Day 6: Kenpo & Day 7: Rest

So I missed last Friday because I was out of town so I'm calling that my rest day. Yesterday was Kenpo but I never posted and today is Core Synergystics, if I don't fall asleep first :-X

Let me say that Kenpo is absolutely amazing. I have a blast doing the workouts as it reminds me of Tae Kwon Do. I love martial arts so it's a good motivator. My lower back and hamstrings are still tight but I did an extra 10-15 of stretches to try to help alleviate those issues.

The morning after consists of sore glutes (butt) and legs, but I'm excited to keep this up. Especially with Heather doing the program with me. It really helps and she's doing a good job of keeping me relatively honest.

The best news of all, as of Monday I was able to find Muscle Milk again. YUM!

Every should get this, it's the light at the end of the tunnel of each of my workouts.

Week 1 down! :)

Day 5: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Owie.

My hamstrings and lower back continue to be the inhibiting factor. The first time I tried this program, back in May of 08 I found that there a lot of connecting tissue that rely on each other for certain things. Now, this might seem like an obvious statement but it's something I would be willing to bet few people think about.

Example: Leg lifts. This is a core workout that is meant to work your lower abs. Unfortunately, my hip flexors and hamstrings continue to be a problem The weak hip flexors make it difficult to lift my straightened leg very high off the ground. The excessively tight hamstrings make it extra difficult as now I have something fighting against that upward motion.

I tweaked my right ankle on day 1 and today's balance workouts, along with yesterday's Yoga made it obvious. The strength isn't there and the best feeling I can describe when I put all my weight on it when in a lunge is spongy. I'm going to try to take it easy and, if memory serves, Kenpo shouldn't be too bad for it.

Ugh, time for the dreaded recovery drink.

Day 4: Yoga X

One Word: LOOOONNNGGGGGG

This is an hour and a half video that focuses on overall fexibility, posture, balance, and core strength..

I liked it. My upper body was toast before we shifted focus. Almost every workout in the beginning has you do a vinyasa which is basically the equivalent of 2 or 3 push-ups between every pose, more if you do the actual push-ups between poses of the vinyasa. When it switched to more lower body I realized that my core strength is still lacking. I kinda dislike the more core workouts by the end as my hip flexors, abs and lower back don't like it. :)

Overall, the stretching is good. I know I need it because I could feel huge stretching in my lower back while Tony is saying, 'Ahh, you should feel this in your calf/hamstring/big toe.' and I know I'm doing the form right. More of that will do nothing but good for me.

I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow.

Back to the Superbowl!

Day 3: Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X

Late post, I know.

This is one of my more enjoyable workouts. It's not too tough, but you definitely get a workout from it. I need to purchase more weights. My 15lbs dumbells are not universal. They flip tricep kickbacks are brutal at that weight.

Weakpoints:

Wrists hurt after a bit. The same thing happened with Core with the push-up type stuff. I expect a similar result from Yoga.

I ran out of energy again. This wasn't as drastic as the Core Synergistics workout but by halfway through the ab workout I just wanted to go to sleep. I took it easy, did 5 to 10 of each and skipped the hammer twists at the end.

Lower back and Hamstrings. I'm going to have to spend more time on these in general I think.

Strongpoints:

uh.. I did the workout and felt good enough while doing it. The back problems I had last summer (and went to physical therapy for) are more or less gone. The lower back and hamstrings issue I think is a residual. More stretching!!

Nutrition:

Like my last attempts I'm not focusing on the P90X diet but more on my portion control. I realize when I don't think about it it's easy for me to fall into the "Eat more because it tastes good." The sushi I had the other day was amazing and I think I may continue that trend.

The recovery drink is still awful. I'm planning on hunting around for alternatives today at the store.

Yoga next!

Day 3: Morning After

My legs and glutes are very sore. It's to sit down without the urge to fall after half way. I'm going to do a bit of stretching to see if that helps.

Tonight I have to travel for a meeting so this will be a real test if I can find the time to do my Shoulders and Arms workout. I have it ripped to my laptop and assuming things do not go super late I'm thinking I can either do the workout at my friend's or when I get home late. Thank goodness for being able to sleep in on Saturday.

I haven't been sleeping well. Midnight rolls around too quickly and my brain is just active. This is very odd for me and it's something that I hope goes away soon. This weekend is going to be catch-up-on-sleep time.

Breakfast was raisin bran this morning, yum and I'm thinking I will check out one of the two sushi places near work for lunch. mmm..maki That seems pretty healthy. :)

Day 2: Cardio X

I have to say, I absolutely loved this video. It got my heart rate up, I only had to take one break and there is a ton of room to push the workouts for a long long time. I'm tired, in a great way.

