It's official. This is the hardest workout in the entire P90X series. Plyo is simply a heart pounding, sweating 60 minutes of intense cardio. Anyone looking to add intensity and fat burning into their lives would do well with plyometrics.
And, finally, I have made progress. I made it through quite a bit of the workout before having to hit pause -- unlike last time. I wasn't nearly as wasted as last time.
I needed that feeling of accomplishment after yesterday's complete wash of a chest/back routine. I'm still ashamed of that.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Day 8 - Chest & Back
Today was particularly frustrating because the outer left palm of my hand was in a lot of pain while performing push-ups. I think this is my shitty arthritis acting up. I mean it's not like I'm dealing out palm strikes to wrong doers on my nightly vigilante runs.
It is so depressing that my joints hurt at age 32.
Anyways, I eventually got angry enough about this pain that I just said, "Fuck it," and went right into the push-ups. Unfortunately, I may have tweaked my right shoulder during the second phase of the routine. I ended up cutting the routine a few exercises short due to the shoulder pain.
However, today, my entire upper back/shoulders are pretty sore today. So hopefully I didn't tweak anything.
It is so depressing that my joints hurt at age 32.
Anyways, I eventually got angry enough about this pain that I just said, "Fuck it," and went right into the push-ups. Unfortunately, I may have tweaked my right shoulder during the second phase of the routine. I ended up cutting the routine a few exercises short due to the shoulder pain.
However, today, my entire upper back/shoulders are pretty sore today. So hopefully I didn't tweak anything.
Day 7 - Rest
I had the choice of doing the stretch-x routine or rest. Obviously, I chose rest. I am finally not sore all over. It's a good feeling.
However, after visiting family yesterday and playing the Wii Fit I decided I wanted one as well. I went out and purchased the Wii Fit along with Rayman's Raving Rabbids TV Party (a mouthful, I know), which is essentially a compilation of 50 mini games. I know the Wii is saturated with mini game compilations, but this one came highly recommended.
Anyways, I've been working on the balance games that come with the Wii. Next up, I will try the yoga ones.
However, after visiting family yesterday and playing the Wii Fit I decided I wanted one as well. I went out and purchased the Wii Fit along with Rayman's Raving Rabbids TV Party (a mouthful, I know), which is essentially a compilation of 50 mini games. I know the Wii is saturated with mini game compilations, but this one came highly recommended.
Anyways, I've been working on the balance games that come with the Wii. Next up, I will try the yoga ones.
Day 6 - Legs & Back
Ugh, Lunges everywhere. My right leg, I guess my weaker leg, was killing me the entire time through this workout. Seriously, the entire workout is lunges and pull-ups/chin-ups.
Did I mention I suck at pull-ups? Yep, still suck. I'm not sure why this P90X routine has two days of pulls worked into one week of workouts.
The instructor, Tony, says this is his favorite day of the P90X sessions because it is great for skiing, one of his favorite hobbies.
Did I mention I suck at pull-ups? Yep, still suck. I'm not sure why this P90X routine has two days of pulls worked into one week of workouts.
The instructor, Tony, says this is his favorite day of the P90X sessions because it is great for skiing, one of his favorite hobbies.
Christmas
Hooray for Christmas because 1) my body finally isn't sore all over, and 2) I'm not working out today.
Day 5 - Kenpo
I'm behind on my posts, but this one was performed on Christmas Eve.
Kenpo was interesting. It's basically a lot of punches and kicks. Needless to say, my karate body responded well.
Verdict is that you sweat a lot so it's a good cardio workout. This one gets chalked up to the never-let-anyone-watch-me-do-this category.
Kenpo was interesting. It's basically a lot of punches and kicks. Needless to say, my karate body responded well.
Verdict is that you sweat a lot so it's a good cardio workout. This one gets chalked up to the never-let-anyone-watch-me-do-this category.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Day 4 - Yoga
I feel great after yoga. Easily my favorite routine thus far.
I was not surprised at how difficult it was to perform because two of my friends who did P90X told me to watch out for the yoga. Also, it was HUGE to invest in a yoga mat so I would not slide around while trying to contort myself into the poses.
My wife did the routine with me and she stated that this P90X version of Yoga is pretty much the intermediate level of yoga. I was able to keep up just fine, but there were a couple moves that I just was not able to perform.
