p90x - Kenpo

Today was kenpo for the rest week. It was okay. I don't think I'm going to last on a couple of the disks. Its not that I have lost motivation in the whole program. Quite opposite in fact. I find that I just am not getting a good enough workout when I do the Kenpo program.

I am thinking that we will probably swap it out for Cardio X. The Cardio X program gives me so much more of a workout. And...we've already committed to doing this program well after the 90 days are up. As much as I would like to say, here is where we're at after 90 days. I still can, but we're not stopping at 90 days. We're just going to keep going. And at this point, I just want to keep doing the workouts that will give me the best results.

Unfortunately, this is also going to apply to yoga. We may try to keep it in, or swap it out bi-weekly for Cardio X or Core Synergistics. I, personally, just need something more from my workouts than the yoga offers.

So thats the update for tonight. This is no longer p90x. It's more like pAlwaysX. haha. This has just become our new workout program, not just simply a 3 month thing. So we're going to tailer it to what we like and what will benefit us the most.

p90x - core

Today was core synergistics. This is a fantastic workout, especially for something that they are considering a rest week. haha. I was trying to think about the first time we did the rest week and remember what we did and how we did it. I guess that's why I have this blog, right?

I feel like i improved on the pushup running one. The plank/chattychonga run, where you're running in place in both of those positions. I was able to do 2 out of the 3 sets in the lower running stance, and all 3 in the upper stance. This takes a lot of shoulder strength too, and is a very difficult move. But being able to do it makes me feel really good. In fact, being able to do that one move makes me happy about this whole thing. Seeing the progress of being able to do something like that now. Great stuff.

The hardest part with this particular workout is remembering to keep your core tight and flexed. Otherwise you're not doing the correct moves. I caught myself a few times where I didn't have it flexed, so I would just slow down and make the correction.

Pictures are coming soon. I have no idea what day we're at now, but day 60 is approaching fast. :)

p90x - Start of week 8

We are officially more than 50% done with the program. Today we started week 8, which is the rest week again. Today was supposed to be yoga, but we swapped it out for cardio x instead. I don't think I can handle 2 days of yoga in 1 week.

It started out slow, doing yoga first. Just as I was starting to think...I don't remember this one going so slow last time...the tempo picked up. And man it picked up fast. For sure I was able to do more and do it better than the first time around. But holy crap this one kicks your butt. Good workout tonight. It's a good workout that goes by quickly, and you feel really good at the end.

Kinda crazy that already 2 months have passed. It goes quick. I weighed myself over the weekend and was at 173. So that's good. :)

p90x - update

I realized last night that I haven't blogged pretty much at all this week about our progress. We're on the last 'workout' week of phase 2. Next week is the resting week, which will bring back the core work and stuff like that. It's been fine this week. Nothing really changing. Still doing all the workouts and modifying where I need to.

Sorry for the boring update. I guess this week is the official half way week, since it is a 13 week program. I am very interested in seeing the day 60 pictures. Sometimes it's just hard to tell if you can't see it for yourself. For the 3rd straight day, I've been under 175 pounds. Even if it's just by a pound or two. :)

p90x - Pylo

So we're into week 7. Tonight was plyo again. There is nothing really new to report on. It's still an amazing workout and I feel great after its over. This week, I tried to do a little more. I tried doing more of the jumping stuff. My knees are still a little sore, but it has gotten better.

One new thing this week is that my wife let me wear her HRM. This is the first time that I have worn it since we started, so it was going to be nice to find out where I'm at. My numbers tonight were 641 calories burned. Average HR was 160. Max was 181. Total measured exercise time was just under 45 minutes. I didn't start the watch until after the warm up.

So that's all for now.

p90x - Start of week 7

We did it! We're half way through the program. I forgot to write about this weekend. Pretty much the same as the previous week. This one kills my shoulders. While the improvement from week 5 to week 7 is not as noticeable as week 1 to week 3, this second phase is much harder than the first phase. But, there is actually an improvement. The reps that I can do and the weight have both increased.

Not much else to report on. This is our final week of phase 2 before we do the rest week. I can't believe its already been 6 weeks since we started. It's going fast!

p90x - yoga. Oh...Yoga.

I think I've figured it out. Yoga is definitely not something for people with ADD. Now, I've never actually been clinically diagnosed with ADD, but it's there. haha. But I think that's it. I just don't have the attention to make it through. Especially when all the moves are pretty much the same thing, just getting there is slightly different. If I force myself to focus, I do fine. But I lose that focus really quickly. And that is horrible for yoga. With all the other workouts, we're doing something different within a minute or so. With yoga, it's the same cycle of chattanooga and the dog stuff and then the war poses.

