P90X Round 2 Day 14- Rest Day

Today is a rest day. I plan on doing various things around my house and taking it easy. I have a soccer tounrament to playin tomorrow, so my workout may get bumped to Monday or it may be late Sunday night (depending on my energy level and injury level!).

Keep bringing it!

P90X Round 2 Day 13: Kenpo X

Daily Workout Summary: Kenpo always had a sift spot in my heart from the first time I did P90X. I just love this workout. It keeps you moving and grooving, punching and kicking, and sweating your ass off. If you are a new person to P90X and you do this workout and aren't covered in sweat at the end, you aren't bringing it hard enough. When I do this workout, I always try and picture actually hitting someone (yes I was a big Karate Kid fan when I was young!). There is a difference between just throwing a punch and actually trying to hit as hard as you can.

The key to maximizing the return in this workout is to swing with maximum force on every kick and punch. This forces you to engage many different muscle groups as well as your core. And then you need to remember to breathe! I exhale on every kick or punch and breathe in when I reload. I find this helps keep me in a good rhythm and gets me maximum output.

Anyway, I brought it hard today. The kicks were flyinhg. I'm feeling a lot better then at this poin tlast week, so I was able to extend the kicks and get more height, etc.

Diet: Diet is going well. I'm posting very early so I can't give a complete run down. I started with my usual protein shake and have had my protein bar for a snack. I need to think about the rest of my meals today. I'm a Catholic and this period of the year (the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday starting on Ash Wednesday) is called Lent. during Lent we are supposed to not eat meat on Fridays. So, I have to go hit the store to make sureI have some tuna and some seafood for dinner. bac before I understood how to eat healthy and before I was doing P90X, these days were easy. It was lots of cheese pizza or mac and cheese, with some frizen fishsticks or something. Yummy right? Well, considering I won't be eating ANY of those right now, I'll be rocking some tuna salad for lunch (probably) and will try and get some shrimp or something for dinner.

Favorite Move of The Day: Three Directional Kicks. This move is both fun and challenging. It combines the three different kicks (ball kick, side kick, and back kick) all in one move. But, to make it harder, once you are good at it you can try and move from one to another without letting your kicking foot hit the ground. I did this today. When I kicked with my right foot I was able to do all 8 reps without putting my foot down or falling down. however, when I did it with my left, I lost my balance a lot. So, I will need to kepp working on that!

P90X Round 2 Day 12: Legs and Back

Daily Workout Summary: Day 12 was the legs and back workout. Last week I pushed it a little too hard during this workout. I managed to pull my right glute (butt). Good times. This week I backed off a little on the weight and slowed down a little to amke sure my form was better. I think this helpedas I made it through and don't feel very sore.

I brought it with a pretty good intensity level. I felt like I worked pretty hard. I also made it thorugh the Ab ripper again with no major issues or breaks. Some solid progress there as far as I am concerned.

Diet: My diet was ok on Day 12. It could have been better, but a major work meeting prevented me from staying on track as far as my mean timiing. Breakfast was a protein bar. Lunch was some grilled turkey over a bed of greens. Snack was a Galdiator Protein smmothie from Smoothie King. Dinner was some grilled chicken breasts wih a touch of Old Bay seasoning (a Maryland Crab seasoning) anda small salad.

Favorite Move of The Day: Calf Raises. I love this move. I am a calf junkie. I have some pretty large calves and always like to work them out. For years I always did calf raises using the machine or rack and going straight up and down. But these calf raises are so much better. Between hitting the calf from 3 different angles and mixing in the slow and the fast, they kill your calves. I love it!

P90X Round2 Days 10 and 11: Shoulders and Arms and Yoga X

DailyWorkout Summary: Sorry for the combined posts for these two days. When I tried to post on Tuesday for Shoulders and Arms, the site failed as I pushed "post" and everything I had written vanished! It was late and I was too tired to write it all up, so I figured I'd combine it with my Yoga write up.

So, on day 10, I rocked the shoulders and arms workout. I love this workout. During the first time I did P90x, my shoulders and back were probably the two sets of muscles that went through the most dramamtic change. I've always had sort of broad shoulders for my size, so it's nice to finally get them looking decent.

On day 11, I did Yoga x. It's been a while since I've done the Yoga orkout. Ususally time constrainst force me into cardio (ok, who am I kidding- a lot of it is purely my choice!). But last evening I spent the tiemto go through the full Yoga X. I won't say it made me love it- but I at least will admit I need to do a better job of adding it in moreoften. tony Horton always talks about Yoga being the fountain of youth. Flexibility and core strenght are the key to good health, so Yoga is here to stay!

