Muscle Factory: The P90X Saga

inspiration

2008-09-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

you can do anything for 30 seconds!

WEEK 3

2008-09-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

I lost 10 lbs. as well as an inch off my waist. I think it's my diet that's doing most of it rather than P90. Although I do fell stronger and I have more endurance when I ball. But I think cutting out beer and fried foods is helping out a ton. I have to lose as much weight as I can before Octoberfest comes.

Day: who knows

2008-09-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

So last week was my birthday week and that equals p90x Fail. ever since i finished p90x the first time it has been tough to stick with it. boredom sets in too easily. so maybe i need to modify things. change up the workouts or something. jarrett is sending my p90+ just to add some spice. I think i will add other things as well. just try and maintain the 6 a week thing. we will see.

look around you

2008-09-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

primera dia

2008-09-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

a coworker was asked by her visiting younger sister today, "who's the hot boy with the bike?"

if that isn't motivation enough to keep working out, i don't know what is.

no day one pics for me, you can feel free to refer to my round one, day 90 shots.

Day 4

2008-09-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

I saw Battles tonight and I swear that Tony Horton was on drums.

Day 3

2008-09-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

I am hurting.

DAY 1: OOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUCHHHHHHHHH

2008-09-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

that hurt

In the famous words of madt....

2008-09-02T00:54:00.000-07:00

FAIL...day 1 is in the books

This one is for you George

2008-06-30T09:59:00.001-07:00

90 days, FINALLY

2008-06-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

OK kids, here it is. TADA!!!! Results are ok. I probably should've done the cardio the 3rd month. Oh well, there is always round 2! see you at the mat.

And so the end is near....

2008-06-03T11:58:00.001-07:00

I am on my final recovery week for these 90days. The first month was breezy but hard. Then the battle began. It was a struggle but I am glad to say that I am finishing P90X. Granted I will begin again in 2 weeks. But the first phase is over. PHEW!!!

BROUGHT IT

2008-05-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

done!

SO stoked on myself. the best thing about doing p90x is i now feel ready to do p90x. i'm really looking forward to starting up again, this series definitely built up a good base fitness level.

i do wonder how ripped i would be if i followed the diet guidelines, but i'm still pretty darn happy with these results.

p90x, it works!

just don't have it

2008-05-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

you'd think 12 and a half weeks of p90x would have prepared me for an AM kenpo session. WRONG. facts are facts and the fact is, i am not a morning person. it was hard to wake up, hard to BRING IT and i'm having a hard time not being mad about it all right now. maybe some coffee will help.

FAILURE

2008-05-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

I am officially bowing out of the p90x challenge. I will be leaving for Africa today and will be gone the rest of the month. I have disgraced not only myself, but to you my fellow compatriots. But to every end there is a new beginning. I am considering the Lean workout when I get back. To all you staying loyal to the Tony, I salute you. I hope to see all your 90 day results when I get back.

practical90x

2008-05-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

I had to move a million catalogs off some shelves today and thanks to p90x, I knew to engage my core to avoid injury. Chalk up another one to the Tony.

KAPOW!!!

2008-05-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Day 30 pics

2008-05-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

It REALLY works!!!!

get sexy with it people

2008-05-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

If I went to play some pickup basketball and I had to be on the skins
team, I wouldn't be embarassed at all. Thanks, Tony.

bringing it(still)

2008-05-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

OH, HAI

2008-04-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

i'd like to introduce you to someone i met through p90x...

MY FREAKING BICEP!

BRING IT!

FYI

2008-04-29T15:49:00.001-07:00

Cruises are the opposite of P90X
They are not good for the gut.
Might need to throw in some extra cardio this week

super fail

2008-04-28T20:50:00.001-07:00

that was, hands down, the worst workout i've had. worse than week 3 or whatever that tough one was. freakin pathetic. i couldn't even do a single one arm push up. not even from my knees. horrible.

bringing it. intestinally.

2008-04-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

i finally did it. finally pushed myself to the point of vomiting. nothing actually made it out, but after the last set of dive-bomb pushups, i got up and had to choke back the rising bile. i felt the burning and tasted the acid on the way back of my tongue.

and somehow, i was a little proud.

