Just getting started on getting in shape

Like so many other, I've decided I'm tired of walking around with a lot of extra weight on me, so I've decided to try to get in better shape.  It's been almost six years since I moved from Pottstown to Downingtown.  When I moved I lost interest in weight training, so the weights have been in the basement and I haven't been.  The other day as I was putting on my size 36 pants and noticing that they were uncomfortably snug, I decided I need to do something about this.  Again.  I've lost wight before and I've built muscle before, but for some reason I've never tried doing both at the same time. I've either been skinny and not tone or vice-versa.

The other day as I was considering things that I would like for Christmas I decided that I want to try the P90X system.  A co-worker of mine has been using it and it seems to be helping him, so I thought why not try it. I added it to my Christmas list and then I very quickly came to the conclusion that I was likely not even in enough shape to start the program.  How bad would that be if I get the program and start it and then find out that I can't follow it.

Right now (according to a very generous scale) I'm 188 pounds.  That may not sound like much, but I'm only 5' 6" tall, so it's a lot.  I decided to try to do some of the weight lifting routine that I've done in the past and start on that on Tuesday.  Before giving up on lifting (years ago), my routine was the following 3 times a week:

• Bench - 3 sets of 15 with 150 lbs
• Leg lifts - 3 sets of 30
• Curls - 3 sets of 15 with 50 lbs

Not ridiculous, but enough to keep the muscles in shape a bit. On Tuesday I dropped the weight to 130 on the bench and still only got 3 sets of 10.  Leg lifts are still pretty easy and curls I got 3 sets of 10 done with the 50 pounds.

On Wednesday I paid the price a bit.  Soreness in chest, back and arms.  I decided that my back was not ready for the bench yet (mid-back arthritis from previous injury on bench), so switched to some pushups and was very disappointed with how few I could do.  Used to be I could knock out 50 pretty easily, but not any more.  I got to 25 and had to stop.  Pathetic.

To go with the weights, I'm starting to walk and I'm dieting.  I'm trying to keep my daily calories in the range of 1500-1700 calories per day.  I'm using an iPhone app called Calorie Counter.  It's really a pretty impressive App.

Not sure if it's masochistic or not, but I'm looking forward to getting P90X.  Now I just need to make sure I'm physically ready for the demanding routines.  One thing that should help some is that my twin brother Rich (who is at least as much in need of losing weight) has challenged me to a weight lose contest.  Should help to make the process all the more enjoyable.  Nothing like a good contest to spur me on.