I got a phone call from a friend of mine the other day. He's up in New York and I haven't seen him in several months, since before I started working out with P90X. The last time I saw him I was drinking every day, I was bird chested and I had extra flab in unwanted places. I was also a little too pale for a Floridian.
Apparantly, he had stumbled upon my Facebook page and followed a link to this blog. From here, he followed the link on the right to my Beachbody coaching website and saw my profile, with before and after photos. He couldn't believe what he saw, and decided to call me to find out whether what he was looking at was real (his words). I have toned down, buffed up, and even gotten more tan because with my new confidence I am spending more time at the beach!
I laughed at this at first, but then realized that people are noticing. People at the office are one thing, I see them every day. But people I am close to, friends and family who I haven't seen much in four years, are noticing too. This has definitely given me the boost I need to finish the last couple of weeks, and then perhaps start round 2 for another 90 days of madness!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
End in sight
I just got finished with the Legs & Back routine, along with my good friend Ab Ripper X. Man, I am spent. I went into it with very little energy but I pushed myself to get through it. I wanted to fall asleep about halfway through, and even contemplated shutting the damn thing off entirely. That's the first time I've felt like that during the course of this program.
I just can't understand it. I have about two weeks to go and I'll be finished. I've worked so hard this whole time, and I am so close to being a P90X graduate, yet my body feels like it wants to shut down. Don't get me wrong... I'm still working my ass off... I've just been finding it more difficult lately. I've been warned about this though. Apparantly the last phase is the toughest, and seems to be the point at which most people quit. All this means to me is that if I continue to maintain my intensity, I will see excellent results for the last phase.
My knee has been giving me problems and my energy levels have plummeted. I believe I'll be in the market for some supplements. I get paid this Thursday and I'm planning on purchasing some Glucosamine (for my joints - perhaps this will help my knee) and something pre-workout to boost my energy and help me through the next couple of weeks. A definite benefit to being a coach: I get 25% off!
I just can't understand it. I have about two weeks to go and I'll be finished. I've worked so hard this whole time, and I am so close to being a P90X graduate, yet my body feels like it wants to shut down. Don't get me wrong... I'm still working my ass off... I've just been finding it more difficult lately. I've been warned about this though. Apparantly the last phase is the toughest, and seems to be the point at which most people quit. All this means to me is that if I continue to maintain my intensity, I will see excellent results for the last phase.
My knee has been giving me problems and my energy levels have plummeted. I believe I'll be in the market for some supplements. I get paid this Thursday and I'm planning on purchasing some Glucosamine (for my joints - perhaps this will help my knee) and something pre-workout to boost my energy and help me through the next couple of weeks. A definite benefit to being a coach: I get 25% off!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Any suggestions?
I have been talking a lot about my work-outs, but haven't spent much time on my coaching news. That is because I have been trying to figure it out, since this is something that is very new to me. I have subscribed to a weight loss forum and have been offering some advice that I believe to be helpful. I have my website and this blog address in the signature line, this way I can focus on being as helpful as possible with my suggestions without plugging the products in every post.
I've also gotten myself signed up for MyBlogLog.com. I am not really sure how to use this, but I think I'm supposed to list all of my blogs (this is my only one) and then from there talk to other people. I'm still very confused about the whole thing.
If anyone is reading this and sees an area that could use some improvement, please reach out to me and offer your opinion. Any advice you may have will be helpful.
Thank you!
I've also gotten myself signed up for MyBlogLog.com. I am not really sure how to use this, but I think I'm supposed to list all of my blogs (this is my only one) and then from there talk to other people. I'm still very confused about the whole thing.
If anyone is reading this and sees an area that could use some improvement, please reach out to me and offer your opinion. Any advice you may have will be helpful.
Thank you!
Yoga X
Teagan and I just completed our 90 minutes of stretching, balancing and meditation, also known as Yoga. I always thought that any American doing Yoga was a wishy-washy yuppy type just looking for another trend to grasp onto. Alas, I was incorrect.
Your main focuses are on breathing and form, and the movements are very slow. This is exactly what makes it difficult. Although it is low impact, it is still very intense due to the fact that every pose you perform you must hold for at least 30 seconds.
Try this...
Stand up straight, with your feet and knees together. Bend down to touch your toes. In one motion, bend your knees and lower your butt to imitate sitting down in a chair. Raise your arms up as straight into the air as possible. Hold this for 30 seconds. This is called chair pose.