I try. I really do try to stay focused and do it. And when I do, I really do get a good workout. I just lose focus so quickly. It's not my fault!! haha.

So, we only did half of the workout tonight. But it was the good half. The first half is all the war stuff and squats. The rest are all the crazy moves that only the pros can do. So at least we do that. I'm trying really hard to not swap out the yoga disk for the cardio disk, but I think it's coming. I'm trying to really make sure we make it through the first pass without subbing out a workout. And while the yoga day is almost like a rest day, I still feel like I want more of a workout. I just haven't got into it yet.

The good news is, we've almost completed week 6. And I can actually see some improvement in some of the moves. Like when you're in the downer dog and you have to bring a foot up to your hands. When we first started, I couldn't do that move. Now, I find that I can bring my foot all the way up on the first try. And all the warrior poses, I feel I can actually do them correctly now. So at least there is that. :)

p90x - Back and biceps

Not too much to write about tonight...it was back & biceps again. All the weight exercises I increased either my weight or my reps. But, I am in awe still at the number of pull ups these people can do. I struggle to get 5 with good form and no assistance. And those corn cob ones...forget about it. I did 3 tonight and thats with using a chair for assistance.

Like I said, I don't really have much else to write about tonight. It's a short post. It was still a good workout though. :)

P90x - plyo!

Plyo!!!!!!!

Man I love this workout. I haven't worked this hard on a workout...I think ever. We're on week 6. 6 times I've done this workout and each time it gets better. At this point, I don't even wear a shirt because I'm already sweating by then time the warmup is over.

So today, I was again plaited by my knee issues. They were definitely sore again today. Even with that, I got an amazing workout. I had to modify the jumping/switching parts, changing them into a step move. And the jumping ones, I had to brace my landings by trying to absorb more. Which means that I didn't do as many reps as I have done in the past. So in that regard, I kinda feel like I was a bit more of a failure tonight. I feel like I could have...or should have done more. But, bottom line is that I for sure feel like I got an amazing workout.

So that's all for tonight. Excuse any grammar or spelling errors. I am trying out out new iPad 2 and the typing isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

p90x - Chest, shoulders and triceps

WEEK 6!!!!

It's hard to believe that we're almost half way through the entire program. Time goes pretty quick. Tonight was Chest, shoulders and triceps again. I saw improvement across the board, but it is still really tough. But seeing the improvement in reps and weight, makes me feel great that we're progressing. I definitely feel like there is muscle improvement in the last two weeks, in my arms and shoulders.

I think that on Saturday we are going to try swapping out kenpo. We both feel that we need something a little more on Saturdays. We tried swapping kenpo with yoga and that didn't work out so well. So I think we're going to try cardio x instead. I know we're deviating from the plan, but that's okay. :)

Not too much else to post about tonight.

p90x - legs and back

Tonight was legs and back night. I've had good success with this day in the past, but tonight was really tough. I've had knee and ankle problems for pretty much my entire walking life. I have little cartilage in my ankles, and what I do have is very weak and littered with scar tissue. In high school, I started having tearing issues in my achilles tendon when I was doing track. I've done rehab to try and strengthen the ankles. I've done Graston Therapy to help break up my scar tissue in my knees and ankles. It has all helped a little, but I will always have problems.

Tonight was one of those nights where everything just flares up. So I really had to be careful and modify. There were some of the squats that I just skipped because the movements just wouldn't happen. And...my balance was ridiculous tonight. I couldn't balance for anything. I knew right away when I started feeling that tingling and warming sensation in my ankles that it was going to be a rough night.

I did all the pullups tonight. And I did squats whenever I could. But instead of doing the 25 reps that they were doing, I might have just done 5. It was rough though. Even still now...a few hours later, my knees are on fire. It's nothing out of the ordinary though, and all will be fine tomorrow. But it takes a lot out of me and I really feel like I didn't get that good of a workout. But at the same time, at least it was just legs and back. Nothing against this particular workout, but this one is one of the lower priority ones. But I do think that this will help with my strengthening. Maybe it is time to start my rehab program again.

p90x - yoga

I've always thought that I do really well managing my stress. I've never been one for conflict and I don't let the little things get to me. But, I have my days like everyone else. On those days, I find my peace when I see my wife. I see her and everything else doesn't matter and instantly goes away. My day is better. I give her a big hug and it all floats away. I have the most important thing to me in my arms, and that's what matters.

I start out with that because today was one of those days. It was a stressful day and on top of that traffic was so bad that it was taking about 1.5 hours to go about 8 miles. We were able to take back roads and avoid most of the traffic, so that made it better. But before she picked me up, I was thinking...lets put this yoga thing to the test. Can this stuff really make me calm down and feel relaxed?