I did switch it up today and make dinner as soon as I got home (fried roast beef and havarti, yum). I ate and took about 45 min to settle and then started the workout. I think that left me in a much better energy position.

The protein drink sucks still, but it's completely bearable in Milk, so that's my plan until I can get rid of the stuff.

My diet is not where I want it, but I'm easing in. :p

Shoulders, Arms, and Ab Ripper X tomorrow! woo!!

Day 2: Morning After

Sore and sore, but it's nothing new. I'm anxious for Cardio X tonight. It's a nervous excitement since I don't want to hit a wall again. I'm going to pace myself and take enough breaks to make it through the whole program.

Breakfast with the office this morning!

Day 1: Core Synergistics

It has been a long time since I honestly hit a wall working out, football? highschool?, and Core Synergistics destroyed me.

I made it about 35 minutes in, pushing myself as I always do. Granted in this case, pushing myself meant maybe doing half the reps on the tape. Suddenly, during the walking push-ups, I just couldn't go on. My head was pounding, sweating profusely and wanted to just lay down. Even now, I am a bit disoriented. I did some stretching and just tried to catch my breath. I got up and got some water, and some almonds and prepared my recovery drink. Which I have to say is absolutely disgusting*. I'm already starting to get my bearings back, but it's most of my concentration.

Day 1 done. It's only improvement from here! :)

*I used to buy Chocolate Muscle Milk mix but the Hannaford in Manchester (or at least the one I go to) doesn't carry it. I ended up getting this other brand of chocolate protein drink that is horrible. I'm basically drinking water with dried chalky choco powder in it. yuck.

We'll see how Cario X goes tomorrow.

Day 1: Morning anticipation

Amount of Sleep last night:
5.5 hours. Hard time falling asleep (unusual for me)

Mood:
Great! If a bit sleepy.

Food:
I had a nice bowl of raisin bran this morning and I'm raring to go with my fruit for snack today. I'm not sure what's on for lunch since I didn't bring one, but I might hop down to Subway for a veggie italian.

No soreness from the fitness test at least ;) I didn't post my pictures, but I plan on taking a set every night so I can animate a real progression (and hopefully it's good).

Overall I'm feeling pretty good. I'm working on something seemingly productive at work which I'm excited about. I'm happy to be starting this workout program again and even more excited that Heather will be doing it with me, even if she's a few states away.

Do your best, forget the rest!

Day 0: Fitness Test

Take 3. Life has been pretty hectic but I think I can handle this program finally. My girlfriend will be doing this with me (and keeping her own notes). I will continue attempting to blog my feelings about the program and what I'm doing to try to live a healthier lifestyle.

For more focus on weight loss and something I thought Heather might be more comfortable with, we're going with the P90X Lean. I'm excited for a change of pace. I was getting a little bored with phase 1 of P90X classic.

Current Mood:
I'm really tired. Had a great weekend with Heather visiting and I'm working my brain off at work so it's taxing, but a good taxing. I'm thinking some pasta and veggies for dinner tonight!

Fitness Test

1	Resting Heart Rate	80
2	Pull Ups	3/4
3	Vertical Leap	16in
4	Push Ups	25
5	Toe Touch	-3in
6	Wall Squat	1m 10s
7	Bicep Curls	25 @ 15lbs
8	In & Outs	31
9	Heart Rate Maximizer
	0m	148
	1m	128
	2m	146
	3m	110
	4m	115

And we're off!

Day 4: Take 3 - Yoga X

I managed to make it 30 minutes without being totally useless! That's improvement. I also found, after my workout, a GIGANTIC knot in my lower back, right side. I managed to work a lot of it out but holy crap, it was a golf ball in my back. When I stand up, the fat of my back (yuck) kinda disguises it as it's right near the spare tire. When I touch my toes, holy crap I can touch my toes again!, and feel my lower back it's ridiculous. I have no idea how long it has been there but my whole lower body feels...different...looser, just much better.

I might do the opening of Yoga X (first 15 min+) as my normal warm up because it's an insane about of leg and back stretches. I think my initial anger towards Yoga X was my complete inability to accomplish anything other than frustration. My goal is to push until I can hold myself up, which is about where I am.

Back on track, gotta keep it up.

Day 4: Take 2

I missed out on yoga X last night. I got home at 5 and was in bed by 6:30. My back had a pain and my body was super stiff. I did do a bunch of stretching, mostly my legs and back, but I was just beat. I'll take up Yoga X tonight.

Ibuprofen is my friend today.

I think I'll try to find a place to squeeze in a double to get back on track.

