Day 56 - Week 7/8 Recap

Progress slowed greatly as week 7 started. It was our Spring Break, however, we had games Monday-Saturday. Nice break, huh? I was able to get a few workouts in, however, I am not happy with what I was able to get done. I still refuse to get up at 5am to workout on a regular basis. I actually got in to the SGP weight room and did my own leg workout with the machines and weights in there. Phase 2 was supposed to be over with week 7, but because of the poor week, I decided to repeat that week for week 8. I will skip the rest week and get started tomorrow with Phase 3 of P90x. As you can see from the stats below, I have lost a total of 23lbs since January 17th.

I recently purchased the new Ipad 2. We were able to test out the new camera on it by making a video call to Mom and Dad in China. They haven't seen me since Christmas time and I think were thoroughly impressed by my transformation. PS - I love the new Ipad!!!

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
3/25/2011 - Morning Weight - 184lbs

Day 42 - Week 6 Update

I am a little upset that I continue to have to miss workouts. At this point it has become unavoidable. I have worked out on every day that we haven't had a game, but game days have been tough. I am just getting home too late. We host one final tournament next weekend and then I should be able to get back into a regular routine. Week 6 stats:

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
3/11/2011 - Morning Weight - 188lbs

Day 35 - Week 5 Update

Staying incredibly busy with baseball. I have missed a workout here and there, but I am making sure that I am not missing any of the strength ones. Here are the week 5 stats:

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
3/4/2011 - Morning Weight - 189lbs

Down 18lbs since January 17th!!

Day 30

I wasn't able to workout yesterday. We hosted a JV tournament this weekend at our field and I was busy all day today. I will back everything up a day.

Chest, Shoulders, Triceps

It felt good to get back into the strength workouts again this morning. This was a new one. I liked how it combined all of the main "push" muscle into one big workout. I should be feeling this one tomorrow for sure.

I will now sit back and listen to the Rangers first Spring Training game online. What a great way to spend my Sunday.

Day 28 - Week 4 Recap

No, I have not quit the program. It has been a busy week. Baseball season is officially underway, but my progress has continued. I was able to get my workouts in this week. I even did one in the coaches locker room this morning. The new one this week was the core synergistics video. This one was the toughest workout so far. So much effort put forth in keeping the core muscles tight while completing each exercise. This week was designed to allow the major muscle groups time to recover for week 5. I am now down 16lbs total since I started my diet on January 17th, and 11lbs since I started P90x.

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
2/25/2011 - Morning Weight - 191lbs

My JV squad is now 3-0 on the season and will play in the championship of our Warrior Classic tomorrow night against Keller.

Day 22

To day marks the start of week 4, which happens to be a core centered week of workouts designed to allow the major muscle groups to recover before getting into them again in week 5. Today I woke up early and got my workout in before I went up the the ballfield. Our bus was leaving at 10:30am and I knew that by the time I got home, I was not going to be in the mood to workout.

My JV team played very well today in our last scrimmage game. We open up our regular season schedule on Monday when we will travel to play Mesquite Poteet. We are excited to get the season started and I am looking forward to another great season of baseball at South Grand Prairie.

Day 21 - Week 3 Recap

Week 3 has come to a close today. I only dropped one pound, however I think this is mainly because I have started adding some muscle at a higher rate than before. I have shredded a lot of fat in the first several weeks of this thing. I am feeling stronger with each passing day, and I can tell that I am adding muscle. I start week 4 tomorrow which involves no strength training. It is mainly a week centered on the core of the body and allows the major muscle groups to rest before ramping it up again in week 5.

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
2/18/2011 - Morning Weight - 194lbs

Days 19-20

Days 19-20

I did work out these days, but I just haven't had the time to write anything on here. Ill get a recap of week 3 on here tomorrow.

Day 18

No yoga for me today. Got home at about 10:30 from a scrimmage in Aledo. We played really well. Will get my workout in tomorrow for sure!

Day 17

Shoulders and arms
This was my best weight workout to date. I was able to do more weight and more reps in every single exercise. I'm starting to really feel the strength gains. Im using a combination of bands and dumbbells for just about all of the workouts now. I like being able to switch between the two.

