

2007-10-08T23:03:00.000-05:00

Today is the start of the recovery (last) week of Phase I.

I'm excited about having a "new" workout week having yoga, kenpo, and core synergistic. I still want to have all the pushing and pulling of weights that I've had the prior three weeks. But just like everything else in life: "Too much anything, good or bad, can kill you." While I know that P90X will not kill me, I know that I need to take this week to let my body recover from last week and get ready for the NEXT level of workouts in the coming week.

Today, was Yoga. Which, I might add, is starting to become on of my top workouts to do. I feel it making me stronger on the inside. My flexibility has increased; my stamina has increased; my balance has increased. Tony adds this phrase: "A longer body is a stronger body." Most people just want to push/pull and get "big", but in doing so they also get stiff.

After you have used weights (or other means) to overload and fatigue your muscles, your muscles retain a "pump" and are shortened somewhat. This"shortening" is due mostly to the repetition of intense muscle activity that often only takes the muscle through part of its full range of motion. This "pump" makes the muscle appear bigger. The "pumped" muscle is also full of lactic acid and other by-products from exhaustive exercise. If the muscle is not stretched afterward, it will retain this decreased range of motion (it sort of "forgets" how to make itself as long as it could) and the buildup of lactic acid will cause post-exercise soreness. Also, strenuous workouts will often cause damage to the muscle's connective tissue. The tissue heals in 1 to 2 days but it is believed that the tissues heal at a shorter length (decreasing muscular development as well as flexibility).

This is exactly why I look forward to Yoga. It clears my mind, and it helps my body grow by stretching and strengthening every muscle, tendon, and fiber in my body.

Yoga X is another great addition to the P90X program. Before P90X, I thought only women and old people did yoga. But now I know different, Yoga has/will help me in every part of my daily life from my posture, detox my body, improve my flexibility, and tone my muscles.

Can it get any better than that???

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 21 - Day of Rest

2007-10-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

On the Seventh Day, God rested. So, I guess I will too.

As a review of the last three weeks, I think I've done phenomenal, in terms of "keeping up the good fight". I stayed away from all the junk food, random snacking, fatty foods, soda's, fast food, and sweet indulgences.

I am proud that I stuck to my guns and even though there were alot of temptations this month, I stayed w/ the P90X plan. They say nutrition is just as important (probably even more) than working out. No sense on taking one step forward by working out hard EVERY DAY, just to take two steps back by eating junk food that does not do my body any good.

I can see and feel my progress in just these few three weeks.
Without throwing a pity party, I wasn't happy w/ my body at all. One of those "I'm eat because I'm unhappy w/ my body, I'm unhappy w/ my body because I eat." I'd come home from a full day of work, then I'd have to make dinner (sometimes), then play with my son (which is always the highlight of my day), then give him and bath, then put him to bed, then at the end of the day, it's around 8:30pm. I'm tired, drained, hungry, and ready to just sit and do nothing and go to bed. Just to repeat the same process the next day.

Since getting P90X, I've had a "second wind". It's the perfect answer for someone who has limited time and/or cannot make it to the gym every night. P90X has given me something to look forward to each and every night. It's like having a workout buddy who is always ready to workout no matter what time it is. Keeping me going / pushing me to the next level. I can workout in the comforts of my house, while my son sleeps in the next room.

It's gotten to the point to where I "need to", I "have to" push play every night. Each night, I push my self to new limits, I sweat & swear due to all the pushing, pulling, and "good" pain I go through. I know deep down that I the only way to change my life (health, weight, etc) I have to change my thoughts. Pushing play every night, and looking at my Before Pictures push me to keeping up the "good fight" of getting back in shape.

p90X has started carving me into a new man. I'm eating healthier, losing fat and gaining muscle. I've have more energy throughout the day, my daily outlook has become brighter, I've become more "cheerful". No more "unhappy->eat, eat->unhappy". NO MORE!! P90X has taken me far in these three short weeks. I can't wait for the next 10 more.

p90X is worth every single penny that I spent on the program. I've always been skeptical about workout programs that you see on TV. But there was/is something about this program, the P90X program that had me hooked from the first time I saw it. And after the first day of pushing play I was hooked. P90X is going to take me to a whole new level, and all I have to do is push play and enjoy the ride.

Day 20 - Jet Li has nothing on me!!

2007-10-06T20:23:00.000-05:00

What a great way to end week 3.

I think that I took it to a whole new level today w/ Kenpo X. I never stopped moving. If I wasn't kicking I was busting out the highest running knees. If I was kicking I was using all the technique and skills from my prior M.A. experience to , instead of regular front kicks and side kicks, I did round house kicks, hook kicks, jump switch kicks. I think that I sweated more on this one day than all this week combined. I DEFINITELY feel it in my glutes, especially my butt. I will also surely need X stretch tomorrow to limber me up some.

The end of week 3 came with a BANG! I brought my "A" game tonight and completed ripped Kenpo X a new one.

