Monday, December 27, 2010

ROUND 7 - WEEK 6

This is a Plus Week

MONDAY - December 27, 2010 - Upper Plus
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Time: 52:47
Calories Burned: 554
Avg Heart Rate: 126
Max Heart Rate: 159

I look forward to the P90X Plus workouts as they're a good change of pace, and I'm especially liking Upper Plus. Today was a good workout. I took a lot of breaks in the second half, but I did increase my weight on a few of the exercises, going from 15lbs to 20lbs on the tricep moves with absolutely no problems, and also bumping the weight up on the Pumper Curls from 25lbs to 30lbs. I felt stronger on the pullups too. As usual, by the end of this workout my arms were spent, and I could barely feel them in the cooldown.

TUESDAY - December 28, 2010 - Interval X Plus
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Time: 44:18
Calories Burned: 486
Avg Heart Rate: 129
Max Heart Rate: 158

Overall, a good workout. I can't say it was my best Interval X workout, but it got me real tired and I got a good calorie burn. Can't ask for much more than that.

WEDNESDAY - December 29, 2010 - Total Body Plus
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Time: 55:57
Calories Burned: 601
Avg Heart Rate: 128
Max Heart Rate: 156

I wasn't feeling too well going in as I think I ate a bad chicken taco for lunch. I took a lot of breaks (about 10 minutes total) to catch my breath, but I maxed out each exercise the best I could, even doing a few more moves than usual on some of them. Once again, I felt a small bit stronger on some of the pullup moves. I get another chance at this routine on Friday.

THURSDAY - December 30, 2010 - Yoga X
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Time: 1:34:08
Calories Burned: 671
Avg Heart Rate: 105
Max Heart Rate: 131

An average Yoga X workout. I was horrible on my balancing, but pretty good on my stretching. My mind was wandering a bit, but not too much.

FRIDAY - December 31, 2010 - Total Body Plus
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Time: 57:02
Calories Burned: 614
Avg Heart Rate: 127
Max Heart Rate: 157

Last workout of the year. When I set up the rotation for the Plus Weeks for this round I was wondering if doing this routine two times in three days would be a problem. It wasn't. Historically, I've been taking a lot of pause time with this workout, and I was trying to cut down on it today, but it still was over ten minutes. A lot of that is for writing things down, but a lot is also to catch my breath. I guess it is what it is, but it's something I can try and improve on in the future. With that said, it's still a good workout, and I always have that good tired when I'm done.

SATURDAY - January 1, 2011 - Kenpo Cardio Plus
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Time: 41:39
Calories Burned: 450
Avg Heart Rate: 128
Max Heart Rate: 152

What a geat way to start out the New Year, doing my favorite workout. I really enjoyed it, as usual.

SUNDAY - January 2, 2011 - Weigh-In and Abs/Core Plus
==========================================
WEIGH IN
Weight: 180.9
Body Fat: 23.4%

An increase of .8 pounds and .1% body fat. I'm still finishing up the Christmas Cookies. It's probably not the perfect thing to be doing, but I'm doing it anyways. Once they're gone, they're gone. I feel good, and not as bloated and heavy as in recent weeks.

ABS/CORE PLUS
Time: 27:59
Calories Burned: 254
Avg Heart Rate: 117
Max Heart Rate: 194

I took a lot of small breaks, mostly to write things down, but I was still winded throughout for some reason. I did max out the reps though, so that's good.

Monday, December 20, 2010

ROUND 7 - WEEK 5

This is a Classic Phase 2 Week

MONDAY - December 20, 2010 - Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
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Time: 59:44
Calories Burned: 569
Avg Heart Rate: 120
Max Heart Rate: 160

One of my favorite workouts. There's still room for improvement. I should be using a bit heavier weights on the Tricep exercices. Also, I still can't trust myself to do Clap pushups from my feet. I always feel like I'm going to break my wrists. I'm sure there's a trick to it I'm not getting. I also need to try the One Armed Pushups from my feet. I'm still on my kness for those also. Other than that, a good effort.

TUESDAY - December 21, 2010 - Plyometrics
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Time: 58:49
Calories Burned: 686
Avg Heart Rate: 133
Max Heart Rate: 159

I was laboring early on and felt like taking breaks a number of times, but I didn't. My heart rate was in the 140s by the second set, and consistently in the 150s after that. Based on that, I was expecting to see a calorie burn well over 700 calories, but 686 is still great. I can really feel the few pounds I've put on lately, and need to concentrate on my eating. I'm not eating bad, but not good either. I'm just not feeling like taking the time to make proper meals the way I should and I need to do that. It's important.

