Day 51: (Back & Biceps)

It was tough getting up this morning. I was reaaaaly dragging. In fact, I didn't finally start my workout until 6:40am this morning. That is almost a full hour past my normal starting time. I believe my numbers today will reflect that. I didn't regress over last week, but there wasn't much pro-gression going on either. 

I finally feel like my pull-ups are starting to improve. They have been my nemesis this entire time. There will be a slight upward tick in my numbers today and for the first time I actually felt more confidant doing them.... I like that feeling.

The next few days are going to be tricky to get the workouts in. I will traveling to and fro so I intend to take the DVD's with me and get in a few workouts. I will shift the order slightly so I will be doing Yoga and Kenpo on the rode. Neither of those workouts take and type of equipment so it shouldn't be difficult to try and pull off.

How about a video and some numbers now.

For your viewing pleasure today I give you the "Superman Banana"...looks easy...it isn't

Quicky Version:

Total Pullups: 49 (6% DECREASE)
Total Reps: 336 (6% INCREASE)
Total Weight Moved: 5128lbs (14% INCREASE)

Long Division Version:

Wide Front Pull-ups: (4 & 6 Assisted (A))
Lawnmowers: (16RH & 14LH @ 20lbs)
Twenty-Ones: (16 @ 20lbs)
One-Arm Cross Body Curls (9 @ 20lbs)
Switch Grip Pull-Ups: (10 A)
Elbows-Out Lawnmowers: (10L & 10R @ 20lbs)
Standing Bicep Curls: (10 @ 20lbs)
One-Arm Concentration Curls: (7r & 4L @ 20lbs)
Corn Cob Pull-ups: (5 reps) ** Video Below
Reverse Grip Bent-Over Rows: (12 @ 20lbs)
Open Arm Curls: (8 @20lbs)
Static Arm Curls: (16 @ 10lbs) +need more weight
Towel Pull-ups: (3UA& 6A)
Congdon Locomotives: (40 @ 20lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
On-Arm Corkscrew Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
Chin-ups: (3UA & 7A)
Seated Bent-over Back flys: (12 @ 10lbs & 5 @ 20lbs)
Curl-up/Hammer Down: (8 @ 20lbs)
Hammer Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
Max Rep Pull-ups: (8A Chinups)
Superman (5reps for 10seconds)
In-Out Hammer Curls: (7 @ 20lbs)
Strip Set Curls: (8 @ 20lbs, 8 @ 10lbs, 16 @ 8lbs)

Note: I don't tabulate all the numbers until after I workout. I really thought I improved on my pull-ups. Obviously I didnt, I regressed slightly. That is annoying. I will have to kill it next week to catch back up.

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Day 50: (Plyometrics)

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While I am writing this I am completely drenched in sweat. My arms, my legs, my face and chest. All as wet as when I step out of the shower. That is what Plyometrics will do to you. It is well deserved though. Yesterday was my birthday and I didn't exactly eat the best of foods. After trip to Genghis grill that consisted of a tad to much red meat and a trip to the movie that has one too many bags of popcorn and a liter too much Dr. Pepper, I was due for a little punishment this morning.

FYI: Plyometrics consist of 6 different sets. Each set is made up of 4 (0:30 or 1:00 long) exercises. Once you finish a set you then repeat it. The first 3 sets go fairly quickly, but once you get to set 4, 5 and 6 they start compounding and getting quite tough.

I don't remember which Plyometrics video I posted in the past, but here is one for your viewing pleasure. This is what I consider to be the most challenging of all the sets.

Not doing P90x currently? Try this one routine when you get home and see what you think!

#1: Jump Knee Tuck (:30)
#2: Mary Kathrine Lunges (:30)
#3: Leapfrog Squats (:30)
#4:Twist Combo (1:00)
      (Repeat)

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P90x Day 49: (Chest, Shoulders & Triceps)

..Happy May 24th, otherwise known as my 27th Birthday. It is pretty amazing that I am creeping up on 30 years old...time flies. Fortunately, i feel better than ever. For years and years I thought about getting into a normal workout regimen but never did.

