P90X+: Round 3: Day 34: Kenpo Cardio Plus

I didn't even bother putting on a shirt this morning before the workout. What's the point? I may as well just walk into the shower fully clothed.

I'm really getting into this workout. I'm improving on the moves (perhaps with a couple of exceptions: Gladiator comes to mind) and starting to get into form. I'm also adding intensity and am focussing on engaging the cage, tightening up the core, breathing with the moves, and improving balance, especially on the kicks and swinging sword moves. I was so worked up, that I continued to sweat even after showering. Gross.

This workout is revealing my weaknesses. It's becoming really apparent that my left hip flexor is definitely stiffer than my right. I've been trying to work on that during my Yoga sessions. Kicks with the left leg don't really match up to the right side. On the other hand, knee kicks with my right leg are accompanied by a somewhat disturbing 'click' feeling within the knee area. I'm going to ignore that, as there's no pain associated with the move, but I get the feeling that some combination of internal body parts aren't quite aligning the way they're supposed to.

I rode my bicycle to the office following the workout. Jelly legs. The ride home should be interesting.

End of week 5. Bring on week 6!

P90X+: Round 3: Day 33: Upper Plus / Ab Ripper X

Upper Plus

I'm improving at this workout. I managed to make it through the first 10 exercises without pausing the disc (well, just one pause after the first exercise, to move chairs out of my way, but that was for utilitarian purposes, not to catch my breath, so I'm not going to count it). I paused the disc immediately prior to Spiderman push-ups, then another pause before combat push-ups. It's interesting how Tony says the last three reps should burn; I find the last three exercises in this workout to burn. The combination of Shoulder Everything, Arms Everything and Combat Push-ups is tough on my body. I've been using 10 lb weights for the Shoulder and Arms Everything, which pretty well burns out my upper body. Then, jumping immediately into Combat Push-ups is strenuous. I guess it's supposed to be.

I'm starting to notice minor improvements in my left shoulder, which has always been the weaker of the two. What I haven't noticed is any significant change in my weight. I'm pretty much where I started. Weight fluctuates a few pounds here and there, up and down, but I was really hoping to shed about 8 more pounds this round. So far, not impressive. However, my clothes are still fitting loosely, and I'm wearing my "goal" pants, which makes me feel pretty good about myself. Looking at myself in the mirror, I don't think I'm putting on any bulk. I'd say I might even be getting a bit leaner. But, there's a bit more definition in my arms, so, perhaps, some fat is still coming off, and some muscle is still being gained. I don't have fat measuring calipers, so I'm not sure about my percentage of body fat. I'll have to pick those up, perhaps on my next Amazon purchase.

Until I completely crush this workout, I'm not going to poo-poo it. It has still been getting the better of me, so there's still work to be done.

Ab Ripper X

Totally ripped it. I think I made a good decision to return to ARX instead of pursuing Abs/Core Plus. Live and learn. I'm going to go to Child's Pose now...

P90X+: Round 3: Day 32: Yoga

I was so exhausted yesterday upon my return home from work that I didn't do abs. All I could do was eat a bit of supper, then rest in a prone position on my bed, watching my beloved Blue Jays fall to the hated and despised Yankees. I just felt completely drained of energy, and my stomach felt like it was acting up a bit, so I decided not to push it and hope for a full recovery for this morning.

Recover, I did. I felt like a bundle of pent-up energy this morning and really attacked yoga. Ah, Yoga: it's the fountain of youth, boys and girls. I didn't feel too stiff during the warmup, and really focussed on getting the maximum stretch from my arms, legs and hip flexors during the Crescent pose and Warrior positions. I was really into seeing how far I could stretch, breathing throughout, and watching for posture, making small adjustments as I went along. Is my back leg straight? Can I get lower in my pose? Can my arms go farther back? It's all good.

As usual, a great stretch and a wonderful way to start the day.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 31: Total Body Plus / Abs-Core Plus

Total Body Plus

Maybe I'm not in the shape I thought I was. I was expecting to crush Upper Plus today, but instead was crushed by it. I had to pause the DVD multiple times, sometimes to catch my breath, sometimes to catch up to the next exercise because I had insufficient time to record my results, sometimes to get my mind right, sometimes to stand near a window a hope for a passing breeze across my body, which now seems like more than 97% water.

There are still some exercises which don't really do it for me, mostly of the twisting, lunging, squatting variety. I don't have that much space in my tiny little basement, nor do I have a turquoise resistance band. I find the lack of space and the higher level of resistance hampers my form somewhat. I would love to have straight arms on Warrior Swim, but the maroon band has too much resistance. On the other hand, I know that my shoulders are working, and that there's room for improvement.

Like Upper Plus, I really enjoy the push-up exercises. I was able to bang out 30 standard pushups today near the end of the workout, and 28 of the wide arm variety during 1 and 1s. That was satisfying.

This workout still challenges. I (and my muscles) are more confused than ever about whether this is a superior workout to P90X. I'm starting to conclude that it's neither superior nor inferior, just different. I'm not seeing much on the weight-loss side of things, but my clothes are still fitting loosely and I feel well. I'm going to stick with this workout schedule until the entire round is over, with the modification of including Ab Ripper X twice a week, and Abs/Core Plus once a week.

Abs/Core Plus

Later.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 30: Plyometrics

Plyometrics, my old friend. This is another workout I haven't done in about 6 weeks, and had the same nervous feeling about returning to it as I did Ab Ripper X. I wasn't sure whether Interval Plus was keeping me Plyo-ready. I needn't have worried, because I made it through the entire workout without having to pause the disc, and was really able to Bring It on many of the exercises (lateral leapfrog squat, 180 squat switch pickups, etc). I'd have to say the Plyometrics is probably my favourite of the P90X workouts. I feel terrific afterwards (although I was a sweaty mess) and really feel like I've accomplished something. Also, after all these viewings, I still don't get tired of Tony's jokes. I must be a true fan.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 29: Upper Plus/Ab Ripper X

Upper Plus

Perhaps I was too quick to malign this workout. Every time I do it, it seems as though it's a huge challenge. In thinking about it afterwards, it always seems not to be challenging enough. I just can't quite get my head around that.

Anyhow, back to the workout. I woke up late today, and didn't start the workout until around 11:00AM. I don't like working out so late. Early morning workouts are always more motivating, because I have to complete them by a certain time, in order to get ready for work. On a Sunday, there's no pressure to get anything done. So, I sat in front of the TV for awhile, checking out the baseball scores, before I finally got down to the business of the workout.

I used 2 chairs for Double Dip'll Do Ya, because my feet just weren't moving through properly when using the PowerStands. This was definitely more accommodating, because my trunk was higher off the floor. I don't think the exercise was more difficult from this position, but I was able to significantly increase the number of repetitions. Perhaps there's not as much stress on the core, but I think the increased number of reps made up for the decreased stress on the core. Anyway, the exercise felt more successful overall.

The push-ups are the most interesting and the most strenuous portions of this workout, especially spiderman and combat push-ups. I struggled with both moves today, recording fewer reps in each than last week, but they were still enjoyable. The feeling I get with these moves is similar to the P90X chest and back workout. Burn the arms out until you can't do any more.

Ab Ripper X

This was tough. I felt depleted of energy when I started, and things never really improved. This was a day to grit your teeth and soldier on. Nothing went particularly well, although I did manage to match all the moves and complete the workout. Note to self: eat more!