Week 11

Day 77: Kenpo X

Yes, folks. On Day 76 I was contemplating taking a temporary break from P90X because I was taking Benadryl (which has a tendency to make you very drowsy). I did end up taking a week-long break since I took Benadryl for the majority of that week. Today is Day 77 - a week from Day 76 which was taken as a Rest Day (the last entry, if you look below).

Today I resumed Week 11 and the workout of the day was Kenpo X. Now after reading through most of my entries, you know that this is my number one favorite workout because it's fun. Today it was fun as always, but it was not as enjoyable. I'm pretty sure the reason for this is because my endurance has increased and this workout is not as much of a physical challenge as it once was. I wasn't huffing and puffing at the end like I am half the time. This is a cardio workout and I feel like I should be breathing pretty hard at the end of the workout. For all you readers that are thinking, "Whatever, this guy probably doesn't work out at maximum intensity" you are wrong! I understand that, in order to see results, you have GOT to 'bring it' (as Tony Horton says) and give it your all - I have given it MY ALL during each and every workout. OK, I admit that I haven't given it my all during the yoga workouts but I have definitely brought max intensity with all the other workouts (which are the major muscle builder and cardio workouts). Anyways, I know I burned a lot of calories with the workout but I just expected to have a higher ending heart rate than I did, especially after coming off a week of no exercise.

Nutrition: turkey sandwich on flax bread 450 cal 2 carb, steak 400 cal 0 carb, two eggs 140 cal 0 carb, lightly sauteed spinach 60 cal 1 carb, almonds 100 cal 3 carb, buffalo wings 700 cal 4 carb, cheesesteak on flax bread 500 cal 2 carb - 2350 calories 12 carbs

...RESUMED

PAUSED...

Day 76: Rest Day

I was supposed to do Kenpo X today, but I am still taking OTC meds (ie Benadryl) that make me drowsy and will likely have to take them for the next few days. I'm considering taking a break from P90X until I no longer need to take the Benadryl.

Nutrition: turkey sandwich on flax bread 500 cal 2 carb, strawberry spread on flax toast 250 cal 3 carb, turkey sandwich on flax bread 500 cal 2 carb, cheese snackers 100 cal 1 carb, swiss cheese 200 cal 3 carb - 1550 calories 11 carbs

Day 75: Kenpo X

I'm supposed to do Kenpo X today, but I've taken some allergy meds that are making me pretty drowsy. I'm going to try to do it in a few hours after the drowsiness wears off. If I'm still drowsy later then I will just do the workout tomorrow.

Nutrition: steak 500 cal 0 carb, buffalo wings 700 cal 3 carb, sunflower seeds 50 cal 3 carb

Day 74: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X

Today, I was feeling a bit fatigued throughout the workout and I'm not sure why. I definitely slept enough... more than ten hours actually. I'm thinking it was probably because I hadn't eaten anything today and because I worked out in the afternoon. Going this long without eating will obviously leave you lacking energy, so it was probably the lack of food. But despite feeling tired throughout the workout, I felt as though I struggled less and had better form with all the exercises compared to previous leg/back workouts. This shows me that there's been progressive improvement and an increase in strength and endurance. No complaints here!

Also, as I've noted earlier, it's difficult to do ARX after having done leg exercises. That's because some of the ab exercises (ie bicycles, crunchy frog, in-and-outs) also require you to use your legs. After an hour of working out your legs, they're just a bit tired (sarcasm) and having to use them even more affects your ability to do the ab exercises. For example, the past few workouts I've been able to do at least 60-65 non-stop Mason Twists (on the video they do 40 plus 10 bonus reps) but today, I was only able to do 50 since my legs were so sore/fatigued.

Nutrition: turkey sandwich 500 cal 1 carb, turkey sandwich 500 cal 1 carb, strawberry cream spread on flax toast 250 cal 3 carb, buffalo wings 700 cal 4 carb - 1950 calories 9 carbs


Day 73: Rest Day

Did I mention that I hate Yoga X (ie I didn't do it today, but will probably do it on Sunday)?


Nutrition: turkey sandwich on flax bread 450 cal 3 carb, roasted chicken w gravy 500 cal 3 carb, steak 500 cal 0 carb, buttered flax toast 300 cal 1 carb, strawberry cream spread on flax toast 250 cal 3 carb - 2000 calories 10 carbs


Day 72: Shoulders and Arms + Ab Ripper X

This was a great workout. They are the original Phase I exercises for the shoulders and arms - these are easier than the Phase 2 shoulder/arm exercises. Today, I was able to increase the weights for most of the exercises or at the least do more reps so that was definitely a good feeling. Remember to stretch out the triceps before you do any of the kickbacks or extensions. Doing this helps to put less stress on the distal attachment which is near the elbow. Also, today I was able to do 65 non-stop Mason Twists - improvement!

Nutrition: buffalo wings 700 cal 4 carb, salad w vinaigrette dressing 100 cal 1 carb, roasted chicken 400 cal 0 carb, focaccia flax bread 400 cal 1 carb, cream cheese 150 cal 2 carb - 1750 calories 8 carbs

Day 71: Plyometrics

I don't think I've burned as many calories in any P90X workout as I did today... not even in any of the previous Plyo workouts. It seems my endurance has increased allowing me to up the intensity and burn more calories. If I haven't already mentioned it, this workout is hard on the knees. You are constantly jumping. If you have knee issues, I suggest you do the Cardio X workout instead. Alternatively, you could modify the exercises so there isn't that much impact on the knees.

Nutrition: buffalo wings 700 cal 4 carb, mashed cauliflower w cheese 300 cal 3 carb, misc 500 cal 10 carb - 1500 calories 17 carbs 

Day 70: Chest and Back + Ab Ripper X

Back to the exercises of Phase 1 (month 1) for this week. I can't say that I'm disappointed because I won't have to struggle with these, unlike the workouts of Phase 2 (month 2). I think I did well around 350 pullups and pushups in under an hour. That's why it's P90-X, the X is for eXtreme! Be careful when you're performing the decline pushups because your back will bow and cause strain. This is crucial to those who already have back and spine issues. Also, I was able to do 60 non-stop Mason Twists for a second straight workout in a row; they only do 50 in the video before their abs give out. The fact that I can do this number confirms that my abdominals are gaining strength.

Nutrition: buffalo wings 700 cal 4 carb, ribeye w cheese sauce 700 cal 10 carb, stuffed peppers 200 cal 10 carb, buffalo wings 500 cal 3 carb - 2100 calories 27 carbs