Day 66: Yoga X

It wasn't so bad today. I allowed myself to "dog it" on a few of the Warriors or Upward Dogs. My arms weren't always extended and my knees weren't always off the ground. As Tony likes to say, I still had "a lot of storm going on" as evidenced by the sweat, but it probably wasn't X worthy.

Whatever. I did my time. Today my town is supposed to get 10 inches of snow. I'm sure that whatever energy I didn't burn in Yoga X will be burned when I have to shovel in October. Shoveling snow is no joke. Hopefully my increased muscle base, as a result of my P90X journey makes it easier for me this winter.

Day 65: Back and Biceps

When you get right down to the exercises, I think this workout is the shortest of them all. Which was good for me today, because I needed to get going with the rest of my day. Our dog apparently had issues during the night and so she was let out of her crate around 3:30 a.m., which is when I decided that going back to bed was futile. So another early workout with Tony.

I did some research online the other day and discovered that P90X was released back in 2004. So that means that today, Tony is pushing 53. I've been getting emails from Beachbody that there's a new P90X program about to be released, which means Tony, at 53, is still at it. I'm 39 and hoping that after round one of this program, I can convince myself to do it again.

Day 64: Plyometrics

Wouldn't it be awful if I missed a day now? Ugh. That would stink. To come so close and then just stop? Nope. Not gonna happen.

Today's workout tested my thighs. The "run stance jump switch pick ups" or whatever they're called were too much after all the previous leg drills. Clearly any exercising of my legs makes me weak, as evidenced by the Legs and Back report from Day 61.

Back to the pull ups tomorrow. Pressing on....

Day 63: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps

Just prior to the start of every routine, the screen flashes in large text the words, "Bring It!"

Hey Tony Horton, remember back on Day 45 when I started to feel the beginnings of an illness brewing inside of me? Well yesterday I finally went to the doctor after trying to heal myself with over the counter medicines and the doctor said, "I think you've got pneumonia." That's 18 straight days of P90X with pneumonia.

And hey Tony, remember back on Day 46 when I ripped the entire toenail off my left big toe? How many workouts did I miss? Oh, that's right. Zero.

Oh yeah, Tony, remember back on Day 2 when I did my first Plyometrics workout at 2:45 a.m.?

I'm bringing it over here. Every single day. This morning I had to be out the door by 5am. Did that stop me? Nope. When the alarm went off at 4am, I got up and went to work.

That's how I roll.

Day 62: Kenpo X

I knew my legs would be feeling it this morning. Thank goodness for Kenpo X. I bring the intensity, but this workout just doesn't create any sense of muscle fatigue or exhaustion. About the only thing it does is highlight my poor kicking ability. But I'm grateful for this workout, because it's like working out while still taking a break. It's a nice change of pace from the bent over, gasping for air feeling I had yesterday.

Tomorrow I begin week #10. That's crazy. Only 4 weeks left. I will finish the program the day before Thanksgiving. Now that's something to be thankful for!

Day 61: Legs and Back

This workout kicked my bootie. There were several times during it that I was bent over gasping for air. Usually that sensation followed a session of pull ups. I know my legs are going to be feeling it tomorrow.

By the way - I did do photos and measurements, but opted not to post either. Not much has changed in the measurements since the 30 day mark. Ergo, the pictures don't appear to contain that much change, either. I've concluded that my first experience with P90X is all about recovering strength, since I haven't done any resistance training in the last 15 years. I still can't get through a session of pull ups without using the chair, or falling to my knees during push ups. I'll probably put myself through a second round of the program once the new year begins, and my hope is that my strength will be sufficient to allow for additional phsyical changes. I think this program requires some minimum strength standards - standards which I did not have - before one can achieve those infomerical type results.

Day 60: Rest

I wonder whether it matters when the day of rest is actually taken? I think the ideal goal in this program is that people will go Monday through Saturday and take Sunday off. But I started on a Tuesday, I think, and so my rest day - still on Sunday - comes in the middle of the workout routine. Does that change the results? Who knows.

Let's focus on what matters here: 60 days done and only 30 more to go. YES!!

Day 59: Yoga X

I hate yoga. And I would wear that.

