Sleeping in felt awesome today.
A high-calorie brunch (eggs, sausage, french toast, milk) hit the spot.
I was really active throughout the day -- mowed the lawn (80+ minutes), five-mile bike ride, and swimming at the local pool. Lunch and supper were pretty healthy...except for the 3 cans of Diet Mountain Dew. (oops!)
I found my body craving a Chest and Back workout today, which is what I've done each of the last four weeks on this day. However, I'm trying my best to stick with the p90x program...which meant Yoga X today.
Have I mentioned how much I hate this workout?
I guess I'm getting better at performing the various elements...but I don't really enjoy it. I only did four of the seven "yoga belly" workouts at the end, mostly because I was exhausted, but also because I knew that Core Synergistics awaited in less than 8 hours (I did yoga late at night).
I appreciate the flexibility and balance work...but I hate the profuse sweating and muscles on fire.
Until tomorrow...
Monday, May 30, 2011
Days 28
I did pretty well on what was supposed to be a day of rest. I managed to avoid BBQ temptation from the delicious smells of Smokin' in the Junction. My family and I spent most of the afternoon on our bikes, exploring local trails and parks. [Here's the route] I didn't do a lot of high-intensity cycling (except for the last 2.5 miles), but it was good to be active outside. I drank a ton of water and slept 11 hours at night. All in all, a pretty balanced day.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Days 25 - 27
Day 25
I didn't do Yoga today. Why? I hate it. I didn't have enough time to do all 90 minutes, so I did 0 minutes. Not helpful. I'd love to say I did some sort of alternative exercise, but I'd be lying. Instead, I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. working on a project that was past deadline. In order to stay awake, I made matters worse by indulging in a frozen pizza and Diet Mountain Dew. Seriously. I'm a slob. The silver lining is that a month ago, today would have been just like any other day. No exercise...not enough sleep...crappy food. In fact, I probably would have congratulated myself for drinking diet soda and not having any coffee. The good news is: I feel awful - physically and emotionally - at the end of the day.
Day 26
I got back at it with Legs & Back. Sadly, this is the first time I've done this particular workout. It seems the last three Fridays (Days 5, 12, & 19) were really busy. All those squats and lunges made me dizzy. Ab Ripper X was much more challenging after a legs workout because there are a lot of "core" exercises that tax my thighs and hip flexors. It felt good to exercise, and it also motivated me to eat better during the day. I'm still not eating as many fruits and veggies as I should, but I'm feeling good about my water intake.
Day 27
I kept my "no Kenpo" streak alive this week. Dang. My workout partner is gone, as is my accountability. However, I drank an ocean of water today and did a 14+ mile bike ride in the evening. My legs were sore all day from the previous workout. I really pushed the last 8 miles which caused my thighs to burn. Eating was so-so. Way too much sodium. Not enough fruit. I think next week I really need to focus on more balanced eating.
I didn't do Yoga today. Why? I hate it. I didn't have enough time to do all 90 minutes, so I did 0 minutes. Not helpful. I'd love to say I did some sort of alternative exercise, but I'd be lying. Instead, I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. working on a project that was past deadline. In order to stay awake, I made matters worse by indulging in a frozen pizza and Diet Mountain Dew. Seriously. I'm a slob. The silver lining is that a month ago, today would have been just like any other day. No exercise...not enough sleep...crappy food. In fact, I probably would have congratulated myself for drinking diet soda and not having any coffee. The good news is: I feel awful - physically and emotionally - at the end of the day.
Day 26
I got back at it with Legs & Back. Sadly, this is the first time I've done this particular workout. It seems the last three Fridays (Days 5, 12, & 19) were really busy. All those squats and lunges made me dizzy. Ab Ripper X was much more challenging after a legs workout because there are a lot of "core" exercises that tax my thighs and hip flexors. It felt good to exercise, and it also motivated me to eat better during the day. I'm still not eating as many fruits and veggies as I should, but I'm feeling good about my water intake.
Day 27
I kept my "no Kenpo" streak alive this week. Dang. My workout partner is gone, as is my accountability. However, I drank an ocean of water today and did a 14+ mile bike ride in the evening. My legs were sore all day from the previous workout. I really pushed the last 8 miles which caused my thighs to burn. Eating was so-so. Way too much sodium. Not enough fruit. I think next week I really need to focus on more balanced eating.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Day 24
Shoulders & Arms.
