Physical Self-Improvement, exercise and nutrition

[Navarre]

Before starting my nutrition program I would have something like a frozen pizza about once a week. I would also drink a Mountain Dew every day (or maybe 6 on D&D nights lol).

But I've cut that out. I'm not having a hard time eating the food I need to eat because I always ate quite healthily, overall.

Like you, it is simply needing to eat as much as recommended. The carbs helped me feel more full.

Now that this has been reduced for the first phase of my program, I am stuffing myself with food. I'm not enjoying that process.

[Navarre]

Both for the sake of accountability and to share my life with the few people in my world, here's an update.

I started my P90X program today. Here's how it went, both in terms of nutrition and exercise.

Day 01- P90X Classic

Day 01- Nutrition

8 am
lean turkey on wheat
banana
water
supplements (calcium/magnesium, multi-vitamin, omega-3)

11 am
2 cheese sticks

12 pm
1 chicken breast
green beans
water

2 pm
1 chicken breast
1 glass V-8

3:30
5 slices lean turkey
olives
water

5 pm
P90X (Chest & Back + Ab Ripper X)
recovery drink

7 pm
1 chicken breast
1 can carrots
water

8:30 pm
pure apricot jam on toasted whole wheat
water

10 pm
yogurt, 12 oz

Day 01 - Exercise (Chest & Back)

1) Standard Push Up: Set 1- 30 / Set 2- 20
2) Wide Front Pull Up: Set 1- 9 / Set 2- 5
3) Military Push Up: Set 1- 30 / Set 2- 15
4) Reverse Grip Chin Up: Set 1- 9 / Set 2- 6
5) Wide Fly Push Up: Set 1- 30 / Set 2- 20
6) Closed Grip Overhand Pull Up: Set 1- 7 / Set 2- 5
7) Decline Push Up: Set 1- 20 / Set 2- 10
8 ) Heavy Pants, 20 lbs.: Set 1- 15 / Set 2- 15
9) Diamond Push Up: Set 1- 13 / Set 2- 0 :-(
10) Lawn Mower, 20 lbs.: Set 1- 15 / Set 2- 15
11) Dive Bomber Push Up: Set 1- 14 / Set 2- 10
12) Back Fly, 20 lbs.: Set 1- 15 / Set 2- 15
Total Push Ups: 212
Total Pull Ups: 41

Ab Ripper X

1) In & Out: 25, as per program
2) Seated Bicycle: 25 forward / 0 backward :-(
3) Seated Crunchy Frog: 25, as per program
4) Wide-Leg Sit Up: 25, as per program
5) Fifer Scissors: 15 of 25
6) Hip Rock & Raise: 25, as per program
7) Pulse-Up: 13 of 25
8 ) Roll Up/V Up Combo: 0 (need to practice this technique)
9) Oblique V-Up: 25 each side, as per program
10) Leg Climb: 12 each side, as per program
11) Mason Twist: 40, as per program
Total Ab Reps: 267 of 339 (Success Rate: 79%)

My initial performance wasn't as good as I hoped but it gives me a solid benchmark and a guideline for making improvements.

My plans for improvement on this routine:
1) Learn how to do the Roll Up/V Up Combo so I don't look like I'm having a seizure.
2) Thinking of decreasing my initial push up goals for Set 1 to see if I get not only a higher number of reps in Set 2 but also a greater number of total push ups.

I was toast on the second set of diamond push ups. I couldn't even get one.

Considering I used to do around 25 reps per set, 4 times per day, I clearly need to get back in form. But that's true across the board for me. It's been some years since I was doing sets of handstand push ups.

I'm not looking back though, only forward. This gives me my level of performance for Day 1. Every subsequent day will be better.

So this is me on Day 01. Only 89 more days to go for the program and about 40 years to keep improving.  :-)

[Navarre]

People like these winners from the beachbody.com site make me feel better about humanity.

beachbody quarterly winners

No "Biggest Loser" reality show with ratings grabbers and personal coaches. Just people who want something good for themselves enough to work for it.

They should feel very proud.

My own P90X program is going very well, by the way. I've stuck with it and day after tomorrow I will enter my first recovery week. After that I will be a third of the way through.

I can see a lot of progress in my results already. 

[Navarre]

This looks like a fun challenge.   

http://www.civilianmilitarycombine.com/

Gaumer, Slappy, and I should totally sign up for that!   

[Gaumer]

If they had one of these closer to Nashville...I still wouldn't do it

I can have everyday civilians laugh at me or kick my ass in physical training; why would I want the most well-trained fighting force in the history of the planet doing the kicking?

It may be fun as a spectator watching you and Slappy run the courses, though

[Navarre]

I could hang out with you after I cross the finish line and watch them carry Slappy off the field. 

[veryvery]

Just a couple quick notes on some stuff I've learned.

