I'M BACK!!!

Down but not out, I have gotten back on the P90X horse after it bucked me off and caused me a three-week long convalescence. There's still a mild tenderness in my shoulder, but no longer do I have that primal, agonizing ache through my shoulder that had me wondering if I would ever use my arm again normally. On the advice of a friend, I am easing my way back into this. Cardio X today... X Stretch tomorrow... Cardio X again plus Ab Ripper X on Wednesday... Yoga X on Thursday... Kenpo X on Friday... X Stretch on Saturday... and rest on Sunday. Sound like a good way to get back into the program? I my repeat that if I am not feeling decidedly better after the first week, but I have a feeling that I will be able to get back on it. I will probably start again at Square One with the Phase 1 workouts and see what happens.

Okay folks! Here we go again!

UNCLE!

Okay, so much for my big plan to just do recovery week stuff... for some reason last nights session of Cardio X made my shoulder worse. There's been a low, primal ache all night since the squat runs. So I think I am off to the doctor.

I'm actually really upset, bordering on depression of sorts. It's like... I found something I really loved to do that was physical and fun and WORKING, and now I can't do it! It's not friggin' fair!

I'm still eating as per the diet, but I think this may be the end of the P90X experiment for now...

I may be getting a bit melodramatic, and this whole entry may be unnecessary, but just in case, I"m going to ask you all to please consider this program suspended, and ask you to bear with me while I get some needed medical care.

Thanks everyone for all your understanding, support, encouragement, and friendship through this.

Okay, I'm getting worried...

I think I really did a number on my rotator cuff... maybe worse than I realize. The pain is dull and not noticeable most of the time, but every once in a while there's a flare-up that's crippling. Happened yesterday while I was doing the star blocks on Kenpo X. As you can see, for most of the week until today, I've been able to go through the rest of the workouts, including yoga and the back workout this week without much difficulty. Sometimes there's a low primal ache initially that subsides after a few minites of exercise. Last night though, it was bad, and the ache is pretty constant.

So here's my idea (and I am hoping you P90X grads will chime in as well on this thought)... Today is the last day of my workout week, meaning it's "Rest or X Stretch" day. Today I'll rest and start a "mid-phase recovery week" on Thursday which will involve a lt of yoga, Core Synergistics and Cardio X (will have to lay of Kenpo X for a week since the punches and the star blocks seemed to have exacerbated my shoulder). I'll see how I feel after that, and if I see a little improvement I'll decide on whether to go on with Phase 3, do another recovery week, or just stop altogether. Sound feasible?

I sure would be sad if this were the end of the road for P90X for me. I mean, don't get me wrong... if it is for now, I will pick it up again, but I have really been having fun with this and loving the changes it's produced in my mind and body. I'm just hoping it's not.

Oddly enough, that I may have to stop worries me more than what I may have done to my shoulder.... that's no so healthy, huh?

I'm hoping a P90X grad will chime in with some hopeful words here.

Should have done this upon awakening...

I discovered today that I enjoy Kenpo X much better in the morning when I first wake up versus in the afternoon right after work. Will have to remember that. I still put my all into it, but between the aching rotator cuff and the general stress of the day, it was something of a lackluster workout today. I'm going to give myself a B for today.

TODAY'S WORKOUT - Kenpo X

Feeling better!

I have to admit I was a bit timid about working out this morning knowing that it was legs and back. While my shoulder is a lot better than it was a week ago, I was still worried about hurting it again on the pull-ups and chin ups. NO need to worry after all... everything went smoothly. That was a huge relief given that leg day is probably my least favorite of all of them... good thing it gets followed up with Kenpo tomorrow! I love me some Kenpo!

So yes, I'm feeling better... In fact I think I'm feeling great!

TODAY'S WORKOUT - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

TODAY'S MENU
BREAKFAST - 1/2 grapefruit, 1 Polly-o String cheese, 2 soy sausage patties on a whole wheat English Muffin, coffee.
LUNCH - Sliced smoked turkey on 12-grain bread, handful of baby carrots, 3 tbsp hummuus w/ pine nuts, power bar
DINNER - 2 Boca Burger patties, green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, 1 container of Muscle Milk, slice of 12-grain toast
MIDNIGHT SNACK - 8oz glass of OJ

Glad to have my support team back!

Jake's on the mend and was vigorously licking my ears while I was in the plough position this afternoon. It's good to have him back to his old self.

Yoga with this sore shoulder was really tough at first. Doing the vinyasas was tough; I'd go down to chataranga and my shoulder would come brightly alive the first few times. Although the pain subsided eventually, I began to wonder if I had really hurt myself worse than I thought. I mean, don't get me wrong... it's not hurting anything like it was a few days ago, but it upsets me to think that I might have slowed down my progress. Is this another "mental wall" my mind is trying to put up? Sure hope not.

Even so, it was good for the spirit for sure to do yoga today. I'm still seeing a lot of progress which is always encouraging. I'm now able to hold the half moon and twisting half moon poses for longer stretches. I remember when I couldn't even get my leg off the ground for either of those poses or for Warrior 3! Crane pose is still remarkably difficult, but I have the feeling it's because I am not doing something correctly. Ah well... I'm still seeing growth, and that's always good.

