I'm half way through the first recovery week right now. On Friday,1/29, I begin the second week of P90X. I did core synergistics for the first time this weekend. It didn't come up in the rotation of routines until I was in the recovery week. I firmly believe this routine is of the devil. That's the first one of the routines where Tony has said, "this is bonus, you don't have to do it," that I took him up on it. But I'll master this one, too.
Judy and I allowed ourselves a cheat day yesterday as we enjoyed some company and watching the playoffs. Glad to see my old home town Saints lose the the Aints stigma. Who dat, baby. But I digress. The donuts and the chicken spaghetti weren't worth it. So I put a big note on my mirror with the white board marker: "The cheat is never worth it!" I would rather just eat clean and feel good. I actually felt nauseous that evening as I did my exercises.
I am still amazed at the strength gains that just keep coming. At this rate month two will be a rocker. I'm maintaining a steady dosage ibuprofen to manage the soreness in my right shoulder. I wonder if it is from the racquetball accident I had 22 years ago or something else? The ibuprofen works well enough to keep the pain down. It must be just some tendinitis that sets up.
P90X is an absolute blast. I look in the mirror everyday and say to myself, "you’re one of the few rocking the X!" I'm becoming so incredibly judgmental. I can't help but, when I see other guys my age, to get some satisfaction from the fact that the vast majority of them physically cannot do what I'm doing every day. The routines, challenging as they are, are actually fun. This is simply amazing. Like Diekler, "Why didn't I have this body in high school?" But its great seeing it come into being at 54.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Pain, Glorious Pain
Just a few days ago I posted that I needed to up my effort some because I wasn't hurting enough. The rational behind that is that the pain is a result of lactic acid buildup. The production of HGH requires lactic acid buildup in the muscles. So, if I'm not sore, then I'm not getting the change I ought to get.
Well, I succeeded. I'm hurting. It's all good pain. It's not a pain from an injury, but from pushing the workout, the kind of pain that says, "You pushed your limits and you'll be better after this."
I'll not go looking for the pain. I'll look for the intensity, the push, the level of work that results in real progress. The side consequence is pain, but its pain that tells me I' m doing a good job.
Well, I succeeded. I'm hurting. It's all good pain. It's not a pain from an injury, but from pushing the workout, the kind of pain that says, "You pushed your limits and you'll be better after this."
I'll not go looking for the pain. I'll look for the intensity, the push, the level of work that results in real progress. The side consequence is pain, but its pain that tells me I' m doing a good job.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Nothing Confusing About Muscle Confusion
Good to see weight loss coming regularly now. That's about 14 lbs in 19 days. Hopefully this week will find me well below 190. The goal for the end of the week is 190. The goal for the end of the next week is 188. Looks like I have the chance to get a week ahead of the schedule.
I was supposed to do two routines yesterday to get caught up. Judy came in on Sunday so I skipped doing my routine on that day so I could spend the time with her. I got one routine in yesterday, but before I could do the second, she came in from work (got finished early). It was her only day in town and I spent my time with her instead of in the man cave doing more exercise. She's going to be gone for several days, so I have this week to put in an additional routine.
Yoga X today. Its long, its a challenge. I'll get it done. I'm seeing gains every day. Yesterday was arms and shoulders. Though I haven't done that for a week, I gained quite a bit of strength. In fact, I was just about at a point I had never reached doing Power 90. I am at the threshold of making more progress in a month, than I made in three months with Power 90. This could be that vaunted "muscle confusion" aspect that Horton goes on about. Though I haven't done shoulders and arms for a week, I have addressed some of those muscles in the other routines I've done, but in different ways. The net results is that I'm experiencing some gains in strength. I've also noticed more strength in my legs as I've gone up and down stairs. I'm excited about what the next weeks will bring as I continue with P90X.
This first round will lay an excellent foundation. I anticipate some astounding results on that second round. I will be "different", fit, by the time we get to July 4th, my new Independence Day - independent of fat and flab, psychologically free in new ways. Yoga X today. Its long, its a challenge. I'll get it done. I'm seeing gains every day. Yesterday was arms and shoulders. Though I haven't done that for a week, I gained quite a bit of strength. In fact, I was just about at a point I had never reached doing Power 90. I am at the threshold of making more progress in a month, than I made in three months with Power 90. Could be that vaunted "muscle confusion" Horton goes on about. Though I haven't done shoulders and arms for a week, I have addressed some of those muscles in the other routines I've done, but in different ways. The net results is that I'm experiencing unexpected gains in strength. I've also noticed more strength in my legs as I've gone up and down stairs. I'm excited about what the coming weeks will bring as I continue with P90X.
This first round will lay an excellent foundation. I anticipate some astounding results on that second round. I will be "different", fit, by the time we get to July 4th, my new Independence Day - independent of fat and flab, psychologically free in new ways.
