Day 12 (Legs and Back)

I didn't show a ton of improvement on my numbers from last week. In the first round I was able to do about one more pull-up per exercise, but in the second round I was pretty weak. My legs felt fine throughout the work out, so I'll probably push it a bit more next week, or carry more weight on the lunges. The wall squats are still very difficult and definitely suck the energy right out of me.

I was a little weak on ab ripper x as well. A lot of the moves in Ab ripper involve moving your legs while in a seated position, and they felt extra heavy today. I probably notice it more because last week I didn't do ab ripper directly after "legs and back," instead coupling it with the Kenpo the following day. However, toward the end of the ab routines, I was very strong. My core always feels incredibly tight after performing the exercises, so I'm beginning to look forward ab ripper x (not really, but I like the result).

After all the workouts today, I felt extra pumped, and noticed that I am gaining some size and shape in my scrony arms. Its really motivating to see these kinds of results in just under two weeks of regular exercise and balanced dieting. I also notice a big difference in my energy throughout the day. I'm working out twice as much and feel like I've got twice the stamina. I'm eager to see where I'll be 10 weeks from now, but meanwhile, I'm enjoying the jouney. 12 down, 78 to go.

Day 11 (Yoga X)

Wasn't really in the mood for Yoga X today, but I did it anyway. I had forgotten that it is an hour-and-a-half and didn't leave a lot of time between it and going to volleyball, so I was kind of rushed. I was less clumsy with the moves this time, and maintained good balance throughout. I'm always a little shakey afterward though because we hold poses for so long that my muscles fatigue a bit. My upper back is a little tight.

Volleyball was alright tonight, but I felt a little uncoordinated. We grabbed a couple beers after class and watched the last half of the Laker/Sun game. Pretty exciting finish if you watched it (Artest put back FTW with no time remaining). I had a Cajun chicken sandwich (dry, no fries), which really hit the spot. I had another cookie when i got home so the diet was a little messed up tonight, but worth it. 11 down, 79 to go...

Day Ten (Shoulders and Arms)

Today was weird because I feel a little softer than yesterday. My weight is also back up to 179, though that was directly after drinking 32 oz. of water. My workout went well, and rather quickly. Since I have an extra set of dumbbells now, there isn't as much time wasted switching weights on and off. Doing the routine continuously kept my heart rate up for the entire 50 minute workout.

I'm getting really good at Ab ripper, and can almost do every move the entire time now. I'm hoping that by next week I'll be able to bang the whole thing out.

My mom sent some cookies that arrived today, so I had a couple. They're oatmeal based so I felt like they were healthy, but there was probably a bunch of butter in them. Also, I had a salad at work that I forgot to modify with dressing on the side, so it was drenched. Its a lemon vinagrette, but its olive oil based, so it was probably a little higher in fat than the P90X diet would recommend. So it goes. Ten down, 80 to go...

Day Nine (Plyometrics)

The pictures I uploaded were taken today before I did Plyo, so I consider them to be after 8 days on p90x. I just got a new battery for my camera so I decided to take some snappy snaps. Originally I only wanted to post pictures after two weeks, but I was surprised at the results after one week so I figured they were worth sharing. The biggest difference I notice is some slimming around my midsection, and some definition in my back and shoulders. This is definitely due to emphasis on the core (Ab Ripper 3X per week), and pull-ups twice a week. Either way, I'm happy with how it's going so far. (Compare these pix to those I posted before Day one in "P90X: The Justification")

Plyo today was much easier to complete. Partially because I knew what was coming up and could pace myself, but also because I had more endurance. My legs are worked, but they don't feel as fatigued as they did even a week ago. I'm not used to having any definition in my quads, but half way through this DVD, I noticed my legs were getting pretty pumped up. Of course when it was over I was pretty relieved, and happy I don't have to do it again until next week.

Tonight I go to BVB in Manhattan Beach which should be the true test of endurance. Last week I was really feeling the burn and couldn't jump very high at the net. Hopefully today I'll have a little more energy left. Nine down, 81 to go...

Day Eight (Chest and Back)

I didn't see as much improvement in my numbers from last week as I'd hoped for. I was able to do about the same number of pull-ups and push-ups, but this week I was able to do the exercises from the DVD continuously. Last week I spent a bunch of time changing weights back and forth because I only had two handles and didn't know how much to do for each exercise. I also had to keep pausing the DVD to run upstairs to do pull-ups. Today, I did them in my room and used my closet door for the pull-up bar, so I didn't have to stop at all. Also, I purchased two more handles and a few more weight plates so now i have a couple for lighter weight and a couple for heavier weight, reducing the time I was spending changing back and forth.

