Around the World in 90 Days

OK, so...maybe not around the world.  But after tonight's workout, I will have officially spent 90 days building muscle and losing fat with P90X. 

I'm excited to post the "after" pictures tomorrow.  I've not felt this alive in a long time.  Unfortunately, with the injuries I sustained over the fall last year, I feel like I could have done better if I wasn't always so careful not to overdo it.  I feel as though I could have pushed myself a bit further, but I also feel like I was making the right decision to play things safe when it came to my legs.  The Boston Marathon is but 18 days away...I had to make sure that I was building myself UP...making it more possible for me to have a good run in Beantown. 

My training for Boston has been less than stellar as well.  But I'm hoping that the P90X training will help to make up the deficit in my semi-minimal run training.  I feel strong...but this nagging right quad pain is really annoying me.  I will be using a thigh compression sleeve at Boston, as well as some anti-fatigue supplements (Beta Alanine, Caffeine, and Echinacea) so I don't run out of energy before it's time to make the final push. 

So...with that being said, I take off to my last P90X session.  I'm confident that I'll look back and be able to pinpoint some ways I can improve my performance on the next go-round...P90X Doubles!!  Stay tuned...

Middle Of The Road!

Today marks the exact middle of my P90X progression.  I've come a pretty good way in 45 days.  I will take a picture tonight to display the progress.  Although I am happy with the results so far, I feel like I could do better.  So for the next 45 days, I'll be taking things a step further.  I'm gonna go back on a hardcore supplementation program, and I've done the same for Brian.  I'm gonna venture to log my nutrition and supplementation so I can gain a little more edge.  The program I've developed will take me thru Boston, so I'll be in awesome shape for the marathon.  It's my number one priority right now so I am all about getting it right.

Hello, My Name is "BAD NEWS"

So...it seems that I've had a little bit of bad news come my way.  Recently I was told that I have an elevated cholesterol count.  So...on top of the stomach crap, the intestinal crap, now I have cholesterol crap to deal with.  As a result, I am gonna make some changes to my diet.  I've already gone out and gotten garlic, pomegranate, and cranberry supplements to help balance it. 

I've already started trying to cut gluten out of my diet.  I always feel better within about two weeks once I get the gluten out of my diet.  It's only been 4 days but I already feel like it's working. 

I'm also gonna talk to someone I trust immensely, in order to get some different ideas as well.  Time to get serious. 

Wow, You Smell RAGNARly Dude!

Last weekend, Brian, 10 of our friends, and I completed the 191.1-mile RAGNAR Relay from Miami to Key West.  The memories are indescribable, there are no words to say how much awesome fun we had.

The BEST part is...our team took FIRST PLACE in the running store division.  We were 19th overall out of 322 teams!  GO FEET FIRST BALLISTIC BUTTERCUPS!!

To illustrate the awesome times we had, since writing about it seems to be unworthy of the time we had, I'm posting one pic that says it all!!  Enjoy!!

Sticks 'n Stones May Break My Bones...

...but KENPO X will KICK MY F----N' ASS!!!

So...last night I did the first iteration of Kenpo X in my new fitness training.  Bodybuilding is fun...plyometrics is fun.  But Kenpo...wow.  Mostly kicking and punching in a Tae-Kwon-Do style with a little Judo and Karate thrown in, Kenpo is a powerhouse workout.  I had a great time re-learning some old moves I used to practice when I was a kid learning TKD. 

I miss the feeling I'd get from learning to use my body's power and focus it in a small place.  Good stuff.  I was actually sweating so much I nearly slipped on the puddle I made on the floor.  I love sweating like that.  Today I'm sore all over...but mostly in my upper back, shoulders, and neck.  I had to do a lot of craning to focus my gaze towards my kicks and punches, which sometimes were behind me.  My chiropractor is gonna LOVE me next month.

Today's workout is back to bodybuilding and muscle endurance.  Legs and back.  It's a good thing I like pullups cuz there are a lot in today's workout.  Huge amounts of squats and lunges too.  Hopefully I won't ruin myself for the RAGNAR this weekend!

It's NOT Easy

I miss being sore like I am today.  It's been a long time since I've been able to feel like I actually WORKED.  Most of the soreness is in my triceps and lateral delts but there is a fair amount in my chest and abs as well.  My biggest disappointment is in how I let my strength and upper body muscular endurance wane to the degree that it has.  I miss having the shape in my arms that I used to have.  My traps have flattened out.  I will definitely be getting back into Olympic Weightlifting so I can rebuild them. 

Of course, my main goal is to regain the definition in my midsection that I enjoyed when I was a personal trainer at LA Fitness.

Motivation is what I've been lacking.  I don't enjoy working out alone all the time.  Sometimes is fine, but all the time...it really doesn't help.  I'm positive that joining a new gym (YouFit on Gandy) will help with that too, as new surroundings usually affect motivation in a positive way.  Going back to the same old atmosphere at LA Fitness wouldn't really help me find new motivation.

Today's workout is plyometrics.  I'm really excited to see how this goes.  It looks pretty interesting.  Lots of jumping squats and forward/backward motions.  I'll report on the progress later tonight.  I also have to run later, so we'll see how my legs accept that torture as well.

The Aftermath of a Horrible Diet

Two years ago...I looked like this.

I kept that shape for almost 20 months.  Until the problems with my digestive system started to rear their ugly heads.  Then came the "comfort eating"...

Well, it's time to post the "before" pictures.
I'm almost embarassed to post these but I need a jumping off point.  I ignored all my usual nutrition guidelines for well over a month.  I have gained a multitude of bodyfat and it needs to go.

So...with that begin said...Day 1.