I switched it up a bit on day 3. Instead of doing my workout first thing in the morning, I waited until I got off work. It seemed to work out pretty good for me. I really enjoyed the arms & shoulder workout but the Ab Ripper kicked my butt bad. I skipped it on day one since I was already spent. So this was my first go round with the ab ripper. So far what I am learning is that ALL of the workouts are intense. My legs are still sore after Plyo X and it has been 2 days.

I am still very sore all over, tried Tiger Balm but it doesn't really do much. I am hoping that after the first week I will not be so sore. I am also having a hard time eating all of the calories I am supposed to. I find that I am making up a lot of the missing calories by drinking protein shakes. I don't know if that is a good way to do it though. I am trying to follow the portion plan outlined in the book.

Anyway, tonight is Yoga X and I am expecting it to be just as intense as the other videos have been so far.

One other thing, this is the first time I have taken Creatine. Does it dry you out? I have been drinking water like mad and still feel dehydrated.

get Coy G in here for some supp advices.

Welcome Ryno88 your estimation is correct on the intensity of the workouts they are all intense including stretch X.

as for the soreness it will dissipate in a week or so only to be brought back at your next session, so that every time you move a muscle somewhere in your body reminds you of yesterday X session.

and that's the fun of it

I've taken two different forms of creatine and both never dried me out. From what I know about the supplement creatine is only designed to give your muscles "energy" and allow them to work harder and strengthen up quicker. So, from my stand point I would say that the reason you're drinking so much water is because the workouts drain your body since they are so intense and your body has not experienced anything like this before. However, there are many many different types and brands of creatine supplement so it is possible that the supplement is what's making you feel dehydrated. Finish up the week using the creatine and then do the following week with no creatine. After the week with no creatine is completed do the following week with creatine again and see if there is a difference between the two weeks. Also please keep me updated on this, as I would like to know how it turns out.

Day 4 Yoga:

Had a hard time with this one because I am not very flexible. The first 30 minutes or so were questionable at best. The balancing poses and stretches were great though. I am hoping I will get better with time.

Day 5 legs & Back:

Considering my calves were still sore from Plyo X, I was wondering how this would turn out. Didn't do too bad. I actually did pretty well with most of the leg excersises. I have been using bands for the upper body portions but I dont feel as if I am getting the most out of it. I am going to try and get a pull up bar put in my basement.

Ab ripper X is still hellish. I did better this time around than the first but still a very very tough workout for me. My abs are pretty sore today.

Anyway, hope everyone else is doing well!

Day 6 Kenpo X:

I liked this video. Took me back to my days as a kid in karate class. It got my heart rate up and that is all that matters. I can see maybe substituting this workout later on with Plyo. For right now, I will keep doing kenpo X.

Day 7 Stretch X:

After this week I was really looking forward to a rest day. It has been a hell of a week for me and the stretching was great. I am finally not as sore as I have been the past few days and the eating is getting better. I am not seeing any changes physically but mentally I feel good about finishing the first week strong. I am looking forward to chest and back tomorrow as I finally got my pull up bar put in my basement. WOO HOO!

Welcome Ryno!

"and that's the fun of it"

When I don't feel the soreness a day or two afterwards I feel like I didn't bring it enough.

Feeling the pain in your muscles remind you that you are alive, and before starting this program I didn't have that feeling everyday.

I've noticed that creatine does require some extra water intake to keep from feeling dehydrated. Try to drink at least a gallon a day to keep up with your protein shakes and creatine supplements.

"Day 4 Yoga:"

The first 30 minutes are a serious a-kicker. Keep bringing it in your other workouts and you will see tons of improvement in yoga as you progress.

Best,
Court

Great work--and thanks for posting your log! I'm hoping to start the program on June 2nd, and am really looking forward to my first week of pain!

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys!
I started week 2 yesterday and I can tell you right now that "I currently struggle with" Chest & back. I feel as though I did improve a little from week one but it was still a mess. Diamond Push-ups....Ha Ha Ha Ha. I think I did like 3. I feel like my arms and shoulders are compensating for my weak chest. The one thing I think I did improve on from last week was dive-bombers. Those are killer too but I did more than last week.

Looking forward to Plyo tonight!

Hope everyone else is still doing well!

LOL a couple of my dive-bombers almost turned into nose dives the other day. Hope Plyo went well

heheh--I can see the advertising campaign now

/cue sporty music
/cue announcer voice
"Now you can get in shape, strengthen your muscles, and flatten your nose all in one easy workout!!"

Ya no kidding!

Well Plyo went well. still a tough workout. the program must be working for me because I am not nearly as sore as I was last week and I think my pants are fitting a little looser.

Maybe I am starting to see the beginnings of the new me!

By the way, the dehydration has seemed to subside for now. I am still taking my Creatine supplement but have upped my water intake. The only downside to drinking so much water is I have to go to the bathroom every 10 minutes.

