Have I Been Going About This All Wrong?

I've begun working out again (P90X) but decided to switch my workouts to the mornings, since everyone kept telling me working out in the evenings is wrong, etc.  Although that part is true, my real reason for moving the workouts to the morning is simply because my evenings are too busy with work, scouts, church basketball, and a little thing I like to call eating.

The thing is, since making the switch I've only been successful on getting the workout in about 50% of the time ... but I have uncovered success in another area that has been a challenge for me for many, many years - waking up earlier.

I may not get up to work out, but I get up and get started on the day earlier (if only to avoid guilt for not working out) and that is becoming easier and easier.  I cannot justify staying in bed when I know I need to work out ... but if I convince myself to do something else at that early hour, it's not as bad as just sleeping later.  Maybe I can become a morning person.

Regardless, I wonder if this is some small secret to making improvements in life that stick.  Perhaps it's not about the goal itself at all.  Perhaps we simply need to find something we dislike more than the goal we want to achieve and set a goal around that thing.  So instead of eating just salads, we set a goal to eat rice cakes ... and then the salads look pretty tasty.  Instead of painting the living room and kitchen, we set a goal to paint the whole house ... and so on.

I'll let everyone know if that keeps working for me ... so far, it has.


Song Of The Day:
I haven't featured a song from my favorite group in a while, so here is "Sunday Morning" by OMD.  I know Maroon 5 had a recent popular song of the same name, but they are not the same tune at all.  Take a listen and let me know what you think.  The only tie in to my post today is that it's talking about the morning and this kind of tune makes me think about a lazy morning when you don't rush to get going on anything at all.

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So Now What ?

As promised back in January in this blog post, at the bottom of this post are my BEFORE and AFTER pictures from my P90X experiment.  I finished the workouts last week, but with my friend's wedding that weekend I simply did not have time to take and post "after" pics until just now.

A few reflections about this journey I was on:

 - It.  Was.  Hard.
 - The results don't always manifest themselves in the ways you hoped or anticipated, but you can see success in many ways.
 - I found that I enjoy the energy boost I earned through regular workouts.
 - I also found that I missed playing basketball.
 - I love not getting as 'winded' walking up 3 flights of stairs at work or playing a few hours of basketball.
 - Working out with a partner (except with yoga) was more fun.
 - Some routines were naturally easier for me.  Others never seemed to go well.
 - I have severly underestimated the value of flexibility (thanks Yoga X!)
 - It is amazing how much more soundly I slept when I consistently worked out.
 - Skipping a workout here and there (for minor soreness or injuries) never made me feel better ... but they surely kept me from feeling worse and quitting entirely!
 - People are generally supportive of your health goals.  Thanks to everyone who cheered me on and even joined in some of the workouts!
 - Cardio workouts didn't provide me with any immediate results, but over time, those probably had the biggest affect on my overall health.
 - I don't actually hate working out as much as I thought I would.
 - It helped to have my supportive wife tell me I was looking ever sexier.  :)
 - We are capable of doing more than we think we are!

A few assorted numbers I've "crunched" for this post:
2 - inches 'lost' off my waist
49 - total P90X workouts completed
16 - total P90X workouts skipped or missed
      (missing 8 of the last 10 was not a smart way to end)
9 - different people who joined me for at least part of one workout
3 - total number of standard pull ups I could do in the first week
25 - total number of standard pull ups I can do now
20 - heaviest dumbbell I had available during these workouts
40 - weight of heaviest dumbbell I estimate I actually need for some reps
1000+ - number of push-ups done throughout the workouts
      (I stopped counting after 1000)
90 - minutes in length of the Yoga X workout
80 - minutes in length of most of the other workouts
15 - grueling minutes for each Ab Ripper X workout

And finally, the pictures themselves (which don't really do justice for the changes I feel have happened during this experience):

(The left side -with crazy beard - are the BEFORE, the right side are the AFTER)

 

Song Of The Day:
An old country song that has nothing at all to do with a workout program but IS relevant to my blog post title, "Then What" by Clay Walker, is actually about cheating on your spouse (which I do not support nor endorse!)  But in this case, I'm just wondering then what after having worked myself into the shape I'm in.  Do I keep at it?  Take a break?  Never do that again?  What's going to happen to the new me?  I guess we'll see.

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Ever Been "On Fi-i-i-ire" ?!

One of the downsides to my P90X workout commitment, has been that I had no extra energy to participate in pick-up basketball games during the week.  This caused two concerns: first, it made me sad (because I love basketball); and second, it ruined my reasonably accurate shooting stroke.

During the church basketball season, I could not make 3's to save my life!  My shots were always long (could I hope this was due to stronger arms?!) and just didn't feel right ... but I was only playing ball one time per week (pre-P90x I was playing 2-4 times a week).  This only exacerbated the first concern above (it made me more sad).