I really hate this day, for some reason. Perhaps it's because I've always had weak arms and shoulders. Or maybe it's because I still don't have a good sense of the proper weights to use on different exercises. All that aside, it went fine. I met or exceeded my performance from the week before. I guess that means I'm getting stronger. Or maybe I'm plateauing.
Ab Ripper X continues to kick my ass. We're supposed to do 25-30 reps of each element. At this point, I'm lucky if I can do half that number. This is an improvement from the first few times, when I didn't even make it through the first five elements...but it's still frustrating to not be able to keep up with the muscle-bound hotties on the video. I kinda wish they'd throw in a token fat guy once in a while, just to make me feel better.
Eating was good throughout the day. I had my first experience with greek yogurt, which is significantly higher in protein than regular yogurt. I probably didn't have enough water, though. I'll have to be better about that tomorrow.
I really hate this day, for some reason. Perhaps it's because I've always had weak arms and shoulders. Or maybe it's because I still don't have a good sense of the proper weights to use on different exercises. All that aside, it went fine. I met or exceeded my performance from the week before. I guess that means I'm getting stronger. Or maybe I'm plateauing.
Ab Ripper X continues to kick my ass. We're supposed to do 25-30 reps of each element. At this point, I'm lucky if I can do half that number. This is an improvement from the first few times, when I didn't even make it through the first five elements...but it's still frustrating to not be able to keep up with the muscle-bound hotties on the video. I kinda wish they'd throw in a token fat guy once in a while, just to make me feel better.
Eating was good throughout the day. I had my first experience with greek yogurt, which is significantly higher in protein than regular yogurt. I probably didn't have enough water, though. I'll have to be better about that tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Days 22 - 23
Day 22
Back in the routine today. I was finally able to reunite with my training partner, who had been out of town for most of the previous two weeks. Due to our lack of consistency, we decided to add an additional week of Phase 1 (which is supposed to be a three-week cycle). Therefore, the goal for the week is to get in six consecutive days of p90x workouts. We got off to a good start today, fully completing the intense chest & back workout. I had pretty balanced meals (lots of protein and veggies) and drank a bunch of water. We even had a protein shake after the workout - my first ever. During the noon hour I did a quick 15 minute up-hill "sprint" on my bike, and in the evening I mowed the lawn. I got about 8 hours of sleep, which is huge for me. All in all, it was a very balanced day.
Day 23
We really got after it on Plyometrics. My legs were pretty heavy from some biking and walking the previous day. The warm-up really helped get me ready for jumping around. I noticed increased stamina throughout the elements today, which allowed me to increase range of motion. Another day of balanced eating...until supper, which included a breaded chicken breast and a scoop of ice cream. Lots of water, carrots, and apples afterwards helped me feel a little less gross.
I was pleased to have a couple of people comment that I appear to be losing weight, especially in my face. I'm not sure that's the case, but it was affirming to have some people notice.
I intentionally didn't take "before" pictures and measurements because I didn't want to be motivated by those kinds of metrics. The goal for me is balance and wellness. I'm hoping that I will lose some weight and become more physically fit. However, I don't want those to be the most important things. I want exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep to be a part of my life, regardless of whether or not I look good with my shirt off.
Tomorrow is shoulders and arms - one of my two least favorite days (Yoga being the other).
Back in the routine today. I was finally able to reunite with my training partner, who had been out of town for most of the previous two weeks. Due to our lack of consistency, we decided to add an additional week of Phase 1 (which is supposed to be a three-week cycle). Therefore, the goal for the week is to get in six consecutive days of p90x workouts. We got off to a good start today, fully completing the intense chest & back workout. I had pretty balanced meals (lots of protein and veggies) and drank a bunch of water. We even had a protein shake after the workout - my first ever. During the noon hour I did a quick 15 minute up-hill "sprint" on my bike, and in the evening I mowed the lawn. I got about 8 hours of sleep, which is huge for me. All in all, it was a very balanced day.
Day 23
We really got after it on Plyometrics. My legs were pretty heavy from some biking and walking the previous day. The warm-up really helped get me ready for jumping around. I noticed increased stamina throughout the elements today, which allowed me to increase range of motion. Another day of balanced eating...until supper, which included a breaded chicken breast and a scoop of ice cream. Lots of water, carrots, and apples afterwards helped me feel a little less gross.
I was pleased to have a couple of people comment that I appear to be losing weight, especially in my face. I'm not sure that's the case, but it was affirming to have some people notice.
