P90X: Day 26: Core Synergistics

Having done this workout earlier in the week, I was less intimidated and more prepared the second time around. While I wouldn't exactly say that I crushed it, I was definitely more satisfied with my effort today than on Monday. I was able to increase my weights on some of the exercises and, with greater focus, I could maintain my form for a longer period of time on others.

The one exercise that I always skip is the Dreya Roll. I've done it in the past and I feel that it puts too much stress on my spine. I feel as though the potential cost is greater than the benefit. It falls into the 'Forget the Rest' category for me. Overall, thought, this is a terrific workout.

P90X: Day 23: Core Synergistics

I'm always under the impression that Recovery Week is to help you throttle back a bit on the intensity of the program. It's to give you a bit of a breather from pushing your mind and body past what you ever thought you were capable of. Apparently, these notions are wrong. Core Synergistics is one of the most difficult routines in this program. I'd rate it more challenging than Plyometrics, when done with vigour, focus and intensity. I completed the workout, drenched in sweat, wishing that I had done Plyometrics instead. In a strange, masochistic way, I'm looking forward to repeating this workout a few days from now, when I can really attack the moves and show this workout who's boss.

Round 4: Day 86: Core Synergistics

Core Synergistics was the workout I missed last week when I was ill. "Missed", not in the sense of yearned for, but in the sense of "was absent". I wouldn't ever say that I miss this workout, like I would miss 30-15, or Chest and Back. This workout still challenges, in that it is quick-paced and very focussed. I definitely had an elevated heart rate, and the sweat was rolling.

I don't do this workout frequently enough to really see improvements. There are small improvements certainly, but I don't believe I've ever felt that I was so fit that I just breezed through the entire workout and was left with the feeling that I wished there was more. I'm always really happy when this workout ends, because I doubt there's ever enough gas left in the tank to really attack another round. I suppose that's a good thing, when, at the end of a workout, you've left everything on the floor.

Once again, my nemesis was the combination of Plank-to-Chataranga Run and Walking Pushups. That's just a nasty twosome. During the Walking Pushups, I took a page from the Plyometrics handbook, convincing myself that "you can do anything for 30 seconds". Unfortunately, the exercise is one minute in duration, so I had to convince myself twice. By the end of that exercise, my core is really sore. Objective achieved.

Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to Kenpo Cardio Plus as a break. Some Recovery Week.

Round 4: Day 51: Core Synergystics

Core Synergystics is usually a difficult workout for me. There are a number of exercises which are relatively easy, but there are some combinations which are very challenging.

I blew through the exercises today and felt strong during most of them. The most challenging sequence begins with Prison Cell Push-ups and ends with Walking Push-ups. Specifically, my nemesis is Chataranga Run followed by Walking Push-ups. I did both without pause and, although the walking pushups were a challenge, I continually told myself that anything can be done for 30 seconds, and persevered. The sweat dripped from my forehead onto the wooden floor (I hope that's not too much information) and my core was tight and on fire, but I survived the ordeal and emerged stronger for having pushed through it. After that sequence, the rest of the workout is relatively easy.

I don't recall Core Synergystics being quite this easy before. It's another sign that my body (and core) is becoming stronger. It's nice to compare and contrast my current experiences with those of a year ago and enjoy the satisfaction of how far I've progressed.

Round 4: Day 23: Core Synergistics

Why is it that Recovery Week is so tough? Because workouts like Core Synergistics are included. I'm always slightly self-delusional about how easy Recovery Week is going to be because the week starts out with Yoga (which wasn't so easy yesterday), but immediately becomes more challenging the following two days with core and cardio work. I'll chalk it up to muscle confusion. The muscles used for resistance training get a break, but others are employed in the meantime. I'll trust the program and assume that the rest is necessary for the repair of micro-tears in muscle tissue related to resistance training, but there's no mercy for other muscle groups. So far, it seems to have worked, so I won't complain. I'd like to, but I won't.

