Fit Test:

I just completed the fit test and I am so winded!! I have been pretty active in the gym, so I am shocked that I am this winded after doing just the fit test. I think I did pretty decent at it, but I know I am really in for it when I finally do get started on the program. I am still very leary of the pull up bars and they are really dinging up my door frames. I will go get some thin pieces of wood to put between them and the wall for when I do get started on Monday. As for my results.. here they go:

Resting heart rate: 66
Pull-ups: 10
Vertical Leap: 27 inches
Push-ups: 55
Toe Touch: 0
Wall Squat: 1:17
Bicep curls: 21 w/35lbs
Abs: In & Outs: 35
Heart rate maximizer: 164, 1min 145, 2min 128, 3min 113 and 4min 107

I'm also keeping a personal blog for my stats and the pics are over there: http://bighurt1972.blogspot.com

Day 1 done!!

I got up this morning at 5:45 and by 5:55 I was pushing play on the DVD player and starting my P90X journey. Today was the Chest and Back workout day and it was a VERY intense workout. As Tony said, I paced myself thru the first set knowing that I would have to repeat the 12 exercises over again and that was a very smart thing. I was able to make it thru the entire session. It was hard work, but I made it. The second set of dive bombers tore me up and that is when my muscles finally cried out to me and I was not able to get as many as I wanted to, but that was the last exercise so that worked out okay.

The Ab Ripper X is a horse of a different color. It is an intense 15 minute ab routine and I was only able to make it halfway thru before I could not take the pain anymore. My hip flexors tightened up on me. I think after I do a couple of the Yoga and Stretch sessions, I will be able to do more of the ARX. All in all, it was not a bad first day.

The biggest issue I am having today is staying true to the eating requirements. I am normally a big eater, but having to eat every 3 hours is really taxing me. I know that the program is tested and they know what they are talking about, but it is going to take a minute to get used to eating like this. Here is my food intake for today (and the next 30 days):

Post workout:
Recovery Drink (low fat choc milk)


Breakfast: 7-8:30
Mushrooms
Cheese
Egg Whites
Turkey Bacon
Pepper

Snack: 11:30
Turkey Jerky
Apple
Protein

Lunch: 1:30
Roast Beef sandwich
(lettuce, tomato, Cheese and fat free mayo)

Snack: 3:30
String Cheese (3 oz)
Orange


Dinner: 6:30
Chicken Breast (6 oz)
Spinach


Snack: 9:00
Protein Shake


Next up, Plyometrics. 89 more days to go!!

I am Bringing It!!

Day 2 - Plyometrics

Today was another 5:45 rising. Surprising, with pacing myself, I was able to complete this one. I kept up pretty good with Tony and the crew, but I didn't double time it with them at this point. The exercises were challenging but doable. There were only a few that presented a problem for me which were the Squat Jack (a variation of a jumping jack), the Jump Knee Tuck and Rock Star Jump. For the Squat Jack, it seemed to hurt my knee and for the other two, my lack of flexibility would not allow me to bring my knees up as high as I would have liked to. I am sure that by the end of this program, I will be fine on the last two, but I may have to continue to doing an alternate exercise for the Squat Jack. I was able to keep my heart rate in the zone for 95% of the session, but I did go above the zone for a bit, due to the intensity of the exercises. All in all, another good exercise day!!

I do have to admit that I am very sore today and exhausted. I was able to eat very clean yesterday. I do not think I will have too much of a problem following the diet. My only issue is trying to get it all in and fitting it in the allotted time and trying to get to bed early. I am very tired right now, so I am guessing that I will get to the point where my body will force me to go down earlier. I know that I am supposed to get at least 7 hours of sleep so I will just have to see how it goes and work towards that.

88 days and counting!!

Day 3 is done!! All went well.

More details at http://bighurt1972.blogspot.com

I started that blog before I joined here, so I'll update there and just mark here as another day completed.

Day 4 - Yoga X - Completed

All I can say is that this was the least pleasant session yet because I'm not very flexible. I'm looking forward to the day when I will be able to complete at least 85% of the moving asansas part. I almost gave up, but after watching for a while, I jumped back in on the balance postures and floor work. I think this and the stretch will be my biggest challenges in the entire P90X system.

I did eat clean again yesterday and got in bed at a reasonable time.

Day 5 Completed.. great energy and I paced at a little over 90% of their reps. Did better with ARX than the other 2 times. It is much tougher to do after doing legs though.

