Hardly into the program again, and already my mindset and physical drive is changing for the better. I love training, always have, always will. But overcoming the initial hurdle to get going has always been my biggest battle.
Just getting the steam in the boiler up to temperature is my biggest struggle. What I love about the structure of P90 is knowing what I HAVE to do, and not being able to just take it easy for the day.
Suddenly getting up to walk the dogs was a piece of cake, and knowing I have a routine to get up for makes waking and rising early easy.
That's not to say that the first 2 days have not taken their toll. Legs were aching like crazy, as are my chest and tri's. Legs are so tight at the mo that to lay down for tricep extentions and side tri rise, I had to kneel then lay lol. Pathetic I know.
But all in all it feels great to be active again, and I am happy to report shoulders and arms was not too bad today. Trained to exhaustion of course, but at reasonable weight and resistance, and good clean reps.
Yoga tomorrow is going to be a nightmare, but I already have a plan to adapt where needed, so not going to over do it, not just yet anyway.
Have a good day, and train hard if you are training.
Regards
Michael
Sent via Blackberry®
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
First time back on Plyo
So, now I remember what it feels like to be new to Plyo. Well almost anyway. Knowing the movements helps a lot. But after a few weeks away from training, it was a hard slog to get all the way through the routine.
I'm not shy and won't deny taking a couple of timeouts during this session, but this is a positive.
When I first tried Plyo it took me 2 or 3 goes to manage to complete it. This time around, although the exhaustion was similar, I am more confident in knowing what I can really achieve, and also know that short breaks will recharge me enough to continue and complete. So that's what I did.
Thankfully I didn't notice any issue with my hip/groin, so unless its going to freeze up later as my body recovers, it looks like a good sign.
Feels good to have got up and got stuck into Plyo again. I had almost forgotten what shakes from exhaustion felt like lol.
During the calf stretch in the cool down though I did notice how tight my upper half was from yesterdays workout, so Yoga is going to be fun on Thursday, can't wait for that, much!
Also on the walk to the station I worked out I have 5 months now til I'm 40, so will complete this round, and will be able to carry on at a steady pace there after. Plan is still to be in shape to be snowboarding on my birthday, so there is a real goal!
Right I'm gonna go curl up under my desk and eat sensible foods now. Have a good day whatever you are doing.
Regards
Michael
Sent via Blackberry®
I'm not shy and won't deny taking a couple of timeouts during this session, but this is a positive.
When I first tried Plyo it took me 2 or 3 goes to manage to complete it. This time around, although the exhaustion was similar, I am more confident in knowing what I can really achieve, and also know that short breaks will recharge me enough to continue and complete. So that's what I did.
Thankfully I didn't notice any issue with my hip/groin, so unless its going to freeze up later as my body recovers, it looks like a good sign.
Feels good to have got up and got stuck into Plyo again. I had almost forgotten what shakes from exhaustion felt like lol.
During the calf stretch in the cool down though I did notice how tight my upper half was from yesterdays workout, so Yoga is going to be fun on Thursday, can't wait for that, much!
Also on the walk to the station I worked out I have 5 months now til I'm 40, so will complete this round, and will be able to carry on at a steady pace there after. Plan is still to be in shape to be snowboarding on my birthday, so there is a real goal!
Right I'm gonna go curl up under my desk and eat sensible foods now. Have a good day whatever you are doing.
Regards
Michael
Sent via Blackberry®
Monday, September 10, 2012
I'm back!
Well its time for round 3 so I thought I would officially say that I'm starting it today.
I believe Amit is starting Round 2 today also, and Noel starting another round of Insanity, so it sounds like its a good time for all.
With the Olympics being over with, my normal hours resume at work, making it far more manageable to get my usual P90 morning in without affecting the quality of the session.
Slight changes to the program this time will include the audio off, and some high energy music playing, no recording reps and weights, and taking it a little easier on myself. No joint injuries planned this time.
Working with an ongoing hip strain at the moment though, not sure what's caused or causing it, but it aches like hell till warmed up, so the dog walks first are crucial.
So Day 1 done, surprised at how in shape I still am, which is rather pleasing. Cleaner eating, and more motivated to train and stay active, so let's see how we get on. No start pictures this time, not much has changed other than tattoos and tan lol.
So let's see how my hip/groin lasts with Plyo tomorrow.
Work hard people!
Regards
Michael
Sent via Blackberry®
I believe Amit is starting Round 2 today also, and Noel starting another round of Insanity, so it sounds like its a good time for all.
With the Olympics being over with, my normal hours resume at work, making it far more manageable to get my usual P90 morning in without affecting the quality of the session.
Slight changes to the program this time will include the audio off, and some high energy music playing, no recording reps and weights, and taking it a little easier on myself. No joint injuries planned this time.
Working with an ongoing hip strain at the moment though, not sure what's caused or causing it, but it aches like hell till warmed up, so the dog walks first are crucial.
So Day 1 done, surprised at how in shape I still am, which is rather pleasing. Cleaner eating, and more motivated to train and stay active, so let's see how we get on. No start pictures this time, not much has changed other than tattoos and tan lol.
So let's see how my hip/groin lasts with Plyo tomorrow.