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I would like to comment that while the beginning of kenpo X w/ the kicks is great, and the punching sequence is awesome, the workout lacks when it gets into the arm blocks. My heart rate goes way down out of the "zone". I think they could take some moves out (i.e. The elbow up-down-left-right throws) because they do nothing for me. To try to get the most out of the block sequence, I focused on maintaining a low low horse stance and go for MAX reps during the time instead of keeping w/ Tony's 20-25 throw pace. I was almost tempted to hit the replay button to go through the punching/kicking sequence again

I'm going to go out and get me some hand or wrist weights to see if it makes any difference.
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I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 19 - Legs of Fire!

2007-10-05T21:43:00.000-05:00

Three weeks almost up!

Today was a really solid workout. Week 1 & 2 I struggled to get through the different versions of wall squats, but today I was able to burn through them without having to stand-up. Of course the wall squats made my legs fire hot, and there was alittle shaking in the last few seconds of each. But all-in-all, I'm proud of myself making this milestone.

I can "SEE" a huge difference in my thighs. Before it was just one mass, now I can see some major definition between the inner and outer thigh muscles (Vastus Medialis & Lateralis). I'll contribute this to the extra cardio, plyometrics, kenpo x, & of course Leg&Back.

Also with this workout, I used 20# D.B.'s on all the leg exercises, unless Tony specified not to. I wanted to make sure my Phase I went out w/ a BANG!

While I still have to use the chair for 90% of all my pullups, I was able to do +1 pullup unassisted on each of the pull up exercises. ANOTHER MILESTONE HIT! My back has taken a new form. Comparing my Muscle pose of my back of Week 3 and Week 1. HUGE difference, at least in my eyes. My "love-handles" are slowly going away and the ridge down my spine is become more pronounced.
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My nutrition plan has been coming along quite nicely. I've enjoyed the fact that P90X gives me the meal plan option with my entire week layed out infront of me. I know what groceries I need to get for the month/week and buy in bulk. I've stuck to the plan as close as possible, but due to my families taste buds, I've only made the vegetable soup and red pepper soup. Both are really great, but since they serve 12 and my family is only 2.5, I cut the recipe in half and that lasts about a week.

Another great thing I like about the nutrition plan is that they also give you the portion option where you pick what you want (I use Michi's Ladder) to mix-and-match your own meals. This came in handy the past couple days w/ the weather and my son getting sick, we weren't able to get out to the store. I was able to use the ladder and make meals from the groceries I did have and still have a complete "nutritional" day.

Goals/Milestones for Today:
Stick w/ Nutrition Plan: Done
+1 Unassisted Pullup PER exercise: ACHIEVED!! Kudos to me
Get through wall-squats (not matter what): BOOO YAAA!!! You can't stop me.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 18 - Oooooommm! Yoga

2007-10-04T22:48:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I'm saying this: I needed to do Yoga X. The last three days I've pushed my body to it's limits and I needed a good stretch and inner peace stimulation.

Being the 3rd time of Yoga X, I didn't need to see the TV at all. All I needed was Tony's que's on the next pose. I focused on staying completely relaxed and deep breathing. WOW! WOW! WOW! My body feels completely "un-kinked" and stretched out.

There are still some poses that I just cannot do (Runners Triangle pose) where you grab underneath your leg and over around you back.. Not gonna happen. But I at least help a "sorta" pose.

My flexibility, stability and core have increased in these three sort weeks. Week 1, I couldn't hold one pose for more than 3 seconds, couldn't get through all the vanyasas to downward dog, and I struggled at -1 on touching my toes during the leg stretches. This week, I was in control, of both my mind and body. AND!!!! now I'm about +2/+3 on my leg stretches.

At the end, I really got into the ooooms w/ Tony. I feel energized, relaxed, stretched out, and pumped up to BUST IT in Legs & Back tomorrow.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 17 - Boulders for Arms

2007-10-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

Shoulders and Arms today was another challenge for me to BUST last weeks numbers. Tony says Bulk8-10, Tone:12-15. Well, I'm been, for the past two weeks, hitting 16 reps with my weights, besides the excercises that Tony says do 16. So this week, "No Pain, No Gain" made me try to up the anty by going up in weights to get where 12-15 is the max.

This workout was INTENSE!! I think this is the best workout I've done since the start of P90X. I brought everything I had to the table. I pushed myself to the limits on reps/weights while keeping good form. I was getting that muscle pump that I use to get in the gyms those years ago that I've been lacking these past two weeks. It's a great workout, hands down. After reviewing my performance of the day, I don't think I could have brought anything more to Shoulders and Arms today. I gave it my all.

Shoulders, Bi's, Tri's, REPEAT! --> Can't get any easier, better than that. When I was doing my shoulder exercises (i.e. Deep Swimmers Press, Two-Angle Shoulder Flyes) my left shoulder, which I hurt a week ago, was twinging (if that's even a word). So I went as hard as I could, with the correct form, and doing the best that my shoulder would let me do.

I don't let it try to hold me back. I think that the more I work it out correctly, the stronger it will get, and the less likely it will give me problems in the future.
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I don't know about anyone else, but I'm craving desserts!! With Thanksgiving around the corner, all the stores have Pumpkin Pies & Pumpkin pie cheesecake. MY FAVORITE!! Then of course, there is acouple of steak houses on the way home from work. The smells are intoxicating.