I was supposed to do two routines yesterday to get caught up. Judy came in on Sunday so I skipped doing my routine on that day so I could spend the time with her. I got one routine in yesterday, but before I could do the second, she came in from work (got finished early). It was her only day in town and I spent my time with her instead of in the man cave doing more exercise. She's going to be gone for several days, so I have this week to put in an additional routine.
Yoga X today. Its long, its a challenge. I'll get it done. I'm seeing gains every day. Yesterday was arms and shoulders. Though I haven't done that for a week, I gained quite a bit of strength. In fact, I was just about at a point I had never reached doing Power 90. I am at the threshold of making more progress in a month, than I made in three months with Power 90. This could be that vaunted "muscle confusion" aspect that Horton goes on about. Though I haven't done shoulders and arms for a week, I have addressed some of those muscles in the other routines I've done, but in different ways. The net results is that I'm experiencing some gains in strength. I've also noticed more strength in my legs as I've gone up and down stairs. I'm excited about what the next weeks will bring as I continue with P90X.
This first round will lay an excellent foundation. I anticipate some astounding results on that second round. I will be "different", fit, by the time we get to July 4th, my new Independence Day - independent of fat and flab, psychologically free in new ways. Yoga X today. Its long, its a challenge. I'll get it done. I'm seeing gains every day. Yesterday was arms and shoulders. Though I haven't done that for a week, I gained quite a bit of strength. In fact, I was just about at a point I had never reached doing Power 90. I am at the threshold of making more progress in a month, than I made in three months with Power 90. Could be that vaunted "muscle confusion" Horton goes on about. Though I haven't done shoulders and arms for a week, I have addressed some of those muscles in the other routines I've done, but in different ways. The net results is that I'm experiencing unexpected gains in strength. I've also noticed more strength in my legs as I've gone up and down stairs. I'm excited about what the coming weeks will bring as I continue with P90X.
This first round will lay an excellent foundation. I anticipate some astounding results on that second round. I will be "different", fit, by the time we get to July 4th, my new Independence Day - independent of fat and flab, psychologically free in new ways.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Eyes on the Prize
Having health related goals is important to the process of losing weight and becoming fit. And many people will gladly set goals. One of the challenges to successfully reaching our goals is keeping the goals in front of us. Many of the goal gurus suggest reading the goals on a daily basis or even more often than that. Here's an idea I use to keep my goals, deadlines, and progress in front of me. I use my bathroom mirror as a personal white board.
I use white board markers to write on my mirror. I write down my goals, my deadlines, and my current progress. I also do this to remind myself of things that are coming up that need to be taken care of in the next day or so. My mirror is like a page from my personal Daytimer or Day Runner.
Dry erase marker marks can just be easily wiped away with a tissue. Colors are available so that emphasis can be made where necessary. And every morning you look at yourself in the mirror, there are the goals and a visual reminder of who is responsible for reaching your goals - the man (or woman) in the mirror.
I use white board markers to write on my mirror. I write down my goals, my deadlines, and my current progress. I also do this to remind myself of things that are coming up that need to be taken care of in the next day or so. My mirror is like a page from my personal Daytimer or Day Runner.
Dry erase marker marks can just be easily wiped away with a tissue. Colors are available so that emphasis can be made where necessary. And every morning you look at yourself in the mirror, there are the goals and a visual reminder of who is responsible for reaching your goals - the man (or woman) in the mirror.
Ta Da!
A sudden drop in weight came on Saturday. That morning I weighed in at 195. Then I started urinating. A lot. Usually that's the sign that a quick significant weight drop is happening. I had actually already lost the weight. I was just retaining the fluid. If I know I have curtailed the calories (and I had) then the weight has to be burning off. But even if the adipose is burned, fluid may be retained, keeping body weight up.
One thing that seems to trigger the elimination of this retained water is drinking tea. I brew tea at home that I drink cold and often in the place of water. I drink the tea without any sweeting--sugar or artificial. I started drinking fresh brewed tea that way while I was in high school. An acquired taste to be sure, but now I actually find it far more refreshing than to drink sweetened tea. Ironically, my preference for unsweetened tea puts me quite out of step with South Carolina's bias for sweet, really, really sweet tea.
We use a Mr. Coffee tea maker. I use three regular tea bags and one green tea bag to brew the tea. It makes for a mild tasting brew, but I'm not so sure there's much health benefit from the one green tea bag. However, adding the small amount of green tea doesn't hurt.
And one slightly related rabbit to chase: refrigerate the tea and scrub out the pitcher between brews. If you don't know what "soured tea" means, learn. I have been to many restaurants, ordered tea and found it soured - literally a bacteria culture gone viral. In fact there is one very success deli in town where I won't even get the tea because its always soured. When I ask the wait staff for fresh tea because the tea I'm drinking has soured, I have often been met with the blank stares of obvious ignorance. I think the reason so many people aren't aware that tea can sour is that they mask the taste of soured tea by adding more and more sugar.
