Surprises...

Yesterday I was able to complete legs and back but because I was in a bit of a time crunch, I was not able to do Ab Ripper X. Today, I finished up week 5 with a session of Kenpo X and since I was unable to do Ab Ripper X yesterday, I just did it after Kenpo X today. I still cannot believe how soar portions of my body are such as my arms and lats at the end of the week. Today’s session of Kenpo X really helped to loosen up my joints and then tomorrow is my rest day so I am a bit relieved. I may do X stretch in attempt to further loosen up my muscles.

At the beginning of the week, I entered Phase II of the P90X program and as instructed, I took my photos to show my progress over the course of the first four weeks. I was somewhat surprised at how much my body has begun to change. I suppose the reason that I have not been able to notice many of the changes I have undergone because of the fact that I see my body every day. Anyway, the photographs really served a motivational tool because now that I have actually seen the proof I have become even more motivated to continue the program and try even harder to complete it the best that I can. I am quite excited to see what changes I will be able to see after day 60 and day 90.

Bring the INTENSITY!!!

Week 5 of P90X has proved to be very challenging thus far. This past Sunday (the 25th), I started out with Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps with a side of Ab Ripper X. This upper-body blast left me feeling as if I was the strongest person around. After completing the workout, I felt so chiseled that I could bust out of the t-shirt I was wearing similar to how hulk Hogan used to. The next day I woke up feeling the most sore as I have been in a very long time. My chest, shoulders, and triceps were hurting; I could even feel soreness in my side around my ribs. This workout is definitely a winner.

On Monday (the 26th), I had to perform plyometrics. I almost forgot how draining this workout was because the week prior was my recovery week and did not involve plyometrics. By the time I finish it FELT as though I burned about 10,000 calories (exaggeration). I was completely covered in sweat once again.

Tuesday (the 27th) was designated for Back and Biceps with a serving of Ab Ripper X. Similar to the Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps workout done earlier in the week, this one proved to be very challenging. The workout left my biceps completely destroyed. Due to day 1s exercises, my triceps were completely trashed and after the Back and Biceps workout so was my biceps. Now both arms feel as though they will be out of commission for the rest of the week. Today’s session of Yoga X did not make things too much better with all the Astanga Salutations and Downward Dogs that were required. Even so, I definitely feel as though the intensity has increased compare to Phase I.

End of the Recovery Week

Ok, today is the last day of week 4 and I performed a session of Core Synergistics to conclude. Thus far, I truly believe that Core Synergistics is the hardest workout in the program. Once again, this workout had me exhausted with sweat all over. Though this workout proved to be difficult, the large variety of exercises present really makes the hour go by rather quick. In addition, even though the workout is difficult because you are constantly reinforced by Tony to set your own goals, you are never overwhelmed. You know your body; you know what you can handle so you decide the amount of repetitions you can accomplish with good technique. Furthermore, you are further reinforced to press the pause button if you need to or just slow down until you are able to work your way up. I love the fact that this workout works the whole body (upper body, lower body, and the abdominals especially) then afterwards finish up with a nice stretch.

Tomorrow, I begin phase II of the program and I’m very excited. So far, I have seen some changes in my physique compared to when I started. For years, I was great about keeping my body in shape but for a short while, it seemed as though I was on a hiatus because I was not taking care of my body as I was supposed to. As a result, I took a few steps back and since I have doing this program, I’m finally taking some steps forward again. Week 5 starts tomorrow and I can’t wait to press play.

Saving the World One Arm At A Time...

Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually my long days; I have classes from 9 a.m. – 5 with an hour and a half to two hour break which I usually use to eat and workout. After checking my email I was reminded by the American Red Cross that I had signed up for blood donation. Instead of working out, I decided to eat lunch and fulfill the obligation that I made. Sometimes when you try to do good things you end up suffering for it. After going through all the checks to donate blood I was ready to go. The needle that Red Cross representative pulled out seemed as though it was meant for an oversized animal, even so I decided to go through with the process (a bad idea). The first representative that attempted to draw my blood had some issues finding my vain so after a few pokes they decided to try the other arm. After that experience most people would have probably decided to not do it but it is for a good cause so I decided to do it. I am happy to say that with a more experienced representative the process went perfect.

