Day 90 pics

Ok - here are the long awaited Day 90 pics. I lost 15+ lbs, put on some decent mass as you can see. The legs also benefited. My calves are more defined, quads have more pop and my hamstrings are definitely stronger. Most people post the upper body only (as I did too), but P90X benefits the whole body, just as Tony designed it. Your Upper, Core, Legs, and Heart.

Other stats include improved blood pressure and resting heart rate. Last BP check I was 93 over 70 and my resting HR was 56.

I will take at least a week off and do about 3-4 runs this week to keep the juices flowing.

Thank you P90X and thank you to Kathy for all the support and putting up with my non-stop blabber about it!!

Bring It!!

Day 89 - Yoga X

One more day kids. I know you are as excited as I am, but please contain yourselves. No need to start flipping or torching cars, looting Circuit Cities or Tire Stores. Save that for Detroit when the Celtics win in 6.

So here I am, on the Eve of the Final Day of P90X, Round 1. Seems like yesterday when I was eating my last Junk Food Lunch and Supper which consisted of Pizza (lunch) and Tortilla Chips + Fajitas the day before Day 1. I remember eating the Pizza and not really knowing what I was getting into...but I'll save the reflectoratory comments for Day 90. It's going to be pretty emotional around here tomorrow. The neighbors will be here, local press and media, and at least one of the three Gubernatorial candidates said they might stop by to make a statement as well.

Yoga was good and I hope you are too!

Day 86 + 87 + 88: Kenpo X, Rest Day, 3 mi. Run & Core Synergistics

Sounds like a boat load, huh? Cramming 3 days of activity on one post. Yah, cut me some slack on the Rest Day. I earned it.

Not a whole lot to report here. Same old deal - sweatin' it out doing the recovery week (final week of Phase III).

Big news here is I ran 3 mi. this morning in Memorial Park. Now I know 3 mi. isn't a lot, but for those of you that know me, this is a big deal. It has been about 5+ years since I've been able to run WITHOUT lower leg pain. Call it Shin Splints, Anterior Compartment Syndrome...whatever...I went to orthopedic surgeons, vascular specialists, accupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy and even then finally a gait specialist. I checked for Gout, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other ailments. Turns out my feet overpronated when I walked and I got fitted for carbon fiber inserts to correct the biomechanical issue. The two most important things (besides the orthotics), were core exercises and having the chief dr. of the Houston Marathon analyze my gait. When we reviewed the tape of me running on a treadmill, I was running slouched over, arms going side to side vs. front to back and my hips were not moving forward. What caused this? A WEAK CORE. Now, after 88 days of P90X, I knew I was ready to strap on the running shoes and make a go at it. I did a decent pace and ran the 3 miles with ZERO leg pain.

Being able to RUN again is Victory in itself.

Thank you Tony Horton for this amazing workout and all the motivation you've given me to GET FIT.

Day 84 + 85: Yoga, Legs, and Back

Double dose here. Nice to move the needle two days in one posting. Did Yoga on Sunday and the Legs/Back routine today.

Reminds me of a Neil Young song "Needle and the Damage Done" off the great Harvest album.

Day 83 - Back, Biceps and Abs

You keep amazing yourself - even on day 83 of this crazy deal. That's what keeps it fresh and that my brother is what the X is for! Upped the weights on some bicep moves. The neighbors all showed up on my front porch afterwards because they wanted to see what the big show was about.

Personal best on the wide grip pull ups. Cranked out 7 of them. I guess when you drop 17 lbs and you start to have a back you could show a movie on, they tend to get a little easier. I do believe if I changed out the grips on my power tower (make them a bit smaller), I could crank out 10+.

Yoga X tomorrow. Bring It!

(quick nod to the River Oaks Theatre in Houston. One of the cooler film halls in town.)

Day 82 - Plyo

Killed it with Plyo today. By now, you all know the routine. It's 59 minutes of jump training. Pure DNA Removal is what it's about. Not many things get you this sweaty...not even waiting for the train at the 14th St. Station in August.

Finishing Strong.

