December 10, 2010
P90X3 Kicked my butt
Life has been crazy lately. My job has changed and I’m out of town a lot now. Plus the holidays have been in full swing with my family.
I hadn’t done much exercising the last couple weeks to say the least. The good news is that I’ve been good about avoiding the “holiday gut.” I have a healthy fear of regaining all the weight I lost this year. Thankfully this life change of diet and exercise developed some good habits that are paying off.
None the less I love the holidays. I am getting to write a pretty exciting wishlist this year. Hopefully Santa will bring me better fitting jeans, some Muscle Milk, and maybe some new weights. I’d really like those Bowflex things used on P90x Plus. Even one of those P90X tight black shirts would be awesome.
I’ll keep wishing, and pressing play in the mean time.
I hit the X hard today. And for the first time I actually threw up during a workout. I think I just drank too much water right before starting. It didn’t stop me though. Just cleaned up and pressed play!
September 5, 2010
#P90X2 Day 29 – Chest Shoulders Back
Thus begins Phase 2 of Round 2. Last round this was when I began to see some size increase. I am hoping for much of the same this time. I still have my first round stats, so I’m hoping to push myself a little further this time. Maybe even do some real 1 arm pushups this time.
I had to watch myself on four of the exercises. My left shoulder wouldn’t allow me to do heavy lifting. It was feeling like something was popping inside. I decided to just stick with some lite weights and push out extra reps. No need to be a hero.
My pushups are coming along nicely. I am thinking about loading a backpack with some weights (or having my kids on my back) to keep my reps low but resistance high. Part of my plan for bulking up.
I also hope to get more whey protein mix. I ran out and have missed it since. It was a great snack through the day, plus it helped me feel more energetic. Till then I will keep with my beef jerky.
Since I just finished phase 1 I will try to get some pics up soon. Those are always nice to keep as mile markers.
September 4, 2010
#P90X2 Recovery Week
This was a true recovery week.
I have been trying to keep good nutrition. I learned quickly that the better the food, the better the fuel.
Unfortunately, since I moved back to Alaska, I have discovered a lack of good veggies. Fresh, good tasting fruits and vegetables are hard to find in a place that needs a week or more for shipping to arrive. Things either taste bland or are rotting.
Which brings me to another thought this week. Fresh foods.
I thoughts fruits and vegetables were hard enough to find, apparently meats too. I was gifted steaks, turkey, and other frozen meats when I arrived a few weeks ago.
I decided to cook up some of it this week. Long story short, I think I got food poisoning. All the meats were bad, rotten to be exact. Never before have I tasted something so foul.
Not only have I been super sick all week, but I am almost afraid to eat any meat from a freezer. This of course kept me pretty weak for a couple days. And kept me from doing any real intense exercise. I did go on some walks, but those were brief.
Now that recovery week is over, I will stick to better foods and bring it for phase 2 of round 2.
August 27, 2010
#P90X2 – Day 19 Upper Plus
I am beginning to love Upper Plus. It kicks my butt. I felt so wasted after this today. It makes for a great start to the weekend.
Even though I missed last week due to that visit to the Blood Bank, I felt like I could crush week 1′s workout. And I did. I would take week 1′s numbers, add two or three, and then go for it. But, as I would do the pushups or pullups or whatever, I just felt like I could keep going. It wasn’t uncommon to best something by 5 or 6. Even one of the pullups I beat by 6!! It was crazy. I just felt like I had a ton to give.
I imagine that it has something to do with my diet. I tried real hard to stay away from crap foods all week. I have been slipping a bit and needed to get back on track. I got a couple pounds of grape tomatoes and some sweet peppers to snack on instead of crackers and chips. I also have been eating more eggs and drinking more milk and water. I also have been eating a lot of meat. Not sure if that is what is making the difference. I was given about 10 pounds of steaks and tri-tips as well as a couple pounds of chicken. It has been nice to get back to home cooking and not eating out as much (almost none at all lately).
I am a believer that whatever you eat to fuel your body is going to affect everything you do. The more I practice it, the more I come to appreciate it. I always hate myself shortly following fast food slips or the occasional snack of sin. Now the only problem that I am having is finding fresh vegetable to eat. Unfortunately we don’t get a lot of fresh choices up here in Alaska. I got spoiled in California with all the local farms. We have a few and there is a market on Wednesdays, but I have yet to go. Instead I have been reduced to frozen or tasteless ones. But, they have been well worth it.
August 25, 2010
#P90X2 – Day 18 Shoulders and Arms
I feel great!! Nothing like a good workout then being outside with family and good food on the grill.
Now that I have been doing P90X for a couple months, I can’t imagine life without a good exercise routine. I get a giant mental boost (which has been great given a lot of things that should be bringing me down). I have a great confidence as well as a ton of energy. Plus, I am getting a lot of comments about how great I look, and that is always a great thing. There have been a good number of people that mistake me for a service member, which would be great except I never served in any branch. And, I have a few co-workers that have given me the nick-name Clark Kent. Party because of my black, thick rimmed glasses and also because of my muscles. It is flattering.
I love it!!
I didn’t start working out so that I could be “eye candy” but it has confirmed something for me. We are always looking at each other. We look at people and they look at us. Not necessarily a sexual thing. I just think that people are very aware of those around them. I have always prided myself in presenting a profession image. I now realize that this was more than just my presence. I have picked up on conversations where some of the heavier people (maybe unfairly) are judged to be slower, less productive people. They dress well and speak well, but it is just assumed that they can’t put out a good pace for a long, hard day. It is a shame, but the sky is blue.
I am glad that I have shed at least 50 lbs. I can bend low and reach high without any problems. I have no knee problems that cripple me after being on my feet all day. Bottom line, it has been helpful in being able to work. I move quicker, can last longer and generally feel great at the end of the day. AND, I believe that it has afforded me some opportunities just because I “look” the part. Aside from the “Superman” reference, I have been given some extra work simply because it is believed I can do it. (I’ve only been on for a week and haven’t done anything significant to prove myself).
Don’t get me wrong, it goes a lot deeper than looking fit. I am just saying, it sure has helped.
Stats from workout:
190.6
586 Kcal
Approx 1 hour