I intentionally didn't take "before" pictures and measurements because I didn't want to be motivated by those kinds of metrics. The goal for me is balance and wellness. I'm hoping that I will lose some weight and become more physically fit. However, I don't want those to be the most important things. I want exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep to be a part of my life, regardless of whether or not I look good with my shirt off.
Tomorrow is shoulders and arms - one of my two least favorite days (Yoga being the other).
Monday, May 23, 2011
Days 19 - 21
I had my 3rd consecutive bad weekend of eating and exercising.
Day 19
I spent most of the day at a conference, which meant I was sedentary the entire time. I had hoped to go for a run in the evening, but the weather didn't cooperate. My food intake was alright, until the evening when I attended a banquet that featured cheesecake. At least I had no dressing on the salad or butter on the bread! I didn't sleep much that night, which is never good when striving for balance and wellness.
Day 20
Another day of sitting and traveling. I ate at *gasp* McDonald's for breakfast and Texas Roadhouse for lunch. The food I chose was reasonable, but by no means uber-healthy. I ate graduation party food in the evening which was delicious, but included even more red meat. Instead of exercising, I poured myself a stiff drink and stayed up until 3:00 a.m.
Day 21
Having received the gift of sleeping in, I responded by eating three donuts around noon and a few chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon. At least I got some exercise in the form of a 12-mile bike ride with my children in 25 mph wind. In the evening I played basketball and kick-ball, which was fun. Sadly, I chose to eat a frozen pizza for a late-night supper.
The goal for the week ahead is to have six consecutive good days, which would be 1-2 more days than each of the three previous weeks.
Day 19
I spent most of the day at a conference, which meant I was sedentary the entire time. I had hoped to go for a run in the evening, but the weather didn't cooperate. My food intake was alright, until the evening when I attended a banquet that featured cheesecake. At least I had no dressing on the salad or butter on the bread! I didn't sleep much that night, which is never good when striving for balance and wellness.
Day 20
Another day of sitting and traveling. I ate at *gasp* McDonald's for breakfast and Texas Roadhouse for lunch. The food I chose was reasonable, but by no means uber-healthy. I ate graduation party food in the evening which was delicious, but included even more red meat. Instead of exercising, I poured myself a stiff drink and stayed up until 3:00 a.m.
Day 21
Having received the gift of sleeping in, I responded by eating three donuts around noon and a few chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon. At least I got some exercise in the form of a 12-mile bike ride with my children in 25 mph wind. In the evening I played basketball and kick-ball, which was fun. Sadly, I chose to eat a frozen pizza for a late-night supper.
The goal for the week ahead is to have six consecutive good days, which would be 1-2 more days than each of the three previous weeks.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Day 18
Yoga X.
I chose to end the day with yoga, mainly because I was up super late the night before and didn't want to fall asleep or pass out with an early start to the day. Doing yoga at night was a good way to bring my mind and body into focus. I think I sweat more during yoga than any of the other workouts. Holding the various poses for an extended period of time, especially the balancing ones, is really hard. From my perspective, anyone who think yoga is easy hasn't done yoga. I still sucked at the crane position (among others) but found myself less confused with the nomenclature - downward dog, warrior 2, child's pose, etc. - than the first time I did yoga.
I'm learning to like the oms at the end. I like how Tony puts it, "it's not a cult or a religion, it's just oms." 90 minutes of yoga makes me extremely flexible and tired.
Prior to the workout, my family went on a six-mile bike ride. We have a trailer bike that my four-year old son rides with me. My bike seat got loose and wouldn't hold its position, so I had to ride about two miles standing up. This was awkward with the trailer bike, but it really worked my calves and quads.
All in all, it was a solid day. I ate two hamburgers for supper at an open house event at the local police station. I refrained from cheese, chips, soda, and dessert; opting instead for baked beans and water. Other than that, I had another good day of eating.
I leave for a two-day conference tomorrow. I think I'm going to try going for a run instead of doing the legs and back workout. Maybe I can do that workout the following day instead of Kenpo X. Or something like that.
I chose to end the day with yoga, mainly because I was up super late the night before and didn't want to fall asleep or pass out with an early start to the day. Doing yoga at night was a good way to bring my mind and body into focus. I think I sweat more during yoga than any of the other workouts. Holding the various poses for an extended period of time, especially the balancing ones, is really hard. From my perspective, anyone who think yoga is easy hasn't done yoga. I still sucked at the crane position (among others) but found myself less confused with the nomenclature - downward dog, warrior 2, child's pose, etc. - than the first time I did yoga.
