Day 10 of P90X - Shoulders & Arms

I really like this workout, pushing it hard and can finish throughout with no need to pause. What I am going to need is another set of dumbbells. My shoulders are far more stronger than my arms and its becoming a pain to constantly remove or add plates depending on the exercise at hand.

Not much else going on, shot some hoops and jumped some rope yesterday for about a half hour. Might start adding that to my routine on days that I don't have to do Ab Ripper X as well as adding a 2 mile run on Saturday's and Sunday's. I think I'm going to give Yoga X a shot tomorrow morning, maybe not the whole 90 minutes but for at least 60. We'll see. 80 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

Day 9 of P90X - Plyometrics

Plyometrics, plyo freaking metrics...was able to keep up nicely the first half then I totally gassed the second . It's very tough to be that tired and to see the on screen counter is still showing 29 minutes to go. I wanted to quit but something inside me wasn't having it. So I finished it, sure it wasn't pretty and yes I had to pause a couple of times but I think I got more out of being able to dig deep down inside and kick this son of a biscuit out than I got from the actual work out itself. 81 more days to go.

Insprirational quote of the day

"The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginning."

Day 8 of P90X- Chest & Back

I don't know what it is about this workout cause even though I didn't get sick this time, I still felt like I was going to. Yes I did Bring It this morning but geez I feel like dog crap for doing so.

Running low on healthy food, happy to admit that I finished off nearly everything that I bought last week. So me and Char bones will head to the store after Aliya catches the bus. Weigh in tonight, will update later. Ab Ripper X when I get home. 82 more days to go.

***UPDATE*** I was 217lbs a week ago and I'm now 212lbs so I lost 5lbs, not bad. In fact when I look at the numbers I was 217 three days before I started and I feasted in those last three days so I very easily could have weighed 218 or 219 making it a 6-7lb loss. Plus, this Saturday I ate and drank well and had a nice dinner on Sunday. Not going to beat myself up for it either. Its a 13 week program, at this rate I'm gonna lose 65lbs which puts me down to a svelte if not dainty 150lb ladies man. Actually I've never really set a weight loss goal. I'm thinking I'd like to be a solid 195lbs. So there it is, that's the goal, 17 more lbs to go.

Diet seems to be working fine and I hate to even call it a diet because it seems like I'm eating all the time. No modifications for this week.

The Buckeyes place buckeye leafs on their helmets as sign of achievement and I'm gonna do the same thing...kinda. A one pound loss equals one pound of ground beef, this week I earned (or lossed) 5 packages, WooHoo!

Inspirational quote of the day

"Never regret growing old; not everyone has that privilege."

Day 7 of P90X - X Stretch

I know, suppose to do Yoga X today and I didn't, suppose to push myself today and I did...a little. Up at six this morning, decided on X Stretch because it was so beneficial to my recovery the last time that I thought I would give it a try again. Sure enough I felt great afterwards, so good that I got to thinking, been awhile since Phoebe and I went for a run, out the door we went. Totally plowed through my two mile run, non stop and with relative ease. Best run I've had in years.

Kind of excited about tomorrow, second shot at chest & back and I'm hoping to improve in weights and reps across the board. I'm also going to weigh in for the first time since a couple of days before I started. Would be nice to see some decent weight loss but if not then I need to know so I can adjust my diet accordingly. Pains going away, really going to BRING IT next week. 83 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Unless a man undertakes more than he possibly can do, he will never do all that he can."

Day 6 of P90X - Kenpo X

Karate master I ain't. An overall fun and sweat inducing workout. Form is hideous but I kept up 80% of the time. Can feel myself wanting to push harder and further, feels good, will do better next time.

Kids soccer games are over and they did wonderful, Charlie scored a gooooal!!! Aliya's still sidelined with a pesky leg injury but she should be ready to return to action for her next game (your team needs you!) and Kayla is already a star who never fails at making me proud. They all do...always.

Off to my favorite beer & wings joint with the family to celebrate maw's birthday, hoping to catch some of the Buc's game later on. Haven't decided yet if I should reward myself with a cool one for all my hard work this week or not. Been dry so far, sure would like to have one...or six. 84 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional."

After today's lapse, I'm choosing to make Sunday's work out exceptionally tough and just in case I've forgotten why...

