Day 69 - Kenpo takes a back seat

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 62 - Kenpo X

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 52 - Recovery Kenpo

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 48 - Kenpo Kid: The Sequel

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 42 - Kenpo X

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 34 - Kenpo Kid II

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 24 - Kenpo Kid

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 20 - Jet Li has nothing on me!!

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 14 - I'm a (Kenpo) Ninja

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 6 - Kenpo X

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.