Day 24 - Kenpo

Have I told you how much I really like the Kenpo? It's a fun blend between kickboxing, boxing, and karate class. You really get a great workout, it's only an hour long, and lot's of cardio and toning exercises.

I'm really digging the P90X experience. As I was working out, I kept admiring the tone and definition in my shoulders. I think right now that's where it's the most noticeable. Oh, I'm also getting this really cool dimple on the side of my stomach. Either side of the fat deposit up front. I think the muscle group is called the "external obliques".


Anyways, I'm starting to see the muscles get more exposed, so that tells me that the fat deposits that were previously hiding my obliques has been severely minimized! BTW - next time you see me, feel free to take a shot at my obliques. They're rock hard, almost steel-like. Only a few friends have actually taken the opportunity to strike me with a full-force punch. I feel like some silly frat boy walking around going, "Hey, wanna hit me as hard as you can? Go for it. Do it!" But on the otherside, it's fun to finally have the strength back in my core to warrant the party trick.

I was talking with some friends last night. It's amazing how different people get different things out of this P90X. They were lamenting about how much they HATE the yoga. I actually like it. Well, as much as you can enjoy a one-and-a-half hour long torture session. But like everything else, I feel like the yoga is giving me more strength, more stamina, and great results with my body. I guess the bottom line is this: P90X can give you whatever you are looking for. I entered the program not knowing where it would take me. I was optimistic about the journey, and thus far am happy with the results.

Except for one thing: my weight. I entered the program because I was stuck around 190lbs. I thought that doing the P90X would get me down to fluctuating between 180-185lbs. But sadly, my weight has fluctuated between 186-192lbs. Uggggg. But there are a few saving graces. My pants are fitting better, so this tells me that I'm losing weight. I look better in the mirror (I find myself flexing quite often at night, when I'm alone :-) I've improved from being able to do 12 pullups to 80. EIGHTY PULLUPS!!! And I've removed a measurable 1/4" of stomach fat. So I know that my higher weight is most likely a result of new muscles. And I can FEEL the strength on my body, in my core. So I know that the higher weight is okay, since I'm actually doing better things for my body now.

That's all. Ciao!

p.s. Speaking of "Ciao", we watched a terrible movie last night. "The American" with George Clooney. Boy was that movie S-L-O-W! I watched 1/3 of the movie in fast forward, to get past the terrible cinematography. People told me that the movie was worth it for the ending. Nope. Sorry. It reminded me of the movie, "The Departed", where everyone dies at the end, which left me wondering, "Why did I waste my time watching this movie?" Yep. That's how I felt last night.

George Clooney - I want 1.5hrs. of my life back, please!

Day 22 - Yoga

W.O.W. It's hard to believe that I started down this journey just 4 weeks ago. Phew!

Since then, I have experienced lots of sweat, sore muscles, weight loss and weight gain, new achievements, reduced fat content, revised diet, and NO SODA POP!

We spent Easter at some good friend's house. They grilled steak and potatoes (isn't that the traditional easter meal?) The steak was awesome! Some good cuts, nice and thick, and perfectly cooked. But I found that I could only eat about 8oz. This made me smile. I was faced with some good, high-quality food, and I couldn't gorge myself. I have been working hard to reduce my stomach size (intake), and I think I'm seeing the results.

I'm still stuck between 185lbs (low end) and 190lbs (high end), but I know that I'm putting on some great muscle. I can see it in the mirror, and I can feel it on my body.

So as I begin my 4th week on the system, I'm in the interim week. So no weight lifting or pullups, it's all about cardio and yoga and stretching and kenpo. I'm a bit disappointed, but I know that they have tailored this program for a reason.

The good news is that yesterday's yoga session went very, very well. Did I tell you that Kathy did yoga with me during the 2nd week, and has refused to join me in it since? That made me feel great, because she's a tough-as-nails aerobic instructor....and I can out-yoga her. So as I plow my way thru the 4th week of yoga, I'm feeling stronger than ever before. I can hold my poses for most of the 1.5hrs. In fact, there was only two poses yesterday that I had to "pause" on. It makes me feel accomplished.

Tonight is cardio (and I'm going to sneak in the AB ripper routine...shhhh, don't tell Tony!) Overall, I'm looking forward to the week and am encouraged by my results thus far.

I think I'll snap my 30-day shots at the end of this week and get them posted. Ciao!