P90x Round 2, Day 16 - Plyometrics, 3 mile run

P90x Round 2, Day 16 - Plyometrics, 3 mile run
Diet :
Breakfast: 4 egg whites w/ onion and green pepper
Lunch: Turkey and Roast Beef Sandwich, Carrots and Celery
Snack: Granola Bar, Jello Cup, Orange Fruit Cup
Dinner: Leftover Chili Mac Soup
Unplanned Snack: Ice Cream

Summary:
Not the best workout today. Not sure if it was the Ab-Ripper or what from yesterday but I woke up this morning with a fairly sore back. I tried to rock out the Plyo but I could only get about 2 sets into it before my back was just bothering me too much. All the squatting and jumping was just really uncomfortable so I stretched out a bit and went for my run to see how that felt.

Run went great. It was sprinkling some outside which kept it nice and cool. It's amazing how 2 days off rests up the legs and makes running more manageable. I'm sure running tomorrow will be a chore.

Diet was about 90% today. Went well except for the stupid after-dinner ice cream. It's low fat blah blah blah, but still I didn't need it and I shouldn't have eaten it but it's done and there we are.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

P90x Round 2, Day 9 - Plyometrics, 3 mile run

P90x Round 2, Day 9 - Plyometrics, 3 mile run
Diet :
Breakfast: Bowl of Raisin Bran
Lunch: Salad with Turkey,Cottage Cheese, Carrots and Celery
Snack: Granola bar, Jello Pudding, Mixed Fruit Cup
Dinner: Flat Iron Steak, Parmesean Potato Fries, Corn
Unplanned Snack: One bite of a brownie, Skinny Cow Ice Cream Bar

Summary:
Plyometrics is the worst and best workout in the P90x series. I end up at the end of this workout drenched in sweat and physically exhausted. I finished today's workout exhausted and still facing the demands of having to run 3 more miles before I was finished with my workout. I didn't know if I was going to be able to get out and run the full distance today but I found a way to get it done. After having 2 days without running it was really more of a struggle than I would have liked to run today, but it might have had something to do with the fact that it was unusually chilly outside this morning. I was so hot inside working out that when I went outside and it was so chilly I was actually really cold for the first 1/2 mile or so before I warmed up. This week is 3 miles during the week and 5 miles on Saturday. Saturday will be a tough run.

Eating still went well today. I'm starting to adjust I think to the eating and exercising schedule but we'll see Friday if the results are still there. I can't imagine cutting back even more on my diet so I'm hoping that's not needed.

Overall things are going well. My back is a little sore, but we'll keep and eye on that. If need be I can take a day off and stretch.

P90x Round 2, Day 2 - Plyometrics

P90x Round 2, Day 2 - Plyometrics
Diet :
Breakfast: Sausage Sandwich, Juice
Lunch: Salad with Turkey, Cottage Cheese, Carrots and Celery
Snack: Granola Bar, Pineapple Fruit Cup, Jello Pudding Cup, 3 Orange Slices
Dinner: Pork Tenderloin, Broccoli and Cheese

Summary:
It's a day 2. Plyometrics, or as they say "Death by Jumping". This is the only workout that if I give 110% to I feel like I'm about to throw up after the first 15 minutes. I've given Kenpo X more than I could have given and never gotten ill, I've done the same with just about every other exercise at some point and plyometrics by far is capable of getting the most out of me.

It's funny though, because it starts out easy. I little squat jump, some heisman, a bit of this, a bit of that. And next thing you know you're dog tired and sweating like crazy and can barely pick your feet off the ground let alone rock out the "rockstar hops".

Feeling pretty good so far. Definately not like the first round where I couldn't even straighten out my arms after Day 1. I can definately tell the difference between using the bands for my back workouts and going back to the pull-up bar. Granted I'm still no where close to being able to do a pull-up but I can tell that I got a heck of a back workout and I think long-term this will get me closer to being able to do pullups than the bands could.

Meals are going ok so far. I went out to eat with a recruiter friend of mine today and while he would have picked up lunch without issue, I ate what I brought. I hope I can keep up that resolve for a long time, but to be honest I think it depends on what the scale says on Sunday. If I do perfect eating all week and do my best on the workouts and running and the scale barely moves I can't imagine I'll be as motivated to keep it going strong. But I'll try my best to keep it up for the first 30 days and then re-evaluate if needed.