WEDNESDAY - December 22, 2010 - Back and Biceps
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Time: 1:05:43
Calories Burned: 661
Avg Heart Rate: 123
Max Heart Rate: 155

Some good and some bad in this workout. The good is that I lifted more weight on most of the moves. The bad is that I took about 14 minutes in pause time, most of it to let my arms recover. If I need to pause a bit to lift bigger weight, then that's what I have to do. Another bad is the pullups. I started strong with 6 Wide Fronts, which is good for me, but after that it went downhill fast. By the time I got to the end I had no strength left. The last set of pullups was a choice, and I chose to do semi-wide ones. I did one, and couldn't get back up again. I even came off the bar and tried again, but I was done.

THURSDAY - December 23, 2010 - Yoga X
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Time: 1:35:52
Calories Burned: 699
Avg Heart Rate: 106
Max Heart Rate: 137

A very good Yoga X workout. I was relaxed throughout and was able to concentrate on most of the vinyasa moves and poses. My Warrior 3/Half-Moons were very good and my Balance Postures were better than they've been in months. I even held Crane for 30-40 seconds. I was also a lot more flexible than I have been lately. I've been eating better and feeling a bit lighter the last few days, so maybe that had something to do with it.

FRIDAY - December 24, 2010 - Legs and Back
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Time: 59:08
Calories Burned: 596
Avg Heart Rate: 123
Max Heart Rate: 157
Total Pullups: 61

I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping and stopped and grabbed a few Burger King cheeseburgers against my better judgement. I was feeling them the entire workout and really need to start listening to my inner voice with those things. I was sluggish in spots, but finished without any pauses. All the leg exercises went OK (except for the balancing). My arms were still very sore from Back and Biceps on Wednesday, but the pullups weren't as bad as I thought they would be. I felt I had more strength on them than I've had lately, but I only did one more than two weeks ago. However, I'm still encouraged.

SATURDAY - December 25, 2010 - Kenpo X
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Time: 59:01
Calories Burned: 578
Avg Heart Rate:122
Max Heart Rate: 146

Christmas Day. I had a good portion of my sister's yummy lasagna and had to sample the cookies and candy a bit, but overall I think I did OK. When I got home, I slept a bit of it off, and did my workout between 6-7 pm. It went very well. I was feeling light and more energetic today because I've been trying to eat better, and got one of my best Kenpo X calorie burns. I'm very happy with the workout.

SUNDAY - December 26, 2010 - Weigh In and Ab Ripper X
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WEIGH IN:
Weight: 180.1 Body Fat: 23.3%

A loss of one pound and .3% body fat. I was hoping for a bit more, but I'm not totally disappointed or even too concerned about it. I looked at last year's weigh-ins and found there were increases around this time of year also. I just need to keep eating right and the results will come. I'm liking the Shakeology and think that will make a difference with consistent use. I just have to find a way to fit it into my budget.

AB RIPPER X:
Time: 19:00
Calories Burned: 136
Total Moves: 387

I took my time with the moves and took a few extra seconds break between each move. Did 72 Mason Twists. Otherwise, nothing extra special.

Monday, December 13, 2010

ROUND 7 - Week 4

This is a Recovery Week

MONDAY - December 13, 2010 - Yoga X
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Time: 1:36:45
Calories Burned: 693
Avg Heart Rate: 105
Max Heart Rate: 135

A good Yoga X workout. I was able to keep my concentration up for most of the moves and thought I held most of them OK. The exceptions were the Balance Postures, which were absolutely horrible. I was bouncing around on them so much it looked like a Plyo workout. Overall I was pleased, and I got another nice calorie burn.

I NEED TO EAT BETTER. NO MORE NIBBLING ON COOKIES AND CANDY AT WORK.

TUESDAY - December 14, 2010 - Core Synergistics
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Time: 57:46
Calories Burned: 597
Avg Heart Rate: 125
Max Heart Rate: 157

This is probably my least favorite workout, and I found myself NOT "Bringing It" during the first third, as I just don't like a lot of the moves. It's tough for me to get excited about Bow to Boat or Low Lateral Skaters, so I just kind of went through the motions. However, I picked it up after that and improved my attitude. The calorie burn was OK, but not my best. I get another chance at it on Friday.

WEDNESDAY - December 15, 2010 - Cardio X (Modified)
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Modification: Skipped Yoga section. Did Kenpo, Plyo, Core sections, then repeated them.
Time: 58:23
Calories Burned: 618
Avg Heart Rate: 126
Max Heart Rate: 157

During a Classic P90X Recovery Week, this would be a Kenpo X day, but I always wanted to get Cardio X into the program somehow. It always bugged me that in the Classic Program, Cardio X was left out. The times I used Cardio X in between official rounds, I noticed I really didn't get my heart rate up until the Core section, and then the workout ended. Keeping this in mind, I came up with the above modification a few months ago, and it worked wonders. My heart rate is usually up 15 beats per minute on the second go-around, and it therefore ends up being a very good workout with a good calorie burn. Today was no exception, and I'm very happy with it.

