Day: 22, Insanity Pure Cardio

Ah! For some reason the blog didn't work again yesterday, and I just now saw that. Here's yesterday's post.

Workout

Insanity Pure Cardio Status: Completed Week 4 has begun! And today was by far my best Pure Cardio ever. I was a little worried how I'd do since I pushed through a really great chest and back workout this morning. I took a few hours off, and hit the gym around 4. The warmup was incredible! I took two or three breaks, but this was noticeably my strongest warmup yet. After the stretch I pushed really hard and ended up getting through three fourths of the whole thing with only two of three breaks. Somewhere near the end it caught up to me, and I didn't finish as well as I'd started, but overall this was the best pure cardio yet! I think I only do this one one more time, and that's in a few days. After that is recovery week, followed by Max Cardio. I think I'll be ready!

Workout

Insanity Cardio Abs Status: Completed Great cardio abs session too. My abs were on fire the whole time, and for some reason I think I figured out how to properly do the c sit position because today it ripped my abs up! This is definitely not ab ripper, but I'm finally starting to really dig it. I wonder what Insane Abs will be like in the second month. Dig Deep!

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed The final chest and back session for my Insanity doubles workout is done. Since it was my last one, I really pushed hard today and it turned out great. I woke up around 9 and got started early since tonight I knew I had pure cardio too and would need a break. I had a slow start since it is Sunday and I like to sleep in a little later, but I pushed through the workout. I wore the weight vest for the entire first half, and even though some of my numbers went down because of it I really feel like I get a stronger workout. The second half I took the vest off, which helped me get my numbers back up. Overall this is a still one of my favorite workouts and I'm glad I brought it with me for the first month of Insanity.

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed I also threw in a round of Supreme 90 Day and once again it was a good workout. I love the flys and the back exercise where you lie down and move the weights from behind you to above you are awesome. No weight work next week since it's recovery week, and when it comes back it'll be completely different workouts. I wonder what the Supreme 90 Day chest shoulders & arms workout is like, because depending how the max workouts go this will be joining me in month 2. Today is off to a great start. Lots of sitting is planned for the rest of the day, and pure cardio tonight. You'll of course read these out of order, but that's how it goes. Bring it!

Day: 15, Insanity Fit Test

Workout

Insanity Fit Test Status: Completed Solid fit test. All of my numbers went up, most by around 10! The last three exercises were all the same number of reps, but that's still good because nothing went down. I also did this one with Heather. She wanted to try Insanity, and I figured the fit test was a good place to start. She did a great job, and trying to show off for her definitely made me try a little bit harder. I think she may give Insanity a go at some point. I wish her luck if she does....these workouts are bananas!

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed I threw in another round of chest and back, and it went pretty well. I used the 12 lbs weight vest, which I read really added something to this workout. It definitely did. I was pretty wasted from the first workout, but pushed it and got some good reps in. I could only wear the vest for the first 8 sets on both rounds, but it went well.

Workout

Supreme 90 Day Chest and Back Status: Completed I threw in the Supreme 90 Day chest and back again. I've gotta say, I'm impressed by this workout. It's definitely different than P90X, but not bad at all. The three sets of the same two workouts concept feels a lot more like what I'm used to from the gym, and the speed of them actually reminds me a lot like Insanity. The only problem I have is the generic warmup and cooldown, but as an addition to P90X workouts it's awesome. Good speed, I break a sweat, original exercises (very different than P90X exercises) and in the end I end up doing double the reps than if I'd just done P90X. Week 3 has begun. Dig Deep!

