P90X Round 2 Day 31- Back and Biceps

Quick post tonight as I have a few things to do for work. Today was the Back & Bicep workout. Man, this one is a killer- in a good way. All sorts of funky pull ups and lots of vein-busting curls just punish you. I love it!

I felt pretty good today. Was pretty pumped up on my NOXplode and my Volumaize and brought it hard. My biceps were so pumped that my right one felt like it had a pulse! My arms were absolutely burning today. I struggled with the pull ups (especially the dreaded corn cobs). But I did my best and forgot the rest.

I did well on the ab Ripper as well. full reps (plus some extra Mason twists). I just had one of those "good" days today.

Anyway, looking forward to the Yoga tomorrow (did I really just say that?).....

Mike Out!

P90X Round 2 Day 29- Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps

Daily Workout Summary:

Today was the first "new" workout tis round. I got to rock the challenging Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps workout today. I forgot how much fun yet how challenging this workout is! It's an absolute killer and I KNOW I will be sore tomorrow.

All sorts of cool push up variations. And for whatever reason, my triceps felt like they were going to literally pop off my arm. It was intense. I used my two scoops of NOXplode, rolled up my sleeves, and brought it.

I felt pretty good. It had been a long time since I had done this workout so sometimes I had to atch the move be demonstrated first. Then I would just hit rewind and go back to get my full reps in. I really like all the push up wariations in this one. And a lot of the crazy push ups demoed in the infomercial show up in this workout (like the plyo push ups and the one-arm balance push ups).

Solid day with Ab ripper- all reps on all moves. Not quite ready to add advanced moves yet, but it won't be too long!

Diet:

Decent diet day. Breakfast was some turkey sausage and a banana. Snack was a protein bar. Lunch was a 6 inch trkey sub on wheat with mustard. Missed my afternoon snack. Dinner was a slice of pizza with a whole wheat crust and turkey pepperoni. I would have liked to add a little more protein into the mix, so I may polish off a protein shake before the evening is over.

Soundtrack of The Day:

Bleeding Me- Metallica

I just love this song- especially the version that is on the S&M album (symphony & metallica). It builds slowly and gets more intense with every second. Finally it gets intense and loud at the end- which is just like my workout!

Move of The Day:

Two-Twitch Speed Push Ups.

I hate and love this push up. You crank out four pushups of your choice as fast as possible. then you do 3 slow ones (down in 4 counts, up in 4 counts). then you repeat. I only made it through 2 sets (there are 3). It just kicked my ass today.....

P90X Round 2 Day 15: Chest and Back

Daily Workout Summary:

Today was the last time with Chest and back until week 9. For some reason, I have been CRUSHING this workout. Maybe it was the rest day yesterday. Or maybe it was the three scoops (as opposed to my normal 2) of NOXplode. Either way, I was rocking it again.

I added 20 more total pushups in the day to bring the grand total up to 218 (versus 158 from week 1!). But I just felt more pumped, stronger, and felt like I was recovering more quickly. I think all the supplements I'm taking are really helping and I know I'm starting to feel great again.

Did well on Ab Ripper X also. Very few breaks and again all reps on all moves. I'm thinking I may start to add in some abs Core Plus from P90X+ on some days to push the abs even more!

Diet:

Decent diet day. Breakfast was a banana and a wheat english muffin with peanut butter. Snack was a protein bar. Lunch was a small salad, some chicken salad, and a small bowl of fruit salad. Sanack was some turkey jerky. Dinner was some grilled chicken topped with a little crab meat and some fat-free cheese.

Favorite Move of the Day:

Standard Push-Ups.

Nothing exciting or sexy about this move. Just some good old-fashioned push ups. ButI felt like I had a ton of energy and rocked out a personal best without completely killing myself for the rest of the workout.

Soundtrack of the Day:

Slam- by Onyx.

This is a little old-school but it's got a great beat and gets your head bobbing while you rock out on the pull up bar or on the push-up handles! Just really got my grooving today!

