Got up again this morning. It was a dreary and rainy morning so it took a bit longer. I actually must have slept funny because I work up and the other side of my back was really bothering me.
I got up and did Plyometrics this morning and while I didn't feel like I could give jumping and squatting 100% because of my back, I modified it some and got a decent workout. I cut the DVD a little short once it got into the really intense stuff towards the end of the workout. I was already sweating and felt good but could tell my back was getting sore, so I just went ahead decided to be cautious. Or lazy. I can't tell which one, but I want to believe I was doing the best for myself long-term, but I might have just been giving myself a reason to quit early. Who knows.
Not sure if I'll do any running today. I really want to but after last week I'm sorta concerned I might have ramped that back up too soon. Maybe I'll just do a mile tonight.
Looking forward to the workout tomorrow. Feeling pretty good today considering so I'm hoping this keeps up.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
P90x Day 57 - Chest, Back
Maybe, just maybe, I'm clawing my way back onto the bandwagon. I got up this morning and got my workout in and feel alot better this morning as a result.
Today was the return to the first 3 weeks workouts. Over the next 4 weeks you alternate between week 1 and week 5's workouts. I remember how hard this workout was the first few weeks I did it and now coming back to it it's actually amusing at how un-intimidating it was. Maybe it's because I've done the next set of workouts where you do a rediculous amount of pull-ups, maybe it's just that I'm more confident in myself now. Whatever the case I felt really good going into today's workout.
AND IT SHOWED. Today was by FAR the best workout I've had at least in regards to push-ups. I started out with a set of 20 standard pushups (something I'm sure I couldn't do 8 weeks ago) and mixing in back workouts got a set of 15 military push-ups, 10 decline push-ups, 8 diamond pushups, and 6 "dive bomber" push-ups. All perfect form and not going to my knees. I know without a doubt that I couldn't have gotten close to that feat on week one, but add in the fact that I did almost those same numbers on the second pass through the exercises (you do them twice) and I am acutally shocked at how far I've come.
I don't know if it was the morning workout, or the almost week off to rest and recharge, or what. But this was a really great workout and has me really feeling high on myself right now. I only wish I'd made the same progress will pull-ups but I think I'll just keep plugging along and pull-up progress will be my goal for the next 90 days. I still think that losing more weight is the key to pull-up progress for me.
I didn't do Ab-Ripper today in order to give my back a rest. So far it feels pretty good today. I'll play it by ear this week with running and workouts in order to give me the best shot at a full and quick recovery.
Hopefully this new energy will stay here and I'm on the rebound. Tomorrow is plyometrics. I'm a bit concerned about that workout with my back, but we'll see how it goes. I may or may not add in a run as well.
Today was the return to the first 3 weeks workouts. Over the next 4 weeks you alternate between week 1 and week 5's workouts. I remember how hard this workout was the first few weeks I did it and now coming back to it it's actually amusing at how un-intimidating it was. Maybe it's because I've done the next set of workouts where you do a rediculous amount of pull-ups, maybe it's just that I'm more confident in myself now. Whatever the case I felt really good going into today's workout.
AND IT SHOWED. Today was by FAR the best workout I've had at least in regards to push-ups. I started out with a set of 20 standard pushups (something I'm sure I couldn't do 8 weeks ago) and mixing in back workouts got a set of 15 military push-ups, 10 decline push-ups, 8 diamond pushups, and 6 "dive bomber" push-ups. All perfect form and not going to my knees. I know without a doubt that I couldn't have gotten close to that feat on week one, but add in the fact that I did almost those same numbers on the second pass through the exercises (you do them twice) and I am acutally shocked at how far I've come.
I don't know if it was the morning workout, or the almost week off to rest and recharge, or what. But this was a really great workout and has me really feeling high on myself right now. I only wish I'd made the same progress will pull-ups but I think I'll just keep plugging along and pull-up progress will be my goal for the next 90 days. I still think that losing more weight is the key to pull-up progress for me.
I didn't do Ab-Ripper today in order to give my back a rest. So far it feels pretty good today. I'll play it by ear this week with running and workouts in order to give me the best shot at a full and quick recovery.
Hopefully this new energy will stay here and I'm on the rebound. Tomorrow is plyometrics. I'm a bit concerned about that workout with my back, but we'll see how it goes. I may or may not add in a run as well.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
P90x Day 56 - Phase 2 Results
Well I went ahead and weighed in today. I was super reluctant to do it and expected to see a jump in weight honestly based on the rough run I've had of it in the last few weeks and some of the eating choices I made. Looking back on them the choices weren't "that bad" but I felt pretty bad at the time after indulging in them so I was just certain in my mind that they were the worst possible decisions.
Anyways, I lost another 2 pounds for this phase. 2 pounds in 4 weeks isn't really that great, but with all the things I've gone through in the last four weeks I'll take a loss of any kind as a positive.
That puts me at 8.5 pounds lost for the first 8 weeks of P90x. Not exactly where I wanted to be when I started, but I've lost a pound a week on "average" so that's well within the "healthy" range.
Surprisingly my Body Fat % hasn't really gone down much. It said today I've only lost .5% over the last 8 weeks. Now granted I know my electric hand-held BF reader can fluctuate and may not be the most accurate, but I assumed that since my clothes were fitting better and I can "see" muscle growth in the mirror that number would have moved more than it has. Who knows. Maybe at the end of the first round of P90x I'll look around and see if I can't find a place that will do the "water tank" BF reading for cheap and get a precise reading that way.
Overall I can't complain too much. I feel better than I did when I started, but this last 4 weeks has been a real burden with sickness and injury. I'm somewhat glad that I've only missed 3 workouts for far in the first 8 weeks. It's not 100%, but it's better than most.
5 more weeks remaining in Round 1 of P90x. I'm pondering going back to the pull-up bar and seeing if I can get some more results, but I might just wait and do that for round 2. I was at the park with my daughter the other day and I still can't do a pull-up on my own. It wasn't really that close either, which I'd hoped it would be. But honestly I need to lose more weight because that's the biggest thing (pun intended) holding me back.
Let's hope that I can give 110% for the next 5 weeks. My "ultimate" goal would be to lose 11.5 pounds over the next 5 weeks and make it 20 pounds for the first round of P90x. But my more realistic goal is to lose 6.5 lbs and get to 15 pounds total. Both are going to take a considerable amount of commitment and better choices than I've made in the last 2 weeks. Hopefully my valleys are behind me and I've only got peaks to look forward to.
On the running front I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm worried that my back injury is related to my running so maybe I'm ramping up the distance to fast. I might cut it back to a mile for a week and see if that helps. I don't feel like it's too much but maybe my "infrastructure" isn't ready for the pounding that 20-30 minutes of running delivers. I definitely didn't have this issue last fall, but I also took a longer period of time to get up to the distances that I was running.
Anyways, I lost another 2 pounds for this phase. 2 pounds in 4 weeks isn't really that great, but with all the things I've gone through in the last four weeks I'll take a loss of any kind as a positive.
That puts me at 8.5 pounds lost for the first 8 weeks of P90x. Not exactly where I wanted to be when I started, but I've lost a pound a week on "average" so that's well within the "healthy" range.
Surprisingly my Body Fat % hasn't really gone down much. It said today I've only lost .5% over the last 8 weeks. Now granted I know my electric hand-held BF reader can fluctuate and may not be the most accurate, but I assumed that since my clothes were fitting better and I can "see" muscle growth in the mirror that number would have moved more than it has. Who knows. Maybe at the end of the first round of P90x I'll look around and see if I can't find a place that will do the "water tank" BF reading for cheap and get a precise reading that way.
Overall I can't complain too much. I feel better than I did when I started, but this last 4 weeks has been a real burden with sickness and injury. I'm somewhat glad that I've only missed 3 workouts for far in the first 8 weeks. It's not 100%, but it's better than most.
5 more weeks remaining in Round 1 of P90x. I'm pondering going back to the pull-up bar and seeing if I can get some more results, but I might just wait and do that for round 2. I was at the park with my daughter the other day and I still can't do a pull-up on my own. It wasn't really that close either, which I'd hoped it would be. But honestly I need to lose more weight because that's the biggest thing (pun intended) holding me back.
Let's hope that I can give 110% for the next 5 weeks. My "ultimate" goal would be to lose 11.5 pounds over the next 5 weeks and make it 20 pounds for the first round of P90x. But my more realistic goal is to lose 6.5 lbs and get to 15 pounds total. Both are going to take a considerable amount of commitment and better choices than I've made in the last 2 weeks. Hopefully my valleys are behind me and I've only got peaks to look forward to.