I got a Wii fit and it's really helped me exercise, especially since the gym makes me so self-conscious and it's so much easier to find time when it's right in my house.

But also if you're a lady and find you carry a lot of weight around your lower middle in particular, look into seeing if you have something called polycystic ovarian  syndrome. It's VERY common and if untreated it makes weightloss almost impossible. I dropped SO much weight after I started taking medication for it.

[Navarre]

I have been struggling with maintaining my exercise routine. Although the responsibility for that falls to me, I think having a workout partner would be of tremendous help.

I don't know that I want to go the personal trainer route. That is expensive, especially if they want me to get a gym membership too.

I have browsed a few sites for finding workout partners. Unfortunately, some of them seem to be concerned about both my sexual orientation and what sort of sexual orientation I am looking for. I don't care about this. I am looking for anyone who will be good for my workouts, not a boyfriend.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to find a workout partner in one's local area?

[BRZA21]

I have been struggling with maintaining my exercise routine. Although the responsibility for that falls to me, I think having a workout partner would be of tremendous help.

I don't know that I want to go the personal trainer route. That is expensive, especially if they want me to get a gym membership too.

I have browsed a few sites for finding workout partners. Unfortunately, some of them seem to be concerned about both my sexual orientation and what sort of sexual orientation I am looking for. I don't care about this. I am looking for anyone who will be good for my workouts, not a boyfriend.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to find a workout partner in one's local area?

That's rough - having a workout partner is a really easy way to help keep yourself accountable and on target with your fitness goals. If there is one in your area, I might try to find a hiking/biking club and see what sort of events they run. If that's not an option, ask around your circle of friends - you'd be surprised who might be interested in an exercise partner, and in my experience it almost works out better than finding someone out of the blue.

I've just started physical therapy for a bum ankle and knee - so my xtreme workout routine right now mostly involves lifting my leg against surgical tubing Hopefully things will be better by Spring so I can get back out into the mountains.

[Patrick]

Yeah, I did P90x and got in the best shape I had been in a long time.

...then this last year with some of the craziest work hours at my (now) old job health went by the way side (literally was just eating, working, and some sleep all 7 days)...

now that things are settling down, you have inspired me to get back to the regimen. Thanks!

I'd have to say P90x if you watch calories and do the exercise...you can get very fit...after that you can live occasionally normal food and exercise-wise once you get to your happy weight.

[Navarre]

BRZA, I hope your ankle and knee recover quickly. Thanks for the advice on local clubs. I had considered checking for a local running club although right now I'm too out of shape to do much running.

Patrick, P90X is indeed a great exercise routine. They lay out both the exercise and nutrition for you so it's like hiring a personal trainer for a fraction of the cost.

Just as importantly, they give you access to the P90X message boards and an online coach. The support and accountability of that is one of the best things about the program and is exactly what I am referring to.

So, since I already have this program, I have been asking myself why I am not using it. I think the main reason is I haven't been able to set a goal for myself that is motivating me.

I am 6' 2" and weigh 163 pounds. So weight loss isn't necessary.

I look fairly toned even when I don't exercise. And while looking good can be motivational, it isn't enough.

Being thin isn't the same as being healthy and I know I will feel and perform better if I exercised more. I suppose in this regard I am simply complacent.

But I don't know what sort of goal I should set that will truly inspire me to start on a long-term fitness regimen. I've gotten lazy and instead waste all my time hanging out on the forums. 

[Patrick]

Hmm, I have never used the beachbody forums, but I think I will sign up for that. It might help.

As for me, playing soccer or martial arts are my motivations for being fit (a bonus is being able to look nice). However, crazy times seem to get in the way. Tomorrow morning though getting 3 hours of soccer in and then some yoga Sunday. Already back on diet plan today.

Thanks again for the bonus motivation

[Navarre]

The beachbody forums were so incredibly supportive (at least in the thread I was on). The group had started the program around the same time and we had a good online coach. So there was a lot of mutual support and accountability.

I definitely recommend finding a good thread that fits your start date and goals. I think it will help.

Martial arts is my main focus as well. What sort of martial art do you practice, Patrick?

For the first time in my life, I am overweight.  Now tipping the scales at 177.
Time to hit the gym.

Yeah, I've never been overweight but I also am not currently toned as I'd like to be. You and I are around the same weight though. Too bad we can't work out together.

[Slappy]

Technicallyr being 5'9, over 169 lbs, overweight but not obese.

[Patrick]

I've done lots of different styles (as being a roving academic in my previous life, the dojos at school always were cheaper), but mainly Hapkido though I have done a good bit of Jujitsu, Aikido, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and a few other styles. Not as much recently with work and being in shape. I eat fairly healthy just need to book the workout time and after a few months of being consistent I should be able to get to a happy weight for being 6'0". Going to register at beachbody right now. Even when I was doing it regularly (and boy did it work before), I never used the bb forums. Thanks for getting me on that now!