Day: 8, Insanity Cardio Power & Resistance

Workout

Insanity Cardio Power & Resistance Status: Completed You'll be reading these out of order, but the app I use to write this blog uses the first workout listed as the title, and the Insanity workout deserves the title for the next few weeks. My final workout of the day was Cardio Power & Resistance. This is the second time I've done this workout, and so far I've decided it's my favorite. The cardio isn't terrible to keep up with, but definitely works me like crazy. I like the body weight exercises in here too. I had a little trouble keeping up with the warmup, partly because I was still recovering from my chest and back workout. I had drank a lot of water in between workouts too, and I felt that sloshing around in my stomach. But once I got past the stretch and got into the workout I felt like I kept up with the group pretty well. I definitely took breaks, but overall I was hanging in there. Maybe there will be a day that I can do this whole workout with stopping. We'll see. Week 2 has begun! I'm getting stronger and feeling amazing right now. Tomorrow I get up early for the dreaded return of Pure Cardio. Wish me luck, but I think I'm ready. Dig deep!

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed It's Sunday, one of my two doubles days. Last night we pulled an all nighter playing Halo, and there was a time change. Long story short, I'm coming off of a night of little sleep and a lot of junk food. Getting started was really hard, and I felt pretty drained through this workout. Even so, I pushed through and had a pretty solid chest & back workout. I definitely feel worked right now. Bring it!

Workout

Supreme 90 Day Chest and Back Status: Completed I added in the Supreme 90 Day Chest & Back workout today too. For some reason, even though I was exhausted during the P90X workout I actually got through this one really well. It's another circuit set of one chest and one back, repeat 3 times, and there's four sets of those types of circuits. There was some really different stuff from my other workouts in here and I really think I hit some new muscle areas. I also like the all the chest stuff isn't just pushups. There's some fly stuff in there too, which is great! I'm done with the muscle stuff, but I still have Insanity to do. I'm on break now, and working out in 2 or 3 hours. You'll read these out of order, but that's how it goes. Bring it!

Day: 1, Insanity Fit Test

Log Entry

Daily Note: The last six months flew by, and I have done P90X twice now! I remember years ago wondering if I would ever even try it, and I failed twice before. Then boom, six months and I beat it twice! I challenged myself and I did it. That's the thing I like about the home workout things. The body is nice, but it's not the promise of the body that drags me into the gym every day. It's the challenge! That 90 right there in the middle of P90X is just sitting there, asking if I can do this for 90 days. It's a challenge, and I brought it. And then I did it again! Now it's time for Shaun T's challenge. 60 days huh? I've done 3 sets of 60 days already. Bring it on Shaun T! I'm ready. Then I'll take GSP's challenge, and then I have a few more challenges of my own ready to go. I'm on my way. I wonder where I'll be in another six months!

Workout

Insanity Fit Test Status: Completed Insanity has officially begun. Today was the fit test, so nothing crazy....or so I thought going into it. This is the benchmark workout. Where in P90X they gave you time to write everything down, there isn't enough time in Insanity. Instead, every 2 weeks there's a fit test, and you measure your growth on that. My numbers were ok...nothing spectacular but all a few short of the test group folks' original starting numbers. I'm hoping I'll have major gains in the next two months. We'll see. One thing about this workout is the glimpse I got of what the Insanity workouts will be like. There were a lot of complex body movements, like bringing the knees to the side while in plank. Crazy. And fast! Even in plyo x, nothing was every incredibly fast. This whole thing was push push push, go go go! The next few weeks will be interesting. Week 1 has begun. It's time to Dig Deep!

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed As scheduled, I did my first mass workout style workout for Insanity, Chest & Back from P90X. Just the usual stuff for this workout, but I threw in the resistance pushup thing I bought a few weeks ago. It's two resistance bands with a piece of fabric in between. Basically it adds resistance to pushups, which it did. I didn't do it for all of the pushups, mostly because I didn't have time to put it on between sets. But it really did add something, and my pushups destroyed me. I will say my numbers went down a little, mostly from the resistance thing, but also because I did Insanity first. The fit test I'll always do before P90X workouts because I want to be fresh for those. When I have to do an actual Insanity workout though, I'll do P90X first, then probably take a break and do Insanity later or after work. That's partly because I heard you should do weights first, because you get the same benefits from cardio whether you're fresh or wrecked, and partly because I know I'll flake on the P90X workouts if I do them after. They're optional, and I don't want to treat them like that. The Insanity workouts are not optional, so they'll get done no matter what. Big changes are coming for the body! The next two months will be Insane! Bring it!