P90X Round 2 Days 12, 13, and 14- Legs and Back, Cardio, and Rest

Hello all. I've had a few crazy days and the ability to sit down and blog about my workouts was pretty limited. Now that all my commitments, etc are over for the last few days, I have a few minutes to get caught up. So, here's a quick update.

Friday was Legs and Back forme. I have always liked this workout. AsI mentioned many timesbefore, I was a soccer player and my legs have always been my strongestmuscle group. However, this week I decided to take it easy for the workout. I was committed to play in a soccer tournament on Saturday and didn't want to be too sore for the day long event. Got through the workout using body weight resistance only (no weights added). It was still a tough workout and was feeling it after! I also got through Ab Ripper with no fuss, taking less breaks and doing all reps. Progress is being made...

Saturday was supposed to be my Kenpo day. However, I never did it. That's because I spent all day playing in an indoor soccer tournament. I actually played on two different teams. One was in the Men's Open tournament (ages 18-whatever) and the other team was in the O-30 tournament. all teams are guaranteed 3 games and then more if you make the playoffs. both of my teams made the playoffs, so I was there for a while. We both ended up getting knocked out in the first round, but it still meant I played 8 games. By the end of the day I was wiped out. I figured I burned plenty of calories so I'm counting that as my workout!

Sunday was a much neeed rest day. Again, at some point I'm going to skip a rest day to have my weeks start on a Sunday, but not this week. I was so sore, bruised, and banged up, I needed today to recover. Spent thday up in Pennsylvania visiting my sister and her husband and then a quick stop over at my parents' house to let them give my kids their Easter baskets. So, I just got home a little bit ago and am finally able to post. I'm looing forward to feeling a little less sore tomorrow and "brining it" for chest and shoulders!!!

P90X Round 2 Day 11: Yoga (and a little more Shoulders and Arms)

Daily Workout Summary:

Because ofsome unforseen interruptions yesterday, I didn't complete the Shoulders and arms workout yesterday. I did some of it and then work isses arose and I had to bail and never finished. So today I doubled up. I re-did the entire shoulders and Arms workout in the early morning and then did Yoga after work.

I felt strong during the Shoulders and Arms workout. I was able to up some reps and some weight on a few exercises. I also completed all reps on all moves of Ab ripper with the least amount of breaks thus far this round of the "X".

Now, if any of you have read some of my older posts from my first time through the program, you would know that I hate YogaX. and really, nothing has changed. But I did the entire 92 minute workout today and survived. I still hate it, and am not sure I'll ever love it. But one thing that made it bearable today was listening to my own music. At least during some of the painful and/or boring parts I was able to listen to some music and forget about how much I hated what I was doing for a second. It really helped!

Diet:

I rebounded from yesterday with a better diet today. Breakfast was a proetein shake. Snack was a protein bar. Lunch was a small salad. Snack was a string cheese. Dinner was some grilled chicken and some salad.

Favorite Move of the Day:

Tree

I like the balance moves in the Yoga workout much more then the Warrior stuff. The warrior stuff is too repetitive and is just plain boring. The balance poses are different poses that work on both your balance and your core. Out of all of those, my favorite is Tree. Youbalance on one leg with the other leg folded inward and your ands up in the air. I can actually do this pretty well, so that' s pretty much why I like the move the best!

Soundtrack for the Day:

Jaco's Ladder- Huey Lewis & the News

I am a sucker for '80s music and one of my favorite bands from then was HLATN. This song hapened to shuffle on while I was working out and it kind of summed up how i feel about this P90X journey. I'm climbing and climbing and all I want is to get it better then today. And I do it step by step. Makes sense to me. And in that "spiritual" moment of clarity while doing Yoga, this song really seemed to hit home!

