Friday, June 22, 2012

POW!

Just another vanity shot.
So happy to have some definition back in my arms.
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Somewhat disappointed to say the least!

Not in myself mind you, more with BeachBody, the mighty home of P90X itself.
A comment was made recently that in a conference it had been mentioned that the P90x program is 70% nutrition and 30% physical effort. And that anyone not following the P90X nutrition guide was NOT in fact doing P90X at all.

Now I am not for one second suggesting that nutrition is NOT important, of course it is. Making sure the body has the right ingredients to bake up the body cake we are looking for is a key part to success. But we are all baking different cakes here. Some want to be ultra lean, some are building muscle, some just want to get tight an tone. In reality all goals need different plans. More importantly here we need to remember that we are ALL different. Two identical looking people can need totally different nutrition to achieve the same goal.

Our bodies all deal with our intake differently, with some putting on a pound as soon as they look at chocolate, and others able to live on fast food, yet remain lean. So to put such emphasis on ONE nutrition guide is rather amateur if you ask me, let alone unprofessional. Especially when its coming from the same company who made such an epic program as P90X. The way the program is presented makes you feel motivated, inspired and driven. Realising you too can achieve your goals with a bit of hard work.
So to suddenly say that you CAN'T achieve these goals if you don't follow a nutrition guide is a joke.

I realise of course this is NOT black and white, and they are not that blinkered. In reality what they are getting at is broken into two separate things. Firstly, that nutrition in general IS important. Certain groups of vitamins, proteins, carbs etc need to be observed. Making sure you get the right levels is going to make a difference to your results. and secondly, that BeachBody sell a comprehensive range of diet and nutrition products which are part of the nutrition guide, and they would like you very much to buy. At the end of the day they are a company, and its good business sense to promote your products.

But please..... next time you decide to have a push on your products, a sales drive, and an awareness week... DON'T tell people that they are almost wasting their time by following your exercise programs without following your nutrition guides. Not only does it DE-motivate people (including me this morning) but its also bullshit! I have followed your wonderful program for 1 and a half rounds now, and have achieved almost every goal I set myself. I have tried to eat clean when I could, but have not refused myself anything (ok maybe bread and fried foods have been cut out).

If I could afford financially to follow a stricter nutritional plan I would, but given that my budget on a bad week allows me to eat little more than cereal and tuna, I don't think I will be spending £100 a month on Shakeology just yet.

To put it into perspective, when I read the statement last night I was shocked by it. While I could see its intentions, and its realities, I felt somewhat put down and like I had not achieved what I thought I had. Like I had thought I had completed an exam, only to find I forgot to do a whole section. When training this morning, when it came time to dig deep and push harder a little part of me just said 'why bother'. Was like my boss walking past me working flat out, and just whispering 'why bother, you're shit!'

Now I'm a grown man, and i have overcome far worse things in my life, so this certainly wont put me down. In fact if anything its inspired me now. To prove that there are cheaper products out there that will do the job just as well lol. When I return from my summer holiday, the push will begin to achieve the goals I set myself for Round 2 of P90X. In the meantime I am still left thanking you for creating such a good program to follow, and hope my results speak for themselves.
Bulkier, slimmer, healthier and feeling amazing.

Til next time, stick a BB protein bar in it !

PS, I put a belt on the smallest pair of jeans I own today because they are too loose.... PPS I had chocolate late night!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Ok quick switch up

After noticing joint aches etc, and having them subside during rest week, I have decided to switch it up again for Week 5. Dropping the weights and upping the reps. Finding the perfect balance to really make the muscles work, without impacting the joints too badly. Todays workout of Back and Biceps was proof enough that I have got the balance right.

Dropping weights by about 1/3, and upping the reps by the same proportions seems to be about right. The vest is sitting out some routines too at the mo, just to make sure my shoulder is right. Still being used for plyo, kenpo etc though.

The other small change is to ARX. Rather than wearing myself out hitting 25 on some then having nothing left for others, I set the goal to 20. 20 reps for ALL movements, no excuses. And today I did just that. All except for V-ups which I managed 16.

That small change has made a massive difference to results and drive. Damn I ache.

Otherwise, its Week5, Round 2 of P90X, and I'm still loving it as much as ever. Have shockingly dropped a few pounds too, which was a surprise. Still not monitoring the weight, but occasional weigh-ins throw up some nice surprises lol.

Have a good workout people.....

Snaz.....out!
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Found my stride again

After a few off days, and being plagued with a painful shoulder, all seems to be coming back together again now.
The recent crap weather has knocked my routine badly. Unable to walk the dogs in the rain, I have been putting my workout back and back until I was getting short on time. But the sun is back and so is the routine.

Week4 this week, so its 'rest' week, if you call cardio and yoga rest that is. But its a beautiful thing and challenges the body in so many ways. An extra round of plyo last night really showed how deep I can dig now if I really try. Sweating so much it was dripping off my nose every second or so. Amazing!

The rest week has been perfect for allowing my shoulder to rest a bit, although yoga doesn't go easy on the shoulder with all the vinyasa's and down-dogs, but I have managed.

So once back on the main routine, and back on Phase 2 I will be going a little easier on my shoulders. I think ego has got the better of me recently, and made me push muscles and joints a little too hard. This was never meant to be about bulking out or building mass, so the weights were always meant to stay within reason. So I have found my happy place now.

2 weeks into Phase 2 I fly out to Florida, so will be making sure I carry on out there too. Should be easy enough, and with the AC on maybe a bit easier. Although I do fancy some plyo by the pool one day. Could be fun eh.

Diet wise, I'm back to cereal, with one high carb and protein meal a day, chicken, rice, potato, beans etc. Seems to be working nicely, energy is there as is the weight management. Win win.