One thing that seems to trigger the elimination of this retained water is drinking tea. I brew tea at home that I drink cold and often in the place of water. I drink the tea without any sweeting--sugar or artificial. I started drinking fresh brewed tea that way while I was in high school. An acquired taste to be sure, but now I actually find it far more refreshing than to drink sweetened tea. Ironically, my preference for unsweetened tea puts me quite out of step with South Carolina's bias for sweet, really, really sweet tea.
We use a Mr. Coffee tea maker. I use three regular tea bags and one green tea bag to brew the tea. It makes for a mild tasting brew, but I'm not so sure there's much health benefit from the one green tea bag. However, adding the small amount of green tea doesn't hurt.
And one slightly related rabbit to chase: refrigerate the tea and scrub out the pitcher between brews. If you don't know what "soured tea" means, learn. I have been to many restaurants, ordered tea and found it soured - literally a bacteria culture gone viral. In fact there is one very success deli in town where I won't even get the tea because its always soured. When I ask the wait staff for fresh tea because the tea I'm drinking has soured, I have often been met with the blank stares of obvious ignorance. I think the reason so many people aren't aware that tea can sour is that they mask the taste of soured tea by adding more and more sugar.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Movin' On
I'm into my third week of P90X. I haven't missed a day of working out and that's no small feat. When I was doing Power 90 I had to make a 30 or 45 minute commitment. I had trouble keeping those days. For P90X I'm making a commitment to spend at least an hour every day. Actually, its taking much longer than that. I'm doing well on the routines, but I have to push that pause button quite often, something I almost never did with Power 90. The result is that P90X is taking twice as much as twice as long depending on the routine.
My strength is improving as well as stamina. There are some things (like pull ups) that I'm having to modify, but still the progress comes.
I'm regretting that I didn't keep up my routines for Power 90 from Thanksgiving to New Year. I can tell that I lost some ground with my strength. It especially shows up in my push ups and the ab routines.
All good right now. My right should keeps threatening to act up, but I'm keeping on the ibuprofen to suppress the inflammation and it works.
Xness, here I come.
My strength is improving as well as stamina. There are some things (like pull ups) that I'm having to modify, but still the progress comes.
I'm regretting that I didn't keep up my routines for Power 90 from Thanksgiving to New Year. I can tell that I lost some ground with my strength. It especially shows up in my push ups and the ab routines.
All good right now. My right should keeps threatening to act up, but I'm keeping on the ibuprofen to suppress the inflammation and it works.
Xness, here I come.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Starting P90X
Good start today. West was 204. Imagine what it would have been if I hadn't been working on getting it under control before the holidays. I have some soreness in my right shoulder. I've tried thinking about when that would have happened, when I would have injured it. However, it there hasn't been anything. It started maybe around a couple of weeks before the Christmas break. At that point I had basically stopped doing any exercises. It may be that the soreness is due to lack of exercise, caused by my tendons tightening up. I'm taking the chondroitin and ibuprofen to help out. Its already better than it was a week ago.
The weight I picked up during the past three weeks is unreal. Staying with my parents a few days was particularly problematic. On the good side, I didn't eat until I was stuffed at every meal. But there was all this extra "stuff" lying around to be eaten. Mother makes some of the most incredible sweets imaginable. Everything is picture perfect and delicious. She can make these things and they don't bother her. She doesn't "want" them. Neither does Daddy. I want them constantly. I could eat her chocolate covered cookies one after another and not feel like I had eaten anything.
That "bottomless pit" syndrome is a problem that has to be addressed. And it seems that it is particularly pernicious in relation to sweets. I've already identified flour products as having an exaggerated effect on my tendency to put on fat. Sweets -- foods laden with sugar, fats and all sorts of health ruining extras -- seem to have the effect of negating any feeling of satiety. That makes recreational sweets a double danger.
Fortunately, I've started the push forward with P90X today. I will do two back to back rounds ending close July 11th, my youngest sons wedding. The first round will get me ready to really tear it up during the second round.
Well, here it goes. Two rounds. Clean nutrition. Focus on the goal: fat gone. 'Nuf said.
The weight I picked up during the past three weeks is unreal. Staying with my parents a few days was particularly problematic. On the good side, I didn't eat until I was stuffed at every meal. But there was all this extra "stuff" lying around to be eaten. Mother makes some of the most incredible sweets imaginable. Everything is picture perfect and delicious. She can make these things and they don't bother her. She doesn't "want" them. Neither does Daddy. I want them constantly. I could eat her chocolate covered cookies one after another and not feel like I had eaten anything.
That "bottomless pit" syndrome is a problem that has to be addressed. And it seems that it is particularly pernicious in relation to sweets. I've already identified flour products as having an exaggerated effect on my tendency to put on fat. Sweets -- foods laden with sugar, fats and all sorts of health ruining extras -- seem to have the effect of negating any feeling of satiety. That makes recreational sweets a double danger.
Fortunately, I've started the push forward with P90X today. I will do two back to back rounds ending close July 11th, my youngest sons wedding. The first round will get me ready to really tear it up during the second round.
Well, here it goes. Two rounds. Clean nutrition. Focus on the goal: fat gone. 'Nuf said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)