I QUIT

2008-04-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

...just kidding. But seriously, I am taking this week off. This sounds like a lame excuse but I am just hurting. The tendinitis in my right knee has been acting up with all the basketball I have been playing this week. It has been painful to run/jump right now and the thought of doing plyometrics sounds no bueno. So I am going to heed TH's advice and take it easy. And it sounds like we have been having some ailment issues and have taken a break. So don't hate on me for doing the same.

Did you get your tickets?

2008-04-15T00:17:00.001-07:00

TO THE GUN SHOW!!!!!

Better late than never

2008-04-15T00:07:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, I've been slacking on the posting but here are my pics from day 30. I also posted day 1 for comparison.

Rest Week

2008-04-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

I was really excited that this week was rest week and then I realized that today is yoga. An hour and a half of humiliating pain. with a side of crying. However in the spirit of TH i am going to bring it. that is all.

success

2008-04-14T12:34:00.001-07:00

jumped back into the game by starting my phase 2 recovery week today. gotta say, a whole week of doing nothing other than a couple bike rides left my downward dog unworthy of the cover of downward dog magazine.

in related news, where the heck are the rest of you? it's time to BRING IT to the internets. i'm talking to you, alvin, and you, the guy i don't know...

fail

2008-04-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

tony's always telling us "don't be a hero..." well, i tried to be a weekend hero, ignored some pain in my back and ribs and charged pretty hard through my recreational activities.

now i can barely take a deep breath without my back spasming and i'm pretty sure that much like justin duchscherer, i'm gonna be shelved for at least this week.

HALFWAY SPEEDBUMP

2008-04-04T00:04:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm plateauing. The old Mark would have given up at this point. But not the P90x Mark, this guy is going to go down fighting.

I want you to be a psycho.

2008-04-03T14:15:00.001-07:00

Picture was taken after I paused the dvd to get ready for ab ripper X. I think the picture speaks for itself.

revenge of the fit

2008-04-03T14:00:00.001-07:00

p90x does have a couple downsides. first, i'm hungry about every 2 hours. second, sometimes i drink four beers and wake up feeling like i drank eight.

School is back in session

2008-04-01T17:13:00.001-07:00

I am back up in this bitch. The learning has begun and so has the pain. Bring it TH!!! BRRRRRRIIIINNNNNNGGGG IT!!!!

shoulderschestandtriceps

2008-04-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

P90X recovery drink

2008-03-28T21:25:00.001-07:00

It's got what plants crave!

PHASE 4

2008-03-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

Picked up the Allez Elite Specialized road bike. Looking to bring the X to the sreet.

STFU

2008-03-27T21:12:00.001-07:00

Mere words can not encompass my hatred for the beachbody.com ad tacked on to the end of yoga x. Way to mess with my chi, jerks.

Day 37?

2008-03-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

These workouts are part of my daily living so much that I forget what frickin day I'm on. I no longer call it Wednesdays anymore, I call it Back and Biceps day etc. I started biking to work. I was getting all pumped on it,even buying some gear to make me more legit. Then I almost get to work and my back tire blows out...what a bummer. At least I still have David

Gout:is characterized by excruciating, sudden, unexpected, burning pain, as well as swelling, redness, warmness, and stiffness in the affected joint.

2008-03-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

IT HIT ME!!! Because of this game changing development I will, In lieu of P90X, be swimming for the week and then hopefully continue again with my program next week putting me a week behind some. I have weighed out my options and I will be taking Tony's advice, I will not be a hero. I will rest my foot. Please email or im me for any questions or concerns. This is an emotional time for all of us but I think if we remain, with our minds eye, fixed on the goal we will overcome. That is all.

by popular demand

2008-03-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

DAY THIRTY PROGRESS, SNAP INTO IT!

Day 30 Photos

2008-03-19T22:56:00.001-07:00

Whos bringing it? Day 30 ladies lets see those pictures. My belly is hard to kill but my goal is 90 days so I hope by then I can tame the beast. P90x has made me a better baller and thats almost enough for me. Game on.

Day 30 pics

2008-03-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

I think looking better definitely does not compare to feeling better. These past 30 days have put my body and mind to limits I never thought I could reach. It's crazy to think we have another 60 days of the $h!+. Keep it up people.

