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 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 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 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.

Day 82- Legs and Back

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was my last dance with the legs and back routine for this 90 day program. I'm not sad to see it go. It's a tough workout. But mostly, after 90 days I'm bored with it.

If I had to be crtical of P90X (and it's hard to be), one of my biggest complaints would be the lack of a second legs workout for variation. For all the other weight moving workouts, there are two different workouts and they are alternated depending on what week orphase of the program you are in. However, for all 13 weeks, you do the same legs and back workout. So, a little more variety on this one would be nice.

I had a great workout this morning. I'm wearing a sleeve on each knee now and it seems to have helped with my knee weakness during my workouts. I really felt the calf raaises today. I tried to "peak" each one hard to really make my calves explode. Boy did they burn after!

Today was also the last round of Ab Ripper X. To date, this was the best I've ever done. I added extra stuff to the first three moves, plus raised my arms. I got through all the other moves. And then came the Mason Twists. I usually can only do the 40. I've never been able to mkae it into the bonus ones. Today I did 10 extra at the end! I tjpught I was going to puke! It was great.

I feel good right now. Still tipping the scales at 198 lbs. I plan to go shower up and then get ready for the in-laws to invade the house as well tear into some turkey and watch football. One plate for me today and that's it! And no pie! It's going to be tough.

To anyone who is reading this, I hope you and yours have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 75- Legs and Back

Thursday's workout was Legs and Back. About halfway through the routine I realized I was sick. Not sick because I was pushing too hard, but actually SICK. My head was pounding and snot was running down my face uncontrollably.

I did my best to fight through the workout. I'm not going to lie- I didn't finish some of the moves. And I didn't do Ab Ripper after. I was too tired/sick.

After finishing what I could, I went to bed.

My plan is to add Ab Ripper X after Kenpo on Friday.

Day 68- Legs and Back

Today was the legs and back workout. This was definately not one of my better days. I'm going to chalk this up to just having an "off" or bad day.

I got little sleep last night. My wife had her knee lock up on her in the middle of the night- so I was awoken by some screams of pain. At like 1:30m! Then I had to be up early for work, os I never got my full amount of rest. Add to that a crazy day where I was unable to take in my normal amount of calories, and you have the perfect recipe for what happened today. I struggled.

Also, my left knee (my normally healthy knee) was acting up today. I think I was feeling the effects of pushing too hard in the Plyos on Monday. It really hurt during a lot of the leg work- making today even more miserable. I pushed through it the best I could- but it wasn't a great workout.

The only saving grace was the Ab Ripper. Even though my main workout had been subpar, I decided to put it behind me and try and rock the ripper. I did really well. I put my hands in the air for the in and outs and both sets o f bicycles. And for the croos leg or wide leg sit ups, I did the cross leg variety for the first time. Tony says this is harder- and it was. I felt a great burn.

See you tomorrow for Kenp- hopefully my knee will cooperate!

Day 61- Legs and Back

Today was the first day of the home stretch. I have started the last 30 days and am excited to see how far I've come. I hope to keep the remarkable progress going and to look as healthy as possible come day 90.

Special shout out to those of you who regularly read this blog (Jeff, Matt, TCMG, and anyone else I may have missed). You guys have been awesome.

Today was legs and back. I struggled today. I think I'm getting sick or something. Regardless, I did my best. I matched or exceeded reps on every move. I really felt the burn in the one legged squats. It felt like they went on for ever!

Ab Ripper hurt tonight (in a good way). My whole body was shaking at the end of the Fifer Scissors. But I got through everything with full reps.

Diet is going well. No major screw ups. I'm thinking about going back to the phase 1 diet plan to shed more weight. I'll let you know what I decide.

Day 47- Back & Legs

Today was another day of legs and back. I like this workout, yet hate it. It's a killer. I dread it a bit everytime because I know those wall squats are coming.

Seriously, the one-legged wall squats are just so killer. My legs are shaking after the first two and sweat just starts pouring out of me. It hurts so much. But once that's done, you feel great- especially knowing you won't have to do them again for another week.

This workout also has lots of pull ups/chin ups. It seems this is Tony's preferred way to work the back. In fact, you repeat a few of the moves in the workout on the bar. It gets a little boring to be honest. But the leg stuff is so tough, that makes up for it.

I've always had pretty big and nice calves. But I can tell a difference in my legs since I've been doing this workout and the plyometrics. My legs are even tighter and more defined. They haven't looked like this since college!

Ab Ripper X came again today. And I rocked out all the reps on all the moves. Again, I felt like puking at the end. So I know I pushed hard. As I've said a million times to Jeff, they key to Ab Ripper X (and most of the tough moves in P90X) is controlling your breathing. Remembering to breathe and controlling the breath make such a big difference. For those of you who struggle with Ab Ripper X, try really focusing on your breath. You'll be amazed at the difference.

Diet went well. Shake for breakfast. Protein bar for snack. Lunch was a steak taco with fat-free cheese on a low carb wrap. Snack was a recovry drink. Dinner was a nice broiled chicken breast.

