90 Day Photos

Well wow I can hardly believe that 90 days has gone but there you go. I am happy with the results I have achieved and I am really looking forward to Round 2 of P90X so bring it!!!!!!!!

I think this time on Round 2 I will see more bulking of muscles. Before I started P90x I had been bulking and I have to be honest that I was very shocked when looking back at how fat I was :(

Its made me realise that us males not all of course have a false perception of strength and size. many people would comment on how I was a bigger stronger guy but in reality I was a fatter guy with muscle hidden below. I am going to be really focusing in Round 2 on bringing it like I never have. I will post my final stats later today. My body fat is currently 12% ;)

60 Day photos.

OK here are my 60 day photos and to say I am happy is an under statement. I really recommend p90 X to anyone.

I am now going into Phase 3 more carbs, more intense and I am bloody well up for it!!

Hello Again

Whoa I am back. Have been working out religiously with Tony Horton and following the diet to a T. I have not really felt inspired to write on here as not much changes as you work out. Sure you get stronger and come across challenges but that is all part of it as I am sure most know. 

One thing I will say is that my eating habits have changed dramatically for the better since starting the plan. Eating clean and healthy is no longer what I look at as being just about P90X its about a whole life change and I feel good for it. It seems these days so many people are out of shape and eat really bad foods its shocking.. The healthier you get the more slug in the puddle energy you see coming from others.

Getting healthy is great, I feel good for it and look better for it. I am on my third week of Phase 2 now so rest week coming up (not really a rest though on P90X). Time flies when your having fun so I must be enjoying it even if some days I find myself cursing the TV with obscenities like You C**T Horton. Of course I don't mean it but boy you certainly get pushed with P90X.

30 Day Photos

Day 1                                                  Day 30

Day 1                                                  Day 30

Day 1                                                  Day 30

Day 1                                                  Day 30

Day 1                                                  Day 30

My body fat has dropped from 23% to 14.8%. I will update more stats tomorrow and write more about the Phase 2 part which I started yesterday.

Hello Again

OK well I have decided to update this weekly seeing as changes happen slowly and time is often an issue.

After 29th September ( last post ) I completed the third week of P90x. Currently I am writing on Monday the 5th of October and will do on every Monday from now on. I have seen some excellent changes occurring physically and to say this is easy would be lying. My strength and tone has increased while my Body fat has dropped. It appears I have lost nearly 3 pounds of water weight and will now more start burning fat all over. From what I have read it takes around three weeks for the body to adjust to the high protein meal plan and from there after a loss in water weight the real lard starts coming off. My own personal pictures are showing the emergence of a more defined physique which is really satisfying to see.

The diet has been difficult some times especially weekends where I might want to eat a cake or drink a coke but I have not faltered and my will power has rode me through the tough spots. One thing that keeps me going is the thought of finishing the 90 days and seeing that although I have had changes they are not what they could of been if I had followed the diet correctly.

A positive thing that has come from this so far is that I got another background job in a movie, basically based on my physique. That has really boosted my motivation and I am so looking forward to the end result!!

This week ahead sees me not doing resistance training but allowing a rest....hmmmm yeah right. Though there is no weight training so to speak this week there is however a tonne load of new exercises aimed at getting the body ready for building mass in Phase 2. Today Yoga X again, tomorrow Tuesday will be Core Synergistics and boy does that look hardcore. Onwards and upwards!!

Day 16 Polymetrics

One thing I really have noticed today is that Polymetrics is not as hard as it was on the first week. According to my heart rate monitor watch my recovery was faster than previous weeks and my overall strength was up.

Currently I am weighing 193.2 Ilbs that is a drop from 196 with a body fat drop from 23.2% to 15.7%. This figures as my top two abs are showing now as well as the common tyre of fat most noticeable at the sides when facing forwards has shrunk.

I find with Plyometrics that I rarely get my heart beat higher than 142 bpm, but I am sweating and feeling it so I guess this is my current level.

Looking forward to tomorrows workout.. Bring It!!!!!!!!!

Kenpo X and Stretch X Chest and Back

I have not had time to update my page over the last two days, so will do a triple now.

So Saturday was Kenpo X and I am definitely seeing some changes now. Its incredible really to think how the body changes so quickly. My cardio has improved and my strength for sure. Moves which I have been struggling with are easier.