I'm learning to like the oms at the end. I like how Tony puts it, "it's not a cult or a religion, it's just oms." 90 minutes of yoga makes me extremely flexible and tired.
Prior to the workout, my family went on a six-mile bike ride. We have a trailer bike that my four-year old son rides with me. My bike seat got loose and wouldn't hold its position, so I had to ride about two miles standing up. This was awkward with the trailer bike, but it really worked my calves and quads.
All in all, it was a solid day. I ate two hamburgers for supper at an open house event at the local police station. I refrained from cheese, chips, soda, and dessert; opting instead for baked beans and water. Other than that, I had another good day of eating.
I leave for a two-day conference tomorrow. I think I'm going to try going for a run instead of doing the legs and back workout. Maybe I can do that workout the following day instead of Kenpo X. Or something like that.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Day 17
Shoulders & Arms.
Feeling spry, I decided to increase weight and decrease reps for this round of shoulders and arms. It was fun to see enhanced strength and stamina over the last two weeks. Lest I get carried away, it's important to remember that I'm still outrageously out-of-shape. However, it was rewarding to be able to increase intensity and not have to quit halfway through the workout.
I also completed the 18-minute ab workout after the 60-minute shoulders and arms routine. I'm still taking more breaks than I should, but I'm sensing some improvement here as well. My "core" is pretty flabby. I'm feeling these exercises in my hip flexors as much as in my abdominals. Tony (the buff dude on the DVD) says that's normal. Or something...
Eating was good-but-not-great today. I'm a huge cereal eater, so I've cut back to only one bowl a day (down from 4-5) and only eat cereals that are high in fiber and protein. In related news, they also taste like twigs and leaves. I ate at Chipotle, my favorite place for lunch, and had a chicken burrito with rice, beans, and grilled veggies. Not an ultra-healthy choice, but I refrained from sour cream, cheese, soda, or chips. I continued to keep my water intake high and munch on fruits and veggies throughout the day.
Truth be told, my entire body is freaking sore! I also feel like I'm not getting enough sleep at night, so I'm dragging my feet during the 2nd half of each day. Perhaps my body is still adjusting to caffeine withdrawal. Man, what I wouldn't give for a cup of coffee or a Mountain Dew.
Last night I had a friend tell me I looked "skinnier and younger," which was very kind and may help fuel me through these next few days. I'm not necessarily noticing any physical improvement, aside from feeling more fit in general. Part of me is wishing I would have taken some before pictures for comparison purposes...but I fear that would distract from my overall goals. I'm not trying to have an ultra-ripped body or anything. I want my p90x experience to kick-start me into a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
So far, I think it's accomplishing that task.
Feeling spry, I decided to increase weight and decrease reps for this round of shoulders and arms. It was fun to see enhanced strength and stamina over the last two weeks. Lest I get carried away, it's important to remember that I'm still outrageously out-of-shape. However, it was rewarding to be able to increase intensity and not have to quit halfway through the workout.
I also completed the 18-minute ab workout after the 60-minute shoulders and arms routine. I'm still taking more breaks than I should, but I'm sensing some improvement here as well. My "core" is pretty flabby. I'm feeling these exercises in my hip flexors as much as in my abdominals. Tony (the buff dude on the DVD) says that's normal. Or something...
Eating was good-but-not-great today. I'm a huge cereal eater, so I've cut back to only one bowl a day (down from 4-5) and only eat cereals that are high in fiber and protein. In related news, they also taste like twigs and leaves. I ate at Chipotle, my favorite place for lunch, and had a chicken burrito with rice, beans, and grilled veggies. Not an ultra-healthy choice, but I refrained from sour cream, cheese, soda, or chips. I continued to keep my water intake high and munch on fruits and veggies throughout the day.
Truth be told, my entire body is freaking sore! I also feel like I'm not getting enough sleep at night, so I'm dragging my feet during the 2nd half of each day. Perhaps my body is still adjusting to caffeine withdrawal. Man, what I wouldn't give for a cup of coffee or a Mountain Dew.
Last night I had a friend tell me I looked "skinnier and younger," which was very kind and may help fuel me through these next few days. I'm not necessarily noticing any physical improvement, aside from feeling more fit in general. Part of me is wishing I would have taken some before pictures for comparison purposes...but I fear that would distract from my overall goals. I'm not trying to have an ultra-ripped body or anything. I want my p90x experience to kick-start me into a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
So far, I think it's accomplishing that task.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 16
Plyometrics.
