Vanity strikes again

Just a quick couple of pics from Laura and Ivans wedding at the weekend.
First time I have seen a picture of me in something other than a tshirt or naked lol.

Personally I am VERY happy with how I am looking now.
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Beast mode

That feeling of being on fire, driven by an anger within, and being able to push yourself further than ever before. That was the angle of attack I took on Sharms today. Much grunting and groaning later, and a whole load of fluids lost, and my body is destroyed.

A level of exhaustion rarely experienced for me, and while debilitating, it is also quite rewarding. In a strange a weird way, its nice to know what you can actually do when you REALLY try. My arms are SO tired in fact that I struggled to shake up my protein shake, and am resting my arms on the table as I type this.

Shoulders and arms, what a beautiful workout. Especially this week, as I only did chest and back yesterday. So my whole torso is tight and aching. But as I always say, its a good ache. An ache that says 'good workout man' and and ache that reminds me which muscles control what functions in my day to day life.

The plan was to hit ABRX every time it was required this round, but because of the time constraints of this week, and the sheer level of exhaustion being experienced, I will be doing Abs tomorrow, and of course with yoga. Speaking of which, I am still playing catch-up so Yoga is this evening after work. Should be fun 8 hours after Sharms, and 24 hours after Plyo. Let's see what I have left to give.

Today I have to say I DID manage to beat most of my PB's on most movements. Weight and reps both raised, which will probably explain why I feel like this now lol.

Anyway, I have a protein drink to chug down, and a day to be getting on with, so better get on.

Message to my Tweeps on #TeamSnaz Dig deep people, and keep improving. Its its not aching, and you are not failing towards the end of sets, you aint trying hard enough.
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A quick update, back on track.

After 2 days out of the swing of things, today I jumped back in full throttle. The plan is to double up for a couple of days to get back on the pace of things.

So this morning I hit back and chest. Suffering a bit from quite extreme nausea, my routine was a little flawed. I still gave it my all none the less.
The vest was back, for the morning dog walks and for the morning P90X session. Weight now increased to 5.5kg.

So after fighting through the workout and having a lay down after I went to work. As the day progressed I got more and more excited about hitting Plyo this evening.

Coming home I got straight into it, and pushed myself seriously hard, refusing to drop a single rep, and to make each rep clean and count. 1 hour of jump training with the increased vest weight sure took its toll. The butt and thighs really take a beating.

By the end of it I was sweating like crazy, so made this lovely video lol http://youtu.be/WkOM4uoVHIA Be warned, its quite gross.

So that's me for today.

Tomorrow is Sharms (shoulders and arms) in the AM, with abrx I hope. And Yoga in the PM.

Let me take this time to congratulate Carly for her amazing 30 day progress and weight loss. Amit for pushing through a painful achillies, and staying so sharp and motivated, and to Rob for keeping his spirits high in this first week. I'm glad you are starting to appreciate what you have got yourself into now.

Remember tomorrow, yoga is not easy, nore just some exercises. It takes time to get the form right, but once the form is there you will be away. Vinyasa's and the warrior series of postures are not as simple as you would like to think. Don't push yourself to just try each one badly, focus on getting it right.

Getting past reverse warrior on your first go is an achievement.

I look forwards to hearing the stories from the rest of #TeamSnaz tomorrow.

Sleep well all.
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F**ked!

Wow, 2 days out of the routine, and a little bit of junk to eat last night has resulted in a HORRIBLE workout today. Serious nausea from the half way mark, short sets, and low reps. As well as more sets to fail than ever before.
The motivation and drive was there, but the energy levels were not. Sweating like crazy, panting like a dog. All signs that I was really not on my game this morning.

To be honest I felt a little sluggish walking the dogs before working out, and now feel a little blergh, so I'm wondering if I'm actually a bit off colour, and the workout has just pushed me over the edge. I hope not.

So for now, I'm laying flat out, cooling off and allowing all systems to settle down a bit. On a plus side my back seems to have held out pretty well, so that's something eh.
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Tough decision.

Right, after lots of thinking and talking about it I have decided how I will get back on track with training.
Tonight I will NOT train, other than doing a walk with the dogs to get back into the swing of things. Weighted vest will depend on temperature out there. If it goes on, it rises to 5.5kg this week.