BUT!!! I'm staying strong, I'm staying true. I took my week 3 pictures the other day and it's almost night and day of what I looked like a 17 days ago. So I'm using them as my motivation to get to day 90.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 16 - Call me "Grasshopper"

2007-10-02T22:43:00.000-05:00

Well, I had Plyo today and even though I was able to jump higher, and press harder.

This workout seemed to "drain" me alot more than usual. I know that I'm getting more in shape because I can tell my tire is going away. My goal for today during plyo was "HIGH KNEES." No matter what exercise I did, I focused on getting my knees up. The Double Air Heisman was tough getting my knees up and down while keeping tempo w/ tony.

But I stuck with it 100%. I was able to go through the whole workout and "stop" cause of the pain or fatigue in my legs. Even though I still haven't caught Dominique yet on the high knee jumps, I'm able to keep up with Tony when they go double time. I impressed myself.

I stepped on the scale this morning, and it says that I'm 3lbs lighter than I was 2 weeks ago. I don't really care about the weight loss on a scale. I care more about the pants scale. If my pants are getting looser, then I know I'm on the right track. And as of this morning, my "tight" pair of pants felt looser around the stomach area. So I'm on the right track.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 15 - Pull-up Power - Week 3 pics up!!

2007-10-01T13:39:00.001-05:00

CHECK OUT WEEK 3 PICS!! LOOK AT THE BACK MUSCLE POSE!

OOOOOOH YEAH!!!

I love this workout. Even though my pull-ups aren't the greatest, I'm getting better and better each week. Last week, I had to use the chair on all of them. NOW!, I can pump out 1-2 by myself before using the chair. I think I've been doing the pull ups wrong this entire time until today. Usually I'd do a pull up until my forehead/eyes were level with the bar. WRONG! It wasn't until my wife mentioned how mine look different than Tony on the TV (my pullup bar is where I can't see the TV when I do them). So I looked and sure enough they went to chin or neck level.

MAN-O-MAN-A-CHEVY!! HUGE Difference. Obviously it was harder, but it's the correct way and I sure did feel it. I thought I stumbled onto gold, but it was just doing it w/ correct form.

Today's workout was a GREAT way to start out week 3. Once again, I busted last weeks numbers. Some by 5+, some only by 1+. But slow and steady wins the race. I focused all my energy and strength when doing the pull ups, and pulled a few w/ no chair. YEESSS!!!! I found a D.B. weight that makes it rough and tough on rep 12-15. And when I thought I couldn't do anymore diamond or divebombers. I took a small break, and pumped 1 or 1/2 more. I was going to continue till my muscles wouldn't let me. Tony says people stop way to early. I wasn't going to let that statement apply to me

I have that afterwork out pump!!! I feel it all along my chest and upper back. This is my favorite workout and I can see (rep/weight) that I'm getting stronger.

The meal plan is getting old, and the wife has commented on the $$$ spent each week on the food. Hopefully, I've boughten everything I need to last me 2 more weeks. I want to stick to this meal plan 100%, but when $$ is tight, what can you do?? If push comes to shove I'll try to incorporate Michi's Ladder.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 14 - I'm a (Kenpo) Ninja

2007-09-30T23:00:00.000-05:00

What a great way to end week 2.
With all the stretching I've been doing and having done legs yesterday, my horse stance was rock solid. The only part about the dvd is that the begginning stretching makes my legs burn like they're on fire. It's like doing yoga.... So I try to stay up w/ Tony, but I have to get outta some of the positions often.

Like last week's Kenpo Blog entry, I have to almost double time it on some of the excersices so that I can keep my heart up in "THE ZONE" to get maximum calorie burning. During the breaks I do continuous jumping jacks and "Crazy jacks"--> found on Cardio X. While the first half of kenpo is great, the second half where we do all the arm block sequences I have to do 2x cause my heart rate cools down outta "the zone" during that time.

All-in-All, week 2 was alot better than week 1. I busted my #'s from last week, I feel stronger, I have more energy, my tire is slowly going away, and I've stuck to the P90X meal plan.

But the greatest part of all is that I'm seeing a difference. I can't stand my Week 1 pictures, and when compared to my week 2. WOW!!! Not bad for only 7 days of working out.

I'll be taking my Week 3 pictures tommorow and putting them up...

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 13 - Legs

2007-09-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

Another day of Legs over. It's unbelievable how fast week 2 has flown. I just have tomorrow to do Kenpo X and it'll be time to start week 3. WOW!!!

I feel my legs getting stronger and more flexible by the day. Today I was able to do down farther in my stretches than I was during week 1. But the highlight of the day has to go to...... WALL SQUATS!!! Week 1 practically ripped my legs a new one. But this week, I conquered wall squats rather than them conquering me. I gave it my all and tried going X-treme on holding all the positions till the timer ended.

