Plyometrics
No p90x again...but I did go on a nice run with my dog. It was my first real run in 6+ weeks. I was pleased to remember what it feels like to run (something I enjoy), even though I'm in no real shape for running yet. I'm sure I'll get back into the p90x workouts, but it's nice to mix it up right now. I've been really disinterested in the workouts lately. In part because I haven't been able to meet up with my workout partner recently (and won't for another 2 weeks). I'm also getting ready to go on an eight-day mission trip next week, so I won't be able to do any of the p90x stuff there. In fact, there's a greater likelihood of me being able to run there, so maybe it's good to get my legs and lungs ready for running at elevation.
Eating continues to be hit-or-miss with me. No breakfast, a completely awful lunch (cheap, crappy gas station food...blech!) but a pretty healthy dinner (turkey sandwich, soup, apple). Maybe tomorrow will be a little better.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 50
Arms & Back
I didn't do the p90x workout today...again. However, I had a nice bike ride (19 miles) and walk (3 miles) tonight. I even ran the state capitol steps a couple of times. My eating and water intake was better than previous days, but I still had some moments of weakness. I'm not sure if I'm going to do plyometrics tomorrow after working my legs pretty hard the last two days. Maybe arms and back or something. Or maybe I'll go on another bike ride!
I didn't do the p90x workout today...again. However, I had a nice bike ride (19 miles) and walk (3 miles) tonight. I even ran the state capitol steps a couple of times. My eating and water intake was better than previous days, but I still had some moments of weakness. I'm not sure if I'm going to do plyometrics tomorrow after working my legs pretty hard the last two days. Maybe arms and back or something. Or maybe I'll go on another bike ride!
Days 45 - 49
Day 45 -- Back & Biceps
Good, hard workout. Really focused in on the ab ripper as well. I tried to simulate pull-ups on a beam in my basement and my feet on a chair. Not a great replication, but I certainly felt it more than using the bands. I think it's time to get a pull-up bar.
Day 46 -- Yoga
I didn't want to do this at all, but I woke up early to get it in. I half-assed the first 45 minutes, but worked harder at the last 45 than I usually do. I still hate yoga. I'm not very good at it, I can't "get in the zone" while listening to Tony Horton, and I don't feel any real difference in my body after I do it.
Day 47 -- Legs & Back
Skipped this, in part because of a headache in the morning, and in part because I had a really busy day. No excuse. I'm a slacker.
Day 48 -- Kenpo X
Didn't do this one either. I spent two hours climbing trees and sawing dead branches with a hand saw. Burned lots of calories and exhausted my arms and shoulders. It wasn't a real p90x workout, but it was a solid effort nonetheless.
Day 49 -- Rest
I went on a 5 mile run/jog/walk with my dog tonight. It was humid and he got tired in spots. I felt pretty good, for having not run in over a month. Being able to run regularly continues to be my goal. Doing p90x is helping me lose weight and improve general fitness so I can run with less strain on my joints. I enjoy running (most of the time) and would like to get back into it during the fall months.
* * *
In general, my eating is awful. The moments of healthy food choices are few and far between. I'm getting really close to my old habits, which were awful. I'm going to try to ease my way back into healthy eating habits in the upcoming week. We'll see...
Good, hard workout. Really focused in on the ab ripper as well. I tried to simulate pull-ups on a beam in my basement and my feet on a chair. Not a great replication, but I certainly felt it more than using the bands. I think it's time to get a pull-up bar.
Day 46 -- Yoga
I didn't want to do this at all, but I woke up early to get it in. I half-assed the first 45 minutes, but worked harder at the last 45 than I usually do. I still hate yoga. I'm not very good at it, I can't "get in the zone" while listening to Tony Horton, and I don't feel any real difference in my body after I do it.
Day 47 -- Legs & Back
Skipped this, in part because of a headache in the morning, and in part because I had a really busy day. No excuse. I'm a slacker.
Day 48 -- Kenpo X
Didn't do this one either. I spent two hours climbing trees and sawing dead branches with a hand saw. Burned lots of calories and exhausted my arms and shoulders. It wasn't a real p90x workout, but it was a solid effort nonetheless.
