Yoga is awesome

Yesterday was the middle of my recovery week, and the schedule says to do Stretch X; I chose to go to yoga instead. The way I see it, I am getting a lot of stretching in, plus extra - so why not?? I had Karen for class (the owner) and it was the first time I had her as an instructor. She was awesome and the class was definitely a butt kicker. One thing I really love about going to the studio instead of using the DVD is that each class is different. Every instructor has a different style, and even every instructor does a different class each time. Plus, it's great having the help getting in the right position. I think from here on out I am going to make a greater attempt at increasing the flexibility in my hips and my shoulders, both of which do not move very much. Good to have a goal.

Also, I did wheel for the first time! Next pose to conquer... crow. I will overcome! Core Synergistics today, and another Yoga day tomorrow!

Kenpo X

Yesterday was day 3 of the second recovery week, and it was kenpo time! Definitely had a good cardio workout, but my kicks weren't too great this time around. I am still having trouble keeping my balance on some of my kicks, especially back and sidekicks, but I am at least getting the cardio benefits out of it. I think the next time I do this one I am going to have to put more of my focus on balance and setting the kicks up. On a brighter note, my punch combos are pretty darn good. I have definitely been more wary of keeping my elbows in and keeping everything tight, and I think that better form has helped me get a lot more out of the workout. Win!

Moving along, since there is only so much one can write about Kenpo X for the 9th time, my diet is coming along pretty well. I am totally, 100% transforming my physical look. I went with the 1800 calorie a day program, and have been pretty close to it most days. Actually, I think I fall under it sometimes, which is crazy. But, I have been very consistent with eating small meals often, not eating too late and only eating healthy foods. I don't think I have had any processed food in well over 50 days, which is fantastic. Another thing I have been doing is eating a turkey, lowfat swiss cheese and spinach wrap on a multigrain tortilla shell for lunch everyday. It's healthy and filling, quick to make and doesn't weigh me down. I think I have had it everyday (during the workweek) for a month. Best part about it, besides how quick and easy it is, is how cheap it is! Eating healthy can get pretty expensive, but this has definitely helped cut into the cost a bit. Go me.

Back to Core Work...

Recovery week round 2 is going nice... I am definitely in better shape than I was after phase 1, and can tell from a marked improvement in Core Synergistics that I have come a pretty long way in the past 4 weeks. Yesterday was Core Syn and I am not sure how this exercise is only in the recovery week - it is damn tough and seems like it would be beneficial to do weekly, but who knows?! Anyways, like I said earlier, I did pretty well - I remember making a mental note last time I did this DVD about how I did, and I am glad I did. I was dripping with sweat when I was done and kept up with the instructors on everything. A lot of this is yoga based, which is why I think I was able to do as well as I did.

On another note: I got my packet for the Mother's Day 5k in the mail yesterday! Very exciting! I know I would never do this without having gotten myself involved in a workout program/diet, and p90x has been phenomenal for me. My energy level is always up, which means I am always ready for anything! Including spontaneous jogs. I imagine I will go for a jog again this wknd - hopefully each day will be nice and I can get 2 runs in... I want to get my legs used to running since the only cardio I have really done is plyometric training and kenpo x (softball, bowling??)... and yoga is sort of a cardio workout, right?

AH! Finally, I got my black resistance band in the mail yesterday. Plus I got the extra resistance band handles... so now I have handles on each band (no more pausing to change band for different moves) and I have a super ninja intense black band, which is the color with the most resistance through the p90 catalog. Phase three is going to be intense.

Onto day 50!