TODAY'S WORKOUT - Yoga X

TODAY'S MENU
BREAKFAST - oatmeal with raisins and almonds, coffee
LUNCH - not too hungry today for some reason. Just had a couple of protein bars.
DINNER - Leftovers from last night

Progress Despite the Pain

I used the bands this afternoon for the Shoulders & Arms workout. Hated doing that, but I just thought it would be best to err on the side of caution with this injured shoulder. It still aches a bit right at the top, but I was still able to keep going anyway. While it was encouraging to see Mr. Haas in the video doing the same thing, it still felt a bit like dogging it. I really like using iron for the arms and shoulders and couldn't do it today. Still got as good a workout in as possible... did my best and not only forgot the rest, but left it by the side of the road to fend for itself!

One cool thing that happened during the Ab Ripper X workout: I was finally able to do the cross-legged sit ups! Hard as hell, but I loved it! Totally turned my internal fire up a few degrees! WOOOOOOOO! I'm loving Phase III!

TODAY'S WORKOUT -Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X

TODAY'S MENU -
BREAKFAST - Scrambled egg whites, 4 strips of turkey bacon, 1 banana, 1 slice of 12-grain toast, coffee
LUNCH - slice of whole grain toast, can of minestrone soup, protein bar
SNACK - protein bar
DINNER - Grilled pork chops, wild rice, peas, protein drink

OW!

That exclamation is not just for the hurt rotator cuff I mentioned yesterday.... that is still bugging me a little and I am dealing with it with some Tiger Balm, ice, and Ibuprofen. I'm sure it will feel better soon.

No, the real OW is for Jake, one member of my support team who just got back from the vet after having that "special surgery" that is needed for dogs his age. It was so hard for me to see him so spaced out and lethargic last night, and also (in his moments of consciousness) looking at me with such sorrow as if to say, "I can't believe you let that happen to me... why?" I felt like the world's worst dog owner last night and for a little while this morning too. At least his big brother, Rodney, has been looking out for him and seems to understand the "gravity" of the situation. When they curl up together on the couch, there seems to be a sympathetic lick on the forehead from Rodney, like he's saying, "I know, kid.. been there. You'll be alright."

I suppose that Plyo X first thing in the morning is a suitable punishment for such treachery. However, let's just say instead that it was helpful to me to channel all that negativity into getting off the ground and getting the poison out of me through my sweat glands. I do feel a bit better, and it was nice to come home and see the little guy somewhat back to his old self... running up to me with his ID tag in his mouth and his tail going back and forth rapidly. Maybe tomorrow he'll be licking me in the face again as I cool down. If so, I think all within ME will be back to normal.


TODAY'S WORKOUT - Plyometrics X

BRING IT!!!!

Started Phase 3 today with a blast from the past... the Chest and Back workout! I was amazed to see that I added a minimum of at least five reps to every exercise! That resulted in a HUGE surge of energy to my soul! I may have overdone it a bit as a result... my left shoulder is a bit sore now, but I will ice it, take some Alleve, and see if that helps.

Ab Ripper X tonight... let's rip that mutha apart!!!!

TODAY'S MENU
BREAKFAST - banana, blueberry muffin, cup of coffee
LUNCH - sliced turkey on 12-grain bread, handful of baby carrots, small green salad, scoop of whey protein in 8 oz milk
SNACK AFTER WORK - dried cranberries, a coupleof handfuls of almonds, a couple of handfuls of raisins.... call it trail mix
DINNER - can of beef barley soup, slice of 12-grain bread

90 Minutes, 1 Thought

And the thought for the 90 minute workout today was this:
"God, I offer myself to you to build with me and to do with me as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do your will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them maybear witness to those I would help of your power, your love and your way of life. May I do your will always."

Today I am letting go of: total loss of the truck and the concurrent phone calls to the insurance company and the ex, the fact hat my replacement at work started today, that it's time for Jake to have his "pockets picked," tomorrow's job interview, the outcome of any job that I have applied for recently, what will happen at the upcoming Board Meeting for my current company, all money matters...

Just lifting the rug of my mind... sweeping all that under it... laying it flat and walking away. Taking care of the body in which I live. The rest is not for me to solve tonight.

Bedtime now.



TODAY'S WORKOUT - Yoga X

TODAY'S MENU
BREAKFAST - 1/2 grapefruit, 1 cup oatmeal with 1 cup of skim milk, coffee w/ cream
LUNCH - sliced turkey on 12-grain bread, carrots, 1 banana, 8 oz skim milk
SNACK - handful of dried cranberries, handful of almonds
DINNER - 2 Boca Burger patties, handful of baby carrots, 2 tbs hummus, glass of cranberry juice

A for effort... please?

Hi sports fans! Sorry about not writing yesterday... It was just X-stretch after a rather mellow day with the critters and the laundry. This morning, on the other hand, with Core Synergystics was not a lot of fun, unfortunately. Mr. Horton wants us to "engage the core" as much as possible while doing this workout. To my credit, I did do it as much as I possibly could, but I still don't feel real good about how things went and felt today. It seemed more "disengaged" than anything else... like it wouldn't engage on purpose for some reason. I don't know why that is.... I really felt it on Friday when I did this, but not so much today. Should I just blame it on Monday? Yeah... why the heck not. Oh well, it's time to "forget the rest" after doing my best 'cause I don't need that inner barrier going up again for any part of this day. See ya tomorrow for Yoga X.

TODAY'S WORKOUT - Core Synergistics

TODAY'S MENU
BREAKFAST - banana, whey protein in 8 oz of milk, whole wheat English muffin, coffee
LUNCH - grilled chicken breast, handfull or two of carrots, 2 tbsp hummus, protein bar
DINNER - burrito (carne asada, refried beans, rice, lettuce, spinach tortilla)