What a long day...
Just finished CST, as I spent nearly 5 hours this afternoon/night updating the software on my Blackberry Pearl. (Two hours were spent online with two levels of AT&T customer service and two levels of Research In Motion, but EVERY employee was very helpful and beyond courteous to me.) It was so messed up, I couldn't even dial out. I'm so happy to have it back!
Nonetheless, I sweated off all the stress I had built up. I pushed out all the frustration, and it felt better than ever!
Nikki's interview went really well. She's supposed to know by tomorrow if she got the job. Keep us in your prayers.
Ready to hit the shower and call it a night. Can't wait for tomorrow's workout. After last week, doing plyo once in a day is going to seem like a breeze! :)
Best of luck to you at your retreat, Christina. ...and best of luck to you taking care of the boys by yourself for a few days, Jeremy! :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Day 35 - Rest X
I can't believe we've been at it for 5 weeks!
Well, we decided our bodies needed a rest, so it looks like we'll be doing CST at the in-laws... unless I decide to get up early again before we leave. Considering tomorrow isn't plyo, I just might do that.
It's like a late autumn day here - cold, windy, and raining. Because of that (and I already had some red peppers roasted for tonight's chicken marinade), I decided to make a tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Very yummy and only 1 teaspoon of EVOO in the entire pot! I find myself searching for new ways to keep food interesting for Nikki - even if it means adapting some of our old standby recipes to our new lifestyle.
I should mention that yesterday we went out to dinner for Easter/my sister's birthdy with some of my family. They decided where we went, which was a buffet-style, chain restaurant. Not the easiest options for us, but we went along. It's amazing how your taste buds change in such a short amount of time. Neither one of us ate anything we weren't supposed to, but yuck! We couldn't even eat the grilled chicken because it was sitting in so much oil... it might as well have been fried! I choked down some raw spinach that tasted like it was soaked in salt water. Some of my family seemed offended that we weren't eating very much so I preempted them by saying, "I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone, but we've worked too hard over the last month to change our health." They started asking about what we were doing, and after listening to us, they seemed to relax a little more and even commented about how we looked healthier now. Two months ago, I would have filled my plate two or three times and taken a nap when I got home. There's no way I'm going back to that! Nikki even said she's realized this (MY healthy lifestyle) is going to be a part of who I am now.
I can't wait for tomorrow!
Well, we decided our bodies needed a rest, so it looks like we'll be doing CST at the in-laws... unless I decide to get up early again before we leave. Considering tomorrow isn't plyo, I just might do that.
It's like a late autumn day here - cold, windy, and raining. Because of that (and I already had some red peppers roasted for tonight's chicken marinade), I decided to make a tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Very yummy and only 1 teaspoon of EVOO in the entire pot! I find myself searching for new ways to keep food interesting for Nikki - even if it means adapting some of our old standby recipes to our new lifestyle.
I should mention that yesterday we went out to dinner for Easter/my sister's birthdy with some of my family. They decided where we went, which was a buffet-style, chain restaurant. Not the easiest options for us, but we went along. It's amazing how your taste buds change in such a short amount of time. Neither one of us ate anything we weren't supposed to, but yuck! We couldn't even eat the grilled chicken because it was sitting in so much oil... it might as well have been fried! I choked down some raw spinach that tasted like it was soaked in salt water. Some of my family seemed offended that we weren't eating very much so I preempted them by saying, "I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone, but we've worked too hard over the last month to change our health." They started asking about what we were doing, and after listening to us, they seemed to relax a little more and even commented about how we looked healthier now. Two months ago, I would have filled my plate two or three times and taken a nap when I got home. There's no way I'm going back to that! Nikki even said she's realized this (MY healthy lifestyle) is going to be a part of who I am now.
I can't wait for tomorrow!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Day 34 - Kenpo X
I took Jeremy's advice and added another carb to my daily intake. (Thank you!) I could tell I had more energy during my workout today. I tend to get a little bouncy (squirrely is how Nikki describes it) during the physical days - especially Kenpo. I don't know if I was quite my old self, but had much more energy than the past few days. I'm also excited about the extra carb!