I really noticed an improvement in my "performance" today. I was able to stay with each of the elements for the entire time. My legs aren't bent as much as they should be in the squats, and I'm not jumping super high...but I felt strong throughout. Tony (the buff dude on the video) recommends a heart-rate monitor to make sure you're in the target zone. I don't have one, so I took my pulse a few times and was around 160-170. According to this handy calorie calculator, I burned over 1,200 calories during the workout.
Today I was reminded of the importance of warm-up and cool-down. I was short on time and was tempted to just jump right into the workout. However, I'm glad I didn't skip out on these aspects of the workout. I'm told there's a difference between "soreness" and "pain", and I think the difference is warming up and cooling down.
I was, once again, joined by my children at various points in the workout. Evan (4) especially enjoyed the squat jacks. This was also my first workout wearing eyeglasses. It was a little cumbersome having something on my face and annoying when sweat would drip down the lenses. I guess it's the price I pay for ocular care.
Until tomorrow...
I really noticed an improvement in my "performance" today. I was able to stay with each of the elements for the entire time. My legs aren't bent as much as they should be in the squats, and I'm not jumping super high...but I felt strong throughout. Tony (the buff dude on the video) recommends a heart-rate monitor to make sure you're in the target zone. I don't have one, so I took my pulse a few times and was around 160-170. According to this handy calorie calculator, I burned over 1,200 calories during the workout.
Today I was reminded of the importance of warm-up and cool-down. I was short on time and was tempted to just jump right into the workout. However, I'm glad I didn't skip out on these aspects of the workout. I'm told there's a difference between "soreness" and "pain", and I think the difference is warming up and cooling down.
I was, once again, joined by my children at various points in the workout. Evan (4) especially enjoyed the squat jacks. This was also my first workout wearing eyeglasses. It was a little cumbersome having something on my face and annoying when sweat would drip down the lenses. I guess it's the price I pay for ocular care.
Until tomorrow...
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 15
Chest & Back.
It was nice to get back into the groove today. I ate relatively healthy foods (including abstaining from coffee and soda) and completed the entire workout, including Ab Ripper X. The only frustration was that my old, crappy resistance bands snapped in half during the second round of exercises. It wasn't pretty, but I made it through.
It's odd to think that I won't be doing this exact workout for another six weeks. I feel like I was finally starting to get the hang of it (the only notable exception is the Dive Bomber Push Ups...I still suck at those!). I'm a little nervous because I did today's workout in the evening and tomorrow's workout will come only 12 hour later. I'm also experiencing some pain in the ball of my left foot, which could be problematic with tomorrow's workout.
It was nice to get back into the groove today. I ate relatively healthy foods (including abstaining from coffee and soda) and completed the entire workout, including Ab Ripper X. The only frustration was that my old, crappy resistance bands snapped in half during the second round of exercises. It wasn't pretty, but I made it through.
It's odd to think that I won't be doing this exact workout for another six weeks. I feel like I was finally starting to get the hang of it (the only notable exception is the Dive Bomber Push Ups...I still suck at those!). I'm a little nervous because I did today's workout in the evening and tomorrow's workout will come only 12 hour later. I'm also experiencing some pain in the ball of my left foot, which could be problematic with tomorrow's workout.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Days 9 - 14
What a week.
Day 9 was great. I completed the Plyometrics workout with only a few modifications. My legs killed...I was sufficiently dizzy...yet I made it through. I've discovered that (at this point) I can't do any quick pivots or turns without getting serious vertigo. Ever since The Great Tilt-a-Whirl Incident of 1986, I've not been able to handle spinning around in circles. I've noticed that when I try to do twists and spins it usually results in me wanting to puke. Lesson learned.
Day 10 ended strong with an evening round of Shoulders & Arms. My kids (8, 6, and 4) watched me during the last half, and we even did a few of the cool down stretches together. I'm glad to see that they are curious about their dad's new exercise routine, even if I look a little ridiculous at times. This was also the first day of doing Ab Ripper X. Needless to say, as a fat guy, these were pretty rough. Having the kids down there was good motivation. I want my children to know that health and wellness are important. So far, I've been a pretty rotten example of those virtues.
Day 11 was the beginning of the end for me. My good friend's bachelor party consumed most of the day. My eating was great throughout most of the day. We played disc golf at a rather hilly course the entire afternoon, which burned some calories and gave my legs a good stretch. I figured this was an acceptable substitute for Yoga X. However, at night, all hell broke loose. A Philly cheese steak with fries and copious amounts of beer rounded out the evening. Not pretty.