P90X Round 2 Day 8: Chest and Back

Daily Workout Summary:

I ultimately decided not to workout yesterday and to stay on the monday workout schedule for now. I was really sore yesterday and decided to listen to my body and give it a day of rest. As I get back into the groove I may ultimately decide to switch back to a Sunday start for the week. But as of now, I'm still on the regular schedule. As such, today was chest and back day.

I don't know what it is, but I was PUMPED today during the workout. I think a large part of how I'm feeling right now has to do with the upping of my Nitrix from 3 to 4 pills at a time as well as the addition of the Volumaize during the workouts. Whatever it is, it's working. I absolutely CRUSHED my workout today. I felt strong and really brought it hard.

I consider a workout crushed when I blow away reps from the previous week. In week 1 I did a total of 158 oushups (all push up moves combined) and 71 pull ups. this week, I did 198 push ups and 82 pull ups. Unbelievable! In fact, in the second round of the decline pushups, I did more reps then I did the first round! Amazing! Like I said, I think those supplements plus theCellMass andtheNOXplode are really helping me bring it right now!

I did ok on ab Ripper X as well. I was able to do all reps on all moves and cut down on the breaks. I'm still not where I want to be with Ab Ripper yet, but I'm making progress!

BLOG SIDE NOTE:

I have entered into an agreement with a company that writes software for tracking workouts. This company is called WorkoutSoft and they have written some really cool programs to help track your progress using P90X and P90X+. I placed a link to their site on the side of my blog. feel free to give it a click and browse what they have to offer. Or click here: http://workoutsoft.com/index.html

I downloaded my copy and will be entering in my information. I have promised them I would write a review of the software after I finish using it this round. So far, at first glance, it looks pretty cool. It provides some pretty insightful information and graphs regarding your progress. It even has a place for you to insert pictures! So far it passes the "look" test. I plan on getting up to speed and letting you know if it's any good.

The other cool thing is that if you decide to buy the software, if you go to their site through my blog you will get a discount. I'll have more details on this as I'm not sure if this will happen until after my review. But regardless, it's pretty cool!

Diet:

Decent diet day. Protein bar for breakfast. Snack was some turkey jerky. Lunch was some grilled chicken and broccoli. Snack was apiece of string cheese. Dinner will be some chicken on a bed of greens.

Favorite Move of the Day:

Military Push Up

I hate this move and love it. The close-in position of the arms really engages your triceps as well as your chest and gets the body hurting! In a good way of course. With the addition of push up bars, this move really works you and allows you to get really deep into the move. I brought it today and was able to really crank out some reps on this one!

Workout Song:

As I stated previously, I've begun listening to my own music during workouts. Todays workout can be summed up by the song of the day: B.Y.O.B. by System of a Down. If you have ever heard this song, it's pretty hard rocking and gets you head-banging! This song came on about halfway through the workout and I was bouncing my head to the beat and going crazy during the faster sections. I jusy felt like this song summed up my day amdwhat I felt like during the workout! Lots of crazy energy today!

P90X Round 2 Day 5: Legs and Back

Daily Workout Summary:

Today was legs and back for me. I loved this workout during my first tour of duty on the X. However, when I recently started up again I pulled a muscle in my butt the first time out on this workout. so, after re-booting again aftermy recent illness, I was worried I may suffer another injury. Not to worry though- I made it through just fine.

I like working on my legs as these muscles have always been my best feature. So, when it comes to this workout, I have no trouble finding the motivation to "bring it". And I'm also really noticing a difference in my workouts now and I think a lot of it has to do with the supplements. The NOXplode is probably the best pre-workout drink I've used. Not only does it get me revved up, but it tastes great too. Also, the Volumaize during the workout I think is helping with myrecovery in between moves. But I think the biggest change is due to the Nitrix.

When I restarted last month, I was only taking CellMass and Nitrix. And I was only taking 3 Nitrix tablets at a time. The directions say if you weigh 200 lbs or more you need to take 4 each time. I'm right at 200, so I always took 3. but since the illness and my re-boot, I've been taking 4. And I think it's keeping me pretty pumped and helping with my performance.