Work hard people!
Regards
Michael
Sent via Blackberry®
Friday, July 27, 2012
Feeling flaky
....and I'm not afraid to admit it.
First few sessions since re-starting are really taking their toll on me. However armed with previous knowledge I know not to push too hard. Pacing myself and making sure the impact levels are right, and splitting workouts where needed is the way to go.
This morning after the dog walks my legs were fatigued. So when I started yoga it was always going to be a bit of a battle. Instead of pretending to do the moves, and only giving 50%, I worked to the point where form was suffering, and stopped there. Once my legs have rested I will finish the routine this evening..... Before walking the dogs this time.
I know I push people hard, and to anyone in TeamSnaz who thinks I'm going soft, think again! But there is a point for anyone where training is pointless, and that is when form suffers. There is NO point in going through the motions if you cannot commit to it and dig deep to make those moves beautiful.
Missing a workout is not an option, but training wisely is, and that's what I am doing today. To anyone else training, who is struggling with the heat etc, drop the intensity if needed, stay hydrated and listen to your body NOT your mind. Your mind will want to quit a lot sooner than your body, trust me.
So today is a flaky day, but will end with perfect form, and beautiful yoga.
Dig in people, I know its hard, I know it hurts, and I know all too well that you will sweat like mad..... But its SO worth it. Trust me, I'm a doctor!
Happy workouts people.
Sent using BlackBerry®
First few sessions since re-starting are really taking their toll on me. However armed with previous knowledge I know not to push too hard. Pacing myself and making sure the impact levels are right, and splitting workouts where needed is the way to go.
This morning after the dog walks my legs were fatigued. So when I started yoga it was always going to be a bit of a battle. Instead of pretending to do the moves, and only giving 50%, I worked to the point where form was suffering, and stopped there. Once my legs have rested I will finish the routine this evening..... Before walking the dogs this time.
I know I push people hard, and to anyone in TeamSnaz who thinks I'm going soft, think again! But there is a point for anyone where training is pointless, and that is when form suffers. There is NO point in going through the motions if you cannot commit to it and dig deep to make those moves beautiful.
Missing a workout is not an option, but training wisely is, and that's what I am doing today. To anyone else training, who is struggling with the heat etc, drop the intensity if needed, stay hydrated and listen to your body NOT your mind. Your mind will want to quit a lot sooner than your body, trust me.
So today is a flaky day, but will end with perfect form, and beautiful yoga.
Dig in people, I know its hard, I know it hurts, and I know all too well that you will sweat like mad..... But its SO worth it. Trust me, I'm a doctor!
Happy workouts people.
Sent using BlackBerry®
Monday, July 23, 2012
And so it begins.... BEAST MONTH !
After a week or so away from training to let my shoulders recover from the battering they took in the sea a week ago at Cocoa Beach, it was time to get stuck back into things. And at the same time tackle any weight I may have gained from being off the boil on both diet and exercise.
The answer, well that's simple, a beast month on P90X. Strict diet, as much exercise as possible, and giving it 100% every day. My partners in this adventure are Amit and Carly from my #TeamSnaz Twitter group. All agreeing to give it everything we have got in the tanks. While putting as little fuel back in the tanks as possible.
Strict stripped down diets of our own choosing, and for me my days will hopefully consist of Dog walks, AM training (usual P90X), then in the evening after work, a double up of P90X in the form of Cardio X, and then the usual dog walks. So im hoping that this will really give me a nice kickstart back into the routine. With regards to food, yesterday I had an almighty blowout of food, and went to bed stuffed to the brim. From today the intake is totally different. Back to tuna, a bit of cereal, some chicken or fish, and a protein shake. I have yet to get myself some Maximuscle shakes to make up the evening intake, hopefully pick that up this evening.
So Day 1, agony, disaster and a struggle. Amazing how much stamina and form you can lose in a week! Push-ups were fine, can pump them out without thinking twice these days, but towards the end of the program I was really feeling it, and nausea to match! Needless to say when it came to Ab Ripper time I was really struggling. I am ashamed to say that I didn't manage as much in ARX as I wanted to. That said, I stuck to my guns and gave it all I had to offer, without over stepping the sensible line for the first day back.
I'm happy with what I managed today, but at the same time im excited to see exactly what I can deliver under duress. Time will tell I guess, but in the meantime I shall plough on with the plan, and see if double-ups are manageable for the entire 4 weeks. They are only on alternate days, with breaks from double days. Given the distance and time exercising the dogs too, there wont be much time left for anything else in the day.
Positive thing is, if I can manage daily double up, then there is time to replace the double up with Tai Cheng, woohoo!
Dig deep team, and give it all you got!
As for other stuff....
Amit, Carly, Jenny, Jason, Rob, Lee, Paul..... Keep going guys, you are all doing well. If things are getting easier, then its time to change it up and make it harder again. Looking forwards to training with Paul some time soon, and kicking his arse a little bit.
And David and Jess, when that gout passes, I look forwards to you guys getting on the wagon with us all and joining in the fun that is P90X. Its worth it, honest :)
Friday, June 22, 2012
POW!
So happy to have some definition back in my arms.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
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!
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!
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