Saw Kelli today and she said she couldn't remember me being this skinny. I have received a ton of positive feedback from people lately. I appreciate it!

Day 16

Plyometrics
I really pushed myself through this one today. It wore me out. My legs are really starting to get more defined. Me and Jay both are noticing it through our thighs. I have really noticed how baggy all of my pants and underwear are starting to feel. I may have to go get some new slacks for work to finish out the school year. Not a bad problem to have!

Jay and Ash stopped by the house today. Jay is about a week ahead of me in P90x and is looking good. Ash gave me a hug and asked where the rest of me was. She said my whole head looks smaller. You can really see the weight loss in my face.

Day 15

Chest and Back
I am really trying to amp up the level of my workouts this week. I am really going for max reps and heavier weight. It is not that the workouts are getting easier. But, I have noticed that it is just me getting stronger. It is up to me to push myself past previous levels and to exceed my goals. Chest and back was solid today. I have definitely started to notice some definition on my upper half. I don't want to look like a body builder when I get done, I would settle for just looking good with my shirt off out at the lake house this Summer.

Day 14 - Week 2 Recap

Rest/Recover Day

This concludes week 2 of my journey. I lost 4 lbs this week, and that includes missing my Yoga workout on Tuesday. I have lost a total of 12lbs since I started the diet and a total of 7lbs since I started P90x. I honestly feel healthier and better than I have in a long, long time. I thought I would share some of the supplements that I am taking on a daily basis. Every day I take a multivitamin (NOW ADAM) in the morning and one at night. I am also taking 2-3 fish oil pills (NOW Omega 3) per day. Usually I have 2-3 servings (25g) of LG Lipotropic Protein daily. This is usually mixed in with my whole grain cereal or in a shake in the mornings. And just about every night I make a little cake that has 2 eggs, 1 scoop of protein powder, pinch of baking powder, and cinnamon. I cook it in the microwave for a minute and it makes a tasty little cake that has over 40 grams of protein. On workout days, I follow up each workout with a recovery drink called Recon made by Muscle Pharms. Besides that I will have a 6 ounce can of V8 every day when I get home and I am drinking no less than a gallon of water each day.

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
2/11/2011 - Morning Weight - 195lbs

Day 13

Kenpo
I love this workout. It goes by faster than all of the other ones. I was able to get it done before Candice and Talon got home from Science Night at Dickinson. When I say it is fun, don't assume I am saying that it is easy. I was drenched when this one was over. I don't know that I am using great "form" when I'm doing all of the punches and kicks, but this things really works the total body. Off day tomorrow. Ill post some stats on current weight. I also have taken some pictures, but I am not sure that I really want to post those online or not. Probably not.

Day 12

Another snow day. This is getting pretty ridiculous.

Legs and Back
Had a great workout today. The leg workout is tough, but I made it through all of it. So many different exercises, so many reps. This is one I guessing I will feel for a few days. I love using the new bands for the back workout. I can feel the burn in every single rep. I'm sure that soon I will be able to do more and more of the pull-ups, but I do not feel that I am missing out on much by using the bands. It is still a great workout.

Day 11

Today was the first day that I did not get a chance to do my P90x workout. Today was yoga. When I decided to start the program on a Saturday, I had Tuesdays and Fridays in mind. I knew that on those two days I would probably be getting home very late after a game that night.

We won our scrimmage tonight against Irving MacArthur. We played very well and I was pleasantly surprised because we have not had a chance to spend much time on the field together lately.

Michael Young

He is my favorite current player in the big leagues. Behind Pudge, he is my second favorite Texas Ranger of all time. My loyalty resides with the Rangers as a franchise so ultimately I want want is best for the team. However, it pains me to read the things Mike and the team has had to say to the media in the last 24 hours. The Rangers will not be a better team if they trade Michael Young before the season starts. Any leverage that the team had with dealing with other teams is gone.

