Fat To In Shape

I’m two days into Week 5 (Phase II) of P90x and hitting the new routines!  This program works like a charm because once you think you have the program figured out… guess what? … it changes on you and puts you back at square 1!  Truthfully, this is the key to the program with it’s Muscle Confusion theory where your body gets use to routines every 2-3 weeks which make them less effective.  Even in weight training and circuit training, it’s best to ‘change up’ your routine to produce results and avoid the notorious ‘plateau’ effect.

Well, I better stop typing before I get shocked!!  I’m sweating profusely at the keyboard wondering if it’s going to short circuit!!!  Plyometrics is incredible and I’m glad I can do it!  Crazy stuff!  This is the real deal friends… for anyone reading this blog.  I’m amazed at the results and the routines.  Not only that the encouragement and push you get through the videos help a lot.  It’s like you’re working out with a special training team!  At the end of this week, I’ll be posting my picture updates along with stats.

Stay tuned!

Well folks, I’m on Day 2 of Week 3 and the workouts still crush ya!  You figure doing the routines for 3 weeks would make them easier?  NOT!  If you’re following the course, each week, even each session, you "BRING IT" harder and harder.  Yesterday was Chest & Back followed by Ab Ripper X which truly puts the icing on the pain (wait… wasn’t that suppose to be cake?  NO CAKE HERE FOLKS!).

Today is the ‘mother’ of all P90x workouts - Plyometrics (aka: Jump Training)!!  It’s truly hardcore and will make you drip with sweat within the first 15 minutes.  Heck - I’m sweating in the warm up exercises!  When you’re done though, you feel great and know you’ve reached a short term goal.  Every exercise, no matter what you do, is another building block - another step closer to your goals.

Stay with your workout folks!  Train Hard - Train Smart.

I’ve almost completed the 2nd full week (tomorrow officially) for the P90x routine!  What a different it makes both physically and mentally.  I’m more flexible, I’m losing the waist and the barrel I had for a stomach, I’m gaining some lean muscle and I’m still going strong with the nutritional plans and eating right!

Over all, I’m please so far and look forward to Week 3.  I’m a long way from where I want to be but with P90x - it’s proving to be the platform, the vehicle, I need to get me there and in the best shape of my life.

What ever you’re doing - enjoy the journey - train hard - train smart - and be goal focused.  Hell… do it all with a smile too! P90x!

It’s going by pretty fast and the progress is coming along both with the exercises and how I’m feeling.  Clothes are starting to fit a little nicer without having to ’suck in’ the gut!  Yes, I said it…you have to start somewhere and I’m starting somewhere. 

This is the second time around for these exercises and next week I’ll be doing the final repeat before the routines change up to accommodate for the unique Muscle Confusion which makes this program extremely effective.  Not only do you get great burning workouts where calories are just boiling out of you but there is no plateauing on anything.  Your body simply gets use to regular routines about the 2 1/2 to 3 week mark and that is the exact time this program changes.  Keeping up with it - you’re bound for results.

When I first thought about it - 2AM one morning when I was channel surfing with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in my lap on the couch wondering what kinda flicks I can catch before I actually get tired - there it was… an ‘infomercial?’…  undoubtedly yes… but this one was REAL!  P90x REAL!

Tomorrow is Day 4…

See you in the lands of fitness.

Stay strong.. Train Smart!

If you think about your routine and your own success stories - isn’t it true that no matter what you do it required dedication?  Being disciplined to the point where you push yourself to the limit and then go ten feet beyond that?  Then you see the results.  It’s about hard work - there is no shortcut.  It’s simply hard work, sincerity, persistence, dedication, discipline and all the other words that define a system that works and produces results.

Today was Plyometrics (Jump Training).  In P90x - it’s simply unbelievable.  The routines you do are purely hardcore and take a bit to get use to but you feel great when you’re done.  I’m 2 days into Week 2 of the 90 day (12-13 week) program and feel good and showing results with weight drop and waist trimming!
To the End!

Today starts my second week.  I woke up still a bit sore which is a good indicator that I hit it hard throughout the week.  Yesterday I took a day of complete recovery.  I look forward to kick’n it hard tonight.

I completed the Chest/Back & Ab Ripper X routines and I’m feeling it!!!!  Only the 2nd time through these routines and they are hardcore!  Now that I have the nutritional planning down pat, I’m going to only blog about the exercises and my physical/mental state through them.

Until tomorrow!  Stay Strong - Train Smart!

Before the week starts tomorrow, I wanted to write a few words as reminders for myself.

I start Day 1 of Week 2 tomorrow of P90x.  I’m currently 204.8 lbs (lost 7.4 lbs in my first week) and I WILL be breaking the 200 lb marker by the end of this week’s training cycle heading into Week 3 at 198-199ish.  That’s my short term goal… let’s rock and roll and get busy!!
…train hard - TRAIN HARD - TRAIN HARD!!!