Diet: No major issues with the diet the last few days. I'm sill on the low carb portion (Phase 1) so I've been trying to limit my carb intake as much as possible. On tuesday, my breakfast was a protein shake followe by a piece of low fat string cheese for snack. Lunch was a two turkey burgers. Snack was a Carbcontrol protein shake. Dinner was a texmex salad with fat free ranch.

On Wednesday my breakfast was a protein shake. Snack was a protein bar. Lunch was a grilled chicken breast and some broccoli. Snack was another CarbControl shake. dinner was two turkey burers and a salad.

Favorite Move of the Day:
For Shoulders and Arms: Lying down tricep extensions. I love this move. It comes at the end of the round when you are flat busted in terms of your energy. But yet as you power the dumbbells up, you feel your triceps explode!

For Yoga X: Tree. I like this balance pose. It's tough but nto so tough you can't do it. I fall out some times (as does Tony), but it's calming and if you concentrate you can feel your core muscles working.

P90X Round 2 Day 9: Plyometrics

Daily Workout Summary: Today was "the Beast"! This thing always lives up to the hype as the "toughest" workout in the series. This is such a buttkicker. I don't care how fit you are, you WILL get a workout doing this.

I felt pretty good today. A lot of the soreness in my legs is subsiding, so I felt like I was able to bring it with a lot of intensity today. My issue is my knees (as usual). Right now both are acting up and I'm wearing small braces on both knees. I need to buy some better ones for a little more support and for a little less slippage. They keep falling down!

I kept up better this week then last. I'm still a far cry from round 1 when I was ripping this workout up, but I did much better then week 1. Slow and steady wins this race, so I need to stay focused on the small positives each week.

Diet: Today was a good diet day. Breakfast was a protein shake. snack was a protein bar. Lunch was two spicy black bean veggie burgers wih a little bit of mustard and a salad. Snack was an EAS CarbControl shake. dinner was a large salad with grilled chicken topped with some fat free chedder cheese and some lite Italian dressing.

Favorite Move of The Day: Hot Foot. This moves is tough. for those of you who aren't familiar with it, you hop on one foot for 30 seconds and make a + with each tap. For the first few seconds you don't think much of it. But by the 15 second mark, your calves are screaming and your ankle is begging you to stop. Then you do the other foot for 30 seconds. Good times! I brought it hard during this move. I like to try and stay on beat with the music and with Tony's little chant at the beginning. It always helps keep my mind off the pain in my legs!

P90X Round 2 Day 8: Chest and Back

Daily Workout Summary: Today started week 2 for me. The last time through P90X, this week was probably the toughest one for me. I was sore from week 1 and had trouble bringing it with maximum effort. If today's workout was any indication, I don't think I'm going to have as rough a week this time.

I am still sore, but I felt strong and I was able to push it pretty hard today. My only issue is a nagging finger injury. Last week during an indoor soccer game, I dislocated my left pinky. It went back in place, but it's still pretty swollen and bruised. It makes some of the moves, especially ones using the dumbbells, pretty difficult. Strangley, it didn't really bother me during the pull ups- just dumbbell moves.

I felt good during Ab Ripper X. I got through all he moves completely and was able to get through the Mason twists without stopping (even quicker then I thought I'd be able to).

Diet: Decent diet day. Breakfasat was a vanilla protein shake. Snack was an EAS Carb Control shake. Lunch was the last of the pork and some corn. Snack was a protein bar. Dinner was some ham oer a salad.

Favorite Move of the Day: Decline Push Up. This moves always kicks my butt. Of the different push ups in this workout, this one gives me the most trouble. I'm not sure if it's the change in angle, or if it's the fact that it comes late in the orund, but it's a killer. The key to it (in my opinion) is remembering to breathe and to keep your back stiff. This gives you more of a workout for your core and prevents you from using your back muscles to help get you up.

P90X Round 2 Day 7: Kenpo X

Daily Workout Summary: Today was Kenpo x which was one of my favorite workouts from P90X last time through. I am still quite sore from the previous legs and back workout, so today was still a bit of a challenge. I also had a workout buddy with me today. My 4 year old son, Braden, did the Kenpo with me. Well- at least he tried. He was quite cute trying to do the various kicks and punches. And he really enjoyed the spirit yells with some of the moves!