Day 12 was a recovery day -- not from the workouts, but from the night before. Lots of intermittent napping, water, and a frozen pizza filled my day. I walked a few miles in the evening, which felt good, even though my dog was dragging me into tick-infested wooded areas. As a result of the screwed up sleep schedule, I didn't sleep well at night. No p90x workout...again.
Day 13 was my friend's wedding. My eating was good throughout the morning and afternoon, even choosing a Lean Cuisine for lunch. Once again, the evening wasn't so good. The food at the reception was delicious, and I made sure I ate my fill (including an outrageously decadent cupcake). A few glasses of wine alleviated my guilt, but only temporarily.
Day 14 was by far the worst. Not only did I neglect to do a workout, I drank a can of soda, ate pizza for lunch, and even indulged an enormous supper at McDonald's. In other words, this was like almost every other Sunday in the last few years. Indulgent eating on-the-go in the midst of job-related stress. The only good thing about it was, unlike previous years, my body and my conscience rejected this. Much like my severe headache on Day 1, I hope that what I felt at the end of Day 14 will motivate me to be in a healthier place in the days ahead.
Moving into Week 3, I feel like I really have a chance at committing to the workouts and healthy eating. I am traveling at the end of the week, but I don't have many late-night or early-morning meetings until then. Hopefully wellness and balance will reign this week.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Day 8
Chest & Back.
This is the first day of week 2, which means a chance to compare "performance" from a week ago. Generally, I improved in what I was able to accomplish. I doubled the strength of the resistance bands used for the pull-up portions. I increased reps on the push-up variations and even did a few that weren't from my knees. Unfortunately, I because dizzy and nauseous at the very end, so I was unable to complete the final three elements. This made me more angry than anything; whereas last week I discouraged and disappointed. I had hoped to start doing the Ab Ripper X exercises this week, but I didn't want to puke.
I was supposed to golf with a friend last Monday evening. I had to cancel due to dehydration and migraine headaches. Fortunately, I was able to play today instead. My range of motion was stiff, but I beat the crap out of the ball, which was fun. I even had enough energy to come home and plant some flowers, pick up the yard, and clean the garage. Though I'm far from where I need to be, it's nice to have days like today where I feel a small sense of progress.
Until tomorrow...
This is the first day of week 2, which means a chance to compare "performance" from a week ago. Generally, I improved in what I was able to accomplish. I doubled the strength of the resistance bands used for the pull-up portions. I increased reps on the push-up variations and even did a few that weren't from my knees. Unfortunately, I because dizzy and nauseous at the very end, so I was unable to complete the final three elements. This made me more angry than anything; whereas last week I discouraged and disappointed. I had hoped to start doing the Ab Ripper X exercises this week, but I didn't want to puke.
I was supposed to golf with a friend last Monday evening. I had to cancel due to dehydration and migraine headaches. Fortunately, I was able to play today instead. My range of motion was stiff, but I beat the crap out of the ball, which was fun. I even had enough energy to come home and plant some flowers, pick up the yard, and clean the garage. Though I'm far from where I need to be, it's nice to have days like today where I feel a small sense of progress.
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Day 7
Rest.
Today was a day of recovery for me. Reflecting back on my first week of p90x, I am grateful to not be crippled with migraines any longer (knock on wood). I don't feel skinner or stronger, but I am sleeping better at night and feel less sluggish than a week ago. I know that the 2nd week will be difficult, but I'm somewhat excited to tackle the workouts, now that I know what I'm getting myself into.
Until tomorrow...
Today was a day of recovery for me. Reflecting back on my first week of p90x, I am grateful to not be crippled with migraines any longer (knock on wood). I don't feel skinner or stronger, but I am sleeping better at night and feel less sluggish than a week ago. I know that the 2nd week will be difficult, but I'm somewhat excited to tackle the workouts, now that I know what I'm getting myself into.
Until tomorrow...
Day 6
Kenpo X.
I didn't do this today because I'm in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. However, I chose to go on a one-hour bike ride and a one-hour walk afterwards. My legs were still sore from my running/swimming workout the day before. I continued to be pretty disciplined with my eating - grilled chicken breast, salad, lots of carrots, turkey sandwich, fruit, veggie omelette, tons of water. I did indulge in a UV blue & Mountain Dew beverage at night, which was my big splurge of the day.