Running went well today. Got 2 miles in without much issue. I can tell that as I increase my runs on the weekdays I'm going to have to solve the eating before running issue. While my run didn't have any issues I could definately tell that I had less in the tank than I usually do in the afternoons. The problem is with doing P90x and then running I'm not sure where that leaves eating. I might have to get workout gels or something and eat them after I finish working out while I'm getting my running shoes on and whatnot. That'll only give me 5-10 minutes between working out and running to get some more energy. But maybe that'll be enough.

Anyways, Shoulders and Arms tomorrow. I need to get than in and run 3 miles and still somehow find out a way to get Ab-Ripper done. It was so much easier skipping Ab-Ripper most of the time in Round 1. I wish I hadn't made the goal of not skipping Ab-Ripper during this round.

P90x Day Day 58 - Plyometrics

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.

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.

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.

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.

P90x Day 16 - Plyometrics

Wow. Not much else I could say even if I wanted to after this morning's workout. I was absolutely exhausted and drenched in sweat. I hadn't done Plyo since Week 1 because I was still in recovery on week 2. I actually believe that I forgot what exactly Plyo contained because yesterday I was actually looking forward to it this morning. About 20 minutes into the workout, I was no longer looking forward to the workout :)

I'm feeling a bit more energetic today, but I'm still a bit tired. I'm thinking that it's just a part of "low energy" because I'm still eating clean and eating less. I'm not "exhausted" but I can tell about 2-3 hours after I eat a definite slump in energy. Once I eat again I'm much better. I guess that's the point though. Small of often eating instead of big spaced out meals.

I'm very interested in the results day in a week and a half. It'll be really revealing as to what exactly how I'm doing. I feel like I'm making progress physically, and my clothes do feel better on me. It'll be interesting to see what the scale says.

I'm on my third week now without missing any workouts. I've completely changed over my schedule to waking up in the morning and I'm pretty pleased with myself about this. I know it's typically easier for the first 4-5 weeks. I know typically your energy level and "interest" tends to taper off after this period. I'm very interested in seeing if P90X's "muscle confusion" idea of swapping everything up every month helps this out. It'll be something to keep an eye on.

Shoulders and Arms tomorrow. Can't wait to press play on that. I really enjoy that workout.

P90X - Day 9 Kenpo (Swapped For Plyo)

I woke up this morning and felt pretty good. My calf is feeling better than it has in 4 days and I tested it with a few jumps this morning before deciding to swap Plyo for Kenpo. It's a cardio workout either way but I didn't think that that jumping on it all day was in my best interest.

After I made the decision to switch workouts, I'm not sure why but I really began to fill my head with reasons to quit. I kept saying "you can't do plyo, go back to sleep" or "why switch, just take the rest day" and I really do not have any reason why this hit me all of the sudden, but it did. Regardless I sucked it up and got my workout in with a really good Kenpo workout.

I'm feeling really good about being 10% done with the P90x. I can feel that the "new" is beginning to wear off and for whatever reason I'm starting to have to work at getting up and getting my workouts in. Every day I get up and get it done I'm pumped at the end of it to have completed.

Looking forward to shreding my shoulders and arms tomorrow. Can't wait to push play.

P90x Day 2 - Plyometrics

Day 2:
Plyometrics is another word for "Death by Jumping".

This was really tough, but I was able to finish it. I didn't do everything like they did on the screen and I bailed early on a few exercises because my heart was about to jump out of my chest, but I finished.

It's strange this first time through because I have no idea what is coming up next so sometimes I feel like I'm saving up my strength just in case I need it. Maybe next time this comes up I'll be better at it. I guess that's the goal, be better than the day before.

I'm posting this early today and right now I can feel it in my legs and they are pretty tired. If I was posting this tonight it might read something like "oh god what did I do, I can't move my legs". Who would have thought you could jump in so many different ways.

Overall update is that I'm feel pretty good. My arms are wrecked from yesterday. I still can't straighten my arms completely from yesterday's workout. It was suppossed to be chest and back, but my arms are killing me.

I'm still in it. 2 days down, 88 to go. I'm not going to weigh myself until day 30 which is going to be a huge challenge for me. I'm dying to weigh in and find out how I'm doing, but I'm going to go balls to the wall for 30 days and then see. That way if the number isn't moving like I want I won't get discouraged and bail early.

I hope I "adjust" some to this workout routine. I can feel the agony of new workout soreness coming on and I really can't imagine being hobbled for 90 days.

I'll press play again tomorrow.