Day: 82, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed The final Base & Back workout is completed and it went fantastically! The pullups were very strong, and in total I did more than 150! The leg stuff was a little rough today after yesterday's yoga, but I still broke a great sweat and jumped very well. I'm very glad I used this DVD instead of Legs & Back this round. It's a killer workout! Adios Base & Back! Thanks for the muscles!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed The final ab ripper is complete! I realized right as it started that this was the last one, and decided to really bring it! I got to 25 reps on almost everything (those damn bicycles always kill me) and was exhausted when it was all over. And I completed my goal for this round, as I did all 50 mason twists again today. That means I did 50 mason twists on every single ab ripper in round 2! That's 1,500 mason twists! When I started this thing I couldn't do 10 in a row! It's amazing the progress I can make in 6 months! I don't know if Kenpo is going to happen tomorrow. I'm getting up early to go snowboarding with my buddy Ryan, and that should suffice for my daily workout. If I feel up for it I'll make the workout up on Saturday, but there's a very real chance I won't be able to walk that day so I'm not too concerned with that. So on that note, Week 12 is wrapping up very nicely. One recovery week after that and it's on to Insanity. I'm ready! Bring it!

Day: 75, P90X Base & Back

Log Entry

Daily Note: For the record, I woke up early and did 30 minutes of yoga. Today was a weird morning and I couldn't get my head in it and said screw it. This workout did not deserve a full blog post, so here it is.

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Holy crap, this week has zapped my energy! I decided going into base and back that I was drained and could only do half, and that was definitely a good call. I brought it really well, but by that halfway point I could barely walk. For what it was it was a good workout, but I am looking forward to relaxing this weekend and getting my old self back in the game next week.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Despite the base and back workout, I forced myself to have a great ab ripper and it turned out alright. Not the best, but very very decent. Really started to feel it during the mason twists and even thought about a break, but after ten weeks of 50 mason twists, I decided to push through. Collapsed at 50, and that's all she wrote. Victory. Yada yada yada. Bring it!

Day: 70, P90X Chest and Back

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed Today is supposed to be a rest day, but we're going hiking tomorrow and I didn't want to risk missing my final chest and back of round 2, so I did it today. Turned into an awesome workout too. All of my numbers went up, my pushups felt super quality and the pullups felt great too. Excellent workout, and I'm really glad I'm taking this one into Insanity with me. I want to get big and muscley, and this workout will definitely do it. Chest and Back for the win!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Since I moved Chest and Back to today I had to bring ab ripper with me. It's Saturday, and I eat poorly on Saturday's. Today was not a healthy breakfast, and I felt it in my stomach during ab ripper! But aside from that, I got a pretty decent ab ripper in, with 50 mason twists at the end. Only 5 more ab tippers to go in Round 2! Week 11 is off to a solid start, and I'm excited to go hiking tomorrow. Bring it!

Day: 68, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Not a great Base and Back workout. I haven't been sleeping too well this week, and was exhausted when I woke up this morning. Also I don't know if it's from yoga yesterday or what, but my legs are on fire this morning. That all lead to a really rough Base and Back workout. I could barely push myself to do the leg stuff. The pullups weren't bad, but the lack of jumps in my base workout is making me want to do a second workout tonight. We'll see. Bad workouts happen, so I'm not beating myself up too much. Overall it's still been a good week, so it's still a victory.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed The lackluster performance continued into ab ripper, but I did manage to squeeze out most of the reps. Intensity was the main thing lacking, and even with all of the reps (including 50 mason twists) I felt like I was just going through the motions. Oh well. Gonna debate a cardio workout for tonight. Bring it!