Also this time around, I tried to "BUST IT!" by adding some weights on the legs when Tony suggested it. Since I already had 20# D.B.'s made up, that's what I used. WOW!!! That opened a whole new can of pain. But it was a good weight, nothing over bearing. My pull ups are still my weak link to my body. Today, I tried to do as many on my own before using the chair. I was able to pull out 1-2 pullups of my own body weight. Not bad.. But not good either.. Next week, my goal is 3 pull ups (every position) on my own before the chair.

ARX also came and went, skipping right to it after leg stretching. I tried to keep up with the guy on the right side of the screen again. Once again I tried, and once again he left me in the dust, but I'm thinking baby steps. I feel my abs getting stronger, and more toned. But I HAVE to get rid of this layer of fat around my stomach and back. I'm going to continue doing some cardio (2x-3x) next week to help aid in the fat burning process.

Today, I had to do another mixing up of the meal plan due to lack of meal ingredients. This plan blazes through groceries like no ones business. Well, maybe it's because it takes fresh ingredients and you have to buy them every week cause by the end of the week, they're no good. I'm still going to stick to the meal plans cause that's the commitment I made at the beginning.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 12 - It's WARRIOR day!

2007-09-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

Another Yoga day down in the books (or worksheets). In hopes of getting this spare tire off my body, I've decided to do alittle extra cardio. Maybe 2x a week. Nothing major because P90X classic is already pushing my body to the extreme.

Today, instead of going for a jog on the treadmill during lunch today, I'd thought I'd take an early day off of work (Don't tell my boss.. hahaha) and do the Cardio X dvd. Since today is Yoga day, I didn't think I'd be that worn out. So, I got home early, set up the living room, got my towel, my water, and pushed Play.

Cardio X is GREAT!! It's Plyo; It's Kenpo; and Yoga all roled into one. Definitely alot better, and more fun than running on a treadmill. I was drenched at the end of it (like usual). Had my delicious recovery drink. Dominique was in this video, so I had someone to keep up with. This guy is freakin crazy in Plyo, so if I can keep up with him, I'll be on the good path to becoming Tireless.

After acouple hours rest and dinner, I put in Yoga. Since I've already been through this dvd before I knew what positions where what, so I was able to focus more on my breathing and relaxing than trying to look up and see what position Tony was talking about. This time, I was able to hold the positions alittle longer, go deeper, and had more stability than last time. This time I was ready for all the Downward dogs, Vinyasa's, and all the Different Warriors. I held them like a Pro.

I also had my 2yr old son doing the first part of Yoga with me tonight. It is hilarious seeing him mimic me and Tony. I'm going to make him a P90X shirt and take a picture with him in it.

All-in-all, it was a good day. Cardio and Yoga.

One comment though, the meal plan is getting alittle harder to follow by the day. It's not making the meals, it's having all the ingredients to make them. You run out fast, and sometimes you just don't have 30-45 minutes to make dinner that night or lunch for the next day. What I've been doing is switching out days. Monday's Bfast, Thursday Lunch, Sunday's Dinner. It's what I have in the fridge at the time. I'm still sticking to the plan.. Just mixing it up... hahaha. It's kinda like Stomach Confusion, instead of Muscle confusion.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 11 - Popeye has nothin on me!!

2007-09-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

This day is by far my most favorite day. Working out the money makers. This week, I'm still on a "BUST IT!" mentality. Meaning, I want to bust my #'s of last week. "Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Better" doesn't come from just "Bringing It!". You got to smash through barriers and push yourself to new levels. I believe that I've done that again today. I'm still pleased that I'm still feeling Chest & Back two days ago. I feel stronger, faster. I have more confidence, even though it's just in my own little Nick's World.

I started out with the green band again, but after the first set I was tired of trying to get the "perfect loop" in the band to get me struggling on 12-15. But I was still fighting with the loop size by the time Tony and the others were half way done. So I busted out the free weights. I'm glad I did. I slapped on the weight to give me 20# dumbbells and OH YEAH! the difference I needed. Only on one or two did I go back to the band, but I'm done with that thing for now.

Today's workout was AWESOME!!! Got that after workout pump that I didn't get last week. If you take a look at my spreadsheet, you'll notice that I busted last weeks numbers, with good form and execution. So I'm pretty stoked about that. Plus, my left shoulder didn't give me any problems.
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As a little side note:
Today, I just happened to be working out when my 2 yr old son came out to the living room. He asked "What you doing Daddy?" After I told him working out, he said "I work out too." He proceeded to pick up the green bands, which he saw me us and push them above his head. He would mimic me during every excersice. Every little grunt, foot placement. He even got a drink out of his sippy cup when I took my water break. High Fives happened after every set. He even did ARX w/ me. Of course it was as alot of just laying there watching me, but he kept saying: "Good work Daddy".

I'd like to also add that he LOVES the Recoery drink. :) Now if a 2 year old, finicky eating, son likes the recovery drink.. YOU KNOW IT TASTES GOOD!!

I loved every minute of this workout. I got myself in shape, and I had my biggest supporter and motivator right next to me!
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I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't start using that recovery formula till the end of last week, and I can tell a difference when I do and do not take it. I'm not as "tired" after and the next day. Plus, it's freakin tasty. Like a orange creamsicle or orange-julius.