Day 81 - Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, Abs and Celtics

Making a fast break to the finish line with Day 81 in the books. Feeling strong and motivated to complete the Journey. Coincidentally, the Celtics won the 1981 NBA Championship by beating the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the finals. Of note, is that the LA Lakers LOST to the Houston Rockets 2-1 in the FIRST ROUND. That's Weak.


Go Celts.

De-moralize Kobe in the process.

BRING IT!

Day 80 - Kenpo X

Broke into the 80's today with Kenpo X. Nice little milestone. Keeping it Lean this week as I hit the homestretch. Will do at least an extra week of the Program before I post the final pics.

2nd round of the homemade Wheybolic and it's gooood. Put more chocolate powder in this time and BINGO...

Say goodbye to GNC. Next up is my own Lean Shake. Anyone know where I can get some good Oat Bran? You know, the good stuff! 

Day 79 - Legs, Back and Abs

Took at WEEK off and here I am, treading water at Day 79....Legs and Back today. It's tough getting back into it...but I'll be right back at it tomorrow for Day 80.

I didn't have any GNC Wheybolic left, so I bought some bulk Whey Protein at Central Mkt today. To give it some flavor, I bought some bulk sweetened choc. powder. It's not bad. Not sure if it's cheaper than GNC, but it's aight by me!

Gotta be crafty!

Bring IT!

Day 78 - Yoga

Powered through 92 minutes of Yoga today. Lot's of sweat. Had the house up to 81 degrees with no AC. That's how you do Yoga. That's how you debate.

Day 77 - Shoulders and Arms

Pushed hard during the workout and what a difference in strength from when I first started. But hey, you do anything for 77 days and you should have some measurable improvement, right? Upped weights in all categories = good. Bailed on Ab Ripper = bad. Just didn't have the gas.

I'll start to spice up the Blog during the last 10 days.

Day 76 - Plyo

Need to play some catch-up here. Missed yesterday - so that pushed plyo to today. Got sidetracked with some yardwork and fence-fixing. Still worked hard. Looking forward to day 80.

Day 75 - Chest, Back + Ab Rippa

Worked the big muscles today. Beaucoup Push-ups and Pull-ups. Not gettin' Francais here, just makin' sure you understand the gravity of the situation. After all, this work is all about gravity and using your own body weight to get fit. I'm not sayin' it's easy, but a Caveman could do it. Since we all know the Cavemen were around with the Dinos, he probably would have used a T-Rex rib as a pull-up bar. Let's not think that just because they were Cavemen, they weren't trying to look good for the Caveladies.

Heard enough from me today? Yah, me too.

Bring It!

Day 72 - Legs and Back

Good workout today...until the end. I was walking to my bathroom and slammed my left knee square into the corner of the coffee table. Yow. Pain. Nauseating pain.

Other than that, the pull-ups and all the other exercises felt good.

....get me some more ICE!

Day 71 - Yoga X

Did Yoga today to bring in the 70's. Seems fitting as I think that's when Yoga started to become popular - or was it in the 60's when the Beatles were rubbing elbows with the Maharishi? Then again, does it really matter? After writing this blog for 70+ days, you start to scrap and scrape for witty things to say and write - so please hang on with me as I hang on to the last few weeks of P90X Round 1. As I ride out this mystical journey, one can only look back at the transformation of mind and soul and contemplate the deeper meaning of....ehhhhh.....shut up Anderson! It's day 71, not some pilgrimage to Rishikesh!

Day 69 + 70: Plyo, Back, Biceps, Abs

Did the double workout today: AM and PM. Worked it hard. Staying on course. Proud of myself.

Day 68 - Chest Shoulders Tri's + Abs

The smorgasbord of muscles worked today. Hit a flatline vs. the same-store workout from a few weeks ago. Still worked hard and got what I needed out of the session.

Starting to weigh in under 165 in the am. I feel lighter getting out of bed. Let's see what the next 22 days bring. I'm sure I'll be around 160 at the end of the 90 days, but ideally, 165 is the number I want. Just want to see what it feels like at 160 on a mt. bike...because I want to do some races this year.

C'mon Super Saver!