WOW

2008-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

I had that throw-up feeling in my stomach like I did when I first started. I have never been a slow-twitch muscle guy so those 4 second push-ups were killer. And those plyo-pushups...RESPECT THE TONY!

ouch

2008-03-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

shoulder fire. that's all i'm gonna say.

except i will also say iphone FTW. forgot to take my workout log down to the gym, oh, good thing the iphone has NOTES. bam. i think tony would approve.

PHASE 2: Warriors of the world

2008-03-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

We are back up in the muscle building phase. That was a tough workout. I think my arms are going to fall off, but the thing that drives me is Man-O-War. He is the god of rock and the bearer of the flag and in 90 days I will be too.

it's everywhere

2008-03-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

A guy in my row on the flight to Chicago is reading the P90X guide book!

Sent from my iPhone

COREZ

2008-03-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

picard sez "ENGAGE yr core!"

SUPERMAN!

BANANA!

SUPERMAN!

BANANA!

SUPERMAN!

BANANA!
SUPERMAN!
BANANA!
SUPERMAN!
BANANA!

minor progress

2008-03-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

I realized yesterday that my elbows no longer rub my love handles when I walk. Here's hoping I can barely swing my overly-muscled arms at all by the end of this thing...

real. DNA. removal.

2008-03-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

i did kenpo x for an hour and all i got was this sweaty t-shirt.

"synergistics" isn't even a word, is it?

2008-03-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

dudes, i love me some core synergistics. that was the definitely the most fun i've had in a P90X workout. no major fail points like i have in yoga, the back workouts and anything involving my hamstrings.

if i was pam, every time he said "PAM, THEY CALL HER BLAM!" i'd say "TONY, THEY CALL HIM PHONY!"

Yoga Tiempo

2008-03-10T11:44:00.001-07:00

This is the week that separates the men from the flexible men. They call it rest week but I have a feeling this will be one of the toughest weeks.

Week 4

2008-03-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Supposedly this is a recovery week, I don't see how 2 days of yoga recovers you from anything. For most of us, we are 1/3 of the way done, keep it up guys and gals.

oooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

2008-03-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

pretty excited to do some yoga tonight, been feeling kinda stiff the last couple days...

YOGA!

meh

2008-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

i could not have possibly been any less motivated to do THE X tonight. didn't wanna do it at all when we started and struggled the whole way through.

but you know what? now that i'm done, i still totally wish i hadn't done it.

Tip of the Day

2008-03-04T17:50:00.000-08:00

I know I am not the only one when I say that Tony Horton is a tool. Although I love his program, I can't stand listening to him for an hour everyday. So I decided to put him on mute and let my ITunes do all the talking. I did plyometrics to the Wu's 36 Chambers album. Doing squat jacks to "Protect Ya Neck" brings your workout to a whole other level. I am gonna start doing this until the next phase. And once I got the routines down, best believe I'm bringing the Wu back.

Day 16

2008-03-04T13:08:00.001-08:00

I like to do my plyometrics at night because I feel thats more bearable for my downstairs neighbors . I typically do the rest of my workouts in the morning. Last week I added an extra 45 minutes of cardio 3 times. This week I am going to try and add 4. I basically just go to the gym and hit whatever machine is open. I know you are thinking "wow this dude is bringing it."
But really I am just doing make up work for all the drinking i do. If thats still bringing it then beware gentlemen because its been broughten!

heartburn

2008-03-04T10:32:00.000-08:00

new boss at work = stress, i had acid reflux through the whole workout. felt a little better after some of mrs. thompson's old-time recovery elixir and then while i was watching The Wire (RIP snoop) i realized i could put my hand on my chest and not feel my sternum! p90x, giving men tits since 1883.

Week 3

2008-03-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

So I made the mistake of playing basketball for 3 hours before my workout. I figured it would be good cardio before chest/back/abs. It was a big mistake. I was so drained after bball that I couldn't do as many reps as I hoped to do by week 3. I was done for after it was all said and done. I don't recommend doing anything laborious before P90x. You need to bring it everyday!

And in other news...I lost 9 lbs. Woooooo!

DAY 1

2008-03-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

OK, here we go. Day 1. Bring it!!!!