We're debating about switching the next couple days workouts. We're going to be traveling for Nikki's second interview, and it's much easier to switch than to try to do it at the in-laws. :) We pushed really hard today, though, and our biceps are a little tender. Don't know if they can handle CST tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!
We're debating about switching the next couple days workouts. We're going to be traveling for Nikki's second interview, and it's much easier to switch than to try to do it at the in-laws. :) We pushed really hard today, though, and our biceps are a little tender. Don't know if they can handle CST tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Day 33 - Legs & Back, AR X
My quads were still a little stiff this morning. Guess that's what happens when you do plyo twice in the same day... :)
When we started P90X, I promised Nikki I wouldn't take any supplements like creatine, andro, or testosterone. I won't break my promise to her. Her main concern is that she doesn't want my temperament to change. I curently take vitamins, recovery drink, protein shakes, and protein bars. Until this week, it's felt like it's been plenty - until I did plyo twice. Since then, I've been pushing hard, but it seems like I'm more tired than usual. I'm still eating well. (A couple of days, I even had an extra protein bar.) I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I drink 8-10 glasses of water each day... Maybe it's just because I did plyo twice and my body needs more time to rest, but is there anything else I can be doing to help my body recover more quickly that would still meet my promise to Nikki? Any thoughts would be very appreciated!
Nutrition is going really well. I had another grilled salmon salad yesterday that was fantastic! Nice dark salad greens, grilled asparagus, roasted red pepper strips, and a beautifully cooked (not dry) fillet of salmon, with a light balsamic vinaigrette... I think we might make another meatloaf tonight. It was so yummy last time.
Ready for Kenpo tomorrow! Bring it!
When we started P90X, I promised Nikki I wouldn't take any supplements like creatine, andro, or testosterone. I won't break my promise to her. Her main concern is that she doesn't want my temperament to change. I curently take vitamins, recovery drink, protein shakes, and protein bars. Until this week, it's felt like it's been plenty - until I did plyo twice. Since then, I've been pushing hard, but it seems like I'm more tired than usual. I'm still eating well. (A couple of days, I even had an extra protein bar.) I get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I drink 8-10 glasses of water each day... Maybe it's just because I did plyo twice and my body needs more time to rest, but is there anything else I can be doing to help my body recover more quickly that would still meet my promise to Nikki? Any thoughts would be very appreciated!
Nutrition is going really well. I had another grilled salmon salad yesterday that was fantastic! Nice dark salad greens, grilled asparagus, roasted red pepper strips, and a beautifully cooked (not dry) fillet of salmon, with a light balsamic vinaigrette... I think we might make another meatloaf tonight. It was so yummy last time.
Ready for Kenpo tomorrow! Bring it!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Day 32 - Yoga X
Back to a quiet house for yoga! What a difference it makes. I love my wife's family, but Yoga X is a completely different workout when you're able to clear your mind and really focus on the move at hand. Too bad the DVD doesn't come with that tip. :)
I haven't worked up the confidence to post any pictures yet. I will admit, I am very ashamed of what I had let my body become before P90X. I was quickly headed toward a myriad of health problems, including a probable early death. As my wedding date approached, I knew I had to do something, but what? I have made some great strides, but still have a long way to go. I hope I have the inner strength to share my pics someday...
I cannot believe what I am capable of doing now. Plyo twice in the same day??? It was a crazy thing to do, but I did it. When I started P90X, I could barely do two minutes of jumping jacks without stopping. Now, I look forward to working out every day.
And I know I've said it before, but I owe my everlasting thanks and gratitude to Jeremy and Christina. You guys are my inspiration. You've given me the push I needed to make some of the biggest decisions impacting my life - both physically and spiritually. I know it sounds cliché, but you two are the answer to my prayers. I feel like I have a new lease on life, and I cannot thank you enough.