Another thing I'm doing now is working out withthe videos in silence and cues mode. It only allows you to hear Tony talking as the build up to a move or when you change sides. I've been working out to my own music and it's been a very fun difference for me. I recommend it if you are starting to get bored with the videos.

Did fine with Ab Ripper X. I can still complete all reps on all moves. but I'm still having to take breaks that I didn't have to at the end of my first time through P90X. I can't wait to be that fit or better again!


Diet:

OK day for the diet program. Breakfast was two whole wheat waffles with sugar free syrup. Snack was a carb control protein shake. Lunch was some grilled chicken over greens. snack was a large strawberry banana Gladiator protein shake from smoothie King (Jeff's favorite). dinner wassome grilled chicken fajitas (minus the shells).

Favorite Move of the Day:

Switch Grip Pull Ups

This pull up is cool. It works you very hard and wears me out quickly. You do two standard pull ups. Then you switch to a reverse grip for two. Then you switch back, etc. It's good because it pretty much prevents you from cheating by getting help by rocking yourself up. Before you can really get your momentum going, you have to stop and switch. I think this is one of the top two most demanding oull ups in the entire P90X series.

P90X Round 2 Day 3: Shoulders and Arms

Daily Workout Summary:

Today was the shoulders and arms workout for me. I love this workout. I like trying to burn out my shoulders and biceps. I keep hoping one day they'll be nice and big!

I brought it pretty well today. I felt like I had a lot of energy (in part o the NOXplode and the Volumaize). I was busting through the moves and equaled and/or exceeded what I was doing before I got sick. I think I can see the benefits of the nitrix, CellMass, NOXplode, and Volumaize already. I was getting great "pumps" in my workout and felt like I was recovering very quickly. Overall I think it was a great workout and I love being back on the "X"!

Ab Ripper X was a different story. The good news is I did full reps on all the moves. the bad news is I had to hit pause a few times and let my screaming abs recover. It seems like of all the gains I "lost" while on my various breaks, the one I lost the most was with my abs. It will be a while until they feel tight and strong again. But I know it will come if I stick to the program!

Diet:

Solid diet day. Protein shake for breakfast (no milk). Turkey jerkey for snack. Lunch was some of the leftover turkey and corn/peas from dinner last night. Snack was a protein bar. Dinner was a grilled chicken salad with fat free ranch.

Favorite Move of the Day:

Deep Swimmers Presses

This move is a lot tougher then you realize when you see Tony do it. It is especially difficult if you don't bring the dumbbells all the way down and instead turn it into a sort of concentration move as well. But when you do this move you really feel the burn in your shoulders right away. And the twisting motion really helps bring that extra deep burn. I love this move!

P90X Round 2 Day 15: Chest and Back

Daily Workout Summary: Well, after a long day Sunday playing a lot of indoor soccer, I decided to take the rest of that day off. I was just too exhausted and beat up to try and fit in a P90X workout. So, today (Monday) I did my Chest and back workout. I had considered doubling up today (doing the C & B in the morning and Plyo at night), but I am too tired. This is because of two things: 1) I'm starting to get sick (sapping me of my energy) and 2) we got hit with a bunch of snow and I had to do a lot of snowblowing and shoveling today.

I did the chest and back workout early, which made running the snowblower and shovel a lot of fun later on. In retrospect, it was probably good though. Because after clearing my driveway and sidewalk (twice each), I would not have been able to bring it with good intensity.

I did pretty well today. I am matching or exceeding reps on all moves. One issue I'm faced with is the lawnmowers and heavy pants moves. I used bands for pretty much all of round 1. this round, I'm usin dumbbells. My wife got me an adjustable set that goes from 5-25lbs. This works for most everything I've been doing, but with moves like these two, I just don' have enough weight. The last two weeks, I've done at least 20 reps on heavy pants each round at 25lbs, and I'm not getting any burn. If I keep going until I burn out, I end up having to pause the DVD for a while. So, I may have to keep an eye on sales at Dick's to see if I can go get some heavierweights at some point.