Tomorrow morning I will tackle Back and Chest. Depending how that goes and how my back copes, I will possibly do Plyo in the evening to catch up a little.
Thurs if all is well I will take on Sharms in the morning, and Yoga in the evening. That way I get a good well needed stretch, and am up to date in time for Back and Legs on Friday.

This is all hypothetical, and based on tomorrow mornings results.

Keep them crossed for me people!

As a footnote... A message to the new guy on the gang. Early days are tough dude, read back through any of my weeks 1-4 moaning. There are exercises and movements your body has either never done before, or not for a long time. Shocking muscles and joints into work IS a big deal, and takes time.

For some stuff, especially yoga, plyo, cores, there will be some stuff in there that will REALLY kick your arse, and that can really knock your confidence. But you wait for a few more weeks time when you are killin it. You will look back to now and remember how far you have come, how you pushed yourself, and just how determined you are.

This is all about a change of lifestyle, and it starts with sweat and tears.

The idea of Twitter is to share, gather confidence, and remember how hard it was. So the next person, the one YOU inspire to take on P90X can see THEY are not failing, they are just beginning.
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Man down!

After yawning 'awkwardly' yesterday morning I managed to pull my back, and put myself out of action for a few days. I have missed training yesterday and today and it sucks!
Hoping to get free enough to train from tomorrow and work my way towards catching up on my week.

Well done to Rob for getting stuck in, to Carly for ending Phase1 and reaching day 30 (pics please).
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Round 2 - Week 1 is over

The first thing I have to say is, weighted vests, they make an amazing difference, especially when you are at a stage where your form and endurance is good. This week alone I have seen massive changes in how I train, and how I feel after.
For example now. Kenpo has become very manageable. Not easy, but I knew my way through it, and maybe was able to manage myself through it. Today, woah! Totally different, I am already aching, and very fatigued in my thighs and butt, but it feels great.

So week 1 of P90X, taking into account the changes I have introduced has been epic. I am loving the new found edge on the program, and can't explain how different I feel within. Amazing energy levels and confidence in the new me. Vanity at a whole new level, shop windows are fair game lol.

The push-up bars have ensured I hit my chest so hard this week, that added range has reached to the very edges of the muscles, and my chest is already tighter and I stand prouder. The increased weights on arm routines have left the muscles writhing. Definition in my arms, calf muscles and other areas is really coming out now.

In short, where I once wondered if I would remain motivated on the second round, I am already wondering what I can bring to Round 3. I know 100% I will be completing this program all over again, and as the summer gets into full swing, the endorphins rushing through my body just excite me and drive me even more to become EPIC lol.

Energised, motivated, driven. All the things that I am right now, and I hope that in some way it motivates YOU too. P90X isn't a one off, its not something you complete. Its a lifestyle that you fit into your life. As time progresses it becomes built into the fibre of your day. I'm not saying it will be doing the same 12 DVD's for life, but I do want to feel this alive every day I can, and want to keep challenging myself to make sure I achieve that goal.

Whatever week of the program you are in, just about to start, end of phase 1 or just considering it at this stage, know one thing, if you have the drive, the results WILL follow.

Just before I go I want to say that my diet has been as clean as possible this week, much better than previous weeks, and if I'm honest I am not sure how that has worked out. Energy levels are still high, but so is fatigue. Maybe that's because of the added intensity? The following weeks will soon tell. I like keeping the diet clean though, feels nice within.

Have a great workout, and a great weekend all :)
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Day 5 Legs and Back

Woohoo, after a short meeting at work this morning I returned home. Torn between relaxing in the sun or hitting P90X I was finally talked around to exercise (didn't take much)
So today, as the title says, Legs +Back & Ab Ripper X. Hell I dug today. First day doing Legs with the vest on and it made a huge difference. Intensity on a different but very good level.

By the time I was done with the main workout it was time for ABRX, and more importantly time to get that weighted vest off, and stretch a bit. Wow that felt nice.

After hammering away at ABRX for 16 mins in was rest and wash time.
Another amazing workout finished, core pulled tighter than ever, and feeling fantastic. New clothes for the summer and smaller body complete the package right now.