I ate clean again yesterday. Still need to get to bed earlier.

I agree Arx after Legs and back is tougher than the other days. The Quads are screamming no more during bicycles. Hang in there with the Yoga and stretching. It can only improve.

Thanks Rip... would you advocate doing the stretch x more than one day a week in order to accelerate getting more flexible?

Big hurt, I've been practicing yoga for over 30 yrs and have always included it in my daily life. P90X yoga is a "power yoga" I find that a "yin yoga" of softer moves and longer holds for 10-20 minutes after the workouts is a great way to stay loose and prevent injury. Remember to use a calm breathe. Ideally stretching should be done before and after. Don't forget to drink a good amount of water after any stretching.

Thanks Iono!! I just did the stretching today and I see that you are right with the breathing.. it relaxes everything more. That is something I will have to practice!!

Day 6 - Kempo X done

Day 7 - Stretch X done...

I see the weekends will be challenging staying on top of the eating (I'm not cheating, but I'm not getting all the meals in due to waking up later), but other than that, these are 2 great ways to kinda bring it down a bit. I'm looking forward to starting this process over again in the morning with more intensity!

Bring it!! 83 days and counting!!

Day 8 - Chest and Back (2nd time)

This exercise went much better than the first time around. My energy level was up even though I didn't ingest as many calories over the weekend as I normally would during the week. I was able to push out about 5 reps more per exercise, excluding the dive bombers in the first round. The second round I went for broke on them.

It was nice to sleep in on the weekend, but I'm still dealing with the same problem during the week... not getting in a full 7-8 hours. Also.. the increased water intake wakes me up out of my sleep to go. That interupts the little sleep I do get in.

ARX.... still a beast.. I probably did 50-60% of the reps. The Scissors, Hip Rockin Raise and Pulse Up's are the ones that I do the least on. I'm looking forward to the day of mastering those!!

82 more days!!

Day 9 - Plyometrics

I completed this session in good form and energy. I was exhausted prior and exhausted now. I've gotta get more sleep in. I had to sub 2 exercises with jumping jacks due to them hurting my knee a bit. Other than that, all was well!

81 days to go!! Bringing it!

Awesome! I had to quit halfway last time..Plyo tomorrow, hope I can get my mind out of they way...

Day 10 - Completed with style!! I went up in reps, weights and intensity!! I am really enjoying this program!!!

80 days to go!! Bring on the Yoga!!

Day 11 is in the books!! Yoga went much better today. My most difficult thing was holding the warrior poses for long because my shoulders are burnt out from yesterday. Other than that, I was able to push thru most of the moves in the moving asanas, not as well or stretched as Tony and the crew. The balance poses went very well and the Yoga Ab was pretty decent also.

79 days to go!!

Hint, when your arms are in any warrior, 1,2 or 3, fire the energy all the way out your finger tips, then back off a hair, should make your arms feel lighter and remember to breathe, also soften the mouth, take the tension out of your jaw and face. See how that works. Rock on!

Thanks for the tip, lono.. I just tried it on a couple poses and it does feel a lot better that way! I think this is the most challenging part of this program, but it is quickly becoming my favorite!!

BigHurt keep up the good work man... i like your mentality, your being very honest yet determined.

I think the Diet is going to be half the battle for me, I start p90x on Monday!! I hurt my elbow this past weekend so i had to postpone.

The way your counting down the days is going to work wonders once you get to around day 20 - 30.

Overall, how are you doing? I am excited to start, i just hope that i can stick to it.

Good luck, and good work so far

Thanks Mach1!! Congrats on starting the program... I'm sure you will not regret it! Make sure your elbow is all healed up though because this program is very intense and you will be using that elbow a lot on the first day with Chest and Back.

As far as the diet goes, I've found it easier to do the portion plan and I make my schedule out a week in advance. I am hesitant to recommend this to others, but I eat pretty much the same thing on a daily basis, with slight variations on the fruits and veges. It is not creative, but it is effective.

Overall, I'm doing great... I'm excited to be doing this program and even though it wasn't my intent, my blog is inspiring others to give this a shot also. I'm bringing it and I'm eating clean (probably for the first time in my life). As far as sticking with it, find a group to start with on here and check in daily. Use the spreadsheet that is on this site to track your numbers.... anything you can do to simplify the process makes it easier to keep going!

I look forward to hearing about your progress!! Welcome and be sure to Bring It!!

~Big Hurt