Day 40 (Legs/Back) Two steps forward...

...and one step back...but I think it is a good thing.

What I am referring to is a phenomenon that I'm seeing in these workouts.  You do them once...they are HARD.  You do them again and you start getting better at the first exercises, but once you get tired during that workout you start to drop off a cliff a little and you actually get worse at the second half of exercises.  However, as you continue to work out, that cliff gets a little later and later.  My assumption is that it will disappear and then I'll get better at the entire workout from beginning to end.

This is what is happening to many of the workouts and today's was no exception.  Many of the exercises in Legs/Back require balance as well as strength.  I had neither when I started P90X.  I developed strength first and now the balance is coming.  I'm no longer afraid to go lower in the lunges.  I actually feel my knee getting stronger.  I'm started to use weights in many exercises to make them harder.  Of course, this means I'm getting more wasted as the workout progresses.  But as I said, I think that point will move more and more forward.

Another thing that is allowing for progress...using a chair on pull ups.  Today I was able to start off with 10 unassisted pull ups.  My goal is to always to twelve so I finished with two using the chair.  As the workout went on, I was able to do less and less unassisted, but I still tried to finish with twelve even if I had to use the chair.  I truly believe I was making no progress just maxing out at 2-4 unassisted.  I really need to get 8+ reps in any way I can in order to make progress.

As I said before, my balance is improving.  I am able to complete 1. Balanced Lunges, 11. Deadlift Squats (one legged) and 11. Toe Iso-Lunge without (mostly) using a chair for balance.  This allows me to put more into it and feel the effect more.

Another note...I've stopped counting calories.  I'll post more about nutrition in a week or so when I have time, but I've been eating ~3500 calories a day and burning on average 700 or so.  My weight has stayed steady.  I have a general idea of how to eat to maintain this, so there is no real need to keep counting.  Also, it seems like counting is making me eat more...it is a psychological thing where I know if I can eat more, I will.  I'll keep with a diet that typically is 20-25% protein, 25% fat and ~50% carbs.

Day 39 (Yoga)

 Finished Yoga today.  Got though the Right Angle Pose grab stuff without tumbling.  Still couldn't get the balance to do the Prayer Twist from Runners Pose.  Made some improvement on Warrior 3, but with the right leg down I still couldn't hold Half Moon.  Was a little better at Twisting Half Moon.  I had to come down a few times from exhaustion in my right hip.  When I switched to standing on the left leg, the reverse happened...I couldn't hold Warrior 3, but I actually was better at Half Moon and Twisting Half Moon and I don't think I had to come down at all.  All of this is a significant improvement.

Anyhow, I think it is time to use a Yoga block.  Well, not a real one...that would be a waste of money.  It turns out that my individual season sets of Star Trek: The Next Generation are about the same dimensions. 

I've learned something about the balance poses (other than I suck at them).  They start with you standing on the left leg...bad idea as you just ended the whole Warrior 3/Standing Splits/Half Moon/Twisting Half Moon thing on your left leg.  It is fried.  I would recommend starting on the right leg as it has had some rest.  I was able to do crane a few times for a few seconds.  My limitation isn't really balance.  It is really putting a lot of strain on my wrists.

I also think I need to change the surface I'm working on.  The first time I did this, it was on carpet.  Well, I didn't want to destroy our carpet with sweat stains, so I put a cheap area carpet down and I've been working on that.  There are two problems with that.  First, during the Asanas I find my hands slipping on it.  Second, during the balance poses I think it is too soft which affects my balance.  I tried a Yoga mat a while back on the carpet and it didn't seem to help.  I'll have to think about how to solve this one.

Day 38 (Back/Biceps) P90X and SEX...

P90X and sex...

Both have the letter x in them.

Per google stats, I sucked in about a bazillion people with the "I quit" post...I was wondering how many I would suck in with this one.

Did Back/Biceps today.  Used the chair for pull ups in order to get a decent rep count.  This is the only resistance exercise where I actually feel the post workout ache DURING the workout.  I think that means I am doing it right.  Burned 748 calories.

Did Ab Ripper right after in order to get it over with for the day.  Burned 203 calories because my HR was still up.  If I do it in the evening, I think I only burn 100.

Some info regarding calories burned...somewhere in the P90X workout literature (I think it is in the diet guide), the estimate that you burn on average 600 calories a day during the program.  That is probably right when you average in the rest day.  For the past two weeks, I've probably averaged eating about 3500 calories a day.  Subtract out that 600 calories and I'm netting 2900 calories a day.  Previously, I've found that I maintain a steady weight (no gain or loss) at about 2200-2300 calories.  So, I should be gaining weight on my current diet.  However, I'm not.  We'll see if that continues over the next several weeks.  I've tried to stack my diet with protein.  I'm averaging 25% protein, 25% fat and 50% carbs.  I've cut out practically all junk food except for a few hundred calories of Coke I haven't been able to kick.  I also find myself eating small portions very frequently through the day...meals with lots of high protein snacks mixed in.

Still not seeing much of a physical difference.  I don't comment much about that because previously I've found that it takes about 3 months of an exercise to start noticing a change.  It probably isn't coincidental that the P90X program is 3 months.  My expectations are actually low.  My guess is that my waist fat will remain the same but I will build more definition (although not much size) when this is all over with.  But my knees and back are way better than when I started so even just that would make this worth it.

Here's the workout sheet for today:

Day 37 (Plyo) Some days you just don't have it

I don't know if it is the full week+ that I've had severe allergies, the allergy medication, all the workouts catching up to me, the lack of carbs...I don't know, but I was dragging it today about 30 minutes into Plyo.  Another possibility is that I'm getting better at these workouts so I'm pushing hard the first half, leaving less in the tank for the second half.

Plyometrics is the hardest workout of all 12 discs in the series.  Google it and I think everyone will say it is the worst.  But it also burns the most calories (1078 today) and it really pushes you.

I didn't feel too bad starting off.  Here is the overview.  Some of the exercises I term, "mini breaks."  That is not because I am taking breaks, rather it is because they are much easier than the other exercises.