Makin' moves! Big things have happened in the past few days - all pretty awesome for the most part. Friday I accepted a new position in a different department at the University, so I was definitely stoked about that. Had been looking for a new job for a few months, so it was nice to finally pay off. Only downside to the day was my knee was absolutely killing me! I had planned on gutting it out through Kenpo, but decided to listen to what my body was telling me and switched my rest day and kenpo (took off Fri and did kenpo Sat, then got back on my normal schedule). I don't think this will affect me negatively at all; if anything, I think I got more out of it. Saturday I did kenpo around 10:30 am, and around 2 I went for a 2 mile run outside with the pups - probably would have just been lazy all day if kenpo didn't get me moving so early!
Sunday was day one of my second recovery week, so it meant yoga time. I went to the 10am yoga class in the SouthSide studio, and it was intense! Normally, the hot yoga classes I go to are 75 minutes long, which in 90-95 degree heat is plenty! This one was 90 minutes, and I think a little more advanced. A number of yoga instructors, including the owner, were in class to participate... and they're all really good. Obviously. BUT, I think I had one of my personal best classes, and certainly got a great workout out of it!

Today's Core Synergistic workout will be day 51... only 39 days left of Round 1!

Legs & Back + Softball = tired

Well, softball season has started again, and with P90x has led to me sleeping pretty well on Thursdays...especially considering that I do legs before playing, and I am running around and on the balls of my feet for 90 minutes. BUT, I like getting the workout done before the games, so I am just going to keep things going as they are for now. The only downfall was my legs were just too tired for ARX last night; no big deal though. I got a crazy good ab workout at yoga the day before, and can make it up today or tomorrow. Tonight is my last workout in phase 2, AND THEN RECOVERY WEEK!!! I love recovery week... 3 days of yoga. AWESOME! I like the core synergistics workout, too... and hopefully this will help me get a little life in my legs because they have been feeling pretty dead the past few days. Just gotta make it through Kenpo today after work and I am good to go!

I am also going to add a few 3 mile runs in through the next 2 weeks to get ready for the 5k I am running on Mother's Day. I don't think I will have a problem with it cardio-wise, but I am a little concerned about how my legs will hold up to the running outside without a little preconditioning. Plus, I am interested to see how well I can do with this. I used to be quite the distance runner in the past - who's to say I can't dominate it now?

I hate resistance bands, hardest yoga class ever, i love new resistance bands!

Well, I missed a day updating, but didn't miss a day og P90, and THAT'S what counts! Tuesday was back and biceps day, and I had a pretty good workout, with the exception of a faulty resistance band that kept coming out of the grip and REALLY pissing me off. Somehow, the end of the green band got warped out of shape and was coming out of the handle at very inopportune times. Needless to say, this hindered my workout as every time it happened, I had to replace it and start the series over. NOT happy! I still got a good session in, but it took longer than I would have liked and it definitely interrupted the flow of things.
Speaking of flow... yesterday was a crazy hard yoga class. All sorts of new poses to make me fall all over myself! But, it's all good - I definitely had to work damn hard to get through everything. When the classes stick to the normal routine, and I am very familair with all the poses, I can seriously hang with just about anyone, so in a way it's good that this instructor mixes it up every week - it's humbling, to say the least.

Latest bit of news - since my green band went all to hell on me, I was forced to order a replacement. BUT, this was a blessing in disguise (minus the fact that I had to spend money). While going online to order the green band (40 lb. resistance), I saw there is a black band, too (50 lb. resistance)!!! This is awesome! I can definitely move up a level, and hope to see some big results from the third phase with this new band. Plus, the timing couldn't have been better; I have legs and back today, Kenpo X tomorrow, then an entire recovery week of no lifting to wait for the shipping to come through. Fantastic!

Plyometrics and a revelation

As I was crushing plyometrics yesterday, I had a revelation. Basically, I think the reason that I and so many other people are able to keep coming back and hitting play every single day with the P90X program is that one is able to improve so quickly, there are improvements across the board immediately, and from week to week. I would say I was able to do about 99% of the plyo workout, which is something to be proud of! ALSO - this morning I tried on my favorite pair of brown pants that I have had from high school.. and they fit! NO JOKE... they're a slim 32 waist, and they fit. Before I started this program, some 34s were too tight, and I was wearing 36s... which was kind of depressing. But, today is day 45/90, and the results are awesome and I couldn't be happier that I decided to do this. It defintiely is a lifestyle change, and my results prove that it works.