Although you weren't running or jumping around, you most likely feel it in a few different muscle groups. That is the point of Yoga. I believe this is about the 10th time I've completed this routine, and I cannot believe how much more flexible I've become as a result. It works every muscle in your body, and focuses quite a bit on your core, which a lot of routines seem to miss.
So, if you think the way I used to, and believe that Yoga is for wimps, try it. It may become one of your favorites.
Your main focuses are on breathing and form, and the movements are very slow. This is exactly what makes it difficult. Although it is low impact, it is still very intense due to the fact that every pose you perform you must hold for at least 30 seconds.
Try this...
Stand up straight, with your feet and knees together. Bend down to touch your toes. In one motion, bend your knees and lower your butt to imitate sitting down in a chair. Raise your arms up as straight into the air as possible. Hold this for 30 seconds. This is called chair pose.
Although you weren't running or jumping around, you most likely feel it in a few different muscle groups. That is the point of Yoga. I believe this is about the 10th time I've completed this routine, and I cannot believe how much more flexible I've become as a result. It works every muscle in your body, and focuses quite a bit on your core, which a lot of routines seem to miss.
So, if you think the way I used to, and believe that Yoga is for wimps, try it. It may become one of your favorites.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Back & Biceps and Ab Ripper X
In the beginning of my 3-month journey, I could do two pull ups. To me, they seemed to be one of those show-off type exercises. You know, the kind only the sick and twisted could actually do and that no one normal ever needed to do. It turns out that all you need to do is strengthen your back muscles! Who knew? I am pumping out pull-ups like a madman now. Also, I can't see them, but my fiancée tells me the muscles in my back are getting really big. I believe it, since not only am I doing 15 pull ups in my first set, and then 10 in each successive set, but I can actually feel the muscles in my back. I feel stronger... like a machine!!!
This has also helped me in Ab Ripper X, since a few of the moves seem to be strenuous on the back. One comes to mind: the "Mason Twist." I can now do all 50 reps without taking a break or putting my feet down. I feel like this is a huge accomplishment. Another move would be the "Fifer Scissors." Your back muscles are useful here since you are working your core a little.
As a side note, although I am getting better at the moves and can get through them without any problems, this routine is still very difficult and I feel it every time. This makes me happy. I don't ever want it to be easy, because that would mean I'm not getting anything out of it. I doubt this will be an issue.
This has also helped me in Ab Ripper X, since a few of the moves seem to be strenuous on the back. One comes to mind: the "Mason Twist." I can now do all 50 reps without taking a break or putting my feet down. I feel like this is a huge accomplishment. Another move would be the "Fifer Scissors." Your back muscles are useful here since you are working your core a little.
As a side note, although I am getting better at the moves and can get through them without any problems, this routine is still very difficult and I feel it every time. This makes me happy. I don't ever want it to be easy, because that would mean I'm not getting anything out of it. I doubt this will be an issue.
Recovery Drink
I want to take a moment to talk about the P90X Peak Results and Recovery Formula. It is absolutely deserving of a blog entry.
Anyone who has tried this stuff will agree that it is a necessity for all of us crazy P90Xers. I think back to when I first began the program. I was hesitant to order it based solely on the price. So I began doing the work-outs without it and after my first week, the soreness was simply ridiculous in every part of my body. I was constantly rubbing and groping myself, and waddling like a penguin around the office. I must have looked very silly to my co-workers. So, despite my reluctance, I ordered the stuff.
Within the first couple of days I noticed that it was so much easier to get through my work-outs. My soreness almost totally went away, making it much easier to push myself every day. So I looked into why it helps. Evidently, this drink is specifically designed for the P90X workouts. Everything you burn out of your muscles gets put right back in, aiding in a speedy repair of your muscle tissue. It is high in carbs and protien, and also contains a small amount of creatine to give you a little extra size.
If you're still worried about the $43.95 price tag, become a coach and it goes down to $32.96! Additionally, I find that a tub will last me nearly two months, since I only use it on the heavy resistance and weight training days. Drink up and bulk up!
Anyone who has tried this stuff will agree that it is a necessity for all of us crazy P90Xers. I think back to when I first began the program. I was hesitant to order it based solely on the price. So I began doing the work-outs without it and after my first week, the soreness was simply ridiculous in every part of my body. I was constantly rubbing and groping myself, and waddling like a penguin around the office. I must have looked very silly to my co-workers. So, despite my reluctance, I ordered the stuff.