1. Warmup: no big deal, but the 30 prayer squats starts to wear on me every time.
2. Jump squats: I can go all the way down and touch the floor every time now.  A big improvement.  I just focus on gravity bringing me down (a new approach for me to many of the exercises throughout P90X) and then exploding up.
3. Run-stance squats: No problem although a knee would occasionally complain if it got twisted too much during a landing or squat.
4. Airborne Heismans: I consider these almost a mini break. 
5. Swing Kicks: I've never had too much of a problem on these.  Good cardio, low impact.
6. Repeat last 4: Not a big problem.
7. Squat reach jump: Again, I could get to the floor on each, but I started running out of steam.
8. Run-stance squat switch pick-up.  Not as hard as the squat reach jumps, but running more out of steam.  I don't think I was touching the floor for the second round of these.
9. Double Airborne Heismans: Another mini break.
10. Circle Run: I try this with the towel and I snag the towel every time.  Now I do it without the towel.
11. Repeat last 4: This is where I faded.  I think I had to take extra breaks here.
12. Jump Knee Tucks: fading...
13. Mary Katherine Lunge: fading further...
14. Leap Frog Squat: I consider this another mini break, but I was already fading...
15. Twist Combo: Another easy one, but I was already fading fast
16. Repeat last 4: OK, this is where I was really bad.  I feel so much like shit that I actually paused the DVD and laid on the ground for a moment.  I pondered stopping.  I only rested for maybe 60 seconds...enough to get my heart rate under control...to about 70% or so.  It may be bad to stop moving like this in a workout, but I'm glad I did.  It actually gave me enough energy to finish.  I started again and repeated the previous 4.
17. Rock Star Hop: Couldn't do this the first few weeks because of knee issues.  Have no problem now.
18. Gap Jump: Easy...kind of a mini break.
19. Squat Jacks: Tried to go slower and lower as Horton suggests, but the knees really didn't like that so came up a bit.
20. Military March: Easy...another kind of mini break.
21. Repeat last 4: Once again, despite the easy exercises, my HR was topping 90% and I had to take extra breaks.  I felt bad about it, but there simply was no way I could continue without them.  This wasn't about not pushing myself...it simply was that my body wouldn't do it.  And sometimes you have to listen to your body.
22. Run Squat 180 Jump Switch: I was getting my second wind here.  These weren't as hard as what I was thinking they'd be.
23. Lateral Leapfrog Squat: Easy...kind of a mini break.
24. Monster Truck Tire: Easy...kind of a mini break.
25. Hot Foot: These are hard, but not because of cardio. 
26. Repeat last 4: Here is where I started feeling better.
27. Bonus Round.  I always feel good when I get to this point because I know it is essentially a cool down for me.  None of the exercises are hard or push you very much.  It involves Pitch & Catch, Jump Shot and Football Hero.
28. Cool Down

So there it is.  I took a look at my HR monitor and saw that it took me about 65 minutes to complete this workout.  That means that all my extra breaks only added up to about 5 minutes.  I'm not going to feel too bad about that.  I think some days you simply don't have as much gas in the tank.  I can't feel too bad about any cardio workout where I burned over 1000 calories.  I know I've completed this thing before and I will again.

Day 36 (Chest/Shoulders/Triceps + Ab Ripper) Post workout guilt

The feelings I get after some of these P90X workouts are sometimes very odd.  Although I'm completely exhausted during the workout, once I've recovered for a few minutes I commonly feel as though I should have...could have pushed myself more and that I dogged the workout.  I'm not sure how accurate that really is, but sometimes I can't shake that feeling.

Today was the second time doing this particular workout.  The number and type of push up exercises is rough.  I've had some severe allergies and some medication I'm taking is making me drowsy.  I could tell that was affecting things right away...in fact I'm proud of myself that I was even able to work out.  I made the mistake of not looking at my previous number of reps on each exercise as I began to do them today.  Subsequently, I didn't make the proper goals.  This is reflected on the workout sheet...you can see I didn't do as many reps of many of the exercises.  One exception right away was the Floor Flys (which I don't use a paper plate on...I just move to the right or left).  I was able to correct for the proper weight on some exercises this week which allowed me to max out at 8-10 reps instead of more.

A few other notes...

Exercise 13 Side-to-side push ups seems almost identical to 7 Floor flys without the paper plate.  The only difference seems sequence (13 alternates sides where 7 has four reps on one side then four on the other).

I had some type of breakthrough with one-arm push ups.  Although I still do them on my knees, I did 10 and was able to do plenty more.  I'll probably do them on my feet next time.  Once again, the secret is to really twist your body into them.  Also, I put my hand right below where my face is.

I was also able to make very good contact with my hands on the plyo push ups (once again on my knees).  I tried them on my feet but I'm not ready for that yet.

The only exercise I really bombed out at was 10 two-twitch speed push-ups.  I did four fast, three slow, four fast and then fell apart.  I also don't get as low as I should on these.

I have learned a secret to these push ups though...let gravity do the work and then explode up.  It seemed like I was doing some type of unnecessary work to get down...especially with the fast push ups.  Just let gravity bring you down and then focus on pushing up. 

Some of the tricep exercises worried me.  I kept feeling like my triceps were going to give out.  And if that were to happen, the weight is just going to crash down on me.  Well, it hasn't happened yet so hopefully it won't.

Oh yeah...one more thing.  I tried Ab Ripper X right after my workout (I usually do it later in the evening).  I would NOT recommend this.  It is MUCH harder when your heart is still racing and you are exhausted from the previous workout.  However, I was still able to complete it, even with the modified (hands up) moves.

Day 34 (Kenpo) Five weeks down!

Completed Kenpo X yesterday.  After last week's recovery week, I was thinking about swapping out Kenpo with Core Synergistics.  After researching it a bit, I realized that there is a lot of upper body stuff in Core and I wouldn't have time enough to recover before Thursday's Chest, Shoulders and Triceps.  So I'll just stick with the current program.

I do not find Kenpo difficult at all even though I burned 857 calories.  It does not seem like an intense workout.  I have to put a lot of extra intensity to burn that many calories.  I still don't get the star block section.  It is so slow that my heart rate drops and I get nothing from it.  It is the only part of the P90X program that I've changed...I do jumping jacks during that minute or so.  They must put that in thinking that some people are going to be wasted and need a break.  It doesn't really exercise anything at all.  It is just a series of blocks you make while stepping forward twice and stepping backward twice.  I guess if you really, really want to know the blocks it might be worth doing.  But I'm not trying to be a Kenpo master...this is just cardio for me.  If it was about balance, strength or cardio, I would stick with it.  But it doesn't have a component of any of those things.

Today is the day of rest and then back at it tomorrow.  I am VERY sore from Monday's legs and back.  My quads and gluts are screaming.  I am going to consider that a very good thing.

I've made it five weeks!