End week 6, begin week 7!

Oh how time flies! I started my last week of phase 2 before the recovery week today, and it is pretty exciting. Almost there!
Friday was kenpo X - still fun, getting better each week. I think back to the first couple times I did the workout, and am amazed at how much progress I have made. My timing is right on par with the instructors, and I don't miss a single step through the entire workout. Also, I can do the kicks without fallin over myself! Win!
Saturday was a great recovery day - because all recovery days are great! As I have progressed through the program, I have found that every week has gotten harder and harder. This isn't because the workouts have changed or anything, but because as I have gotten more fit, I am able to up the level of intensity in each workout, and definitely can feel the effects more and more each week. This is a definite plus, and I think the physical changes are going to come pretty quickly over the last phase of the program.
Had a great back, shoulder & tricep workout today. Definitely intense... made it a point to get in more reps than last week, and for the most part, I did! I was pretty beat afterwards, but am already feeling up to Ab Ripper X - going to do it after bowling league. One thing I have found is that I get a ton more out of the ARX workout if I don't do it directly after the main workout... just too drained to bring it directly after an hour of working out!

Legs and Back and AbRipper and Softball... non-stop evening!

Yesterday was, by far, my best Legs & Back workout. I was dripping with sweat by the end and felt like I really pushed it. I am now able to keep up with the P90 instructors for 99% of each workout, which is something I am really pumped about. The only time I find myself having to take breaks is when I need to switch resistance bands. I think I need to find extra handles so I don't have to pause and move things around so often. For the most part I am use the green (highest resistance), but on some exercises - especially triceps - I definitely need the lighter bands. I am going to post on Twitter about where to find these, and go from there.

I started softball last night, too. In between the workout and ARX I played, and played pretty well. I made one play that I will credit my newfound athleticism to, because had I tried it before I started all this footwork and cardio, I might have exploded right on the field. But, instead, I was able to take a quick step back to counter the late low hop, spin and throw the runner out at second. It's always fun to make a play like that because they're so few and far between in softball, everybody makes an oooooooh and awwwweee... and I inevitably feel good about myself. YAY ESTEEM! I also didn't get winded at all when I ran, so that is a HUGE improvement, too. All around everything felt better... now we just have to win and I have to contribute more at the plate! Was definitely proud of myself for doing the Ab workout at 11 o'clock last night. It wasn't my best workout ever, but after such a crazy Legs workout and then softball, my legs were pretty spent. But I did my best to gut through it and in the end, I was pretty stoked I did.

Power Vinyasa Yoga is where it's at

Yesterday was yoga day - my favorite day of the week - and it left me drained! After checking who was leading the class at the studio I usually go to, I discovered it was an instructor who I have always thought lead too easy of a class. I made up my mind to go to another studio on the other side of town, because the instructor there teaches a hell of a workout! And it was no joke. It was completely different from the last time I had him for class, but that kept me working. He has also done moves that I have never seen before, which I think is important to keep me from getting too comfortable witht he program. So, long story short, I was proud of myself for taking the initiative to go to the harder class, and while there, I kept up with everything we had going on. My new goal in yoga is to learn the crow pose - because I have no idea how to get started with that one. I know my limits with regard to stretching and whatnot, but I think with some practice I can get crow down no problem.

Also, the guy who lead class is named Sean and is a co-owner of Amazing Yoga with his wife (who I don't think I have ever seen). I learned a pretty cool fact about Sean the other week - he is a former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles and leads the Steelers in their team yoga sessions. Just thought that was pretty cool. Also, I was definitely the only guy in the yoga class yesterday. HA!

Recovery week.. where are you?!