Day: 66, P90X Back & Biceps

Log Entry

Daily Note: Quick note, I didn't do a second plyo last night because Mark was doing Chest and Back. I decided to warm up and stretch with that DVD, then hit the bag for 20 minutes, and closed out with a modified plyo workout. The plyo section was jack in the box knee tucks, squat switch jumps, airborne heismans, layups using the medicine ball, and repeat that whole thing one more time. Turned into a good cardio workout that I wanted to document.

Workout

P90X Back & Biceps Status: Completed Wow I am tired this morning! I felt like a zombie going through the motions, and even now that it's over I'm still a little fuzzy on remembering the whole workout. I do know that I increased most of my pullup numbers on the total gym, and my biceps definitely feel like they got a workout. Quick side note, when I start Insanity in a few weeks I think I'm taking the days 1 and 3 resistance workouts from P90X with me. I like lifting, and really think it will help with my results from Insanity. I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Good ab ripper today. The first half felt a little rough for some reason, but after the cross leg situps I got a little burst of energy and brought it. Broke a great sweat, my abs feel (the good kind of) sore and I once again did all 50 mason twists! Only 7 more ab tippers to go, and only 350 mason twists left! Week 10 is moving along well. Bring it!

Day: 57, P90X Chest and Back

Log Entry

Daily Note: Just a quick note that I skipped a yoga workout on Friday. I have no excuse, other than I woke up and decided two hours of sleep was what I needed. I had a lot of homework that night and Saturday I just needed the day off. Again, no excuses, but I missed the workout and I'm accepting it. It won't happen again, at least not for a long long while.

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed Welcome back Chest & Back! I love this workout because it always gets my blood flowing. Resistance workout at its best. I was really having trouble moving today, but I got through today's workout and despite being pretty tired I rocked out a great workout. My numbers went down a tiny bit from Week 3, but I know I pushed myself to my limit and it feels good. My pullup numbers dropped overall, but I was able to do real ones on every exercise, including the second round. The next time I do this workout will be the last time! Round 2 of P90X is flying by!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed I had a week off from ab ripper, and I'm really glad to have it back! I had a little trouble getting back into it, and the moves were a little hard to do all 25 of. I even got really worked during the leg climbs and side rises, two that I'm usually pretty strong on. I got through it, pushed myself really hard and as always rocked out all 50 mason twists. Awesome workout!

Workout

Martial Arts Status: Completed I had an extra burst of energy a few hours after ab ripper, and I decided to do another Muay Thai class. I worked an hour of kicks using the Bas Rutten DVD, and even though it wasn't the most strenuous workout the kicks really got my legs a good workout. The head kicks especially work the thighs. Just wanted to document this workout. Week 9 and Phase 3 are off to a great start. Bring it!

Day: 47, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Base and Back is completed for the day, and I am feeling pretty damn good. I woke up this morning and did not want to work out at all. I finally hit play and got to work after moping around the kitchen for fifteen minutes. I definitely took it a little easier than normal today, but my jumps were still quality jumps and my pullups were pretty strong. Mostly I slacked on my numbers. I did crank out all 30 fighter spin jumps, because those things are awesome. Random comment, but jack in the box knee tucks are one of the hardest exercises in all of P90X. I'm glad I get a week off from base and back next week. In the final phase I think I'm going to add the weight vest too. I'll keep you posted!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Not my best ab ripper, but not terrible either. The first half I was pretty drained from base and back, but by the fifer scissors I was getting into it. As always, all 50 mason twists have been completed. Only one more day in Week 7, and it's kenpo! Then I'm on to the second recovery week, and moving into Phase 3! Round 2 is flying by! Bring it!

Day: 45, P90X Back & Biceps

Log Entry

Daily Note: Today is Day 45, the halfway point of this round of P90X. It really does fly by once you get into it. This round I've seen huge improvements, and I can't wait to see where I'm at in another 45 days!