Ah ha muscle confusion comes in soon, and I can see why. My muscles are getting used to the workouts and although they are hard still the change up will be great.

I am going to also have photos taken professionally at the end of P90x so now I have even more motivation....Come on Bring iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt!!!

Weight has stabilised but fat percentage is lower again. Sure it might not be military precision with these callipers but its appearing like I have dropped between 5-7% body fat in two weeks. This makes me happy. Finally a program that works with a diet to really get you where you want to be. I highly recommend P90X!!

Today Monday, I did Chest and Back. I added a little more weight to burn on those 6-10 reps and pushed myself to Bring It. On my second run of Military push ups I hit failure but only on those. I literally could not move anymore.

Ab Ripper X was as usual a lovely burn, did I say lovely burn? Oh yeah you start to want that more and more...

Onwards and forwards, stronger everyday..

Day 12 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Great workout today. I am definitely getting stronger!! I can achieve far more pull ups than before I started nearly two weeks ago. Time just seems to be flying on this plan. My weight appears to still be dropping but I do not look thin just a bit more toned. I have introduced V8 low sodium to the diet now as well which helps me get in the right amount of vegetable portions. I love the way that I am now starting to see food and how P90X is helping me understand the relation of certain foods to my body. Instead of the usual I kind of know, but just eat it I am really thinking about what I need and what works for me. Even Justine is enjoying the diet now as you can really make some tasty meals without the sacrifice of your fitness. Cool stuff!!

Wow I truly can't believe how quickly two weeks has gone. Great feeling and the sun is shining today. Funny how fitness makes everything so much better, I guess that has a lot to do with natural endorphins being released.. Bring It!!!

Day 11 Yoga X

Felt tired again today but I guess it doesn't help having a late night. One thing I have found with this P90X is that you got to get your sleep!!

Tiredness aside I soldiered into the Yoga X routine and enjoyed it a lot again. There are however some pretty tricky balance moves which get me a shaking and a sweating. That is the real interesting thing with Yoga X, it is a real workout without the full cardiovascular pump that is found with Polymetrics X and Kenpo X.

My hamstrings are tight but slowly loosening up. Another thing I found was because of the nature of Yoga and it being more static I didn't reach for my water as much as the other workouts and by about 4 Pm I was feeling it. Four pints of water later and I felt so much better, note to self - Hydrate, Hydrate and then Hydrate.

Over all I can feel some very positive changes happening, fat is coming off and muscle and tone is definitely improving.

Food this evening is Chicken Curry with spinach, tomatoes and peppers sat on a bed of whole grain rice. That gives me 9 oz of chicken, two vegetable and one carb portion. Not only delicious but also right on track with the suggested fat shredder diet. Also purchased 24 bars of My Protein MyPro, they taste great and supply 29 grammes of protein per 80g serving. :)

Day 10 Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X

Felt tired today but went hard in to the workout. I have found that I have had to drop weights a bit to keep to correct form. As Tony keeps reminding me on the DVD's "forget the ego".

I think ego often does kick in to working out as you try to lift more than you should. Proper form however is where it is at and I can tell you now I feel the burn with the proper form. I think before my form had often gone south without realising it and me thinking uh huh I am lifting heavy was a bit of a joke if the end result is not what I want. After seeing my body fat and weight drop in the first week I feel very motivated to see this through to the end.

Day 9 Polymetrics

OK today I feel a little more tired. Polymetrics was great and hard work. With sweat dripping of my forehead I pushed myself to achieve again. The main points of tiredness was centred around my legs, the left one especially. From what I have read the 2nd week is often the hardest physically and that is certainly true. My heart rate was up in the 45 + region which is good and shows to me that I am improving, recovery time was a little better also.

After measuring my Body Fat with my callipers I have recorded a 2% drop in week one which I am happy about. My weight has dropped by about 1 pound showing that lean muscle is being created. Over all I feel a bit tired but very positive about the changes I am experiencing. I am totally in the swing of the diet now and finding it easy as.

I am really determined to follow this 90 day challenge through to the letter and challenge anyone else to take it on. Its rewarding and a good positive lift in general, you just can't help but feel that you are achieving something very special indeed.