I continue to be sore in my legs and abs. The tightness in my chest and arms is starting to dissipate, which is a relief. I haven't realized any noticeable changes in my body, but I feel good about my increased activity level and balanced eating (smaller portions, more water, fewer carbs, better choices). It's been difficult to make these changes - I have been a reckless eater for a long time.
I didn't do this today because I'm in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. However, I chose to go on a one-hour bike ride and a one-hour walk afterwards. My legs were still sore from my running/swimming workout the day before. I continued to be pretty disciplined with my eating - grilled chicken breast, salad, lots of carrots, turkey sandwich, fruit, veggie omelette, tons of water. I did indulge in a UV blue & Mountain Dew beverage at night, which was my big splurge of the day.
I continue to be sore in my legs and abs. The tightness in my chest and arms is starting to dissipate, which is a relief. I haven't realized any noticeable changes in my body, but I feel good about my increased activity level and balanced eating (smaller portions, more water, fewer carbs, better choices). It's been difficult to make these changes - I have been a reckless eater for a long time.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Day 5
Legs & Back.
(ish)
Today was supposed to be the Legs & Back workout, but I was out of town and couldn't bring the weights with me. So, instead, I did a hilly 30 minute run with the dog and swam for a while. My legs felt strong while running, but my breathing was a tad labored. It did feel nice to run after over a month off. I hope that once p90x is done that I'm able to get back into running without hurting my knees.
My eating was alright. I avoided soda and beer, which was difficult, considering it's VACATION.
(ish)
Today was supposed to be the Legs & Back workout, but I was out of town and couldn't bring the weights with me. So, instead, I did a hilly 30 minute run with the dog and swam for a while. My legs felt strong while running, but my breathing was a tad labored. It did feel nice to run after over a month off. I hope that once p90x is done that I'm able to get back into running without hurting my knees.
My eating was alright. I avoided soda and beer, which was difficult, considering it's VACATION.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Day 4
Yoga.
This was a hard workout because of balance issues (and my flimsy, cheap yoga mat). My workout partner got really dizzy during the first 25 minutes, so I did the last hour on my own. I tried all of the moves / positions, even if they weren't pretty. My attempt at a Crane was laughable. I'm clearly out of shape, but it was nice to complete a workout for the 2nd straight day.
That said, I continued to be extremely sore throughout the day. All body parts hurt. I also had my first big "diet fail" at night. We went to Texas Roadhouse as a family (the kids scored free kids meals at school). I ate only peanuts at first, ordered the chicken breast with plain mashed potatoes, steamed brocoli and carrots, and water. But the rolls were soooo tempting! As I waited for the food, I ended up plowing through about four or five rolls. They were delicious...and I felt like crap the rest of the night.
Lesson learned, I hope.
I have a family reunion this weekend, which means it will be tricky to get the workouts in. Hopefully I do!
This was a hard workout because of balance issues (and my flimsy, cheap yoga mat). My workout partner got really dizzy during the first 25 minutes, so I did the last hour on my own. I tried all of the moves / positions, even if they weren't pretty. My attempt at a Crane was laughable. I'm clearly out of shape, but it was nice to complete a workout for the 2nd straight day.
That said, I continued to be extremely sore throughout the day. All body parts hurt. I also had my first big "diet fail" at night. We went to Texas Roadhouse as a family (the kids scored free kids meals at school). I ate only peanuts at first, ordered the chicken breast with plain mashed potatoes, steamed brocoli and carrots, and water. But the rolls were soooo tempting! As I waited for the food, I ended up plowing through about four or five rolls. They were delicious...and I felt like crap the rest of the night.
Lesson learned, I hope.
I have a family reunion this weekend, which means it will be tricky to get the workouts in. Hopefully I do!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Day 3
Shoulders & Arms.
I slept in this morning after staying up later than I had hoped. (It turns out the the 200mg of caffeine found in 3 Excedrin migraine tablets will keep a person up for a while.) My training partner wasn't able to join me, so I did the workout in my basement. My chest is still tight and my legs are incredibly sore. I'm really appreciating the 10 minutes of warm-up and stretching that we do before the workouts - something I never used to take the time to do. Totally worth it.
Today I chose to "check the ego" and go with lighter weights. Most of the exercises I did with 15# dumbbells. I've never had big arms or shoulders, compared to my legs and chest, so I didn't want to overdo it for a third straight day. I felt a modicum of achievement today -- I made it through the entire workout (including the three bonus elements) and didn't feel the need to puke. I drank a liter of water during the workout and focused a lot on breathing...which seemed to help immensely.