Damn I feel good. Happy workouts people, Keep pushing play, and remember to bring it!
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Round 2 start weight

Before I forget again, here is my official start weight for round 2 of P90X.
I'm not sure which direction the weight is going in, but 2-3lbs has been gained since changing my nutrition and adding protein shakes and creatine.

To be honest, weight wise I'm in a pretty happy place for me right now, and a mild gain for the right reasons is fine by me.

Weight is no longer a target or goal, but is a good indicator of what's going on with my body. There is definitely some muscle growth going on.

I won't be doing regular weigh-ins as such, but keep an eye open anyway.
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Day3 Sharms+ABRX

As the above says, it was a morning workout for me today after a 4.5 mile walk with the dogs (with weighted vest of course)
Still toast from Plyo yesterday I had an early night, waking at 1am feeling like I had tensed every muscle in my body. Thankfully I woke a little looser.

Got stuck into sharms with the vest one, and immediately I could feel the drain beginning. By half way point I was taking short mid-set rests, but still completing my planned reps. Heavier on the bands and weights too all made up for quite a serious workout. And where I would usually relax at the end after cool down, I knew ABRX was coming.

ABRX is my achilles, but I am learning to overcome it. Form improving even since yesterday, and drive to complete all moves is growing. I managed something of everything, with some lower rep counts here and there. By week 3-4 I'm hoping this will improved on.

Now sitting on the train to work, my stomach feels like its bleeding and like I have taken a beating, my torso feels exhausted, with my chest and back still tight from Monday. I really do feel like I have just started the routine having never done it before! Every session hits hard.

Yoga tomorrow, I can't freakin wait.

Right, off to work in the sunshine now. Keep on training people, love your body, love life.
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Levels of commitment.

OK, a quick entry to make sure someone is on the right track here. A friend about to embark on P90X is a little concerned that they might 'fail' to rise to the challenge.

Here are my thoughts.
When I approached the idea of taking on P90X I thought 'go for gold, balls out, all in', but soon realised that there is a margin of adaptation to the whole thing. Just like entering the London Marathon, 20,000+ people don't all set out to complete it in the same time. Everyone has their own level, pace and limits, and what is important is to find yours.

Not your comfort zone! Hell no, that's why we consider doing these things in the first place, to break the chain, and live a little outside that zone.

What I mean is, there are key areas of the program, nutrition and intensity. Depending on your strengths and weaknesses you will need to dial yourself in properly to make sure you are on the right path.
Round 1 for me, as I have said I was not strict about intake and nutrition. Although it improved over time, I knew keeping some flexibility in my diet was important to keep me on track. My improvements and gains remained pretty darn amazing. And while I didn't stay to the plan, I stayed in the game.

Intensity is the other area. While it is important to give it all you have, pushing for the best possible reps etc. You can control the pain, ache, soreness, call it what you may. You can do this by deciding HOW intense you make it. Round 1 I pushed myself to make sure I was achieving good clean reps, full sets, and a medium level of discomfort. This time around that's very different. Flat out, full on, train to failure every set.
The difference in how I feel daily is a world apart from Round 1. The level of ache and discomfort I am experiencing now is unreal. After waking from 2 hours sleep, after the past 2 days of training flat out, with the vest I am sore as hell. But I love it!
Anyone would think I had not been doing these routines for the past 90 days and had just begun.

So to round up its simple. Give it all you can. Don't be afraid to adapt movements and diet to allow you to feel you are achieving something daily, but are able and keen to keep going. Over the weeks form will improve, achievements will become plentiful, and I am sure you will surprise yourself with what you can do.

Remember its about training to failure, not failure to train. Keep pressing play, and dig deep. P90X Day 90 glory awaits you.
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Day 2 Plyometrics

Ok, so before I rest my eyes for the evening I thought I would just give a round up of my day.
Up early for a meeting threw me out a little, so training was not until the afternoon. Not getting home a little later than planned was somewhat annoying, and messed with my mind a little.
None the less I decided to get stuck in, threw the vest on and gave it my all.

1 hour of hell later, I took off the 11lb vest and reflected. Putting that vest on has made a huge difference, pushing me even harder, making things tough again, and giving me the challenge I need to keep me going.

With an average heart rate of over 150bpm for the whole hour, and having sweated out what felt like litres of sweat, I was happy with my efforts, and delighted with the feeling of exhaustion.