Man O man O man. I cannot believe I am almost done with week number 2. The strange thing is, I have noticed improvements in a few workouts but others seemed even more tough than week number 1. I have to tell you guys that Yoga was surprisingly better this week than last. I can tell that my flexibility is getting better. I am not noticing any physical appearance changes but I am definately feeling different.

Hope everyone else is doing well! Keep bringin it!

Well, I started week 3 yesterday and pushed through the chest and back workout but was just completely out of steam to do Ab Ripper. The past couple of days, I have been soo tired. I also have not been eating as much as I have been. I dont know if that has anything to do with it.

Anyway, I am noticing some improvements especially in my flexibility. I touched my toes for the very first time during stretching Monday. Sounds silly but I was pretty excited. I am looking forward to the recovery week next week but I have to make it through this week first.

If you guys have any advice on incresing my energy, I would appreciate it.

Keep pushing play!

Sleep and enough calories are the 2 biggest factors in your energy levels. Do whatever you can to eat the required amount of food everyday (sometimes I go a little less every other day).

You need about 7-8 hours of good sleep to help your muscles recover. Also, make sure you are taking a good supplement vitamin(s) geared towards sports.

-Court

Thanks Court, I'm still in pain from 3 days ago workout and the 5 hours of nightly sleep might be culprit

Wooo Hooooo! I just finished up week 3 Plyo X. Man that gets my heart rate up there. I cannot believe the improvement from day one to today. I only stop to rest once or twice. The first day I was doggin it big time. I can finally make it all the way through Hot Foot without stopping. It sure is a good feeling to know that you are making progress.

I have read a few other logs that mention guys wanting to improve their hockey game. I also want to improve my hockey game that is part of the reason I started this program. So I am excited to see how well I perform on the ice after doing 3 months of Plyo.

Another question for all of you, I used to indulge in a drink quite often but have not since I started the program. Is any one else drinking? I am dying for a drink!!!

I am assuming alcohol is a big no no

in regards to alcohol, I don't put to many constraints on myself.
just consume moderately,
a clean and healthy lifestyle is more than beneficial but it's not real life for me.

That's not to say that you couldn't commit to being strict on yourself for 90 days for best result.

As with just about any program.. The less bad stuff you put in you , the better. But I am with Les... I like a couple of pops on the weekends and the occasional glass of wine with dinner.

You still need to live life... But moderation in the key.

Salud!!

Slainte!! For the Irishmen among us.

As far as I know (and I really haven't researched or read much on the issue), the big thing to watch out for isn't so much the alcohol, but rather is the carbs that often go along with it. Lots of mixers have a lot of sugar in them, and beer has a lot of carbs--there's a reason it's called a beer belly

So I would avoid those sorts of things. A glass of wine now and then is probably fine, and there are supposed to be lots of health benefits, especially for red wines. Several types of hard alcohol also don't have much in the way of carbs, vodka being one that quickly comes to mind.

Hmm, so I got curious halfway through writing this, and did a quick google search. Here's what I've found at http://www.bellaonline.org

QUOTE:
The carb counts given here are effective carb counts, with the fiber removed. All amounts here are for a 1oz shot, except as indicated.

Armagnac - 0g
Beer (12oz) - 12.5g
Bourbon - 0g
Brandy - 0g
Cognac - 0g
Gin - 0g
Rum - 0g
Scotch - 0g
Tequila - 0g
Vermouth, Dry - 1.4g
Vermouth, Sweet - 4.5g
Vodka - 0g
Whiskey - 0g
Wine, Red (4oz) - 2.0g
Wine, White (4oz) - 0.9g

Note that there are of course mixed drinks that involve fruit juices, sugars, and other sweet concoctions. If you start mixing in sodas or juices for a cocktail, you're racking up the carbs very quickly. Use a diet soda whenever possible!

And . . .

QUOTE:
Each count is for 1oz of the drink. All carb counts given are effective carbs.

Liqueur Carbs Info
Amaretto 17g Italian liqueur made from apricot pits, tastes like almonds
Anisette 11g Italian liqueur from anise seed, licorice flavored
Baileys 5.5g Irish blend of cream and whiskey
Carolan's 6.5g Irish blend of cream and whiskey
Chambord 11g French berry liqueur, tastes like raspberries
Chartreuse pending French herbal bend of 130 plants + alcohol
Cointreau 10g style of curacao, orange flavored alcohol
Curacao 9.6g orange flavored alcohol from Caribbean
Frangelico 11g Italian liqueur made from hazelnuts
Grand Marnier 11g French brandy-based orange-flavored liqueur
Kahlua 17g Mexican liqueur with coffee flavor
Midori 11g Mexican liqueur with honeydew melon flavor
Schnapps, Peach 12g alcohol distilled from fruit
Southern Comfort 3g Peach flavored neutral grain alcohol
Triple Sec 12.5g style of curacao, orange flavored alcohol