Goals for today:
Stick to the meal plan: DONE --> 90%
Bust It! during this workout: DONE

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play. BUST IT!!!

Day 10 - Fire LEGS!

2007-09-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

Another day of Plyometrics.

Well, once again I must come straight out and say it!!

I HATE THIS WORKOUT!!!!!! (but I love it!)

I started the day P90X crazy again. Got up, had my meal, (congratulations to me for sticking to the meal plan!!!), rearing to go to work, do my thing, and get back to do Plyo. Being that this "beast" kicks my tail each time, I wanted to get it over w/ A.S.A.P.

I didn't stop this round of Pyro. I did everything in my power to no stop. I did modified, I slowed down, I speed up. Once again, tried to go to that "happy place" everyone talks about. But again, I found out that there is no happy place where it burns fire 100% of the time. But I didn't stop. I'm really proud of myself. I feel like I've conquered something since I didn't stop and went the entire way through. One little thing that did help me through was my little chant: "Bigger, Faster, Stronger, Better."

I've noticed that in only a week, my endurance and strength have increased. My weights & reps have picked up alittle. My endurance (or pain threshold) has increased just a tad. I finally got my week 2 pictures up on the blog. I can honestly say that I notice alittle slimming going on in the stomach area. Just take a look at week 1 and week 2 side shots.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 9 - "Back" in Action

2007-09-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

Woke up today excited about working out again! I think I'm getting alittle TOO excited about P90X. It's the last thing I think about (besides my wife and son) before I fall asleep, and the first thing I think about when I wake up.

Being that this is the start of week 2, I wanted to see where I stood w/ my reps/weigths compared to last week.. I want to BEAT, no not just match, BEAT last weeks #'s.

I couldn't wait to start it today to see how my shoulder would hold up, and I'm happy that it didn't give me any problems during the routine. My left side was alittle tighter, but that was about it.

MAN, WHAT A WORKOUT!! I'm definitely feeling the pump this time. I went all out, balls to the wall, didn't stop till my body couldn't push or pull another time. As you can see from my daily updated spreadsheet, I pretty much met or exceeded my Week 1 numbers. I used some pushup bars that I had stashed in a closet. Definetly worth purchasing!! It takes the pressure off my wrists, and gave me another 5-6 inches to go further down, getting that deep stretch. I focused more on the technique than just blasting out as many as I could. On pull ups, I'm still using the chair method, but I place it to where I can just use my toes and ball of my foot to give me help. I'm am 100% satisfied with my results and efforts today on Chest&Back. I gave Tony and the Kids 100% effort on this one. I didn't use my shoulder as an excuse to not push myself, or letting myself stop a few reps short.

The first time I did Ab Ripper X, it practically kill me by ripping my stomach in two. And as for an update on how I'm holding up today........... It's still practically killing me :). But I'm pushing through. I can kinda see my top two ab muscles coming back (BARELY THOUGH). I can't say enough about this. I'm more confident working out at home where I can scream, cry, and yell at Tony on how much I hate him.

I have plyo tomorrow. Another day I love to hate.

Goals for today:
Stick to the Meals: Done
110% on todays workout: Done
Week 2 Pics: Taken, but not published yet.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 8 - Callin in Sick

2007-09-24T21:36:00.000-05:00

Well as you know, yesterday I subluxated my left shoulder. While, I can raise my arm up, down, and all around, it's still alittle tender. Since today is a Chest & Back which is going to put my shoulders through the ringer, I'm going to not chance further injuring my shoulder.

To make up for today, this entire week is going to be off by one day. What I'm suppose to do on Mon. will be Tues., what is on Tues. will be done on Wed., etc.. etc...

I'll double up on Sunday w/ Kenpo X in the morning and X stretch at night.

I'm still sticking to the diet. Gonna post Week 2 pics tomorrow.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 7 - X Stretch

2007-09-23T13:24:00.000-05:00

Today, I hurt myself. I subluxated my left shoulder goofing off. It's been an ongoing shoulder problem of mine since my gymnastic years in high school. Since then, I've dislocated my left shoulder 4-5 times and subluxated it about the same number of times throughout my college athletic years. Today, I guess my shoulder was just weak from the week long workouts and I just put my shoulder in that weird position where it "popped" out. Fortunately, I'm was able to get it back in.

X-stretch was today, which was HIGHLY needed. A combination of Yoga X and all the stretching done pre-workout of the other days. With my shoulder still alittle tender from this mornings accident, it was really nice to have a entire day devoted to stretching out all the kinks in my body from the weeks constant pounding. Since day 1, with all the stretching done pre-/post- workouts, I've notice that my flexibility has increased. I can go down farther (maybe another inch or so) down to the floor. After, I felt great. I was completely stretched out and relaxed. A great way to finish up Week 1. I don't know how extreme I'll be next week w/ my shoulder alittle tender, but I'm going to try my best.

I'm going to possibly try to add some cardio during next week to help boost the fat burning. Maybe a med-high intensity 25-30 minute jog during my lunch break. Also, since my shoulder is alittle tender, I'll probably add some rotator-cuff exercises to help strengthen them back up.