I was surprised how much I would shake when holding a particular pose. I was sweating through the first phase of the program and felt very relaxed at the completion of the routine. My flexibility improved even through just one session of this stuff. I'm going to continue doing yoga after the completion of this p90x stuff -- it's that good. Flexibility is something I've never been very good at, and it's a lock that this discipline is great for the ol' flexibility.
Next up, I will talk about equipment I've purchased for this ever more expensive program.
I was not surprised at how difficult it was to perform because two of my friends who did P90X told me to watch out for the yoga. Also, it was HUGE to invest in a yoga mat so I would not slide around while trying to contort myself into the poses.
My wife did the routine with me and she stated that this P90X version of Yoga is pretty much the intermediate level of yoga. I was able to keep up just fine, but there were a couple moves that I just was not able to perform.
I was surprised how much I would shake when holding a particular pose. I was sweating through the first phase of the program and felt very relaxed at the completion of the routine. My flexibility improved even through just one session of this stuff. I'm going to continue doing yoga after the completion of this p90x stuff -- it's that good. Flexibility is something I've never been very good at, and it's a lock that this discipline is great for the ol' flexibility.
Next up, I will talk about equipment I've purchased for this ever more expensive program.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms
First, fuck those power bands, or resistance bands -- whatever they are called. I was stepping on one to do some fancy curl move when *WHAM* the band slipped out from under my foot and almost hit me in the eye mid-exercise. I'm done with the bands, and I'm going to score some dumbbells.
Having said that, the bands are also limiting in some cases. You simply can't do some of the exercises with the bands. Period.
The shoulder workout was pretty good, but I've been through similar workouts before. I didn't have the proper equipment to get the most out of the routine for my arms, but the rest should do me some good. I am still having problems straitening out my arms.
Compared to the previous two exercise routines, this is by far the easiest.
Having said that, the bands are also limiting in some cases. You simply can't do some of the exercises with the bands. Period.
The shoulder workout was pretty good, but I've been through similar workouts before. I didn't have the proper equipment to get the most out of the routine for my arms, but the rest should do me some good. I am still having problems straitening out my arms.
Compared to the previous two exercise routines, this is by far the easiest.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Day 2 - Plyometrics
Ah, Plyometrics. If you are unfamiliar with this discipline it is basically centered around jumping and quick, rapid movements. It is designed to increase explosiveness and power.
I did plyometrics in high school to improve my white man's vertical. It was tough, but it worked. I also weighed 175 pounds soaking wet in those days.
At age 32 and 250 lbs it is way harder to perform plyometrics.
First, a little back story before I get into describing my plyometrics routine. I had some friends, Meg and John, coming over last night to play some games and drink some booze. I was up until 1AM and I was dragging just trying to get through the night after that ridiculous chest/back routine. Thankfully, my wife and son allowed me to sleep in until 10am today.
So I fire up the DVD around 2pm today. I'm ready to go with heart rate monitor, towel, water, and anything else I would need. You start off warming up with some jogging in place, some stretching, and finally, some lunging. Tony, the 'motivator' of the videos, was already talking shit about how some of you are really in for it if you're already feeling a burn. I was already feeling the burn.
The next 20 minutes consisted of me jumping around and looking ridiculous while trying to get through this routine.
I was actually saying things like, "Fuck you, Tony." in between my gasps for air. My heart rate was over 160 bpm the entire time. I had to actually pause the video a couple times just to catch my breath. I've not worked out this hard in years. I was dripping with sweat half way through.
Oh, and one point, I almost barfed. I was struggling with heartburn (thank you, night of drinking) and all that jumping around was sloshing around the food/water in my stomach. Ugh, I was so close. Mental Note: always eat at LEAST one hour before doing this routine again.
My legs and hip muscles are already beginning to get sore. I broke down and decided to buy the p90x recovery drink. You're supposed to drink it within an hour of completing a workout session and it supposedly drastically reduces your soreness. God, yes, anything to stop the soreness.
I did plyometrics in high school to improve my white man's vertical. It was tough, but it worked. I also weighed 175 pounds soaking wet in those days.
At age 32 and 250 lbs it is way harder to perform plyometrics.
First, a little back story before I get into describing my plyometrics routine. I had some friends, Meg and John, coming over last night to play some games and drink some booze. I was up until 1AM and I was dragging just trying to get through the night after that ridiculous chest/back routine. Thankfully, my wife and son allowed me to sleep in until 10am today.