Tomorrow is arms and shoulders Bring It!!

Day 8 Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Hi. Phew today I decided to push it past that mental place which holds us in comfort zones. Boy am I feeling it but slowly recovering now. I am not going to post pictures until one month, at the recommended point to take them. I think this is a good idea for motivation reasons as one month in there will be a definite physical and psychological change. I cannot see any reason why I will not achieve my desired goal with this P90X workout plan and diet. It is so tuned to what is needed for the body that failure is not an option as long as I keep bringing it, working bloody hard and eating clean.

The push up/pull up routines are awesome at really working the chest and back and my strength is increasing, I feel real pumped and worked without the monotonous bench press. Don't get me wrong here, I love the bench press but found that just doing the same resistance training to be a little uninspiring after a while and inevitably I end up getting bored and unmotivated. This is really an all over chest and back workout which keeps the body guessing at what it will do next. Tony Horton calls it "muscle confusion" and from the results of others on the web who followed the diet and kept pressing play says it all. P90X works!!

With Ab Ripper X I found today that I can complete more of the 25 rep sets and that is a great, it shows my body is conditioning and changing in strength.

Now I am about 35 minutes on from my workout and can feel my body getting stronger again and less fatigued. Cool stuff cant wait to bring it tomorrow..

Day 7 Stretch X

Whooah I have made it to the end of the first week and have managed to follow the diet and exercises perfectly. Its a good feeling discipline and I have often forgotten how it can free you instead of trap you.

The Stretch X routine was a welcome rest day and really has helped loosen my joints and muscles. I am quite excited about the prospect of being able to stretch my body like I used to as a kid. Being flexible is so important to all aspects of life not just your body.

One thing I have noticed is that my energy really depletes before my next meal, not to a point of discomfort but never the less I feel it. This is connected to Phase 1 of the P90x diet, because of the high protein low carb, energy is lower but fat is getting burnt up as digesting protein is hard work for the metabolism.

I am looking forward to tomorrows workout and also my omelette this evening.

Day 6 Kenpo X

OK started today with a protein shake and milk and sipped on a glass of Maximuscles Viper Extreme afterwards, waited an hour and got down to day 6 which is Kenpo X.

In true P90X style it gets you going. 

Kenpo X is derived from martial arts and is a full body, ass kicking, hard punching cardio mix up. Often Tony asks you to check on your heart monitor that you are in the zone. My zone is currently about 152 bpm. As my cardio strength increases so will my zone. Bring it!!

Suffice to say I was soaking afterwards and pumped. Downed my pint of recovermax and had another protein shake.

The protein is high in the first phase of P90X so shakes help a lot. Although I do try to get protein via other food sources and have so far found a good balance. I am only allowed 3 dairy portions anyway so 3 shakes with the last one having a banana in does the trick ( I am allowed only 1 portion of fruit ).

I am managing the eating side really well now. For lunch I have had 3 ounces of tuna, 2 cups of salad greens, 2 cups of tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of low fat mayo finishing with cider vinegar to taste. Really tasty and gives me 1 protein portion and 2 veg portions.

Tomorrow is Stretch X and I get a feeling its gonna be a very challenging stretch routine. 

Day 5 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Ok well this was another hard workout which got me hot and sweaty quickly. I am finding this whole package to be very easy to follow and very motivating. Tony Horton comes across as a genuine guy with a great sense of humour, and needless to say he is very ripped. Man this guy just bangs out one pull up after another. I feel like I want to compete with him but he does often remind you of proper form and not letting your ego get in the way. Plenty of lunge variations and squats. You also do another load of pull ups and chin ups. I have the bodylastics bands which offer and alternative to the pull ups, they are good. www.bodylastics.de

The diet is proving easy to maintain as I have got my head around the balance of proteins, carbs and fats etc...

I can only compliment this program so far, I do really feel like I am changing physically as well as mentally. Also my energy seems to be picking up. Of course this could be psychological only but never the less there is a feeling of achievement that cannot be taken away by any cynic.

With P90X you get the whole whack every day which I am really enjoying!! Bloody hell I am enjoying this, come on burning it up, feeling it and enjoying it could this be one of the ultimate training programs ever? I am certainly starting to think so.