One down..... 12 more to go!!!! "BRING IT!!!"

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 6 - Kenpo X

2007-09-22T12:48:00.000-05:00

GOOD LORD that was fun!!!! I don't think I have to say that it anymore that these routines are non-stop intense, since I say it every day. But, I was actually getting into the "Power yells". Coming from a martial art back-ground (Tracy System Kenpo, Kenjutsu, & Kuk Sool Won) I was ready and excited about this workout. It gave me a chance to put my balance, kicking, and punching skills to the test.

The first 10-15 minutes is devoted to stretching. I'm thinking on a 60 minute routine, if 20 minutes is spent stretching, that only leaves a small amount of time to "Bring It". I was So, So, So, So wrong. From that moment on, I ate my words. Just when you feel comfortable with one exercise, Tony throws you a curve ball with another move that makes your body switch the way it holds itself, the muscles used, the position and way they move.

Being I use to do these kicks and punch sequences for years, I had the movement and technique down. So I went X-treme, I did kicking combinations. I set my own pace, instead of single high kicks, I did a combination of Low-High. Or multiple kicks w/ out putting my foot down, working on my balance. When the going got tough, I kept my pace by going back to my plyometrics chant of "Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Better."

This is a great workout, my shirt was completely drenched and stuck to me at the end of the workout. I tried to keep my heart rate "In the Zone". For me it's around 165-175 bps. This workout kept it there!!! Can't wait till next week when I do Kenpo X again.

Until then, I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 5 - Legs & Back

2007-09-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm almost through the week 1 of 13. I've only been doing P90X now for only a couple of days, and I feel like I'm making progress. I've been sticking to the nutrition plan (I will never call it a "diet") and I've noticed a difference. I'm more "awake" during the day, my mind is "clearer", I can concentrate more, I don't get that mid-day slow-down.

I've lost 2-3 lbs on the scale, which I thought ironic since I'm eating MORE than I ever did. Since I'm staying focused on sticking 110% w/ the nutrition plan, and the P90X workout plan, my self-esteem has gone up. I could go on for hours, but if this is only day 5 / week 1, I can't wait till day 91.

Legs&Back today was pretty intense (as usual). Luckily, by having Yoga X yesterday, my body was fully strecthed out, wasn't stiff, and I don't think I've done that many lunges in so many different ways. I hated working out legs in college, and I still hate it now. However, I want to have the "full package" Upper body and lower body. What killed me in this workout where the wall-squats. OUCH!!! My wife watched me during the routine and kept give me (what she thought) "advice" to go lower or to straighten my legs. Thanks! :(

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend the Chin-up bar. I can hit every pull up position!! Easy Up before the workout/ easy down after. Working on "Quality" instead of "Quantity" my pull up #'s lowered, but I believe I'm getting the better deal.. Sure the guys/girls on tv can do 18-20 while I'm only doing 6-10. But they started exactly where I'm at, so that's my motivation. I'm still using the chair w/ my chin-ups, but I'm pushing myself to use it less and less each time. But, if I use the chair less and less each day. I'll be a pull up king by day 90.

I'll be back tommorow pushing play.

Day 4 - Yoga X

2007-09-20T17:58:00.000-05:00

Today I did Yoga. This is exactly what I needed. It's not all about going, and going, and going. Tony and the P90X crew got it right by putting this at day 4. After walking around like Frankenstein the past 3 days, alittle stretching inner peace was the trick.

It's still no easy task, the first ~30ish minutes, I'm still sweating once again putting my body into positions never seen before. LOVED THIS WORKOUT!!!! Even thought I couldn't full get into all the positions, I stuck w/ it the ENTIRE workout and did the modified positions when I had to.

I've never done yoga before so this was an experience. I felt refreshed and energized after, I don't know how or why, but THIS STUFF WORKS!. For the rest of the day, I felt engergized, my legs, arms, and the rest of my body lost that Frankenstein stiff feeling. I picked me up some that Recovery Drink, DELIIIIIIIICCCCIOUS! Hope it works like they say it will.

Also, I added in Ab Ripper X after because I forgot (Don't know why) to do it yesterday w/ Arms&Shoulders.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms

2007-09-19T09:48:00.000-05:00

Once again today, ALL my muscles still sore. Plyometrics really kicked my butt. But to tell you the truth, Plyo was really really fun. Tony's comic relief throughout the video makes in fun and enjoyable.

At work today, I had to get up and walk around more than usual due to the fact that the longer I sat in my office seat, the more my legs would hurt the next time I got up. I guess I was having too much fun last night.

Today was Shoulders & Arms. Due to a relatives birthday, I didn't get to workout until 11pm tonight, but it didn't bother me because I felt that if I missed a day, or skipped a day in the sequence that I was letting myself down. Weird how this was only Day 3, but I'm 110% on this program. I WANT MY RESULTS, Come hell or high water!!!

My P90X came w/ a green band. So, I thought that if I ever need to go on vacation, or have to go out of town during work, I could just pack my DVD's & band. So I thought I'd try this workout w/ the band.