Day 67 - Singletrack (rest day)

Hit up Memorial Park today for an out and back ride on the Ho Chi Minh trail. HCM is the best singletrack around Houston and it's right in the middle of the city for great access. Lots of switchbacks, roots, up's and down's...it's fast and technical. Amazing what 15 lbs of weight loss and 66 days of P90X training does to your cardio and leg strength.

Yah, I got the biking bug again....

The pic above is the trail in the park...a fast section!

Day 66 - Kenpo X

Kenpo X today. I think I finished the workout at 5:16...which if you take that + the day I'm into the deal...well, that's the day I was born.

Also on this date, Dylan's "Blonde on Blonde" and The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" was released.

Day 65 - Legs and Back

...and the beat goes on. Day 65 was Legs and Back. Cranked out some solid pull ups unassisted. As you get stronger, you actually accelerate through the pull up at the midpoint...like it becomes easier. Very strange feeling, especially when you compare it to when I started I couldn't even do one pull up.

Bailed on Abs. Had no gas left. Will do that in the AM tomorrow and then work through Kenpo X - which at this point, seems like Childs Play.

Check out Glenn Kotche - Drummer for Wilco. They played on the Late Late Show the other night and he rocked the trap kit big time.

Day 64 - Yoga X

Turned the heat up today and worked through Yoga X. Felt good. Nothing else to report. Feeling great.

Let's go Celtics!

Day 63 - Shoulders, Arms, Abs

Solid showing today. Increased all weights and did the bonus round (which I was bailing on in Phase I). Side Tri Rise was not in the vocab back then either, but I killed it with about 15 per side x 2. Sweet.

Hope to do some mt biking this week. Gotta get off the 6x6 mat sometime.

Say hi to my Blizz...1997 Rocky Mt. Blizzard - handmade numbered steel frame - powder coat white.

Day 62 - Plyo and Abs

What I like about Sunday morning workouts is doing them on an empty stomach. Makes you feel light and efficient. Today was Plyo and the left-over Ab Ripper that I bailed on yesterday. Nailed both. Rock Star Hops were flying. What a difference doing them now vs. Phase I. I would say that I'm flying about 2-3 inches higher than when I started and the hang-time feels forever.


Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms!

Day 61 - Chest and Back

Just call me Mr. 59. Not in the Al Geiberger sense...it's how many more pushups I did on Day 61 vs. Day 1. I worked my butt off today and had to hit the bathroom for a few non-productive dry heaves. Couldn't throw up but was close. That's a great feeling!

Did not push play on the Ab Ripper. Will try and squeeze that in tomorrow.

Staying above the flatline and ahead of the curve...
(Monsters of Folk - copy the link for the tune and turn it up)
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/s/Ahead+of+the+Curve+album+/2k2eJQ

Btw: Top Pic is Fat Fraternity Clown on Day 1. Bottom pic is P90X product at day 61.

Day 59 / Day 60!: Yoga - Legs and Back - Abs

Here it is peeps. The double delivery of Day 59 and 60! 2/3 through the program and loving every minute of it! Did Yoga X last night and pushe play to rip through Legs, Back and Abs tonight. Moving through the program. I'll be heading towards the homestretch starting with Phase III tomorrow or Friday and then it's No Holds Barred. This is the time to Bring It. I'll be digging deep to get every last rep and super hot burn to make it count.

Day 58 - Back, Biceps and Ab Ripper X

Upped the weights on many of the exercises and blew it out nicely. Nice to take a 3 day break and get back to pushing play without a single step backwards. Ab Ripper was good too. I am finishing the exercises now and that means I'm getting a better workout. Do more and get better results. That's what the X is for!

Day 57 - Plyo

Major Workout with the Plyo Gang today and a nice cap to the super lean week on the food front. Plyo can be frightening when you first start. You look at the timer and you have 58 minutes to the workout...but once you get in the groove, well, you just get in the groove and you work your buttox off.

Heading up to Connecticut for a Bachelor Party this weekend. Golf, some brews, some gambling at Foxwoods...all for Dunill's farewell party.

Get in the groove - and get it.

Day 56 - Chest - Shoulders - Tri's - Abs

Did more reps on almost every exercise tonight. That's progress. That's P90X.