Its a great work out, but I have trouble believing that it can completely replace what I do on a bench press. My chest feels pumped up, but it doesn't feel sore the way that it does if I'm pressing a bar off my chest, or doing cable flies. I guess we'll see in 90 days.

Ab Ripper X was still incredibly difficult, but I found that I was lasting a little longer on some of the moves than I did the previous time. By the end of it I am completely wasted tho.

Diet was fine again today. For breakfast, I had an english muffin, cheese omlette, coffee, and cottage cheese mixed with strawberries so it was pretty filling. Lunch was grilled lemon pepper chicken with carrots and green beans followed by a vanilla protein shake. Dinner was pork chops, steamed zuchini and a baked potato with mango salsa. I actually didn't feel like I was dieting today, and I think the extra carb I got from the english muffin did the trick. Like I said yesterday, I'm cheating a bit by having a half portion of extra carb per day, but its satisfying my cravings, so I'm fine with it. I also had a lemon drop martini when I got home. Not sure exactly where that fits in.

Tomorrow is Plyometrics, and I'm definitely dreading it. My legs are just feeling normal, and by tomorrow afternoon they'll be fried again. So it goes. Eight down, 82 to go...

Day Seven (X Stretch or Rest)

This is a little like normal yoga. Its a bunch of stretches that we do throughout the week, but these are a little longer and more concentrated. The hour actually flies by pretty quickly and I felt really good afterward. My hips have always been pretty tight, so I'm hoping that by the end of the 90 days, they will have loosened up a bit.

Its been a week, and I definitely feel and see some results. There is a little more definition in my shoulders and chest area, as well as around my torso. My stomach feels a little tighter, and my pants fit a little less snugly. I've lost 3.5 lbs, but that's a tricky measurement to go by because I regularly fluctuate between 175 and 180 depending on the week. Overall I have more energy and just feel fitter of body and mind. So far so good. I've decided to post updated pictures every two weeks (instead of weekly) so the progress is more evident. Seven down, 83 to go...

Day Six (Kenpo)

This workout is designed for cardio, and is basically kickboxing. I'm not in love with it, but I can see why its a part of the program. I've never taken Martial Arts, so I'm pretty clumsy with most of the punches and kicks. That made it difficult for me to get a solid aerobic workout from this because I couldn't add a lot of intensity to the moves. I was still sweating pretty good, but it was no where near the calorie burner that basketball or volleyball is.

Because I am fairly active and play volleyball or basketball at least 3 times per week, I can see Kenpo being the day I skip if I'm a little busy, as I don't really need it. I actually played BVB (beach volleyball) for about 2 hours before the Kenpo, and finished with Ab Ripper X, so I got a good amount of exercise for the day. Ab Ripper X is still extremely intense, and I am unable to do all the core routines without taking a break. They say by the end of Ab ripper X you've done 339 ab moves, but I probably do about 275 at this point.

Today was the first time my cravings got the best of me. As I've said, in the Fat Burner phase of the diet they only allow you to have one portion of carbohydrate (not incuding fruits and veggies) per day, and I had mine for breakfast in the form of an english muffin. By dinner I was really graving a starch or some bread. I worked a late shift and had fish and veggies, but included a baked potato with salsa. I ate at like 7:30, and wasn't able to eat a protein bar later in the night, so I was starving by 1 am when I got home. I snacked on carrots and a protein shake, but it didn't do the trick. I had to have some bread, so I had an english muffin to cap it off. It was exactly what I needed. Each english muffin counts as half a portion of Carbohydrate, so I was a full Carb portion over my allotment for the day. I'm probably going to modify my diet to include two portions of carbs daily now, because I seem to be craving it so much. I also don't have as much fat to burn as others who are doing this program so I don't need as drastic a diet. In Phase two, you are allowed 3 carbs per day, so I figure I'm meeting in the middle. Six down, 84 to go...

Day 5 (Back and Legs)

This was another difficult, but bearable day. I like that the first few days of the week in this cycle are extremely difficult, and the later ones gradually get easier and easier. If they were all super intense, it would make each day feel like punishment and I wouldn't want to start it all over again come Monday.

The back workout is mostly pullups, which I've started looking forward to because I can really feel it. I still max out at only 7-8 overhand pull-ups (the guys in the DVD do like 25 as if its nothing), but now when I do multiple sets, I can do 3-4 before I need chair assistance. On day one, I maxed out on the first set and then found it difficult to do more than two unassisted for the following sets.