Ab Ripper was a bit of a bear today. I got through it, but with the soreness of all my games yesterday, it was a challenge. I knew I was in trouble with the Pfifer Scissors when I was burning in my abs at rep 6! i got through them without stopping, but I was STRUGGLING! It hurt so good! But next time I'd prefer to make it until rep 15 or 20 to feel like that!

Diet: Solid diet day. breakfast was a protein shake. snack was a protein bar. Lunch was some grilled chicken and some carrots. Snack was an EAS CarbControl protein shake. dinner was some chicken and a small salad.

Favorite Move of The Day: Pfifer Scissors. I figured since I struggled with these today, I'd talk a little about them. From everything I've heard, this is probably the move that most people struggle with. I have good days and bad days with it. to be honest, it was the bane of my existence during round 1. However, around week 5 or 6, I realized that the key to getting through it is to breathe! I don't mean just breathe inand out. I mean to inhale as you switch legs, and exhale as you hold. If you slowly exhale and concetrate on your breath and abs, you gain more control of your core and the pain associated with the move. Whenever I struggle, I just remember to breathe and focus on the breathe- not the pain. It usually helps me get through it.

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 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 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 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 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!

Round 2 Day 10- Shoulders and Arms

Today was a shoulders and arms workout. I like this workout so much more since I started using dumbbells. I just get a much better burn- especially in the bicep exercises. I also like that there aren't any pushups or pullups! I think it's the only arm workout in the series without any pullups or pushups. Variety is nice but so is a break!

Ab Ripper X was also on the plate today. I am not where I was at the end of the first time through P90X- but I'm still a heck of a lot better then I was at the beginning last time! I can make it through all the moves- but I need to take a break once in a while on certain moves. But I'm slowly making progress.

My friend Andrew started P90X today. I hope he sticks with it. I'm going to try and keep him on track through emails/texts/phone calls. And jeff should be healed up from his shoulder thing soon and back on the "X" shortly. And Matt is out there rocking the "plus". It's good to have lots of people out there pushing play!

Round 2 Day 8: Chest and Back

Today was Chest and Back day. I felt great today compared to last week. This is mostly due to the fact that I didn't have a migraine!

I made it through the workout with a pretty good intensity. I'm now taking a pre-workout supplement called MyoShock. It's made by Muscletech- the same folks who mkae the NanoVapor. I like the Myoshock a lot. First off, there is now powder to drink. That's my biggest complaint with everything else I've tried. I always had to drink a big glass of something and during my workouts, I could feel it all sitting in my stomach. The MyoShock is just a bunch of pills. The recommended doseage is 3-7 pills 30 minutes before your workout. I started last week with 3 but am now up to 7. The other nice thing is that I don't feel :jittery" when I;m working out. But I can feel my heartrate is up and I have a great sweat going. This tells my my metabolism is up and I'm burning calories. Plus I feel like I have a little boost of energy.

So, I rocked the Chest and Back workout. I can't find my old sheet from my first go-round with P90X, so I don't have anything to compare it with. But I'd say I felt a lot stronger and was recovering better between exercises. In fact, in a lot of moves I was able to match round 1 reps in round 2.

I also brought the noise with the Ab Ripper. I got through it better today. Added the arms up for the first three moves. I'm still barely making it through the Pfifer Scissors, but am getting there. A few more weeks and my stomiach will be back in the groove.

See you tomorrow for Plyos!

Rd 2 Day 3: Shoulders and Arms

Today was the return of the Shoulders and Arms workout. Man, I forgot how great this workout was! After going through the Upper Plus workout, I never really felt the "burn" like I felt today!

There are two reasons for this (in my opinion). 1) The workout is longer and focuses on less muscles. 2) I used dumbbells instead of the bands this time.