Did about 1/2 the Ab workout - it was getting late and I knew I had no food - went to Fiesta to get some tuna fish, english muffs and fruit. That's it for my blog entry tonight. I worked out and that's enough.

In the spirit of progress, say hi to one of our most famous Progressive Presidents, and all around tough guy, Teddy Roosevelt.

Day 55 - Kenpo X

Straight up K'po X baby. Went in with a slight calorie deficit but powered through and got my second wind with about 10 minutes to go. Still brought it.

Pushin' play. Tomorrow is supposed to be a rest day...but that was Sunday.

Chest, Shoulders and Tri's tomorrow. That's a sick workout. Try it!

Day 54 - Legs, Back and Abs

Looking forward to Day 60. Took another day off yesterday. The double on Friday and yoga saturday + yardwork Sunday + work work Sunday night = no workout.

Brought it today and it cleared my head. Feel good after the workout. Even Teddy said..."Hey Man, Nice Job!!"

Day 53 - Yoga X

Hey, it's Saturday - perfect weather outside - and I'm indoors cranking out Warrior I, Warrior II, Twisting Right Angle Pose, Tree...among others that make up the 93 minute Yoga workout.

I brought it.

After the Double Dutch yesterday, I went right back at it and pushed play...to get it out of the way.

Can't drive around it. Gots to drive through it.

X it People!

Day 51 + 52 Double Dutch with Plyo / Back + Biceps / Ab Ripper

I had today off, so I did the Double Dutch. One, because I had time and Two, because I skipped yesterday. Here was the lineup:

AM: Plyometrics Blew it out doing the jump routine. Blasted through an hour of jump training, switchbacks, lunges, rock star hops and the sports bonus. Result? Super Cardio Blast with burning legs and sweat flying high. I weighed in at 166 after the deal was done. Capped it off with a sweet protein breakfast shake.

Spent the day in the Woodlands with my mom and brother's family. Great lunch at a little french place called "Gourmet Bakery Cafe". Generic name, but great lunch and time with my mom.

PM: After a spaghetti dinner at my bro's, I took it back to Oak Ridge. Plopped in Back and Biceps and burned through the routine in 51 minutes followed by Ab Ripper X. Great workout...upped some of the weights and felt the burn on final reps which makes Tony happy and me too.

Tomorrow is Yoga and I'm looking forward to the Calm and Storm for 90 minutes.

Feeling Great!

Day 50 - Chest, Shoulders, Tri's and Ab Ripper

Day Fitty. Didn't want to hit play, but I heard Tony and got it going anyway. One of those long days at the shed where my feet hurt and I was tired! Great workout. Love the pushups and the chair dips. Good stuff!

Worked a 8 oz NY Strip and some Asparagus for dinner and then the normal protein shake.

Pushing play was a good idea after all!

Not sure if Fitty is still relevant? You tell me.

Day 48 - Kenpo X

Did the Streetfight tonight. After the warmup the kicks were flying high and the heartrate was too...which is the whole idea! So you get the idea. I brought it. Still getting lean. Still loving it!

See the live action pic...

Day 47 - Legs and Back

Got out of bed and did Legs and Back. Just like that. What I love about L+B is the double Chair Pose. You do it for 30 seconds twice and sweat pours off your forehead like a running faucet. If that isn't awesome then I don't want you on my blog anymore.

Kenpo X and Ab Ripper tomorrow night. Bam!

Day 46 - Yoga X

Yoga was cool today. Actually it was warm - I didn't have the a/c on and 20 minutes into the workout, I was drenched head to toe and felt as strong as The Iron Giant.

Day 45 - Back, Biceps and Ab Ripper

Day 45 - Friday Night Lights baby. Working the glam muscles and powering through 24 back and bicep exercises and 11 ab routines. I blew it out. Worked slightly heavier weights tonight and feel good. Halfway into the P90X workout and if you don't think I'm into it, do yourself a favor and print out my entire blog and read it day by day. My secret? I bought into it before I even started.

Hey - slow down. You're only halfway into the program!

Bring It!

Day 44 - Plyo

Man oh Maneshewitz! Got the Plyo on tonight people. The 6'x6' mat was movin' and groovin' and the DNA expulsion was all over my body. I'm talkin' sweat here, people.

