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So, I did my first official day of P90X today.   We had some hiccups yesterday, so I did do a light workout, but today was the first day of the program.  We had to start on Day 2, which is Plyometrics.

It was pretty brutal.  No single exercise was difficult to perform.  It was running in place, jumping jacks, lunges, and then modified versions of all those.  However, they just keep switching them up every 30 seconds for an hour.

For the first 15 minutes, I was good, but I started to get afraid, since I was starting to get exhausted and it was only 1/4 over.  By the end, I was barely doing the moves anymore, but just doing what I could handle to get through it.  I would "find" spurts of energy even after getting gassed earlier, from time to time.  The hardest part was at about the 30 minute mark.

I feel good now.  I don't know if this is sustainable, but I'm going to try it.

What are you trying to accomplish Dave ?

good luck.

I did this for a month but was losing to much weight to where I wanted to put on mass.

Good program tho..  if you want to get cut up and shred some weight..

Today was shoulders, mostly.

Tough workout.  By the end, I was pretty much unable to do the stuff.  I had lowered the weights down from where I started, by a lot.  I was just trying to get through it.  I was very weak.  I'm hoping that this gets easier as you go.  On top of that, my legs are pretty sore from yesterday.  Unlike yesterday, I don't feel like I have more energy during the day.  I am tired.

I am also eating differently -- low carbs, high protein, including some supplemental shakes and energy bars.

There's supposed to be some kind of ab exercise supplement that I haven't touched yet, as well as some more food stuff that I'm not doing exactly.  Before, I was eating crap and not exercising, so I suppose this will be better.

^^^ Good point on exercising and eating habits.  When I get back into working out every fall, after eating and drinking the summer away, I just naturally eat healthier and lose the cravings for junk food.

What is your age, height, and weight ? It definitely gets easier as you go. I don't even get sore after the 1st or second week anymore. Not to mention, if you get some good mass going and then take some time off. It seems like that muscle mass comes back quicker when you start back.

I just got done with legs, back, and traps. Needless to say, Wednesday is not my favorite day, ha ha. I've heard good things about P90X. But then again I really don't believe that you will get better results over just picking or making your own good workout program. I wouldn't worry about the abs program until your body fat level is down around 9-11 %, where you can see your six pack. You may have plenty of definition or you may not. I don't like doing ab work unless I have to.

Nutrition is 80% of your success. The protein shakes are fine but I would use the bars sparingly. I could never lean out on them. Also, make sure that your total calories and macros are in check for your goals and try not to cheat much on the nutrition part. Consistency here is the main key. You have to be creative to make foods that satisfy your cravings. I love salad dressing but even the fat free and low calorie ain't that great for you. So I get a tub of low fat cottage cheese and blend it in the blender until smooth. It's kinda thick so you may have to stir and add a little low fat milk to get a good consistency. Then just add some powdered Ranch or Italian dressing mix and blend until smooth and mixed. Presto, you have a low fat high protein dressing. Pretty good too. You may fuck up the consistency on the first batch but by the 3rd you'll be a pro at it.

I am already lean.  I am 5'10" and weigh just a shade over 150 lbs.  I'm 34.  Regardless of what I eat, I stay between 150-160, but the fat areas just move around and I have no definition.  For me, I don't need to lose weight.  I just need to produce some muscle and tone up -- good weight, instead of bad weight, in other words.

Today's exercise was one that we modified for time.  We did the Yoga program for 30 minutes (the full routine is an hour and 30), and the the 15 minute Ab Ripper X.

The Yoga program kicked my ass.  It was brutal.  Flexibility has always been a problem area for me.  The Yoga is slow, grand movements, but there is no break in-between stuff.  I collapsed a few times having to catch my breath.  I had to just do the best that I could, but my form was bad and I was shaky a lot of the time.  I really underestimated the difficulty of the Yoga section.  ...the hardest thing we've done yet.  Unfortunately, it was kinda boring.  You do the same basic routine about 100 times in a row.

The Ab program went by quickly, but was hard, and I couldn't do it.  Again, I just did what I could.  It's very tightly packed, like Yoga...no breaks.  I was really tired after about the first 2 minutes.  The next 13 were bad news, with bad form.  I got through it, though.

I do feel better now than I did at the same time yesterday, after the shoulders day.

Chest, Tris, Bis, and shoulder day. Had to cut it to 40 minutes today but had a great workout.

 
I'm 39 last month, so I have a few years on you, ha ha. Right now I'm about 6'1 @ 185 lbs @ about 12-13% body fat.  About 10 years ago I quit lifting altogether for a couple years and got up to a chunky 230 lbs. I looked like I swallowed a honey dew melon whole. Most of the last few lbs of fat I'm holding is on my lower abs and the back of my hips. The shit on the back of my hips is what really pisses me off. That's the first place it goes and the last and the hardest to get rid of. Around 12% body fat and I still have a muffin top in jeans. I'm going to St Augustine for a week to a small family reunion the second week of July. Hopefully, I can shed the last few lbs.

Is this the same Dave that I have had a difficult time getting you to the weight room because you were not motivated?? This is news to me :)

Friday was legs and back, the easiest of the days.  Since it's rep based and I'm weak, I had more time to rest.  It still was hard, but since it switched between upper and lower body, you were able to get more done with less fatigue.

I skipped Kempo over the weekend.

Today was chest and back.  I am extremely weak in my chest, 1 because I'm a pussy and 2 because I had chest surgery when I was young, since I had a deformity.  Chest was mostly pushup variations: regular, wide, military, diamonds, and with your feet raised on a box.   I couldn't even do 1 of the diamonds.  I had to fake go down like 1/5 of the way.

We also added the full ab exercise to the end of the 1 hr workout today.  It was too much for me.  I felt like I was about to puke and was collapsed by the end of it and totally shaky.  The girl that I work out with was amazing today.  She was able to keep pace way better than I was -- she has better core strength.  It's good, because she keeps me motivated.  I am still eating good food.  One week down.

Yea, legs and back is Weds for me, I hate legs day. I really don't work them like I should either. I hit upper body Mondays and Fridays, I love upper body workouts. Push ups are good for chest, but if you want to gain some strength and size you probably need to do some DB weight work. I tend to mix up the chest stuff because my chest doesn't really grow compared to my triceps and biceps. You don't even need a bench either. Check out the chest exercises at http://scoobysworkshop.com/index.htm (http://scoobysworkshop.com/index.htm) for everything you need. I know most of the stuff there but his floor DB presses and flys are great if you don't have a spotter and seem to work pretty good.

There are dumbell things in P90X, too, but they're easier.  If you can't do it, just drop the weight amount.  With pushups, it is what it is.

