Week Five: Getting Results!

I'm sure there are a few people who question why I do P90X, which is completely fine. Its not entirely about "looking" a certain way. Its not entirely about being able to get in the best damn shape of my life. And its not entirely about becoming mentally stronger.

Its about all those things and so much more.

P90X is the real thing. Its not some silly side show or fad that has gotten mainstream attention. This program is here to stay (2nd incarnation, P90XMC2 is due this fall) relevant and fresh in the forefront of the fitness world. Tony Horton has developed a program that gets serious results that you can feel and see immediately. If you've seen clips of his workouts, you'll see Tony Horton, Dreya Weber, Daniel Haas and others dripping with sweat. Folks, these are real people, not professional athletes, models, trainers, or body builders. Real people who went through the test groups. They all got results, big time results. Not a believer? Checkout P90X on that little thing called the world wide web to read and see real people who got results.
You all should be scared. Why? I'm in the middle of week five and feelin' some major results. I've said before that I dropped weight, added lean mass, and my energy is through the roof. Now its getting more intense. The physical results are coming much faster and people are starting to notice! Since I started my P90X journey, I've had people notice muscles on my body. That had never been the case before P90X. My shoulders, arms, and chest have undergone a serious change (hey look, I actually have pectoral muscles).

Bottom line is that putting in all the hard work is paying off. Doing all those deep swimmer presses, run squats, and squat x-presses gets results. It also gets you sweaty, sore, and begging for mercy. But if you dedicate yourself, all those can lead to a leaner, stronger and healthier you.

P90X: End of Week Three

Its been awhile since I posted anything here, so thought I would quickly scribble out a few paragraphs.

Its been nearly four weeks since I started to get "serious" with the P90X program. By "serious" I mean following the program the way it was designed to be used, minus the dietary part. Even though I am not following Tony Horton's recommended nutritional plan, I've cut out a lot of bad foods in my diet. I'm eating more grains, veggies, fruit, lactaid milk, and have an overall healthier diet.

I'm working out six days a week - and telling everyone about it via facebook - following the program. And the results are amazing. The muscle definition in my biceps, triceps, forearms, and shoulders is visible. My chest and abdominal area are coming along, albeit at a slower pace. When I started I weighed about 145lbs. As of today, my current weight is 134lbs. And the best part is that I've got so much more energy its ridiculous. My metabolism is in high gear and is burning calories like crazy.

When I first started P90X, I wasn't so sure I could do ... any of it. I was never a gymn rat, a weight room guy or even one for exercise after my teenage years. After doing the first workout, CHEST AND BACK, I thought, "how the hell am I going to survive this?" Well, I'm not only surviving, but I'm surpassing my goals each workout. I still struggle and stumble, but I get back up and keep at it. And with every day, I get better at the exercises and prove to myself that I CAN DO THIS.

One of the biggest parts of P90X is the mental side. And its overlooked quite often. Tony Horton may spit out stupid cliches ("do your best ... and forget the rest"), make odd comments ("Wow .... that's mom upside down") and say the most random things during the routines (at one point he breaks into singing the national anthem). This stuff really does hide the true underlining goal of P90X and Tony Horton:

MENTALLY STRONG, MENTALLY POSITIVE.

Plain and simple. To go through the full 90 days, you have to be able to say, "I can ...." instead of "I can't ..." If you tell yourself "I can't" before doing one diamond push up, one supination curl, or one warrior pose, then you won't. Like Tony tells me every time I do the Chest/Back workout, "instead say, I presently struggle with ..." This is the mindset you need to have going into P90X. And once you get further into the workouts, if you're giving an honest all out 110% effort, you'll be saying, "I can do 20 reverse grip chin ups!" The mental side catches up to the physical side once you start to believe in yourself. Mentally and physically strong are what P90X is all about.

Living now for Tomorrow

"We do today what they won't so we can accomplish what they can't."

Just a few years ago, I would have laughed at that quote. Not because some wrestler said it, but because I only half understood the meaning and actions behind those words. But today, at the age of 34 "I understand that" if we want to strive for a better tomorrow, for a better future ... we must put in the work every day for our future.

We need to make time to create a healthier balanced life for ourselves. We need to stop eating double cheeseburgers and drinking 48 oz. of Mountain Dew while sitting on our collective asses doing nothing every single day. Instead of grabbing chips, grab a few carrots. And instead of lifting that 48 oz. cup of liquid sugar, start lifting some 35's (free weights people) on a regular basis.