This week has been brutal. I have had errands and meetings to run the past 2 nights, which have meant that after getting home from work I have been running around like mad, fitting P90 in right in the middle... and it is wearing me down! I have to admit I am proud of myself for not giving up on it or taking a day off, but I am also feeling a little burned out by it all. Pretty glad today is JUST yoga, and I should be home by 7:20 - I'll eat and veg out and have no guilt about it whatsoever!! On a positive note, I am only 9 workouts away from finishing up my second phase, which is kind of mind boggling. I am definitely seeing results as far as muscle definition goes, but would like to see a little more in the stomach/love handle area. Definitely a HUGE difference from when I started, but I am going to make a big push this second half of the program to get max results. One thing I need to really focus on is not eating too late at night. Monday I didn't get to eat until 9:00, which is never good. But, such is life I guess. Not much I can do about all the extra stuff I have going on... and it's only going to get tougher in the summer.

Bonus Note!: I was watching LOST last night and got a burst of energy from somewhere (at 10:30 pm nonetheless), and filled in the commercial breaks with push-ups. Go me.

Plyometrics... badass

So - nothing new here with regard to how much Plyometrics sucks. I guess in a good way... ha! I notice I am definitely getting better at the plyo exercises, though; especially the ones involving squats and jumps. But, no matter how much better I get at this, I don't think I will ever not be dead tired when it's all said and done! I cooled down, had my recovery drink, fed the dogs... and then had to just crash on the couch. I was completely spent after that, as I usually am each week. Now, on a more positive note, sometimes when I walk the dogs, I make it a point to jump up on ledges and whatnot, just to see how my jumping and balancing has been improving - and it has! So that's a definite plus. I guess what keeps me going so hard every week is that, of all the exercises, this is the one that I will probably benefit from the most in my desire to be super outdoorsy. From softball to hiking, the added leg strength and balance is going to be awesome. I think it even helps me out in yoga; I think my knees are getting stronger which is a definite plus. Warrior poses used to really hurt by the end of practice, but now I am definitely maintaining for the entire session.

Moral of the story? Plyometric exercises are a bitch, but they work and when it's all said and done, I feel like I accomplished something pretty awesome. GO EXERCISE!

End week five, onto week six!

Had a pretty interesting weekend - I think I am starting to appreciate my rest day more and more each week! Friday was Kenpo X; still fun and getting more smooth with each week. I am to the point now where I can focus more on form and keeping my elbows in, etc., which has definitely made for a better workout. By the time kenpo is over, I am sweating as much as I do from Plyometrics!
Saturday was my rest day, and I took full advantage of it. I also took a SLIGHT rest from my super diet. I had family in from out of town, so when we went to dinner I decided to let loose and have some beers - something I had made a concious effort to stay away from. Granted all beer calories are empty and not necessary, I managed to refrain from drinking the dark heavy beer that is my favorite, and instead stuck with the much lighter Czech Pilsner... and I have to say, it was delicious! I miss beer.
Sunday was the beginning of week 6 - almost halfway there! But it was also "feel the effects of drinking beer for the first time in 45 days" day... so I spent a lot of the day napping and watching the Masters on TV. I put off my chest, biceps and triceps workout until after bowling - which of course went a half hour later than normal... so I didn't get to start my P90 until almost 10 o'clock! It wasn't too bad, though, because I sey up my laptop and watched the Sunday night Baseball game while doing an ungodly amount of push-ups, and it helped take my mind off the gruelingness of this particular workout!
Gruelingness aside, it is definitely paying off. The definition of my muscles is really starting to take shape. I can see it the most in my chest and stomach right now. I have also really developed my shoulder muscles - I look like an athlete again! My collar bone is still hurtnig a bit, but I have no idea why. I am just going to try and ignore it and keep pushing on... really hoping it doesn't affect my throwing motion come Thursday for the first softball game of the spring.. YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Sneaky squats...