Go to the site above and find the combo of both of them. I think they are called dumbbell fly pushups, ha ha. I can do maybe 1.5 of them, they are damn tough. You know, I had a guy I knew in a gym once who competed in bodybuilding, tell me that the best exercises and lifts to do are the ones that you are most uncomfortable with and the hardest for you. I have found that to be true for the most part.

BTW, how many push ups does the p90x thing have you doing ? Is it like so many sets and reps. Or just doing them for a time limit. I kinda do a circuit type superset thing on one upper body day a week. Like today I did elevated (feet elevated around 34-36 inches) pushups X 12, floor dumbbell flys X 10, and floor dumbell presses to failure. All that as one big set then 2 minutes rest then repeat from the beginning 3 times. Then I did the same kind of thing with my triceps, biceps, and lats. Total time was about 45 minutes. I hate that I don't get sore much anymore. If I ain't sore, I don't feel like I'm growing for some reason. Even though I know that is a myth, ha ha......

They ask you to do the pushup type of stuff as many times until you start to get sloppy.  It asks you to set a goal before the set and do what you can.  They stress quality of motion over quantity.

Today, I did Plyometrics again, which is basically a full body cardio workout.  It's the first exercise that I did, and the only one that I've done twice so far.  I do it at a pace I am comfortable.  Some exercises I can keep up, some I cannot.  The pace gets a little hectic, and there were a few times where I felt my heartbeat in my ears, but they always coincided with planned water breaks, so I was able to keep up pretty well.

I feel good today.  I feel some soreness in my abs, arms, and chest, but it's not debilitating.

Yesterday was shoulders and arms, plus the extra 15 minute ab ripper.  The regular exercise was good.  I felt OK when it was done.  However, the extra 15 minutes of abs wrecked me pretty good.  I am feeling less sluggish during the day now.

Today was yoga.  Last time we did Yoga, we only did about 30 minutes of it, because we added abs.  Now that we're on track, we did the full hour and 30 minutes.  The first half of that is very intense and very difficult.  My upper body is very tired from little things like holding my arms up for so long.  I got extremely shaky at times.  The Yoga seems to concentrate on the small muscles for long periods of time.  I thought I wasn't going to make it.   At about the halfway point (45 minutes), it switched to more balanced based stuff and stretching.  These were difficult and even painful, but in a different way that didn't "burn" the same way the first half did.  The last 15 minutes or so were just simple stretches, concentration, and relaxing poses.

Right now, about 2 1/2 hours later, I feel it in my arms, but also feel pretty good.  I am not starved and malnourished feeling like I was when I first started.

Keep It up Dave!!

You'll start seeing noticeable body comp. changes in about 4-5 weeks, if or course you are consistent with your nutrition and exercising. And you keep trying to go up on weights and workout difficulty. Did you take a before pic ? If not, go take one and in a month or so take another and compare. That will keep you motivated !!!

Thanks for the support.  I find that this is much easier if I'm talking about it and thinking about it a lot. 

I did take a before pic.  I also took weight and measurements of arms, chest, legs, waist, etc.

I'm already noticing changes now.  They are minor, and are probably because my arms and chest are filled with blood every day after working out.  I want to take a picture after I work out on the last day, but also in a few days after, to see what I look like at rest.

I'm concerned about the 2nd month.  You start to have to do 2 a days....one workout in the morning and another full one in the evening.  That's going to be hard to pull off, just from a logistics standpoint.  I'll have to bring 2 sets of workout clothes to work and change multiple times in the day.  Tough.

I started Around the 2nd week of April after being off for 4-6 months. So I have a 4-5 week jump on ya. So I will take my after pic before I go to St Augustine on vacation the 2nd week of July. I'll probably continue through the summer but I have a before and I'll take a 3 month picture. Since P90X is pretty structured and tells you pretty much everything from exercises and nutrition, I would be interested to see if the P90X works any better than me just kind of winging it week by week on a regular type workout.

Off day today, but got chest, arms and shoulders tomorrow. Hell, I'm sitting here hungry as shit right now. Dinner is 1 cup of cottage cheese, a lite yogurt, and 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter...........

Keep up the good work Dave!!

P90X is a good program and is def not one of those gimmicks like 3 min abs infomercials :D

Although, I am skeptical of all the infomercial shit they sell @ 4am on Sunday mornings, I'm pretty sure it is a great program. The intensity of the program seems a bit over the top to me and I've been working out for a good while. I wasn't downing it at all, I am just curious about if it works any better than a traditional type routine. Hell, I wish that I had something like that way back when I first started. It would have made the process a lot easier. But then again I like learning and figuring stuff out on my own. I would probably be a better guitar player if I would have taken lessons 24 years ago when I started, but I tried to learn that on my own too. I guess that it's the "OCD" in me, ha ha........... 

It's probably not all that different than a traditional program, but it's very structured and tells you what to do across the entire thing.  It's also starting from the perspective that you are already somewhat fit and can handle the pace.

This is week 3, which is the same as weeks 1 and 2.   4 changes a bit, but I'll cover that when I get there. 

Yesterday was chest/back + the extra ab routine.  I am finding that I have a little more in the tank early, but I'm increasing my weight amount to match, and I'm still winded by the end.  I maybe took it a little too hard yesterday and found myself half-assing the abs part. 

Today was plyometrics only, which is high impact -- lots of jumping and stress on the joints.  I have kinda bad knees, so I try to be really careful.  Same story as with yesterday, I am doing more early -- same exercises, and plyometrics is no weights, but I am getting deeper squats, longer lunges, etc.  I was ready to be done and had to push through the end, but I did it.

Diet:

I have not been following the diet exactly.  I'm eating too many carbs, in terms of fruit and natural sugars.  They are good for you, but not what I need at this point.  Right now is all about cutting fat.  Phase 2, which is in 2 weeks allows me to work in some of that stuff.  I'm going to hit the low carb thing really hard for the next 2 weeks.

Good news!

My workout partner was reading the schedule to me and we expected to have to start 2 a days (morning and evening) workouts, starting in the 2nd phase, and then every day in the 3rd phase.

She was reading the wrong page!

I don't have to do 2-a-days at all, which is great news -- not only because that's too much commitment, but because my schedule wouldn't allow for it.  Now, I think that I'll be able to complete the full program (except for the 1 weekend day we miss).

Each day is still hard, but I feel like I'm getting a little more out of the workout.  I feel leaner and my face looks thinner.  Next week is recovery week -- no lifting -- all core, balance, stretching, cardio, etc.

Then we're supposed to up our difficulty and exercises in week 5, as well as introduce some carbs into the diet.