Nearly 60 days ago I decided to. I am very grateful that I did. For the few of you that read this blog I HIGHLY recommend you do something....anything. It doesn’t have to be P90x, just get on a structured workout routine. Do something that tells you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. Write down a few goals and meet them. Quit thinking about what you want to do or how you want to look or feel and just go put in the work you need to be that way.

It’s tough, tiring and hurts at time, but it is worth it!

Today’s workout was really good. I felt energized and ready to go. I told you last week that i started writing my numbers down. I even showed you my rep count and weight sets from the few resistance workouts I did last week. I never dreamed that just writing down numbers would help so much.

This week when I started on the same routines again I had something to live up to. I attempted to beat all of my numbers from last week and the results where insane. Once I calculated up the rep counts and weight moved numbers below, I was blown away by how much they went up.
I immediately thought of Zig Ziglar for some reason. He always harps on the power of writing goals down. He says your 80% more likely to hit a goal if it is written down. Honestly, that is the main purpose of this BLOG. Not for other people to read, but for me to be accountable to someone out there in cyber land.

Checkout this video by motivation and goal setting master Zig Ziglar and then take a gander at the numbers below:

Here are LAST WEEK totals:
Total Rep Count: 319.5 Reps
Total Weight moved: 1968 lbs.
Total Pushups: 106.5 reps

Here are TODAYS totals:
Total Rep Count: 392 Reps (INCREASE 29%)
Total Weight moved: 2,460lbs (INCREASE 20%)
Total Pushups: 111 reps (INCREASE 5%)


 
Here is the breakdown:
Slow-Motion 3-in1 Push-ups: (12 reps + 12 bonus reps)
In & Out Shoulder Flys: (16 reps @ 10lbs)
Chair Dips: (13 reps)
Plange Push-ups: (8 reps)
Pike Presses: (12 reps)
Side Tri-rise: (12 left / 10 right)
Floor Flys: (14 reps)
Scarecrows: (14 reps @ 10 lbs)
Overhead Tricep Extensions: (11 reps @ 10lbs)
Two-Twitch Speed Push-ups: (8 fast reps & 4 slow reps)
Y-Presses (9 reps @ 20lbs)
Lying Tricep Extensions: (12 left & 10 right)
Side-to-Side Push-ups: (10 reps)
Pour Flys (10 reps @ 8lbs)
Side-Leaning Tricep Extensions: (9LH & 13RH @ 10lbs)
One-Arm Push ups: (15 reps) on knees and half way down
Weighted Circles: (40 reps @ 3lbs)
Throw the Bomb: (20 reps @ 10lbs)
Clap Pushups: (15 reps) on knees
Slo-Mo Throws (8 reps @ 10lbs)
Front-to-Back Tricep Extensions: (12LH/13RH @ 10lbs)
One-Arm Balance Pushups: (8 reps)
Fly-Row Press (10 reps @ 10lbs)
Dumbbell Cross Body Blows: (35 reps @ 20 lbs)

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P90x Day 46: (Kenpo X)

Completed Kenpo X this morning. I really like that workout.

I have mixed up the order of my workouts this weekend. Instead of 1) Yoga 2) Legs & Back 3)Kenpo. I have rearranged the order. I had my rest day on Thursday. Then I busted out Kenpo X today. Tomorow evening I will do Legs and Back and Sunday will be the dreaded Yoga. 

What is Kenpo? For you viewing pleasure I have included a video below:

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P90x Day 44: (Back & Biceps)

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Today was Back and Biceps. That means you do a whole lot of curls and pull-ups. The curls, I don't mind so much. The pull-ups on the other hand, my least favorite workout maneuver. That is probably the case because I am so bad at them.

I have to talk about one of the 'stretches' that you do all throughout P90x. It's the ever so innocent looking arm circles. (see video below). It consist of 20 seconds of medium size circles going clockwise, then its followed by 20 seconds going counter clockwise. Then you go straight into large clockwise are circles and 20 seconds of counter clockwise circles. That probably doesn't sound to hard, but holy cow its difficult.

On top of that, in my current Monday workout you add weight to it.....