I haven't worked up the confidence to post any pictures yet. I will admit, I am very ashamed of what I had let my body become before P90X. I was quickly headed toward a myriad of health problems, including a probable early death. As my wedding date approached, I knew I had to do something, but what? I have made some great strides, but still have a long way to go. I hope I have the inner strength to share my pics someday...
I cannot believe what I am capable of doing now. Plyo twice in the same day??? It was a crazy thing to do, but I did it. When I started P90X, I could barely do two minutes of jumping jacks without stopping. Now, I look forward to working out every day.
And I know I've said it before, but I owe my everlasting thanks and gratitude to Jeremy and Christina. You guys are my inspiration. You've given me the push I needed to make some of the biggest decisions impacting my life - both physically and spiritually. I know it sounds cliché, but you two are the answer to my prayers. I feel like I have a new lease on life, and I cannot thank you enough.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Day 31 - Back & Biceps, AR X
Woke up this morning feeling a little more sore than usual. Guess that's what happens when you do plyo twice in the same day. :)
Today was the last "new" P90X workout for us. Our pull up bar isn't the most accommodating for the corn cob pull ups, as it has two bars jutting out (designed for another hand grip style). Other than that, I really enjoyed today. I'd like to add some size to my arms; what guy wouldn't... I can't wait for my own gun show. LOL.
Tomorrow is yoga!
Today was the last "new" P90X workout for us. Our pull up bar isn't the most accommodating for the corn cob pull ups, as it has two bars jutting out (designed for another hand grip style). Other than that, I really enjoyed today. I'd like to add some size to my arms; what guy wouldn't... I can't wait for my own gun show. LOL.
Tomorrow is yoga!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Day 30 - Plyometrics (Twice!)
I got up extra early for Plyo today, and quickly realized I do NOT like missing Plyo during the core week. It's a love/hate relation with Plyo, and being away from it for a week seemed to make it harder to keep up today. I pushed through it though!
Quite a bit sore (more tired) in my chest and triceps; it's becoming a welcome feeling.
We made the Italian meatloaf from the nutrition guide (found in the phase 2 section of recipes, page 75). Wow! It's really good, but (as a preface) it's not beef. If you're expecting it to be like your mother's meatloaf, it won't - unless your mom uses turkey in her meatloaf. Nikki and I couldn't get enough of it though! It was so flavorful! If you eat ground turkey at all, I highly recommend it. We're always looking for something new to eat that fits with our new lifestyle, and this is going to be a regular addition. The only thing we did differently is used whole wheat bread crumbs instead of sourdough.
Tomorrow will be a late day for working out, but looking forward to it!
Update!!! Nikki's interview went so well that they already called her for a second interview next Tuesday! I'm so proud of her! Keep your fingers crossed... Oh, by the way, I did Plyo twice today. Nikki didn't want to get up with me early this morning, so I did it again with her tonight. Probably going to pay for it later...
Quite a bit sore (more tired) in my chest and triceps; it's becoming a welcome feeling.
We made the Italian meatloaf from the nutrition guide (found in the phase 2 section of recipes, page 75). Wow! It's really good, but (as a preface) it's not beef. If you're expecting it to be like your mother's meatloaf, it won't - unless your mom uses turkey in her meatloaf. Nikki and I couldn't get enough of it though! It was so flavorful! If you eat ground turkey at all, I highly recommend it. We're always looking for something new to eat that fits with our new lifestyle, and this is going to be a regular addition. The only thing we did differently is used whole wheat bread crumbs instead of sourdough.
Tomorrow will be a late day for working out, but looking forward to it!
Update!!! Nikki's interview went so well that they already called her for a second interview next Tuesday! I'm so proud of her! Keep your fingers crossed... Oh, by the way, I did Plyo twice today. Nikki didn't want to get up with me early this morning, so I did it again with her tonight. Probably going to pay for it later...
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