On the running front I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm worried that my back injury is related to my running so maybe I'm ramping up the distance to fast. I might cut it back to a mile for a week and see if that helps. I don't feel like it's too much but maybe my "infrastructure" isn't ready for the pounding that 20-30 minutes of running delivers. I definitely didn't have this issue last fall, but I also took a longer period of time to get up to the distances that I was running.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
P90x Day 55 - No Workout
Still no workouts today. I thought about booting up the stretching dvd today but I plan on doing it tomorrow in preparation for the next week so I didn't know if stretching two days in a row was my best choice.
I can tell my back is still sore, but it's getting better. I think that if I just stayed with P90x alone I'd be ok, but it might be the addition of running that's throwing it off.
I'm supposed to weigh-in tomorrow. I'm not really optimistic about this. It's been a rough few weeks. I'm hoping that I've lost some weight, but honestly at this point I have no idea what could happen.
I can tell my back is still sore, but it's getting better. I think that if I just stayed with P90x alone I'd be ok, but it might be the addition of running that's throwing it off.
I'm supposed to weigh-in tomorrow. I'm not really optimistic about this. It's been a rough few weeks. I'm hoping that I've lost some weight, but honestly at this point I have no idea what could happen.
Friday, March 27, 2009
P90x Day 54 - No Workout
I missed another workout today, but I can tell a significant difference in my back today. I think I'll try to get some exercise tomorrow, but I'll play it by ear and see if I can't get something that gets me working up a sweat, but doesn't wreck my back.
My focus is still on getting the best phase so far out of the next 30 days. I need to get back on track, start getting up again in the morning, and shed some pounds and push some weight. The last few weeks have been a real lull for me with being sick and then struggling with motivation. My diet definately hasn't been up to the level that I want it to be and I need to really refocus that.
Anyways, tomorrow is suppossed to be Yoga I believe. I'll probably substitute that with stretching and yard work.
My focus is still on getting the best phase so far out of the next 30 days. I need to get back on track, start getting up again in the morning, and shed some pounds and push some weight. The last few weeks have been a real lull for me with being sick and then struggling with motivation. My diet definately hasn't been up to the level that I want it to be and I need to really refocus that.
Anyways, tomorrow is suppossed to be Yoga I believe. I'll probably substitute that with stretching and yard work.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
P90x Day 53 - No Workout
Well it took me 54 days but I'm going to miss my first workout today. My lower back is just really sore, and while it feels great laying down sitting all day in a chair is just killing me.
I'm sure it's a combination of the addition of running and just the other workouts and work around the yard I'm doing. I had really hoped that the core and ab work would be strengthening my back, but if it is it isn't happening overnight.
I know that without a doubt I could have finished my workout today and got my run in and that's the most annoying part. But I do know that if I had gotten those workouts in tomorrow I'd be in worse shape than I am today.
I'm icing and elevating. Hopefully I'll be up and going soon. Worst case this is my "recovery week" so I'm focused on getting 100% out of my last 5 weeks in this workout.
I'm sure it's a combination of the addition of running and just the other workouts and work around the yard I'm doing. I had really hoped that the core and ab work would be strengthening my back, but if it is it isn't happening overnight.
I know that without a doubt I could have finished my workout today and got my run in and that's the most annoying part. But I do know that if I had gotten those workouts in tomorrow I'd be in worse shape than I am today.
I'm icing and elevating. Hopefully I'll be up and going soon. Worst case this is my "recovery week" so I'm focused on getting 100% out of my last 5 weeks in this workout.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
P90x Day 52 - Stretch X
So today was the first day that I can recall that I deviated from the "plan". For some reason it's bothering me, but I know it was the better decision.
I swapped Kenpo which was supposed to be today's workout, with Stretch X which was tomorrow's workout. I really needed the stretching as my back is really bothering me and I didn't think Kenpo would be the best decision even though it's not really high impact.
Plus this will allow me to stack my cardio workout with my run tomorrow instead of putting my run with stretching that might lead to more injury if I stretch it all out and then go compact it with running.
I'm really waining on energy and motivation right now. I think I'm hitting that 2 month "wall" that people talk about when they do NYE resolutions. I need to find a way to refocus and recommit myself to this endevear.
Anyways, Kenpo tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon.
I swapped Kenpo which was supposed to be today's workout, with Stretch X which was tomorrow's workout. I really needed the stretching as my back is really bothering me and I didn't think Kenpo would be the best decision even though it's not really high impact.
Plus this will allow me to stack my cardio workout with my run tomorrow instead of putting my run with stretching that might lead to more injury if I stretch it all out and then go compact it with running.
I'm really waining on energy and motivation right now. I think I'm hitting that 2 month "wall" that people talk about when they do NYE resolutions. I need to find a way to refocus and recommit myself to this endevear.
Anyways, Kenpo tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be feeling better soon.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
P90x Day 51 - Core Synergistics, 2 mile run
Not the best workout today. I again didn't get up in time this morning to work out. Actually I did but my daughter was being a pill for my wife, so by the time I went out and helped calm the incoming disaster there just wasn't enough time to get my full workout in. I got about 10 minutes of it in though. So tonight I booted it up again and got another poor workout. It was late, I was hungry, so I did a few of the exercises, realized I wasn't in the zone for that but that I needed to get my run in so I laced up my shoes and went for a 2 mile run.
Not the best run overall, I was really winded about 1.25 miles into the run and at 1.5 miles I was absolutely dead. It took alot to keep going but I didn't stop and finished my 2 miles right about 19 minutes. I'm pleased with that time, and I'm hoping that the other 2 mile runs I have this week go better. If they don't I'll probably just do 2 miles again next week.
My back is really bothering me lately. I wouldn't doubt that it's the extra pounding that I'm putting on it with running. Hopefully this week I can rest it and get it back to 100%. I thought it was getting stronger with the Core work and everything, but here we are back in "my back hurts" land.
Kenpo tomorrow. That workout always comes when i need it the most.
Not the best run overall, I was really winded about 1.25 miles into the run and at 1.5 miles I was absolutely dead. It took alot to keep going but I didn't stop and finished my 2 miles right about 19 minutes. I'm pleased with that time, and I'm hoping that the other 2 mile runs I have this week go better. If they don't I'll probably just do 2 miles again next week.
My back is really bothering me lately. I wouldn't doubt that it's the extra pounding that I'm putting on it with running. Hopefully this week I can rest it and get it back to 100%. I thought it was getting stronger with the Core work and everything, but here we are back in "my back hurts" land.
Kenpo tomorrow. That workout always comes when i need it the most.
Monday, March 23, 2009
P90x Day 50 - Yoga
This is the beginning of the second "Recovery Week". This week is an interesting week in P90x and it's interesting to see what they refer to as "recovery". It's not really an easy week but it's made up of mostly stretching and core work. I've got 4 weeks of strength training after this week so I'm determined to get the most out of those weeks.
I feel that so far I've given about 85-90% to this workout so far. I'd like to say that I've given 100% but it's not the case. I keep giving finding reasons to not give my best to the Yoga workouts and I haven't done all of the Ab-Ripper sessions. Take into account that there have been a few workouts that I haven't been able to fully finish and I think my effort estimate is about correct.
I've got some corrections that I'm going to hopefully make for the next 90 days, but right now I'm just focused on getting through this week, getting my weigh-in behind me, and giving 100% until the end of the first 90 days.
Today was Yoga, again not the best workout ever. I don't know why I continue to find ways to get out of doing Yoga X. Other than pullups, Yoga is my biggest weak point so far. I used to enjoy Yoga but for some reason I can't get into it. I don't know if it's because it's the longest workout in the series, or maybe it's because it's so difficult for me to complete. I imagine it's somewhere between the two.
Anyways, tomorrow is Core Synergistics. I'm hoping that it goes well. My lower back is pretty sore from working outside this weekend and hopefully that will not aggravate it. I'm trying to stretch and rest it, but it's probably just a matter of time and healing.
I feel that so far I've given about 85-90% to this workout so far. I'd like to say that I've given 100% but it's not the case. I keep giving finding reasons to not give my best to the Yoga workouts and I haven't done all of the Ab-Ripper sessions. Take into account that there have been a few workouts that I haven't been able to fully finish and I think my effort estimate is about correct.
I've got some corrections that I'm going to hopefully make for the next 90 days, but right now I'm just focused on getting through this week, getting my weigh-in behind me, and giving 100% until the end of the first 90 days.
Today was Yoga, again not the best workout ever. I don't know why I continue to find ways to get out of doing Yoga X. Other than pullups, Yoga is my biggest weak point so far. I used to enjoy Yoga but for some reason I can't get into it. I don't know if it's because it's the longest workout in the series, or maybe it's because it's so difficult for me to complete. I imagine it's somewhere between the two.
Anyways, tomorrow is Core Synergistics. I'm hoping that it goes well. My lower back is pretty sore from working outside this weekend and hopefully that will not aggravate it. I'm trying to stretch and rest it, but it's probably just a matter of time and healing.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
P90x Day 48 - Kenpo, 1.5 mile run
14 minutes left in the day when I started this blog so I don't have long to type in order to get my post submitted before my self-imposed blogging deadline.
