Final Thoughts

Having now experienced P90X in all of its early morning glory, I have the following thoughts:

1) I have no before or after pictures to share with you.

2) And here's why: This experience with P90X marked a return to resistance training for me - something which I haven't done since 1996 when I stopped playing college football and lifting weights. Therefore, given that it has been 15 years since I've stretched, strained and pushed my muscles, you can imagine the sad state into which they had fallen. This round of P90X was all about rebuilding a foundation of strength that I had lost. And because I had lost it, I was not strong enough, for example, to push my body for an hour and then do an extra 15 on my abs. After the hour, my body was toast, and so my abs were not worked. ERGO, I have no infomercial quality photos to share with you.

3) Did I lose weight? Yes. How much? Probably about 10 pounds. But I also gained muscle, so the total pounds lost is offset by muscle pounds gained.

4) I did not follow Tony's specific diet plan. Instead, I counted calories based on a limit set by Tony. I was allotted 3,000 calories per day. Because of a busy last weekend, I stopped keeping my food journal after day 85. But based on 85 days worth of journaling, I calculated that I consumed an average of 2,808 calories a day, or 94% of my total allotment. What's more, based on my food journal, I calculated that of the calories I consumed, 26% of them were on foods that I probably should have skipped - desserts, dressings, fats, etc.

5) The question is what I will now do with both my renewed foundation of strength as well as my now ultra sensitive food counting body? I've decided to take a break for at least 2-3 weeks, and then I'm going to begin a half marathon training routine which will last 90 days as well. Why? Because both the P90X and the running are both preparatory for the Tough Mudder race I'm running in May 2012 - 10 miles of British Special Forces obstacles. Ooh rah.

So Tony, I thank you for the experience, the education and the relentless nature of your program and personality. Perhaps we'll meet again one day. But for now, I'll borrow a line from the genie of Aladdin: I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Day 90: DONE

Can I add P90X graduate to my resume now?

Day 89: Core Synergistics

A little over 90 days ago when I announced to my family that I was beginning my P90X journey, my youngest brother and I somehow ended up making a wager as to whether or not I would be able to complete the program. I don't recall if I instigated it (it's what I do best - being an instigator) or if he offered it. Either way, the bet we struck was the following:

If I was successful, he would have to purchase a plane ticket for me to come to Utah, where he lives.

If I failed, I would have to purchase him a plane ticket for him to come to Massachusetts.

About four or five days ago, he left a comment on one of my P90X posts asking, "How much was that plane ticket again?" I think he recognized that it was a done deal. I tried to warn him. I even borrowed some logic from the classic movie, "The Princess Bride."

Ha ha! You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - The most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia" - but only slightly less well-known is this: "Never go against me when physicality is on the line"! 

Anyway, all of that history to say this: I DID NOT WORK OUT TODAY.

Why? I suppose the big brother in me was having a moment of weakness for his younger brother who now has an official get-out-of-buying-the-plane-ticket card. I could have spent yet another morning with Tony, but I chose not to.

So there you have it. On Day #89, have I gone mad? Tripping at the finish line? Please. You know me better than that. Or at least you should.

Whatever my younger brother decides, it's all good. Because I know that you know that Tony knows that I've brought it - could bring it again and again and again.

Day 88: Rest

Forget P90X, my body needed this day of rest after the emotional and physical toll it has taken in recent days/weeks putting together my parents' surprise 50th anniversary party. Not only did I sleep in until 7:30 (which is sleeping in for me, considering that every other morning I'm up between 5:30 and 6:30), but I also took a nap.

PS. Largely as a result of the aforementioned festivities, and my inability to recall exactly what I ate over the past 48 hours, I have put an end to my calorie counting. So officially, I will have recorded and tracked only 86 of my 90 days. Frankly, bringing the calorie counting and food journal to an end is almost as much of a relief as is the completion of the physical part. I'll make a final food entry before I'm finished with some revelatory facts regarding my journey.

TWO days left.

Day 87: X Stretch

There was plenty of stretching today, whether with Tony or stringing up lights for my parents surprise 50th anniversary party.

My middle daughter started the routine with me, but gave up shortly after she commented that it seemed like we were headed for another round of Yoga X. Now that's my girl. But in all seriousness Tony, why are we starting a stretching routine with upward and downward dogs? ENOUGH with the Yoga already.

Day 86: Kenpo X

Day eighty-six is done. I didn't bang my joints; I got my kneecaps up; and I brought the intensity. I'll miss you Kenpo X. Thanks for the memories.

Day 85: Core Synergistics

Another progress mark in my journey. I could actually run a few steps while down in Chattaronga today.