(Started March 25, 2008)

So I pushed it pretty hard on chest and back. Almost threw up. Had to take a 20 minute break and a detour to the bathroom to get me back on track. Whew what a workout. My arms were like lead. I could barely wash myself afterwards. Marjo, some help please!!!! I was pretty sore for the next 4 days. I could barely do the other workouts without feeling A LOT of pain but I endured and conquered my first week. BRING IT!!!!!!!!! Remember, do your best and forget the rest.

X-STRETCH

2008-03-02T17:17:00.001-08:00

So I had some spare time this afternoon and decided to try out the X-Stretch. I think it's a good little workout on Sundays. I feel more loose and less tense after doing it. It's a little under an hour and it consists mostly of all the warm-up stuff on the other discs. I recommend it if you got some free time on sundays.
Although I am seeing subtle changes in my physique, I think I could see greater improvement if I improved my diet. So as of today, I decided to eat a little bit better and avoid the fried and greasy stuff. And I am contemplating on dropping beer and switch to just red wine for awhile...but don't hold me to it.

thanks p90x

2008-03-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

i'm really starting to love my sundays.

2008-03-01T10:59:00.001-08:00

So this was me yesterday before starting P90X. Then the thoughts start creeping in like "what if i dont do this?" "how bad would that be?" you know all the typical procrastination techniques. But after a quick nap I powered through and like after every work out I was really glad I did. I definitely notice my improvements in the ab ripper X but i am nowhere near doing all 300 movements. I figure this is not ab ripper 100 or 200 its ab ripper 339 so when I need a break I take it. Well its kenpo this morning and i am ready to bring it. X

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Bring it!

2008-03-01T01:41:00.000-08:00

So yesterday, I had the patient who was high on crystal meth. He totally looked crazy and had this blank stare on his face. He was pretty stalky, kind of like Wolverine. Anyways, as we are transferring him, he busts out of his restraints, charges me and tries to grab me. At this point I have already flipped a switch in my head that "alright, this guy is crazy strong,espcially since he's on meth, so i better just expect to get hurt. So we start grappling, I grab him by the neck and for some reason, try to leg sweep him to the ground. First of all, that crap does not work, and second, I think it hurt me more than it hurt him. So this goes on for a few seconds until a couple other guys jump in and we choke him out and finally restrain him. I don't know if I can attribute P90x to choking him out, I just felt compelled to share that story. And I swear to you that this really happened.
In other news, I am still going strong, I am improving in my pullups, and ab ripper x is going a little but more smoothly, I still can't do all the reps though. And apparently, Dreya Webber plays a lesbian gymnast in some straight to video movie..dreyaweber.com

wear and tear

2008-02-29T22:48:00.001-08:00

that was definitely the most tired i've been at the start of a workout90X so far. i had a real tough time "bringing it" and "forgetting the rest."

i hate my hamstrings

2008-02-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

PA90X

2008-02-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Arms and shoulders, done. Checked out of the lovely Lancaster Arts
Hotel. Goodbye for now, Pennsylvania.

WEEK 2 DAY8

2008-02-26T17:33:00.000-08:00

Today was my first time using the heart rate monitor. It was pretty cool, it kept beeping everytime i seemed to slack and drop out of my "zone". Ever wonder what that weird belt was that runners wore under there nipples? I guess its an electrode device that sends the wrist monitor the signal for your heart rate. I would recommend it. I got the older model, Polar FS1 edition. it still does the job.

sweaty

2008-02-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

yes, plyometrics makes me sweaty, like, LL sweaty.

Week 2

2008-02-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

A little bit tired for week 2. It was a long weekend of fun, drinking, and of course kenpo X. We had a fellow P90er visit us this weekend and join along in our kenpo. it was goooooorgeeeeous.
we had a some recovery drink and decided to capture our p90x group moment.
I will say that I have already noticed some improvement, not necessarily in my body but in my workout. That is very encouraging after one week. I can see how one could get a little tired of this workout if it was longer than three weeks. The change of pace will really be good for the mind as well as the body. I believe we have a couple more people starting this week. Cant wait to hear their feedback.