... my butt's gonna get kicked tomorrow!

Day 5 of P90x - Back & Legs

Bad form, no balance, cardio shot and extremely weak...that's how I'd describe today's workout. I realise that every area I'm suffering in will improve in time its just that years ago I would have considered these to be strong points and to have fallen so far is a bummer. Soreness seems to be subsiding perhaps in part to yesterdays X Stretch.

Getting up early everyday and today's shift change at work is giving me a bad case of the snoozes. Been a very long week and I'm still planning on getting up at 5:45 a.m. Sat & Sun to finish out my first week. In bed by 9:00 on a Friday WooHoo. 85 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Remember when you see a man at the top of a mountain, he didn't fall there."

Day 4 of P90X - X Stretch

Ok first off, anyone familiar with the program knows that today should have been Yoga X but I just didn't have 90 minutes to devote to yoga this morning. So props to Mr. Big Hurt and his idea of swapping the yoga routine with X Stretch. I will do Yoga X in its entirety this weekend as I will have more time to afford and as Big put it , yoga and Sunday's go good together, a perfect union.

Today's workout was wonderful, exactly what I needed. Granted I'm about as flexible as a 2 x 4 but I did my best and feel really good this morning. My uber sore legs feel much more limber however tomorrows leg routine will surely set me back.

I've been following my diet to the T and have had no deviations whatsoever. Little bit of hunger now and again but everything has been tasty and delicious mm mmm.

Work on the other hand has been a bear. Those cool & beautiful September days I spoke of earlier have vanished only to be replaced with hot and muggy ones that make my place of business miserable. I have a hiccup in tomorrow's schedule as I will be working a different shift, throwing my workout and blog posting for a loop. Will post again Friday night. 86 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult."

Day 3 of P90X - Shoulders & Arms

Pretty good workout this morning. This one was a little easier to me because it wasn't nearly as hard on the gas tank as yesterday's plyo's. Speaking of which; man my legs hurt. Sitting on the edge of my bed this morning trying to slip on my shoes was a workout in itself. Its becoming more and more obvious that this routine is to advanced for my current condition BUT...it won't always be, so long as I continue to Bring It! Can't wait for tomorrows workout. 87 more days to go.

I wanna give a shout out to mooky mook and the funky bunch & ginny ginn for your kind words of encouragement. And a super special shout out to my wife, the Mrs. Today we're celebrating 14 years of a wonderful marriage. I have no doubts that without her I wouldn't be this wonderful, half naked, pudgy man that you see posted below. I kinda like that man, come to think of it, I kinda like her too. Thanks baby.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."

Day 2 of P90X - Plyometrics

Oh geez, just finished plyometrics which are dynamic jumping exercises, fifty-eight minutes worth. Pretty intense, probably more so if I were fit. Not surprising, I wasn't even close to keeping up but I finished it.

Considerably sore,felt like I slept in a gravel bed, tossing and turning all night. Lets see what else,oh my diet. Ate really well yesterday feeling pretty good inside. Keeping a nutrition diary, this is a run down of what I ate yesterday and a guideline for what I'll be eating for the next 90 days:

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee (gotta have it)
• 2 slices multi grain toast w/ low fat peanut butter
• 1 banana
• 1 cup of chocolate milk for recovery

Mid morning snack

• Fruit smoothie: blueberry,blackberry,raspberries,1/2 banana ,low fat yogurt & OJ (Charlie loves em)

Lunch

• 4 oz sirloin steak trimmed
• 1/2 low fat cottage cheese
• Freshly steamed veggies: broccoli,cauliflower,carrots and baby spinach leaves

Mid afternoon snack

• 1 apple
• 1 serving of mixed nuts
• V8 juice low sodium

Dinner

• Turkey wrap, whole grain tortilla shell,low fat mayo,mustard,onion and spinach leaves
• Mozzarella stick
• 1 serving grapes
• 32 oz green tea lightly sweetened

Mid evening snack

• low fat tuna salad w/ high fiber wheat thins

Of course I plan on switching up my proteins, fruits and vegetables every other day. Working on a calorie count now, really have no idea what I want my range to be. Just trying to maintain a clean diet for now. 88 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."

