Day 77 - THE OBLITERATOR

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

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.

Day 50 - Recovery Week Ooops

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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 43 - Hard Rock Hotel

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 36 - The Gun Show

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 29 - It has BEGUN!! Phase II

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.