Week 2 Goals:

• Weight:  Be under 200 lbs by the end of this week
• Diet:  Continue to stay focused and work hard at meal preparation to stay ahead
• Routines:  Really bring it!!!

Well, it’s been a journey so far through the first week one of course that has only began and looks pretty promising.  I’ve enjoyed all the routines and sweat my  off!!  I look forward to week 2!!

Week 1 Stats are pretty good I think no?  See my gallery and profile for all pics.  I’m still a bit discouraged by how I look but I’m using that as fuel to keep hammering myself into shape with P90x!!  IT JUST WORKS!!!!

• Weight Loss:  212.2 lbs down to 204.8 lbs (-7.4 lbs)
• Waist:  I went from 36″ tight to 34 tight (before I couldn’t even get into 34″ waist!!!)

Today is a day of rest for me although I might hit the gym and do some cardio as I did yesterday.  I’m eating right on and keeping track of it all as I go along.  Peace!

The first full week of P90x is almost over!  From the Legs/Back & Abs workout last night I’m pretty sore!  But as you know, when you feel it, you’re working it and results are to come.  Train Hard - Train Smart - Train with Goals.  I’m down around ~6 lbs since I started and look forward to breaking the 200 lb marker within another week or two.  Today is Kenpo X!

• Meal 1:  9:45am
• 1 large ice coffee w/cream & 2 Splenda
• 1 medium bagel (plain - nothing on it)
• Meal 2:  12:00pm
• 5.5 oz of V-8 Juice (low sodium)
• My meals are very mixed up and spread today because I had to do some yard work in a couple towns over this morning.  I’m sticking to the plan and eating the essentials.
• Exercise @ Gym 1:00pm
• On the weekends I’ll still be going to my local gym for increased Cardio.  Today I ran 5 miles and burned up a nice 765 calories.  I’ll still be doing my Kenpo x this evening as well.
• Meal 3:  2:15pm
• 1 large ice coffee w/cream & 2 Splenda
• 1 protein bar (30g Protein)
• 1 small Kiwi
• Meal 4: 4:20pm
• 1 cup of mixed veggies (steamed w/no butter)
• 3 oz of chicken
• 20 oz of water
• Meal 5:  6:00pm
• I felt hungry so wanted to gear up for my last workout for the day with Kenpo X.  I’m still eating clean just finishing up my last meal on time.  I’ll be taking a recovery drink after this and then probably something a couple hours before ZZzzz time.  Cottage cheese I’m thinking…  Time to sweat!!
  
• 1 cup of lettuce with vinegar
• 1 can of tuna fish (plain no mayo)
• (2) 20 oz of water
• Exercise Time!  6:30pm Kenpo X!
• Post-workout recovery - 20oz of water with L-Arginine
• Swimming!!
• I loved Kenpo as well. Probably my favorite of all the exercise routines.  I can appreciate it because of my martial arts background.  It was right up my alley! 

Little late night drink to cool off - large ice coffee.. you bet.. more coffee!!
Tomorrow is the first rest day.  I’ll still be hitting the gym and doing some cardio though.  Week 1 ends on Monday!

Going strong and almost to the end of Week 1.  Surprisingly, I believe I already feel different and notice some obvious changes in weight from 212 > 206.  Last night was Yoga which really helped with getting the remaining soreness out from the previous days of exercise.  I actually woke up and felt great!

• Meal 1:  8:30am
• 1 large ice coffee w/cream & 2 Splenda
• 1 small bagel with 1 tsp peanut butter
• Meal 2: 10:30am
• 4 oz of non-fat plain yogurt
• Meal 3: 12:30pm
• Greek salad w/2 jalapeños
• 20 oz of water
• Meal 4: 2:30pm
• 1/2 protein bar (12g protein)
• 20 oz of water
• Exercise 4:30pm - Legs/Back & Ab Ripper X
• Brutal workout!!!  I’m starting to get stronger with the ab routines now and can do most of them.  I’m still shy on all the reps though.  KILLER!!!  I’ll get there.  Off for a drink and a dip in the pool.
• L-Arginine in 20oz of water
• 1 small Kiwi

• Meal 5: 7:00pm
• 6 egg whites scrambled (spiced with black pepper, chili powder, and garlic)
• 3 oz of chicken
• 5.5 oz of V-8 juice (low sodium)
• 20 oz of water
• 1 cup of mixed veggies (corn/green beans steamed w/no butter)

Finished off the eve with a nice protein shake in 20 oz of water.  I’m looking forward to completing the first week tomorrow with Kenpo X!