I came to the conclusion that it would be really helpful if I had a TV built into the floor so that I could see Tony and friends all the time while I was attempting to follow them. I discovered a mistake I had been making in a move because I happened to glance up at the TV during an exercise where my eyes are not normally able to stay on screen because of my positioning.

Prison cell pushups are still the bomb.

Day 84: Yoga X

IF it is that I decide to do P90X again, I am telling you right now that Yoga will not be part of my journey. And if it is, the timeframe for each move and the entire routine will be significantly reduced. There is no need to hold twisted half moon for 30 seconds. I think 10-15 is plenty. Beyond a certain second count, it's no longer about flexibility and strength, it becomes torture.

Only 6 more days....

Day 83: Kenpo X

I like this routine. Always have. It's a nice break between hard days.

But more importantly, HELLO! Tomorrow is the start of week #13!! That is my final week!! And what do I have awaiting me on day 84? Why, my old friend, Yoga X. Try and kill my happiness Warriors 1, 2 and 3. You haven't stopped me yet.

Day 82: Legs & Back

My last day with this routine. I won't miss it - but I will give it props. It kicked my butt every single time.

Day 81: Rest

Let's talk calories on this day of rest. I have opined several times throughout my journey on the uncertain science that is calorie counting. Nevertheless, I have tried my best to maintain a less than 3,000 calorie diet throughout the program. I'm pretty confident that I have done that, although given the uncertainty of exactly how many calories I've really eaten, who knows?

Two days ago I started out the morning by eating some Texas French toast. Then at lunch time I ate some chicken nuggets. After two meals, I calculated that I had already consumed 2,100 calories. That meant that I had to have a light dinner to stay under 3,000. Well by dinnertime, plans had changed and we were suddenly eating out with friends at a local Bertucci's restaurant. I put no restraints on myself and ordered a regular meal. By the time I was finished, I had consumed another 2,200 calories, putting my one day total at 4,300 calories. That is by far the highest single day tally of calories I've had since I've begun the program. But that's not why I mention it. I mention it, because I had no problem consuming that amount - which means that prior to P90X, I was probably eating north of 4,000 calories on a regular basis, without any sort of exercise program.

It's scary to think that in 9 days, when I finish this program, I'll no longer be counting calories and my average intake could far exceed what my body should have. Diet control is a huge part of weight loss and maintaing a specific weight. Learning to say no to your appetite is a good thing. Needless to say, two days later, I'm still feeling full from the record setting day. Ugh.

Day 80: Yoga X

If there were any doubt in your mind about how much I loathe Yoga X, then the fact that over the course of these 90 days, this routine more than any other, has been accomplished at a time other than first thing in the morning, like it was again today, ought to cement the notion forever. I finished at 7:15 p.m. this time. Another Saturday battling the fallen leaves with the leaf blower left me with little drive to spend time with Tony.

But it's done. And soon, so will I be.

Day 79: Back and Biceps

My forearms were Tony Toast (yet another marketing slogan for Mr. Horton courtesy of yours truly - "Hey, whatcha having before breakfast? How 'bout some Tony Toast?") about 3/4 of the way through the routine today. Between the pull ups and the constant curling, my ability to hold onto the bar and weights was fading.

Tomorrow is another round of the dreaded Yoga X. Only 11 days left....

Day 78: Plyometrics

My only motivation this morning was knowing that this was my final day with Plyometrics. I used to like it, but now I don't. And I'm happy to be done with it - at least for this round of P90X.

Not much else to say. One day closer to the end.

Day 77: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps

Slow motion push ups are killer. And those were the first exercise of the day, so by the end of the set, I was on my knees again for the rest of the push ups.

I'm starting to dream of mornings without P90X in my future. I won't lie; I'm looking forward to it. Dealing with seminary is hard enough without having to worry about squeezing in a workout.

Only 13 days left....

Day 76: Kenpo X

Today was the end of week #11. Tomorrow is the start of week #12. ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT.

I ran into an old high school friend yesterday who told me that he had seen that I was doing P90X because of a few Facebook posts I've made about it. He asked me how it was going, and then said that he and his wife had purchased the program and were going to be starting it this morning. I won't lie. I laughed when he said that. I laughed because I know what kind of pain he's going to be feeling on Wednesday morning when he wakes up for Day #2.

Could I see Day #76 when I was on Day #2? Heck no. But I can see Day #77. And that's all I need. One day at a time.

Day 75: Legs and Back

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This workout kills me everytime. I didn't even use any weights on the leg exercises this time and I still got the same out-of-breath, bent over, pain filled sensations with every set. This is the only routine which has ever made me feel like I was going to puke.