I got a really good Kenpo workout today and then went out for a 1.5 mile run. I ran a slightly different route today that instead of it being 1.5 flat miles it's 1 flat mile and .5 of pretty hilly running. I finished in just under 15 minutes so considering that it was much hillier and I still ran under my 10 minute "pace. I'm feeling much better with my running lately. My legs are still feeling really good and I think my conditioning is starting to come around. Hopefully over the next 2 months my lungs will catch back up to the point that running is back to being second nature.
Next week I bump the mileage up to 2 miles. We'll see how that goes.
So far this weekend is going pretty well. We'll see how it goes from here.
Stretching tomorrow.
I got a really good Kenpo workout today and then went out for a 1.5 mile run. I ran a slightly different route today that instead of it being 1.5 flat miles it's 1 flat mile and .5 of pretty hilly running. I finished in just under 15 minutes so considering that it was much hillier and I still ran under my 10 minute "pace. I'm feeling much better with my running lately. My legs are still feeling really good and I think my conditioning is starting to come around. Hopefully over the next 2 months my lungs will catch back up to the point that running is back to being second nature.
Next week I bump the mileage up to 2 miles. We'll see how that goes.
So far this weekend is going pretty well. We'll see how it goes from here.
Stretching tomorrow.
Friday, March 20, 2009
P90x Day 47 - Legs and Back
I NEED TO START WAKING UP IN THE MORNING!
So tonight I went out with some friends and when I got home I took a shower and came out to watch some T.V and thought to myself. I'm missing something. I pulled out my laptop to check my email and it hit me that I hadn't blogged yet. And then it hit me, I hadn't worked out. I have no idea how I didn't realize this at any point, but at some point during the day I forgot about it.
So I got myself back off the couch, went in and worked out. It wasn't the greatest workout I'd had so far, but it was pretty good. I skipped a few parts of the workout but my legs are still on fire so I know I got a good workout. Tomorrow is Kenpo and running and I'm going to get that done and try to get into next week.
I desperately need to correct my eating habits next week if I want to have any results for the next weigh-in.
So tonight I went out with some friends and when I got home I took a shower and came out to watch some T.V and thought to myself. I'm missing something. I pulled out my laptop to check my email and it hit me that I hadn't blogged yet. And then it hit me, I hadn't worked out. I have no idea how I didn't realize this at any point, but at some point during the day I forgot about it.
So I got myself back off the couch, went in and worked out. It wasn't the greatest workout I'd had so far, but it was pretty good. I skipped a few parts of the workout but my legs are still on fire so I know I got a good workout. Tomorrow is Kenpo and running and I'm going to get that done and try to get into next week.
I desperately need to correct my eating habits next week if I want to have any results for the next weigh-in.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
P90x Day 46 - Yoga, 1.5 mile run
I need to start getting up earlier in the morning and working out. I have been off and on again with waking up early ever since I got sick two weeks ago. For whatever reason I can't seem to wake up again early and I've had to work out after work several nights in the last two weeks. This never works out well.
Pretty much what happens is I get home and eat and hang out with the family and don't start working out until after 8 at the earliest. Then I'm usually tired or burping up dinner while I work out and it's just not working out.
I got yoga done today. It wasn't the best workout and it was the shortest Yoga DVD I own at 1/2 hour, but I got it done. I then went for a 1.5 mile run and that was actually the highlight of my night. I ran a 9 min mile to start and finished just over 14 minutes which is about a minute faster than my Tuesday run. My legs felt pretty good and I think with more conditioning I could probably keep that pace up longer, but right now I finished with my lungs, side, and stomach on fire so I don't think I could keep that up for a whole 5k. I still have hopes of finishing my next 5k in April in under 30 minutes. That would be a new personal best for me and I've had the "sub 30" goal since I started running about 2 years ago.
My diet has been up and down this phase and I seem to lack the will power to reign it in. I'm working on it but for every time I avoid temptation I seem to counter-balance that with giving into temptation.
At least my fitness this last 3 weeks hasn't wavered. I'll hang my hat on that one for the time being. I don't know what this phase's weigh-in is going to resemble or what my 60 day pictures are going to look like, but regardless I know I'm headed in the right direction.
Tomorrow is Legs and Back. I'm sure since I had to run tonight and am going to try and work out tomorrow morning that it's going to be a brutal workout. Hopefully my legs won't be too tired to give me 100%.
Pretty much what happens is I get home and eat and hang out with the family and don't start working out until after 8 at the earliest. Then I'm usually tired or burping up dinner while I work out and it's just not working out.
I got yoga done today. It wasn't the best workout and it was the shortest Yoga DVD I own at 1/2 hour, but I got it done. I then went for a 1.5 mile run and that was actually the highlight of my night. I ran a 9 min mile to start and finished just over 14 minutes which is about a minute faster than my Tuesday run. My legs felt pretty good and I think with more conditioning I could probably keep that pace up longer, but right now I finished with my lungs, side, and stomach on fire so I don't think I could keep that up for a whole 5k. I still have hopes of finishing my next 5k in April in under 30 minutes. That would be a new personal best for me and I've had the "sub 30" goal since I started running about 2 years ago.
My diet has been up and down this phase and I seem to lack the will power to reign it in. I'm working on it but for every time I avoid temptation I seem to counter-balance that with giving into temptation.
At least my fitness this last 3 weeks hasn't wavered. I'll hang my hat on that one for the time being. I don't know what this phase's weigh-in is going to resemble or what my 60 day pictures are going to look like, but regardless I know I'm headed in the right direction.
Tomorrow is Legs and Back. I'm sure since I had to run tonight and am going to try and work out tomorrow morning that it's going to be a brutal workout. Hopefully my legs won't be too tired to give me 100%.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
P90x Day 45 - Back and Biceps
Without even being aware of it until I started typing this entry today is a huge milestone day. Day 45 is OFFICIALLY HALF WAY! I can't believe I'm already on the back 9 of my fitness challenge. This is so far by far the most successful I've been on a "resolution" before Even if I didn't start until the beginning of Feb.
Maybe that's not entirely true, I did spend several months last fall running consistently 4-5 times a week and did 15+ races, so that was proof that I could put my mind towards something and stick to it.
I turn 30 this year on November 5th. On my 29th Birthday I made a goal to run a marathon before my 30th birthday. Right now it's the only thing on my "things to do before I'm 30" list but I'm thinking of adding a few more fitness and non-fitness related things to that list. Anyways, I looked up the date last night for the Chicago Marathon and it's Sunday October 11th. That's 206 days away from today and while that seems like a long time that means I have to start seriously training and moving up my distance around the first week of June in order to be where I need to be by October. So that means that I have between now and June 1st to get back to the point where I'm running 3-4 miles, 4-5 times a week. My P90x challenge ends May 1st and I'm supposed to start another one after a week off. I think I'm still going to do that, but it might mean that I have an awful lot of "fitness" going on this fall.
Today was back and biceps. I like the bicep workout for this series alot more than the phase's bicep workout. You do alot more focused bicep work and by the end of this I can barely pick anything up. I'm definately going to miss this workout when I go back to the other Phase's routine.
Yoga tomorrow. I'm hoping I can get up (finally) and get Yoga X in my system. I've had to compromise and do other Yoga workouts recently because of time and I'm wanting to try this again and see if it's any less brutal than it was on week 1.
Maybe that's not entirely true, I did spend several months last fall running consistently 4-5 times a week and did 15+ races, so that was proof that I could put my mind towards something and stick to it.
I turn 30 this year on November 5th. On my 29th Birthday I made a goal to run a marathon before my 30th birthday. Right now it's the only thing on my "things to do before I'm 30" list but I'm thinking of adding a few more fitness and non-fitness related things to that list. Anyways, I looked up the date last night for the Chicago Marathon and it's Sunday October 11th. That's 206 days away from today and while that seems like a long time that means I have to start seriously training and moving up my distance around the first week of June in order to be where I need to be by October. So that means that I have between now and June 1st to get back to the point where I'm running 3-4 miles, 4-5 times a week. My P90x challenge ends May 1st and I'm supposed to start another one after a week off. I think I'm still going to do that, but it might mean that I have an awful lot of "fitness" going on this fall.
Today was back and biceps. I like the bicep workout for this series alot more than the phase's bicep workout. You do alot more focused bicep work and by the end of this I can barely pick anything up. I'm definately going to miss this workout when I go back to the other Phase's routine.
Yoga tomorrow. I'm hoping I can get up (finally) and get Yoga X in my system. I've had to compromise and do other Yoga workouts recently because of time and I'm wanting to try this again and see if it's any less brutal than it was on week 1.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
P90x Day 44 - Plyometrics, 1.5 mile run
Wow. Just wow. I gave myself a beating this morning and while I was absolutely exhausted before,during, and after the workout I've got a surprisingly high level of energy right now.