Core Synergistics is still difficult. I worked through the entire workout today without needing to pause the tape, but there were times when I felt that a pause would have been beneficial. This workout moves at a fairly rapid pace, and the design of the order of the moves is rather unrelenting. My usual rant about having Plank to Chataranga Run followed immediately by Walking Push-ups still holds here. During Walking Push-ups, I kept reminding myself that you can do anything for 30 seconds. Unfortunately, the exercise lasts 60 seconds so, I had to convince myself twice. This combination of moves is still the most difficult I've encountered in any disc of P90X, P90X+ or One on One. I did manage to soldier through it, completing all of the Chataranga Runs, a move which I find particularly tough.

As usual, I skipped the Dreya Rolls, as I'm always a bit nervous that the move will injure my neck and I don't feel that's worth the trouble, so I fast-forward to the final three moves. Overall, still a great and challenging workout.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 89: Core Synergistics

I wasn't particularly looking forward to this workout today. To be honest, I was a bit intimidated by it, so I shirked my responsibilities on Day 86 and did Mammoth UML in its place. Today, I had passing thoughts about doing Medicine Ball Core Cardio instead of CS, but, lacking a medicine ball, decided to bite the bullet and leg out CS. I've been lugging about some 3 and 5lb plates in the back of my trunk for the past few weeks, intended as substitutes for a medicine ball, but I've been forgetful about bringing them inside the house and, at 6:30AM and 2°C temperature, I wasn't about to rush out of the house to retrieve them. So, Core Synergistics was at the top of the menu.

I don't have any major complaints about this workout. The reason it intimidates me is three-fold: prison cell pushups, plank to chataranga run, and walking pushups. Each on its own is manageable; plank to chataranga run, immediately followed by walking pushups is my nemesis. I can't think of a more gruelling combination in P90X or P90X+ than those two. Prison cell pushups are just plain nasty. I always get off to a quick start, but fade down the stretch, and by the time the exercise is over, I'm extremely thankful. Other than those exercises, Core Synergistics is pretty much a breeze. But those three tend to colour the entire workout for me.

I'd have to say that overall, CS is a tougher workout than Mammoth UML, but perhaps both have their place in a typical Recovery Week. I'll be evaluating that as time goes on. My objective for the next round is to continue to challenge myself. Because I'm deviating from a standard program, I want to make sure that I don't baby myself. If anything, I want to make life harder than easier. After all, that is the essence of Bringing It.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 51: Core Synergistics

I can't believe how lazy I am. Either lazy, or still recovering from my sniffles I picked up over the past weekend. Yes, that must be it. I returned home following work, and just couldn't bring myself to do ARX. Weak. Literally. My body felt tired and I thought that rest would serve me well, so I skipped abs. Now I have extra work to do to try to make up my missed workouts. Not impressive, considering the week I have ahead of me. Well, do your best and...

I still felt a bit weak this morning when I popped in the Core Synergistics DVD. It took me awhile to work up my motivation to get started, and I didn't commence until about 7:00AM, well after my normal start time of 6:15. I found many of the moves to be easier than I recalled, again, due to the results I'm achieving from P90X Plus. That's not to say that I didn't find the workout challenging, because it certainly still is. Some of the moves (staggered hand pushups, jail cell pushups, plank to chataranga run, walking pushups) were less difficult that previously, likely due to a modest increase in upper body strength. I still huffed during the loading dock and the lunge sequences. I skipped the Dreya Roll (wasn't in the mood) but still worked up a great sweat. I really enjoyed Tony's banter, especially with Adam and Pam (the Blam). I've been missing that during P90X Plus. I think Tony is a little more humourous during P90X.

P90X+: Round 3: Day 23: Core Synergistics

I was sore from yesterday's workout. That's not a feeling I've had in some time. I've been tired, or a bit worn following a P90X Plus workout, but not SORE, like the early days of P90X. Specifically, my triceps are feeling the love from yesterday. This is really giving me second thoughts about P90X Plus. Perhaps it's the full hour workout instead of 40 minutes, perhaps its that there's more specific focus on parts of the body in Chest/Shoulders/Triceps vs. Upper Plus. I don't think that I'm Bringing It more in the CST that I am in the Plus workouts. By now, I have a pretty good understanding of how to push my body. I just think that the P90X workouts are more intense.

