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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 5, P90X Base & Back

Workout

P90X Base & Back Status: Completed I finally got to try Base and Back, and holy crap, this thing is insane! The plyo moves are more difficult than any other plyo workouts I've seen in P90X before, and my legs feel more like jello than they did from Legs and Back. And the pullups are nuts too! There's actually more pullups in this than in Legs and Back, and they're all a lot harder too. Crazy. The highlights of the plyo stuff was definitely the chair jumps (squat reach jumps from a chair pose) and the runners pose things. Think Mary Kathryns from a runners pose. Absolutely brutal. This ones not put together as well though. Tony talks a lot and there's a lot of breaks. For his credit, it was a recovery week for him when they filmed it, and even with the breaks I was still soaked at the end. Great workout and I can't wait to see my improvements on it over the next 90 days. Oh, and I did a lot of pullups today too! Excellent progress so far!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Great ab ripper today. My legs were rough in the beginning, but I pushed through and rocked my abs. Did all 50 mason twists again. I figured out too that if you keep your elbows against your body the whole time, the mason twists work much better! Hurt so much (in a good way. I meant in a good way Tony!) One more day in Week 1 and it's Kenpo X! Bring it!

Day: 82, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed Legs and Back is done for good! It's Thanksgiving and I'm on a tight schedule today, so I got up way early and worked out. Pushed through legs and rocked the pullups, and now I'm packing to fly out to Sacramento for the holiday. This is the last time I see this workout in my first round, and round 2 I'm switching it with back and base. Very stoked. Adios Legs and Back!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed This is my last ab ripper in round 1 and I really brought it today. 25 reps on everything and the mason twists were a no brainer today! Amazing way to end my first run with ab ripper. See you next week in round 2 ab ripper! Bring it (and happy Turkey Day!)!

Day: 75, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed Strong workout, but I'm more excited that I only have to do Legs and Back one more time, and that's next week. In round 2 I'm doing Back and Base ab I'm excited about that one! I did do a good workout today though. My wall squats were very strong. My pullups were awesome too. I rocked out 158 of them on the Total Gym. I'm going to try real pullups again in Round 2, and hopefully my tendon will be strong enough by then.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Very strong ab ripper today. I noticed today, though, that Tony loses count on the v up roll ups. He cuts the group off at 23 and says 25. The reason I know is because I usually have trouble keeping up, so today I decided to start a few seconds early and stay two reps ahead. I did that really well by the way, but we ended together! Sounds like a little flaw, but that's cool because I still did 25. Looks like I'll have to stay two ahead from now on. One more day in Week 11, and it's Kenpo X! Bring it!

Day: 68, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed Excellent workout! I still don't like this DVD, but I really tried to bring it today. My legs are sore as Hell and I did 156 pullups (on the total gym)! My shirt was drenched after and I felt great! Like I said though, I really don't like this DVD. It's the only disc I feel this way about, but ya, it irks me for some reason. I ordered Base and Back from the One on One series, and if I like it more I'm going to sub it in round 2. From what I hear, it's plyo and back instead of legs and back. That sounds right up my alley. Today was a victory though. One more day in Week 10. Bring it!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Started out really strong, but the middle was a little rough. I notice that the better I do on the bicycles (I did all of them today!) the worse my next few exercises are going to be. That kind of makes sense when you think about it, but it makes me wonder if I should be trying so hard on the bicycles. Well, I guess the goals to master the whole thing, so it's probably progress. I will say that I have the Mason Twists down tight! I rock out all 50 plus a few more every time lately. Man, I love it. I don't know when I'm gonna see it, but when I do this six pack is going to look sweet!

Day: 61, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed Ouch! Today's another weird schedule day, so I was awake a lot earlier than I usually am to do morning workouts. I don't know if it's because I was exhausted or if my legs were still sore from Plyo, but at the midway water break I had to call it quits. My legs were destroyed today and I found myself standing around more than actually working out. I hit fast forward and did the stretch, and that was it. Next week I will do this workout after work, like I normally do, and I'm hoping that changes things.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed With the weird schedule, I really wasn't sure when I was going to get Ab Ripper in, but when I had to ditch half of Legs and Back I decided there was no getting out of Ab Ripper today. I hit play and actually had a good workout. My legs were dying on the first four moves, but once I got to set them down I really got some great ab work done today. Looks like the day wasn't a total loss. Bring it.

Day: 47, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed Strong workout, but I'm still not on board with legs and back. My legs were a lot stronger today than last week. My ligament still hurts from pullups two days ago, so I opted to use the Total Gym the whole time. I set it on the highest setting and rocked out 20 pullups on everything, though, so still a good way to end the pullups of Phase 2.