(this is sissified version, but you get the idea)

On another note, I really need to invest in a set of 15# and 25# dumbbells. In several of the workouts the 20's and 10's just don't cut it. Its pretty important to push your self on every exercise. For me, if I'm busting my butt this hard, I might as well get the best results possible. That means, maximum effort on every workout. So, I'm trekking to Academy today at lunch to invest in a few more weights.

Enough of that. Lets get to my numbers from today. Just a note on my workout numbers. On all of my pull-up numbers you will notice a notation of (A) or (UA) on each. The stands for (A)ssisted and (UA)Unassisted. I use the chair to help once I reach my breaking point. This helps me get more reps in. This helps alot because I normally cant do many by the end of a workout.


Quicky Version:

Total Pullups: 52
Total Reps: 317
Total Weight Moved: 4,450lbs

Long Division Version:

Wide Front Pull-ups: (4 & 6 Assisted (A))
Lawnmowers: (16RH & 14LH @ 20lbs)
Twenty-Ones: (16 @ 20lbs)
One-Arm Cross Body Curls (9 @ 20lbs)
Switch Grip Pull-Ups: (10 A)
Elbows-Out Lawnmowers: (10L & 10R @ 20lbs)
Standing Bicep Curls: (10 @ 20lbs)
One-Arm Concentration Curls: (7r & 4L @ 20lbs)
Corn Cob Pull-ups: (5 reps) ** Video Below
Reverse Grip Bent-Over Rows: (12 @ 20lbs)
Open Arm Curls: (8 @20lbs)
Static Arm Curls: (16 @ 10lbs) +need more weight
Towel Pull-ups: (3UA& 6A)
Congdon Locomotives: (40 @ 20lbs)
Crouching Cohen Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
On-Arm Corkscrew Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
Chin-ups: (3UA & 7A)
Seated Bent-over Back flys: (12 @ 10lbs & 5 @ 20lbs)
Curl-up/Hammer Down: (8 @ 20lbs)
Hammer Curls: (8 @ 20lbs)
Max Rep Pull-ups: (8A Chinups)
Superman (5reps for 10seconds)
In-Out Hammer Curls: (7 @ 20lbs)
Strip Set Curls: (8 @ 20lbs, 8 @ 10lbs, 16 @ 8lbs)

Tomorrow is YOGA. Catch you then. BTW be sure to go over to our eBay BLOG sometime today and read what we are doing over there. If you were asking your self the same question I was.....see the answer below...

What is a corn cob pull up?

P90x Day 43: (Plyometrics) + Video

It is now day 43! Its kind of wild how time flies.

It should be day 57 for me though..but hey, who's counting. After nearly a week off for back spasms and another missed 3 days in Week 2 of my second month I sit here at day 43.

I just completed Plyometrics for the 8th time and I feel better after this set than any so far. There are marked improvements in my stamina, strength and overall flexibility (thanks to Yoga). Getting up early and making time to workout persist as the #1 obstacle to completing the program. I am planning on getting into the Beach body forums today to see if they have any tips on how to be more consistent with that, maybe there is some way to help trick your body into making it a little easier.

For those of you that don't have a clue what Plyometrics is. Here is a cool short and musically educed video summary:

I have been thinking lately about what I am going to do AFTER we finish this P90x. I have though about going through it again or picking up with a lighter (less time consuming) workout. Another possibility is to modify P90x to a shorter more focused workout. I'll keep you up to date with what i decide.

No Ab Ripper X today. That is a shame, I kinda like that workout. Like most people that is the area that I could use the most improvement in, and also the area that I have seen the least amount of change in. Hopefully, change will come soon.

I think I will start doing Ab Ripper X on Sundays too. That would put us doing Abs 4 days a week.

Tomorrow is Back and Chest.

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P90x Day 42: (Chest, Shoulders & Triceps)

Sorry for the lack of posting last week. It was actually a really good workout week but I wasn't feeling all that inspired to write about it. Last week was more about me getting back in the mental grove and getting refocused on the workout. The effects of mising just one or two workouts are pretty amazing. I think it messes with my head more than anything.

Ok, I promised last week that I would start showing you some numbers. The truth is that I would have done this much sooner but we just haven't been keeping track of our reps and weights. However, last week I finally got online and found the Workout Logs on the P90x website and now we have some hard and fast data.