Within the first couple of days I noticed that it was so much easier to get through my work-outs. My soreness almost totally went away, making it much easier to push myself every day. So I looked into why it helps. Evidently, this drink is specifically designed for the P90X workouts. Everything you burn out of your muscles gets put right back in, aiding in a speedy repair of your muscle tissue. It is high in carbs and protien, and also contains a small amount of creatine to give you a little extra size.
If you're still worried about the $43.95 price tag, become a coach and it goes down to $32.96! Additionally, I find that a tub will last me nearly two months, since I only use it on the heavy resistance and weight training days. Drink up and bulk up!
9/30/09 Week 9 Day 1
Today was the first day of Phase III. The past week has been a recovery week and, while I do appreciate the shift of focus to cardio while allowing my muscles to rebuild and repair, I was definitely getting antsy to hit the weights again. I was happy to see it would be a routine I haven't done in over six weeks. I remembered this one fondly and I knew going into it, after looking at my week 3 numbers, that I could crush them with ease. Performance-wise, I am a completely different person than I was just 45 days ago.
So I pushed play. On each and every exercise, I stomped my week 3 number. It was completely gratifying, and served as a testament to all of my hard work these last two months. This is exactly what I've been working towards.
Halfway through the routine, I remembered why I liked it so much. The whole time you're doing push-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, and more pull-ups (see a pattern?) until every muscle involved feels like it's seconds away from packing up and heading out to find another body. Then, once you've gone through all of the exercises, you go back up and do them again, but in a different order. I keep on confusing my poor little muscles. I know they are getting annoyed with me, but they'll thank me in the end!
After all of that torture, it was time for Ab Ripper X. I'm quoting Tony here: (is that allowed?) "I hate it, but I love it." As a result of not doing this routine for 9 days, it was much harder than I had anticipated. Of course, as you move throughout the program, your coordination improves and the movements become easier, but the DVD itself never gets easy. I push myself to give 100% in every rep and I continue to feel the burn, no matter how many times I do it. The same can be said for all of the P90X routines. This is a program I will continue to use long after day 90.
So I pushed play. On each and every exercise, I stomped my week 3 number. It was completely gratifying, and served as a testament to all of my hard work these last two months. This is exactly what I've been working towards.
Halfway through the routine, I remembered why I liked it so much. The whole time you're doing push-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, and more pull-ups (see a pattern?) until every muscle involved feels like it's seconds away from packing up and heading out to find another body. Then, once you've gone through all of the exercises, you go back up and do them again, but in a different order. I keep on confusing my poor little muscles. I know they are getting annoyed with me, but they'll thank me in the end!
After all of that torture, it was time for Ab Ripper X. I'm quoting Tony here: (is that allowed?) "I hate it, but I love it." As a result of not doing this routine for 9 days, it was much harder than I had anticipated. Of course, as you move throughout the program, your coordination improves and the movements become easier, but the DVD itself never gets easy. I push myself to give 100% in every rep and I continue to feel the burn, no matter how many times I do it. The same can be said for all of the P90X routines. This is a program I will continue to use long after day 90.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Two months in...
I wish I had figured out how to do this at the onset of my P90X journey, but I just couldn't seem to find the time to learn something new. Now that I have already completed 2 months of the 3 month program, I have decided to document the last few weeks as a way to inspire others and hopefully lend some helpful advice to anyone currently pursuing a better version of themselves. I say this because I have found that version of me already.
I can't believe the transformation I have made so far. If you are interested in reading it, go to my website, click on "Read my story" and it will take you to my profile page. I am excited because I still have one more month to go, and then some! I plan on doing this long after the 90 days. I'll take about a week off and then start round 2, or check out "P90X Plus" or "Insanity." Money's been tight, so I'm leaning towards the second round of the DVDs I already own.
I have also signed on to become an Independent Beachbody Coach. I earn commission by helping to promote Beachbody products. You can become a coach too! Let me sponsor you and we will achieve health and wealth together. Follow the link above and click on "Become a Coach."
I can't believe the transformation I have made so far. If you are interested in reading it, go to my website, click on "Read my story" and it will take you to my profile page. I am excited because I still have one more month to go, and then some! I plan on doing this long after the 90 days. I'll take about a week off and then start round 2, or check out "P90X Plus" or "Insanity." Money's been tight, so I'm leaning towards the second round of the DVDs I already own.
I have also signed on to become an Independent Beachbody Coach. I earn commission by helping to promote Beachbody products. You can become a coach too! Let me sponsor you and we will achieve health and wealth together. Follow the link above and click on "Become a Coach."
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