Today was plyometrics. I enjoy this workout, but it doesn't get any easier that I've been able to find. Every week I give this workout 100% and every week I'm physically and mentally exhausted when it's all over. I still can't do the "hot foot" exercise. For some reason hopping on one leg in a pattern really bothers my ankle. I've tried it probably 4 of the 6 plyo workouts I've done and every time I start to feel some serious discomfort very early in the exercise and switch back over to the switch foot "jumping rope" move. I might be able to work through it but seeing as I'm not willing to risk injury right now and I need my ankles to stay strong for running I'm just not going to force the issue. I get just as sweaty and just as tired without that one exercise and I do the "substitute" for it so I'm not going to concern myself with it.
So after plyo today I decided to go ahead and get my daily run finished as well. I was on empty and my legs and body was completely wiped out but I didn't really want to have to run tonight because I have some other things to do. So I laced up the shoes and went for my run this morning. I've missed morning running and last fall I used to do it quite often for training and races so it was nice to get out and feel that "morning chill" before they day warms up. I got my 1.5 miles in and while I felt like I was struggling at times and was running much slower than normal my pace was almost exactly a 10:00 mile when I finished so I was surprisingly right on pace. I think running after cardio is a good training tool for that "end of the race" feeling after you get your first wind out of you and you've got to struggle to keep putting one foot in front of the other. However, I do think that in May or whenever I have to start increasing my runs that I'm not going to be able to do P90x and Running back to back and get effective training out of either. That might mean I'm going to have to do 2 workouts a day for the summer/fall but if I want to continue P90x and train for a marathon that is just something I'm going to have to plan into my day.
I'm glad this week is going better so far. It's nice to have that burden of sickness and weariness off my shoulders. It's nice to feel better and I'm honestly looking forward to results day in 2 weeks. I thought I could tell a difference in my pants waist today. I'm not sure if it's something I didn't notice until today or if it's just been gradual but my belt used to be snug on one notch and that same notch is much looser than it used to be. So I've got that going for me.
Back and Biceps tomorrow. Hopefully today's workout and run won't leave me too sore to get a great workout tomorow and get some Ab-Ripper in.
Today was plyometrics. I enjoy this workout, but it doesn't get any easier that I've been able to find. Every week I give this workout 100% and every week I'm physically and mentally exhausted when it's all over. I still can't do the "hot foot" exercise. For some reason hopping on one leg in a pattern really bothers my ankle. I've tried it probably 4 of the 6 plyo workouts I've done and every time I start to feel some serious discomfort very early in the exercise and switch back over to the switch foot "jumping rope" move. I might be able to work through it but seeing as I'm not willing to risk injury right now and I need my ankles to stay strong for running I'm just not going to force the issue. I get just as sweaty and just as tired without that one exercise and I do the "substitute" for it so I'm not going to concern myself with it.
So after plyo today I decided to go ahead and get my daily run finished as well. I was on empty and my legs and body was completely wiped out but I didn't really want to have to run tonight because I have some other things to do. So I laced up the shoes and went for my run this morning. I've missed morning running and last fall I used to do it quite often for training and races so it was nice to get out and feel that "morning chill" before they day warms up. I got my 1.5 miles in and while I felt like I was struggling at times and was running much slower than normal my pace was almost exactly a 10:00 mile when I finished so I was surprisingly right on pace. I think running after cardio is a good training tool for that "end of the race" feeling after you get your first wind out of you and you've got to struggle to keep putting one foot in front of the other. However, I do think that in May or whenever I have to start increasing my runs that I'm not going to be able to do P90x and Running back to back and get effective training out of either. That might mean I'm going to have to do 2 workouts a day for the summer/fall but if I want to continue P90x and train for a marathon that is just something I'm going to have to plan into my day.
I'm glad this week is going better so far. It's nice to have that burden of sickness and weariness off my shoulders. It's nice to feel better and I'm honestly looking forward to results day in 2 weeks. I thought I could tell a difference in my pants waist today. I'm not sure if it's something I didn't notice until today or if it's just been gradual but my belt used to be snug on one notch and that same notch is much looser than it used to be. So I've got that going for me.
Back and Biceps tomorrow. Hopefully today's workout and run won't leave me too sore to get a great workout tomorow and get some Ab-Ripper in.
Monday, March 16, 2009
P90x Day 43 - Chest, Triceps, Shoulders, Ab-Ripper
So far so good for this week. With the help of my lovely wife going "Are you going to get out of bed or not" this morning I was able to get up and get a workout in before work. I'm still so tired when I wake up regardless of how much I sleep, but I have to believe that's going to pass shortly. Yesterday was the last day of anti-biotics so I'm declaring myself officially cured. I've still got a bit of a random cough sometimes, but I think that's more clearing out the junk from last week than an actual illness.
Today's workout was Chest,Triceps, Shoulders or "Push day". I can't say that I'll miss this workout too much when I get back to "Push/Pull" but it's a real doozy of a workout. I'm still amazed at how much of a workout you can get in simply doing different types of pushups. It's amazing that the fitness industry has convinced us as a nation that in order to build muscle and get fit you have to have alot of fancy or expensive equipment. But the honest truth about that is that it simply isn't true. Using your own body weight you can get a better workout most people do in the gym. It's all about determination.
Not the best Ab-Ripper workout today. But I can feel it for what little I got done.
Diet this weekend was decent and got this morning started right nutritionally. I'm hoping to ride the wave of new energy for the last two weeks of this phase and hopefully put up some decent results.
Plyometrics tomorrow and running. My legs are still warm from Saturday's Kenpo workout so I'm sure tomorrow will be a great workout. Hopefully my lungs are catching up to the rest of my body as far as conditioning.
Today's workout was Chest,Triceps, Shoulders or "Push day". I can't say that I'll miss this workout too much when I get back to "Push/Pull" but it's a real doozy of a workout. I'm still amazed at how much of a workout you can get in simply doing different types of pushups. It's amazing that the fitness industry has convinced us as a nation that in order to build muscle and get fit you have to have alot of fancy or expensive equipment. But the honest truth about that is that it simply isn't true. Using your own body weight you can get a better workout most people do in the gym. It's all about determination.
Not the best Ab-Ripper workout today. But I can feel it for what little I got done.
Diet this weekend was decent and got this morning started right nutritionally. I'm hoping to ride the wave of new energy for the last two weeks of this phase and hopefully put up some decent results.
Plyometrics tomorrow and running. My legs are still warm from Saturday's Kenpo workout so I'm sure tomorrow will be a great workout. Hopefully my lungs are catching up to the rest of my body as far as conditioning.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
P90x Day 41 - Kenpo X, 1 mile run
"I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again"
There is nothing like Kenpo to start you back in the right direction. I got a great workout today and it was absolutely everything that I needed. I really worked it about as hard as I have during Kenpo and I was soaked when it finished. Soaked in sweat but if felt great.
So then rather than just shut it down I decided to lace up my shoes and go for a run. It was raining and I almost didn't run but I figured that I was already sweaty and I wanted to run so screw it. I actually got a great run in and running in the rain was really calming and relaxing. There wasn't anyone outside and it was really quiet and peaceful. I got alot of thinking done out in the rain and I really felt like the rain was washing away the last week and putting all of the obstacles in my way behind me. I could have ran the whole run with my arms out like Andy in Shawshank just letting it was away everything. The run overall was really good. My legs continue to feel great while I'm running and I think my lungs are coming around. I just got a mile in today and it was by far the best run since the time change. I think next week I'm going to bump to to 1.5 miles and see how it goes.
I'm going to stretch tomorrow instead of resting I think. I've rested enough recently and I think I should get stretched out in anticipation of what I hope is going to be a great week of workouts. I'm tempted to add one more workout week into this phase because of all the sub-par workouts that I got in this week but I'm not going to. This is a marathon and not a sprint so I don't need to get bogged down in the fact that I didn't get 100% out of this last week. I'm trying to focus on the fact that tomorrow will be 6 weeks of continuous non-missed workouts and not on the fact that some of them haven't been my best effort.
Only two weeks left until my next weigh-in. I'm really hoping that I can put up at least the same numbers as last time. But if I can't I'm hoping to be under 240. I feel like I can see a change in the mirror so maybe once I take some pictures I'll be able to see the progress in them if I don't see it on the scale.
I hope everybody reading this has a great rest of the weekend.
There is nothing like Kenpo to start you back in the right direction. I got a great workout today and it was absolutely everything that I needed. I really worked it about as hard as I have during Kenpo and I was soaked when it finished. Soaked in sweat but if felt great.