And I hate that it has been the most repeated routine of this whole process. Maybe this whole thing should be called "20YogaX and 70 Others" I think I hate it because I'm as flexible as a board. Or maybe I hate it because it's the only routine that has prolonged discomfort. Downward Dog is not much of a break, and yet it's the only quasi-break for the first 40 minutes of Yoga X. I could also hate it because it's the only workout I do which affects my right shoulder and the surgery it had 17 years ago.

Anyway, Yoga X is always a mental struggle. Good thing I only have 4 more sessions to endure.

Day 58: Shoulders and Arms

Another manly workout - curls and presses and tricep extensions. My shoulders were on fire! When I do Yoga X tomorrow, my arms are going to be hurting when I have to hold them out straight for the warrior poses. I have to say that I'm so glad I purchased dumbbells for this program, rather than the bands. The bands seem too complicated.

My favorite moment of this workout is always when Tony tries to give mid-workout fist bumps to his friends, and his girlfriend Dreya totally doesn't see him with his fist out, or just flat out ignores him. Either way, it makes me chuckle a little.

Only 2 more days and I'll be measured and photographed again.

Day 57: Plyometrics

Another day of jump training - or maybe just hop training. Not a lot of ump left in my jump these days. I'm definitely not a "wild man, a bad man, a locust," like Tony's friend Dominque is.

Haven't talked about calorie counting in a while. Let's update that. I'm supposed to be keeping myself to 3,000 or less. For the majority of the time, I have. Yesterday I apparently went over my limit. Sometimes I know when I've gone over, and other times I'm surprised when I total it all up. Today I had another big breakfast, so my lunch and dinner will have to be adjusted. Who knows really what my true calorie count is on any given day? I do the best I can in guesstimating based on Internet research. My food journal is up to 18 pages worth of entries.

Someday, someone will be interested to know exactly what I ate for 90 straight days, right? Here's my actual journal entry for October 18th. You'll have to let me know how accurate you think I was.

 

Day 56: Chest and Back

This is a man's workout, no doubt. Nothing but pushing and pulling for 40 minutes. Whether by accident or on purpose, the same daughter who accompanied me for this routine on Day 1, was also witness to day 56. Her comment sums it up nicely: "Dad, that was way more push ups than you did the first time." I guess Horton was right. It does get easier.

When it comes time for taking my final pictures on Day 90, I'll have to make sure and do a few minutes of this routine before I take them so that I can be all pumped up for the Hollywood effect.

Day 55: Yoga X

My muscles were tired this morning. I don't know why. Anytime I've done Yoga X, the thing that hurts the most for me is my shoulders. And when I say hurt, I mean that I struggle. For instance, in Warriors 1 and 2, I ache to put my arms down long before Tony says it's time.

Today was the end of week #8. Amazing. I have 5 weeks left. Tomorrow I go back to a routine I haven't seen in the last 5 weeks. You'd think that at this point, I'd be firing on all cylinders and happy to continue the workout, etc. But it's still a daily struggle. Must....keep....pushing....play.

Day 54: Core Synergistics

I've reached the point of P90X where it seems as though there is good news with every post. Today's news is that I will not see Core Synergistics again until I am in my final week. Plank to Chaturonga Run, I'll see you in 4 weeks. Maybe then I'll actually be able to do a Chaturonga Run. For now, it's just Plank Run followed by heavy breathing while I let Tony and friends Chaturonga Run to their heart's desire.

My calorie count was high this weekend due to some social functions and Rachael's birthday. Now there's chocolate cake lingering in the house just begging to be eaten. It's going to be tough during mealtimes.

Day 53: Rest

Today I helped set up and take down about 400 chairs. So it wasn't all rest.

Currently it's about 6:45 p.m. and I am struggling to keep my eyes open. Part of that is due to some drugs I took for my illness, and part of it is that my belly is full and it has been a long day. Whatever the reason, I'm not fighting it. I'm going to bed at 7 and my wife is less than thrilled about it.

"Who goes to bed at 7?!"

Sick, tired P90X-ers who bring it all day, everyday. That's who. Goodnight!

Day 52: X Stretch

X Stretch may as well be an extra rest day. No heart rate, no sweat. It's the only day of the recovery weeks that's actually a recovery day.

