The worst thing about going through this exercise regimen is that the hour-and-a-half (and more) of my evenings it takes, really cramps out the other activities I need to do in the evenings. When I’m finished with the workout, cooled down, and showered, it’s usually about 10:00 p.m., and I’m ready to collapse into bed. So that means other things, like writing a blog post, get put off.

The best thing about going through this exercise regimen is the fantastic feeling coursing through my body right after finishing a routine. I almost always feel like I shouldn’t be finished yet, like I have more energy to burn. But the particular muscles I’ve been working that evening are pretty much wasted, and I really couldn’t do even one more push up or pull up or jump or squat.

I’ve completed phase I of P90X — 4 weeks done, 9 more to go. I still find the Yoga X routine to be very aggravating, but I still love the system as a whole.

I’ve lost some weight, and I’m starting to get some tone all around. I got a compliment on my calves this weekend when I was out running beside my boys on their scooters. Plus I was happy to be able to keep up with my boys on their scooters, without having to stop and pant every few minutes. It felt good to run around our house playing tag, too. I was raring to go.

This whole workout system is proving to be one of the best hard processes I’ve ever put myself through.

Bullgrit

One week of P90X workout done. I’m sore in a few areas, and there’re no visual results yet, but I feel good.

I found the Plyometrics (jumping) the hardest to do. I think I injured my inner thighs with this workout. They were too sore for longer than I would expect for just working them hard. But they got better.

I found Yoga X the most aggravating to do. Not that it’s difficult to do, (though it’s as hard as most of the other workouts), but it’s impossible to keep my eyes on the TV while going through the various poses. There’s no one starting position where your head doesn’t get turned away from the TV screen at some point — sometimes for a long time, through several more motions.

The whole regimen is enjoyable, in a tiring, sweating, sore kind of way. I’ve felt much better after each workout than I felt before starting. Last night started my second week (of 13 total), and I was really looking forward to the Chest & Back and Ab Ripper X workouts, especially after the simple X Stretch workout ending the first week.

It’s funny, in a weird way, how after a hard workout, watching very fit and ripped/buff people on the screen, when I take off my shirt to get in the shower afterward, I’m surprised to not see a big difference in my body. I feel like I should already have the tone and muscular shape, and it’s disappointing to see the regular old me in the mirror. But I’ll get there.

I’ve finally gotten my new diet regimen mostly figured out — I’ve stocked up on appropriate food, and I’m making better choices. Between loving the workouts, and accepting the diet, I have strong hopes for the next 12 weeks.

Bullgrit

In the week after getting my P90X material in the mail, I read the Fitness Guide, the Nutrition Guide, and watched several of the DVDs. While watching the DVDs, I tried a few of the exercises, but I didn’t actually start the regimen; I just wanted to see what was coming, and get a feel for it before hitting it hardcore.

And it is, indeed, hardcore. Extreme. “Over the top,” as my brother described it. But it didn’t look beyond my ability. (But then I may have an unrealistic sense of my ability.) In fact, it looked fun. Fun because it would be a serious challenge.

The Kenpo X workout looked very much like the exercises I did in tae kwon do. But the difference is that in my martial arts training, we did the exercises for about 20 minutes, and then moved on to the training/learning. And the training/learning time gave plenty of rest between heavy activity. The P90X Kenpo X workout is a full hour of just exercises, with very little rest time.

Saturday was my Day 0 — take the fit test, take “before” photos, take body measurements. The literature says I should be able to pass the fit test before taking on the P90X routines. Here’s how I did:

Pull-ups
Minimum for fit test: 3
My results: 1.75 (the book says to count fractions on this exercise)
It’s been many, many years (possibly a couple of decades) since I did a pull up. I never did them for martial arts, and it’s just not something I’ve ever done as part of my basic calisthenics.

Vertical Leap
Minimum: 5″
My results: 13″
This one confuses me. Granted I may be off by an inch — it’s difficult to judge it on a blank, white wall — but I can definitely beat 5″ by a very wide margin. But beating the minimum by more than double, (nearly triple), on a skill I never really practice?