Good deal. I have a month long cutting phase to start Monday. I'd like to get a little bigger before cutting calories but I would rather have my abs for my vacation to St Augustine. Gonna be tough, but I've leaned out pretty good and added some mass in about  6-7 weeks and I haven't even been doing much cardio, ha ha. So starting Monday of next week I'll add 3 cardio sessions and then add one more per week until the end of June. I'll do the same with my diet. I'll shave 200 calories off starting Monday and subtract 200 a week until the end of june with no carbs but fibrous veggies after 4pm. I'll keep the same lifting schedule of Monday, Weds, and Fri and try to keep the intensity the same but the limited calories may hinder any progress. I may add an ECA stack to keep some energy for the workouts and help with suppressing the appetite. I hate cutting, I like to eat too much  ;D   

I'm almost inspired Dave.  I've been talking to Drew about doing this with me.   I really need to do something.  Did you buy the program or "borrow" it from someone?

I didn't steal it, if that's what you're asking.

My buddy Brian bought it and did some of it piecemeal, but then gave up.  I borrowed it from him.

We have modified the program and removed day 6 (Saturday), because it's just not realistic for my life.   We started week 4 today, which was a new exercise, Core Synergistics.  It's a full body workout that focuses on your chest, back, and abs, with low weights and high reps, with cardio built in.  I think I sweated today more than any other so far.  This particular week has no "lifting".  It's supposed to be a healing week.  Next week, we hit the heavy weights full go.  I also get to change up my food intake next week, which is good for me, since I'm sick of all protein all the time.  I have lost a few pounds and I'm already a scrawny dude.  It will be nice to put on a little bit of size.

Today, we had another new exercise, Kempo X.  It's a cardio-based program, using fighting: punching, kicking, knees, elbows, blocks, and some boxing-style jumping jacks and jumprope. 

This was the easiest exercise we've had yet.  It was a workout, but it used no weights, and though I wasn't able to keep pace sometimes, it wasn't usually because I was tired, but instead because I couldn't get set in position quickly enough.  I was sweaty and worked out by the end, but I still had energy at the end.  I do feel some tenderness in my back, from the repeated motions.

I feel that today's exercise played into some of my strength areas.

Tomorrow is Stretch X.  I am anticipating that it won't be so difficult, but that it will hurt.  My flexibility has always been bad, but it's improving some.

Dave, I'm impressed by your level of commitment to this program.  I have a few questions:
1- do you think that, if you didn't have a partner to workout with, you would be as motivated to continue?
2- do you feel that this program is good for those of us looking to lose weight rather than to get ripped?
3- does the meal plan you are "following" come as a part of the program, or did you consult with a nutritionist separately?
4- do you find that "any" exercise program in combination with your meal plan would show results?  In other words, is the exercise routine something that seems to be specially coordinated for maximum results, or just a set of exercises?
5- do you feel that working out at home (or wherever) is more effective than going to a gym?

Sorry for the barrage, but I have been intrigued by this program for a while, but I am skeptical that (a) my fat ass would even be able to do it and (b) its worth the hefty price tag (especially given part a).

No.  Not even close.  Without someone to hold me accountable (and for me to motivate, as well), there's no way I'd continue.


Absolutely.  A common misconception is that P90-X is only for those who already work out.  There are 2 philosophies that they continue to preach: do your best (forget the rest), and MODIFY.  So, if an exercise is too hard, or you have bad joints and it causes pain where it shouldn't, you can change it.  I don't do pull-ups, for example.  1) I don't have a bar in the gym, but also 2) I won't be able to do very many.  I do the chest or lat pulldown machine instead.  But if I had a pull up bar, he recommends putting a chair underneath to use one foot, to help you get to 8 or 12 reps.

Also, P90-X has different levels to choose from.  I'm doing "classic", which is supposed to get you ripped.  There is also a harder version, where you bulk extra, if you're already big and strong.  The 3rd version is "lean" and I think that's more for women that want to lose weight without getting definition.


It comes as part of the program.  It's REALLY specific, down to what to eat, meal by meal, snack by snack.   That was too much for me, so I follow the general guidelines (low carbs, high protein to start.) 


It would probably show results, yes.  But this is good because it tells you exactly what to do, and those things keep changing.  You avoid hitting a plateau, because you aren't doing the same things over and over.  Also, the meal plan is supposed to match the program.  You start getting more carbs in your diet as you up the intensity.  The program is a combination of jump training, traditional lifting geared towards muscle groups, yoga, kempo, stretching, and cardio.  You are also supposed to write down the amount of reps and the weight that you do, so we you intensify, you can up your amounts.  That is one part that I was hesitant to follow, but it makes a difference.


I work out at work.  It's a gym, but it's really just a room with some weights in it and a TV.  The vast majority of exercises don't need heavy weights.  I use 15 lb. weights for most things.  ...but sometimes lower.  You don't need a big weight rack or bench or anything like that.


No problem.  I love talking about it.  It keeps me motivated.

It also just plays to the strengths of my personality.  I am not very good at making ongoing choices.  So, if I had to work out for as long as I felt, until I was done, I wouldn't do well.  If I have to work out for an hour, I can do it.   The same with food.  I am good with strict diets.  No bread means no bread.  I never cheat.  I never almost cheat.  Bread may as well not exist.  It's when I'm trying to make moment by moment choices that I fall short.

Dave how about some before and after pics?

I took a before pic.  I will take one at 30 and 60 days, and then a final one.  But I don't think I should show them, or even look at them until I'm all done.

I'll only have a before and after. I might post them up 2nd week of July or I may just post mine with yours. When is your 90 days up ? You look to be a month behind me so I may do a 120 day with my before and after. Depends on what I want to do after I get back from vacation...........

I am at the end of my 1st month now.  So, 2 more months, roughly.  Early August?

Today I started the workout portion of Phase 2.

It's similar to before, except we did Chest, Biceps, and Triceps.  Some exercises were ones that we've been doing, but they are in conjunction with new things.

It was very pushup heavy.

I was actually a little bit nervous, having heard so much about it.  Sure enough, it was hard.  I did my best and modified so that I was feeling worked out with each exercise.  I was beat by the end, comparable to the first couple of weeks of the program. 

No P90X yesterday.  My workout partner took the day off.  We also missed this morning, but are slated to do Yoga X after work today.

A few questions Dave,kind of adding to Brian's questions..... :D

1.) I know you're trying to add some muscle,tone up...What happens after the 90 day workout?

As a fat guy,I walk by a restaurant and gain 5 lbs,So diet and exercise has to be a lifestyle change...not just a quick diet.I would love to swim a 2-3 times a week,I love water,and think it's something I could for a lifetime.

(I'm sorry not knowing Mrs. Dave made me wonder.Sorry for being so personal,overly touchy feely,all about the feelings of the question..Feel free to tell me none of my business)

2.) I'm curious about Mrs. Dave's thoughts on your working out,while she's with child,was she all for it?

(just from my experience) The hormones,and changes with the woman's body getting bigger is sometimes really hard on them...You're sort of going through kind of life changing,self improvement...It tends to make for a hard situation,on top of being pregnant...

