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 Day10: Shoulders and Arms (Sort of)

Daily Workout Summary:

Just a quick blastabout today's workout. I was all set to bring it when some things happened very late in the day with regards to work. By the time I finished dealing with the situation, I needed to leave for a soccer game. When I got back, I was able to get in some of the workout for today, but was interrupted by my wife and kids getting home. I had to cut out on the workout to have some "family time."

Because of this, I'm going to pull a sort of double tomorrow. I plan to finish the rest of the workout and Ab Ripper X in the early morning and then do Yoga at the end of the day to get caught up.

Diet:

Strange diet day today. I had an early OR case and didn't have my normal protein shake. I did manage to get some egg whites and turkey sausage at the Johns Hopkins Cafeteria, so I was still pretty healthy. But then I was stuck in cases and a dentist appointment with my wife. Therefore, I missed some of my mid morning and mid afternoon snack. Lunch was a slice of cheeze pizza (starving nd all that was around). Dinner was leftover baked chicken and peas from last night. Too light on prtein today and too heavy on carbs. must do better tomorrow!

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 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 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.

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!

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!

Day 73- Shoulders and Arms

Tuesday was the shoulders and arms workout. I actually posted a nice blog yesterday, however, some sort of error on the Blogger site wiped it out and I was too tired to stay up an re-write it.

Needless to say I had a good workout. Upping or matching reps/weights. Got a great burn on Ab Ripper too.

Still haven't firmed up plans for my Post P90X program. I had considered doing P90X+ but I have a vacation (award trip for work called President's Club) the last week of January, and I know I am not going to want to work out while on it. I will probably do some sort of hybrid of P90X up until I leave. and when I come back from the vacation I'll probably push it with P90X+.

Day 59- Shoulders and Arms

I decided to not switch today and stay with the schedule. That means I did the shoulders and arms routine. I did really well on it. It was easier then I rememeber- or I'm just stronger and fitter!

Anyway, I did well, improving reps and weight on all moves. Got good burn during Ab Ripper as well.

Heading to a soccer game now. Wish me luck- it's a big game.

Oh, and make sure you vote if you haven't already!

Day 17- Shoulders & Arms

Day 17 was another round of shoulders and arms. I did ok, butI'm still lacking in the sleep department- 5 hours last night. I still feel pretty good. I attribute that to the healthy eating though.

Last week I decided to order an extra set of handles for the bands. This way I wouldn't have to pause the DVD to switch bands. They got here yesterday so I broke them out for todays workout. Pretty much the first round of everything I used the greens and the second round I used the reds. It was a lot smoother.

Generally my performance was good. I matched all reps and increased some. The one move that just KILLS me is the first move of the bonus round- the straight arm switch shoulder flys. Seriously- my shoulder feels like it's going to explode by the 4th or 5th one.

Did great again on the Ab Ripper X. Fifer scissors continue to be my Everest. I still can't do more then 20. And I can only do 20 of the Mason Twists with my feet in the air. But compared to my first try at Ab Ripper X, I've progressed miles. That first time I was broken. I remember laying on the mat in a pool of my own sweat just laughing at how unbelievably hard it was and thinking I'd never come CLOSE to being able to do it. And in week 3 I'm holding my own. Just shows that you get out what you put in. You gotta BRING IT, or you are just wasting your time and money.

Played two indoor soccer games tonight about two hours after my workout, so I burned a TON of calories tonight. I ate a little on the heavy side for dinner, but the soccer games are sure to have burned off that extra food.

Thanks for reading. You keep coming back- I'll keep pushing play.

Day 10- Shoulders and Arms

I'm not sure what's up but I had trouble bringing it today. I have a lot goin gon with work and there's a lot of stress that I wasn't able to get out of my head during the workout. And it really impacted my performance. While I still got a decent sweat in, I had trouble pushing myself. The workout was easier this week- again because I knew what was coming.

I tried a harder band this workout (green). About half way through I switched back to the red though because it was killing my bad shoulder.

Ab ripper x was good. I felt strong and got through a majority of it. No less the 15 reps on any thing today and I did my best job every on the last move (mason twist).

Diet went ok. Two whole wheat english muffins with peanut butter for breakfast. Some turkey jerkey for snack. The rest of my shrimp and wild rice for lunch. A protin bar for snack. Not sure what dinner will be yet- I'll probably go grab a chef salad.

Day 3- Shoulders & Arms

3 days down, 87 to go!

Today was the shoulders and arms workout followed by the wonderful Ab Ripper X. After accidentally using the black band the first day of the program (I thought it was the easiest- it was the hardest!), I tried the red band out today (the easiest) so I could concentrate on the forms and techniques. I didn't feel like I was "maxed out" on the bicep exercises, but it seemed about right for the shoulder and triceps stuff.

The toughest exercise was the two-angle shoulder flys. WOW! Are they tough! I'm sure I'll be feeling them tomorrow.

I'm still sore as hell in the legs from the plyometric workout yesterday. And I'm still shore in the chest and back from Monday. A lot of the stretching and stuff really felt good today in the warm up and cool down.

The ab ripper went a little better today. Better- but not great. I got through 25 reps on the first two exercises, but after that the most I could do was 10-15 on each out of the 25. The mason curls (I think that's what they are called) really kick my ass. I can barely keep my legs off the ground as I punch the floor from side to side. My abs were sore from the first time, so I can't imagine how bad they will hurt tomorrow!

The diet is going pretty well too. Protein shake for breakfast. Protein bar for snack. Chef salad for lunch. String cheese stick for snack. for dinner I'm probably going to make up some chicken salad.

This is crazy. I think if I make it through the week, it will be all downhill from there.