So I'm one happy guy right now. The little changes I have made for round 2 are already paying off. I dread to think how I will feel by the morning, but my legs get a rest as I move on to shoulders and arms (sharms). Still aching like crazy on my back and chest from Monday, tomorrow will be fun fun fun.

So make sure you tune in tomorrow for more of my moaning lol.

Keep pressing play guys..... Keep pressing play.
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Todays lunch

Today I will mostly be eating chicken breast and pineapple. Not together mind you.
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OMG the new routine works!

Well one day after attacking P90X chest and back with new vigour I am feeling the rewards. Chest is stretched like crazy, and aching nicely, and as for my back, I think I will creek if I bend over its so tight (in a good way)

I was really hoping this would be the case, rather than repeating the same old routine, and just feeling like its all very normal and ineffective. So the plan is working. Good news.

The next couple of days are a little messed up for me, with an early morning meeting today, making me miss my usual training slot. And again tomorrow another meeting will bump my training back to the mid afternoon.
So today when I get home I have to hit Plyo. The dreaded Plyometrics (jump training) complete with the new vest, still at 11lbs.

Something tells me that this time around is gonna be a lot more about aching, and a lot less about sailing through the routines. I cracked out the new dumbells last night and love them already. Cant wait to get using them on Wednesday with Shoulders and Arms. That's gonna be a kickass routine with them.

Exciting times ahead. So there you have it P90X, Round2, Day1 done.

A few pics

Just a few progress pics that tell me I am heading in the right direction. Not bad for an almost 40yr old who has been a slob for a long time.
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The story so far.....

As I say I just finished my first round of P90X, so a quick recap.
I discovered the program by accident thanks to a conversation with a friend, and decided to give it a go.
Loved it from day 1, and as time passed I got more and more serious about it.
My results from Day 1 to Day 90 speak for themselves really.
Please note, these results are based on not taking nutrition seriously (that's not a good thing, just a fact) and I did NOT do the Ab Ripper X sessions at the end of the workouts (my loss)

This time as I have said is VERY different.
So here is me. From a 40 to a 34 waist, and down 45lbs since Jan this year

YES!, I know I have a way to go yet, and my tummy is still very much there, but I'm working on it, hence round 2.
However the definition in my arms, legs and back is coming along nicely.

My attitude to Round2

This is my approach to the second round of P90X. I'm coming out fighting.

Hello world, welcome to the new chapter

Hey there and thanks for joining me here on this new blog to chart my progress through P90X. An awesome workout program which delivers results to those who are willing to commit 100% to making a change in their lives.
So what this blog all about, and why another one?
Well I realise that there are different topics on my main blog, and seeing as so many people seem keen to follow and read up on my experience and findings with P90X, I thought it only right to have a dedicated space for stories, pictures and tales of the program.

First up I have to say this. Thank you to all those who have supported me through the first round of P90X, and a special thanks and well done to those who thought what the hell and are currently getting stuck into the program themselves.
I get a lot of 'you inspired me' comments, but the truth is YOU inspire ME. Without people giving encouragement, and making positive comments, there have been times when I might just have called it a day, but thankfully you were all there.

So........... here we go. Sunday just gone (20th May) I completed my first round of P90X. So energised and excited by it, I decided to go head first straight into round 2. I have however changed a few things along the way.
1/ Training ethos. Not happy with happy go lucky, I have decided to go balls out this time, and give it my all.
2/ Nutrition/diet. I was not exactly strict last time around, however this time, the junk stays away.
3/ Equipment. From medium dumbells and bands, to mega bands, bigger dumbells, a weighted training vest for all activities, a proper yoga mat, push up bars. This is the time to get serious.
4/ Record keeping. All in my head last time, this time it goes down on paper, and improvements made weekly.
5/ Form. My form is good, but always room to improve, no complacency here.
6/ Definition and toning. Speaks for itself. The messing around is over, now its time to get toned.

That's just a glimpse into my attitude this time around, I'm sure more will show as I go on.

I will keep this entry short, but plan to try and make almost daily entries, even if its just random pics, or an update of what I did and how I feel.

You can follow my main blog on michaelsnasdell.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter @therealslimsnaz

OR just watch this space.

Thanks for reading.