Day 49 -- Rest
I went on a 5 mile run/jog/walk with my dog tonight. It was humid and he got tired in spots. I felt pretty good, for having not run in over a month. Being able to run regularly continues to be my goal. Doing p90x is helping me lose weight and improve general fitness so I can run with less strain on my joints. I enjoy running (most of the time) and would like to get back into it during the fall months.
* * *
In general, my eating is awful. The moments of healthy food choices are few and far between. I'm getting really close to my old habits, which were awful. I'm going to try to ease my way back into healthy eating habits in the upcoming week. We'll see...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Days 43 & 44
Day 43 - Chest & Shoulders
It felt good to get back into the groove after three lackluster days at the end of the previous week. I was able to increase weight and/or reps in most of the elements. It's still difficult for me to do more than 30 consecutive push-ups from my toes, so most of the advanced push-up sequences are done from my knees. I really worked my triceps hard, which I needed to do. I've been riding my bike more often, and I really notice a lack of strength in my arms over a long period of time.
This was my best Ab Ripper day, by far. I stayed with the people on the DVD for 5 of the 11 elements. I took short breaks in the middle of the other 6. Oblique V-Ups continue to be my nemesis. (They really hurt my hip bone!) I've noticed a slow, steady increase in stamina during Ab Ripper. I still have a ways to go before there is any noticeable ab definition, but I feel stronger in my core and no longer dread the ab workouts.
I continue to eat like crap, for the most part. Every good choice (yogurt, fruit, veggies, water) is offset by a lazy choice (cheeseburger, diet soda, coffee, sugars). In a way, I feel "entitled" to eat bad food after a hard workout. I'm also not feeling the adverse affects of poor diet (headaches, stomach cramps, etc.) that I did early on. I was motivated by fear of illness in the first weeks. Now, I can get away with it. Ugh!
Day 44 - Plyometrics
This workout went really well. I'm noticing an ability to do a more full range of motion in the various sequences. The muscles around my joints (especially my faulty knees) are getting stronger, which makes it easier to be more explosive during the workout. The only bummer was having to stop before the "bonus round" and cool-down, due to limited schedule. I really noticed this later in the day, when an old nagging right-calf injury came out of retirement. Hopefully some yoga in two days will help me stretch that out.
Now, a complaint. Tony's antics during this workout annoy the hell out of me. He's a good-natured, quasi-geek during most of the workouts, which can provide a helpful distraction from soreness and exhaustion. But, for whatever reason, he's ultra goofy on Plyo X. For example:
Whatever...these aren't the worst thing in the world...but it just annoys me after 9 sessions of Plyo X. Maybe next time I'll mute the video and play some music in the room.
Eating sucked, again. Just to spite Tony, I had a cheeseburger, fries, shake, and a diet soda during the day (though not all at the same time). I did make some good choices, but I'm mostly morphing back into my old ways of grabbing cheap, unhealthy food on-the-go. Maybe tomorrow will be better...
It felt good to get back into the groove after three lackluster days at the end of the previous week. I was able to increase weight and/or reps in most of the elements. It's still difficult for me to do more than 30 consecutive push-ups from my toes, so most of the advanced push-up sequences are done from my knees. I really worked my triceps hard, which I needed to do. I've been riding my bike more often, and I really notice a lack of strength in my arms over a long period of time.
This was my best Ab Ripper day, by far. I stayed with the people on the DVD for 5 of the 11 elements. I took short breaks in the middle of the other 6. Oblique V-Ups continue to be my nemesis. (They really hurt my hip bone!) I've noticed a slow, steady increase in stamina during Ab Ripper. I still have a ways to go before there is any noticeable ab definition, but I feel stronger in my core and no longer dread the ab workouts.
I continue to eat like crap, for the most part. Every good choice (yogurt, fruit, veggies, water) is offset by a lazy choice (cheeseburger, diet soda, coffee, sugars). In a way, I feel "entitled" to eat bad food after a hard workout. I'm also not feeling the adverse affects of poor diet (headaches, stomach cramps, etc.) that I did early on. I was motivated by fear of illness in the first weeks. Now, I can get away with it. Ugh!