Today was Core Synergistics, not particularly one of my favourite P90X workouts. I bravely soldiered through it, not pausing once. I'm not sure I've ever done that before, especially considering this workout packs a tremendous punch with plank to chatagranga immediately followed by walking pushups. Those two alone are killers. By the end of the workout, I was completely drenched in sweat. I don't know whether that's the summer heat (doubt it, considering the temperature was an unseasonal 21°C), not being in the best shape (possible, but I'd like to think not), or the result of really Bringing It (I'd pick the latter, if given the choice).

I'm going to follow the recovery week workouts closely, and consider whether I should be changing my routine. I don't want to lose the gains made during 2 rounds of P90X; on the other hand, I've been enjoying the shorter workouts. On the other hand, I don't particularly enjoy doing Upper Plus twice weekly; on the other hand, I don't like seeing how difficult the P90X workouts are when I'm supposed to be in such great shape from doing P90X Plus. Perhaps I'll consult some of my colleagues on the Internet, and see whether they felt the same way.

P90X: Round 2: Day 89: Core Synergistics

Ahhh, the last day of Core Synergistics. The end of Round 2 is so close I can smell it. Or perhaps, I was smelling myself, as I worked out in the early morning in 26°C temperature, without the benefit of air conditioning. Again, as on Monday, I was drenched in sweat. I'd like to attribute that to my hard effort, rather than the workout environmental conditions.

I was somewhat concerned that the quality of the workout would be diminished by my now-improving hip injury suffered on Monday. The only exercise affected was Banana Rolls. Rolling onto my left hip was a bit painful, but I gingerly managed to succeed.

A modest improvement today over Monday's workout was the Plank to Chaturanga Run. I managed to get in my running during chaturanga. The result of that was that I needed to take an additional break, and immediately paused the disc prior to walking pushups. A reasonable reward for having done so well during Plank to Chaturanga Run, I'd say.

Of special note is my attempt throughout the workout to engage the core. When focussing on that objective, the exercises definitely become more difficult. Tony alludes to that several times during the workout.

I find this workout challenging and rewarding. It has not been my favourite workout, but it has grown on me over time.

Favourite move today: one arm balance pushups. I wish this exercise lasted 2 minutes.

Toughest move today: Plank to Chaturanga Run.

Tony line of the day: "Make everything count: every move, every minute, every exercise..."

P90X: Round 2: Day 86: Core Synergistics

This has been a workout that, typically, I don't look forward to or enjoy. Today brought 1 out of 2. I didn't particularly look forward to doing the workout; however, I did enjoy it.

I probably don't look forward to this workout because it occurs only 6 times during the course of a round of P90X. I realize that's more than Chest and Back, and Back and Biceps, and so on, but it seems like the exception, rather than the rule. Also, Dreya is in it. She appears in more workouts than anyone other than Tony, and seems to have a bit of an attitude. It's likely jealousy in me. She could probably kick my butt.

Anyhow, I really got into the mood today (Dreya notwithstanding). The exercises move quickly and are demanding. I find myself breathing deeply and rapidly. I worked up more sweat than Plyometrics, although my overall level of exhaustion is greater in Plyo than in Core Synergistics. Still, the amount of sweat was impressive. Again, I don't know whether to attribute that to the weather and temperature, or my intensity. I'll stick with the latter (if somewhat self-delusional).

There are a series of exercises which I find really take it out of me: plank to chatarunga run, followed by walking push-ups. These two in combination are a killer (in a good way). Now, I'm looking forward to Thursday, when I'll do this workout for the last time this Round.

Favourite move today: sphinx push-ups. Had unusual success today, and could have done more, time permitting.

Toughest move today: plank to chatarunga run. Wow.