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Strongest ab ripper! I feel like I say that a lot, but today I did 25 of everything except for 5 bicycles and 1 or 2 on a few others. I did all 50 mason twists though! I figured this was the last time I'd see ap ripper until the final phase, so I had to bring it today and I did! See you in a week and a half ab ripper x!

Day: 40, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed I still don't like this workout, but I'm getting stronger at it. Legs feel good (destroyed!) and my back is getting stronger too. Good day. Kenpo tomorrow, and then I can put Week 6 in the books! Bring it!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Best ab ripper yet. Food's in front of me, so I have to make this short. Two days until the next ab ripper....can't wait to see how much better I get!

Day: 33, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed I was a little pressed for time and had to take some exercises out. I'll be honest, I don't like legs and back, and I omitted 3 of the longer leg workouts to save some time. But I did do all of the pullups, and I mean really did them! I did 5 genuine pullups on every exercise. That's 40 pullups in the course of an hour! I couldn't do 1 pullup a month ago! So ya, that part was awesome. Almost done with Week 5. Bring it!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed Great ab ripper today! Started off a little slow, but really brought it in the second half. I did 42 of the mason twists! So freakin' close to 50. New goal for next week!

Day: 19, P90X Legs & Back

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed I'm just gonna say it...I do not like this workout. There's this sense of hostility in it, and some of the camera shots don't make sense. I think I'm going to look for another Legs and Back workout from Beachbody. That aside, I did it. Legs are the largest muscle group, I think. I'm not actually anything resembling a doctor, but I heard that somewhere. Anyways, the bigger the muscles, the quicker I burn fat. Big muscle, big burn, so I push myself through this one. Today was rough at work and I was on my feet all day, so I kind of dragged ass. But I completed the whole thing. I did do way more pullups than I've ever done before though, so that was awesome! I realized today that every week I've done P90X is also a week I can say "This week I did more pullups than I've ever done in my life." That's amazing to me! See, even on a dragging ass day I still manage to bring it. How awesome is that?!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed I don't know if it's because I dogged it on Legs and Back or if I'm actually getting (really) stronger, but I rocked this one! I mean really rocked it! I even did 40 (almost all 50) of the mason twists! This six pack thing seriously doesn't sound impossible now. I figure I can get abs in 2 rounds, but if I see anything in round 1 I will flip! New goal? We'll see! One more day until the end of Week 3! Bring it!

Day: 12, P90X Legs & Back

Log Entry

Daily Note: Just wanted to talk about nutrition in here. I don't track calories, but I'm huge on portion control. Lots of wraps or a chicken breast. Eating tuna right now. Side dishes are pretty much gone, and I really don't miss them all that much. I like the main dish more. I eat something about this size 3 times a day, and about every hour and a half in between I'll eat some edemame, a serving of hummus, a banana or a granola bar. Protein shakes about once a day too as a meal. On weekends I'm allowed to cheat with whatever food I want, but I'm never allowed to cheat on portions. Oh, and I've pretty much cut out mayo, which is really big for me cuz mayo is delicious and should be on everything. I use Greek yogurt or hummus. Between those two things you can wipe mayo out. Tuna's great with the yogurt, and wraps are great with either. And mix a packet of ranch dressing powder into yogurt and it's an amazing dip! Goes great with chicken or just dipping pita chips. I'm honestly not sure if it's a good diet, but I'm a picky eater and I love to eat. I guarantee this is healthier than I used to eat, and I really don't feel deprived. Wish me luck!

Workout

P90X Legs & Back Status: Completed This is not a fun workout. I don't know why, but I just don't enjoy legs and back. I did it, but I dogged it a little. However, on the first set up chin ups, I did 5! Like I really did 5! Not struggling to kind of get up there....like really Up Down Up Down. That was awesome! The pull ups were a lot weaker than the chin ups, but I can still struggle through a few before I switch to the total gym. By the way, on pull ups, I use my total gym instead of a chair. I feel like i get a better workout this way. Well, it's done. One more day in Week 2, and it's Kenpo X. Bring it!

Workout

P90X Ab Ripper Status: Completed This was by far my strongest Ab Ripper X! I did 25 on about half of them. That's huge! And somehow the oblique ones at the end I could actually do. I didn't realize I was doing them wrong before, but the motion just seemed a ton more like Tony's, and I felt a way better burn. I think I finally had enough strength to keep the legs together. It was pretty awesome!