For those of you that read this and have never gone through P90x before, this will give you an idea of what the normal workout consist of.

Here are the summary totals:

Total Rep Count: 319.5 Reps
Total Weight moved: 1968 lbs.
Total Pushups: 106.5 reps

Here is the breakdown:

Slow-Motion 3-in1 Push-ups: (11 reps + 10 bonus reps)
In & Out Shoulder Flys: (16 reps @ 8lbs) - Shoulder Pain
Chair Dips: (12 reps)
Plange Push-ups: (7 reps)
Pike Presses: (12 reps)
Side Tri-rise: (10 left / 10 right)
Floor Flys: (11-1/2 reps)
Scarecrows: (14 reps @ 10 lbs)
Overhead Tricep Extensions: (10reps @ 10lbs)
Two-Twitch Speed Push-ups: (8 fast reps & 3 slow reps)
Y-Presses (8 reps @ 20lbs)
Lying Tricep Extensions: (10 left & 10 right)
Side-to-Side Push-ups: (10 reps)
Pour Flys (8 reps @ 8lbs)
Side-Leaning Tricep Extensions: (8 reps @ 10lbs)
One-Arm Push ups: (10 reps) on knees and half way down
Weighted Circles: (40 reps @ 3lbs)
Throw the Bomb: (20 reps @ 10lbs)
Clap Pushups: (15 reps) on knees
Slo-Mo Throws (12 reps @ 8lbs)
Front-to-Back Tricep Extensions: (8left/10right @ 10lbs)
One-Arm Balance Pushups: (8 reps)
Fly-Row Press (3reps @ 20lbs & 5 reps @ 10lbs)
Dumbbell Cross Body Blows: (20 reps @ 20 lbs)

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P90x: Day 35: (Chest, Shoulders & Triceps)

As you can see I haven't moved my "Day Countdown" forward at all. It is still Day 35 like it was in my last post. You can only guess what that means.

I missed 3 workouts last week.

I could offer a lot of reasons/excuses, but I'm not. The mantra of this workout is "Do your BEST and forget the rest." Up to now I have just been listening to the "Forget the Rest" Part, the other hasn't been all that applicable.

Last week though, I didn't do my best. So, I am doing the whole week over again. I started this morning with (Chest, Shoulders & Triceps).

It felt great. I could tell that I hadn't been working hard the last few days though.

I am going to start putting my numbers up here in the coming days. Maybe that will be a tad more entertaining and worth reading than my ramblings that become redundant after awhile.

I'm excited and focused about this week!

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Day 35 & 36 (Chest, Arms Shoulders & Plyometrics)

The new workout time has gone great so far. Getting up at 5:15 and working out until 6:15 is definitely the better way to go. I am a little concerned about me pulling this off on a consistent basis, but so far so good.

The New Routine for Month #2 consist of the following:

Day 1: Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2: Plyometrics
Day 3: Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4: Yoga
Day 5: Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6: Kenpo X
Day 7: Rest/X Stretch

This isn't a huge change. Really the only thing that changes is Day 1 and Day 3. I really like it so far though. Instead of doing hundreds of Pullup (which I hate) on Day 1 it is more push-ups and free weight focused.

As far as Day 2, well, Plyometrics is ... still tough. It continues to get better though. It seems like I took a step back during the Recovery week though. Plyo seemed a little tougher with a week off from it. However, I still am making it through without any breaks and am getting much closer to keeping the pace in the video.

Tonight is Back & Biceps....

Day 34: Gettin' ready to work

We had some serious rain this weekend
(this is the interstate)

I have been mysteriously absent from posting over the last week. This has been our first recovery week and we have taken full advantage of it. Probably a little to much. We missed two of our "recovery workouts". We missed 1 session of Yoga X and 1 Session of Stretch. I hate we did but it was nice to have a little break.

I am fired up and ready to start MONTH TWO tomorrow though. I have decided to move the workout to the morning for this next month. It is pretty hectic and sometimes tough to get our workout in while doing it in the evening like we have been doing.

I havent looked at our schedule for the upcoming month yet. It'll be a surprise in the morning!

Until then...