Tony line of the day: "He makes Gumby look like the Tin Man."

P90X: Round 2: Day 54: Core Synergistics

I brought a new and improved attitude to this workout today. I was determined to really focussing on engaging the core on every exercise. I've noticed that I haven't lost much weight during Round 2 (only 4 lbs to date, in almost 8 weeks) and I think that some of the weight that I still want to lose is hiding around my mid-section. So, focus on the core (and the nutrition plan) and hopefully, I can shed what remains of my little belly and expose my 6-pack to the world. Well, it's good to have dreams and to pursue them.

I tried to be really intense on each exercise and, for the most part, succeeded today. I did 40 stack leg/staggered hand pushups (could have done more, but the timer ran out) and on exercises which I found really exerting, I kept going at my own pace until the time ran out. Perhaps I didn't match the reps the kids did, but I didn't quit, either. There's a small victory in perseverance; it's part of the "do your best and forget the rest" philosophy, but in this case, doing your best means (for me): keep going, don't quit, don't give up, don't let your mind tell you that your body's had enough. It was a bit of "dig down and see what you're made of" time. To me, P90X isn't just about physical improvements; a significant part of the program is about developing mental toughness.

Having said that, I had to pause the tape a couple of times to catch my breath between exercises. So much for mental toughness. The order of the exercises, and the intensity of exercises makes for a taxing overall workout. The combination of plank to chatarunga run and walking pushups is particularly difficult. That really burns me to the core (pun intended).

Favourite move today: stack leg/staggered hand pushups. First move, lots of energy. All day long.

Toughest move today: plank to chatarunga run. Wow. (What's that upside down? Mom.) Sweat dripping off my face. Just like Pam the Blam.

Tony line of the day: "It'll make you more durable, and less vulnerable." That's how I'd like to be.

P90X: Round 2: Day 51: Core Synergistics

Core Synergistics is not my favourite workout, especially on Monday mornings. I can't quite put my finger on why I'm not crazy about this, but I put my head down, grind it out, do my best, and forget the rest.

Even though I'm not wild about the exercises, I do work hard at them and, over time, have noticed that I have improved in a number of them. My numbers have gone up in stack-leg pushups, sphinx pushups, prison cell pushups, dreya rolls, one-arm balance pushups, and walking plank. I'm pleased to see progress and success, although I'd be happier if I looked forward to the workout. Obviously, I need to work on an attitude adjustment.

I do like the design of the workout, and it does raise a good sweat in me. I especially like that plank to chaturanga run is immediately followed by walking plank pushups. That really puts a good strain on my core, and the last 30 seconds of the walking pushups are really tough for me. Overall, I get a good workout from this routine.

Favourite move today: walking plank pushups. Walked for the full minute. This was a victory of the mind over the body. I told myself I could do this, and I did.

Toughest move today: prison cell pushups. I ground this out over the entire time period, but really struggled with the last few. I didn't give up, though. Minor victory.

Tony line of the day: "I'm a fan of straight lines. You should see my closet at home."

P90X Round 2, Day 23: Core Synergistics

I've always felt that Recovery Week should be easier than regular weeks, and perhaps technically that's true, but it didn't feel easy doing Core Synergistics today. This workout always gives me a kick in the rear and I usually end up sweating like a dog afterwards. Today was no exception.

I've improved slightly in this workout since Round 1; however, it is still a very challenging set of exercises and there's not much time between exercises for break and recovery. I spent my time today really focussing on the Tip of the Day (engage) and tried to really push my core as hard as possible. I gave the Dreya Rolls another try (I've been avoiding them since Round 1, when I thought they would injure my neck) and managed to complete several of them, so there was another (minor) victory in my progress through the program.

Favourite move today: staggered hand push-ups. All day long.

Toughest move today: walking push-ups. These come fairly late in the program, by which time my core has been pretty much worn out. I only walked for 40 seconds. There's room for improvement.

Tony line of the day: "When I say 'Engage', I don't mean go out and get engaged" (warmup)