After the 90 days, there is a maintenance type of thing.  It's not as strenuous as the regular program.  ...like a traditional weight/cardio program a few times a week, plus normal, healthy eating.  I have not looked into the specifics of that, yet.

As for my wife, you're totally right.  I think it's hard on her to see me trying to be fit, while she gets bigger with pregnancy.  I talk about the program a lot, because it uses up so much of your mental capital.  I think she may be resentful sometimes, but she hides it well.  I wouldn't say that she goes out of her way to be supporting, but she's understanding, at least.

I'm back into it fully.  Yesterday was yoga (after work).  I am improving, but got ambitious in a move that I wasn't ready for and (literally) fell on my head.  That was unpleasant and a little bit scary.  I was able to pull off a new move (if only for a second).

Today was legs and back.  I increased weight and reduced reps and got through it pretty well.  The Ab Ripper supplement is getting easier, as well.  My form is getting better.

I didn't take 30 days pictures.  My camera is locked in the office, so I keep forgetting to take it home.  I'll do it at the end, I guess.

Take a 32 days picture.  Its not too late!

Before we started:
(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/DaveStart.JPG)

After Phase 1 (really, at the 35 day mark):
(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/Davephase2.JPG)

Side by Side:
(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/DaveCompare.jpg)

I also have side pics and back pics.  I notice the most difference in my shoulders, ab definition, and shape of my arms.  I took a picture flexing today, but since I didn't have a "before" flexing pic, there's not much to measure it against.

I also have pics of my workout partner, and another girl who's not doing P90x, but is doing a pilates and yoga program.  Both show results, but my life would be threatened if I posted their picture.

Damn, are you posting pics already, ha ha ? Just couldn't wait to show off could ya. Anyhow you are doing good for just a month or so in. I think that I'll wait til my 90 is up to post my pics. Just make sure that if I leave them up too long and can't edit my post that you will take them down if I ask you to. I wish I had all those dumbbells that you have in the pics. My equipment is what you would call, "limited", ha ha.


BTW, is that a scar on your chest ?

Yep, that's a scar.  I had surgery for pectoral excavatum when I was 5.  Google it....it's pretty crazy looking.   I have a scar all the way from my bellybutton to my sternum.

Ha, ha, we can compare workouts and scars. At least I ain't the only one. I got one too, had colon cancer in 2002 and they removed the tumor and a foot of shit pipe to go with it. Goes from an inch above my belly button down about 6 inches. It is probably more noticeable than yours though. The color is darker. I guess that it's good to have since it didn't kill me but I wish I could make it go away !!!

Hey that's weird. I googled pectoral excavatum and after reading it I can tell you that my best friend that I've known since the 5th grade has that exact same thing. He never got it fixed though. He lives in Memphis now and I haven't seen him with his shirt off for a long time. But since he is cultivating his pot belly and man boobs these days, it probably isn't a pretty sight. We always used to joke about how his parents used to drop him and beat him on his chest with a ball peen hammer.

dave, looks like you are starting to lose some weight.. u can see from the pics.. and you beard has grown 1" and a half..  ;D

keep up the good work

Today was Chest, Biceps, and Triceps. + Ab Ripper

I did this last Monday, as well.  It's so pushup heavy, and I suck at doing a lot of those.  ...but whatever.  It's easier each time, not only because you're supposedly stronger, but also because you know what the exercise is supposed to feel like, and you don't have to toy around with finding the right weight as much, if you'd written it down the week before.

I was pretty gassed today, and don't feel like I'm progressing as much as I did at the very start.  I think I'm going to make a more concerted effort to eat properly in the next week.  I've done OK in the prior week, but as I was in the process of moving, I didn't have the ability to choose everything perfectly.  I stayed within the general idea of the program in upping the carbs a bit, but probably have gone too high on the fat.

Great work Dave!! You can tell your shoulders are getting larger, the fat around the waist is shrinking. Keep it up!!

I did P90X for about 2 months and my body definition definitely changed...but the diet portion is the hardest thing for me to keep up with. I went out of town for 1-2 weeks and stopped the workouts and really struggled to get back into it, and then the Holidays came...ugh.

About 2 years ago, I got up to around 200lbs at 5 11", and started the Atkins diet, which was really tough,  but it worked for me. I lost about 29lbs in 3 months. Slowly I started to get back into bad habits and have gained back half the weight. but I have just started a workout routine again 2 weeks ago(Crossfit)....more weights and cardio combined. Now I just need to up the protein and cut the carbs. I have lifted more weight in this program than I even thought I could.

Good luck and keep the updates coming...

Plyometrics today (jump training).

This is the shortest exercise, at about 1 hour.  I have bad knees, and I feel it in these exercises, because it puts the most strain on the joints.

Today was Phase 2 - Back and Biceps + Ab Ripper

We missed Wednesday of last week, so we debuted these exercises today.  It's some of the same exercises we saw from two different discs from Phase 1, and then some more intensified exercises that were new.

Lots of pull-ups, lots of curls, lots of rows.   ...that was pretty much it, aside from like one other thing.  There were just different variations and positions.  A notable one was "corn cob pull ups", where you do a pull up (or a lat pulldown), and then once flexed, pulling left, right, pushing out, and then bringing back to the normal position.  Another one that was very difficult was the last one, regular curls with 4 different sets of weights.  You do 8 at the highest amount, then do 8 at the next highest amount, then 8, then 8.  At the end, I was curling with 10 pounds and it felt like 100.

We wasted a lot of time today, since it was the first time.  You have to pause to figure out the form and catch-up, as well as not really knowing the correct weight.  We wrote everything down and took notes on difficulty, so that we should be able to maximize next week.

I see the guys doing those "corn cob pull ups" on TV and makes me think "holy hell those guys are ridiculous"

I don't think I will ever - and I mean EVER - be able to do that.  Ever.

^ It doesn't matter.  You're expected to use a chair to support as much weight as you need.

I am doing lat pulldowns at 75 lbs.  It's half of my bodyweight, but it's still a workout.

Yeah, those are rough....I could go side to side for a couple times but going out and back is nearly impossible.

Today, I'm horribly sore in what feels like my upper tris/shoulders.  Back and Biceps were yesterday, so I don't know what I did to get that part of my arms sore.  I'm also really tight in my inner thighs.  I played kickball the other night, and though it's not an intense exercise, it does involve a full sprint to 1st base.

We did yoga this morning.  Because I'm so sore in my upper arms, shoulders, the first half of the yoga was BRUTAL.  I had to focus to even hold my arms over my head.  I also introduced a yoga block today, which is just a big foam cube that allows you to put weight down, when you can't reach the floor on stretches.  (It has a few other uses, as well.)  It allows you to put your energy towards your stretches, instead of putting the energy on your fingertips to hold you up.  So, though it's technically easier to do the stretches, you get more out of them, and it ends up being a harder workout.  Because I felt a little bit more wasted than usual, I didn't get ambitious with the move that made my fall on my head last time, and skipped it.