Day 44 - Plyometrics
This workout went really well. I'm noticing an ability to do a more full range of motion in the various sequences. The muscles around my joints (especially my faulty knees) are getting stronger, which makes it easier to be more explosive during the workout. The only bummer was having to stop before the "bonus round" and cool-down, due to limited schedule. I really noticed this later in the day, when an old nagging right-calf injury came out of retirement. Hopefully some yoga in two days will help me stretch that out.
Now, a complaint. Tony's antics during this workout annoy the hell out of me. He's a good-natured, quasi-geek during most of the workouts, which can provide a helpful distraction from soreness and exhaustion. But, for whatever reason, he's ultra goofy on Plyo X. For example:
"Cheeseburger - bad. Fries - bad. Shakes - bad. CocaCola - bad...oops, I said it! Drink your water, people." (ooooh! you're such a deviant by telling people not to drink soda.)
"And here's Pam, they call her Blam." and later "Let's go to Pam for perfection. They call her Perfect Pam." (do we really need nicknames for the random people in the background?)
"You want to be like Cat-Man or Spider-Woman on this one." (strike that...reverse it.)
"You should see me play hoop after a few weeks of plyo!" (oh wow...Tony...you're such a stud...please, tell us more about how good you are at sports.)
"You do have the Cardio X option for those who aren't Plyo X ready. But if you have this DVD on your TV right now...get ready...cuz it's COMIN'!" (thanks for the reminder)
Whatever...these aren't the worst thing in the world...but it just annoys me after 9 sessions of Plyo X. Maybe next time I'll mute the video and play some music in the room.
Eating sucked, again. Just to spite Tony, I had a cheeseburger, fries, shake, and a diet soda during the day (though not all at the same time). I did make some good choices, but I'm mostly morphing back into my old ways of grabbing cheap, unhealthy food on-the-go. Maybe tomorrow will be better...
Monday, June 13, 2011
Days 39 - 42
Day 39 - Yoga X
I skipped it. Ate like crap. I hate yoga.
Day 40 - Legs & Back
Didn't feel like doing it...but I did. Even did the Ab Ripper X portion. Slow start. Finished strong. Ate pretty well throughout the day.
Day 41 - Kenpo X
I skipped it...but did a 25-mile bike ride instead. Eating was good. Margaritas at night were delicious (though not healthy).
Day 42 - Rest
Sloth. On every level. Blech.
I skipped it. Ate like crap. I hate yoga.
Day 40 - Legs & Back
Didn't feel like doing it...but I did. Even did the Ab Ripper X portion. Slow start. Finished strong. Ate pretty well throughout the day.
Day 41 - Kenpo X
I skipped it...but did a 25-mile bike ride instead. Eating was good. Margaritas at night were delicious (though not healthy).
Day 42 - Rest
Sloth. On every level. Blech.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Day 38
Back & Biceps.
Good workout today. I felt good about increasing the weight I'm using on biceps elements. I've always had pretty weak arms, so it's nice to notice improvement in this area. I need to find a better way to use resistance bands (in lieu of a pull-up bar) in my garage. Hopefully I can do that this week so I can get more out of the pull-up elements. Or...I'll just have to break down and buy a pull-up bar.
I ate lots of chicken today and drank a reasonable amount of water. I did indulge in a couple of adult sodas in the evening, but managed to avoid the temptation to eat "bar food" late at night. Instead, a bowl of shredded wheat cereal did the trick.
Good workout today. I felt good about increasing the weight I'm using on biceps elements. I've always had pretty weak arms, so it's nice to notice improvement in this area. I need to find a better way to use resistance bands (in lieu of a pull-up bar) in my garage. Hopefully I can do that this week so I can get more out of the pull-up elements. Or...I'll just have to break down and buy a pull-up bar.
I ate lots of chicken today and drank a reasonable amount of water. I did indulge in a couple of adult sodas in the evening, but managed to avoid the temptation to eat "bar food" late at night. Instead, a bowl of shredded wheat cereal did the trick.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Day 37
Plyometrics.