Day 33 (Legs/Back) Cottage cheese before a workout

I'm not sure what I was thinking.  Shortly before my workout today I ate about 1 1/2 cups of cottage cheese and washed it down with a 90 calorie Coke.  Then I had some type of allergy related coughing fit.  So I took a swig of Robitussin and I was ready to go!

It didn't take long before the mixture of cottage cheese and Coke along with the lingering taste of Robitussin in my mouth reacted very negatively to huffing and puffing through pull ups, lunges and squats.  After about 20 minutes, I thought I was going to puke my guts up.  Somehow I managed to make it through the workout.  I'm bummed because I couldn't really concentrate on the exercises.  But I still did everything including improving on a number of things and burnt 834 calories.

One major thing I did was use a chair for pull ups.  I see them do it in the video by facing the chair away from them and then using one leg on the top of the back of the chair.  I am way too tall to do it that way (and my pull up bar is not mounted at 9 feet like the ones in the DVD).  The best way I found was to place both feet on the seat of a chair facing towards me and perform the pull ups while trying to put NO weight on the chair (I tried using only one foot, but I felt it pushed me off balance).  It worked very well.  I was able to complete 10 reps of the pull ups and 8 reps of the switch grip ones.  I could have probably done more but the cottage cheese / Coke issue was getting in my way.  I really think it is critical to do this.  It makes no sense to do only 2-3 reps of any exercise.  I simply can't build off of that.  But if I can do 10+ reps, I can slowly incorporate taking the chair away.

Other issues I have in this workout relate to balance.  Exercise 1 balanced lunges are difficult for me.  I have a chair beside me for balance and I am trying to not use it.  But that will take some time.  I figure it is better to use something for a little balance rather than not be able to do the exercise with proper form.  Exercise 11 deadlift squats are also difficult although I'm able to do more now without the chair than when I started.  Exercise 17 Toe-roll lunges I was also able to make some progress without a chair.

I also plan on adding weight next time for 7 Step back lunge and 8 Alternating side lunge.

The cool thing about this workout today is that I felt no pain in my knees and I was able to squat lower and lunge lower than I ever have before.  I used to also have noise in the knees and that has dramatically been reduced.

I also did Ab Ripper X this evening.  I checked the calories burned and found it to be 124...not even enough to count.

Day 32 (Yoga)

Completed Yoga.  Burned 699 calories.  Made it through the asanas past right-angle-pose-reach-and-grab without stumbling.  But I couldn't get through prayer twists out of runners pose (where you are doing prayer twists in a lunge).  Man those are hard to balance.  It probably doesn't help that my head is all stuffed up.  And of course, I couldn't do Warrior 3.  I just can't keep the balance.  The whole sequence after that for me is quite a mess.  I can do standing splits, but I keep falling out of half moon.  I'm actually better with twisting half moon.  I really want to get these, so I think I'll just go through these sequences on Wednesday night.

The balance postures after the asanas are tough in a different way.  I'm not sweating or anything, but I just can't stay balanced.  I am better at tree, but I haven't improved at the standing leg extensions.  I was able to get fully into crane a few times (before crashing).

In browsing comments from people doing P90X, it is really sad that many of them are trying desperately to escape doing yoga.  They try so hard to see if there is something else they can substitute.  I wonder if they avoid it because either they never tried it or it was too hard.  Both excuses are sad.

I would attribute a DRAMATIC improvement in my knees to Yoga X.  My balance is also improving and I am learning techniques (like focusing on breath) that helps me tolerate discomfort in all the other workouts and enables me to perform better.  I'm not really buying into all the meditation just yet...maybe I should.  I am more practical...I am just seeing improvements.  Plus, I feel so...I don't know...groovy...at the end of the workout.  Today I actually continued on the DVD through "corpse" pose into lotus.  It was pretty relaxing after killing myself for 90 minutes.

Day 31.5 (Ab Ripper) Making it harder...+ nutrition update

 I don't usually update the Ab Ripper portion of the workout on this blog...I do the normal workouts in the afternoon and then Ab Ripper 3X/week after the kids go to bed.  I tried doing it right after a workout once...then I learned it is best to save it after I've rested and can focus on it.

I've dramatically improved on Ab Ripper since I started.  I have no problem completing all the reps and workouts (I'm not sure if I've ever had to take a break during it) and I'm starting to incorporate variations that make the exercises more difficult...things like holding the hands above the head during the first few (in/outs, bicycles).  I'm also able to focus more on keeping my legs vertical at the top in scissors and heels to the sky.  Tonight I tried to do the leg climb with no climb (just going straight up) but found that too hard right now.

I've mentioned that I've been keeping track of nutrition using Myfitnesspal.com.  I'll probably make weekly posts on my progress there, separate from the workouts.  It would be too boring to be daily.  I've had some real up and downs with this.  I hate it...HATE it when I grossly underestimate calories for something.  Today I was doing great...actually running at 25% protein and less than 50% carbs (by total calories).  Then I had some Uno's pizza.  Little did I know it was almost 700 calories...PER SLICE.  Three slices alone were almost a whole day's food.  Not to mention all the freaking fat that is in it.  There isn't much that is more discouraging than killing yourself to meet a goal and then blowing it...almost DOUBLING it at 7:00 PM.  Kill me now.

Day 31 (Back/Biceps) Last new workout!

Per design of the P90X schedule for Classic, this is the last new workout I'll be doing.  After today, I don't need to learn any new routines.  That is quite a relief as it never seems like you do the workout well the first few times you are learning it.  You just can't put your all into it.

Today was tons of different types of curls and pull ups.  Over the past few days, I tried the new pull ups and didn't have a problem.  Of course, that wasn't after I killed myself with curls.  Needless to say that I couldn't even bring myself up to the bar after the first set.  So I'm making a change...I'm using the chair from now on.  It does me no good to kill myself to do 2-3 pull ups.  I'm just not making any gains.  At least I can get the reps up by putting my foot on a chair.  Then I can try reps without a chair.  It doesn't make sense to keep doing an exercise in a way where you can't make gains.  I'm over four weeks in and almost worse that when I started.  We'll see if this will help. 

I pushed myself harder today.  The P90X literature suggests putting more effort into phase II so that's what I'm doing.  I'm trying to max out at 8-10 reps every time.  The only major problem (other than pull ups) was the last exercise...a strip set that requires four dumbbells.  I only have three, so I had to change weights at least once after I got things set up.  But the real problem is that I can only really curl 20 pounds 8 times after working out for an hour.  After I drop 5 pounds for each of three more sets of eight reps, I'm down to a ridiculous 5 pounds which is like using no weight.  I am going to try to increase my beginning weight next time, but I'm toasty toast by that time of the workout.