THURSDAY - December 16, 2010 - X Stretch
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Time: 57:46
Calories Burned: 201
Avg Heart Rate: 85
Max Heart Rate: 107

I always love it when X Stretch rolls around. As Tony says "It's just what the doctor ordered". I was a bit disappointed I had to come out of Camel a bit early, and I couldn't get flat on my back in Hero Pose, but otherwise things went well.

FRIDAY - December 17, 2010 - Core Synergistics
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Time: 57:40
Calories Burned: 580
Avg Heart Rate: 123
Max Heart Rate: 160

I came in with a much better attitude towards this workout than I had on Tuesday. I can't believe I only burned 580 calories.

I also had my first sale today as a Beachbody Coach. Kind of exciting.

SATURDAY - December 18, 2010 - Yoga X
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Time: 1:36:48
Calories Burned: 699
Avg Heart Rate: 106
Max Heart Rate: 136

Not my best Yoga X workout. I had a bit of an upset stomach going in, but I stuck with it, did my best, and finished it up. Again, a great calorie burn. Of the five Yoga X workouts this round, only one has been below 693 calories burned. 600 used to be the norm. My average heart rate has been around 106 for this round, where it used to be around 99. I'm not sure why the difference, or even if it's good or bad to have a higher heart rate during a routine that's supposed to be relaxing, but is strenuous at the same time.

SUNDAY - December 19, 2010 - Weigh In & Rest
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Weight: 181.1 Body Fat: 23.6%

A gain of .9 lbs and .2% body fat. For some reason, I'm not sweating the results. I didn't eat perfect this week, but I'm conscious of it.

Monday, December 6, 2010

ROUND 7 - Week 3

This is a CLASSIC PHASE 1 WEEK

MONDAY - December 6, 2010 - Chest and Back
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Time: 56:14
Calories Burned: 589
Avg Heart Rate: 126
Max Heart Rate: 158
Total Pushups: 206
Total Pullups: 27

An increase of 14 pushups from two weeks ago, which I'm happy with, and an increase of 3 pullups from two weeks ago, which I'm not (still pathetic on the pullups). I was strong on the pushups in the early going, but leveled off later on. One thing that may have contributed to that leveling off is that I cut my "pause" time for the workout down from 10 minutes to only 4 minutes. Usually I'm taking all kinds of breaks with this workout, but I felt good today. As I've mentioned numerous times before, this workout is my nemises, but ironically I feel better after this workout than any other. Go figure.

TUESDAY - December 7, 2010 - Plyometrics
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Time: 58:48
Calories Burned: 654
Avg Heart Rate: 130
Max Heart Rate: 157

A good workout. My heart rate was up early and in the 150's for most of the 5th set.

WEDNESDAY - December 8, 2010 - Shoulders and Arms
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Time: 1:06:12
Calories Burned: 642
Avg Heart Rate: 121
Max Heart Rate: 155

I took a few more pauses and made a few adjustments up and down on some weight, but otherwise it was pretty much a repeat of Shoulders and Arms from two weeks ago. I'm pleased overall, but may want to increase the weight in the future to keep growing. I'm just not sure where. I tweaked a muscle near my left shoulder blade, so maybe I shouldn't try to be a hero just yet.

I tried Shakeology (Chocolate) for the first time today. It was better than expected, and I'm going to give it a fair shot to see if it really makes a difference.

THURSDAY - December 9, 2010 - Yoga X
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Time: 1:38:06
Calories Burned: 719
Avg Heart Rate: 106
Max Heart Rate: 138

I thought I did great on most of the moves, and I got a great calorie burn, but my mind was wandering throughout the whole workout. I'm not sure if that's success or not.

FRIDAY - December 10, 2010 - Legs and Back
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Time: 59:13
Calories Burned: 560
Avg Heart Rate: 119
Max Heart Rate: 162
Pullups: 60

Not a great workout. My pullups were 8 more than last time, but they're still not there. On the first set of Reverse Grip Chinups I convinced myself I couldn't do them, and only did 8. I've done many more than that in the past. To my credit, I came back with 10 on the repeat. Still not good, but at least it's a positive. The leg exercises were OK, but my balance was really bad on some of them, such as the Super Skaters and Deadlift Squats.

SATURDAY - December 11, 2010 - Kenpo X
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Time: 59:14
Calories Burned: 521
Avg Heart Rate: 116
Max Heart Rate: 142

My mind was wandering through the warmup, but once I started going, I thought it went well.

SUNDAY - December 12, 2010 - Weigh In and Ab Ripper X
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Weight: 180.2 lbs Body Fat: 23.4%

A drop of 1.6 lbs and .5% body fat. A small step in the right direction. I'm going to be using the Shakeology this week, and hope I'll see a difference.

Ab Ripper X
Time: 19:06
Calories Burned: 142
Avg Heart Rate: 107
Max Heart Rate: 144
Total Moves: 383

For some reason my legs were burning more than usual on the first four moves, but everything else went OK. 68 Mason Twists.