Here's a list of behaviors that will make a plyometrics workout suck:
Here's a list of behaviors that will make a plyometrics workout suck:
- Do a chest & arms & abs workout 10 hours before plyos
- Skip supper the night before and only eat a ham sandwich the previous 24 hours
- Get 6 hours of sleep
Oddly enough, not giving fuel to my body impacted my performance on this calorie-burning workout. I sat out four exercises of the penultimate set, but otherwise stayed with it. My workout partner did a great job of "bringing it"...and he even made me a recovery shake afterwards.
I ate pretty well today. Probably too much salt, but I had a lot of water and protein.
My dad (who saw me for the first time since I started the p90x program) thought I had lost 20+ pounds. I'm not sure that's accurate, but it was nice that he noticed a change. I'm continuing to resist the temptation to quantify a change in my body. I've stayed off the scale, haven't taken my measurements, and haven't looked at pictures of myself from a few months ago. The goal continues to be wellness and balance in all aspects of my life. Thus far, I'm pleased with the role this new diet and exercise regimen is playing in pursuit of that goal.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Days 35 & 36
Day 35
Today was a rest day on the schedule. I took the opportunity to turn back the clock and consume old-Erik levels of calories, fat, salt, and soda. I had a 14-hour work day, and most of it was the not-very-fun variety. Eating my feelings seemed like the way to go. Donut holes, a gyro, onion rings, french fries, pizza, real Mountain Dew, and three bowls of cereal. It felt good...and also gross. Time to get back at it tomorrow.
Day 36
Travel schedules prevented me from exercising with my workout partner, so I waited until late-afternoon for my first attempt at Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps. Today is the first day of Phase 2. With the "recovery" week over, I'm ready to get back into lifting weights and using resistance bands. (I don't think I could handle much more rolling around on the ground.) This was a very challenging workout, especially with 20 minutes of abs afterwards. Most of the advanced push-up elements were still done from my knees. My triceps were very sore throughout. Despite high heat and humidity in my garage, I was able to stay with most of the workout. I still take little mid-set breaks, especially with some of the ab/core elements. It felt good to try a new workout, even though I was sweating like crazy and sore as hell.
Eating was better today. More fruits and veggies, lots of water, increased protein, and smaller portions. Hopefully this is a start to a good week ahead of me!
Today was a rest day on the schedule. I took the opportunity to turn back the clock and consume old-Erik levels of calories, fat, salt, and soda. I had a 14-hour work day, and most of it was the not-very-fun variety. Eating my feelings seemed like the way to go. Donut holes, a gyro, onion rings, french fries, pizza, real Mountain Dew, and three bowls of cereal. It felt good...and also gross. Time to get back at it tomorrow.
Day 36
Travel schedules prevented me from exercising with my workout partner, so I waited until late-afternoon for my first attempt at Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps. Today is the first day of Phase 2. With the "recovery" week over, I'm ready to get back into lifting weights and using resistance bands. (I don't think I could handle much more rolling around on the ground.) This was a very challenging workout, especially with 20 minutes of abs afterwards. Most of the advanced push-up elements were still done from my knees. My triceps were very sore throughout. Despite high heat and humidity in my garage, I was able to stay with most of the workout. I still take little mid-set breaks, especially with some of the ab/core elements. It felt good to try a new workout, even though I was sweating like crazy and sore as hell.
Eating was better today. More fruits and veggies, lots of water, increased protein, and smaller portions. Hopefully this is a start to a good week ahead of me!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 34
Core Synergistics.
I woke up with sore legs from the bike ride the night before. I had today's workout on my mind most of the day - equally determined (to not suck again) and terrified (of sucking again). I was careful with what I ate, knowing I would exercise late-afternoon. I even tried my first taste of grilled tilapia for lunch...which wasn't awful.
The workout was still pretty rough, but I made it through. I wasn't able to keep up with the pros on the DVD, but I did participate in each element with a few modifications. I still felt like crap afterwards and didn't have much of an appetite until very late at night.