I'll be the first to admit that I have not always made the healthiest choices -smoking, drinking too much "adult" beverages, eating bags of chips while playing Madden, etc- but I'll also be the first one who tells you that it's all changed. And I've decided to make some very necessary changes to help my future. I've made a commitment to myself to change for the better. Thoses changes will help me do what is healthy for me today so I can make a difference in tomorrow's world.

Along with the HerbaLife vitmans and supplements I've started Tony horton's P90X program. I've already felt a big difference in my energy level, appetite, musle development, and mindset. Its the real deal. That program works! So I've got my combo platter of HerbaLife and P90X, whixh means I should be able take on the world!

The Untitled Post

The P90X program is kicking my ass! My legs, back, shoulders ... my whole body hurts. But you know what? It's a good kind of hurt. I know that I'm breaking down those muscles day by day. I'm going to rebuild each one stronger, better, and faster than they were before. Those workouts are tough to finish, but you know what, with each workout completed I feel that I can do them .... and survive! Right now, after only 20 minutes I feel like quitting. I'm just dying from the burning sensation in my chest. I can't bend down to pick up my shoes without feeling pain. But you want to know something crazy? It feels good. It feels good to know that I am trying to pave a healthier road for my future. And I am trying very hard. I won't give up. I won't leave this chapter open and incomplete. I want to prove to myself that I can do this, that I can complete this.

P90X

P90X: Ouch!

This one will be brief, but I'll write more soon. I've added another element to help me become a healthier person: P90X. I started last night with the first disc and I'll tell you what, me and Tony Horton and going to be great friends or I'm going to mute him. That dude talks more than I do, non-stop through his workouts. But, I'll take it if I can get in shape. All I know is that my shoulders and chest are sore enough. Thank goodness for Bayer.

Now I've got a combo platter of healthiness, of course in moderation (don't worry Carl, everything will be porportional). I've already dropped some weight with HERBALIFE, now I want to add on muscle while continuing to drop some weight.

As Tony would say, "Make it pretty!"

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Just finished up with P90X Plyometrics about 30 minutes ago. When Tony said this was the "mother of all plyometric workouts" he wasn't kidding. I got through about 40 minutes of it (short on breath and time) and I am struggling to even bend my legs. Man, those are some killer routines he's got you doing. The jump squats, run position jump squats, and the heisman pose are no joke. My legs are killing me. The positive? It's a good hurt, a good burn cause I know I'm working my body to get in shape. I may not be able to complete every workout yet, but I'll get there ... one sore muscle at a time. Another good thing is that my chest and shoulders are only in minor pain compared to what my legs are feeling now.

Slammed down a protein shake to help build those muscles back up and now off to bowling league. If I don't fall over I'll consider that a successful night.

Rocking HerbaLife Style!!!

Healthy meal shake frozen into guitar molds = a healthy fun treat for the kids!

HerbaLife Frozen Snack

So I'm using the healthy meal shake as a frozen treat for later on! I took the vanilla + latte meal shake powders and combined both then added strawberries, black berries, blueberries, and raspberries .... blended them all together with lactaid milk for a healthy awesome shake. Good thing I had a little left over too. I'm using the very cool guitar ice tray Dan gave me to make some healthy frozen treats! Man, I can't wait until they're done! Gunna be good!

Rockin' the HerbaLife! Now go get your healthy on dude!!!

Day Seven: A Week in Review

Its been one week since I started using the HerbaLife products. The wife and I are both taking the vitamins each day and having at least two of the meal shakes (which are very tasty too). Getting into the routine of taking the vitamins/supplements three times daily was going to be the hard part. I worked them into my daily routine at home and work and it has been an easier transition (thank goodness for Outlook reminders and alarms on mobile phones).

Over all, I do feel healthier. My stomach hasn't been causing discomfort or pain like it has in the past. I've had a high level of energy consistently through each day w/o any major drop offs. My focus and attention has been improved, albeit slightly, but improved enough to where I notice it. Taking all those supplements/vitamins has also increased my metabolism and appetitie, which means I'm eating more - healthy foods. Coffee, energy drinks, and the like have been completely cut out of my diet . The caffiene I needed is no longer a must have in the mornings. A side bonus to the meal shakes: milk. I've gone through 1.5 gallons of the Lactaid Milk this week! I hate the taste of milk but with the shakes, my dairy intake has increased. Calcium is back in my diet!

The only negative side effect so far is the sleeping thing. I cannot fall asleep very easily. I'm a light sleeper to begin with, but it's got worse in the last week. I've been only getting between 4-6 hours of sleep each night. And it's more like interrupted sleep, not a straight 6 hours. Although I don't feel tired or groggy when I wake up, I'm still concerned that my body will just crash sooner than later.