Now, I feel good, but am still sore.  I am looking forward to resting over the weekend.

Do you only work out Mon thru Fri?  Is the program designed for that, or is that your choice?

The program is designed for 6 days a week.  We only do 5.  The 6th day that we skip on Saturday is Kempo, which is pretty much a cardio day.

Today is the 3rd (and final intense week) of Phase 2.  Next week is a rest/stretch/cardio week, so I'm supposed to push myself this week.

Today is chest, tris, and shoulders.  I upped the intensity, and tried to do more.  I am spent.

For some of the moves (pushups), I elected to go to my knees, and do more reps, rather than trying to squeeze out sloppy reps at full weight.  I slipped up a little bit over the weekend, in terms of food (not too bad), so I'm going to really lock it down this week.

Today was plyometrics (jump training), which has become the easiest workout day for me.  My workout partner still hates it.  All along, Tony Horton, the guy on the video, talks about modifying if you feel weak that day.  I felt weak in my knee joints today, and for the first time, had to really back off of the plyo, being afraid that the impact would turn to an injury.  I was very careful with my landings.  I didn't push myself today, in that respect.  I think I'm going to start wearing an elastic sleeve for just a little bit of extra support.

Do you get to choose which workouts to do on what day, or is that dictated by the program?

The workouts are dictated by the program.  The buzzword is "muscle confusion", so they are always switching up what exercises you do.  Of those exercises, though, you are able to modify to make them more or less difficult, depending on your level of fitness + what you have available for that day.

For example, let's say that you're doing lunges with your hands above your head.  The modified version (to make it easier) is to have your hands on your waist.  Then, maybe there's a version where you can hole light weights to make it a little more difficult.

Some exercises that they do are easy for me, so I'm able to ramp it up.  Other ones, I'm weak, so I back it off.

Back and biceps + Ab ripper today.

You're supposed to write this stuff down as you go.  It really makes a difference.  By making notes on the reps/weight you used + if it was too easy or too hard, you're able to not fumble around figuring out what you should be doing, wasting energy, and not getting the most out of the workout.

I'm up to 85 lbs on the lat pulldowns (starting from 65).  It's still light for most people, but it's what I'm capable of doing.  I am going to keep it on this weight for a while.  I've also increased the weight of some curls. 

The Ab Ripper is easier for me (still sucks and is hard, but at least I can do it.  I still need to work on improving my form.

Is Ab Ripper mostly crunches and sit ups?  Or do they give you innovative new ways to work out your abs?  Does it also work on the oblique muscles?

Abs consist of 11 different exercises, none of which are straight-up sit-ups or crunches.  There are a couple of moves that are modified sit-up versions.

Time is getting tight for me. I've got approx 15 days left. I'm down to around 12% body fat. I don't think that I'm gonna hit my 9% goal. Have to lose 4-5 fat lbs to hit 10% which will be tough but doable. I would have to lose 6-7.5 to hit 9 %. That shit ain't gonna happen in 2 weeks, ha ha.

I did Yoga today.  I am getting a little bit frustrated that I can't do some of the moves and continue to fall out.  It's also tedious for the first half of it.  I am improving in certain areas, though.

I did weigh myself today, and (I don't know if this is good or bad) I seem to still be losing, or at the very least, not gaining, weight.  I'm at 145, which is the weight I was in college.  I don't think I look overly thin or scrawny, though.  I'm hoping that I fill out a little bit in the next phase of the program.

I got Insanity from a friend.  It looks to be more appropriate for me than P90x.  I'm going to give it a try...

I saw the preview for that Insanity program.  It looks to be too much for me.

After looking at some of the videos, I think I underestimated the whole thing.  It seems very cardio-centric, but I liked that it doesn't require a ton of gym equipment and benches and dumbbells.  Also, the workouts appear to be shorter (in time).

I am going to try it, and we'll see.  Got nothing to lose.  Maybe it'll work...?

Try Insanity.  Let me know how it goes.

Today was legs & back + Ab Ripper X and the final "lifting" day in Phase 2.  The next week is cardio, yoga, stretching, kempo, etc....but nothing to grow muscles...only repair.  The legs stuff was pretty easy today.  But Abs were hard.  It's strange how some exercises are easier one day and harder the next.

I gotta stay with the food program this next week and really lock it down.  Phase 3 lets me start loading carbs.

Brian if your trying to cutup/lose some fat.. this is a good program for you

You can get a pullup bar and the weights you need for $50. or less..

take some before and after pics

I'm looking to lose A LOT of fat.  So, yeah.  I just need to get the motivation to start it.

My workout partner has a fever.  No workout this morning.  She said that we might do it after work, but I think that we most likely will not.  It's supposed to be yoga today.  Luckily, it's the recovery week.

Today was Core Synergistics.  I don't feel like I "brought it", but I got through it.  At least I'm back in it.

I thought my partner was going to die today.  She was sick yesterday.  Now, she's missing from the office.  I think she may be slumped over dead in the bathroom.  Her corpse will be sexy as hell, though.

Yesterday was Kempo.  Easy cardio.  I am learning to kick people in the face, while simultaneously looking FUCKING A-MA-ZING!
Today was stretch.  ...even easier, but it puts you in a good mood for the day.

Tomorrow is Core Synergistics again, then on to phase 3 -- hell week.  My partner is making me go on 4th of July.  That bitch.

I take it she doesn't read your updates ;)

Next time I see you, I want you to kick someone in the face, so I can tell if you are learning anything.

Last Friday - Core Synergystics....not too bad.

--- START PHASE 3 (I can eat carbs, plus I have to increase weight and push myself.)

Monday was a bitch -- Chest and Back + Ab Ripper.  I hit it hard and got tired and I'm even kinda sore, which I haven't been for a while.  By the time abs came around, I was almost out of gas.  I could tell, though, that I'm stronger.  Writing your stuff down lets you compare to what you did before.  I'm lifting more and doing more pushups, and it's not nearly as hard.

Today was plyometrics.   I thought it would be easy, since it's the same thing from when we started, but it was not at all.  I think that when you start getting better, you do your exercises deeper, cleaner, and better, and it ends up gassing you the same.

Today was plyometrics.

Today was biceps, triceps, and shoulders.  I wasn't feeling well this morning.  I was a little bit nauseous waking up today.  I pushed through the workout, including increasing weight.  Most of the weights I was using the last time I did this exercise were 15 pounds.  ...so to increase the weight, the next step up is 20 pounds, which is a 25% increase.  That's a lot.  I was totally burned out after that + the ab ripper.  I was gagging afterwards.  Now I'm working, but I feel like total crap and may have to go home.

