Day 242 - X2 Yoga

I was mainly off from work today because my son needed to have his wisdom teeth out and I spent the day taking care of home because Kristi had classes.  The only reason I mention it is that it was a lot of time sitting around thinking about what I wanted to eat next.  The capper is that we had a fondue night for dinner to celebrate Ashley's 20th birthday.  I tried to be good by eating a lot of the carrots and broccoli and beef instead of the bread and cheese dip.  So, it was a fight all day to try to keep the calories in check.  I did okay, but honestly I'm guessing on calories on some of this stuff.  X2 Yoga was pretty good. I didn't sweat as much as I have at times before, but I wasn't exactly slacking either.

Day 241 - X2 Shoulders + Arms & X2 Ab Ripper

I'm suffering from a sore neck a bit and that didn't help with this workout, but it's not a show-stopper by any means.  Ab Ripper felt really good tonight.  Eating was not great today.  I had leftover chicken casserole for lunch and Kristi brought home pizza for dinner.  I had two slices of thin crust cheese, so not awful, but not exactly healthy either.  I ended up a touch over 2200 calories for the day, so I need to be careful.

Day 240 - Rest Day / Run Day

It's my rest day for P90X2, so I went for a run during lunch today and got in 3 miles.  I suppose I should have gone .1 mile further so that I could consider my run a 5K run.  I plan to try for that next time and get in the habit of going at least that far.  I could tell that my pace slowed toward the end of the run, but I kept going which is my primary goal right now.  Weather was beautiful for a run (around 80 degrees), so I can't complain about that in August.  I also decided to do 50 pushups tonight as an added bonus.  I was happy that I was able to push out 50 fairly easily.  As of today I am 30 days away from doing this program three times through.

Day 239 - X2 Plyocide

Very nice Plyocide workout tonight.  It seems this is getting a bit easier over time (some days more than others).  I did really well at eating so far today.  I decided to do some chin-ups before starting the workout tonight and got to 15 chin-ups.  Otherwise it was a pretty normal day.

Day 238 (Start of week 35) - X2 Chest + Back + Balance & X2 Ab Ripper

Ouch, this is one brutal workout.  I was struggling a bit with the pushups tonight, but I pushed through the pain and got my reps in. I did okay on the chin-ups and by the time I got to Ab Ripper I was spent, so I didn't exactly push it the hardest I ever have, but I still got good benefit from it.  I'm glad to be back to phase 2, but it takes a bit longer to get through the workouts than with phase 3.  Good things do take time.  I can definitely see continual improvement in definition, so I continue to be encouraged by my progress.  I am still amazed at how much weight loss it takes to get the belly fat off.  Almost there, but still have some around the middle.  The running seems to be helping to get my legs fit.  I can see some definition that I haven't seen in the past.

Day 237 - Rest Day

I started off the day trying a recipe with chocolate Shakeology.

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy milk

It was a bit better than the last time I tried it, but still too much chocolate flavor for my taste, so maybe less Shakeology next time. I also had half of a cantaloupe and was pretty satisfied for breakfast with that.  Lunch was some salad, turkey breast, a protein bar and a cup of vegetable barley soup.  Eating healthy is becoming pretty easy at this point.  I was giving candy out to my Sunday School class today and didn't have any, so avoiding sweets is becoming pretty easy as well.

Day 236 - P.A.P. Upper

I made the transition to actually do some of the towel pullups like the workout calls for and wow those are good for the arms.  First two times through the complex I did towel pullups and then switches to chin-ups for the last two times through.  Arms are feeling tight after that workout.  I also increased to 20 lb. dumbbells for the renegade row which was good for the chest.  Next week it's back to a couple of weeks of Phase 2.

Day 235 - P.A.P. Lower

I got the package from my coach in the mail.  Sporting the new t-shirt here.

As for the workout, good news is that my legs are not nearly as sore this time after running yesterday, so that's a big improvement. No real issues with getting through the workout tonight, but honestly it's not one of my favorites.  I used 20 lb. dumbbells for a couple of moves that I previously had used 15, so that is also good.  I'm continuing to eat well, but have decided to try to stay around 2200 calories to see if slightly more calories will keep me from losing more weight.  My preference is to keep my current weight (140 according to my generous scale) and add some muscle.  At this point I've lost 48 lbs since starting to diet last year. 

Day 234 - Rest Day / Run Day

Today is a rest day from P90X2, so I decided to go for a run during lunch again this week.  I got in 2.6 miles this time and had some energy left, but not enough to get close to finishing another lap, so I decided this was good enough.  It's a bit of an improvement over the last run (2.4), so if I can add a little bit each time then I will eventually be up to three laps which is where I want to be.  That would allow me to feel pretty comfortable about completing a 5K run without much of an issue.  I also need to start to focus on some bike riding if I eventually want to try a mini iron man, so that's my next goal to work in some bike riding at times.  My legs are going to get fit if I keep this up like this.