Day 1 of P90X - Chest & Back

Well boys and girls that was fun. Let me tell you about my little workout this morning. I wasn't even able to keep up with the girl in weights or reps but that's ok. As Tony says "Do your best and forget the rest"... its forgotten. I did pretty good, had to pause about three quarters of the way through. Not cause I was tired, cause I was and not cause it hurt, cause it did but because It felt like whatever was inside of me wanted to be outside of me. I regained my composure and am happy to say I finished the workout. I then quickly headed to the bathroom where I proceeded to throw up...profusely. 89 more days to go.

Inspirational quote of the day

"Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself."

Pre90x day 12

My last Pre90x post, tomorrow is Day 1 of P90X and I am ready to bring it! Just got back from the grocery store. I'm not going to to follow the nutrition guide simply because I don't have the funds, the time or the culinary skills. I do intend on following the principles of the guide, smaller more frequent meals, more protein less fats and sugars. Basically cutting out the junk which includes my beloved Budweiser.

Other than that just gonna take it easy today, watch some football and go to my daughters All Star game later on. Going to get to bed early, use to meditate a lot, I'll give it a try to tonight, see if I can't get my mind right. Expecting some tough days ahead coupled with a lot of pain. I'm ready.

Pre90x day 11

Getting ready to watch the Buc's game, busy day today. Had a light workout this morning, did the warm up and yoga segments of Cardio X followed by the fitness test. Anniversary dinner tonight with my love and wine tasting later at the in-laws.

I must admit, its a little disheartening to see so many fitness blogs that have ended abruptly. However, not quite as disheartening as my fitness test but that should only help to make my 90 day results look phenomenal. I mean how hard is it to improve on 2.75 chin ups?

• Resting heart rate 56 bpm


• Taxed heart rate 164 bpm


• Chin ups 2 .75 absolutely shocking to me


• Vertical leap 15.5"


• Push ups 24 pretty shocked as well


• Wall squat 43 seconds & and man did it hurt


• Bicep curls 12 reps of 40 lbs

So thats done, the Mrs. is out shopping right now, going to have pics taken when she gets home. Will post tonight or tomorrow.

Ok here we go, viewer discretion is advised:

Pre90x day 10

Nothing new today, not going to do any kind of work out, listening to my body instead. Three days away from starting this , I'm ready, no worries. Just going to stretch it out the next couple of days and get all my ducks in a row.

Took "official" measurements last night and they are as followed:

• Height 6'
• Weight 217 lbs
• Chest 45 1/4"
• Shoulders 49 3/4"
• Waist 39 1/4"... the most surprising to me
• Hips 42" ...whatever, not to concerned there
• Thighs 21 3/4" ...both
• Calves 16"...both
• Biceps 15 1/4"...both
• Body fat 23.3% ...whoa, fat boy coming thru

So that's that. It is what it is, right Big? Uh...lets see, gonna take pics tomorrow. Be a couple days before I put them up, don't want to but I think I need to. Fitness test in the morning, probably post those figures as well. Grocery shopping Sunday, early to bed Sunday night. Monday morning, 6:00 a.m....BRING IT!

Pre90x day 9

Taking today off. Was up a little late last night watching UFC, had a few cocktails. Yesterday's bout with Cardio X isn't helping much either. I'm sore in places I'm not used to being sore. Was thinking last night that I might try another round of it today...nah. I guess once I start the program Monday I'm just going to have to work thru the pain for the first week or two, sounds like lots of fun!!!

Update, as the day wears on I've become wore out. Hurtin pretty good, hips, thighs inner, outer, front and back, keaster, all kinds of strange places. Don't know what it was, yoga, kenpo, plyo , all of the above?

Spirits are down a little too. Wish I could have been able to accomplish some kind a workout today. Gonna have the Mrs. help me with some measurements tonight, figured if I'm down I might as well get kicked in the teeth too. Will post results tomorrow.

Pre90x day 8

A little late in my post today. Got up at 5:30 this morning to the pitter patter of rain ...darn, back to bed I went. I crawled out of bed at 7:30 to get the kids up and off to school and I felt pretty bad for missing my a.m. run. So I decided I'd give Cardio X a shot, what the hell was that, when I finished I was sweating buckets and my legs felt like wet noodles. That was even after numerous pauses. Wanted to quit several times but I finished it and feel great for doing so but man this is going to be tough.