Day 4: Morning After

Sooooooooo stiff. My legs are weak. My right ankle actually hurts a bit. I'm going to stretch this morning overall, and thankfully I work at a desk so I'll be off it most of the day. I should be good by tonight. Tonight is Yoga and that will be interesting. I need some Yoga blocks.

I asked on the Teambeachbody boards about how to start up with the nutrition and got some interesting advice. Make a list off all the acceptable food amounts I can eat each day and go to the store and as I find food that fits into those days cross them off the list. Either today or tomorrow I'm going to hit up the grocery store and try to grab some good food. I need to study the nutrition guide first.

Time for breakfast than work.

Day 3: Shoulders and Arm, Ab Ripper X

So, I got out of work today, snagged a snack and header over to the links to play 9 holes with a few friends. I got home at 9. At 9:30 I plunked in tonight's workout. I have to admit, I almost just went to bed, but I went to http://teambeachbody.com to catch up with the crew that I was following the program with in my first attempt and their posts and words of encouragement really pushed me over the edge.

Immediate reactions, I'm stronger than I was at the end of May, my lower back is toast, and Ab Ripper X is still crazy. The weights I have are good, but I need heavier ones for a few exercises. I'm doing toning (12-15) and strength (8-10) exercises for a few because honestly I have one weight to work with here. I'm getting a good burn when I stop so it's ok now, but I know I'll need more soon. The 9 whole trot with my clubs, not to mention smacking the ball around (hit a 54, gotta get better there too) really tired out my legs and back. My hamstrings and lower back are still tight as hell and I still did more stretching today. I think it's going to have to be a twice/thrice/etc times a day until my legs and back give up and stop hurting! Rawr! :)

I love my recovery drink, so tasty. I drake two large glasses of water during my workout tonight. I think was still dehydrated from golf some.

Night!

Day 3: Morning After

Sitting down with my normal breakfast of egg and cheese on a bagel with a large glass of water, yum.

My legs are definitely sore. I stretched my calves a little more this morning and I might do my hamstrings and lower back as well.

I am already really glad I started this again. I don't generally overeat anymore, and what I do eat isn't terrible, but my life is very sedentary. I work in an office and sit at my desk/couch/bed at home on the computer. These workouts, as intense as they are, are a tipping point in my well-being and my life. The last month, the last two weeks even, I've noticed my transitioning back to before I started working out at all. Stiff legs and back in the morning, an old back injury started to reappear that these workouts had curbed, getting up from my desk at work suddenly my back and legs were sore/tight and it took a second for me to shake it off and walk normally. Once a day, a good workout, and my body already starts to shift and change. I have already found tangible things to hold on to that make me want to do this, smaller benefits that make my day to day much more enjoyable.

I'm excited for tonight!

P.S. I'm tempted to start up a weekly video portion to this blog that kind of chronicles my experiences for the last week and gives an update on how I've done. First update would be Sunday. Thoughts?

Day 2: Plyometrics

I love plyo so much. It seriously reminds me of football preseason and I always had a great mindset during that so it just naturally transfers over.

Things I noticed were that this was much tougher than I remember, I'm sure that has to do with me being out of practice and the weight I've put back on during my hiatus. I still managed to go through everything, if poorly ;). I had to take a few breaks to get my heart rate down and my squats by the end were pretty miserable, but I'll work on that and should be good before phase II.

The recovery drink is still delicious!

Day 2: Morning After

My shoulders are tired and tight, but of all things my calves, feet and ankles are tight and sore. I had this issue back before I started P90x (attempt 1) and they had gone away. My lower back and hamstrings are still a mess. I'm looking forward to plyo tonight.

This morning was Egg and (munster) cheese on a bagel with a tall glass of water to go with it. It was delicious. I have a protein bar lined up for snack and the cheapy Tuna fish sandwich for lunch. I won't be losing the gut this round that's for sure, BUT I will do all the work outs. Gotta push it.

Wish me luck.

Day 1: Chest and Back

SOO much easier than I remember. I got tired and ran out of steam by the end but I was completely obliterated. This excites me to continue!

Day 1: The return

I have officially declared attempt #1 of P90X a failure. As disappointed as I am with myself about it I am going to stick with the mantra of "Do your best, forget the rest." I've had a lot of real life issues the last few months and my fitness had to take a back seat. Life should be more stable now and this program is a priority.

August 19th (30 days)
September 18th (60 days)
October 17th (90 days)...
here I come!

1 Month later

Where have I been!? Boy, I'm embarrassed.

Well, I've done maybe all of the third week, but life has really thrown me for a loop lately. Now I'm stuck with the disappointment of failing my first attempt at P90x, but wanting to try again.

I'll be mulling this over this weekend. I think Monday will be Day 1 again if I can find the right mindset.

Any thoughts?