The green band seemed to work quite nicely. The only problem that I had was trying to figure out the correct loop size for each exercise. One exercise I would need a big loop; another, a small loop; the other, medium loop. So the first time through it was cumbersome. I found that by the time I'd figured out my correct "loop size", Tony and "the kids" were either already done or half way through. So I'd have to run over and hit the pause button. Finish my reps, then press play again. I gave each exercise my complete 100% attention to form. Being that I'm wanting to tone/lean down I went for the higher 12-15 reps instead of the bulk maker 8-10.

All-in-all, it was a good workout. I started seeing those veins popping and muscle ripples in my shoulders that I had in college again. Almost made me want to cry. :) My triceps and shoulders were blasted on this workout. I can't wait for tomorrow. Once again, I'm am amazed, absolutely amazed on this Workout Package as a whole. This is THE workout program I've been looking for!! There is No Equal. Not Tae-Bo, Not Buns/Abs/ETC of steel. No lame "Body by Jake" apparatus. Nothing.

Goals Day 3:
- Stick to the Nutrition Plan - DONE!
- Keep & Attain Rep # - DONE!
- Get Through Shoulders & Arms - DONE!

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Day 2 - "Pyro"-metrics

2007-09-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

-------Note:--------
This morning I woke up and even though alittle sore. Of course, who wouldn't be after not working out for several months. I just wanted to say that I feel great. I know that I'm getting myself back in shape. I know that I'm making myself and my body healthier. I know that whatever Tony puts me through is going to get me results. I wake up ready to start the meal plan and get through the day so that I can come home and work out.

ok, Another amazing workout and day DONE! Today was Plyometrics. I'll rewind and take you back before I pressed play:

------------------REWIND---------------------
I am still sore in the chest and back from yesterday's brutal workout. But this is exactly where I need to be and what I need to be doing. I thought to myself: "Today HAS to be better than yesterday, all I have to do is just jump around. I have some strong legs and I have some good jump height already."

Then, I loaded the Plyometrics DVD in the player, and pressed play.

During the warmup, Tony states that this is the “mother of all the workouts” and "The Beast!" and this is the X in P90X. Then something popped in my mind: The mother? The Beast!

Are you kidding me? Seriously, what was yesterday? A walk in the park w/ fifi the poodle? I’m not ready for "the mother", or ANYTHING nicknamed "The Beast." But, I'm ready and committed to this program 110%. I'm going to finish this one if it kills me. Just an hour of jumping.

THE PAIN! THE BURNING! Make it Stop Please!! 10 minutes into the workout and my legs are on FIRE! Looking over at the clock. Oh yeah, 45 MORE minutes to go. But if they can do it, I can do it. (I hope).

30 minutes into the workout, I’m dying! The sweat is coming non stop. I'm thinking to myself: "I want to go home! This is killer." But then I looked around. I couldn't go home cause I was already there. AAAAGH!! The legs are becoming non-responsive (hahahaha). But I'm going to admit this right now. The water breaks that are 30sec to 1min long.... I hit the pause button. The pause button was my friend throughout this workout. But only on the water breaks. On occasion, they would say their heart rate, Tony's saying "Oh, I got my heart rate up to 120, I better get going." HA, you've got to be kidding me! I got him beat by a long shot, mine was around 170. My heart was pounding so hard, I felt my entire neck and head throb w/ every pulse of my heart.

Throughout this routine, I'm loving it. Tony's come up with out-of-this-world jumping exercises that hit my legs at every angle. True, my legs feel like I'm getting stuck w/ hot pokers. But It's going to make me stronger, faster, better. No Pain, No Gain. Sometimes, I had to do the "modified" version of the jump, but this time I NEVER stopped. I blasted till the end of each time sequence. Each jump, I chanted: "Bigger, Faster, Stronger, Better."
---------------------------------------------------------------

Well, I made it through Plyo today. I'm extremely proud of myself that I didn't give up, and that even if I couldn't get more than 2" off the ground at time, or even if I did the modified version. I kept with it till the end. 2 days down, 88 more to go. Once again, I met my goal of sticking to the nutrition plan and giving 100% to the workout. I'm DEFINITELY going to feel this tomorrow. No doubt. But I'm better off today than I was before P90X.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

TIP: Don't Close your eyes, Stay Focused at the TV. If you close your eyes, all you senses heighten. ESPECIALLY your TOUCH sensors and (at least for me) it all seemed to focus on my legs making them hurt more. Oh yeah, Don't think of trying to go that "Happy Place". In Plyometrics, there is no "Happy Place."

Day 1 - Armageddon

2007-09-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

Well, I've officially finished Day 1. And to sum it all up I'd have to say that it was RIDICULOUSLY INTENSE!! It was AWESOME!

I hit both of my goals today. First goal was to stick to the meal plan. To save time in the morning, I'm making my lunches and snacks for the day the night before! Breakfast was tasty and delicious. I was first intimidated by the amount of food that I was going to eat for the day. But when I sat down and tallied all the calories, protein, carbs, fat; it was the daily intake that I'm "suppose" to be eating. Along w/ constantly hydrating throughout the day, and sucking down the Animal Pak vitamins, I did notice that I wasn't as "sluggish" and had more energy throughout the day.

