Post-P90X Thoughts

So, I started this three months ago for a few of reasons:
1) I was weak, physically.
2) I was reaching a point where I THOUGHT I was becoming weak, mentally.
3) I had gained bad weight.
4) I had lost discipline.
5) A best friend had told me about it.
6) It looked REALLY hard.
7) Was I man enough and tough enough to do this?

Soon after my buddy had told me about it, I saw the infomercial on TV. Looks crazy, looks hard, look intriguing.

So, I decided that I’d not only do this program, but that I’d commit to it, even being selfish if I had to, so that I’d finish the 90 day program. I also made a promise to myself that I’d closely monitor my food intake, which was the most beneficial aspect of the last 90 days.

Is it because of P90X that I’ve gotten results? Sort of. I think that if you stick to anything consistently for 90 days, you’re going to see some type of results. Whether it’s Body For Life, P90X, CrossFit, or, your own plan. Stick to it, you’ll get results. I do think that P90X is different than a lot of these ‘commercial’ or popular plans you’d see. It makes no mention of “10-minutes a day for great results” or ridiculous claims like that. You work your tail off for 60 minutes a day, and if you do that, you’ll get stronger. This is where the plan differs, and it says so right on the cover/infomercials.

So, I now:
1) can do ~30% more push ups than when I started, ~100% more pull ups than when I started, have a nice strong core.
2/7) have reconfirmed that can be a tough SOB when needed.
3) have lost probably 10 lbs or so (probably more). Gained muscle back where it should be.
4) re-instilled discipline in the athletic aspect of life

Regarding #4, I’ve always been fairly disciplined when it comes to running/training. But that would be compared to my other family members, many/most co-workers. But I’m not disciplined when compared to successful athletes. But the last 90 days has changed my mindset on this. Very hard to explain but the two weeks that my wife was in Charlotte, and I had the kids on my own, having to get up at 4AM to do effing Yoga?? Plyometrics? That’s not normal…but it is (“I hate it, but I love it,” Tony Horton, Ab Ripper X video.). So, getting through that, DOING that…BFD. Yep, I’ve gotten up at 4AM for a 7 hour bike ride, but that was 5 years ago. Only one child. The deal was different this time. And in some ways, this was harder…pulls ups at 5:30AM, followed by wall squats isn’t a comfortable way to start off the day sometimes.

So, I have this feeling that my future training will be a bit different this time. More structured, doing 90% of my workouts in the AM. If I have to get up at 4AM, I’ll get to bed early the night before. I’ll just do what I have to do to be successful, trying to not sacrifice my family time in the process.

What’s next from a training perspective?
- first it’s getting back into swimming/biking/running. Time to start training for my next triathlon.
- continuing with “P90X Plus”, at least the resistance days, and incorporating the original P90X workouts in as well. I’ve made too much progress to stop now.
- monitor my food intake, but maybe not as closely. As my calorie expenditure increases with S/B/R, I’ll be a bit less OCD about it. I’ll track, but probably more closely to this last week than the first month.

My schedule is tentatively as follows:
October ’09 = Olympic distance triathlon, sub-2h 15m
February ’10 = Gasparilla 15K, sub-1h
April ’10 = Gator Man 1/2 Ironman triathlon (thankfully, not affiliated with UF)
May ’10 = May Classic 5K, sub-18m
October ’10 = Ironman-distance triathlon, sub 11h 30m (tentative, and only with spousal permission, and I’ve NOT asked her yet)

There are a couple of local 5Ks and 10Ks that I’ll want to do…kind of a bit of payback for me doing these races and the race getting the better of me. Won’t happen this time.

Lastly, these continuing updates were a HUGE deal for me, as I look back. I had to post updates. If not, I’d just be a talker, not a do-er. That’s not what I’m all about. “What would ‘they’ think of me if I bailed on this? ‘They’d’ think I was a quitter. Can’t have that happen.” Would be my line of thinking. So, thanks for keeping me accountable for the last 12 weeks. I couldn’t have accomplished this without it.

I’m done with updates. Will answer questions if they come up.

P90X, Week 12

Tuesday - Chest, Shoulders, Tris / 1 Mile Run + ARX
Worked very hard today, gave great effort. All ‘weighted’ movements were about the same, maybe one rep less. But almost all body weight movements were increased from last time. A+ for effort, B++ for results. Skipped ARX in the AM, and will do that in the PM. Ran one mile. Very pleased with effort this AM.