One last thing...during these resistance workouts, I will pause the DVD if necessary to make sure I've got the right weight for the exercise.  I think this is critical and this is advice I would give to anyone doing this.  There is no huge rush.  Even with the pauses, my HR monitor still said I burned 617 calories.

One other note...still sick as shit.  Allergies.  Ugh.  It was hard to get started today.  But I tried to pick the time I felt the most energy.  Once I got started, I forgot how bad I felt.

Day 1 vs. Day 30 pictures. Difference?

So the pics are below that I took at day 1 and day 30.  I took them first thing out of bed so forgive me if I don't look my best.

I've stared at the pictures over and over and I can only see a slight difference...I look a little wider.  Do you see anything?

Scroll down.  The pics are below:






































Day 1



Day 30

Day 30 (Plyo) when you are sick as @#$%

Well, one third of the way done!  Took some 30 day pics...probably won't post any until I've done the full 90.  Measured my waist and I'm down just under an inch.  That is fine as long as I'm not losing weight in other areas...actually I'd like to gain weight elsewhere.  I picked up some high protein snacks to try to replace the Cokes...maybe actually increase calories, but with GOOD calories...ones that can build muscle and not just fat.  In the upcoming days I'll be snacking on yogurt, hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, tuna, etc.  I am really focusing on nutrition through the rest of the 90 days (and on after that).

I'm proud of myself for today.  Allergies are killing me...it is like a BAD cold.  I wanted to do Plyo this morning but I felt like hell.  I came home early from work, caught a nap and had another slot to try it.  It was then or never.  And I made it.  At several points I wanted to die.  At one point I think I actually did die for a few seconds.  But I soldiered on.  Actually, I did better than I ever have at several moves.  I got deeper and jumped higher.  I was able to do the rock star hops for the first time.  I was able to touch the floor or my feet on several moves where I previously just got to my lower legs.  When it was all said and done, I burned 1059 calories.  I'm still pretty exhausted, but I'm glad I did it. 

Tomorrow is the first day of back and biceps.  After that, I will have performed every routine I will do in P90X at least once.

Day 29 (Chest,Shoulders,Triceps) Working through allergies

It sucks working out when you are sick.  I've had horrible allergies (for those who don't have them, it feels like a horrible cold) for the past week.  Practically everyone I know started suffering to some degree at the same exact time, so it seems pretty clear it is just seasonal allergies.  It just hits me worse than most this time of year.

I've been able to stay on track with the P90X though, mainly because I've switched these workouts to the afternoons where I have more energy.

Started Phase II today so two of the resistance workouts are different.  On day 1 of the week, I'm doing today's workout.  I was pretty intimidated when I looked at some of the exercises (plyo push ups, one-armed push ups), but I studied everything last night and tried a few reps to prepare.

The tricky thing about starting a new routine is knowing what weight to use.  Luckily some of the exercises overlap Shoulders and Arms, namely In/Out Shoulder Flys, Chair Dips, Side Tri-Rises and Lying Tricep Extensions.  So I already knew the weight to use for those.  For the rest, I had to guess and then pause the workout if I needed to adjust.  This happened several times, but I wanted to get the right weight instead of pushing ahead with something too light or too heavy.

I actually did better with this workout than I expected.  All of the weight exercises went very well.  I will admit I struggled with the push ups.  I didn't really fall apart until I got to the "two-twitch speed push-ups" which involve four very fast push ups followed by three very slow ones and then repeats.  I didn't make it to the repeat.  This was the 10th exercise and I was already starting to feel a little fried.  I was able to do 6 right and 6 left one-armed push ups although I didn't go super deep.  The secret to these is to do them on your knees and to twist your body away from your push up arm (they show this in the video).  It isn't too bad then.  I was able to at least make some hand-to-hand contact for the plyo push ups (I did 15 of these) although I had to go on my knees again.  By the time I got to the one-arm balance push ups (the 22nd exercise), my arms were "toasty toast" as Tony Horton would say.  I could only do 2...my arms could barely hold me up.

One thing that was surprising was the number of calories I supposedly burned...703.  And that was with numerous breaks to change weights.  Right now, it looks like I'll need a 5, 10, 15 and 20 lb setup.  I only have three dumbbell bars, so I can see I'll have to change weights at least once.

Didn't eat so hot today.  With the calories burned, I still net a few hundred over maintenance.  That isn't such a big deal by itself but a lot of those calories were Cokes...I MUST cut those out.  They don't do anything for muscle growth...I've got to find some protein rich foods to replace those calories with.

Tomorrow is Plyometrics.  Haven't done that in quite a while.  Looking forward to burning 1100 calories and hopfully replacing those with non-Coke calories.

Day 27 (Yoga) Yoga burned 734 calories?!

I decided to try the HR monitor during Yoga yesterday.  Starting out I thought it was kind of a joke.  I'd glance down at the watch and it would say something like 90bpm.  But the moving asanas started to do their work.  I glanced down again...in the 120's...and then around right angle pose I think I got into the 140's.  It is just amazing how hard you can get your heart to work when you aren't even moving.  After the workout I looked and I burned 734 calories.  Wow.  I still counted calories...I ended with a net around 2200 (after subtracting the workout) with around 20% protein and around 55% carbs.  Not too bad.  I imagine those percentages will shift toward protein once I get rid of more Cokes through the day.

I've mentioned before that I really like the Yoga.  Today, I held it together until Warrior 3.  Still can't stay in it.  By that time, my legs are worn out.  But when I fall out, I still try to get back in.  I can do the standing splits, but I fell apart again during moon and twisting moon.  I think I'm actually getting better during the first 30 minutes...putting more effort in and getting lower in the lunges, but that actually hurts me during the last 15 minutes of the asanas because I'm worn out.  That's OK though...I think that 30 minutes will get longer and longer.  Another thing I might try is just through the week go through the Warrior 3, standing splits, moon and twisting moon routine while I am fresh...just to get the feel of it down.

I've mentioned before that after the asanas are the balance postures.  I still suck at those.  Still working.  Once again, the legs are really shot by the time those roll around.

The last thing is Yoga belly.  It is a lot like the Ab Ripper X but slower.  I think I'm enjoying that because I am actually seeing the effect on my body.  There is definitely more ab definition.  Also, although I've still got a little bicycle tire around the waist, I can press it with my finger and feel rock hard muscles under there.  That is actually pretty cool to see that happen.

