Started yesterday by pushing play, made it through the 1st workout in fairly decent shape. Whoever designed Diamond and Dive Bomber push-ups should be shot. Was able to complete 3 pull-ups but had to go chair assisted for the rest. I decided to try this instead of the bands and thought I got a better workout. Was fairly sore but managable. I've decided to follow the portion path of the diet, it seemed the best way for me. Because of some knee problems I'm doing the the CardioX instead of the Plyometrics. I completed it today (Day 2) and really enjoyed it and no knee pain. Helped ease some of the soreness from Day 1. And what can I say about AbRipper...wow...what a tough workout following a tough workout. I've never done some of those moves so the goal is to complete some of them by the end. I'm turning 50 in 4 months and this system as a gift to myself. I'm thinking 180 days and beyond to really get comfortable and making this a lifestyle change and not just a short term fix. Took my before pics...it's amazing how much weight photos add isn't it? oh well... My goal is better fitness and health as I go kicking and screaming into that 5th decade and I know this is going to do it for me.

Welcome to the party!

Big Papa

I too have to do chair assisted pullups, but I would HIGHLY recommend doing the bands also. For example, yesterday I did the Chest & Back workout (week 3). For my Wide Front Pullups, I did 11 chair assisted, and an ADDITIONAL 25 reps with the 50lb black band. Week 1 I used the green 40lb band, but I went to the black band the following week. I can feel the back muscles working even more than when I am doing chair assisted. Keep in mind that your arms usually tire before your back muscles do. You can challenge your muscles more with the extra reps at a lower weight, and will make faster improvements in your exercises.

Welcome!

And keep BRINGIN IT! you need to push yourself to see results!

Welcome Dan,

Seems like you know what you want. Now it's time to get it. Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride! This fourum is a good place to to get support and motivation.

Later

Ken

Started week 2 today and felt ALOT better. The pain pretty much went away after about 5 days of working out. Did much better with the Chest and Back workout the 2nd time around. Decided to do the chair assisted pull ups in the first round and used the bands in the second and really felt like I got a better workout (thanks for the tip on that). Didn't have much problem with the eating although a DQ dipped (small) cone snuck into my car Thurs but it was my only cheat so not too bad. With my so-so knees had the concentrate on my form during the leg day but it really helped me do the workout properly. Ab ripper went much better too, was able to complete some of the movements I didnt the first week, reps were still on them but progress none the less. Any suggestions on the KenpoX, I got a decent workout but found it pretty boring..

I'm midway into my 3rd week and so far it's been going well. I'm feeling better than I have in a while, feeling stronger,more energenic and am seeing overall improvement. Even my wife has remarked that she is noticing how I look thinner and stronger! I'm completing almost all the workout exercises. Some of the Yoga movements are stil pretty hard and a couple of the ab ripper exercises are too but as the weeks have progressed so have I. I may have mentioned that I have fairly bad knees so some of the jumping exercises caused problems (I substituted CardioX for Plyo as the guide suggested)and it has really helped. I also started using a step up box that has some give to it and I can't tell you how much a difference it has made. It's a wide one, almost 4 feet so I can do the warm up, jumping jacks etc almost pain free. I know I could do the diet better but I've lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks so I'm not complaining. I do have a general question if anybody has some advice. In 2 weeks I am going backing in the Smokey Mountains. I won't have access to a DVD and really, it's going to be a fairly strenous trip. I expect to miss a full week of training. Should I bring the bands and try to do some of the strength exercises? or should I just make do with the Cardio the hiking will give me? will missing a week really put me behind? any comment would be appreciated. On the road to 50 and beyond..

Thanks

Hey Dan - I'm still waiting on my DVD's so I can't really comment on the program vs backpacking. However, I can definitely comment on backpacking in the area you're talking about - I did part of the Appalachain Trail for a few weeks in 2006 and it was by far one of the most brutal exercises I've done in my lifetime (including Army Basic Training). If you're going full backpacking (hiking shelter to shelter daily) with food and water (40ish pounds or so) in the smokey mtns I'd say you're going to be getting a heck of a workout. Not much on upper body.. but cardio and legs for sure.

I'm definitely inspired by you going through the system and I'm waiting with baited breath on my dvd's so I can get with the program.

I haven't quit...just lazy writing my log, but to the highpoints.
Delayed starting the second phase as I went backpacking in the Smokey Mountains for 7 days and what a difference this workout meant. As I've posted before i'm almost 50 with questionable knees, backpacking (which I LOVE!) has been getting more difficult because of the knees, but after 5 weeks of working out my hopes were high. I went about 50 miles over the 7 days and at the end and during the hikes-NO KNEE PAIN!! this alone has inspired me to continue. I visualize those steep assents and decents now while Tony is torturing me to keep me going. It has enabled me to contine something I love that for awhile I thought I might have to stop doing. I know I've gained muscle and strength, lost about 11 pounds and am HAPPY. Don't let someone tell you you are too old to do this, just keep on, it works! I substituted cardio for plyo to ease the stain on my knees but they are feeling so good the next time Plyo is called for i'm going to do it (being careful however). I was surprised when I saw my beginning and 30 days pics, I didn't think there was that much of a change but there was. So for beginners take the pics, you'll be surprised too. On the road to 50 and beyond! My apologies to Buzz Lightyear...