Of course, I need to make a confession here about my calories. So yesterday was fast Sunday. That means that I had no breakfast and no lunch. So what do you think I did at dinner? Oh just eat 2,800 calories in one meal. Holy Dinah! 2,800 calories in one meal? No wonder I want to throw up on Monday mornings - and that's always when I do this particular routine. It's pretty sad, actually. The one day a month when I have a chance to really restrict my caloric intake and I just gobble down an entire day's worth in one sitting.

For the record, it was a really good meal and dessert.

Day 74: Rest

Today is daylight savings, so I'm picking up an extra hour of rest - a beautiful thing.

Day 73: Yoga X

I delayed my torture session with Tony until the evening. I think it worked out for the best. I spent the day clearing the leaves off the lawn and attending my daughter's cross country race, so my body was nice and warmed up for further pain and suffering.

For all the times that I've done Yoga X, I heard Tony say something this time that I've never noticed before. Once finished with upward dog, back in the plank position, Tony usually says something like, "You can do a push up here if you want to," before going into downward dog. Well, at one point in the routine, he said, "You can do a push up if you need to." If I NEED to? Tony. Who ever needs to do a push up?

It made me smile. A moment of happiness amidst an hour of torture.

Day 72: Shoulders and Arms

I really like this particular workout. It destroys my arms and shoulders, but it's good. I empty the whole rack holding all of my dumbbells on this workout, because I use all of them. I even use my push up bars for part of the straight arm shoulder lifts, because my 10 pound weights get too heavy after a while, and I don't have anything lighter.

And whatever yesterday's funk was, I had no problem bringing the intensity again today.

Day 71: Plyometrics

Today was by far the weakest workout I've ever done with Tony. Not even when I was on death's door with illness did I have as lame a workout as I did today. For whatever reason, I was not in the mood or able to Bring It! Maybe it was the record breaking workout yesterday. Maybe it was the fact that I didn't get a rest day. Maybe it was because our dumb dog got me up at 3am again. Or maybe it was simply the fact that after 70 days, I'm tired. Either way, today I simply showed up and went through the motions.

I guess that shoots down yesterday's entry of "Just show up."

Day 70: Chest and Back

GUESS WHAT?! Today started week #11! I only have 3 weeks or 20 days left. What's more, today was the last time I'll do the Chest and Back routine. AND, to celebrate these momentous occasions, I'll report that for half of the workout today, I was up off my knees during the push ups, and did more push ups than I've ever done before. Woo hoo! Progress!

Tony's words during this routine are true: "Just show up." and "Over time you'll improve." My performance today versus day one is like night and day. I am a much stronger person now - still not strong enough - but stronger.

Day 69: Kenpo X

This morning our house still did not have power. This is two days longer than the last time. Because I had an all day conference to attend for work today, I could not do my workout in the morning, because then I'd be all sweaty, and our showers don't work without power because our house operates on a well, which requires electricity to power the pump.

So for the first time in this program, I had a night workout session. My younger two daughters joined me, which was fun for me, because watching them try to do the Kenpo moves reminded me of my first time with the routine - arms flailing and confused looks. You'd think that this generation of Wii Dance kids would have no problem following on screen demonstrations of body movements.

The evening workout means a short 10 hour recovery before tomorrow morning's workout - because obviously the power was back on tonight since we used the DVD for Kenpo X.

Day 68: Legs and Back

This is the 2nd time in this round of 90 days that Mother Nature has taken power away from me. Last time I lost power, I used my laptop to run the DVD. This time, I used the P90X book and a timer on my iPad. I probably didn't complete the routine as fast as I would have with Tony, because I took longer breaks between sets, but I still brought it.

In the process of today's workout, I think I came up with a new slogan for Tony to replace his "Bring It!" One of my daughters was playing the role of timer, pushing the start button on the iPad. I would get myself ready to do whatever exercise was next, and just before I began, I'd say to my daughter "Push it." so that she would push the start button. After a few "Push it"s came out of my mouth, I realized I had a new catch phrase. So you're welcome, Tony.

And yes; I pushed it.

Day 67: Rest

I feel like Tony owes me a day now. Today was supposed to have been my day of rest. But Mother Nature dropped some snow and it ended up being a day of shoveling instead. Granted, our house only got a couple inches, so it wasn't P90X level snowfall, but still, when all you want to do is not exercise and you still have to exercise - not fair!

I know that I've seen snow in October before, but I can't say as I ever recall snow on the ground during Halloween. There will be tomorrow!