Day 233 - X2 Yoga

My goal tonight was to relax and just enjoy this workout and I must say I accomplished that.  The routine flew by really quickly and I felt really good throughout.  I didn't get out for a run today at lunch, but fully plan to tomorrow since it;s my break day.  My traps are a bit sore today from PAP Upper last night, but that's a good sign that I wasn't slacking on Superman.

Day 232 - P.A.P. Upper

My "favorites" in this workout are Superman and Plank on a Med Ball.  Both are pretty tough for me and give me a lot of benefit. I'm hoping to get out running again tomorrow if time allows.  My legs are starting to feel better, so might as well try again.  If not tomorrow then I plan to run on Thursday. 

Day 231 (Start of week 34) - P.A.P. Lower

Well, it's back to phase 3 this week and doing P.A.P. Lower with my legs still sore from running was a good challenge.  I also increased the weight from 15 to 20 for the step up convicts (which was brutal). As usual, side bridge leg lift was also a killer for me.  Lots of sweating by the time I was done, so I know it was having some benefit.  I'm hoping my legs are feeling better by Wed or Thursday so that I can have another run later this week.  my protein level today was over 180, so doing well in that department.

Day 230 - Rest Day

I'm enjoying a nice relaxing day.  I spent the morning taking my Dad to church and am now planning to watch some golf and take a nap.  I'm fighting an insatiable appetite today, but trying to push through it by eating some extra carrots.  I may end over calories today, but I will continue to make healthy choices.  Every day can't be perfect, but I'm not going to completely blow the calorie count.

Day 229 - X2 Back + Base & X2 Ab Ripper

I started off the day by playing some basketball and then went and hit some golf balls at the range before starting my workout today.  My legs are pretty sore still from running yesterday, so I did some extra rolling of the thighs before my workout tonight.  Goes to show you that running does a lot for the legs.  I'm looking forward to making running a regular part of my weekly workout, but I have no plans to have it replace any of the workouts with X2.  I decided to have a protein bard about a half hour before my workout tonight and it seemed to help a bit with my workout endurance.  I increased reps on a number of the pull-up routines.  It's been a busy week for working out, so I am looking forward to my rest day tomorrow.

Day 228 - X2 Yoga

Today during lunch I went for my first run in almost 20 years and it was a bit better than I expected. We have a park close by work with a marked running trail that goes in a loop and has some hills to it to add some variety (real nice park). I got in 2.3 miles before having to finish with a cool-down walk. I didn't time myself yet because I want to figure out a reasonable running pace before worrying about time, but it seemed like I kept a pretty good pace up throughout the run. 

Yoga tonight was a bit more difficult than normal because my legs were already a bit sore from running.  Hopefully the yoga will help them to recover.  I was sweating a lot from the workout tonight, so I wasn't pulling back at all.  Eating was okay today as well.

Day 227 - X2 Shoulders + Arms & X2 Ab Ripper

Another day of working out is in the books.  Tomorrow I am hoping to go out for my first run during lunch.  It's been a very long time since I've been out for a run, so I'm curious to see how this will go.  I suspect that my cardio endurance is going to fail me pretty quickly, but that's why I'm interested in doing more cardio workouts like running.  I need it a lot.

Day 226 - Rest Day

Today is a rest day and that works out well since today is also my 25th wedding anniversary and I'm heading out to dinner with my wonderful wife to go to Buca Di Beppo's Italian restaurant.  I'm heading there equipped with nutrition info for items on the menu so that I can pick something that will not obliterate my healthy eating for this week.  Today I've been once again thinking about becoming a Team Beachbody coach.  I like the idea of being trained to hold some classes, but before doing any of that I think I need to explore some of the other workout programs first.  It seems more and more when I'm walking around I see the need to try to help others get the same kind of results I've seen from this program.  I'm not being critical here, I just want to see others get the same benefits I've seen.  The program really works.

Day 225 - X2 Plyocide

The workout tonight felt really good.  I put good effort into it and it seemed to go by very quickly.  Of course after the amount of time it takes to do the Monday workout, this one would seem pretty short.  I went out to buy more clothes today because I'm down to very few pants that fit again.  I'm now comfortably in the 30" waist size which is 7" less than where I was at when I decided to start lose weight at the beginning of December.  I accidentally pulled out a pair of 33" jeans this morning that I bought in May and put them on and was amazed and how much of a difference there is with 3" less around the waist. I couldn't even consider wearing them at this point, so it's another pair in the discard pile. 

Today I discovered pre-made meals that I can get at Trader Joe's.  I had a delicious Chicken and rice meal that was 400 calories and was only $4.00.  It's kind of hard to think about places like Subway when you can get something like that so cheap and delicious.  I'm also looking forward to trying Healthy Choice steamer meals because they have less sodium (which is good for me).  Even the salad meal I get at SaladWorks has more calories than this, so I think I need to start to consider more meals like this instead of SaladWorks and Subway etc.