Then, last night, it was like a miracle unfolded!

I was en fuego from the start of the very first game!  It was honestly like the flaming basketball and crazy announcer and crown noise from the original NBA Jam video and arcade game.  Not only were my three's back, but I was making almost ridiculous shots look easy (I asked other players as the night wore on and they confirmed I wasn't just dreaming this amazing experience.  A few hard fouls made sure I was awake too!)

As I think back, I realize that I played 4 times last week, and had already played once this week ... so perhaps I just needed to get back into the swing of things.  I surely do not expect to stay that "hot" but as long as my shot isn't gone forever, as I feared it might have been, I am no longer sad at all!  :)

Song Of The Day:
Both the song title and artist name relate to today's post.  Tears For Fears was a quintessential 80's group, although their music was not often very sad.  Their song "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is one of my Top 5 Favorite Songs of All Time, and it was on my mind last night as I ruled the court.  Good times!

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Where Did This Wall Come From ?!

This post is NOT about me (or anyone else for that matter) being clumsy and walking into walls.  Although that would be an interesting one ... hmm, idea for an April Fool's Day post?

This post IS about metaphorical walls that sometimes seem to come out of nowhere.

I believe we all have them.  I have recognized them most often in sports' seasons, especially when high school players move on to college, or college players move to professional leagues.  But I think anyone who is involved in any sort of repetitive activity is susceptible to these walls.


I have hit a wall when it comes to my motivation around my P90X workouts coupled with my healthier eating habits.  An argument could be made that my "cheat days" on the food front were the first layer of bricks in this wall, but I don't think that's it.  I think it is more of a combination of three things:
 - First, lack of more tangible, physical results from the first 6 weeks.
 - Second, a shift in perspective (who am I trying to impress with some resemblance of a "beach body"?)
 - Third, the realization that NO workout is as enjoyable for me (including before, during, or afterward) as playing a few hours of basketball!

That last thought is probably the main part of this wall.  I have had to give up mid-day basketball on Mondays and Thursdays during these workouts.  And with the church basketball season in progress I have only been playing about 25-30 minutes of ball one time each week.  I think I miss it more than I thought I would.  Not sure how I feel about that though ...

Song Of The Day:
Both the title of today's song and the lyrics (if you're weird like this*) apply quite well to the above subject.  "Wonderwall" by Oasis is a song I didn't appreciate fully until after hearing an a capella version of it.  The original (linked above) is still my favorite version to date.
*I know the song is about love, by why does the wonderwall have to be a person?  The lyrics "I don;t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now" and "maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me" could easily be applied to an activity like basketball ... ehh, maybe that's too much of a stretch.  Nevermind.  :)

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Why Do YOU Work Out ?

I got into a brief, but interesting, conversation with a friend at work today.  She is aware of my P90X workout commitment and saw that I was bringing in some "unhealthy" snacks to work.  She chuckled and asked how the workouts were going.  I think she was surprised when I said they were going very well.  The conversation quickly turned to the fact that many people have very different reasons for working out or being physically active.

Some people work out to look good.  They appreciate their own physical appearance and want others to appreciate it as well (or maybe they don't appreciate their appearance and want to make it better).

Some people work out to lose weight.  I think most people claim to be in this category, but some have to lose weight (doctor's orders kind of thing) while others are probably a hybrid between the "look good" and "lose weight" categories.

Some people work out for the energy boost.  Anyone who has consistently exercised has felt the endorphin rush and metabolism increase that comes from sustained cardio work.  Exercise is a great way to improve your mood if you are feeling depressed.

Some people work out to get rid of negative energy (anger, stress, etc.)  This is different from the energy boost people because the goal is to exhaust oneself rather than rejuvenate.  It's hard to stay angry when you're physically tired.

And lastly, some people work out so they can live the rest of their life however they want to (i.e. eat whatever they crave, participate in whatever they enjoy, and whenever they want to do those things).

I think this last category is the main reason why I work out.  I do want to prove to myself that I can do the workouts.  I am interested in making my physical appearance more appealing.  I want to maintain a healthy weight (in recent years it has started to fluctuate more than I would like).  I love to get that energy boost and also get rid of that negative energy.  But deep down, my main reason for committing to working out has everything to do with being able to do whatever else I want (eating, playing sports, etc.) whenever I want to do it.
I want to not feel too guilty about eating a monstrous bacon cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate shake.  I want to be able to jump into a pickup basketball game no matter what time of day it is.  I want to have energy available for whatever comes my way, while also being able to just have a lazy day and not feel like a slothful person because of it.