So then rather than just shut it down I decided to lace up my shoes and go for a run. It was raining and I almost didn't run but I figured that I was already sweaty and I wanted to run so screw it. I actually got a great run in and running in the rain was really calming and relaxing. There wasn't anyone outside and it was really quiet and peaceful. I got alot of thinking done out in the rain and I really felt like the rain was washing away the last week and putting all of the obstacles in my way behind me. I could have ran the whole run with my arms out like Andy in Shawshank just letting it was away everything. The run overall was really good. My legs continue to feel great while I'm running and I think my lungs are coming around. I just got a mile in today and it was by far the best run since the time change. I think next week I'm going to bump to to 1.5 miles and see how it goes.
I'm going to stretch tomorrow instead of resting I think. I've rested enough recently and I think I should get stretched out in anticipation of what I hope is going to be a great week of workouts. I'm tempted to add one more workout week into this phase because of all the sub-par workouts that I got in this week but I'm not going to. This is a marathon and not a sprint so I don't need to get bogged down in the fact that I didn't get 100% out of this last week. I'm trying to focus on the fact that tomorrow will be 6 weeks of continuous non-missed workouts and not on the fact that some of them haven't been my best effort.
Only two weeks left until my next weigh-in. I'm really hoping that I can put up at least the same numbers as last time. But if I can't I'm hoping to be under 240. I feel like I can see a change in the mirror so maybe once I take some pictures I'll be able to see the progress in them if I don't see it on the scale.
I hope everybody reading this has a great rest of the weekend.
Friday, March 13, 2009
P90x Day 40 - Legs and Back
Another poor workout because of lousy planning on my part. I thought I'd get a good workout in today because I've struggled the last few workouts, but I again overslept and had to try and fit in my workout after work. I made the mistake of eating dinner before my workout and I didn't give myself enough time between the two. So my workout wasn't that great and I had to cut it early because I was coughing up my dinner. Overall not my best day.
I've had a really lousy last few days in regards to eating and workouts and I'm getting irritated by it all. I've decided to recommit myself starting Monday so I can get two quality weeks out of this phase before weigh-in.
I have to start over. I had almost 5 great weeks working out and I've had 1 and 1/2 crappy weeks so I'm going to try and wipe the slate clean and start over.
Kenpo tomorrow. I think I'm going to run too. I just need clean my system out start over. I can't wait to quit feeling lousy.
I've had a really lousy last few days in regards to eating and workouts and I'm getting irritated by it all. I've decided to recommit myself starting Monday so I can get two quality weeks out of this phase before weigh-in.
I have to start over. I had almost 5 great weeks working out and I've had 1 and 1/2 crappy weeks so I'm going to try and wipe the slate clean and start over.
Kenpo tomorrow. I think I'm going to run too. I just need clean my system out start over. I can't wait to quit feeling lousy.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
P90x Day 39 Yoga
Today was not the best day for workouts. I got a yoga workout in, but it was short and wasn't that intense. Part of the reason was that it got started very late, it was after 8pm before I got started and I had already taken a benedryl and was sucking on a cough drop. I felt pretty good today actually, better than I've felt in 2-3 days, but after I got home from work I started coughing more and took some stuff to get over it.
So not the best workout, but I did get something done. I didn't run today because I just decided that I'm being unnecessarily aggressive on that front and I can just as easily run on Saturday and give myself another day or two of rest to finally get over this cough and illness. I've felt pretty good a few times since I got sick, and every time I go for a run I feel terrible the next day. So I'm erring on the side of caution for one day, it irks me, but I know it's the right decision.
My diet the last 2 weeks has been a little more relaxed than I would like it to be. I'm not sure if it's because I've been sick or tired or worn out. Whatever it is I'm hoping to replace that shortly and get back on the wagon. I have a feeling that my second phase results won't be where I want them to be, but the fact that I haven't missed a workout and have spent the last two weeks sick and tired will be factored in and I'll take not missing and workout as my saving grace. This isn't just a 90 day workout and then nothing, I'm hoping to keep this up for a long time to come. So I can't let the short-term detract from the long term.
Legs and back tomorrow. I'm going to take my frustration on my lousy workout today on that one tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
So not the best workout, but I did get something done. I didn't run today because I just decided that I'm being unnecessarily aggressive on that front and I can just as easily run on Saturday and give myself another day or two of rest to finally get over this cough and illness. I've felt pretty good a few times since I got sick, and every time I go for a run I feel terrible the next day. So I'm erring on the side of caution for one day, it irks me, but I know it's the right decision.
My diet the last 2 weeks has been a little more relaxed than I would like it to be. I'm not sure if it's because I've been sick or tired or worn out. Whatever it is I'm hoping to replace that shortly and get back on the wagon. I have a feeling that my second phase results won't be where I want them to be, but the fact that I haven't missed a workout and have spent the last two weeks sick and tired will be factored in and I'll take not missing and workout as my saving grace. This isn't just a 90 day workout and then nothing, I'm hoping to keep this up for a long time to come. So I can't let the short-term detract from the long term.
Legs and back tomorrow. I'm going to take my frustration on my lousy workout today on that one tomorrow. Looking forward to it.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
P90x Day 38 - Back and Biceps
I'm alive, but I'm exhausted.
Last night was a really good night. I was able to decompress and let alot of my issues go away. Working out and getting out and running did alot for my mental health.
This morning I managed to get back to working out in the morning. I haven't done that in almost two weeks so I'm pretty tired even as I type this.
It was back and biceps this morning and I got a really good workout in. It's always nice when you finish a workout and your arms are too tired to do some activity. I'm absolutely going to feel this workout tomorrow I'm sure.
I didn't do Ab Ripper this morning, I probably should have tried but my lower back was pretty sore and given my history of injury with that I figured I wouldn't force the issue. My back and shoulder have been feeling much better since I started P90x. The workouts all use your own body weight and they have modifications for when you can't do the tough stuff. I think all of that leads into something of an almost rehab like situation and it'll be nice if when I'm finished with this I'm able to actually be physically strenuous and not notice it in my back the next day.
I think running is probably going to kill me with this sickness I have. I felt like I was getting better, but today I feel like I've taken a few steps back on the wellness trail. I may or may not be related to the fact that I'm opening up my lungs while running. Although running yesterday I felt better than I did last week so who knows.
Tomorrow is Yoga. If I can get going in time I believe I'm going to make another attempt at Yoga X. I'm sure I'll regret that decision. Can't believe week 6 is almost half way over. This weekend can't come soon enough.
Last night was a really good night. I was able to decompress and let alot of my issues go away. Working out and getting out and running did alot for my mental health.
This morning I managed to get back to working out in the morning. I haven't done that in almost two weeks so I'm pretty tired even as I type this.
It was back and biceps this morning and I got a really good workout in. It's always nice when you finish a workout and your arms are too tired to do some activity. I'm absolutely going to feel this workout tomorrow I'm sure.
I didn't do Ab Ripper this morning, I probably should have tried but my lower back was pretty sore and given my history of injury with that I figured I wouldn't force the issue. My back and shoulder have been feeling much better since I started P90x. The workouts all use your own body weight and they have modifications for when you can't do the tough stuff. I think all of that leads into something of an almost rehab like situation and it'll be nice if when I'm finished with this I'm able to actually be physically strenuous and not notice it in my back the next day.
I think running is probably going to kill me with this sickness I have. I felt like I was getting better, but today I feel like I've taken a few steps back on the wellness trail. I may or may not be related to the fact that I'm opening up my lungs while running. Although running yesterday I felt better than I did last week so who knows.
Tomorrow is Yoga. If I can get going in time I believe I'm going to make another attempt at Yoga X. I'm sure I'll regret that decision. Can't believe week 6 is almost half way over. This weekend can't come soon enough.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
P90x Day 37 - Plyometrics, 1 Mile Run
What a difference a day makes. Yesterday morning I felt like a million bucks and was ready to take on the world with high energy and a positive attitude. A day later and I'd give alot to be back in that position.
Yesterday wasn't so bad during the day but right as I was wrapping up work I got nailed with what I call a landmine. I didn't see it coming and it blew up under my feet. I ended up staying at work later than I wanted starving and then when I got home and thought the situation was under control it blew up again and I spent all my night dealing with it again. The most irritating part of the whole ting to me was that it wasn't even my mess to start with yet somehow I was the one up all night dealing with it. So I finished up late pissed off that I was even dealing with the situation and tossed around in bed much later. I have no idea what time I finally fell asleep, but it was well after 1. So when the alarm went off this morning for my workout I was absolutely exhausted and had to go back to sleep. So when I finally got up I was still pissed about the night before and on top of that I was now mad about missing my workout in the morning. I was tired from lousy sleep and my back was sore from what I can guess was a combination of Ab work and sleeping poorly.
Anyways, my day went south in a hurry and I let it happen. I let my morale dip and that led me to wanting to just get out of work and get to lunch. And then when I got to lunch I let myself make poor choices and ended up eating some poor choices. Then the whole time I was eating that I'm getting more and more sick of it and disappointed in myself with just made me feel worse about the day and made me want to get home even more.
