Week 5

Day 35: Kenpo X

This is my most favorite workout out of all of them. Probably because it's a fun workout and makes it seem like you're in a Karate class with all the kicks, punches, and blocks. I've been thinking about taking up Jiu Jitsu and so doing this workout is actually good practice. My hope is that when I actually do start taking Jiu Jitsu, I won't be tumbling and falling everywhere when I do my kicks and throws as my balance will be much improved from having done Kenpo X weekly.

One thing that P90X participants need to be weary of with Kenpo X is shoulder injury. The warm-up in the beginning does not include any shoulder warm-up exercises or stretches. I've tweaked my shoulder twice during two separate Kenpo X workouts because of this. Each time I've had to stop and stretch my shoulders out before I continue since the punches and blocks aggravate the tweaked shoulder. The stretching works because after I've done them, the shoulder no longer hurts or feels tweaked. Just remember to include these stretches before you begin Kenpo X to avoid injury.

Nutrition: chicken wings 700 cal, egg roll 200 cal, protein drink 300 cal, yogurt and granola 300 cal, protein drink 300 cal - 1800 calories

Day 34: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X

This is the only strengthening workout that hasn't changed in Phase 2. I was glad to see a familiar workout where I didn't have to struggle to finish (like with Day 29 and 32). Although it wasn't as difficult as the new workouts, it WAS a bit difficult after having taken a week off (Phase 1 Recovery week) from working out the legs... but I finished it so no big deal.

On another note, I think I've figured out what's been causing my left lower back strain. I think the culprit is Ab Ripper X. I've just noticed that the strain usually flares up after the days where I do ARX. Given this, I decided to skip ARX today and see how I feel tomorrow to see if it really is the culprit.

Nutrition: chicken and rice 1000 cal, protein drink 300 cal, protein drink 300 cal - 1600 calories

Day 33: Yoga X

Today was supposed to be Yoga X but I didn't do it because I am in a new location with hardwood floors, and I need to go buy a mat to comfortably do the workout.

Nutrition: 4 eggs/3 bread slices/sliced ham 500 cal, protein drink 300 cal, chicken wings 800 cal, beer 800 cal - 2400 calories

Day 32: Back and Biceps + Ab Ripper X

Phase 2 is DIFFICULT! Halfway through today's workout I was thinking about quitting because I could barely do anymore curls or pullups. I kept going, though, because the P90x motto is "Bring It!" and I wanted to do just that. In Phase 2 the only workouts that have changed are Chest/Shoulders/Triceps and today's Back/Biceps - and I'm glad these are the only ones that are changed. I also think that the recovery week at the end of Phase 1 was nice, but detrimental to the first week of Phase 2 (ie Week 5) because you've not been working out for an entire week and so getting back into the rhythm is hard.

Nutrition: tuna salad sandwich 200 cal, protein drink 300 cal, roast beef sandwich 200 cal, sun chips 150 cal, protein drink 300 cal, creatine drink 150 cal, protein drink 300 cal - 1600 cal

Day 31: Back and Biceps + Ab Ripper X

Today was supposed to be back and biceps & ARX. My back is actually pretty sore from the chest/triceps/shoulders workout so I'm going to make today my "Rest Day".

Nutrition: odwalla bar 230 cal, fruit 50 cal, roasted chicken/mashed potatoes/steamed veggies 600 cal, protein drink 300 cal, Doritos 150 cal, tuna salad sandwich 210 cal, Sun Chips 140 cal, tuna salad sandwich 220 cal, protein drink 300 cal - 2200 calories

Day 30: Plyometrics

Same rediculously intense jump cardio routine as in Phase 1, but it's also in Phase 2. It's the same workout - nothing is different. I definitely sweated out some calories in this one, just like with all the previous Plyo workouts.

Nutrition: Odwalla bar 230 cal, lunch of roasted chicken/mashed potatoes/steamed veggies 600 cal, beef soft tacos 600 cal, beer 200 cal, creatine drink 150 cal, protein drink x2 600 cal - 2380 calories

Day 29: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps + Ab Ripper X

All I can say is that I was not expecting the first day of Phase 2 to be this tough. Not only are there more exercises than I remember from Phase 1, but some of the exercises I wasn't even able to do (ie one-arm pushups and clappo aka jumping pushups). I was fatigued less than halfway through the 24 exercises which made the rest of the workout more difficult to complete all the reps. Ab Ripper X was also more difficult to complete because I was wiped from the chest/shoulders/triceps workout. I hope the rest of the workouts aren't this tough. Also, I think I tweaked my right triceps tendon because I was experiencing moderate sharp pain when I attempted triceps extensions with the right arm. Phase 2 workouts are changed up to introduce the concept of "muscle confusion" which is touted by Tony Horton as the way to get sculpted and build muscle. Some of the workouts are the same though... Yoga X, Kenpo X, and Plyometrics. I'm curious to see what the rest of the workouts are like.

Nutrition: Odwalla food bar 230 cal, roast beef sandwich 170 cal, chips 150 cal, chicken wings 700 cal, peanut butter 230 cal, creatine drink 150 cal, protein drink 300 cal, gatorade 90 cal, protein drink 310 cal - 2330 calories