So I've completed four weeks and all of phase I.  I am pretty scared of phase II.  Tomorrow's workout includes one-armed push ups and plyo (clapping) push ups.  We'll see how that goes!

Day 26 (Core) and counting calories

Today was Core Synergistics...only my second time doing it.  I found it a little easier this time, probably because I knew what to expect and I've been going over the routine to understand it better.  I tried it with a HR monitor on and learned that it burned 820 calories.

I was able to make it through the entire first section which includes 8 exercises without stopping.  I started to lose strength and endurance during the second section...particularly the prison cell push-ups (which I did maybe 8-10 of), the plank to chaturanga run (which I just did the plank and had to stop twice) and the walking pushups (once again had to stop twice).  There are just too many push-up-like exercises squeezed in too closely...my arms just couldn't hold me up anymore.

I actually completed the last section fairly well with the exception of the plank to chaturanga isos...I did the plank/chaturanga/plank and half a chaturanga before I could do no more.  Once again...a push-up like exercise.

Despite the difficultly (or perhaps because of it), I am really liking this workout.  I like that it is unique and focuses on the core.  Because of this, I think I may swap out Kenpo every week for Core.  Kenpo really isn't that challenging...all that I'll lose by dumping it is some balance work with the kicks.  However, I will get plenty of balance with Yoga and I think the Core will really add to what I am doing.

I'd been playing around with tracking calories and with encouragement from Stephanie Osborne (the Beachbody coach I purchased the P90X program through), I started today.  I used MyFitnessPal.com (the mobile app) and I was very surprised at what I saw.

I would normally consider today a day where I ate way too much and really fell off the wagon with Coke.  If I didn't look, I would assume today would be a day that the scale would start moving up.  Here's the overview:

Breakfast
-Protein Bar, 90 calorie Coke
Snack
-Peanut mix, half of a 240 calorie Coke
Lunch
-Panera half Turkey Bravo, large bowl of potato soup, baguette, small Coke
Snack
-Peanut mix, Protein Bar
Dinner
-five large stuffed pasta shells, salad, 90 calorie Coke
Snack
-Popcorn, Juice

That comes up to 2931 calories.  Subtract 820 and I netted 2111.  I've played around with dieting before and found I need 2200-2300 just to maintain weight.  The breakdown was 53% carbs, 31% fat and 16% protein (MFP tells me the targets should be 55%,31%,15%).  Since today was a huge Coke day (4 drinks), it now isn't surprising that I've lost 5-6 pounds in the three weeks when I had one Coke and less snacks.

I'll keep using MFP to track things for a while.  What I'd like to do is stay at NET (after exercise) maintenance calories (~2200-2300/day), stop the Cokes and replace those calories with protein rich foods/snacks.  Any ideas other than protein bars and peanuts?

Day 25 (Kenpo) Increasing intensity and losing weight

Did Kenpo today.  Was able to burn just over 1000 calories (according to my HR monitor) by adding a little more intensity to all of the moves.  Through many of the arm sequence, I increased my pace over what was on the DVD to keep my heart rate up.  When it got to the start blocks, I just did jumping jacks as the block sequence is just WAY too slow.  I have improved on balance.  I can do reverse kicks reasonably well even when I'm exhausted.

Today I felt wasted for some reason.  Not sure if it is over training or what.  I checked my weight this morning and I was at 161...too low.  I've lost 5-6 pounds in the last three weeks.  I really have mixed feelings about this.  I didn't start P90X to lose weight, but I did want to lose a tiny tire I have around my waist.  I actually wanted to build muscle.  So I'm not sure how I feel about losing any weight.  Can I really gain any muscle and lose that small amount of fat at the same time?  That was the question I entered into P90X with.  So far, the changes I've seen in my body are VERY subtle...slight increases in definition in my abs is the main thing.  Starting the second week, I actually paid attention to my diet...increasing protein substantially while trying to give up empty calories like Coke and snacks.  I still thought I was eating plenty.  But maybe I'm not eating enough and that is why I'm losing weight and feeling wasted.  Today I fell off the wagon though.  Seeing the weight loss and feeling tired gave me an excuse to pig out quite a bit and also load up on some Cokes.  I'll get back to normal tomorrow.

Tomorrow is Yoga and my attempt to switch up my schedule to do this stuff when I get home from work.  We'll see how it goes.  Looking forward to Yoga.  I love it.

Stretches throughout the P90X workout...

This may or may not be of any interest to anyone, but if you are going to do the P90X workout and you are playing around with skipping the X-Stretch workout (done every 7 days and/or once every 4-5 weeks), this might help.

If you look at all the warm-up and cool-down and active workout stretches that are done on all 12 discs, there are 54 different stretches.  Most discs include a total of 10-15 stretches total.  X-Stretch has the most at 33 with Yoga second at 19.  Ab Ripper X has the least at 3. 

If you skip X-Stretch, you will miss only 7 out of the 54 stretches each week: Back Hero (neck), Back Up The Car (neck), Camel (back?), Child's Pose with Left and Right Stretch (sides, back, ?), Dreya Forearm Stretch (forearm), Roller (back?), Toe Flexor (foot, angle, calf?).  I actually like all of these stretches, but if I wanted to keep them and didn't like the hour of X-Stretch (which I actually do but you might not), I could probably do them in 10 minutes.

By the way, there are a total of 21 stretches on the other discs that are NOT on X-Stretch...that accounts for about 40% of the total number.

Below is the info in a graphical format (boy was I bored tonight).  If you want it in spreadsheet format, drop me an email or make a comment below.

Day 24 (Stretch) Modifying the P90X schedule

Today was supposed to be Kenpo and tomorrow X-stretch.  Well my back was a little tight today, my knees a little wobbly (after Core/grass mowing yesterday) and I was having a stressful day anyway so I swapped them out...Kenpo will be tomorrow.  The overall P90X schedule is pretty good about spacing out workouts...you never really focus on the same muscle group twice in a short period of time.  In this case (during the recovery week), the schedule is Yoga/Core/Kenpo/Stretch/Core/Yoga, so Kenpo is back-to-back with Core no matter what.