So I fire up the DVD around 2pm today. I'm ready to go with heart rate monitor, towel, water, and anything else I would need. You start off warming up with some jogging in place, some stretching, and finally, some lunging. Tony, the 'motivator' of the videos, was already talking shit about how some of you are really in for it if you're already feeling a burn. I was already feeling the burn.
The next 20 minutes consisted of me jumping around and looking ridiculous while trying to get through this routine.
I was actually saying things like, "Fuck you, Tony." in between my gasps for air. My heart rate was over 160 bpm the entire time. I had to actually pause the video a couple times just to catch my breath. I've not worked out this hard in years. I was dripping with sweat half way through.
Oh, and one point, I almost barfed. I was struggling with heartburn (thank you, night of drinking) and all that jumping around was sloshing around the food/water in my stomach. Ugh, I was so close. Mental Note: always eat at LEAST one hour before doing this routine again.
My legs and hip muscles are already beginning to get sore. I broke down and decided to buy the p90x recovery drink. You're supposed to drink it within an hour of completing a workout session and it supposedly drastically reduces your soreness. God, yes, anything to stop the soreness.
Day 1 - Chest & Back
I'm in way over my head. I'm writing this post the day after completing this chest/back routine. My arms hurt, my chest hurts, my back hurts, my abs are sore -- even my neck is sore. I can barely straiten my arms. This is pathetic.
This workout is all push-ups and pull-ups. I imagine this must be what is is like to join the military and head off to basic training.
I can't even do a pull-up unassisted, but luckily the DVDs show you ways to help support some of your weight with a chair as you do the exercises. I failed to even do a single diamond push-up at the very end of the workout. I was that burnt.
This workout is all push-ups and pull-ups. I imagine this must be what is is like to join the military and head off to basic training.
I can't even do a pull-up unassisted, but luckily the DVDs show you ways to help support some of your weight with a chair as you do the exercises. I failed to even do a single diamond push-up at the very end of the workout. I was that burnt.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
So It Begins
I'm going skiing in early March '09 in Colorado to visit my good friends, Gary and Laurie. Gary and Laurie are pretty damn impressive skiers and so is my wife, Lauren. They basically tolerate my lameness on the slopes. I'm improving though albeit slowly. I wish to improve so that we can all have more fun out there.
Skiing at 14k feet above sea level reinforces a couple facts:
1) Being fat at work is no big deal. Being fat on a mountain sucks. You end up sucking wind and are exhausted after a half day of skiing.
2) You realize your physical fitness (or lack thereof) is limiting your enjoyment.
Being up that high will also make you realize that your boozing and sedentary lifestyle is slowly killing you. What I'm getting at is simple:
I am determined to be in better shape for this ski trip. My enjoyment of the trip will increase as I get into better shape. At least that's the prevailing theory.
I reached out to Gary and asked him if there were any particular workout regiments that were geared towards increasing your strength as it relates to skiing. His immediate response was p90x.
Gary bought the p90x DVDs recently and burned copies of them for me. They arrived at my house, neatly bundled in a DVD organizer and labeled appropriately. I sat down and watched the first two DVDs, How to Bring It and Chest/Back. My first impression of the workouts was "this will crush you unless you are already a professional athlete." I'm just getting over a cold now and I'm going to be home for 2 solid weeks.
Fuck it. Let's do this.
Skiing at 14k feet above sea level reinforces a couple facts:
1) Being fat at work is no big deal. Being fat on a mountain sucks. You end up sucking wind and are exhausted after a half day of skiing.
2) You realize your physical fitness (or lack thereof) is limiting your enjoyment.
Being up that high will also make you realize that your boozing and sedentary lifestyle is slowly killing you. What I'm getting at is simple:
I am determined to be in better shape for this ski trip. My enjoyment of the trip will increase as I get into better shape. At least that's the prevailing theory.
I reached out to Gary and asked him if there were any particular workout regiments that were geared towards increasing your strength as it relates to skiing. His immediate response was p90x.
Gary bought the p90x DVDs recently and burned copies of them for me. They arrived at my house, neatly bundled in a DVD organizer and labeled appropriately. I sat down and watched the first two DVDs, How to Bring It and Chest/Back. My first impression of the workouts was "this will crush you unless you are already a professional athlete." I'm just getting over a cold now and I'm going to be home for 2 solid weeks.
Fuck it. Let's do this.
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