I finally got out of work and got home and it's amazing what a refuge working out was. It was plyometrics today and I just spent all day craving that feedback and finally being able to disappear into a workout and get a sweat going and "bleed" out all my frustrations and self-loathing and just feel better about myself was the best thing. It's funny how when you start working out sometimes you look forward to the workout being over, and after a while you find yourself looking forward to the workout itself.
I got a 1 mile run in today. Felt much better than last week. Legs feel great but my lungs have a ways to go. I'm hoping my cardio conditioning picks up soon. It's funny that I've been doing all this P90x cardio and when it comes down to it there is no replacement for simple old fashioned running.
I belive I've weathered the worst of this mental storm. Being sick is wearing me down, but I'm not letting it get in my way. I've stumbled, but I haven't fallen. I can't wait to be healthy again and get these sinus headaches and drainage and coughing and just overall unpleasantness behind me.
Back and Biceps tomorrow. It's good to know that no matter what happens, that refuge awaits me.
Yesterday wasn't so bad during the day but right as I was wrapping up work I got nailed with what I call a landmine. I didn't see it coming and it blew up under my feet. I ended up staying at work later than I wanted starving and then when I got home and thought the situation was under control it blew up again and I spent all my night dealing with it again. The most irritating part of the whole ting to me was that it wasn't even my mess to start with yet somehow I was the one up all night dealing with it. So I finished up late pissed off that I was even dealing with the situation and tossed around in bed much later. I have no idea what time I finally fell asleep, but it was well after 1. So when the alarm went off this morning for my workout I was absolutely exhausted and had to go back to sleep. So when I finally got up I was still pissed about the night before and on top of that I was now mad about missing my workout in the morning. I was tired from lousy sleep and my back was sore from what I can guess was a combination of Ab work and sleeping poorly.
Anyways, my day went south in a hurry and I let it happen. I let my morale dip and that led me to wanting to just get out of work and get to lunch. And then when I got to lunch I let myself make poor choices and ended up eating some poor choices. Then the whole time I was eating that I'm getting more and more sick of it and disappointed in myself with just made me feel worse about the day and made me want to get home even more.
I finally got out of work and got home and it's amazing what a refuge working out was. It was plyometrics today and I just spent all day craving that feedback and finally being able to disappear into a workout and get a sweat going and "bleed" out all my frustrations and self-loathing and just feel better about myself was the best thing. It's funny how when you start working out sometimes you look forward to the workout being over, and after a while you find yourself looking forward to the workout itself.
I got a 1 mile run in today. Felt much better than last week. Legs feel great but my lungs have a ways to go. I'm hoping my cardio conditioning picks up soon. It's funny that I've been doing all this P90x cardio and when it comes down to it there is no replacement for simple old fashioned running.
I belive I've weathered the worst of this mental storm. Being sick is wearing me down, but I'm not letting it get in my way. I've stumbled, but I haven't fallen. I can't wait to be healthy again and get these sinus headaches and drainage and coughing and just overall unpleasantness behind me.
Back and Biceps tomorrow. It's good to know that no matter what happens, that refuge awaits me.
Monday, March 9, 2009
P90x Day 36 - Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps / Ab-Ripper X
I can't believe that 5 weeks are behind me already. It's funny because the first 2-3 weeks of this process were so difficult and I was often so worn out or so sore that I couldn't imagine feeling good. That "recovery week" really did alot to stretch everything out and since then my energy has been amazingly high.
I got in a great workout this morning. It's still funny to be at how just with push-ups I can get to the point where I can't even push myself off the ground and how little that still takes to accomplish. But I can say that it took more this week than last week to keep me down. Today's workout was one of the first where I felt "stronger". I made it through the first set of push-ups with perfect form and didn't struggle. I wasn't until the second exercise that I had to break form to finish the workout. My arms are still "wobbly" right now, so I'm sure the DOMS for this workout come Wednesday is going to be the suck.
I FINISHED AN AB-RIPPER X WORKOUT! Now I didn't get all the reps that they did on the screen, but I did my best and did some for everything. That's never happened. Usually I'm so tired that I start the Abs, and when my abs are screaming I just stop rather than put in the 6-8 reps I'm able to get per exercise. But today while they were doing their 25 reps, but gutted out my 6-8 and finished the whole thing. I was pretty stoked about that.
I was very tempted to weigh-in this weekend, but figured after last month's disappointing (to me it wasn't what I had hoped for) weigh-in I'm going to keep the same plan as before and just weigh at the end of phases. So only 3 weeks left to go.
Running again tomorrow. I think I might bump it up a bit to maybe 1.5 miles, but I might do another week of 1 mile runs. I didn't really feel like I was solidly back up to 1 mile being "easy" and with the illness still sticking around it might be good to give me another establishment week.
I got in a great workout this morning. It's still funny to be at how just with push-ups I can get to the point where I can't even push myself off the ground and how little that still takes to accomplish. But I can say that it took more this week than last week to keep me down. Today's workout was one of the first where I felt "stronger". I made it through the first set of push-ups with perfect form and didn't struggle. I wasn't until the second exercise that I had to break form to finish the workout. My arms are still "wobbly" right now, so I'm sure the DOMS for this workout come Wednesday is going to be the suck.
I FINISHED AN AB-RIPPER X WORKOUT! Now I didn't get all the reps that they did on the screen, but I did my best and did some for everything. That's never happened. Usually I'm so tired that I start the Abs, and when my abs are screaming I just stop rather than put in the 6-8 reps I'm able to get per exercise. But today while they were doing their 25 reps, but gutted out my 6-8 and finished the whole thing. I was pretty stoked about that.
I was very tempted to weigh-in this weekend, but figured after last month's disappointing (to me it wasn't what I had hoped for) weigh-in I'm going to keep the same plan as before and just weigh at the end of phases. So only 3 weeks left to go.
Running again tomorrow. I think I might bump it up a bit to maybe 1.5 miles, but I might do another week of 1 mile runs. I didn't really feel like I was solidly back up to 1 mile being "easy" and with the illness still sticking around it might be good to give me another establishment week.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
P90x Day 34 - Kenpo X, 1 Mile Run
Despite being sick I'm actually feeling great right now. I had so many low energy spikes during my first 30 days, and not having them this last week is really nice. Sure there have been some days were I was sleepy or drugged up, but I haven't just felt depleted like I did last month. Maybe it's adding the running back into the program, who knows.
I still feel pretty stuffed up but I can tell the meds are working. I'm actually glad that I have a 10 day supply of antibiotics because I think that'll get everything else out of my system as well. I'm hoping that by the end of next week I'm feeling as good as I've felt in a while.
Today was Kenpo and again I had a great workout. I have yet to have a lousy Kenpo workout because it's so much fun for some reason. I really look forward to this workout and it flies by when I'm doing it. I never did Tae-bo when it was out, but I imagine that I would like that.
I decided that I was feeling pretty good today so I went for my run. I actually got probably the best run in so far. My side was cramping up late in the run but I finished it out and got a good run in. It was such a great day outside today. It's probably in the high 70s today and a slight breeze it was so nice. If I could have it be this weather all the time it's absolutely amazing.
I'm watching my Auburn Tigers destroy LSU in basketball right now. I really hope the comittee is watching this game. We're almost a bubble team and I think if we can win a game in the SEC tourney we're almost surely in the NCAA. That'll be awesome. We've won 7/8 down the stretch and are playing some of the best basketball I've seen them play in a long time.
Rest or Stretch is tomorrow. I'll probably break out the stretch but who knows. It's always nice to get a rest day. I can't describe the peak that I'm on right now, it's absolutely energizing to be feeling so well. It's funny that it took me getting this sick to feel this good. Maybe it's that roids shot they gave me yesterday. They did say it'd make me feel alot better. Anyways, that's it for today.
I still feel pretty stuffed up but I can tell the meds are working. I'm actually glad that I have a 10 day supply of antibiotics because I think that'll get everything else out of my system as well. I'm hoping that by the end of next week I'm feeling as good as I've felt in a while.
Today was Kenpo and again I had a great workout. I have yet to have a lousy Kenpo workout because it's so much fun for some reason. I really look forward to this workout and it flies by when I'm doing it. I never did Tae-bo when it was out, but I imagine that I would like that.
I decided that I was feeling pretty good today so I went for my run. I actually got probably the best run in so far. My side was cramping up late in the run but I finished it out and got a good run in. It was such a great day outside today. It's probably in the high 70s today and a slight breeze it was so nice. If I could have it be this weather all the time it's absolutely amazing.
I'm watching my Auburn Tigers destroy LSU in basketball right now. I really hope the comittee is watching this game. We're almost a bubble team and I think if we can win a game in the SEC tourney we're almost surely in the NCAA. That'll be awesome. We've won 7/8 down the stretch and are playing some of the best basketball I've seen them play in a long time.