However, this is not to be confused with "feeling great" during the workout. My arms are completely shot and I still dealt with a dull, nagging headache throughout the day. I took another mid-afternoon nap, just to pace myself for a long work day. My legs ache. I'm more irritable than usual (which is saying something).
Still, I'm just glad I don't feel as awful as I did 48 hours ago. 3 days down, 87 to go.
I slept in this morning after staying up later than I had hoped. (It turns out the the 200mg of caffeine found in 3 Excedrin migraine tablets will keep a person up for a while.) My training partner wasn't able to join me, so I did the workout in my basement. My chest is still tight and my legs are incredibly sore. I'm really appreciating the 10 minutes of warm-up and stretching that we do before the workouts - something I never used to take the time to do. Totally worth it.
Today I chose to "check the ego" and go with lighter weights. Most of the exercises I did with 15# dumbbells. I've never had big arms or shoulders, compared to my legs and chest, so I didn't want to overdo it for a third straight day. I felt a modicum of achievement today -- I made it through the entire workout (including the three bonus elements) and didn't feel the need to puke. I drank a liter of water during the workout and focused a lot on breathing...which seemed to help immensely.
However, this is not to be confused with "feeling great" during the workout. My arms are completely shot and I still dealt with a dull, nagging headache throughout the day. I took another mid-afternoon nap, just to pace myself for a long work day. My legs ache. I'm more irritable than usual (which is saying something).
Still, I'm just glad I don't feel as awful as I did 48 hours ago. 3 days down, 87 to go.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Day 2
Plyometrics.
I woke up this morning outrageously sore in the shoulders and chest...and not all that enthused with going back for another day. I remembered a water bottle this time, which helped me from getting the spins as much. I still had a 4-5 minute stretch toward the middle where I had to sit down for fear of puking. I rallied a bit, even though I wasn't jumping/exploding as much as I was shifting/shuffling.
I was still pretty tired throughout the day, even catching a late-afternoon nap. My protein and water intake was way up. I made it a second full day without soda, which might be a personal record for me. All in all, it was a much better day, even if I still felt like crap.
I woke up this morning outrageously sore in the shoulders and chest...and not all that enthused with going back for another day. I remembered a water bottle this time, which helped me from getting the spins as much. I still had a 4-5 minute stretch toward the middle where I had to sit down for fear of puking. I rallied a bit, even though I wasn't jumping/exploding as much as I was shifting/shuffling.
I was still pretty tired throughout the day, even catching a late-afternoon nap. My protein and water intake was way up. I made it a second full day without soda, which might be a personal record for me. All in all, it was a much better day, even if I still felt like crap.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 1
I want to vomit...I want to die...I want to vomit...I want to die.
These were the thoughts scrolling through my mind during the last few minutes of my first p90x workout.
It was a discouraging beginning to what I hope will be an invigorating fitness experience.
My workout partner did significantly better than me today. I'd like to think that, in part, this is because of his past experiences with the Kosama program. It could also be that I suck this much.
I felt like my body was in shock throughout most of the day. After the 6:30 workout, I came home and fell back asleep. I woke up with a pounding headache, ate some breakfast (eggs, turkey sausage, yogurt, water) and went to work. I was completely off my game the entire day. On my way to an afternoon appointment I had to stop the car, crank up the a/c, and close my eyes for an hour -- the headache and nausea was too overwhelming.
A Cliff bar, an apple, a few sips of low-cal Gatorade, and 1,500 mg of migraine medication helped me start to feel a little more human...but I was worthless for the rest of the night.
Hopefully I don't feel this awful tomorrow.
These were the thoughts scrolling through my mind during the last few minutes of my first p90x workout.
It was a discouraging beginning to what I hope will be an invigorating fitness experience.
My workout partner did significantly better than me today. I'd like to think that, in part, this is because of his past experiences with the Kosama program. It could also be that I suck this much.
I felt like my body was in shock throughout most of the day. After the 6:30 workout, I came home and fell back asleep. I woke up with a pounding headache, ate some breakfast (eggs, turkey sausage, yogurt, water) and went to work. I was completely off my game the entire day. On my way to an afternoon appointment I had to stop the car, crank up the a/c, and close my eyes for an hour -- the headache and nausea was too overwhelming.
A Cliff bar, an apple, a few sips of low-cal Gatorade, and 1,500 mg of migraine medication helped me start to feel a little more human...but I was worthless for the rest of the night.
Hopefully I don't feel this awful tomorrow.
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