I'm discovering that I don't know that I've ever had strong "core" muscles. I always skipped the post-run crunches I was supposed to do when I ran cross country and track in high school...and that was when I was when I was most physically fit. Even when I was training for a marathon in 2004, logging a bunch of miles and lifting weights 3-4 times a week, I hardly did any intentional work on my core. This discovery is helpful because it keeps me from getting defeated. I need to remember to celebrate small improvements and continue to challenge myself to work hard every time.
I had enough left in the tank to do some yard work and mow the lawn in the evening, which wasn't the case the last time I did this workout.
Little by little...
I'm excited for a day off tomorrow!
I woke up with sore legs from the bike ride the night before. I had today's workout on my mind most of the day - equally determined (to not suck again) and terrified (of sucking again). I was careful with what I ate, knowing I would exercise late-afternoon. I even tried my first taste of grilled tilapia for lunch...which wasn't awful.
The workout was still pretty rough, but I made it through. I wasn't able to keep up with the pros on the DVD, but I did participate in each element with a few modifications. I still felt like crap afterwards and didn't have much of an appetite until very late at night.
I'm discovering that I don't know that I've ever had strong "core" muscles. I always skipped the post-run crunches I was supposed to do when I ran cross country and track in high school...and that was when I was when I was most physically fit. Even when I was training for a marathon in 2004, logging a bunch of miles and lifting weights 3-4 times a week, I hardly did any intentional work on my core. This discovery is helpful because it keeps me from getting defeated. I need to remember to celebrate small improvements and continue to challenge myself to work hard every time.
I had enough left in the tank to do some yard work and mow the lawn in the evening, which wasn't the case the last time I did this workout.
Little by little...
I'm excited for a day off tomorrow!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Day 32 & 33
Day 32 - Stretch X
After staying up late (and enjoying a few adult sodas) the night before, it felt good to sleep in and do the stretching exercise in the afternoon. I'm very pleased with how flexible I am these days. I've experienced soreness the days after a new workout routine, but I don't have any lingering aches/pains/injuries. Part of that is my commitment to staying hydrated throughout the day...but also I think the yoga and stretching days have been a big help.
I managed to eat well, for the most part. A small serving of mac-and-cheese and a diet Mountain Dew were my only real pitfalls. My body really appreciated having a mid-week day of rest.
Day 33 - Yoga X
For scheduling purposes, we are swapping the Day 33 (Core Synergistics) & Day 34 (Yoga) workouts. My workout partner wasn't able to join me today, due to some lingering lower back issues. I carved out some time in the middle of the day to do the 90-minute yoga session. I was interrupted 5 times in the first 40 minutes, so I decided to just be done. The disappointing thing is I was actually enjoying yoga for once. I guess I'll have to wait until next Thursday to get my chi on.
In the evening I went on a 14.3 mile bike ride. The first 6.3 were slow, methodical, and downhill (with my three small children) to the beach. My wife took them home and I took the long way home. I did the last 8 miles in just over 30 minutes...which was pretty good on my grandpa's old Huffy six-speed bike.
I'm gearing up for Core Synergistics tomorrow. My last attempt was embarrassing, and I'm hoping for redemption.
After staying up late (and enjoying a few adult sodas) the night before, it felt good to sleep in and do the stretching exercise in the afternoon. I'm very pleased with how flexible I am these days. I've experienced soreness the days after a new workout routine, but I don't have any lingering aches/pains/injuries. Part of that is my commitment to staying hydrated throughout the day...but also I think the yoga and stretching days have been a big help.
I managed to eat well, for the most part. A small serving of mac-and-cheese and a diet Mountain Dew were my only real pitfalls. My body really appreciated having a mid-week day of rest.
Day 33 - Yoga X
For scheduling purposes, we are swapping the Day 33 (Core Synergistics) & Day 34 (Yoga) workouts. My workout partner wasn't able to join me today, due to some lingering lower back issues. I carved out some time in the middle of the day to do the 90-minute yoga session. I was interrupted 5 times in the first 40 minutes, so I decided to just be done. The disappointing thing is I was actually enjoying yoga for once. I guess I'll have to wait until next Thursday to get my chi on.