Yoga today.  I'm improving, able to now to push-ups in between a few of the motions.  Parts still suck and I constantly fall out and have to come back in.  This particular workout makes me sweat more than anything else we do.  It's getting easier.

I'm eating carbs now, too.

Well, the time has come  ;D My 90 days is up and headed to St Augustine Saturday @ 2am. I guess that I have to take a picture tomorrow. I didn't quite reach my goal but I'm happy with the results. I'm about 1-1.5 % body fat percentage away from 9% where I wanted to be. That would put me @ around 10-10.5 % right now. It's all lower abs below the belly button and lower back love handle area. I'll take a pic or 2 tomorrow to go with my 30 and 60 day pics. I'll try to get them up in the next few days.

Someone give me a random 5 digit number.

BTW Dave how do you do the side by side pics like you posted earlier in the thread ?

I did the side by side pics with Photoshop, using simple crop techniques.  If you don't know how to do it, you can email me your photos and I'll make one for you. 

d a v e g r a y@thedolphinsmakemecry.com (no spaces)

EDIT - Pics sent Dave. Sorry about the suck ass cell phone quality. Anyhow even though I didn't hit my goal I'm kinda happy with the results. Not bad for almost 40 years old I guess. I didn't want to post the before pic, ha ha. It looks worse on the camera that I remember. Anyhow, I plan to continue to try to get as low body fat as possible thru the end of August or September. Then I'm gonna try to do a clean bulk for 3-4 months and re evaluate. What muscle groups do you guys think I need to work on ? My tris, bis, shoulders, lats, traps, all seem to be responding and growing pretty good even while cutting. My pecs have grown but they still kinda suck. I hope it's not genetic. Kinda like Sylvester Stalone vs Arnold Swartzanager. If you saw Sylvester by himself he looks big, but put him next to the terminator and you can tell the genetic difference in the pecs. I think I'm doomed to always have smaller flatter pecs, ha ha. Vacation time, I gotta run.......................... ..

Didn't work out this morning -- gotta do it after work.  Here are updated pics, after week 9.

(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/Dave60.jpg)

Monday - after work - Chest, Shoulders, Tris.  ..brutal, and I kept the intense weight.  We had a 3rd person working out with us, so it kinda kept me motivated, watching her struggle with the new exercises.

Tuesday was Plyo - I had a crap day all around.  I overslept, I forgot the right stuff for work and had to go home, and was just out of it, mentally.  I did the workout, but didn't push it.

Wednesday - Back and Biceps -  I had another late night, plus a bad day yesterday and weight increases before then, so I decided to not increase today.  I did the same weight amount from 2 weeks ago (the last time I did this same workout).  It was much, much easier, which shows improvement, I guess.  I did increase the number of reps when it was easy, but I wrote it down.  I do this again in 2 weeks, where I'll push myself again. 

Hey Dave, did you ever get those 3 pics I emailed to you to do the side by side thing ?

Here are badger's pictures:

(http://thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/badger.jpg)

Today was yoga.  Good report.  I did very well and was able to finally do crane, the pose where I previously fell on my head, as well as some wheel, which I've been working towards.  I still have trouble with the one-legged balance postures, but I'm seeing progress.

I had a rough few days with food, eating more crap than I should, especially since I kept having birthday cake(s) show up around me.  Even still, I have dropped a belt loop size today.  I feel good.

I think I'm hitting some kind of mental wall.  It's really hard to get motivated for me right now, and I'm very close to the end.

Monday -- I missed work due to some personal crap with my new place (the city mixed up our bills).  By the time I took care of it, half the day was over.  Anyway, I didn't go in afterwards to work out.

Tuesday -- We had a work picnic on Sunday and we played a bunch of games -- volleyball, kickball, basketball, whiffleball, threw the football, etc.  I was sore, despite having worked out a lot and played kickball regularly.  I guess it's just muscles I haven't been using the same way.  Anyway, for Plyometrics on Tuesday, my knees were really sore and the workout was very straining on them.

Today (Wednesday) -- Arms and Shoulders -- I tried to match myself from the last time + I increased weight and reps in some places.  It's getting very hard.  I pushed myself and had a tough go of it.  By the time we got to abs, I was pretty spent and had trouble getting it together.

Dave looking good bro.. P90X deff was for you..

and Badger dam.. getting shredded huh.. whats your routine.. sorry dave dont want to hijack your thread..

Today was yoga.  I did pretty well today.  Two guys came in while we were working out and did some cardio, but then they dipped out.

It really depends on which picture you are talking about. My routine really didn't change much except for switching up different exercises every couple weeks. The main thing that I changed up on was calories and how much cardio I was doing. From the pictures I really can't tell much difference between the 2nd and 3rd. But in person I can tell that I am a lot leaner @ the 90 day mark. I can't really say I had much muscle growth if any in the last 2 pictures. What you think is lacking and that I need to focus on ?

Actually, while on vacation I only gained 3 lbs. And that's with drinking a lot for 8 days straight and eating out a lot.

Over all I think that you are good.. Your pretty ripped.. If I had to pick one thing.. maybe work on the chest? But you can already see a big difference from the 1st to the 3rd pic.. your chest did fill in a bit..

I am having the same problem.. I also need to work on my abs..

but good job!

I'm pretty impressed with Dave's progress. He's leaning out very well !!! But yea, I think my chest needs a little more bulk to it. I think that it's a bit of genetics and age for the poor shape but I'm gonna start a lean bulk in a month or two. I still wanna get to 9% body fat before I start bulking though. I'm not ripped yet, @ 9% I would be ripped. You wanna see ripped ? How about a ripped liver in St Augustine after a late night walk on the beach with my old friend Jose, ha ha.

BTW Pats, how's the mdrol working ?

(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p14/badger6/IMG093.jpg)

Hahahah mdrol didnt work out good.. didnt feel any thing from it so I ran 2 bottles of hdrol at 100mg..

added on 5-6 lbs of muscle.. hope to keep on during PCT!  Would post a pic but after yours I feel small lol

I thought mdrol and hdrol were the same ? Or is that sdrol ? Been a while, ha ha. I think I'm gonna run a cycle of something when I start my bulk up in a few months. Oh, and by the way, I am small. I just wanna look good, but @ 40 years old it's kinda hard, lol. Post some pics dude !!! 

Badger definitely looks like he's toned up quite a bit, but he had a pretty solid starting point. 

I am now in my last week of lifting, after finishing up Friday with legs, then Monday with Chest, Shoulders, and Tris.  Today was plyometrics and I did well.  I had a rough week with my knees last week, but this one was definitely better.

I was talking today about progress (since I'm nearing the end of the program), and a lot of the changes are not visible in the pictures we've taken.  The pictures definitely show the weight loss in key areas.  Without question, my neck flab and stomach fat are pretty much gone.  Those were problem areas before.  But I'm bigger in areas in my core that doesn't really show in the pictures: underneath my armpits, across the top of my back, and on the back of my upper arms.  There is also muscle definition where there was none before.  I still have a few days left this week and a full week of non-lifting exercises next week, but I think that what I am now is pretty much what I'm going to be. 