The leg workout was tough, but I took it easy because I was still recovering from plyometrics. My quads were still extremely sore and I couldn't walk normally for the third straight day. The leg exercises are a bunch of lunge type moves that you can add weight to if you'd like, but I didn't. It was hard enough and I thought it would give me something to work toward next week. I really liked the calf raises because the three moves we did focused intensely on the entire muscle.

I ran out of time for Ab Ripper X and would have to do it Saturday with the Kenpo X.

Today I was really craving an extra starch in my diet. I had a steak for dinner, but just veggies and fruit on the side and it didn't really hit the spot. Though it was slightly unsatisfying, I dealt with it and didn't cave in.

Later we met up with some friends at the Comedy Store in Hollywood, and saw some equally unsatisfying comedy while paying $9 each for well vodka-sodas. The nutrition plan doesn't really mention anything about drinking alcohol, but I think it just goes without saying that it is not recommended. If I do drink, I will try to keep it as low-cal/low-carb as possible. Five down, 85 to go...

Day Four (Yoga X)

I'm a few days behind in my blogging so a few of these will be pretty brief just to catch up. Yoga X was difficult, but not unbearable. It starts out with a lot of quad endurance testers, but about half way through becomes more about flexiblity.

I was concerned going into this because my legs were still in a lot of pain from the plyometrics workout on Tuesday. In fact, they were more sore than the previous day and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do any of the Yoga X DVD. It starts out slow though and ten minutes in my legs were loose enough to perform everything. By the end of it, I felt much better than before I started, and was able to move around more freely when it was time for beach volleyball.

The diet was a little more challenging today because we usually grab beers and tacos after volleyball. I wasn't really feeling like drinking and didn't want to eat bar food, but I still went to the bar with everyone, so I just ate my protein bar and drank water. I had to eat much later than I wanted which was kind of inconvenient for myself and my GF, but its just something I'll have to get used to. Four down, 86 to go...

Day Three (Shoulders and Back)

Easy Peasy (Well, compared to the first couple of days). I'm not sure if I got the most out of this workout though, because I spent a lot of time switching weight plates on and off of my handles. It was ridiculously annoying. Probably took me twice as long to do this DVD as it normally should because I had to pause so much. Also, I kept choosing the wrong weight to use because I was just guessing as to how much to do and basically missed the first sets (this exercise was another REPEAT where you do everything twice).

I'm sure it will be tougher when I do it next week and have more weights and thus less "break time." These routines were at least somewhat familiar to me. I do variations at the gym so my muscles weren't so clumsy with each move. I'll have to do my best not to drop the dumbbells on my head as there are a couple moves where the weight is directly over me, just missing by a couple of inches. I can see myself getting tired and slamming the bar into my temple, or losing grip during a "skull crusher" (triceps work out where you lay on your back and push the dumbbell away from your head pivoting at your elbow) and dropping it on my face. I'm sure it happens because Tony (instructor) gives you a tip not to exhaust yourself on this particular variation as a safety precaution.

Ab Ripper X was a little easier today, but I was still unable to do the last half without taking a break. Its probably going to take me a while before I can do it all continuously. Its really difficult, but when its over, the relief is amazing.

The diet was fine again today, though I am a little sick of eggs and will probably do the shake for breakfast. Variety is what will save me with this, but that also means a lot of shopping for fresh meat and produce. I had to go to the store again today, and I don't even recognize my cart anymore. Soy sausage, turkey bacon, berries, skim milk... It looks like Joel (good buddy and former roommate) and I switched baskets. Still miss bread a bit, but I'm getting used to it. There were several times at work today where i had to stop myself from grabbing a ring of calamari, bread stick, or some other goodie that was in the kitchen, and snack instead on my protein bar. I'll break the habit though.

Tomorrow is Yoga X. I'm not sure how this will go as my legs became increasingly sore as the night went on from yesterday's Plyo workout. I can't imagine they'd be fully recovered by the morning. I guess we'll see. Three down, 87 to go.

Day Two (Plyometrics)

Tony (the instructor) calls this the mother of all p90x routines. Its tough. Almost unbearable at times. I had to pause the DVD quite a bit to let my legs recover. Its a ton of jumping into squat positions over and over, with back to back routines. I think its something like 23 or 25 variations that go on for about 30 seconds to a minute each, and then you repeat them all. Almost non stop for 50 minutes. Even though I never lift weights with my legs, I am pretty physically active (play basketball, volleyball, etc...), and this was still incredibly difficult for me. But it can only get easier right? Right? This will definitely be the day I don't look forward to for the next 3 weeks.

In addition to this ridiculous workout, I played about 2 and half hours of sand volleyball to round out my evening. The light rain we had earlier in the day took a 5 hour break just in time for volleyball instruction at 5:30 and I couldn't resist, despite my heavy legs. Definitely worth it as it was pretty warm and its always amazing to be finishing up a game as the sunsets just beyond the pier. Needless to say I was wiped by the end of it and my legs are really burning when I walk up stairs.