Rest or Stretch is tomorrow. I'll probably break out the stretch but who knows. It's always nice to get a rest day. I can't describe the peak that I'm on right now, it's absolutely energizing to be feeling so well. It's funny that it took me getting this sick to feel this good. Maybe it's that roids shot they gave me yesterday. They did say it'd make me feel alot better. Anyways, that's it for today.
Friday, March 6, 2009
P90x Day 33 - Back and Legs
Things I got today.
- An acceptable workout
- A very long nap
- A pretty good day of eating
- Bronchitis
Yeah, you read that right. I have a case of bronchitis which explains why running yesterday was the worst thing I've done in weeks. I thought it might have been the cold or the fact that I haven't ran in a while but it was actually something entirely different. I'm not sure if the head cold I've had all week turned into bronchitis, or if it was playing out in the snow last weekend, of if it was the fact that sick people were at my daughter's party and one of them surely gave me this plague. Who knows.
Anyways, it would have been simple to use all of the above as an excuse to skip a workout. I mean hell I'm on Benedryl, Codine laced cough syrup, and anti-biotics who wouldn't be able to rationalize not working out. Afterall I'm sick, boo-hoo pity party. Blah blah blah blah blah.
So I put all those excuses into a ball, and swallowed it and knocked out a decent workout. It wasn't the best ever because I felt like I was about to fall asleep the entire time, but I worked up a good sweat and my legs are feeling it now so I'm glad I got it in.
I'm going to do Kenpo tomorrow but I'm iffy on the running. I know that I put running on the calendar and I'm suppossed to do it, but I've got to balance that out against skipping one run to give my legs a chance to recover. I won't skip next Tuesday's run, but tomorrow is iffy.
I don't know why I'm so rediculously determined to do everything. I haven't "skipped" a workout yet this cycle but I've cut a few short because of one thing or another, so it would be easy to justify it. I guess I'm just worried that I'll fall off the wagon and end up back in the non-workout zone. Either that or since my wife is going to do P90x after this if I can finish maybe I feel that I have to go out of my way to set the positive example so she'll have no excuses during her phase. I don't know if that's petty on my part or what that maybe I feel if I do this I can lord it over her during her workout or what. I have no idea why I feel so compelled to go so far and beyond what I normally do.
Anyways, I'm going to continue to med up and hopefully over the next week I'll be back to 100%. I'm looking forward to pressing plan on Kenpo tomorrow and to a restful healthy weekend.
- An acceptable workout
- A very long nap
- A pretty good day of eating
- Bronchitis
Yeah, you read that right. I have a case of bronchitis which explains why running yesterday was the worst thing I've done in weeks. I thought it might have been the cold or the fact that I haven't ran in a while but it was actually something entirely different. I'm not sure if the head cold I've had all week turned into bronchitis, or if it was playing out in the snow last weekend, of if it was the fact that sick people were at my daughter's party and one of them surely gave me this plague. Who knows.
Anyways, it would have been simple to use all of the above as an excuse to skip a workout. I mean hell I'm on Benedryl, Codine laced cough syrup, and anti-biotics who wouldn't be able to rationalize not working out. Afterall I'm sick, boo-hoo pity party. Blah blah blah blah blah.
So I put all those excuses into a ball, and swallowed it and knocked out a decent workout. It wasn't the best ever because I felt like I was about to fall asleep the entire time, but I worked up a good sweat and my legs are feeling it now so I'm glad I got it in.
I'm going to do Kenpo tomorrow but I'm iffy on the running. I know that I put running on the calendar and I'm suppossed to do it, but I've got to balance that out against skipping one run to give my legs a chance to recover. I won't skip next Tuesday's run, but tomorrow is iffy.
I don't know why I'm so rediculously determined to do everything. I haven't "skipped" a workout yet this cycle but I've cut a few short because of one thing or another, so it would be easy to justify it. I guess I'm just worried that I'll fall off the wagon and end up back in the non-workout zone. Either that or since my wife is going to do P90x after this if I can finish maybe I feel that I have to go out of my way to set the positive example so she'll have no excuses during her phase. I don't know if that's petty on my part or what that maybe I feel if I do this I can lord it over her during her workout or what. I have no idea why I feel so compelled to go so far and beyond what I normally do.
Anyways, I'm going to continue to med up and hopefully over the next week I'll be back to 100%. I'm looking forward to pressing plan on Kenpo tomorrow and to a restful healthy weekend.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
P90x Day 32 - Yoga, 1 Mile Run
Yoga this morning wasn't the best Yoga ever but it got finished. I'm still really fighting the tail end of this congestion and I'm hoping that I'm in the home stretch. I didn't get to try Yoga X this week because I woke up, and my back was sore, so I laid back down one the bed to stretch it out and fell asleep. I woke up in time to get my other Yoga workout in, but not Yoga X because it's almost and hour and a half long. Failure on my part but at least I got the workout in this morning and I don't have to try and fight for time tonight.
I actually brought my lunch today. I'm looking forward to eating that and getting off this tailspin of junk lunches.
I have a 1 mile run to complete when I get home today. If I can get home before it gets too cold or dark I'm going to see if I can run with the stroller and get the kid out with me. I'm thinking I'm going to try and do that from time to time.
My legs are super sore today. I'm not sure if it was the Plyo workout on Tuesday or the mile run that day but I've been feeling it in my legs all week.
Not much else to say today. I'm hoping to get some progress pictures tonight. Not sure if I'll post them or not.
I actually brought my lunch today. I'm looking forward to eating that and getting off this tailspin of junk lunches.
I have a 1 mile run to complete when I get home today. If I can get home before it gets too cold or dark I'm going to see if I can run with the stroller and get the kid out with me. I'm thinking I'm going to try and do that from time to time.
My legs are super sore today. I'm not sure if it was the Plyo workout on Tuesday or the mile run that day but I've been feeling it in my legs all week.
Not much else to say today. I'm hoping to get some progress pictures tonight. Not sure if I'll post them or not.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
P90x Day 31 - Back and Biceps, Ab-Ripper X
Today's workout was a great workout. I love bicep workouts for some reason and this one was a doozy. I hadn't done the new back and bicep together workout, but so far that and the workout from Monday I much prefer to the first phase. I'm feeling it already and I'm sure tomorrow my arms are going to be jelly. It was funny while working out my hands started cramping up from the forearm workout. I figured that's how you know you're giving it your best. I also feel like back workouts now are better since I got the resistance band. I look forward to the day I can do one of these workouts without having to use bands, but there is no way I could do the workout they did today on pullups. Even if I could do pullups, I think this one would have been rough. "Corn Cobb Pull-ups", you gotta be kidding me.
I can't believe I'm 30 days in already. So far I don't feel like I'm going to burn out (knock on wood) and while I'm sure this next 30 days will be much tougher I can see myself making it through the 90 days. I'm really enjoying getting to work out again, and once I can get back into mornings I'll be fine. The last 3 days I've had to do my workouts in the evening because I feel like crap in the mornings. I've been getting in some good workouts, but it's much tougher to make the time when I get home after work. It's been a chore that I'm looking forward to getting rid of. I'm still not 100% and now that my sinuses are "draining" I think I'm probably a day or so from getting this behind me. I think my throat is going to be killing me tomorrow but we'll see if I can't get some cough drops to mitigate that.
For all the effort I've put into the workouts this week, my diet has had some backsliding. Lunches haven't been pre-made because my whole house is sick and as a result my choices have not been ideal. Not horrendous, but not good either. I'm looking forward to getting back on track tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Yoga day. I'm thinking that I'm going to try Yoga X again. I haven't tried it since week one and have been doing another hour long Yoga workout (YRG) and I think I'm going to attempt it. It's just so acrobatic and it seems like some of the moves in the DVD are just done to show you that Tony Horton is really flexible. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see the value in all of it. We'll see how much time I have and when I can get the workout in.
I was hoping to get progress pictures taken tonight, but my picture taker is asleep already. We'll do them a day late tomorrow.
Looking forward to pressing play tomorrow. It's nice to be able to focus on workouts, they are my constant this week with everything else being so chaotic.
I can't believe I'm 30 days in already. So far I don't feel like I'm going to burn out (knock on wood) and while I'm sure this next 30 days will be much tougher I can see myself making it through the 90 days. I'm really enjoying getting to work out again, and once I can get back into mornings I'll be fine. The last 3 days I've had to do my workouts in the evening because I feel like crap in the mornings. I've been getting in some good workouts, but it's much tougher to make the time when I get home after work. It's been a chore that I'm looking forward to getting rid of. I'm still not 100% and now that my sinuses are "draining" I think I'm probably a day or so from getting this behind me. I think my throat is going to be killing me tomorrow but we'll see if I can't get some cough drops to mitigate that.
