Day 30 P90

Okay....just finished another sculpting workout with the P90 and I have to say it is getting better. If you can count you can see I'm a couple of days behind in the program. There are some days that work and commitments take up more time than I can afford. I checked in the forums online and this seems to be a common problem. I feel fortunate to only being down a couple days.

I use the iPod and turn down the volume on the TV so I don't hear the same thing over and over.....much better now. On their scale of 1-4 I would say I'm a 1 1/2 right now. The exercises are much much easier for me now but I really don't think I'm at level 2 and certainly not ready to tackle level 3. Anyway, I've been substituting two things: 1) 2 hours of volleyball on Wednesday nights for the cardio. I am making up the crunches on Thursday nights. 2) I substitute the Fat Burning CD for one night of cardio. It has a lot of the same routines but it is a bit higher level of workout.

I am down to 218lbs as of this morning (remember, I started at 234.5). I can actually see my ribs now....LOL. BTW, the Yoga is still very very hard for me but I'm getting there.

One thing I've learned. DO THE STRETCHES! I didn't put much stock into the stretches but it really does make a difference in the quality of the workout. It's like "how low can you go". Lower with the stretches...definitely!

This is new territory for me. I joined a gym three and they enjoyed my money while I went home and sat around and ate the wrong foods. This has been fun and I am even amazing myself. I actually sprinted about 200 yards on a power walk this week. I mean sprinted. That's probably not a big thing for you? But for me? That is huge and it felt great.

On another note:
I miss my son. I miss my daughter-in-law. I miss Luke! There's no two ways about it. Being a dad and grandfather is both rewarding AND difficult at times. They are on my mind constantly and I'm so looking forward to seeing them (and Noah) in October.

I miss my wife......

While Sue has been out of the country for the last week, I've been holding down the homefront. I've had a little bit of extra time on my hands so I made a little video to show her how much I've been missing her. Actually, as you can see, I've had too much time on my hands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64QzLPUvic

P90 Day 15

I have never been one to commit to any kind of daily excercise routine. So this is new territory for me. After moving up a size in my waist, I decided it was time.

I am still working with the P90 program although I have to say that Tony is getting pretty boring. I still listen to him (with music off) because he does bring "form" to my attention. I think that's the most important part of the routines. I think it's funny when he talks about his "superior" balance then falls over on the next routine.

I've added another dimension to the cardio workout. I do a 2 mile power walk around our neighborhood. We have a couple of really steep hills and I get more heartpounding cardio doing that than the P90. The circuit workout kicks my butt so I am staying with it as-is for now.

I am struggling with two parts of the cardio. First, I simply can't do the yoga excercises. I really have tried and I know its important but I simply don't bend the way he does (or come even close). Second, the jumping jacks and hopping hurt my knees and insides. I do the alternate moves....step, step....but that doesn't seem to do much. I'll keep at it, though as best I can.

Anyway, no more weight loss but still at it and I am feeling a ton better.

(I miss my wife. She is out of the country for 10 days)

P90 - Day 10

Okay, I am making my first attempt at using a workout program and having fun. Since I haven't been updating the blog, this seemed a perfect place to post my progress.

I purchased the BeachBody (Tony Horton) P90 90-day workout program. Interestingly, I purchased the P90X but after further investigation found out I physically can't do the program as a beginner. I will have to work my way into it. "What?", you say! Yeah, yeah....I can be somewhat of a couch potato. My work days are pretty intense and there is little "sitting" time. I am on my feet about 8-10 hours a day so when I'm home I do sit a lot.

I started a low carb diet the middle of May 2010 with a beginning weight of 234.5lbs. What a fat boy! I was physically feeling bad, tired, back hurting & knees aching. Since starting I've been mostly eating under 40 grams of carbs a day. It really does make a difference. I'm not as hungry and I don't eat as much volume. But I do miss the bread and sweets. Do I cheat? Of course, every once in a while (but I did turn down brownies at J&M's).

Sue and I setup a home gym in the basement complete with TV, DVD, yoga mat, weights, chair, punching bag (not for P90) and dehumidifier. This is the perfect environment for me to only be an embarrasment to myself while I work out.

Back to the P90! I am on Day 10. The program consists of two sections; Cardio and Sculpting. Since there are 4 phases you'd think there are 4 videos? NO! There are two. Phase 1-2 is one video and 3-4 is the second. So it seems the workouts are going to get monotonous. I am to switch to the 3-4 video once I feel comfortable that I'm a level 2 guru. That'll probably be 45-50 days into this program.

Level 1-2 seems harmless enough. However, when I'm done........wow......what a workout. I lag far behind the "gym rats" on the video so I am definately a Level ONE. There are a lot of stretches and actual Yoga moves that I can't do...yet. However, after 10 days I can actually stand with my feet wide of sholder and bend over and put my fingertips on the floor. That is a milestone for me.

Status: After 10 days of excercise and dieting (low carb) I am now at 220.5 lbs.

I'll keep the updates coming. The goal is 205 which is certainly obtainable with the program. At 205 I should be a running weight so I can begin the next phase.

-Randy

Oh yes.....no before and after pictures. Don't worry!

Growing up.....

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much time has gone by and at lightning speed. Sometimes I want it all back 'cause it seems I missed so much. Just yesterday both our children were little like the grandboys are now. It won't be long before Robert & Jen and Jonas & Melissa find this out. It's hard to believe how big N & L are now.

It's funny, but today I ran across a video/song by Ben Folds that expresses these thoughts. "Everybody knows it hurts to grow up". Especially for parents.

"Still Fighting it"
Click to watch the video.

Out of commission for two days!

Sue and I have pretty much been out of commission for two whole days. Early Sunday morning I came down with the flu (with all the usual nastiness). What made it so bad was I was just getting over a case of strep and sinus infection. Anyway, Sue had to take me to the emergency room Sunday morning because of dehydration. There I received fluids, anti-nausea & pain medication. While sitting with me at the hospital, Sue started showing the same symptoms so we shared the medication prescribed for me. We stayed in bed most all day Monday and watched a lot of really bad boring TV.
As usual, she went out of her way to take care of me since I am a big baby when it comes to "problems of the gut". We should join the world on Tuesday.

The new year is here....

2010! Wow. How did this happen? Time is flying by so fast. It seems we just celebrated the new century and here we are 10 years later.

Nicklas and Luke just celebrated their second Christmas and we had a great time with them. The holidays were busy for all of us. Jen & Robert & Nicklas were sick with colds and flu for much of the time. Jonas & Melissa & Luke spent a lot of time traveling to be with family and were absorbed in preparing for their overseas trip. We were all together on Christmas day and that meant the world to Sue and me. We cherish the time we get with our children and our grandsons and know that God has blessed us beyond measure.