Song Of The Day:
Again, a little stretch here, but I like the concept of Billy Joel's hit song "An Innocent Man" as related to my reasons for working out.  There is a tremendous sense of guilt associated with most forms of exercise and eating, etc.  I'm working hard so I don't have to feel any of that guilt for the indulgences I grant myself.  I think we would all be a little happier if we took that approach.

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Have I Been Doing It Wrong ?

Tonight's P90X workout was Yoga X ... again.  This marked the 5th time I've done that particular workout.  (It should have been 6 but I missed one in the first month when I had a head cold and was too dizzy to complete it).

I am not entirely sure the reason why, but this evening as I completed the full hour and a half workout, it felt great!  Sure I was sweating like crazy and still very unflexible (especially as compared to the people on the video) but I completed every part of the workout (I even did Crane for about 30 seconds, which has never gone well for me thus far) and I feel great after it.  The stretches toward the end felt amazing and my mood is definitely calmer and happier (it had been a somewhat angry day up until that point).

So I wonder if I've been doing it wrong on all these previous workouts?  I didn't have any of the kids trying to work out with me, so maybe that helped.  :)

Song Of The Day:
Among my favorite jazz musicians is Mindi Abair, a talented saxophonist who can actually sing pretty well too.  One of her songs is titled "Home" and the tune just relaxes me in a way similar to how I felt after Yoga X tonight.  I hope you like it.

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Shouldn't I Be Having More Cravings?

I've got a good buddy who recently posted on Facebook about how he has eliminated soda from his daily intake ... for the past six months!  He wasn't posting this to gain some great accolades from FB friends or to brag about how awesome he is or to deride anyone who indulges in the sugary sweetness of soda (his favorite for as long as I've known him was Diet Mountain Dew ... and mine has long been regular Mountain Dew).  He was just posting because he wanted to share his own personal accomplishment.  Way to go Kevin!

Anyway, I mention this because I have been severely limiting my own soda intake since the start of the year (mostly coinciding with my P90X workouts).  I would be lying if I said I hadn't had any soda, but the truth of the matter is that it has probably been less than 24 ounces of soda (2 cans).  It easily could have been ZERO soda, but I added a little to some lemonade and powerade at some recent trips to McDonalds (their fries are an addiction I will never give up!) ... and I've taken a sip from one of my kid's sodas (or Karen's if she has any) once or twice.

The point of this blog is that I haven't really had any cravings for soda, which is very odd!  Sure, the first week or two were filled with longing for "The Dew" or a Cherry Pepsi / Dr Pepper.  But it was very telling to me a few Sundays ago when I decided to "treat myself" to a can of Mountain Dew.  Two sips in and I couldn't drink any more.  It was just too sweet and sugary tasting!

Perhaps the desire will come back at some point in the future, but for now I am a water fanatic (which I always was at work, but never much at home).  Energy levels are up.  My teeth feel cleaner.  I've noticed changes around the old mid-section (some of that could be the Ab Ripper X workouts though).  I actually crave water now instead of candy sometimes too.

Song Of The Day:
Stick with me here.  The song today is "Water Runs Dry" by Boyz II Men.  In this case, the soda cravings have run dry but there's not really a song about that.  I've always been a Boyz fan from the time I bought their first cassette tape.  One of my other favorite songs of theirs is linked HERE if you want a two-song kind of day.  Awesome melodies, harmonies, and acappella (of course!)

Does It Get Any Easier ?

I haven't specifically written about my P90X experience in several weeks, and I thought it was worthy of a brief update (plus I'm short on time tonight so that works too!)

I'm in the 4th week of the program which is titled the "Recovery Week."  After three very grueling weeks of arms, chest, abs, back, shoulders, abs, quads, thighs, abs, calves, and of course abs, I was looking forward to this week.  And then, just two days into it, I realized it's not much of a "recovery" at all!

Oh sure, the Ab Ripper X workout is non-existant, but there's no shortage of "core" work ... especially the Core Synergystics workout, which was the inspiration for this blog post.  You see, that workout is done twice during this "recovery" week, and when I did it (for the first time ever) on Tuesday night, it darn near killed me!  BUT ... tonight, it was easier.  Not a lot easier, but it was noticeable (and appreciated for sure!)

In fact, I think it is that way with almost all of these workouts.  Don't get me wrong, they are still very hard and my muscles ache afterward and I have to towel off many times during the workouts.  But I can tell that my muscles have gotten stronger and my flexibility has improved greatly (although you wouldn't think so if you saw me ... LONG way to go on that part).

There is a second subject that the title of this blog post could easily be referring too ... eating healthier and drinking water instead of soda.
But that's another story for another time.