For all the effort I've put into the workouts this week, my diet has had some backsliding. Lunches haven't been pre-made because my whole house is sick and as a result my choices have not been ideal. Not horrendous, but not good either. I'm looking forward to getting back on track tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Yoga day. I'm thinking that I'm going to try Yoga X again. I haven't tried it since week one and have been doing another hour long Yoga workout (YRG) and I think I'm going to attempt it. It's just so acrobatic and it seems like some of the moves in the DVD are just done to show you that Tony Horton is really flexible. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see the value in all of it. We'll see how much time I have and when I can get the workout in.
I was hoping to get progress pictures taken tonight, but my picture taker is asleep already. We'll do them a day late tomorrow.
Looking forward to pressing play tomorrow. It's nice to be able to focus on workouts, they are my constant this week with everything else being so chaotic.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
P90x Day 30 - Plyometrics, 1 Mile Run
Today was a very strange day. I woke up this morning and opted to get some more rest because I just didn't feel 100% yet. So I get up a bit later and my wife is sick. Not just sniffles, but she's throwing up on and off an d feeling like crap. Well she says she's not feeling that bad so I run into work to get something done with the caveat that I'll come home early if needed. Well about 3 hours later my wife calls me and has been throwing up even more and can't hold anything down. So she heads to the Clinic and takes the kid with her and I leave work to meet them there. Well from that point on I'm on babysitter duties as my wife sits in the clinic getting IVs of fluid and anti-nausea medicine. So the kid and I fend our ourselves until we pick her up a few hours later. Get some prescriptions stop by and grab some food and home we go. The wife is exhausted so I'm on babysitter duty until the kids konks out and THEN I have time to work out.
With all that keep in mind that I've spent at least 4 hours trying to talk myself out of working out. Not the casual mental games, I mean serious "come on, you can take a day off" anti-motivation. Then I start the bargaining, do plyo or running, move the running to tomorrow what's it matter. Blah blah blah.
The wife fed the kid to put her down at 7:45pm. I started Plyometrics and busted my butt doing it, then when it was over and it was time to cooldown and stretch, I paused the DVD, laced up my shoes and went for a mile run in the cold, cold, blackness of 9pm night. I got it in, got home, unpaused and did the cooldown and stretch and took a shower. So now it's 9:30 and I'm just getting to blogging and TV. I feel really good about getting everything done that I wrote down and didn't allow myself to make workout excuses. I wish my eating had been a little better today, but I'll make progress over perfection.
So today was my first run since right around the time change. My legs felt really good but my lungs sucked it. I can't tell if it was the cold, the first run back, the fact that I just busted my butt with an hour of jump training, or some mixture of the above. It's going to be a long road to trying to do a marathon in late October, but I think I'm ready for it. My first 5k of the year is mid April of this year. I'm hoping with the training and this additional working out that I'll be able to put in my first sub 30 min performance. We'll see. My "natural" pace isn't that quick so I'm going to have to push myself that's for certain. I'm going to get a mile in today, thursday, and saturday this week and I think I'll bump it to 1.5 next week and just go up .5 a week until I'm at 3 miles.
Anyways, alot going on today but despite all the obstacles I was able to do what I wrote down on the schedule. I'm not going to allow my mental weaknesses to contribute to my physical weakness. That is what got me where I was.
Back and biceps tomorrow. I'm looking forward to pushing play on this. The new workouts for this new phase are pretty interesting.
With all that keep in mind that I've spent at least 4 hours trying to talk myself out of working out. Not the casual mental games, I mean serious "come on, you can take a day off" anti-motivation. Then I start the bargaining, do plyo or running, move the running to tomorrow what's it matter. Blah blah blah.
The wife fed the kid to put her down at 7:45pm. I started Plyometrics and busted my butt doing it, then when it was over and it was time to cooldown and stretch, I paused the DVD, laced up my shoes and went for a mile run in the cold, cold, blackness of 9pm night. I got it in, got home, unpaused and did the cooldown and stretch and took a shower. So now it's 9:30 and I'm just getting to blogging and TV. I feel really good about getting everything done that I wrote down and didn't allow myself to make workout excuses. I wish my eating had been a little better today, but I'll make progress over perfection.
So today was my first run since right around the time change. My legs felt really good but my lungs sucked it. I can't tell if it was the cold, the first run back, the fact that I just busted my butt with an hour of jump training, or some mixture of the above. It's going to be a long road to trying to do a marathon in late October, but I think I'm ready for it. My first 5k of the year is mid April of this year. I'm hoping with the training and this additional working out that I'll be able to put in my first sub 30 min performance. We'll see. My "natural" pace isn't that quick so I'm going to have to push myself that's for certain. I'm going to get a mile in today, thursday, and saturday this week and I think I'll bump it to 1.5 next week and just go up .5 a week until I'm at 3 miles.
Anyways, alot going on today but despite all the obstacles I was able to do what I wrote down on the schedule. I'm not going to allow my mental weaknesses to contribute to my physical weakness. That is what got me where I was.
Back and biceps tomorrow. I'm looking forward to pushing play on this. The new workouts for this new phase are pretty interesting.
Monday, March 2, 2009
P90x Day 29 - Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
Quick Update : I said Saturday that I had lost 7.5 pounds. Truth is my math sucks. I've only lost 6.5 pounds. I started at 250 and weighed in on Saturday at 243.5. For some reason I went 250-243 = 7 and then add a half. Not sure why but I didn't catch this earlier, but it was Sunday afternoon before I went "wait a minute". Anyways, that makes my results less than I hoped even more, but still over the healthy 1.5 a week so I won't complain. I've realized that P90x is a good workout plan and you will lose weight, but it's not set up to be a radical weight loss solution. This is made for people that are close to their goal weight, not people who have 30+ pounds to lose.
I am sick and tired. Not of anything in particular, but just those two things. Sick, and tired. My daughter's birthday was Saturday and it was alot of fun. But with all the added parents and kids in the house it seems we dragged in some ilness too. I felt like I was getting a but stuffy on Sunday morning, but by the end of the night I could tell that I was getting sick. I woke up this morning miserable sick. I'm not sure if it is allergies or sinuses but I couldn't breathe because I was so stuffed up and my throat was killing me. I took benedryl and felt much better all day, but I was absolutely beat. I skipped my morning workout and slept in. I was acutally late to work because I was so tired, but I got up and got to work. I was miserable at work and could barely keep my eyes open but when I got home I still got my workout in.
You read that right, I still got my workout in. I got home and fired up the workout for today. It wasn't the best workout I've ever done but it got done. Everything inside me wanted to skip the workout and I had enough reasons to do it, but I put it on the calendar so I did it. I'm going to try and not let a workout get missed in this process.
I'm suppossed to start running again tomorrow. I hope I'm able to do it. I hate being sick.
We got 4.5 inches of snow on Sunday. 4 inches of snow. IN ALABAMA. Crazy. We had alot of fun in it though. Snowmen and playing and alot of things. We haven't had that much snow here in probably 15 years from what I've read so it was really an outlier. And to top it all of on Friday we had a tornado touchdown about 5 miles from my house. There wasn't much damage and it was only down for a few seconds, but still it's crazy. If I see frogs or locusts around anytime soon I'm going to take shelter.
Tomorrow is plyometrics and running. Should be an interesting mix. Can't wait to press play tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be in a slightly less than sick manner.
I am sick and tired. Not of anything in particular, but just those two things. Sick, and tired. My daughter's birthday was Saturday and it was alot of fun. But with all the added parents and kids in the house it seems we dragged in some ilness too. I felt like I was getting a but stuffy on Sunday morning, but by the end of the night I could tell that I was getting sick. I woke up this morning miserable sick. I'm not sure if it is allergies or sinuses but I couldn't breathe because I was so stuffed up and my throat was killing me. I took benedryl and felt much better all day, but I was absolutely beat. I skipped my morning workout and slept in. I was acutally late to work because I was so tired, but I got up and got to work. I was miserable at work and could barely keep my eyes open but when I got home I still got my workout in.
You read that right, I still got my workout in. I got home and fired up the workout for today. It wasn't the best workout I've ever done but it got done. Everything inside me wanted to skip the workout and I had enough reasons to do it, but I put it on the calendar so I did it. I'm going to try and not let a workout get missed in this process.
I'm suppossed to start running again tomorrow. I hope I'm able to do it. I hate being sick.
We got 4.5 inches of snow on Sunday. 4 inches of snow. IN ALABAMA. Crazy. We had alot of fun in it though. Snowmen and playing and alot of things. We haven't had that much snow here in probably 15 years from what I've read so it was really an outlier. And to top it all of on Friday we had a tornado touchdown about 5 miles from my house. There wasn't much damage and it was only down for a few seconds, but still it's crazy. If I see frogs or locusts around anytime soon I'm going to take shelter.
Tomorrow is plyometrics and running. Should be an interesting mix. Can't wait to press play tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be in a slightly less than sick manner.
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