Overall, taking into consideration my high level of soreness, I felt like I brought it pretty well. I am missing the hiegt and velocity in my kicks that I had in my first round of the "X". This will come back with time as I consition my body to the program again and gain back some of the strength and flexibility.

Diet: My diet was fairly good today. Breakfast was two multi-grain wheat waffles with sugar free syrup. Snack was a protein bar. Lunch was some of the lean pork loin I enjoyed alst night (it was just as good today). Snack was a protein shake. Dinner was some sliced ham and some corn with a small salad.

Favorite Move of The Day: Claw Hammer! I don't know why I like this move so much- but I do. I actually think it has to do with Tony chanting, "Claw, Hammer. Claw, Hammer" each time you do the move at the beginning. My son is still saying this hours later....

P90X Round 2- Day 6: Rest Day

Daily Workout Summary: today wasscheduled to be Kenpo. however, I was just too sore from the legs and back workout to "bring it" like I wanted to. so, I moved my rest day up one day. I plan on doing my Kenpo tomorrow.

Diet: Solid diet day. Protein shake forbreakfast. Protein bar for snack. Lunch was some of the turkey chili from last night. Afternoon snack was a CarbAdvatage EAS shake. Dinner was some lean pork loin wrapped in turkey bacon and a garden salad with liteItalian.

Move of the Day: Icing my sore butt!

P90X Round 2 Day 5- Legs and Back

Daily Workout Summary: I haven't done the legs and back workout in quite sometime. I forgot how much this workout kicks your ass! It a;ternates between a leg move and a pull up for basically an hour straight. It is seriously intense. I tried to pace myself. I was surprised by how weak my legs have become in the last 1-2 months off. For example, from the very first second of the wall squats, my legs were shaking. That hasn't happend on that move to me since about week 2 or 3 from my first round of P90X.

As I said, I tried to pace myself. I was also in a bit of a rush tonight, and didn't take the time to properly warm up, choosing to skip right to the first move. BIG mistake. On one of the side-lunge moves, I pulled something in my glute (my butt!). not too bad, but I could feel it. After that, I stopped using weight for most of the moves (except the calf raises/burners). After the workout I soaked in my hot tub to keep it loose, and then aced it. I'm hopeful it won't bother me too much during Kenpo tomorrow and plan to warm up and not kill myself during my workout.

I did better on the Ab Ripper X tonight. I got through all the moves again, and only had to break once during the Mason Twists (at rep 20). It's slowly coming back....

Diet: Solid diet day for me. Breakfast wasa protein shake and a banana. Snack was a protein bar (Myoplex Lite). Lunch wasa garden salad with 4 strips of grilled chicken topped with fat free honey mustard. Afternoon snack was an EAS carc control shake. Dinner was turkey chili.

Move of the Day: Super Skaters. Idon't know why, but I love this ove. There's no weight, and it's really simple. All you do is basically pretend to speed skate and go deep into the skate motion to get a one leg squat. But I like the burn and when myknees feel good, I like to get really deep into the move. It's jsut a lot of fun and I really enjoyed "bringing it" during the move today.

P90X Round 2 Day 4: Cardio X

Daily Workout Summary: Due t some major time constrainst today, Cardio X was all I could fit in. I had planned on doing the Yoga X workout- but work issues and a soccer game prevented me from having the time needed to pull it off. So, I went with the short but sweet Cardio X. I haven't done this in a few weeks and it's a fun little workout. Gets the blood flowing and the sweat running. But nothing that will kill you. I nice mid-week "break".

Diet: Good day diet-wose. Breakfast was a protein shake (but a substituted water for the milk to cut calories). Snack was a Myoplex Lite protein bar. Lunch was some chicken salad and some fruit salad. Snack in the afternoon was another Myoplex Lite bar. And dinner was some baked chicken and carrots. I had a small bowl of blueberries for desertalong with an EAS shake.

Favorite Move of the Day: Steam Engine. I love this move and hate it at the same time. It starts off easy enough, but by the end, I'm burning up, my legs feel like they weigh 1,000 lbs, and my stomach feels like it's going to explode! I alway try and keep great form on it, yet go fater then Tony and crew. My goal is to beat them to the 50 rep mark. The quicker I do, the better I feel about the level of intensity I used to bring it".