Day 224 (Start of week 33) - X2 Chest + Back + Balance & X2 Ab Ripper

Okay, vacation is over and so are the excuses.  I took my time tonight on my workout and got the most out of each of the moves.  I heard today that I have a bag of chocolate shakeology coming from coach Stacey James because I received the most votes for my transformation story that was done in the June challenge.  I'm looking forward to giving it a real try.  I had tried a sample before and didn't think much of how it tasted, but it's kind of hard to form an opinion from trying it just one time.  With a bag of it (30-day supply) I can try some different recipes and see how things go.  I checked the nutrition info and it also contains protein, so it could take the place of eating protein bars in the morning.  He's also sending me a P90X T-Shirt for finishing the July challenge to work out at least 20 times in the month.  I don't have any P90X shirts, so I'm also excited about that.

Day 223 - Rest Day

Nice relaxing Sunday at home.  I'm looking forward to getting another full week of phase 2 done next week before going back to phase 3 for a week.  This week I need to see if I can increase the reps on some of the workouts.  Too many weeks have showed no increase. 

Day 222 - X2 Base + Back & X2 Ab Ripper

This workout combo is brutal. I love the results, but the cardio portion of this is really tough.  By the time I got to Ab Ripper I was pretty spent, so I wasn't able to push it as hard as I did on Thursday, but still did pretty well.  Once again I did pretty well on eating today, so that's good.  It feels a bit wierd to had a break day so soon since I didn't workout as much this week, but I don't workout on Sunday's so sticking with the plan.

Day 221 - X2 Yoga

Wow, I felt it tonight.  Not sure if it's because of the break this week or if I was bringing harder tonight, but it was a good workout.  I also got my eating back into a good routine and kept my calories to 2100 today.

Day 220 - X2 Shoulders & Arms + X2 Ab Ripper

I spent 8 hours driving back from Niagara Falls today, so by the time I got home I was pretty tired and was trying to decide if I was going to workout tonight or not.  After relaxing for a few minutes I realized that taking yet another night off after having so many off for my vacation was not acceptable.  So, I did my workout and it actually went pretty well.  I pushed it pretty hard and got good reps.  Once again this time I did less modifying for Ab Ripper, so I got a lot out of it tonight.  Now I just need to get back into a routine of healthy eating after all of the overeating while on vacation.  I really need to continue to try to keep calories at 2000 or less per day.

Day 219 - Day off 3 of 3

Another really nice day in Niagara Falls with Kristi.

Day 218- Day off 2 of 3

We spent the day walking around Niagara falls and seeing the sights.  Lots of walking.  Had a great time and ate a bit too much, but it's a vacation.  I'm having a real nice time.  Here is a picture from last night.

Day 217- Day off 1 of 3

It's day one of my vacation with Kristi for out 25th anniversary.  I promised myself I was going to take this break since it's our anniversary and we're in Niagara Falls Ontario.  Enjoying the trip.

Day 216 - Rest Day

Today is the first of 4 days off from working out because of my get away with my wonderful wife for our 25th anniversary.  I got to take my Dad out for brunch this morning.  I had eggs, home fries, scrapple and toast.  Yum.  Over the next four days I still hope to keep my eating in line with where it should be, but may allow myself a couple of indulgences.  After all, it is a vacation.

Day 215 - X2 Back + Base & X2 Ab Ripper

Wow, am I feeling it after doing this workout.  I tried to do less modifying this time around and I really felt it.  Of course, playing golf and having a golf lesson in 90+ temps can take it out of you as well.  I was really wiped by the time I got around to the workout tonight, but I pushed through in knowing that it was the last day for a while since we'll bee on vacation most of next week.  Now I can go on vacation with no regrets about coming up short on working out.

Day 214 - X2 Yoga

It's a killer workout that leaves you feeling relaxed and refreshed.  How do they do that?  It's like a slap up side the head that puts a smile on your face.  I had lunch out today with some friends at a Chinese buffet, so the calories today were higher than normal.  Tomorrow it's back to being diligent with the eating.  I can't get away with eating like this too often, but one day not too much harm.  Tomorrow will be my last workout for a while since Kristi and I are starting a trip to Niagara Falls on Monday for our 25th anniversary.  I'm guessing taking X2 workout DVDs with me would not be a good idea.

Day 213 - X2 Shoulders + Arms & X2 Ab Ripper

Lately I've been a bit concerned that I may be plateauing with my workouts, but when I looked in the mirror after my workout tonight I could see that I'm continuing to get better definition.  It's going slow, but it's still happening, so I can't let up.  I pushed it harder than normal during Ab Ripper tonight and it felt really good to push it now that I'm back to 100% feeling better.  I has good protein intake today of 155 grams.

Day 212 - Rest night

I'm enjoying the chance to have a night off from working out.  I think I'm pretty much over the cold that I had, so it's good to be back to pretty much 100%.  I enjoyed doing some things tonight around the house like cutting the grass and now watching some of the Olympics. Tomorrow it''s back to the routine with gusto.