End of first month

Well it's the end of the first month and I just finished taking my 30 day pictures.  I must say it has motivated me to keep going even stronger.  I've definitely noticed a change in the way my clothes fit and I'm glad the pictures show a change.  I actually look younger.  I've lost 11 pounds and two belt notches.

The workouts are manageble now.  Still exhausted after each work out but I recover faster and can pretty much keep up with the team with lower weights of course than Big Tony.

2nd Synergistics and Shoulders and arms.

Good news.  No more being nauseas during every workout.  Synergistics was tough yesterday but I made it through with much fewer breaks and felt much stronger than last week.  Shoulders and Arms tonight and made it through and even finished off with Ab Ripper X although I probably only did about 200 something ab reps not the 300 that Tony and the "kids" do. I've been working out in the evening this week and I have a lot more energy.  Tomorrow is my tennis league so I'll have to do my Yoga workout in the morning.  It will be interesting to see if it's switching to the evening that has helped me have more energy or that I'm just getting in better shape. 

I haven't been using the recovery drinks and I think I'm going to start.  I'm still pretty sore for two days after a workout.  So basically I've got constant rotating soreness and each muscle group takes their turn. 

End of First Week

Unfortunately I had a set back in my P90X schedule.  Sadly my mom got sick and passed away last week.  I flew down to Virginia to be with her after my first 3 workouts.  Instead of starting over when I got back I just picked up a week later on Thursday where I left off and I'm counting that as my first week.  Here's a quick review of the workouts I've done since I've now completed all of the first phase workouts once.  Plyometrics-  very difficult, battled nausea the whole way but made it through.  Shoulders and Arms.  Felt weak and helpless.  Actually felt okay on the curls though.  Yoga - It was a little difficult to follow all of the moves but with a lot of rewinding I figured it out.  My short arms don't help.  Legs and Back.  Felt I did okay.  Calves hurt like hell the next day and the day after.  Kenpo X.  Loved it.  Fun, fun, fun.  Should be even more fun when I don't have to learn all of the combinations. 

I've lost 8 pounds so far.  I'm looking forward to putting in a full week this week.  Also I'm going to switch my workouts to after work.  It's too hard working out without having anything in my stomach.  I boink too easily.  I'm also trying to add in the ab ripper X which I haven't done yet.

Oh yeah, the fit test results.

Pull ups - 5
Vertical Leap - 16.5
 Push ups - 31
Toe Touch - 6 inches past my toe
Wall Squat - 1:16
Bicep Curls - 20 - 15lbs
In & Outs - 30

First P90X workout

Okay this morning was my first P90X work and I brought it!!!  I brought it all the way to the porcelain throne.  I started getting nauseas about half way into the first set and it was a battle from there. It brought me back to the start of 3-a-days for my high school football team.   Had to hit pause after almost each exercise just to fight it off.  Finally made the trip to the bathroom about halfway into the second set and felt much better.  Can't wait until my body adjusts.  Actually felt energized as I went to work this morning and it's carried through to the afternoon.  It was funny, near the end of the second set Tony says something like..."for all of you newcomers don't get down on yourself.  Get out of your head and just feel good about what you've done".  I actually started laughing because it was like he was reading my mind.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  The diamond push ups were probably the hardest, and anything pull-up related after the first set.  I had to switch to the bands just to get anything done. 

I promised the fit test results from yesterday and I'll get those out when I get home. 

Here's hoping tomorrow gets a little easier.  I don't think it can get much worse.  The good news though is that I finished the workout and didn't quit.

Ready to start

Well it's been a little while.  Today is Saturday and I received my cortisone shot last Monday and even now I'm not 100% but I don't feel like waiting any longer.  I'm ready to get started.  Tomorrow I do the Fit Test and then Monday I bring it.  I have been doing the diet for almost a week and have lost about 5 pounds.  The hardest part of the diet for me is the planning.  It's been good because I plan my breakfast, lunch and snacks and then let my wife know how many of each food catagory I have left and she makes me a dinner that fits what portions I have remaining.  The Power Bars have really helped.  They taste like a candy bar and since I have a sweet tooth it helps out a lot.  I am a little nervous about beginning the workouts.  I've never been very good at pull ups even when I was in my best shape so I think I will have to supplement with the bands in the beginning.  I hope to get better and not have to use the bands by the 3rd phase.  We'll see. 

First Day

Okay so here I am at 29 years old and in the best shape of my life.  Right below is the current me at 50 years old.  Although I'm under no dilusion that P90X will get me back to my 29 year old body I want to find out how close I can come.  This is a 90 day program so if you are along for the ride we should wrap up somewhere around the first of the year. 

I started the diet portion today but the exercise portion will have to wait a few days.  My tennis elbow has been acting up and I want to be full strengh before I begin the rigourous workouts.  So, to that end, I got a cortisone shot today in my right elbow.  It will take two days for the pain from the shot to go away but after that it's full steam ahead. 

Special note for anyone on this or any other diet or exercise program....The Zone Perfect Nutrition Bars are excellent.  Of course the first 10 I bought are in my Lab Crosley's stomach as I left them at a heighth  that was insufficient to discourage canine comsuption.