I'm not quite sure what to make of X-stretch.  The workout is scheduled as an optional 7th day workout at the end of every resistance week and once during the rest/recovery weeks.  Almost all of the stretches are the exact same ones at the beginning or the ends of the other routines...there are only a very small handful of exceptions...things like forearm stretches, some foot/ankle stretches and a back stretch (I could actually do the Camel as well as Shauna...right down to the ground...although I was a little concerned about getting stuck there).  So it is not like you aren't already doing this workout a small part at a time throughout the week.  That makes me feel a little better about skipping it as the 7th day workout.  You don't really get those stretches during the recovery week so I think I'll keep it in there.  Plus, it is pretty relaxing if you are having an uptight day.  It also keeps you on a routine...6 workouts a week.

Thanks for reading.

Day 23 (Core Synergistics) Rest and recovery my ass.

This week is supposed to be "rest and recovery."  Today's workout was Core Synergistics and for me it is the hardest one so far.  All the exercises engage your core while also doing other stuff (thus the synergy).  Many of the exercises are "maximum reps" in a specific period of time.

I don't know...maybe I was having an off day but my "maximum reps" were pretty minimal on several things.  Some things that come to mind are the Sphinx Push Ups, Prison Cell Push Ups, Plank Run (didn't even attempt the Chaturanga Run), Walking Push Ups, Superman Banana, Reach High & Under Push Ups, Plank to Chaturanga Iso...actually now that I'm typing this out, it is really the push up maneuvers that were killing me.  By the end of the workout, I was spent...I could only do a hand full of Table Dip Leg Raises.

I had to work out in the morning to be able to mow the lawn in the afternoon.  But after today, I'm moving my whole routine to the afternoons.  I think I am having a problem really concentrating and pushing myself that early in the morning.

The bummer about today's workout is that it is only repeated 6 times during the entire 90 days.  So I feel like if I dogged it out today, I'm really losing out.  Oh well, we'll see how I do the next time (which is Monday).

A few things I learned...

• It was really a great idea to go through the workout first last night before doing it.  That really helped.
• A paper plate works well for the walking push ups
• I didn't write anything down on the workout sheet.  There was so little time between routines and it was too hard to keep track of reps...I just did as many as I could in the time allotted.  I may make some notes though.
• Use light weights.  There is no reason to use anything super heavy.  I think I only used 10 pounds when required and that seemed too much on some of the exercises.

**EDIT**
Added scan of workout sheet below with some minimal notes as to the exercises I felt OK about and the weight I used on the exercises.

Day 22...I Quit...

I quit...taking "before pictures" every day.  It was dumb.  I may take them every week or so.

What did you think I was talking about?

Today was Yoga.  Couldn't get in the mindset of doing 90 minutes of Yoga at 6AM so I did it when I came home.  Still improving.  Still stumble in the asanas after twisting triangle.  Couldn't get through the Warrior 3, standing splits, moon, twisting moon routine.  I kept falling out, but I'd get right back in at least.  I rolled over my head trying to do the crane...haven't done that before.  All in all, I really like Yoga.  I can see improvements...I can see I am improving with strength in my legs and with balance and it is cool to see myself get better.

I had toyed with mowing the lawn after Yoga but I felt too...I don't know...groovy or mellow.

Core Synergistics is tomorrow.  I went through the book and the DVD and I'm glad I did.  There are a lot of complicated exercises.  Now I can spend more time doing them and less figuring them out.

Still going strong after three weeks!  Feeling good!

Day 20 (Kenpo...) ...is getting too easy. 3 Weeks down!

Kenpo is becoming way too light of a cardio workout.  Once the workout reverts to arms (which it does often), my heart rate drops way too far down.  I can't complain too much...my HR monitor says I burned 880 calories...but I still feel like I could do MUCH more.  I'm toying around with swapping it out for something else.  The thing that keeps me from doing that is that I still struggle with balance on many of the kicks...specifically the back kicks.  It bugs me to not be able to do something.  I'm assuming that more Yoga and Leg/Back workouts will help with this.  So I'll stick with it until my HR drops way too low (if I'm at 600 or less calories burned) or I perfect the kicks.

The hardest thing about Kenpo today was getting into that Crescent pose at 6AM in high top tennis shoes and then going into a twisting prayer.  I mean...really?  I can barely (if at all) do that after 30 minutes of Yoga.  And you want me to do that as a part of warming up for Kenpo?  What are you stretching?  My soul???

I can't believe that three weeks are done.  I can't believe I actually got up at 6AM or earlier every day and accomplished this.  Especially when I was afraid I wouldn't get through the first workout.  Next week (which starts on Thursday) is the "recovery week."  The workouts are: Yoga, Core Synergistics, Kenpo, Stretch, Core Synergistics, Yoga.  The only unknown is Core Synergistics...I haven't done that workout yet.  But I am looking forward to the Yoga.  Balance appears to be my weakness.

Day 19 (Legs/Back) The worst workout

I've done this workout three times.  I'm never really dreading it...actually I kind of look forward to it.  I've had issues on and off with both my knees for about 8 years.  I like the idea of making them stronger and perhaps getting to a point where I don't have any problems with the knees.

But when Monday hits and I'm doing this workout, my attitude toward it changes.  First, I hate pull ups.  I hate them because it seems like everyone else can do them but I suck at them...especially that switch-grip bullshit (where you hang and switch your grip from overhand to reverse).  I can't even do that at all...I have to release and then re-grip.  But the end of the workout, I can maybe do four.  Today I actually felt forearm pain at the end which made it easier to give up. 

I don't do well at the leg exercises either.  My guess is that some of them are for balance but the TV bastards never waiver or have to hold on to anything (unlike me).  I'm improving a little from last time...at least I don't have to hold the chair for every rep.  I start to feel bad about holding on to something...like I am cheating and not learning to balance...but I have to remind myself that if I can't even do a rep, I'm not getting ANYTHING out of it.  So I might as well do something.  As my previous posts on this workout state...something is better than nothing.

On high rep / no weight / non-cardio workouts, it is also hard for me to really feel like I am accomplishing anything.  You don't "feel the burn" like you do when lifting weights 8-10 reps to muscle exhaustion.  Part of it is because I am careful not to push myself to the point of pain in the knees.

A lot of this also has to do with the fact that it is Monday.  At the time I'm doing the workout, I'm in a hurry and need to get to work (which I dread anyway), so focus is not my thing and the workout suffers.

OK, enough of the pity party.  Kenpo is tomorrow and then I am done with the resistance portion of phase I.