Push-ups
Minimum: 15
My results: 22
I used to could do 50 on a regular basis, in my prime.

Toe Touch — sitting down, legs straight, reach forward
Minimum: 6 inches from toes
My results: 0 inches — I can touch my toes

Wall Squat — sit with back against wall, legs at 90 degree angle, as if sitting in a chair
Minimum: 60 seconds
My results: 45 seconds
Other than the pull-ups, (which I could hardly do at all), this was the hardest test. The pain is incredible in less than 30 seconds, and I wanted to scream by 45 seconds.

Biceps Curls — both arms at the same time, 20 pound weights
Minimum: 10
My results: 15

In & Out — seated with hands on floor at sides, knees bent and off ground; bring knees in to chest, then out straight, and back in to chest
Minimum: 25
My results: 30

Now, something to keep in mind with this fit test: I did the exercises fresh, and with 1-4 minutes, (by the book), breaks in between. Other than the pull-ups and wall squats, I passed the exercises easily. This surprised me. Either I’m not in the totally abysmal shape I thought I was, (and sometimes feel), or the fit test is a bit easy. I suspect the latter.

Sunday night was my first full P90X workout routine: “Chest & Back, and Ab Ripper X” — about an hour and twenty minutes of almost non-stop exercises. I did it.

Yes, it’s brutal, but I kept up and did every exercise. Now, I didn’t do as many reps as Tony and his students. If they did 25 reps, I could do about 10-12 on the first round. By the second round, they’d do another 25, but I could only get about 4-6. There’s a lot of push-ups, and by the last set, I considered doing 3 in a row a victory.

And then the ab/core exercises followed immediately after the chest and back workout. The ARX works different muscles than the C&B, but you’re already really tired by that point. I still banged out some reps for every exercise, (still less than the folks on the screen).

After the workout, I felt fan-freakin’-tastic. Honestly, that routine made me feel so good. Yes, I was worn out, but it was in a good way. I felt like I had done something great.

I’m very much looking forward to continuing this system. Having done this first routine, I’m not afraid of the rest. The only thing I think I’m going to have a hard time with is the nutrition regimen. I’ve had a horrible diet for pretty much all my life, and proteins, carbohydrates, etc. aren’t concepts that my mind easily grasps. Hopefully my wife can help me with this part of the system.

Bullgrit

Yesterday, me and my boys were in Target together, picking up items we each needed. The Calfgrits had some saved up allowance for toys, and I had to prepare for my upcoming workout regimen.

Calfgrit9 was buying a small Lego Halo set, and Calfgrit5 was buying a new Bionicle. On the cashier aisle conveyor belt, I put a pair of weight lifting gloves, a workout mat, and a pair of yoga blocks.

When the cashier girl got to my items, she commented, “Interesting choice for Valentine gifts. Or did your wife specifically ask for this?” She was smiling mischievously.

I was kind of taken aback. First, just because I’m buying something on Valentine’s Day, doesn’t mean the something is a gift for my Valentine. Second, why the assumption I’m buying this stuff for my wife, instead of just for me?

I explained, “It’s just coincidental that I’m buying this on Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh,” she replied and finished ringing up the sale.

After the transaction, as we were walking away with our bagged purchases, I thought more about the girl’s comment. Is there something inherently female about what I bought that made her think it was for my wife? I mean, weight lifting gloves? Surely lifting heavy weights is not considered a feminine activity.

A workout mat? These things are in every gym I’ve ever been to, (including my old martial arts gym), used by both genders — I’ve done sit ups and push ups on these things many times. Maybe if this one was pink, I could see assuming it was for a woman. But this one’s a dark green.

The yoga blocks? Yeah, I’ll admit that I tend to first think of yoga as a woman’s activity, but really, it’s not exclusively for women.

After thinking about the situation for another minute, I came to the idea that maybe she just thought I looked in great shape already, and therefore didn’t need workout gear. Yeah, that’s good.

Or maybe she looked at me and figured I was in such sloppy shape that I’d never bother with a workout.

No. She definitely had to think I was buff enough, and didn’t need the equipment. I’m satisfied with that explanation. It makes the most sense to me.

Bullgrit