Workout

P90X Back & Biceps Status: Completed I really didn't want to work out this morning, or do anything for that matter, but I hit play around 6:20 and brought it pretty well today. My pullups didn't feel as strong as normal, but my biceps were rocking. I added some weight to a few of the exercises too. Making progress! No more Back and Biceps until the second week of phase 3. That's really only about three weeks from now, but it feels like a long time when I talk in phases.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Ab ripper is done today. I really had trouble focusing today, but overall this ab ripper was a lot stronger than Sunday's, so good work! Halfway done with this round of P90X. Only 45 days until Insanity! Bring it!

Day: 40, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Another round of Base and Back is in the books, and I feel great! The gym (garage) was really freezing today, I was bundled up in the hoodie and I was very sleepy, but I worked my way through the stretch with Tony and then hit the ground running when we got to the actual workout. My pullups were strong, and my jumps destroyed my legs. The second half I was definitely losing some steam, but I was still able to rock out some reps on everything, even towards the end. When I take the really long breaks out, this DVD destroys me in the absolute best way! Excellent!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Not Complete My DVD player crapper out halfway through ab ripper, and I had to get my laptop to do the second half. This completely threw off my rhythm, so I don't know how to judge today's ab ripper. I had extra energy thanks to the break in the middle, but I don't like taking a break during ab ripper. I did make it through the whole thing, including 50 mason twists again, so it's still a pretty good thing. Glad my workout is out of the way! One more day in Week 6 and it's Kenpo! I'm finally starting to feel better after last week's cold, and am determined to end this week on a good note! Bring it!

Day: 38, P90X Back & Biceps

Workout

P90X Back & Biceps Status: Completed Back and Biceps is in the books and I feel pretty good! I took it a little easier today because I'm still feeling a lot of sinus pressure, and I was working out right as I woke up, but in general today was a pretty solid workout. It was really cold in the gym (garage) today and I actually had the heater on the whole time. Usually I turn it off after a little while, but not today. I even wore a hoodie, which is an extreme last resort for me usually. It needs to warm up! I'm not a fan of the winter months at all!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed That was a pretty solid ab ripper. Like back and biceps, I did take it a little easier since I'm still a little sick, but overall still a very good ab ripper. I felt strong on almost all of the exercises, and 50 mason twists have once again been completed! Week 6 is halfway through, and I'm starting to be done with this cold! Yoga tomorrow and I am going to take it on full force! Bring it!

Day: 33, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Wow, Base and Back destroyed me tonight. I pushed myself so hard through the first five that the second five were the hardest I've ever done. As soon as I got to the Repeat I felt completely spent. I pushed myself through though after taking a few sips of water. It helps that Tony takes a really long break in the middle, even though I actually skipped some of it with fast forward. The second half was extremely strong, or at least as strong as I possibly could. That all said, this was my strongest Base and Back by leaps and bounds (pun totally intended). My legs really felt like they got a leg workout, my back is completely beat up (especially after back and biceps just two days ago) and my body felt like it had just finished a marathon! Awesome progress!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Excellent ab ripper tonight. Not on par with Sunday's, but a million times better than Tuesday. I rocked out almost 25 reps on everything, and the only thing that held me back was the fact that my legs and lower back were killing me. Considering I'd just finished Base and Back, that makes sense. And as always, all 50 mason twists have been completed FOR THE WEEK! Awesome stuff this round. Just one more day in Week 5, and it's Kenpo X. After that I'm driving out to California for my cousin's bar mitzvah. The P90X DVDs and the bands are coming with me. I'm not sure if I'll need to do any workouts on the road, but I'm glad I'm gonna be prepared. Bring it!

Day: 31, P90X Back & Biceps

Log Entry

Daily Note: Took the Day 30 (120) pics and measurements this morning. Weights only one pound less than Day 90, but considering I'm coming off of the holidays I'm ok with that. The pictures look great though. I'd even go as far as saying a lot better than Day 90, and I was pretty stoked about those pics! I'm gonna wait until Day 180 to post any more pics, just like last time, but I'm pretty happy with the progress this round!