Yesterday morning I was SO hungry, following my 10 hours of sleep and my Kenpo X workout, that I ate a 2,100 calorie breakfast. Well, you can imagine how that put a cramp in the rest of my day, meal wise. I think I had a bowl of cereal for lunch and a granola bar for dinner. I guess I won't be doing that again.

Day 51: Kenpo X

I bought some over-the-counter medicine yesterday, went to bed at 7:30 last night and both of those things had me feeling much better this morning. No hack-a-lackin' or phlegm discharging.

Not much else to report. This routine appears so regularly, that I've run out of things to say. So I'll just leave this entry by saying that I'm so glad the weekend is here.

Day 51: Core Synergistics

It's official. This routine is my favorite. It's simple; it's body based; and it's all encompassing. I don't know why Tony only has it as part of his recovery weeks. I think all the Kenpo X days should be replaced with this.

My toenail-less toe was able to perform when required. I am clearly almost over the hurdle with that. My lungs and throat on the other hand continue to be an issue. I was "hack-a-lackin,'" as Rachael likes to call it, through the first half until my overnight growth was able to be expectorated. (That's a pleasant image for you, I'm sure.)

And prison cell push ups are beastly.

Day 50: Yoga X

"Drop down, Mr. Haas; this is Yoga X, my brother. You too, at home. If you're doggin' it up here, that ain't it. I want you down." Way to keep us honest, Tony. My right leg is much less flexible than my left. I guess that makes sense since I'm right handed and the left leg goes with the right arm - such as in a basketball layup.

My first test of the toenail-less big toe. Not bad. I did spend most of the time in plank or push ups with just my right foot on the ground. But again, my decreased lung capacity was the big challenge. After a night of post nasal drip collecting in the back of my throat, until I am able to expectorate the phlegm, which I was not able to do this morning until after my breakfast, I am not able to breathe well. Accordingly, I'm nervous for tomorrow's reintroduction to Core Synergistics.

Week #8 has begun. 10 days until my second measurements and photos.

Day 49: Kenpo X

Today marked the official end of week #7. Amazing. My toe was not an issue for me with the workout, but my decreased lung capacity was. Hopefully my upcoming recovery week will allow for me to return to a normal lung state.

I've been meaning to talk about what it's like being a big guy at 6'6" and trying to match speed and movements with those on Tony's team. For the most part, I can't. But the Kenpo X routine features a tall guy. I don't know how tall he is, but I'd guess 6'3". So I naturally look to him to see how low he goes in horse stance, versus how low I go, etc. It's hard for me to get a feel for how other tall guys do during this workout.

On days when I'm doing pull ups, I don't watch the TV to see whether Tony and friends are fully extending their arms with each rep, but I do, and the distance I have to cover is greater than any of theirs. Even when I cheat a little and use the chair, I still can't match the speed of their pull ups. So either they're not fully extending their arms with each rep, or they're superhuman strong to do pull ups that fast.

Anyway, it's not easy being tall.

Day 48: Legs and Back

My toe was not an issue this morning. I was able to perform all of the routines, except toe iso rolls for my left foot. Tony makes a note of this in almost every workout. "If you're injured, do what you can." Thanks, Tony. However, my chest cold was DEFINITELY an issue. My heart was beating so fast even though this routine wasn't a cardio one, and I labored so hard to draw in enough oxygen, that by the end of the workout, I was feeling like I was going to throw up.

I really hope I can kick this chest cold. Doing P90X while you're sick is so hard.

On a more positive note, tomorrow is the end of week #7. Woah! Time is flying. Wednesday starts week #8, which is my second recovery week, which means that I'm getting close to the end of my second month. It's almost time for measurements and pictures again. It also means a chance to finally complete Core Synergystics - the DVD I had to replace because of a scratch.

Day 47: Rest

Did you see that injury I sustained on Day 46? Ouch. I'm glad I was able to rest today. And oh yeah, my chest cold hasn't gotten any better, either.

Day 46: Yoga X

And it begins, again.

I had an early committment this morning, so I was unable to get the workout in first thing like I prefer. However, it being Saturday, I wasn't worried. I got it done by noon.