The diet is still less demanding than I anticipated, tho I understand it is only the 2nd day. I expected to be hungry all the time, or that the food would be super bland, but its not that much different than the way I normally eat if I cook for myself (minus the protien shakes, bars, vitamins, and supplements). Of course I wouldn't be using egg whites, and my potato would have loads of butter, sour cream, and possibly bacon, but I'm not really missing it yet. What I am craving a bit is bread. In this phase of the diet, I can only really have one full serving of either bread/potato/rice per day, and that usually means at dinner. Again, this is the fat burner month so i can look forward to welcoming back my doughy friends in phases 2 and 3. That's a wrap for today. Tomorrow is shoulders and arms, which I anticipate being annoying because I still don't have the right number of dumbbells and thus will be doing a lot of adding and removing weight from my handles. Two down, 88 to go...

Day One (Chest and Back)

Today went about how I expected, except for a bunch of cramping. I didn't really listen to the instructions at the beginning of the DVD where they tell you to pace yourself, and I sort of went all out on my first reps (on resistance days, you sometimes will repeat everything you just did in a second round where you're really supposed to "Bring it." It was not broughten by me.) I was pretty spent by the end of the first round. I was doing fewer push-ups than I'd done in the first set, and couldn't even do a pull-up without chair assistance.

My current dumbbell situation is not ideal either. I got two handles with a bunch of plates, but I think I'm going to invest in a few more handles so I can more easily switch between weights. It takes a minute or two to keep changing back and forth and brings my heart rate down. Its also taking me longer to do the routines because I have to keep running upstairs to my kitchen doorway to do the pull-ups. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled on Craigslist to see if I can find a pull-up horse (i think its called) for cheap to put in my garage so I can keep the workout confined to one room.

I did have to split the workout up a bit as well. Three days a week you are also supposed to do the Ab Ripper X at the end of the resistance workout, but my hip sockets started to cramp up intensely as soon as I lifted my legs up to attempt a move. I did it later in the evening with no cramping. I think it may have been the creatine in the prework out drink I took, or possibly just dehydration.

Ab Ripper X was very intense, and not the kind of Ab workout I'm used to. It really challenges your upper thighs as well as your abs, and was quite painful at times. I couldn't complete some of the later moves like the slow scissor. Its 16 minutes and 339 total non-stop moves. I was sweating and groaning in minutes.

On the plus side, the diet wasn't really an issue today. I was full from the protein drinks (which taste like milk shakes), and the food I prepared was flavorful as well, despite the lack of butter or sauces. I do crave starches a bit though, as they were a pretty big part of my diet previously. Phase one of the nutrition plan is relatively low carb, as it is the fat burning portion.

Tomorrow is plyometrics. I'm curious to see what my body will feel like in the morning, or how it will react when I go to beach volleyball instruction at 5:30 pm. I assume more cramping. I really can't wait to be in week two and three when I have adjusted to the workouts and aren't as clumsy with the moves. One down 89 to go...

Pre-P90X: The justification

So I'm starting the P90X system today, and will continue to blog about my post-workout experiences throughout the program (those unfamiliar with P90X: FGIA [those unfamiliar with FGIA: Fucking Google It Asshole, a term I credit to Chris Fata]). My reasons for starting this program are three-fold:
1. Excellent marketing campaign by BeachBody. You win late-night P90X infomercials.
2. Boredom. I'm uninterested with my current workout routine, which really only occurs a few times per month.
3. Competition. Honestly, I was only sort of thinking about trying this system until my buddy Kris Denton decided he was going to do it as well, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let him get ripped as I continue to pad my waste line with memory foam.

That being said, I'm not terribly unhappy with the way I look now, but am curious to see what the results will be if I stick to the extreme regimen. The diet will be the true challenge. Currently, I don't pay too much attention to what I'm eating, but try to maintain a balance. I'm probably WAY over my daily caloric allotment. I will be taking a ton of supplements as well to try to maximize the results. I didn't purchase any P90X products and found pretty much everything at Vitamin Shoppe. I followed a list of products laid out for me that include: Multivitamins and fish oils, Daytime Whey Protein, nighttime Whey Protein, Pre-Workout Drink, Post-Workout Recovery Drink, and Protein Bars. My shelf now loo
ks like this:


This is running on a bit, so I'll wrap it up. Here are my before photos:


The primary function of this blog is accountability. I think that I will be more successful if i know people are possibly watching me, so feel free to leave a message from time to time. And we're off!