Yesterday was legs and back workout (+ab ripper x at night), and I must have done an awesome job because my legs are BEAT! I noticed I was able to do a ton more than I could before the break, so that would probably explain it! For example, when jumps are added into squats, I had never done all of them before yesterday! Awesome... it definitely sucked, but I was pretty pumped I could do it. I also did all of the wall sits and one-legged wall sits. Those were also pretty awful.
Another thing I noticed I am now using the highest resistance band, and sitting completely on the floor to maximize resistance - BOOYAH! I literally cannot wait for phase 2 to be over so I can see how much I will progress over this next month. I love it - I don't think I can see myself regressing back into my previous unhealthy lifestyle. It's been 37 days and I haven't felt this good in years.

Also, I need a new brown belt.

And I am on my last belt notch... already! Good thing I found a bunch of pants that fit me now...

Yoga - it's tough

A big part part of the p90 training is practicing yoga. This is actually my favorite part of the week; I started doing yoga about 3 months before I started the p90x program, and consider it to be a major factor in what motivated me to get going with this. I was hesitant to start yoga initially, but became instantly hooked after one session. It is an unbelievable workout! Of everything I am doing, this (and maybe plyometrics) is the one I wish I had started practicing in high school when I was involved in competitive sports. I was relatively injury prone, and that was a big factor in why I didn't wreslte in college. I can't help but think that yoga could have helped keep me on the mat a little longer - but such is hindsight!
I think one of my earlier posts was about how I think everyone should partake in yoga because of all the benefits it offers, so I won't get too much into detail here. I am constantly amazed, however, when I read on Twitter how many people (mostly guys) forego yoga for cardio work. "It's just too boring" is a common excuse. NO WAY! I think it's tough to objectively look at yoga (especially as a guy) and see that the real workout is in controlling one's breath and focus. Physically there is a ton of core work being done, but I think yoga helps the mental aspect of getting in shape more than anything! Form is so important in yoga, and you'll never get the poses right without concentration and focus - and by applying those practices to your lifting workouts, you'll see max results in the quickest amount of time.

HUZZAH YOGA!

Week 5, Day 3

The Glamour Musclesssssss!!!!!!! Back & Biceps day yesterday. Another new workout, a bunch of new exercises and feeling a little sore today! That's good, though... I wouldn't be working hard enough if I were never sore.
I was running around like crazy yesterday, but made time to get my workout in right after work, and Ab Ripper X late night. I think I like doing ARX a few hours after the big workout, because it lets me get more reps in. Sometimes I am just so fatigued after push-ups and pullups for an hour that I don't get a good ARX in... it almost seems like a waste. Well, it seemed like a waste once and I didn't want to let that happen again; now I am going to play it by ear and only do the ARX when I am feeling up to it. Gotta get the most out of it!
Definitely seeing a big change in my arms and legs; there is noticeably more definition! Getting close to the stomach too... I am hoping to have abs by phase 3... but we'll see! I have them in the morning, but by night, not so much.
I might have to start keeping a better eye on my portion control. I feel like I have been overdoing it with the brown rice.. sort of as a filler. May start going back to the measuring cup and get a good eye on where I am with everything.

Yoga tonight! It is going to be tough, but when it's all over, definitely my favorite day.

Week 5, day 2... had to earn it!

Yesterday was opening day for Pittsburgh Pirate baseball - one of my favorite days of the year by far! I requested off about 4 months in advance, and was like a little kid on Christmas. Adding to the general awesomeness of the day was the weather. It was mid- to upper seventies and sunny all day! If you know Pittsburgh weather, you know how miraculous this is. I got a lot of sun in the 8 1/2 hours I was outside yesterday.
That being said, by the time I got home, I was exhausted. I had managed to convince myself it would be OK to skip my plyometrics workout, because I was so tired, and not used to the sun, and blah blah blah. I ate dinner around 6 and laid on the couch for awhile before walking the dogs around 8:30. But, sometime after getting home from the walk, I started to get the itch. I didn't want to skip my workout. I got a second wind. I started bouncnig around a little bit, seeing how I felt. And, ya know what? I felt great!
I brought my laptop out and put it on the TV stand, and watched the National Championship Duke-Butler game while doing plyo. It was pretty awesome that way. Definitely took my mind off how bad the squats hurt, and to be honest, I don't think I have ever had a better workout than I did last night. Though, to be fair, it seems like every single day I am able to work harder and push harder than I did the day before. THAT is progress!