Wednesday - Plyometrics + 1 Mile Run
Last day of Plyo, and I tried to go as hard as I could. I'll be honest, I'm glad I don't HAVE to do this workout anymore. It's tough. As with the past several weeks, I didn't do gap jumps OR the three sports moves at the end. Ran 1 mile after workout was done. Very good effort.

Thursday - Back, Bis + 1 Mile Run / ARX
I’ve decided that while Legs/Back is the hardest day, Back/Bis is the most painful day. Nothing about it is pleasant…at all. And of course, Katie makes it worse. Increased a few sets of weights and/or reps. Great effort, very pleased. Will do ARX in the evening (did it completely in the evening).

Comparisons:
Week 5 Pull Ups
23 unassisted + 15 assisted = 38 total pull ups

Week 12 Pull Ups
40.5 unassisted + 16 assisted = 56.5 total pull ups

AMENDED CHEST/BACK Pull Ups
Week 2 Pull Up Totals
23.5 unassisted + 4 Assisted = 27.5
Week 3 Pull Up Totals
23 unassisted + 11.5 assisted = 34.5 total pull ups
Week 12 Pull Up Totals
38 unassisted + 16.5 assisted = 54.5 total pull ups

AMENDED CHEST/SHOULDER/TRIS
Body Weight Exercise Total (push ups, chair dips, etc)
Week 5 = 151
Week 12 = 202

Numbers aren’t higher (at Week 12) because I increased lbs in all curl exercises, which will have an impact on my pull ups numbers. That increase is great (IMO).

Friday - Yoga X + 2 Mile Run
Ran in the AM, slept in late so I had zero time for Yoga. I was going to do the abbreviated Yoga, but heck, this is my last week...I did the complete version, the 8000 pushups, yoga belly 7, you name it...very glad that I don't have to do this any more.

Saturday - Back, Legs / ARX + 1 Mile Run
Ran Mile first as part of the warm up. This workout was NOT 'better' than last week, in terms of # of reps, it was the same. This workout is so hard; when you 'give the legs a break', you're hitting the pull ups. And each leg exercise is like a tough cardio workout, so when its time to go to pull ups, I'm exhausted. Arms still gave out like last time, at least my forearms did. Will have Week 2 to Week 12 pull up comparisons later.

Week 2 Pull Up Total = 43
Week 12 Pull Up Total = 91

Sunday - Kenpo X
As luck and irony (long story) would have it, I was in Charlotte for my final workout. I had to do this workout in the drive way of my inlaws house in the AM, iPhone on the trunk of my car guiding me though. I completed P90X, missing only one workout.

NUTRITION
Had two days where I ate odd stuff, so I couldn't record it. No nutritional data for the week, but I definitely did NOT over eat, and probably (due to travel) underate a couple of days.

Will have a "summary" of my own thoughts on P90X and my own results in a day or two.

P90X Week 11

Tuesday - Chest & Back / ARX + 1 Mile Run
Was looking forward to this workout, based on my perceived failure in Week 9. This might have been the best workout that I've had to date. Exceeded all exercises this AM from Week 9, and felt a good solid burn. Struggled with ARX...got to 20 Mason Twists, and just had to bail. Overall, a big gain here.

Comparisons:
TOTAL PUSHUPS
Week 2 = 164
Week 11 = 202

TOTAL PULL UPS (Not rows, only pull ups)
Week 2 = 31
Week 11 = 63 (Holy Crap, WOW!)

Wednesday - Plyometrics + 1 Mile Run
Tried to really push it this day. Only have one left after today, so I better lay it all on the line. I think the most difficult series is the Jump Knee Tuck, immediately followed by Mary Katherine's, to Leapfrog Squats...then to Rock Star Hops! Brutal, just brutal.

Thursday - Shoulders & Arms / ARX + 2 Mile Run
Of all the resistance days, I think this is the 'easiest'. Compared to back/bi's, or chest/shoulders/tris, it's a piece of cake...compared to the others. Have made similar progress with weights being used. ARX went better than Monday, which was a relief. There's no question I'm getting tired of ARX...too much of it. Thankfully, I've only got 4 ARX left, with two of them being Back/Bi's day...ugh.

Friday - Yoga X + 1 Mile Run
Did the run in the AM, and Yoga in the PM inside. Had my wife watching TV while I did the workout just a few feet from her. I think she thinks I’m weird…what’s new. Won’t be breaking my back to do this workout once P90X is over with.