For Christmas, my wife got me a set of adjustable dumbbells. Nothing too crazy- they adjust from 5-25 pounds. But before I had some small weights (up to 12 pounds) and the bands. This time, I used the weights for everything and the burn was fantastic. My forearms and biceps were pumping! It was a hard workout with bands, but I really think using the weights adds a degree of intensity.

I did the ab ripper again. And again, I struggled but managed to make it through the workout.

Diet went well today. I stayed in my target calorie range and got a lot of protein without a large amount of carbs or fat. One change this time around is that I'm in a different calorie range for the food program. Before I was in the level 3. Now, becauseI weigh less, I'm in level 2. Not a huge difference, but I have to eat about 300-400 calories less then I was doing during the first time through P90X. I don't care as long as the fat keeps burning off!

Also, this time through I'm on creatine. Outside of the trace amounts in the P90X recovery drink, I didn't take any creatine last time. But I am taking it now and hoping to see some real improvements.

See you tomorrow for Yoga!

Rd 2 Day 1: Chest and Back

Today I re-started the P90X. Again, I suffered from a severe migraine prior to the workout and some during it. I did the best I could to complete everything. I think this one was a direct result of no sleep last night. For some reason, I didn't sleep a wink. Actually, I think the 4-5 hour nap in the evening when I as trying to get rid of my migraine screwed up my sleeping pattern. So I was up all night. And then I was tired today.

Anyway, it was nice to get back to the bascs and start the program again. I did the ab ripper again, though it was tough after not doing it on a regular basis in a while. I struggled with the scissors and the mason twists. I had to take a break for the first time in a while.

I ate pretty well. Protein shake for breakfast. Protein bar for snack. Grilled chicken breast for lunch. Banan for snack. Dinner was peas and chicken.

Keep pushing play!

P90X+ Day 13: Upper Plus

Day 13 brought the second weekly round of Upper Plus. My wife got me a nice set of adjustable dumbbells for Christmas. They change from 5-25lbs. This was my first opportunity to try them out, so I broke them out.

Overall, I had fun using them. It was nice to try some fo the curls with weights for a change.

I felt like I had decent energy levels today. I brought it hard. I felt pretty winded by some of the moves though- especially the spiderman pushups. Though I did up my reps on that move! I then did Ab Ripper X instead of Abs Core Plus.

Sunday will be Kenpo Plus workout!

P90X+ Day 8: Upper Plus

Today was the Upper Plus workout again. I'm not sure why, but I felt really strong today. I think it's a combination of finally getting over the cold/sinus infection I've had for about a week and a half, combined with finally getting back into working out. Taking that week off was nice, but combined with the final week of P90X (which is a recovery week), I could definately feel it last week when I got started again. I felt weaker, with slightly less endurance. Not today!

Today I didn't use a chair for at least half the reps for every pull up move. I blasted through some of the other moves as well, really upping my reps. One move I felt really strong in today was the frog push ups. This is a move where you do a push up, then jump your feet up to the outsides of your hands and then back. Then you go faster! I really pumped through those. My arms were shaking at the end and I collapsed in exhaustion. Good times!

I also decided today to go back to the ab basics by doing Ab Ripper X instead. I just really don't feel like I get a good enough ab workout with Abs/Core Plus. It's a great overall total body workout, but it's just not ab-specific enough for me.

And I realized how much I missed Ab Ripper X when I tried doing it today. After essentially three wekks away from it, I struggled a bit. I still got through all the moves, but wasn't able to do some of the advanced options and could feel the burning in my midsection. It was glorious!

Loke I said, I was brinign it today. I burned a total of 779 calories in the workout. 587 during Upper Plus (vs 483 last week). Total calories were down slightly when Ab Ripper X is included (779 today vs 799 last week). However, the Abs/Core Plus is longer, and gets your heart rate up more as it is more of a total body/core workout.

Tomorrow is the intervals workout. I'm excited to do this again. I'm also off the rest of the week, so I'll be able to workout at my leisure......