I haven't lost any weight and I don't think my BMI or anything else has changed, but I do feel heatlhier. More energy, less crude in my stomach, no aches or pains. I feel pretty good at the end of my first HerbaLife Week!!!

Day Six: A time to Reflect

Yesterday was both an uplifting and very somber day. I attended the funeral of an old neighbor, Daniel Pastirik. He passed last Sunday at the age of 53. He leaves behind two daughters - Stephanie and Amanda - and a wife of 29 years, Julie.

I got to hear a few of the stories that helped define Dan as a person. He was a person who touched others through his words as well as his actions. Within the community, he was a cherished softball coach. At 3M, he was well respected among his peers. In his family, he was a loved father, husband, brother, son and uncle.  To us all, a man who walked with a quiet strength knowing that his faith would lead the way home.


Dan, you will be missed by those you touched.

Day Four

My Day

4:45AM - Wake up
5:20AM - Leave for work
6:00AM - Work
6:30AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake

Day Three: Give Thanks to Carl the Awesome!!!!

My Day   

4:50AM - Wake up
6:15AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake @ work
9:45AM - Snack
11:30AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake @ work
4:15PM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake
7:00PM - Ugh
9:15PM - Goodnight

6:20AM. Once again, thanks goes out to Carl, this time for suppling the shaker cup! Had difficulty sleeping again. So we're gunna go back to the drawing board and perhaps take round three a little earlier. Overall woke up feeling a little sluggish but not really too bad. I'll check back in a few hours.

9:03AM. Stomach is starting to feel not so good. Feels acidic and upset. Going to eat something soon to see if that helps.

10:20AM. Stomach has settled down. The protein bar helped.

11:30AM. I brought the shake mix to work for lunch today. Had that and some chipotle pasta salad for lunch along with the supplements and vitamins.

4:15PM. Taking all supplements except Total Control. Need to see if I can get some decent sleep tonight. I think the TC is one of the reasons I am not sleeping well.

7:30PM. Crazy night. Too much going on. Plenty of energy ....

9:10PM. Body is tired but my mind is still going at a good pace. Feel a little sluggish. Need to get a decent amount of real sleep tonight.

Bowling for Walnuts

At the alley with the boys. Energy level still pretty high. Hungry again. Must resist bar food!!!

Day Two: Looking for Consistency

My Day   

4:45AM - Wake up
5:30AM - Leave for work
6:20AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake
7:00AM - Focused and ready to be productive!
9:30AM - Snack break, breakfast bar (caramel & peanut butter protein bar)
11:30AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins
1:15PM - Hungry!!! Spinach salad w/ roasted almonds and italian dressing
3:00PM - Leave for home
4:30PM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake
5:15PM - lite dinner


6:23AM. Slept like crap last night. Seemed like I was awake every hour on the hour. Weird thing is though I was never really tired or felt drained. Still don't. Feel alert, like I've been up for a few hours already. Maybe I need to take the final round of supplements earlier? Going to repeat everything today. If lack of sleep continues, then I'll make a change.

7:30AM. Feel alert and completely awake. More focused. Thirsty. Drinking lots of water already.

2:15PM. Plenty of energy. Hungry again. Still focused.

5:15PM.  Took last round of supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake @ 4:30PM. Just finishing dinner (a couple fish sticks, corn and a chipotle pasta salad). Energy level has remained even all day. Energy level isn't so high I can't sit still or causing my mind to race. More of a focused steady level of energy that has lasted throughout the day thus far.

5:30PM. Off to the alley.

9:38PM. Back from bowling. Actually tired. Let's hope for a decent night sleep.

Day One: Hourly Breakdown

My Day

4:45AM - Wake up
5:30AM - Leave for work
6:30AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake

11:30AM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ lunch (spinach salad w/ Italian dressing)
1:30PM - Snack (salsa and tortilla chips)
3:00PM - Leave for home
4:30PM - Take HerbaLife supplements/vitamins w/ Healthy Meal Shake
5:30PM - Lite Dinner (pot stickers and white rice)
7:15PM - Carl!!!!
9:45PM - Bedtime

Summary  
After taking the first round of supplements/vitamins I was wide awake within about 20 minutes. I did feel much better today compared to other days in the past. After taking all the supplements, I felt more energetic, focused and aware.

The best part of it was there was no let down, no feeling like crap afterwards. The energy and healthy feeling was consistent all day long ... and I've still got enough energy to burn right now at 9:30PM!

Can't wait to see what tomorrow will feel like with HERBALIFE already in my system!!