P90X did a great job on the nutritional plan. The recipes are easy to make (some have more ingredients than others, but that's about it), and they taste great! Since I have something new everyday, I'm going to be cooking for myself more in the next 90 days than I probably have my entire life! (No Joke!) If things keep tasting the way they do, it's going to be no problem keeping to the meal plan. 110% Commitment.
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CHEST & BACK
Ok, Now for the workout.
Today was Chest & Back. I was ready for anything. I had my weights, I had my P90X Chin-Up bar (Which is a MUST!, this chin-up bar is great construction, sturdy and lets me hit EVERY possible hand position), towel and bottle of water, and my P90X workout sheets to write down my reps/weights.
I've read on the discussion boards about the intensity of these videos.
And as I pressed play I thought to myself:
"How hard could it be?," "I'm not going to have that much trouble." "I can handle 1 hour."

OH MY GOD! I was dead wrong. That literally kicked my tail. As I was pushing and pulling, I don't think I've made those types of grunting noises before. This was only 10 minutes into the workout (not including the stretching part). My wife came out in the living room to see why I'm making this weird noises, and to snicker. After about 5 minutes of watching, she knew X-actly why. I looked over at the time bar and almost cried. "I HAVE 30 MORE MINUTES?" Of course, while the guys/girls on the screen where doing 30, I was doing a mere 12-15, sometimes only six or eight. But that didn't bother me. I used Tony's motivation to keep me going. I had a number in my head and I stuck to it. I went till my body couldn't go any farther. Then I knew I gave 110%. This video pushes you relentlessly, first you pull, then you push, thne you pull again, then push. Then, the all cherished 40 sec water break. Then BAM! right back into it without skipping a beat going through a whole barrage of exercises. OH YEAH!, THAT WAS ONLY ROUND 1, there is still a second round. But I made it through. I didn't stop, and I didn't quit! At the end there is a cool down, but for me, my "cool down"was more of a "try and not throw-up."

Tony stressed to have a goal, a number of reps, in mind. I had a number and I stuck with it, even if after the first one, my body gave out, I'd do what I could to keep great form and HIT MY NUMBER, even if the push ups went down only 3 inches, or I used my foot during pull-ups.

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AB RIPPER X

The name says it all. I've down almost every type of sit up (I THOUGHT), until I did this video. Just like the Chest&Back routine, this routine it just as brutal (in a GOOD way.) I loved every minute of it; Yelling "GIVE ME MORE" as my abs burned as if on fire. This routine is only 15 minutes long, but it felt like 30. It was great, and I can't wait to do it again. My favorite exercises they did was the Curl-up/V-up.

I have found THE workout for me. Tony Horton is unbelievable and so is P90X. Usually workout out in the gym, or by myself, I find that I "fudge" here and there on weight and rep. But with his motivation, doing the excersices w/ me and the guys/girls in the back pumping them out. It makes me want to stay focused and work harder. No wonder people get outrageous results. I can't wait for day 90!! Then, it'll be time to do it all over again!

In closing, I meet my goals of sticking to the meal Plan, and I finished Day One. I'm going to sleep really well tonight.

I'll be back tomorrow pushing play.

Fit Test (Pre Day 1)

2007-09-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

Well, Today is the first day before Day 1. I just finished the "Fit Test" that I have to pass before going on to P90X. Below are the start #'s to use as a base line for when I perform the fit test on Day 90.

Resting Heart Rate: 65
1. Pull Ups: 3 -- I am totally embarrassed on this one. Wide-Grip.
2. Jump Height: 20" (Start: 89" Jump: 109")
3. Push Ups: 30 - This was hard as I had a dog and my son crawling on me at the time. :)
4. Toe Touch: -1"
5. Wall Squat: 1:48 -- This again, I am embarrassed by. My legs were shaking like jello. haha
6. Bicep Curl: 19 using perfect form w/ 20# DB's. Since I want to have a weight were I max out around ~12. I'm going to try to go to 25#. But for the first arm workout, I'm sticking w/ 20's.
7. Ab Test: 55 till it hurt too much.. I wasn't sure on the "form" of doing these. So I was in a V position. Hope this was right.
8. Heart Rate Maximizer:
Immediately After: 179
1 Minute Rest: 146
2 Minute Rest: 130
3 Minute Rest: 126
4 Minute Rest: 108

Well, It's off to the store to get all the groceries to make the food for this week. I'm taking Animal Pak mulitvitamins for 1) They are CHEAPER than the P90X, 2) They have ever ingredient and amount as the P90X and more. The only drawback is that instead of taking 6 pills a day, the animal pak has 11 pills. I don't know about sucking down 11 pills 2x a day. I think that once these are gone, I'm just going to get the P90X pills.

But I've PASSED the first stage of my transformation. Tomorrow is going to be the real test because I'm going to still the food plan 100% and give 110% to the P90X system. Wish me luck.