Am I ripped after 90 days?  No.  But I'm definitely in much, much better shape than when I started.  I'm probably in the best shape of my life, in terms of sheer strength and muscle definition.

I'm going to do the last week and see if the work I'm doing now gives me any more results.  From there, I have no plans.  I'm just trying to finish this program and then decide if I want to try to maintain, try to move on to a different program, or just go back to being a fat, out-of-shape loaf.

Yea Dave, I try to do at least 3 months every year, starting sometime in the spring. But when I first started a long time ago, I had to do 9 months to see dramatic results. It's kinda progressive and consistency really matters as does diet. I hope you take a couple weeks off and then continue on with the adventure. If you don't you'll never know how far you could go. A different program might give different results !!!

Dave.. maybe take a little break.. Then if I were you I would start hitting the gym. Lifting and cardio.. nothing against P90X but I think you might be able to get better results? Just my opinion... put on some muscle and trim up

^^ P90X is pretty much lifting and cardio (with a day thrown in for Yoga).  I'm happy with my results.  I don't want to come off like I'm displeased.  I think that P90X will probably work really well with people who are strong, but fat.  They will burn off the fat and the muscle with show even more.  I was already pretty thin, except for some problem areas.  Even then, I've built quite a bit of muscle.  I'll post my measurements after next week.

Today was my last day of lifting (biceps and back), since I'll be out of town on Friday.   I hit it hard today, increasing weight and reps.  I also killed it when it came to abs.  So, good stuff for me today.  Strangely, it also dawned on me that I think I may have been doing one or two exercises incorrectly.  When I did them correctly today, I was like "Holy crap."  They worked out different areas than before.  Oh well.  From here on out, it's all non-impact, recovery-type stuff: Yoga, core, kempo, stretching.  That stuff still builds and leans, but not aggressively.

I agree pats. P90X is more of a recomp type program, which ain't bad for what it's supposed to do. But you can only recomp so long before you have to either go into a bulking or cutting phase. Most people can't bulid muscle and lose body fat for too long before they plateau. If I were you Dave, I would take a couple weeks off and then go straight into a cutting routine until you hit around 10% body fat. Probably take a couple months. Let me warn you though, you're gonna be hungry most of the time, ha ha. Then once you get down on body fat. I would start a moderate lean bulk through the winter, IMHO.............

I don't think that cutting fat is my best course of action.  I'm pretty skinny as it is.

Hell I'm kinda skinny and I'm gonna keep cutting for the next 30-45 days. People think that I'm crazy, but as far as I'm concerned, the lower the body fat the better before bulking because you're gonna gain a bit of fat while bulking. I was only was only assuming that you were at a higher BF%. If you're somewhere around 10-12% you  could probably go straight into a bulking routine. That's just always worked well for me. You might want to check your BF% to get a better idea of where you are at...........

How do you check your BF%?  Calipers? 

I have calipers and a body fat scale, bout $35-40 for both. Neither is super accurate but between the 2 they are about 1% of body fat off from each other. And they fluctuate about the same with weight loss or gain. I just take 3 measurements with each one and average them then I average the 2 resulting numbers and use that as my BF%. May not be 100% accurate but it's close enough and tells me if I'm making progress or not.............

Today was yoga.  My workout partner is a girl and she does Yoga, barely sweating at all.  For some reason, it makes me sweat more than the other workouts.  I am drenched by the end.  I still suck at balance postures, specifically anything that requires standing on one leg.  There are these groups of moves that require you to stand on one leg and lean with your arms a bunch of strange ways.  I am falling out of position the entire time.  I am able to get in it and hold from time to time, and when I do, it really burns and works me out.  Through this whole program, though, my balance in that area still totally blows.

I also think that I discovered that I was doing a particular move incorrectly today, after all this time.  ...not a big deal, but a stretch I didn't feel before.

Last week!

Missed Friday :(     However, I went to Universal Studios and walked around for 10 hours sweating my balls off, so there's that.

Anyway, today was Yoga.  I did pretty well.  I still suck at the one-legged balance postures, falling out the entire time.  The rest are good.  I was thinking today, while showing after the workout, that although the workouts are hard, they have become much, much easier.  At the beginning, I was totally debilitated while trying to shower and get dressed.  Now, it's relaxing afterwards.

Tomorrow is core synergystics, which is weight based, but all in the core...not lifting. 

Side note: roller coasters made my back all tight and sore.  That's a workout in itself.

I woke up with a slight bit of blurred vision and light sensitivity this morning.  It was the beginning of a migraine.

About 10 minutes into Core Synergistics, I got hit with a wicked headache.  By the end of the workout, I had pretty bad nausea, as well.  I finished the workout, using little/no weights on some exercises.  I didn't want to quit, and at least do something.

Afterwards, I thought I might feel better, but didn't.  I had to go home, puke, and sleep it off.  Now, I 'm back at work and feel a bit dodgy, but am functional.

Today was Kempo.  It was easy and I felt fine from yesterday.

We're at the end of the workout, getting ready for final measurements and pictures.  I also have to come up with a maintenance plan, which I think we have an idea of what we want to do.

Dave.. if you had to rate P90X from 1 - 10 (10 being the best) what would you rate it? overall

Hmm.  Tough question.

For me (and that's important), it worked really well, because of how structured it was.  I could probably have gotten better results with other programs, but honestly, I probably wouldn't have followed the other programs like I did this one. 

Overall, I'm very happy with the program as a whole.  I think a few of the exercises might not do much (other than light cardio -- kempo, stretch), but they are seldom used and act as rest days anyway.  If your goals are to slim down and tone, it's very effective.

The downside is the length of some of the workouts -- yoga is pretty boring and a full hour and a half.   Also, you do need either a pull up bar or a machine to do a lot of the shoulder day effectively.

I'd say it's an 8/10.  I can't really complain.

Glad to hear that Dave.. if you need any assistance I know a Team Beachbody coach. I have his email and cell number if you had any questions with diet/workout.. doing P90X im sure you dont need me to explain who team beachbody is  :) no doubt though PM me if you want his info.. its free the guys just here to help..  post the before and after pics!!

I am done.  After an easy stretch day yesterday, I got a 2nd chance at Core today, not feeling like crap.  Now we're done with the 90 days.  Thanks to everyone that was supportive and gave their advice and shared their experiences.  Not to get all Carmelo on you guys, but I really want to thank myself for committing to something like this and sticking with it, getting up every day, etc....all without sacrificing my job or family.  I just played a lot fewer video games.