I'm sorry Mike, but you will be paid $100,000 per game in the 2011 season. If the team wants you to DH, then you DH. The team got better by adding Adrian Beltre, the best defensive 3rd baseman in the game. The team got deeper by adding Mike Napoli. Not too long ago you said that you wanted to be a Texas Ranger and wanted to be part of a winning team here. I feel that because you have been here the longest, you have become the leader by default. You are not the best player on this team and have not been the best player on this team in a number of years. You are a superb baseball player, but your game has diminished. You were statistically one of the worst defensive 3rd baseman in the major leagues the last two seasons. I think it is an awfully selfish act to demand a trade from the team that has helped you get to this point in your career, just because they have brought in players to make the team better. This is the team that brought you to the majors and signed you to a contract that has set you and your family up for life. You are no longer worth what you are being paid, yet this team has been creative to make the team better around you and keep you around to be a part of what could be a special final chapter to your career. You still have a key role here.

We are a better team across the board going into this season compared to last year's AL Championship team. Now you want out?

I thought you were better than all of this. I thought you were the guy to tell my players about when talking about players who did whatever it took to be a part of a winning team. I don't think I can tell that story anymore.

Day 10

Shoulders and Arms
My new bodylastics bands came in today. I wanted these to be able to alter my workouts from week to week. I did about 50% of today's workout with the bands today and the other 50% with dumbbells. I was really able to push myself today and I am very happy about that. Last week I was very sore for this workout and don't feel that I gave it everything. To progress was made. I love it!

Day 9

Plyometrics
I love this workout. It is all about jumping and hopping. They key is to land on your toes. I was able to do the entire workout today, keeping right with the DVD. All major soreness has pretty much gone away.

Super Bowl XLV - Arlington, TX

Super Bowl Sunday
It sucks that the weather has caused so many DFW businesses to lose money this week. I read about a business owner who projected over $850,000 in revenue for this week. He had been planning for years for this week. He said he will be happy/lucky if he can profit $85,000 now. How many other businesses share this story? At least maybe there will be a ton of clearance specials in the coming weeks for those of you interested in food and alcohol.

I will be rooting for Aaron Rodgers tonight. Other than Cowboys, Brett Farve was my favorite NFL player for the better part of the last two decades. He is a legend...a warrior. Rodgers has had to step in to the shoes of the one of the all-time greats. In very short order, he has the Packers in the Super Bowl. He is classy and a tremendous competitor. Big Ben is a proven winner and has been here before. What a match up!

Its pretty cool seeing all of the media outlets that have set up shop in the metroplex this week. Jerry's stadium looks great and it should be a great game. A great week for DFW.

Prediction
Packers 27
Steelers 24

Day 8 - Start of Week 2

Back at it!

The baseball team was able to workout today for the first time since Monday. We were able to get in a ton of defensive fundamental work and hit in the cages. Not sure if we will be able to get on the field Monday for practice or Tuesday for our first scheduled scrimmage. Since I was already at the indoor facility for our practice, I decided to get some cardio in. I walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes at a moderate pace and high incline. Much sweat. Kept my heart rate right in the 150-155 range, perfect for burning fat/calories.

Chest and Back
I chose to do bands this week for the back workouts. I am not ready to do the pull-up routine that they have so I followed along with the guy with the bands in the video. Did a ton of reps with each exercise. Was feeling the burn all over my back. Nice! The push up routine was tough again this week. I'm still feeling some tightness in the chest from week 1. May modify with doing more reps with dumbbells bench press variations next time.

Ab Ripper
Was able to do more reps of each exercise than any of the previous days. This was the 4th time doing this 15min core routine. It is working.

Candice says she can see the loss of inches. We will see on Monday how the work slacks are fitting!

Day 7 - Week 1 Recap

SNOW DAY 4

REST/RECOVER DAY

This completes the first week of workouts for P90x. I don't really consider it much of an accomplishment at this time. At the beginning of the week, it was easy to come to grasp with the fact that I was out of shape. I was asked by a friend if I felt that I was "big time" now. Not at all was my response. But I do feel great. The plan is to amp up the workouts this next week. Not really going for more weight, but my goal is to up all of my reps. Not trying to get huge. Tying to get lean.

1/17/2011 - Started Diet - 207lbs
1/29/2011 - Started P90x - 202lbs
2/4/2011 - Morning weight - 199lbs

Day 6

SNOW DAY 3

I cannot remember ever having three consecutive days of missed school because of weather. Has this ever happened in GPISD before?