Saturday - Legs, Back + 1 Mile Run
There’s no way around this workout. For the first time on THIS day, my arms/forearms prevented me from doing more pushups. I could barely grab the rings at the end of the workout. Poor Sophia…I think she was suffering for the last 1/2 of the workout…they quit showing her face for the most part and Tony quit talking to her. Did NOT do ARX, was just too fried to complete it. Did the Mile run prior to working out; served as a good warm up. Will have improvements from Week 2 to Week 12 in next week’s edition.

Sunday - Kenpo X + ARX
Kind of went through the motions on this, but got the job done. Maybe not as intense as the last couple of efforts, but still worked hard. Would have much rather been in bed resting. Completed ARX. Glad it was over. One week to go.

NUTRITION - May 11 to May 17
Ave. Total Calories - 2108
Ave. Total Carbs - 215
Ave. Total Fat - 66
Ave. Total Prot. - 167

Average numbers look okay. Individual days though are a different story. Had another double hamburger on Sunday and again, thoroughly enjoyed it. Calorie intake will continue to increase a bit, as training gets more voluminous (when I start running/biking/swimming). I am still losing fat/inches though, pants continue to feel looser, and close to seeing some ab definition. And, sorry to disappoint all of you but I won’t be posting pictures…
Friday - Yoga X + 1 Mile Run


Saturday - Legs & Back / ARX + 1 Mile Run


Sunday - Kenpo X + 1 Mile Run

2003 800Y Swim TT (SCY)

Was a bit slower than I expected, but longest continual swim in over a year. Started a bit too slowly, then had 2 or 3 BAD flip turns in a row.

Was fairly tired towards the end. Glad it was over with.

Next time, I need to wear contacts so I can see the clock better, then I'll know to speed up when I need to.

P90X Week 10

Tuesday - Chest, Shoulders, Tris / ARX + 1 Mile Run
I did a couple of one-arm pushups...of course I barely went down, but at least I did them. No losses, but no HUGE gains from Phase 2. The day after, my upper back was sore, probably from poor push up form. Completed ARX. Overall, slight gain.

Wednesday - Plyometrics + 1 Mile Run
Did full blown workout, except the Gap jumps...which is the exercise that I pulled my calf a couple of weeks ago. Was happy to be able to go 99.9%. Was beat down tired at the end. 1 Mile run after plyo was not that much fun.

Thursday - Back, Bis / ARX + 1 Mile Run
First, did the workout in the evening.
Second, it was hot as heck in the garage at the end of the day.
Third, I ran BEFORE the workout (probably had little effect).
Fourth, I had no real desire to do the workout.
Fifth, there's one of the workout-ers named Katie. She's an annoying, butt-kissing, brown-nosing dork. I want to punch her right in her big fat horse-teeth mouth.
Sixth, it hurt to floss my teeth I worked so hard.
Seventh, I worked my arms so hard (and coupled with a hot garage) that my pull ups are horrifically lame and low in number. There's no way I can do 10 pull ups (even assisted ones) after a full-blasting of my arms.
Eighth, workout was a push, all gains were offset by some losses in other exercises.
Ninth, it probably wasn't as bad as it feels like, 30 minutes after I did the workout. My guess is that the hot garage worked me over more than I thought it did.
Tenth, glad I'm done with this workout.

Friday - Yoga X + 1 Mile Run
Did this workout at 7PM. Ran first. Garage was hot. Sweat like a pig, so footing was not great, but fine. Did NOT do Yoga Belly 7. Pythons are very sore today, and will probably be sore again tomorrow during Legs & Back. Oh boy...

Saturday - Legs & Back / ARX + 1 Mile Run
While Back and Bi's hurts more, this is the most difficult workout for me. The legs are just being worked so hard, and with no rest, you've got to crank out pull ups. I still have to take breaks longer than they do on the video. But legs weren't as sore on Sunday/Monday as they have been.

Sunday - Kenpo X
Was planning to do this in the AM, but the kids woke up early and I slept in a bit. Did it at about 8PM, and the garage might have been 210 degrees. Makes HR jump probably 10 bpm more vs. being in a cool or normal environment. Is it me, or does Wesley Idel look at Tony like he's an idiot?

Must try to get my workouts done in the AM. Time is too tight in the evening and the garage is too hot that it affects workout output.

NUTRITION, May 4 - May 10
I have slacked off slightly here, which isn't hurting me much, but is not helping. Since I've started running again, that's my reasoning, and it's a mistake. For example, I hate a Johnny Rocket's Double and 1/2 of a cookies and cream milk shake. Was wonderful...

Total Calories: 1933
Total Protein: 160
Total Carbs: 182
Total Fat: 68