Chin up bar arrived yesterday and I decided to assemble it today, figured I rip out a couple of reps, ya right, that was a humbling experience. I can't believe how weak I've become, even Charlie was showing me up...

Oh well I'm not really discouraged, In fact I think I'm a little bit more determined to do this. On a side note, what a beautiful day.

Pre90x day 7

Much better run today in fact one of my better ones, not nearly as gassed as usual. Dang shins still buggin me, I think I need some new running shoes. ( honey if you reading this...)

Opened up the p90x last night, tried to make sense of the nutrition guide, naturally not interested. Was able to delve into the first couple chapters of the fitness guide though. Getting pumped, planning on doing my fitness test Saturday morning. Chin up bar should be here today...its all coming together.

Pre90x day 6

Decent run today, a little discouraging. I'm not improving on my distances at all so I thought I would push a faster pace, naturally Phoebe looked at me like "Dave, wtf are you doing? you're gonna hurt yourself." Felt pretty ill afterwards, to many Bud Lights this weekend I guess. But, its only Monday hopefully I'll improve some by the end of this week. Sticking with it!

Pre90x day 5

Well like I said yesterday no run today even though my hamstring feels fine. Great news, p90x and push up stands arrived Saturday, chin up bar scheduled to be here Tuesday. Gonna do some grocery shopping this weekend and plan on starting p90x Monday the 21st. I'm stoked and ready to do this.

In preparation I'm going to bed early tonight. I really need to push my running this week. Phoebe is in the doghouse right now and Its unclear if she'll be joining me in the morning or not. What I'd really like to do is run the dog crap out of her but its always the other way around.

Pre90x day4

Got up at seven today, grabbed my shoes, grabbed my dog and out the door we went. Had a surprisingly good run considering last nights festivities. Love these cool Midwestern September mornings. Unfortunately my left hamstring feels very sore like its about to pop. Sucks, no running tomorrow.

Pre90x day 3

Well, no run today. The NFL season kicked off last night with my favorite team the Steelers squeaking past the Titans, up a little late and in need of sleep. Hopefully I wont make those same excuses when p90x arrives.

Speaking of which, order from ebay got denied again so it was off to beachbody.com where I placed my order last night. Kinda cheesy experience, had to click no on several additional offers(supplements 3 easy payments, extra nutrition guide 3 easy payments, have Tony Horton be your personal friend 3 easy....) definitely a cash cow going on over there.

I will run tomorrow, I will run tomorrow, I will run tomorrow...


...later that night...


Going out with a bang!!!

Pre90x day 2

Really, really good run today. Getting my wheels back, shins not hurting as bad. Pushing thru it, I've heard the workouts for the p90x system are really intense so if I can't do a two mile run then I'm screwed.

I do have a running partner who is more than eager every morning to drag me around the neighborhood, lets just say we don't share the same enthusiasm. Her name is Phoebe and most of the time she is a pain in the butt.....

Um lets see what else...Oh my first p90x failure, thought I would save a few bucks by ordering off of ebay, found a unit for $85, bought it and later got an email saying the item was removed for possible copyright violations. So going thru another seller and if I get the same results then I'll just have to shell out an extra $50 and buy it from their website. (Which is probably what I should have done in the 1st place, cheap skate.)

Pre90x day 1

Where to begin...I gave up a 20+ year smoking habit in May of 2008. I had all intentions of reclaiming my health, eating better and getting back in shape. I even ran a 5k two months after I quit and was feeling pretty good about myself. Thats when the pounds started adding up.

I had always considered myself to be in good condition (atleast in appearance) Six foot tall and 175 lbs in my twenties, 185 in my thirties and now 2 months past my fortieth and I'm a whopping 217 lbs....Its time to make some changes.

So I'm commited to doing this P90X thing. Sent away for it today along with a chin up bar and some push up stands. It should all be here in the next 10 days but I'm not sitting on my butt waiting.

I've been making a mostly lame attempt at running for the last month or so however I'm starting to pick it up a bit in anticipation of next weeks arrival. A two mile run/walk which means I run when I can run and I walk we I need to walk. Up at 5:45 for the last 3 mornings in a row, going for 4 so I better get to bed.