See you tommorrow for my favorite- KENPO!!!!

Day 40- Legs and Back

Day 40 was legs and back. This is a killer workout for your legs. I still get that nervous feeling everytime I do this workout because thosse wall squats and one-legged wall squats hurt like heck. But in a good way. I'm always a puddle of sweat after this workout and usually feel the soreness for days after.

I did well in the workout. I really like the Nano Vapor supplement. It has really given me a boost during my workouts, yet doesn't taste like crap (like Superpump) or rip up my stomach (like Superpump). For this workout I had to get up early in the morning to do it because I had a work dinner that night and a meeting with my manager- making for a long day and no time to fit in a quick workout. But the Nano Vapor got my engine going this morning so it was great.

Ab ripper was also on the workout today. I made it through ever rep on all exercises, but did have trouble with the Mason Twista- though I pushed through. I think the early morning start contributed to this a bit.

I'm looking forward to a little treat tonight. The dinner is at Ruth's Chris andI'm going to have a nice Petite Filet!

Day 33- Legs & Back

Today was the legs and back workout. I got up early to do this one before work, since Jeff will be coming to town today. I also tried a new pre-workout supplement called NaNO Vapor. It works sort of like Superpump (though hopefully I won't react as badly to it).

I felt the NaNO Vapor right away. I was pretty amped and felt tingling in my muscles as I worked- good times!

The workout today was good. I upped all my max reps on the different pull ups. As for some of the lunges and such, I added in some dumbbells to increase the difficulty. IT especially worked on the calf raises. I have some big strong calves, so usually I wasn't getting too deep of a burn on the calf raises. This time, just by adding 2 12lb dumbbells, I was able to get a really deep burn in my calves. It was wonderful.

Ab ripper x was on the agenda today as well. Once again, I made it my bitch. I got through all exercises with all reps and still managed to rock the Fifer Scissors and the Mason Twists. Next week, I'm going to try doing some of the variations. I wanted to make sure I could repeat my success before moving on- and today proved that I could.

Jeff and I will be doing Kenpo together tomorrow and then off the Atlantic City for a Bachelor Party. Saturday is our rest day and Sunday we'll both be back in our respective homes to start week 6.

Day 19- Back & Legs

Sorry for the limited posts over the next few days. I'm out of town for a convention for work, so time is limited.

I did back and legs today. I had to get up EARLY (5:30) to fit it in because of work. It sucked. I HATE working out in the morning. It is impossible for me to get my motor going with the needed intensity for this workout. I half-assed my way through back and legs. Easily my most disappointing performance to date.

I rallied on Ab Ripper, doing as well as always.

I broought P90X with me and will be doing Kenpo X tomorrow at the resort. I also packed a cooler for the trip full of my foods, protein bars, etc. I plan to eat as well as possible for the diet considering my circumstances.

Day 12- Legs & Back

Wrapped up Day 12 today and I feel pretty good. I love leg workouts as my legs have always been strong from all my years playing soccer. I did better this time and was able to complete all reps for certain exercises. On others, like the different pull-ups, I did more reps then last week.

I was especially pleased with my performance on the one-legged wall squats. I was able to go the whole time. Last week that killed me.

I also blew out Ab Ripper X today. It was the first time I got through a majority of the exercises. I did 20 reps or more on every one. I really was stoked about the performance!

Diet is going well. Protein shake for breakfast. I had some turkey jerkey for snack. For luch I had a garden salad topped with grilled chicken and mozzerella cheese(low fat) and some low fat vinegrette. Afternoon snack was a protein bar. Dinner was some scallops wrapped in turkey bacon and a small veggie burger (spicy black bean).

I'm noticing some changes. I'm definately tighter everywhere and the love handles seem to have gotten a little smaller. My wife says my arms look bigger and there's more definition to my chest and back. We'll see. My weight has been all over the place. Last week I lost 5 pounds. This week, earlier in the week, I was back to the starting weight. Today I was 2 pounds lighter. But I FEEL lighter and stronger. I'm sure some of it is muscle development (muscles weighs more then fat). That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Day 5- Legs & Back

Day 5 down. Legs and back today. That was pretty tough. My legs are still sore from the plyometrics a few days ago, so I was really feeling the burn today. The worst was the one-legged wall squats. Wow did those hurt! I could barely do them.

I'm still using a chair for all the chin-ups. However, today I pushed the chair really far away- making it much harder. I found myself sorts looking forward to the various pull ups as the were a welcome break from the burn in my legs!

Ab Ripper X sucked today. My legs were burning making some of the moves really hurt. I really struggled with it today. I tried to push through and do what I could.

Eating has gone well today. Had a wheat english muffin with peanut butter for breakfast. A string cheese stick for mid-morning snack. Lunch was a protein shake with bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blurberries. Following my workout I had the recovery drink. For dinner I'll be cooking the turkeyburgers from the meal plan recipe.

Kenpo tomorrow baby!