Tonight was yoga. And I will admit, this was the first night where I actually felt like I was enjoying it. I felt calmer and had a little more patience. Granted, some of that calmness may have come from seeing my wife, but I really did try to concentrate on the yoga. The funny thing is, I started to get a little goofy with it and I was actually doing the moves better. haha. For instance, when we were in the warrior sequences I was making warrior noises. 'AhhWaaah' 'Keeeyah' At one point I think I was starting to sound like Bruce Lee. But then I started to notice that my form was actually really good. I was low in my squats and my hand placements were really good.

Now, there are A LOT of moves that I just can't do. Most of the ones where you have to stand on one leg for 8 minutes while doing all these other moves. But, they even said that they are advanced moves, so I don't feel quite as bad for not doing them. And the others were where I needed to straighten my legs. I don't know what it is about that, but I just can't straighten my legs like that.

So, we stopped with about 20 minutes left. We did all the main yoga stuff, but then it was getting into just stretches. Normally I think we would have finished but because we were both really hungry and it was getting later than normal (because of the traffic, we got home late). So we decided to call it a night from yoga for that. I can't do the crane and stuff like that anyway, so I was just sitting there.

But I still feel like we got a good workout in. We did all the big beginning stuff. Now, I don't doubt the mental and spiritual healing powers of yoga. I think if you have a committed mind, it is a very powerful exercise. Maybe that will come for me, but I don't quite feel like I am at that point yet. For me, it's still just a workout. But, we don't give up. :)

I gotta say though, so far I've not found anything that can match the healing powers of my wife. Having that connection with her is all I need to calm my mind and make my day complete.

p90x - back and biceps

Tonight was Back and Biceps. Holy crap, this was one heck of a workout. I tried to max out my weight, and tried to stick to 25# if I could. But there were a few exercises that I had to stick with 20#, especially near the end. There were A LOT of biceps moves. I can definitely feel the soreness coming already.

Oh, and the pull ups. I am by no means able to do the amount that they are able to in the films. And I'm pretty sure that my form is horrible, so I probably think I'm doing more than I really am. But there was one today called corn cob pull ups. You pull yourself up, and while still holding yourself up you pull your body to the right, then all the way to the left, then back to center. Then, go back away from the bar, then back to the bar, then down. I did 2. Barely. And with a chair. And then I look at the video and these guys are on 8 or 9 reps. Holy crap.

Anyway, I feel worn out tonight but in a good way. It was a good workout. Oh, and we also did ab ripper again. I feel like I am improving in this, but there is always room for more. Tomorrow is yoga. I'm trying to stay motivated for it, but it's tough. We'll see how it goes. :)

p90x - Plyometrics

Holy crap, I love this workout. Yes I said it, I love it. It is an intense workout and FANTASTIC! After feeling like a slacker last night, it is nice to get the intense workout feeling back. I am familiar with the workout so I knew where I was able to really step up. I lasted 15 minutes before I had to take off my shirt because I was too sweaty. lol.

I still have to modify some of the exercises, especially the jumping ones. There are some jump squats that because my knees are still a little weak, I don't want to jump too much and do more damage. That's not to say that I don't jump at all though. I do as much as I can and then continue with a step move until it's over. I usually try to do the jump move again for the last 5 seconds or so. I'm just always trying to do more, and there isn't a single exercise in this workout that I feel like I am doing the max that I can. There is no way that I am at more than 75% compared to what the instructors do. So I always know that this will be a workout that I will do, even if we complete the program and I just want to workout one day.

Like I said, I love this workout. :) Not a whole lot else to report on. This one will always be one that I improve on, and I love the idea of that.

Oh yah...we took Day 30 pictures tonight before the workout. Not a lot of visual changes yet. A little more definition in the arms area, and I feel like my stomach has gone down a little. I'm hoping that the 60 days will give me a little more visual change. So anyway, here we go.

Front view flexed.

Day 0



Day 30






Front view normal.

Day 0



Day 30






Side view

Day 0



Day 30

p90x - start of week 5

We did it! We made it through phase 1! We felt good finishing week 3 and made it through the 'rest' week feeling great. And then...SQUASH! Right when you think you're doing great it starts all over. That's the nature of the program though I suppose. Today was chest, shoulders and triceps. Now, we did a lot of chest and shoulder moves in the first phase. Or so I thought. Today was pretty much all pushups and triceps. There were some shoulder moves in there that we've seen before, and they are still hard. But tonight brought all new crazy exercises.

For example. There was one called floor flys. Imagine if you will a standard pushup. Under one hand, you have a piece of cardboard or something that will cause a slippery surface. From here, you slide your hand out to the side like controlling it like you're doing a push up. When you get down, you push yourself back up. But you keep your hand on the cardboard and slide your way back up. I did 2. That takes A LOT of strength and coordination and concentration to do these properly. It's going to take a while to get that one.