After I was finished donating, the representative instructed me not to perform any activities that involve heavy lifting, pushing or pulling, things that would exert me, etc. for the rest of the day. She noted that it included working out. This meant that I will not be able to do Core Synergistics today but I will probably just use today as my rest day instead so that I can stay on track. This means tomorrow will be Yoga X as and then Saturday will be Core Synergistics. Anyway, until next time.

A much needed STRETCH...

When I woke up this morning it felt as though each muscle in my body was tight and in need of some stretching. Today was scheduled for X Stretch so I was happy about that. X Stretch was just what the doctor ordered. It helped me to stretch every joint from head to toe leaving me feeling simply amazing. I am really glad that Tony chose to include a DVD that exclusively deals with stretching. More often than not people tend to neglect the importance of stretching. Some people simply choose to not include it into their regimen or rather just rush through it and do not get the full benefit.

One thing to pay attention to in this P90X program is that Tony have incorporated stretching exercises throughout each DVD in addition to a DVD for that purpose only. Stretching is crucial to improving overall flexibility. Due to the large amount of stretching within this program, I have been able to see large improvements in my flexibility. Before starting this program, though I knew how important stretching was, sometimes I would still neglect this aspect or simply not devote enough time to it. As a result, I have low flexibility. Prior to the program I was only able to reach to about my shins. Now, I am easily able to stretch to my toes and slightly beyond. Furthermore, my increased flexibility has enabled me to see improvements in my muscle balance around my joints. In addition, I constantly had pains in my knees prior to the program but now the pains have ceased. Also, I have noticed that there has been a reduction in my level soreness after workouts compared to my past experiences.

Phase I Recovery Week, Day 3 Down...

Its day 3 of the recovery week and the video for today was Kenpo X. I finished the Kenpo workout earlier today before I went to work. Anyway, as usual the workout was fun, it almost seemed as though the time just flew by and on top of it I got a great workout. I tried to really intensify the workout today by just focusing all those punches, kicks, and bows that Tony had me throwing. In addition, I tried to speed up everything up by either matching what Tony and the 3 people in the video were doing or even by reducing my breaks.

I am kind of surprised that I have not become bored with Kenpo as of yet. I think that the various combinations of moves throughout the entire routine keep it fun, appealing, and intense. From the jabs, hooks, crosses, claws, uppercuts, elbows, block techniques to the various directional kicks used; Kenpo X continues to stay fresh. Each time I perform this routine I notice that I become more accustomed to the different combo moves Tony has in the video. In the Kenpo X DVD Tony directs you to perform a jabs, then the next exercise would be crosses, then hooks, then uppercuts and so forth. Eventually, he directs you to put these move together to make a combo move, for instance, he tells you to do a jab followed by a cross, then a hook, and then an uppercut. This constitutes as one repetition. Things like this is done throughout the workout which is why I end up completely covered in sweat by the end of the workout. Anyway, I am looking forward to X Stretch tomorrow so I can loosen up some muscles.

Recovery Week 1, Core Synergistics #1

Earlier today, I performed the dreaded Core Synergistics exercise for the first time. I found the Core Synergistics workout in the P90X program to be not only be very challenging but also fun overall. As the name implies, the workout really focuses on your entire core engaging each muscle within your torso including the abs (inner, outer, and side abdominals), the back and spine, and also the legs. This workout forces you to push your body to the limit. Many people seem to complain about how difficult workouts like Plyometrics are but I believe Core Synergistics is more challenging and leaves the body in a much more fatigued state.

Whether you are an athlete, someone looking for strength in all movements, or you just want to strengthen the body to prevent injury then it is essential that you strengthen the core. Everything starts with the core and a strong core is essential if you are a person that plays any kind of sports (basketball, football, tennis, soccer, etc.).

With Core Synergistics you are asked to perform 22 exercises, I know a lot of you are thinking, “oh my goodness”. The good news is that even though you are asked to do 22 different exercises, the good thing is that each is only done once. While exercises like the Prison Cell Push-up will challenge you (looks like you are imitating spider-man), other exercises like the sphinx push up and banana roll will make you feel very goofy. Overall, Core Synergistics is a great change of pace during the recovery week and for those who get bored quickly it provides an alternative for things like Ab Ripper X. Guaranteed to sweat. lol