We did measurements at the beginning and now, to my surprise, I lost inches everywhere, even in places I thought I grew.  My chest and arms were smaller (I thought they'd bulked), and my waist, where I knew I had lost, shed 2 full inches.  It wasn't an exact science, so there may have been some measurement anomalies, but the numbers say what they say.

Here are the pictures.
(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/Dave90.jpg)

And I took this pic as a joke, fooling around, but it does a much better job showing the actual progress.  You can see the definition in my arms and abs much better.

(http://www.thedolphinsmakemecry.com/images/dave/Dave90Pose.jpg)

Congrats on your hard work....lean mean Dave Gray.... :D

Good shit bro!!

Keep it up. Dont stop here.

What are your plans now that your done with your P90X?

Actually after seeing that last picture of him posing, Dave is leaner than I was thinking at first. I would guess around 12%. Definitely don't stop there.

You done with PCT yet Pats ? You need to post some before and after pics. I'm trying to decide if I want to run something in a month or two. Not sure if it's worth it......

I'm not making too many plans for the future.  We've talked about starting another program, but we haven't nailed anything down yet.

For now, we're planning on doing a 3 day a week maintenance thing -- 1 lifting/abs day, 1 cardio day, and 1 yoga day.

This weekend, I ate like a disgusting pig, in celebration.  I need to get back on it today, in terms of maintaining a normal diet.

Dont have a before picture but I have a pic from deep sea fishing this weekend and a beach photo from a few weeks ago. Ill post them in a few..

I am about to start week 3 tomorrow..

.

Awesome.  Good luck.

I worked out today and have a plan, but need to come up with some kind of goal to keep things going.

My first thought when I saw those pictures... Andy Dick has been hanging out with Joe Piscopo.

lol

Dave..

What you been up to? Still working out bro?

I'm still kinda at it. I'm kinda in a maintenance phase since I got back from vacation though, only 2 workouts a week and no cardio. And haven't done really any lower body, ha ha. I hate leg day !!!! I haven't lost any size mass wise I don't think, but I've put on a pound or two of fat and @ about 12% BF give or take. So starting in Sept. I'm going back on a full blown cut again for a month to try to hit my original goal of 9%. Then regardless of where I'm at I'm going to do a lean bulk starting in Oct. 

I've still been working out 3 days a week - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.  I'm only doing it a way to maintain and am no longer pushing myself.

Tuesday, I'm doing a lift day + abs.  I'm alternating between the different P90X discs for that.  Each week, we do a different disc.
Wednesday, I'm doing a cardio day.  Again, I pick between the P90X discs for Cardio, Kempo, or Plyometrics.
Thursday is either a yoga or a stretch day.

I'm trying to do a day each week "off site", rather than in the gym.  So, this week, I went surfing in the morning.  Next week, I'm going to do hot yoga at a studio.  Maybe I'll go running, etc.

Good shit bro.. I am still going 6 days a week but I just changed my routine and I am going to be going 5 days and 2 off... high reps


Good for you dave! Keep at it.

**Update??

Dave what you been up to?

Eating.

I been eating too, ha ha. Gained about 20 lbs since the end of September and looking kinda soft in the middle. 18 lbs to be exact. Now spring and summer is on the way again. Ok guys, who's on board this year. Hopefully at least one or two of you guys will shape up this year so I don't have to do it alone. Always easier when you ain't the only one doing it. Gonna start the first of April thru the end of June. Will take pics @ 1/30/60/90 days.

Same here.. I have some fat that I need to get rid of my self.. I just tweaked my diet and workout routine

Not to mention I have my 20 year reunion the first of June and vacation in July, ha ha. Not sure if I want to do a cut and bulk or vice versa or try a recomp and cut like last year. Been slowly buying supps for the past month or so. Was at Kroger about a month ago and noticed a clearance buggy and the had 2 lb jugs of Gaspari MyoFusion for 10.99 and Gaspari IntraPro for 11.99. They had 2 of each and i got em all, ha ha. Never had the stuff before and not sure how cinnamon bun flavor will be, but I know it usually sells for $20-25. Also got 1000 grams each of AAKG, BCAA, Creatine EE, Glutimine. Not to mention I still have ECA from last year, enough for 3 months. Now all I have to do is get off my lazy ass and do something. Hey Pats, I'll post my diet and workout in a few days and give me your opinion. The workout ain't really hard for me to do but I always have problems with my diet2594

My own version of P90X:
Start with 50 crunches(2 seconds up 2 down)
no rest 30 "diamond" push ups
no rest 10 wide grip pull ups
repeat 3 times
do each superset with 60-90 seconds of rest between

10 side raises
10 shrugs
10 front raises
repeat 3 times

10 hack squats
10 "good mornings"
10 bent rows
repeat 3 times

10 behind the neck press
10 upright rows
10 military press
repeat 3 times

10 dumbell kickbacks
10 dumbell curls-seated
10 french press (skullcrushers)
repeat 3

10 dumbell pushups
10 flys
10 dumbell press
3 tmes
Takes me about an hour and 15 min. 3 times a week.I use 10 reps as a loose guide and try to stay in the 8-12 range(less =too much weight,more =not enough)Cardio on off days,run 2-4 miles.Keep in mind this is a stay fit plan that seems to work for me,not to bulk up to compete.

did you get to where you wanted to be for your reunion?

Unfortunately not. I put on a little mass and dropped my BF% somewhat but I did something to my shoulder bench pressing and took a month off. But I have 6 weeks till vacation in Indian Shores, so time to get back into it.

That sucks.. Hows the shoulder feeling now?

I finally hit my 200 pound mark.. now I am going to cut because of some of the excess fat in the stomach area.. nothing a clean diet cant help.. here are my before and after pic from last year to now

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg840/scaled.php?server=840&filename=beforeandafter1.png&res=landing)

Shoulder is better now. Probably could have started back a week or so ago but you know how it is once you stop for a while. Kinda hard to start back once you get lazy, ha ha. Damn you put on some good LBM. You been working out the whole time since June or did you take any time off. Did you do any more cycles of M/Sdrol or you just been eating ?

I havent taken any time off.. till this last week. I took a week off. My joints are starting to hurt. I ran another pro-hormone cycle.  Epi and Mdrol

^^Pats, try Animal Packs for joint soreness.  GNC / Vitamin Shoppe, etc...

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/flex.html

It sounds like I'm doing this again, starting on Monday.  Anyone want to start a workout routine and catalog it with me?

I'm training for a half. I'll log my progress here.

Sounds like?   seems like an easy out.  Just do it.

I've been doing the 30days of abs thing floating around on facebook with a bunch of the guys on top of my normal routine. High rep and cardio mainly. Gonna do a couple mud runs and obstacle stuff later this year.

It's logistical.  Trying to find a way to be able to do it at the gym at work.  Also, people want to do it with me, but it's hard to fit everyone in.

Yes please.  What are the terms?