Song Of The Day:
I have more than a passing interest in jazz music.  I'm no traditionalist, but I do like the old stuff as well as more recent jazz music.  Harry Connick Jr has been one of my favorite jazz musicians for many years now.  In the 90's I was a very big fan.  Today's song is "Trouble" from his album titled "She" which has some great songs on it.  The tie-in to the post above is that some of these P90X workouts give me trouble to begin with, but "now trouble is all I need" (lyrics from the song).
BTW ... do NOT bother watching this youtube video linked above (it is horrible!) but the song is definitely worth listening to.

Not Into Acapella Music? How About Instrumental ?!

I want to be fair to all kinds of music and with several recent posts featuring the human voice I felt it was only appropriate to share some music with no human voice but just instruments.

A good man on my team at work introduced me to "The Piano Guys" and once I saw one of their videos (I think I saw Cello Wars first) I was hooked!  These two artists (with several videos that now feature other artists, including singers, etc.) do some simply amazing things with a cello (or several cellos to be more precise) and a piano.  The videos are almost as amazing to watch as the music is to listen to.  Creative, funny, but also beautifully connected to the music they are playing.

Song Of The Day:
While starting my "Recovery Week" (that's what they call the 4th week of the P90X program) with Yoga X tonight, I found myself thinking about peaceful music that inspires.  One of my favorite mash-ups that The Piano Guys have done is Beethoven's 5th and OneRepublic's Secrets.  They titled the song
"Beethoven's 5 Secrets" and the video contains some beautiful, scenic images that complement the beautiful music.  I hope you like it.

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Can You Feel Your Arms Bro?!

Day One of P90X.  Can't lift fingers.  Can't feel arms.  Josh Jr and Ben did about 1/2 the workout with me.  We all only did about every third Ab Ripper X exercise.  Don't feel guilty at all though.  Too sore for guilt.

Song of the Day:
Today's song is from the a Capella choir the Beelzebubs, from Tufts University.  The album version is 100 times better than this YouTube version, which is still pretty darn good.  The song is "Kings and Queens" and it has a pumping rhythm that can motivate through a tough workout.  Ahhh.

My Last Mountain Dews?

Tomorrow I begin my P90X workouts.  My apologies to any regular readers but you're gonna hear a lot about them in my blog until I quit or get bored writing about them.

Today's blog post is actually based on a line from the song of the day (linked below for your listening pleasure).  The line from the song states "Live a life less sedentary."  And that's another main reason for me to be doing this P90X challenge.

I will also be avoiding as much sugary stuff (the biggest being soda) as possible in the next 90 days too.  So today I enjoyed my last three Mountain Dews for a while.  They cannot co-exist with my workout goals!

Here's to a life less sedentary ... and (after, not during the workouts) a lot more healthy energy!

Song Of The Day:
I first heard the song "Life Less Ordinary" by Carbon Leaf on a new MP3 player I got several Christmases ago.  I deleted most of the free songs that were already loaded, but kept this one because I really like the tune, especially the "honey understand" refrain in the middle of the song right before the breakdown to simple guitar and drums.  Singing along every time.

How Bad Do I Want Those Abs Back ?!

Oh boy.  This will be one of my greatest successes or most horrific failures (and I've had some reasonably bad mess-ups ... so that's saying something!)

This coming Monday, January 7th ... I will begin the Standard P90X program, which will run until the very day before one of my good buddies gets married (shout out to Greg and Erin!)

For those who haven't seen me in years, I'm not that bean-pole I used to be ... but I'm also not really overweight or out-of-shape either.  To be honest, this is probably about the best shape of my life I've ever been in ... but I can't see my abs any more and that bothers me enough to make a BIG commitment.

I believe I owe it to myself (at least once in my life) to seriously "work out" instead of just being active by playing basketball and wrestling with the kids and so on.  I have not really "lifted weights" since high school.  I can't tell you the last time I did a pull up or a sit-up.  (I've had some push-up wars with my older two sons so I'm doing all right in that regard).  I have talked about doing this since several years ago when I first hit my 30's ... but I wasn't really commited enough.  I think I am now.

I will commit to posting my before, during, and after pictures at one of the following checkpoints:
#1. Upon completion of the entire 90-day program.
#2. Within one week after I "give up"

Obviously, the second scenario above is a "scared straight" sort of motivator for me.  I have no desires at all to share a picture of myself in just shorts doing silly flexing poses.  The fear of having to share just those embarrasing "before" pictures should be enough motivation to keep #2 from ever happening.  I hope.  :(

Song Of The Day:
You would think that today's song would be related to exercising and being motivated and achieving a goal ... and you'd be right.  I have chosen a song I recently downloaded (after having loved it for over a year).  The song is "Faster" by Matt Nathanson.  It's not about exercise, but the lyrics could easily apply to the P90X workouts (from what I've previewed).  Let's do this!