So been a long 12 hours. 8 miles with the dogs, Plyo, Core Syns, and will hit Kenpo tonight to finish off a great 24 hours. Along with another 4 miles with the dogs.

How's your day going?
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Friday, June 8, 2012

Strange

Weird how your perception of 'ok' changes as you do. 6 months or so ago I took this pic and thought I wasn't in bad shape. Now I look at it and think how overweight and tired I looked.

So glad I started the P90X journey when I did, its been life changing, and its far from over yet. As I embark on the VLCD part of things before I fly to Florida, I move the goalposts once again, and aim for excellence.

3 weeks of culinary hell will hopefully give some nice results, while at the same time, digging deeper still within to find the energy and strength to workout harder than ever before.

All to be #Fit4Forty
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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ouch

That's the sound I'm making a lot at the mo. Not badly, but I have some tension in my shoulder, neck and shoulder blade which is making some things quite miserable to do, especially yoga this morning. Try Vinyasa's with a tight shoulder, grrr! Very annoying to say the least.

But I plodded on all the same. All the time thinking and stressing about the shoulder which has really put me off my game. Unlike usual sessions, all I was doing was looking towards the end of the routine. Drained of mental energy before I even got started this morning, I was already doubting I should do it this morning, before the first sun salutation.

I feel good for digging deep and completing it, but at the same time I am mad that it was such a non-productive session. Rather than feeling relaxed, loose and restful, I just felt tired and exhausted, which is never a good thing.

So that's the negative of the day. I know I need to go and see Kevin at Back On Track soon, (my physio), and get things on the mend, as well as some movements and routines to keep things moving and relaxed for the future. This is after all only week 3 of P90X round 2, so I have a long way to go yet.

On another note, with 3 weeks before my trip to Florida, and curious to see what I can really achieve with this body of mine, I am reverting back to my previous diet, the cereal diet. I know I lose weight on it, and at the same time I know I have the energy to complete my workouts too, so it seems the sensible option. Really wanna knuckle down for the next 3 weeks.

In the meantime, things are still going well, still beating PB's weekly, still increasing the vest weight (could be an issue with the shoulder), and still seeing and feeling changes within my body on a weekly basis.

All I can say is thank heavens for #TeamSnaz who are keeping me pumped and motivated right now, and keeping me hungry and competitive. Thanks guys and gals
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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I just needed to tell you...

I am a fighter, not a quitter. When a problem presents, I deal with it, an obstruction blocks my way, I over come it.
Failure is NOT an option, exhaustion is my motivation. Ache and soreness is my reward for my dedication, and fatigue is just a mark in the sand.

I challenged myself to complete P90X once, and along the way I picked up some workout buddies. YOU are my drive, my competition and encouragement in one. Second time around I want to motivate and coach, inspire and drive the way you say I did to you, to encourage you to feel the way I do, and to aim beyond my accomplishments.

Together, as part of a team, we can make changes to our lives and bodies we have only ever talked about, and I am proud to have dedicated and committed people working out with me.

I am determined, I am on the road to success. I WILL achieve my goals, and help you achieve yours too.


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Saturday, June 2, 2012

Glad that's over.

OK for the record, playing catch up sucks, and by the time today came I was pooped beyond belief. Didn't think I could get this many muscles and joints aching at the same time without being seriously ill.

My legs for the first time in ages are exhausted and powerless. With dog walks and at least one routine a day pounding them, they have taken one hell of a beating this week. Same with my mid section, feels bruised and battered. The rest of my muscles just feel worn out but in a less painful way.

Kenpo this morning was an effort, and after the dog walks (with vest) to warm up I made the decision that Kenpo would be done WITHOUT the weighted vest on. And my golly it was a good decision.

Right now laying in a hot bath with muscle salts in feels like heaven, even though I'm sweating half to death here. If I'm awake enough after I am going to hit Stretch X too, just to get some mobility back in my joints and muscles.

Quitter, NO! I think I have proven that to myself this week alone. Exhausted having given it all, YES! And I'm not afraid to admit that for one second. To me it means I dug deeper than before, stayed focused and brung it to the program. With the rest of #TeamSnaz giving it all they have too, it was the only thing I could do.

My mind is already scared that the vest increases in weight again on Monday, but on a positive note, its Week3 which means a week without the vest in a weeks time, then a change of routines. Time is going so fast once again.

No weigh in's yet, and prob won't. I'm sure from the muscle growth I'm now seeing, that the number will be going up not down. So not that important. Intake this week has been a little sketchy, but given the activity levels I would say its been non harmful to me.

Thanks to Carly, Rob, Amit and Zak for being part of TeamSnaz, and keeping me going. Its so much more fun being able to discuss it as you all work through it.

I'm off for a stretch and a rest now (and some protein) Have a good long weekend, and remember keep pressing play, and digging deep!
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Friday, June 1, 2012

Finally caught up

That was a hectic week trying to catch up on myself and my program, but finally by Friday I have done it. Legs and Back this morning with ARX to finish.

Gave it my all, pretty much like last week, but obviously a slight increase in the vest weight. Needless to say, with the vest on Legs are a whole different ballgame, and I can sure feel I have worked out. This was of course straight after 4.5 miles with the dogs so not all bad.

Finishing up with ARX was a bit of a challange at one point. Mid way through Legs and Back I decided I didn't have it in me, so was left with 30 mins to convince myself that I WAS up to it. Of course by the end I just got stuck in. I hate moments of self doubt.

Todays workouts took a total of 3 tshirts, 3 pairs of boxers, 2 pairs of socks, 2 towels, 2 pints of fluids, and 500ml of recovery drink, plus the post workout protein drink. Whoever knew the carbon footprint for working out hard was so big lol.

So now its off to work to stretch my legs out a bit, and make the most of my freedom. Roll on tomorrow, Kenpo baby!
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