Kenpo
Last workout of week one. My favorite so far. I compare this to the old Taebo (spelling?) videos of about 10 years ago. A ton of kicks, punches, and blocks. This was a very nice change of pace workout. Heart rate was up there for the duration, covered in sweat.

Day 5

SNOW DAY 2

Legs and Back
What a great workout! It has been way too long since I have actually done a dedicated leg workout. This one made me sweat! I am happy that it is also a back day. One, because it is nice to do sets between the different leg exercises, but also because I think the back is such a large muscle area, it needs to be worked out more often.

Body is starting to recover quicker. The hot tub is definitely helping with that.

Day 4

SNOW DAY 1

Woke up at 5:15am with a phone call saying school was canceled because of the weather. This was fabulous news because my body needed the extra sleep. When I finally got out of bed around 10am, I noticed that my are soreness from the previous couple of days had decreased about 50%. I was actually able to touch my head/face without writhing in pain. Ah...the little things.

Yoga
I have one previous experience with Yoga in my life. In college, when I worked at the YMCA I always noticed the women that would come in each week to our yoga classes. They always told me that I could not do what they were doing in that class, so one day I decided to take them up on that offer. After my shift one night, I jumped into a class in which I was the only male. Lets just say things were not pretty. I remember falling and sweating. Oh yeah, and all of the ladies laughing it up. And I had a new found respect for yoga and the athletes that can do it.

Today I was able to try this yoga thing one more time, but this time in the comfort of my own home. Everything I remembered was still true. Yoga is hard, very hard. I did everything that I was able to do and when there was something that I couldn't do, i continued to stretch. I sweated more in this 1.5 hour workout than in the previous 3 workouts combined. I was drenched.

I feel so much better now. The constant stretching of both the upper and lower halves of the body has me feeling amazing.

Day 3

I could barely get out of bed this morning. My upper body was still thrashed from the first chest/back workout on Saturday. Doing simple things like brushing my teeth and putting in my contacts was painful. It was gonna be a long day.

Shoulders and Arms
I did not use my dumbbells for this one. I could barely lift the 15lbs with each arm. Good thing Candice got me some cheap workout bands for Christmas. They worked great. I was able to do every single workout and even used the heaviest band the last round each time.

There was not a question of whether or not I was gonna try to do the workout today. I gave it a go, and surprised myself with what I was able to accomplish. I'm looking forward to next week when I am guessing most of the soreness will have subsided and I am able to put more into it. I gave it all I had today though.

Day 2

My arms are so incredibly sore today. Feeling last nights workout big time. My triceps feel shredded.

Plyometrics
I really enjoyed this workout. You are moving for an hour straight. This is something that I wish I did more of back when I was playing baseball. By the time it was all done, my calves were throbbing. It felt great to get up and get some cardio in. It has been a while.

Day 1

This first week is gonna be about discovering this program and getting through each workout. I know I am going to be sore and I know I am going to have to push myself just to finish.

Chest and Back
Struggled with the chest exercises in this one. All of them are push up variations. I did as many as I could of each set until failure. I finished each set on my knees, getting to 15-20 reps of everything. I was only able to do 2 normal pullups before I started, so I knew I was going to be doing 98% assisted pullups for the workout. I placed one foot up on a stool to go through these exercises.

Ab Ripper
This 15 minute ab workout is a beast. There are 12-15 different exercises. You do 25 reps or seconds of each one. I did what I could, but lets just say I didn't do 25 each time.

Thoughts
After one workout I find myself so juiced to get into this program fully. I had heard nothing but great things from friends and online reviews. Im only going to get something out of this thing if I put in the work. I want to push myself, I want to make it happen.

Intro

My name is Paul. I am 29 years old. I am a high school teacher and baseball coach.

This blog is something for me to keep track of and reflect back on what I hope to be a life transformation.

Two weeks ago I began an all clean, high protein, all healthy diet. There has been no fast food, no frozen dinners, no chips, no energy drinks, no cookies. I don't drink soft drinks anyways, but there have been none of those either. My playing weight in college was 175lbs. When I started the diet, my weight was up to 207lbs. On day one of P90x it is 202lbs.