But here's the toe kicker. I've injured myself. And this injury is going to put a damper on some of the exercises until it heals. I was outside, wearing nothing but flip flops for shoes, and I was setting up one of those Little Giant Ladders. They're heavy, but very useful. While I was rotating the ladder on the ground, it caught the toenail of my left big toe and completely ripped it off in an instant.

Surprisingly, I was not filled with intense pain. I calmly walked inside and got myself bandaged. However, I cannot put pressure on my toe, like I do when I'm in a push up position. So we'll see how it affects P90X going forward. What's the second half without a challenge to overcome?

Day 45: Back and Biceps

Break out the confetti and party balloons!! 50% done. Woo hoo!! I started this program in August, and here it is October. Yet I'll complete the second half of the program next month. That seems wierd, like the first half is longer than the second. Or maybe it'll make it feel like the second half goes by faster. I'd like that.

Today, I increased the weight I used during the curl exercises and my arms were toast by the end.

With the change in seasons, my respiratory system always seems to undergo at least a cold or some other type of illness. I can feel something brewing in my chest and I don't like it. I don't want to deal with P90X if I'm sick. Here's hoping the next 45 days will be like the first, illness free.

Day 44: Plyometrics

Another good workout from the Plyometrics routine. My shoulders are always killing me when I do this workout, and it's because yesterday was a major shoulder day with push ups and rows.

Not much else to report, other than that I ran into an old friend yesterday and my friend reported to me that they were considering starting P90X soon. That made me do a little mini throw up in my mouth. Good luck was all I could say to that. I'm halfway through and the thought of going back to day 1 is...well...

Day 43: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps

Week #7 has begun! This is the halfway week of this program. Two more days and it's all downhill. The great thing is that after each workout, I still feel like I'm in week #1 in terms of my body's soreness.

Having completed this morning's routine, I bid it farewell until week #10.

Two realizations I've had in the last 24 hours: 1) I need to buy some more dumbbells so that I have some 5 and 35 pounders. There are some exercises where my lightest dumbbell at 10 pounds is too heavy, and some exercises where my heaviest dumbbells at 30 pounds are a tad light. I probably won't get the new weights before I finish my 90 days, but maybe if I do this program again, I'll get them.

2) Like cheese, I have discovered that bread is an enemy. There are so many calories in bread. I was speaking to a friend last night who has recently lost 30 pounds and he said that he doesn't eat any carbohydrates, which includes breads and pastas, but eats a lot of chicken and pork. Perhaps the second half of my P90X journey will be bread free. I don't know if I can give up the pasta. I do love me a good plate of fresh cooked spaghetti. But I'm willing to forgo the bread option and increase the meat, veggies and fruit. We'll see.

It's all about change; and change is good.

Day 42: Kenpo X

I'm glad today was Kenpo X. The routine goes by quicker than others and isn't as high impact.

My lack of flexibility continues to plague me, especially when attempting kicks, which look more like flops.

In every video Tony always offers a tip of the day. He also repeats a particular phrase during at least one of the suggested breaks. That phrase is, "If you need a break, take one. We'll be here. Working." I like that. And I like it because he means it.

Day 41: Legs and Back

Doing the pull ups with my legs behind me, instead of in front continues to be the hardest part of any workout which includes pull ups. I can only do so many with them in back of me, then I have to put them out in front, use the chair and keep going. Tony's ok with that, and so am I.

There was no jumping on the Debbie Siebers speed squats today. Just getting the reps in was tough enough.

Tomorrow is my last day of week #6. That's awesome.

Day 40: Rest

I'm happy to see that I've entered the 40s. I'll be halfway through the program before this next week is done.

Not only will I be resting today, but I'll likely be glued to my couch all day, as well. Today is my church's General Conference, so I have 4 hours of televised sermons to take in.

Who knows? I may even throw in a nap while I'm at it? I love to rest.

Day 39: Yoga X

I can't emphasize enough, at least for me, the need to do these exercises first thing in the morning. Even on a Saturday morning, when I could be sleeping in, it's important to get up and get it done.

So I did. And the thing I worked on improving in this round of Yoga X was doing a push up from the plank position. I didn't do many, but the many I did was more than I've done before.

Do your best; forget the rest.