Workout

P90X Back & Biceps Status: Completed Tonight's workout started rough. It was ice cold in the garage, and the heater took forever to get the place warm, so the first ten minutes were painful. Cold also gives me a headache, and today was no exception. Twenty minutes into it and one Excedrin as well, and I finished on a pretty strong note. My bicep numbers were all the same from Phase 3 of Round 1, and I actually rocked out a pretty solid number of actual pullups. My total gym pullup numbers went down a little, ya, but considering the real ones existed it completely makes up for it. One weird thing, my lower back started to really hurt right around the chin ups. I took it easy from there on out so I wouldn't hurt myself, but the supermans at the end pretty much couldn't happen. I'm going to stretch tomorrow and hopefully it feels better. Glad to have this workout in my routine again for another few weeks; I can't wait to see how my numbers increase!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed I don't know if it was the Excedrin, the fact that I pushed myself too hard in Back and Biceps or if it was just a long day and I was starving, but I was dizzy as Hell during this ab ripper, and it definitely showed in the final product. I had to take a lot more breaks than usual, and especially after the awesome ab ripper I had two days ago, I was pretty bummed I couldn't do as well today. Also my lower back started feeling a little rough, just like in Back and Biceps, and that made a few of the exercises a little rough. The side rises towards the end were really rough! That all said, I still did all 50 of the mason twists again; I still haven't missed that this whole round! I'm exhausted and ready for a night of Mesquite chicken from Fresh and Easy, video games and a whole lot of couch! Yoga tomorrow and I really hope that helps my lower back out. I really need a stretch! Bring it!

Day: 19, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Base and Back rocked me again, and I love it! My legs were a little rough this morning, but starting out with the yoga got me feeling pretty loose. By the time I got to the plyo stuff I was feeling ready to go. My pullups were pretty solid today too, and right now my back feels like it got a great workout! I get next week off from this workout, so we'll see if a recovery week helps me make any progress in phase 2! See you in two weeks Base and Back!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Good ab ripper. I got a phone call right as the first move started, so I ended up having a few more minutes of break between workouts, and that helped me catch my breath. When I got going I was feeling pretty good and rocked out 25 reps on almost everything. And as usual I got all 50 mason twists in. No ab ripper for over a week! Recovery week, here I come! Bring it!

Day: 15, P90X Chest and Back

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed I don't know why, but I was wiped today. It was rough through the whole thing. I finished and actually increased most of my numbers from last week, but oh man I was dying the whole time. I was really feeling rough after the workout so I'm going to do ab ripper this afternoon. Last time I'm doing chest and back until phase 3, and even if today was rough I'm still making progress. It's flying by again!

Day: 12, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed Wow, Base and Back destroyed me today! I knew what was going on this time so I could hold my own a little better, and I fast forwarded through most of the long breaks. It beat me up! I thought about it and you spend more time off the ground in this workout than in any other. It's all pullups and jumping! So crazy! I can't wait to see how I do on this next week!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Very solid ab ripper tonight. My abs hurt, and I'm glad I get a three day break from ab ripper. Kenpo tomorrow and I'm excited. The new Steak n Shake opened down the street from me, and I'm cutting this short. I know it's terrible for me and definitely not on the diet, but I haven't has Steak n Shake in years! Very excited. Bring it!

Day: 8, P90X Chest and Back

Workout

P90X Chest and Back Status: Completed Ouch. This was a rough workout today. My arms were pretty beat, I guess from last week, and the tendon was hurting again on the pullups. I still pushed hard today, but most of my numbers went down this week. On a plus side, I paced myself this week, so my numbers were similar between rounds 1 and 2 of this workout. I'm going to do all of the pullups on Thursday on the total gym. Last week the tendon felt fine after this workout, but started hurting after base and back. I want to be able to do pullups this round, so I have to figure this out. Wish me luck!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Solid workout. Lunch is ready so I'm making this short. Week 2 is off to a great start. Might do some cardio later who. We'll see. Bring it!