I also took my 30 day photo - WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE! I am going to post them today or tomorrow, and you (my imaginary followers) can be the judge. As happy as I am with the physical changes, the best part about it is how well my old clothes fit me now. I have gone down a pant size already, and I like my older clothes better anyhow. When I was slimmer I bought nicer clothes!

End of recovery week, begin phase 2!

So, Friday was my last workout of recovery week, and it was an awesome one. I went to my third yoga session of the week (having replaced the midweek stretch session with it), and that capped off recovery week. But, to be honest, it wasn't very recovery-esque. All that yoga and core work is still a lot of working out! Needless to say, I was pretty stoked for Saturday's rest day.
I slept great Friday night and woke up early Saturday, ready to take on the day (sans P90). I only had one dog this weekend, so me and Oliver made the best of it and walked somewhere between 5 and 6 miles early in the morning. We were back by 11am, and definitely worked up an appetite for lunch!
A pretty regular lunch for me lately has been a turkey wrap - and they're awesome! I use whole wheat tortilla shells (the smaller ones), spinach, the roasted turkey breast from the deli and light 2% swiss cheese. I also use a little light italian dressing and tobasco to top it off, and it's been a great light lunch that's quick to put together and holds me over till dinner time. Not to mention it's super cheap and can provide a week's worth of lunch for under $15.
Today is a big day for me, though. It's Easter Sunday, it's day 1 of phase 2 AND it's one year since I rescued my first dog, Oliver. He is awesome and keeps me very active - lot of extra walking with that little guy.
So - as I noted - today was the beginning of the second phase. NEW DVD DAY!!! I did Chest/Shoulders/Triceps and it was a BEAST! Lot of new push-ups, and tricep work is always a bastard. I did really well on some of them, and struggled on others. Made sure to keep track of everything though which will come in handy for next week. Like the other weeks, after seeing the workout once, I plan on seeing a lot of improvement the next time through. I am definitely going to hold myself accountable for a jump in number on each exercise next week!
Definitely a tough one today, but I did like that things got mixed up a bit. Muscle confusion, I don't know the science behind it, but it certainly keeps things interesting!
Opening day baseball tomorrow afternoon means early morning Plyometrics!

Core Work like what

Yesterday was my second attempt at the Core Synergistics workout, and I definitely did better the second time around. I definitely need to invest a pair of 10 pound weights, though... there are some exercises that the bands just don't really work for. But, I digress. Having gone through the workout once already, I definitely had a better workout this time through. I was sweating my butt off about 20 mins in, but it was all good. This is another workout, like Kenpo, that seems to just fly by. The breaks are only 45 seconds or so, and the exercises are so diverse that you're constantly moving and before you know it, it's cool down time!
Hopefully all that core work proves beneficial for yoga- 5:45 hot yoga class tonight! Bringing a buddy to try it out; spreading the word about how awesome it is. Actually, we have a group of about 5 going tonight which should be a lot of fun.

Yoga... Hot.

Yesterday was an X Strecth day, but I went the Yoga route instead. 75 minutes of stretching and core work does a body good! And, I gotta say, yesterday was one of the toughest classes I have had to date. Definitely struggled a little bit, but I worked through it and did pretty well I think.
I am almost done with my recovery week and onto phase 2 - pretty stoked! Can't believe I made it an entire month already... time is flying, which is awesome. The results are definitely there, and I am only about 30% done with the program! My energy level is through the roof, I feel great and am slimming down already. Couldn't ask for more out of it. As lame as this sounds, I am totally pumped for softball season to start, because I genuinely believe the plyometric conditioning is going to help me out a lot at shortstop. I feel so quick on my feet, how couldn't it?? Exactly - I am going to dominate. I am going to dominate slow-pitch, co-ed softball... all because of plyometrics.