Day 18 (Yoga) Improving at balance...studying the moves

The first 30 minutes or so of Yoga are getting better.  I'm learning to breath and take the tension out of my body and that is helping me concentrate and hold the poses.  I'm able to drop deeper into the lunges and put more pressure on the legs.  However, as I'm able to put more effort into the first 30 minutes, I start dropping off...by the time I'm at twisting prayer off of runners pose, I'm getting spent.  I'm falling apart at right angle poses and I can't even complete Warrior Three, Half Moon or Twisting Half Moon.  But I still try.  As I fall down, I'll try to get back into Crescent and go into it again.  I'm sure I'll be there in a few more sessions.  I was actually able to do the Crane several times for several seconds.

One thing that REALLY helped the Yoga was going through the book and video again to remember the Asanas.  That allowed me to not look at the TV and to really focus on what I am doing.  I actually am doing the same thing for the Leg/Back workout tomorrow.  I'm studying the exercises so I spend less time trying to figure out what to do and more time focusing on what I am doing.

I'm getting better at Ab Ripper (last night) too.  I can push harder though the Scissors, lift my leg higher and feel more crunch.

Happy Easter!

Day 17 (Shoulders/Arms) Not much to report...

Completed Shoulders/Arms today.  Last time for this workout (and Thursday's Chest/Back) for 5 weeks.  The bummer is that it took 3 weeks to figure out exactly what weights to use on the exercises (to max out at 8-10 reps).  Oh well, at least I'll know what to start out with again.

It was hard to start the workout today.  Kept stalling.  I think that is why it is important to put the workout before some other deadline I have to meet (like getting to work, etc.).  That way I can't stall too long.

Today I'm feeling some left knee MCL tenderness from yesterday's Plyo.  It is better than it was after last week's Plyo so I'm not too concerned.  Plyo is really the only thing that affects that ligament and I won't be doing that again for 2 weeks.

Tonight after Ab Ripper, I'm going to study the Yoga DVD.  I've got over half of the asanas down but I'm shaky on the rest.  From experience I know if I am prepared for the moves, I can perform them much better.

Day 16 (Plyo) Fatigue, hints of results and quitting Coke

Today was plyo.  HR monitor says I burned 1110 calories which seems hard to believe.  I was definitely feeling like I was going to die 30-40 minutes in...leaning against things during the breaks.  But I made it through.  I could not do the rock star hops today...my knees have a problem with that one.  I tried to keep moving through that portion though.  Every once in a while through the workout I'd feel some knee pain, but it would go away once I correct my form...for instance, making sure I my knee was always aligned with my foot.  Once again, NOT watching the TV was the key through much of the workout.  By not watching, I can really focus on what I am doing...my form and intensity...and perform much better.

I am starting to see some results although they are minimal.  I've lost about 3/4 of an inch around the waist but I haven't lost any significant weight...that means I'm potentially losing the fat and gaining muscle at the same time.  That is exactly what I was hoping for.  That is also something I was VERY skeptical of even being possible.  I'll see if the trend continues.

I am pretty wasted much of the time.  I'm trying to eat more calories (healthy foods) and sleep at least 7 hours a night.  Still, I feel a lot of fatigue.  However, I'm not really feeling sore that much anymore.

Part of the fatigue might be that I've cut WAY back on Coke (the soda variety).  By the way, if you are someone who struggles with this, I can tell you how I've been doing it.  Every time I crave a Coke, I mentally say, "OK, you can have a Coke...but you have to drink a full bottle of water first."  By the time I'm done with the water, I don't crave the Coke anymore.  That strategy is working very well.

After this week, I'll be starting the "recovery" week next Thursday.  Perhaps that is what I need.

Day 15 (Chest and Back) Getting into the right state of mind

Today was the first day of week three.  Once again, I do the same 6 routines this week as I have the past two weeks.  After that I won't be doing these same 6 days for about 5 weeks.

I am noticing that I am mentally just waiting for each workout to end.  It is a state of mind that really prevents me from pushing myself because I'm always thinking, "OK, this is going to be over soon."  I'm really going to try defeat that mentality and to focus on each exercise as I'm doing it.  Otherwise, I'm really just wasting time.  If I'm not really pushing myself, I'm going to get through 90 days and not see any results.  You can't really go through autopilot on this program if you want to see a difference.  It is really about exhausting your muscles on those last few reps.

I got my pull up bar yesterday and installed it.  It feels MUCH more comfortable to do pull ups with the ceiling mounted bar than the bar in the doorway.  Unfortunately, that didn't equate into me being able to do more pull ups.  I am pull up challenged.  I can do 6 the first time and then I go downhill from there.  I start (incorrectly) using my body's momentum to pull me up and then get in trouble with swinging from the bar.  By the end of the workout (6 sets in), I am lucky to do 3.  However, everything else in the routine is improving.  Still, I feel like I could have pushed myself further on everything if I could focus more on the task at hand instead of when the tasks will be over.

I didn't get a chance to talk about nutrition yesterday.  I am not going by the P90X nutrition guide.  It is hard enough to find over an hour to exercise.  I decided a week ago that I was just going to try to eat "better."  I've cut out the junk food to a great degree (I was probably drinking 600 calories of Coke a day) and to focus on more high protein foods and limit portion sizes.  I'm not trying to lose weight...I'm just trying to make sure the food I eat can theoretically be incorporated into building more muscle instead of building more fat.  I'm really on the fence on if I believe you can truly lose fat and gain muscle at the same time.  We'll see.  It looks like I am about 2 pounds lighter now than when I started.

It is funny to read everything about P90X and how the program relates to weight.  Clearly, there is some conflict between the marketers of the program and the designers.  In truth, the program is not about weight at all...it is about becoming more athletic...more physically defined, stronger and with increased cardio capacity.  It is not necessarily about getting bulkier or smaller...it is more about getting defined or "cut."  However, it is clear the marketers were very sensitive about the need to talk about losing weight.  So you see that sprinkled in here and there.  Many of the success stories talk about weight loss as a component of what was accomplished.

Anyhow, it feels really good to know I'm starting week three.  Plyo is tomorrow.  Hopefully I don't end up jumping and cracking my skull on my new ceiling mounted pull up bar.

Day 13 (Kenpo) Two weeks down!

Finished Ab Ripper X last night...got completely through it without breaks...and Kenpo this morning.  The hardest thing with Kenpo is balance during the kicks.  I'm still wobbling around, especially during the back kicks.  Also, when he threw in the combo blocks (I think he called them star something...) I got lost and ended up just flailing my arms about like an idiot.  My HR monitor says I burned 912 calories.

I started to feel some left knee pain about 20 minutes in but it went away.  I think it is just getting used to it.  Tonight I mow the yard...hopefully that doesn't make anything worse.