In the evening I went on a 14.3 mile bike ride. The first 6.3 were slow, methodical, and downhill (with my three small children) to the beach. My wife took them home and I took the long way home. I did the last 8 miles in just over 30 minutes...which was pretty good on my grandpa's old Huffy six-speed bike.
I'm gearing up for Core Synergistics tomorrow. My last attempt was embarrassing, and I'm hoping for redemption.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Days 30 & 31
Day 30
Despite healthy eating and lots of water, I had an awful workout. Core Synergistics involved a lot of spinning, twisting, and rolling around on the ground. This was not only an exhausting cardio/core workout, but many of the movements made me really dizzy. I had to opt out of a few elements toward the end. My workout partner did an awesome job, which motivated me for a while, but was ultimately discouraging when I crapped out and he kept at it.
I'm mindful that today is the one month mark of my new "wellness and balance" regimen. Perhaps it's fitting that today's workout reduced me to a pile of goo...kinda like Day 1 all over again. It was a good reminder that I still have a long way to go in my quest to achieve a healthy weight.
I had a good conversation at night with a friend who completed p90x a few weeks earlier and has been in search of the next challenge. She has decided to do a modified version of p90x Lean, which is lots of cardio and muscle toning. I hope I'm as motivated to continue some sort of fitness routine after these 90 days are done.
Day 31
Boy, was I sore this morning. Core Synergistics made my entire body ache...kind of in a good way, but mostly in a holy-crap-i-don't-want-to-move-at-all way. I (unintentionally) didn't eat anything until 2:30 this afternoon. I was surprised that I made it 18 hours without food...and without a headache! The Kenpo X workout went well. Raised by pacifists, it was tough for me to really get into all of the punching and kicking, but I felt like I was about to bring it for the entire 60 minutes.
A friend of mine had some kind observations for me today, indicating that I look "way skinnier" than a few weeks ago. We also had a candid conversation about the awkwardness of those kinds of compliments. I have a difficult time accepting affirmation, so my natural tendency is to dismiss those comments. However, I know how hard I'm working, and some small part of me (the vain, selfish, egotistic part) wants people to notice a change in my body.
Anyway, for the first day of the second month, I'm feeling good. It's National Runners Day, but I'm sticking to the program and waiting to do my first run until late-July or early-August, when I'm done with p90x.
Despite healthy eating and lots of water, I had an awful workout. Core Synergistics involved a lot of spinning, twisting, and rolling around on the ground. This was not only an exhausting cardio/core workout, but many of the movements made me really dizzy. I had to opt out of a few elements toward the end. My workout partner did an awesome job, which motivated me for a while, but was ultimately discouraging when I crapped out and he kept at it.
I'm mindful that today is the one month mark of my new "wellness and balance" regimen. Perhaps it's fitting that today's workout reduced me to a pile of goo...kinda like Day 1 all over again. It was a good reminder that I still have a long way to go in my quest to achieve a healthy weight.
I had a good conversation at night with a friend who completed p90x a few weeks earlier and has been in search of the next challenge. She has decided to do a modified version of p90x Lean, which is lots of cardio and muscle toning. I hope I'm as motivated to continue some sort of fitness routine after these 90 days are done.
Day 31
Boy, was I sore this morning. Core Synergistics made my entire body ache...kind of in a good way, but mostly in a holy-crap-i-don't-want-to-move-at-all way. I (unintentionally) didn't eat anything until 2:30 this afternoon. I was surprised that I made it 18 hours without food...and without a headache! The Kenpo X workout went well. Raised by pacifists, it was tough for me to really get into all of the punching and kicking, but I felt like I was about to bring it for the entire 60 minutes.
A friend of mine had some kind observations for me today, indicating that I look "way skinnier" than a few weeks ago. We also had a candid conversation about the awkwardness of those kinds of compliments. I have a difficult time accepting affirmation, so my natural tendency is to dismiss those comments. However, I know how hard I'm working, and some small part of me (the vain, selfish, egotistic part) wants people to notice a change in my body.
Anyway, for the first day of the second month, I'm feeling good. It's National Runners Day, but I'm sticking to the program and waiting to do my first run until late-July or early-August, when I'm done with p90x.
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