There were plenty of other tricep moves that were intense. I think I stuck at 10 pounds tonight for all the tricep moves. While 10# might be just a tad too light, 20# is just way too much and especially at the end of the workout I just fail trying to lift it. 15# would probably be ideal, but I don't have those. But...next week I am going to start out with 20# and do what I can and then switch to 10 if I need to.

Tomorrow brings 30 day pictures. I realize that I never posted day 0 pictures, but I'll have a comparison tomorrow. I don't think there will be much of a visual difference, but I can definitely feel it. I am down around 8-9 pounds, and I'm up to notch 4 on the belt instead of 3. :) So we'll just keep going!

p90x - Core work

Tonight was Core Synergistics again. That is one heck of a workout. We really worked hard today. I really tried hard to make sure that my stomach was flexed as much as possible. There are a few moves where that is hard to make happen. There was one move I remember that was plank to Chattahoochee running. So you stay in a pushup position and make a running motion. Then you have to get down in that Chimichanga pose and do the same run. The whole time, nothing is touching the floor except your feet and hands. That one is HARD, but I was able to do a few. Makes me feel good.

Nothing else really to report. It was a really good workout. There was a point where Kaitlyn had to take a phone call for work, so I kept going. When she came back, I rewound it and did it again. So there were a few parts that I did twice. It's okay though, it was worth it. :)

p90x - x stretch

Today was x stretch. Honestly...it was a much needed break. I have been really tired the last couple days. BUT. I was almost bored. I actually found myself wanting to skip it and put in something else. No sweating. No increased heart rate. It was just stretching. It definitely felt good and was needed, but I just felt like I was slacking.

There isn't really anything to write about tonight. It was kind of an uneventful night for the workouts. But, tomorrow brings back core synergistics, so that will make up for the slacking tonight. haha.

p90x - day Kenpo

I've totally lost track of what the days are now, so I'm just going to start putting the workouts that we did. Tonight was Kenpo. Nothing new here. We've done this workout already, so we knew what was going on. I've noticed a small increase in hip/knee pain, so I am trying to be careful with some of the kicks. But the punches and stuff, we really try to increase the intensity. It's still a great workout and definitely works up a sweat.

Aside from that, we've been having a discussion about the diet plan. We haven't been following it at all, and I'm wondering if that is really going to play a major factor. I know that in order to get the 'cut' definition and the 6-pack abs, the diet is going be 95% of it. I want those results, but I'm starting to wonder if our current diet just isn't going to be enough. As I've said before, we generally eat pretty healthy. For instance, tonight was a chicken breast, green beans and some risotto. For lunch I had a sandwich, an orange and a piece of string cheese. Unfortunately, I forgot to eat breakfast because I got busy at work. But usually I eat some granola.

Occasionally we'll eat something that might be processed...or might not be totally 'healthy' for us, but I think the good well outweighs the bad. I know that the diet plan is extreme. But, I'm thinking that we'll complete this first series without changing our eating...and see what results we get. I think we've both already decided that we're going to do at least a 2nd pass at this. We've got some trips planned that happen to fall shortly after the 1st pass, and shortly after the 2nd pass. So, if after this first time through I don't feel like I got enough of the results that I want...I will consider really changing my diet. I'll have to follow some other people's blog and see what they are doing for food. The hardest part for us is going to be planning it out for the week. But we'll tackle that when we come to it.

Core Synergistics

I am going to stop saying rest week. Tonight was hard, no doubt about it. In fact, tonight is the first time that I actually feel exhausted. For instance, the first time we did Plyo I definitely felt tired and had a great workout. But tonight I feel like I just don't have the energy to do anything. At the same time, I know we had a great workout.

So, tonight was the Core Synergistics workout. This is pretty much all core work...focusing from the hips to the chest. Being that this was the first time going through this workout, there were a few places that I struggled because we didn't know the moves or because they were just really hard. I did try really hard to make sure my core was engaged. That's going to help more, kinda like how I try to squeeze my butt when we do squats.

So anyway, the workout was hard. Some of the moves from yesterday...like Superman Banana. I don't think that will ever get easier. Oh, and the Dreya Roll. OMG, that is a difficult move. I just do not have the core strength to pop myself back up. I guess that's why we're doing this, right? Even when using my hands to help get myself back up, I just couldn't pop up like they were doing. So that is going to be a good place to improve.

I can definitely feel my core being a little sore already, which at least means I was flexing where I needed to. So that's good. The workouts for the rest of the week, we've already seen them so we at least will know the workouts. We do this workout again on Friday, so we'll see where I can improve.