Oh yeah me and J made some protein bars the other night and they were s**t, got to find that formula from somewhere, in the meantime I will buy them in bulk.

Yesterday came my 2.5kg bag of plain protein whey isolate from myprotein.co.uk, this gives me another great way of adding in extra protein to soups etc. 

Bring it!!!!!!!!!!

Day 4 Yoga X

Yoga eh?

Well yeah its in on the plan and its and hour and a half long. I thought this was going to be easy yeah right!!

Started of and within 5 - 10 minutes sweating again and feeling it. Some great moves are included some a little harder than others to master. Starts with Moving Asanas then moves onto Balance Postures ending with The Yoga belly and relaxation.

Believe me this is full on and pushes you again. I am not feeling as sore as I was expecting which I think is partly due to using Recovermax...This shit works.

Day 3 Shoulders and Arms

Ouch!! This workout is really pushing me. The exercises just keep on a coming with the normal designated water breaks. I am used to curling about 20 - 25kg but I have had to lower my weight a little to complete all reps finishing each set with a burn sensation. 

Covered is triceps, biceps and shoulders, I am not used to training this way and it has come as a pleasant surprise. I feel fully worked out on my arms and ready for the day.

Going to make Protein bars tonight to lower costs a little. Once I have found a workable recipe I shall post it here.

Day 2 Plyometrics

OK day 2 which is Tuesday and its onto Plyometrics.

This is a full cardio workout and I wore my heart monitor to check that I was in the zone. Generally my heart was in the 140 - 152 during the workouts. There is a lot of jumping and running which really gets me sweating and according to my monitor I burnt 800 calories in the hour!!

It real is inspiring to use a well laid out DVD to work with. It motivates me on and I can clearly see the goal. 

Once again use Maxi's Viper Extreme and Recovermax..

Day 1 Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

OK so I started on Monday 14th September. Diet in check and ready to go I embarked on the first workout of P90X. Let me first say though a bit about the diet. It is split into three phases where each phase compliments the workouts. So I am currently first phase which is Fat shredder. This is a diet split over 5 to 6 meals a day with the following portions,

Protein : 7 servings

Dairy : 3 servings

Fruit : 1 serving

Vegetables : 4 servings

Fats : 1 servings

Carbohydrates : 1 serving

Snacks : 2 servings

Condiments : 2 servings

The plan is clever and gives you many suggestions for the servings. As you can see it is very low carbs and high protein. Perfect for dropping that fat!!

The diet like anything initially is a little taxing mentally but once figured out is a breeze, just a lot of protein.. which does feel a little odd.

Right to the workout. I have taken Maximuscle Viper extreme for a boost during the workout. OMG this is really working my chest and back and Tony Horton is an animal. This guy is like 46 years old and just pumps out pull up after pull up. You go through the routine one way then it flips and you mix it up and do it all over again. Man I though I was fit but I have had a reality check.

Just the sheer amount of reps and variations really gets me sweating and working hard.

Then onto Ab Ripper X....... aggggggggghhhh this is hard work.

Tony comments at the end that within 16 minutes of doing Ab Ripper you have achieved over 350 reps, many of these being core exercises.

I finished up and downed a serving of Maximuscles Recovermax. P90x suggests there own but it cannot be purchased in the UK. The Recovermax makes a real difference and soon my energy came back up. Though I have found through out the day that I have often let out deep sighs often associated to a tired body.

Before P90X

 

OK well I decided to take the challenge that P90X presents to the committed. If you don't know what P90X is you should google it and check it out. Its an all in one package designed not just to add lean muscle but also get you in the best shape of your life.

I have been doing resistance training and also went on a bulking phase which added about 10 pounds to my weight with about 4 of those being fat.

After months of trying the normal resistance training route lifting heavy etc with 4000 plus calories a day which I must comment on often left me feeling very tired and lethargic probably because of the high calories I was consuming, it is time to really push myself beyond what I have ever achieved.

I have taken all my measurements and before photos. So onwards and forwards into a new territory which I know will bring results.

My measurements;

Body Fat : 23.2 %

Weight : 196 pounds

Chest : 42"

Waist : 35"

Hips : 37"

Right Thigh : 23"

Left Thigh : 23"

Right Arm : 13 3/4"

Left Arm : 14"