Super lean past few days. I mean super super lean.

Eating healthy is the right thing, it's the smart thing.

P90X baby. It's the real deal!

Day 43 - Chest, Shoulders, Tri's and Ab Ripper

Day 43 was supposed to be yesterday...but I bagged it and pushed play tonight. Still brought it. Gotta listen to your body once in a while and when you do it responds with great push ups, flys and tri isolation exercises. Pikes Peak is a great pushup...you put your legs up on a chair and do the push up with your butt in air so that you bring the crown of your head down the floor. Think of it as an inverted pull up. Knocked out 10 of those tonight for a personal best.

How else would I end this posting after mentioning a personal best?

Bring it to the X people!

Day 42 - Yardpo X

Subbed 4 hours of yardwork for Kenpo X today. This was a yardfight to behold. 4 1/2 hours of weeding, edging, mowing, trimming, composting and mulching. We're talking about 21 bags of mulch and compost to get the homestead in order.

X'ing it at Oak Ridge!

Day 41 - Legs, Back, Abs

Just when you want to relax on the weekend...here comes Tony Horton and his gang grinding you through the Legs, Back and Ab routine. There's no escape. No option. Play is pushed and you get it going. Wall squats and Chair Pose burn like no tomorrow and you whistle in glorious agony.

Now lets see if Tiger can grind it out...

Day 40 - Yoga X

Straight up Yoga X tonight. All 93 minutes of it. Not much of a writing vibe tonight...so read last nights entry again. It's one of my favorites.

Day 39 - Back, Biceps and The Ripper

Day 39 came and went...but not without the Back and Biceps auditioning for the Gun Show and Ab Ripper making Jack look like Jill. That's what happens when you get deeper into the program. You get stronger and things start to click...just like that Rube Goldberg Machine you've been working on in your basement for the past 3 years.

X it Loud - X it Proud!

Day 38 - Plyo

Another day in the life of P90X. Plyometrics...or Jump Training. It's the mother of all X Workouts and it is action packed with all your favorites. Rock Star Hops is one of the killer moves...

I need to bring Back, Biceps and Abs tomorrow morning starting at 5am. Let's see if I can roll to the right out of bed and get my early morning X on. All I need to do is think of that beautiful recovery protein smoothie after my workout. That's the carrot and man, is it a tasty carrot!!

Bring It to the X people!!

Day 37 - Chest, Shoulders, Tri's + Ab X

Yah, I pushed play...ON A MONDAY! Chest got worked hard with some great pushups and as usual the tri's and shoulders paid their price too. I was especially proud of the pushup performance - did the extras like Tony wanted me to.

Hey - the game's on! I've always been a Duke fan since I was a kid (for all you older folkies, remember Jim Spanarkle or Mike Gminski?) But tonight I'm pulling for Butler - their coach Brad Stevens has the cool leadership this tournament needs.

Keep bringing it...'cuz if you don't, I will.

Day 36 - Kenpo X

I swapped out today's rest day for yardwork yesterday and did Kenpo today. While I can't stand yardwork - I do like throwing punches, leg kicks and getting my Streetfight on. I work out at home, so please disregard the slightly offensive pics...but as you can see, i don't recommend you getting in the way of my action. It might be dangerous to your health.

Ready to push play tomorrow. Bring It!

Day 34 - Legs + Back, Ab Ripper

It's Friday and I pushed play for Day 34. Legs and Back. Did 5 pull-ups (close grip) on my own tonight. Feelin' strong - that's what the X is for!

Tomorrow is Street Fightin' and looking forward to the weekend...no weights til Monday. Sunday is rest day...but the season starts Sunday night at Fenway...

Can't beat P90X...and with the results, why would you want to?

Day 33 - Yoga X

I'm still diggin' Chair Pose people! Yoga was good tonight. I got home late from work and pushed play at 745 for the 93 minute Yoga drain! Felt strong and got a good sweat going (Plyo Style). Even did pushups between Plank and Downward Dog. Strong!

Going into the deal I was tired and not motivated. Perseverance was by my side.

Thank you Kathy for putting up with this nonsense!

Bring IT!