Can't believe a week is done.  I really can't believe I've done two weeks already.  It has gone by so fast.  One more week of this routine and then "recovery."  I'm scared of the next phase from what I am reading about it.

One cool thing...I get the ceiling pull up bar tomorrow and will be able to install it before the big day of push ups and pull ups on Thursday.

I'll post tomorrow (during the "day of rest").  I haven't said much about diet or how I'm approaching it so I'll try to touch on that.

Day 12 (Legs/Back) Something is better than nothing...part II

This is becoming my least favorite workout.

From my learnings last week, I wore tennis shoes.  But that didn't help much.  Things were much the same story as last week.  The major problems are balance, form and my hatred of pull ups.

Balance and form...what can I say?  This is like Yoga day 1 all over again.  Step one is figuring out what they are doing.  Step two is trying to figure out how I'm going to do it.  Step one wasn't so bad...I've learned now to pause the DVD and take my time to figure out non-cardio workouts and how to get in the correct form.  Step two is harder.  I simply do not have the balance to get into a deep lunge without holding on to something.  My assumption is that holding on to nothing will ultimately train you to balance.  But I'm just not there yet and my guess is using a chair for balance is better than not doing the exercise at all.  Still, it was hard and took quite a long time to get through the workout.

I am hating pull ups.  I am waiting on a ceiling mounted pull up bar to come in the mail (probably at least a week away) and until then I am using a door mounted one.  This sucks because I am 6'3" and it is hard to keep my feet off the ground...for God's sake my knees almost hit the ground when I'm fully extended.

Plus, it is a Monday morning.  Who is motivated to do a ton of pull ups at 6:30AM on a Monday?  Not me!  I admit, I dogged it at the end. 

Here's a run down of the troubles...

1. Legs-balanced lunges: lunge with your back leg straight and your back foot on a chair.  I can't do this unless I am holding on to something.  I end up holding on to the chair and putting my back foot on a bench.  I have to make sure my front foot is WAY forward in order to prevent my knee from going less than 90 degrees.  It is tricky to get the form right.  Also, I put my back toe on the bench, not the top of my foot.
2. Legs-calf raise squats: I couldn't do this a few weeks ago.  Now my knees are fine with it.  Squat down and then come up on your toes.  I used weights.
3. Back-reverse grip chin-ups: hatred.  I still cannot do many reps of these.  In fact, I am worse than when I started.
4. Legs-super skaters: once again...hard to balance, but easier if I put my toe to the ground (which I have to).
5. Legs-wall squats: I have these down
6. Back-wide front pull ups: hatred
7. Legs-step back lunge: balance, balance, balance.  Have to use a chair.
8. Legs-alternating side lunge: just have to make sure the direction of my knee is the same direction as my foot.  If not, this hurts the knee.
9. Back-close grip overhand pull ups: it doesn't matter what the variety is...they all suck and I hate them all
10. Legs-Single-leg wall squat: I could do this last week.  I couldn't this week.  My right knee just wasn't cool with it.  I tried though.  I'll keep trying.
11. Legs-deadlift squats: not too bad.  Didn't use weights.
12. Back-switch grip pull ups: yeah right.  No way with my bar.  I'm too low and hanging and switching grips with my knees up...not going to happen.  Maybe this will work when I get the new bar.
13. Legs-three way lunge: just have to keep the knee and feet aligned...otherwise the knee doesn't like this
14. Legs-Sneaky lunge: no big deal
15. Back-reverse grip chin-ups: suck
16. Legs-chair salutations: Yoga has helped me with this.  I can push myself through these.
17. Legs-toe roll iso lunge: balance...needed to use a chair.
18. Back-wide front pull ups: suck
19. Legs-groucho walk: no big deal.
20. Legs-calf raises: used weight here.  No big deal.
21. Back-close overhand pull ups: suck
22. Legs-80/20 Siebers speed squats: Really have to focus on keeping the "20" leg to the side and keeping the knee/toe aligned.  Good form is critical to not hurting your knee.
23. Back-switch grip pull ups...yeah right.  Dogged these and didn't even care.

Another learning...get rid of the throw rug on these.  For some of the stuff, you are lunging across the room and you want the floor to be level through out.

So, I'm glad I actually got through the workout, but I'm disappointed that I didn't get more out of it.  I will probably do a walk through of the workout just to get the forms right and get straight exactly what I need (chairs to balance, etc.).  Once again, watching the TV makes things worse, especially when you are trying to balance.  I need to find some other focal point.

Day 11 (Yoga) Improving!

Did Ab ripper last night and Yoga today.  I'm really improving on both.  Honestly, it is mostly mental.  The more I know about an exercise, the more I can mentally prepare for it and the less I have to watch the DVD.  All that adds up to performing better because I am more focused.  I did not use the cheat sheet I created, but I know making it a few days ago helped me remember stuff to do today.  So it was worth it.

I've also let go of a lot of things...stuff like "I can't pause the DVD" or "I have to quit when it gets hard" or "I MUST be able to do what they are doing on the screen."  Once I let go of those things, everything got better.  It is also pretty amazing how it seems impossible to continue to do something after 15-20 seconds, but you see you only have 10 seconds left and somehow you are able to continue to push through.

As I suggested, I couldn't do some of the Yoga stuff...specifically some of the later Asanas.  But they admit that those are advanced.  So I don't beat myself up about it.  I mean, it is only the second time I even tried.  I don't give up and just watch the screen...I keep trying as they are going through it.  I will eventually get it.

No one should poo poo Yoga.  I think it is easy to blow it off...you aren't running or lifting anything heavy.  But this stuff is awesome.  It really trains your fine motor control.  And it is HARD.  Just wait until you are 15-20 minutes into it.

Today I was actually able to concentrate on breathing through the poses.  I didn't have my breathing coordinated as much as they wanted, but I did enough that it made a difference on being able to focus and balance.  I still blew off the last 5 minutes (corpse pose...fetal pose).  I'm just not into the spiritual stuff.

One thing I learned is that I 'm going to have to get a mat.  The first week I did it on our carpet along with the other P90X routines.  I learned really quick that I was going to ruin the carpet with my bodily secretions so I got a short pile throw rug.  However, when that gets wet I simply can't keep traction.  I'll pick up a mat before next time and see how it goes.

Once again, I really have to thank my awesome wife for watching the kids all this morning while I was upstairs.  I couldn't do it without her support.  I love you (Melanie...not the readers of this blog)!