P90X Round 2 Day 3: Shoulders & arms

Daily Workout Summary: Today was shoulders and arms and Ab Ripper X. Overall I felt pretty good. I like this workout a lot. It really works you hard. I bonked a bit near the end. I worked out arund 6:30 but had eaten my last meal at 2. So my stomach was growling. I didn't want to eat before I worked out because I didn't want it sitting in my stomach. Also, I'm taking Nitrix and Cellmass, and both of those need to be taken on an empty stomach. So, I figured I'd workout, take them right after, then wait 30 minutes nd then eat. This lead to a serious crash during the "bonus" round and Ab Ripper X. but I "did my best and forgot the rest". I suffered through it. It hurt- but it's a good hurt I guess. I got thorugh theAb ripper tonight- though I really struggled with the Mason Twists. I had to take two breaks to get through all 40...and no bonus ones. But I'm making progress.

The funny thing is I'm not really sore from yesterday's plyo workout. but I'm REALLY sore from my chest and back workout from Sunday. however, the day after Iwasn't as sore as today. Wierd?

Diet: Diet went well today. It's nice getting back on a healthy track again after loading up on junk the past few months. Breakfast was a protein shake. Snack was a Myoplex Lite protein bar. Lunch was some sliced turkey breast, some carrots with lite ranch dressing, and an EAS proein shake. Snack was another Myoplex Lite bar. Dinner was some grilled chicken and some corn. Dessert was a banana.

Favorite Move of the Day: I had fun doing the crouching congdon curls. I haven't done this in a while, and I really pushed it. It felt like my biceps were going to explode by the end. I used the wall to go deeper into the curl. Overall I felt like I got a really nice burn.

P90X Round 2 Day 2: Plyometrics

Day Summary: Ovrall,today was hell. This is the toughest workout in the P90X program. Add he difficulty to my relative out-of-shapeness andthrow in some chronic knee issues, and you have a bad day all around! I gutted through it. Yet I could tell I lacked the explosiveness I used to have in my jumps, etc. This will come as I get back in shape. By week 3 I shouldbe rocking again. Also, I went out and got some new knee sleeves, so that should help too.

Diet: Pretty good day diet-wise. Breakfast was a protein shake (40 grams protein). Protein bar for snack (15 grams protein). Lunch was a grilled buffalo chicken salad with fat free ranch as well as an EAS Body for Life shake (17 grams protein in shake). Snack was some sliced turkey breast. Dinner was a grilled chicken salad with the lite Italian dressing (only 2 carbs in dressing). I had some blueberries and a banana for desert.

Move of the Day: Jump knee tuck. This is the hardest move in the plyo video. It's basically a knees-to-chest jump for 30 seconds. Tough! I hate Dom during this move when I'm out of shape. He jumps like a freakin' EnergizerBunny (non-stop and fast)! Ill be there again someday soon!

P90X Round 2 Day 1: Chest and Back

Day Summary: Chest and Back was on the agenda today. Day 1 is always the hardest with any program I guess. I really could feel how much the time off has effected me. I lacked the explosion and endurance I had during the latter part of P90X. And I couldn't get through the Ab Ripper. I know this is temporary, and I imagine it will be passable by the end of the week. I'm not that far gone....

DIET: Did well today for my first day back on the diet. I'm starting the classic on the tradition 30 day cycle of low carb and high protein. After being a complete fatass for the last two month, it felt good to get back into the groove of healthy eating. Drank lots of water today. Breakfast was a protein shake (40 grams of protein). Snack was an EAS Carbconscience Shake (110 calories, 2 carbs, 17 grams of protein). Lunch wasa small garden salad with some grilled chicken and some light Italian dressing (only 2 carbs and very little fat or calories). Afternoon snack was a protein bar (15 grams of protein). Dinner was another salad and chicken with theItlaian dressing.

Favorite Move of the Day: Military push ups- I love these. My arms get a really deep burn in the tricep area!

P90X- A Re-Boot

Hello all...it'sbeen a long time. Here's a quick update as to what has been going on.

Following a successful go-round with P90X from Sep-Dec of 2008, I tried out the P90X+ program. After a few weeks, I just wasn't "into" the program. For reasons related to that, feel free to browse some of my previous posts. So then I decided to go back to P90X. However, with some thingsgoing on at work, plus a big trip to Hawaii the last week of January, I stopped my second round of P90X.

Was I disappointed? Yes. Since stopping I have felt something missing. I have also gained back about 5 lbs, and I could feel some negative effects on my soccer performance and overall general health.

So, starting today, I'm back on P90X!!!!!! And I'm excited.....