Weak 2

2008-02-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

I struggled with my workout today. It might be attributed to the fun weekend I had in Oakland. George took me to this real ghetto burger joint where I ate 2 corndogs and a warm coke in a coffee cup. And if that wasn't bad enough, we went again the next night!
I did the same amount of reps on pushups/pullups as i did last week, but I am hurting more than last time. But for ab ripper x, i made sure i maintained good form instead of flailing around using my back. I figure 10 good reps is better than 25 bad ones. i'm gonna make it a point to increase my reps every week.
thanks to all the friends up in oakland, it was great hanging with you all.

Workout, Interrupted

2008-02-25T09:21:00.001-08:00

The problem with being on-call 24 hours is sometimes they call you in
right after the second set of wide-fly pushups.

Sent from my iPhone

rest day

2008-02-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

i'll be spenging my rest day flying for a press check. already delayed 2 hours at SFO, so that trickles down to about a 4 hour later arrival in harrisburg, PA.

kenpo is fun, as long as you don't get into an argument about proper form with a former karate student. my sorest spot today is the brachioradialis on both arms:

Day 6 Kenpo X

2008-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the living room of the Colburn/Maneevone residence in sunny Oakland, CA. We just finished a Kenpo X 3-way. I think it was a great workout to end to after a week of intense workouts. I still got my sweat on, but I didn't feel wasted like I did on the other workouts. And not only was it a good workout, but now I will no longer have fear of being attacked by a sexual predator after training with Kenpo X.
George also introduced me to the way of the recovery drink. It tastes pretty good, reminds me of orange julius. I'd want to order some except for the fact that my wife Brynne will get mad at me because I already bought a $25 bucket of MetRx chocolate protein powder. It doesn't taste bad, but the recover drink tastes more juicy than it does shaky. Week 1 in the books people!

brainstorm

2008-02-22T18:42:00.000-08:00

so i was taking a leak before starting legs and back and started wondering how many times he would say "GORGEOUS" in this set.

that's when it hit me: the P90X drinking game:
1 drink every time he says gorgeous
1 drink every time he says bring it
2 drinks every time he says extreme...

you get the idea. of course there are all kinds of modifiers and variants that could be developed, i think this is something we should look into after we finish the course.

Day 5 in the books

2008-02-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Finished the Legs/Back/Abs section of the workout. I read an article that if you work out your legs more often, your metabolism speeds up and the other muscles in your body begin to strengthen. This is due to the fact that your legs is the most muscular part of your body. I am now off to connect theP90x rainbow in Oaktown. See you all on Monday...and for some of you, in a couple hours.

P90X, IT WORKS!

2008-02-22T10:02:00.001-08:00

Now I know this is where we post our P90X findings and results and that is why I am posting this. I think that P90X gave me the strength to muscle through 2 games last night in order to help our team achieve a 2nd consecutive championship. So thank you P90X!!! It was a glorious win.

Yoga (day 4)

2008-02-22T02:14:00.000-08:00

So I had a full day today then ended up hanging out with friends at a bar until about 11:30. I got home around midnight. But I sucked it up and did the whole 1 1/2 hrs. of yoga. All the moves were real tough like Madt and George said earlier. I am just glad all the hard stuff was in the beginning. I also want to proclaim my man-crush to the ripped brotha in the back Adam. That guy is a beast. But I can't help but think that I've seen him before.......

stretching = fail

2008-02-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

i am, like, ultra beginner at this yoga junk. but i plan on improving, so i will seek out enlightenment from this yoga master:

Yoga Day

2008-02-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

Don't get it twisted. This isn't an easy day, well not for me at least. I was sweating up a storm and the stretching hurts. You are twisted like a damn pretzel on some of them. Also I wasnt aware but the Yoga part is like an hour and a half. I did it this morning before work and only allowed for an hour so I had to cut it short. I will continue again this evening after our championship games.

day 3 brings hope

2008-02-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

if i sat at my cube any longer than 30 seconds today, i had to stretch before i could stand up straight, let alone walk anywhere. thus, it was with some trepidation that entered into Ab Ripper X session two. happily, it ended way faster than i thought it would! i no longer fear the Ripper... X.

the arms and shoulders was a nice set, gotta work on form and getting the right weight still.

in other news, every time he mentions recovery drink, i think of the slurm factory episode of futurama.

Squats=hurt

2008-02-19T22:46:00.000-08:00

Plyometrics was pretty tiring. The main thing that kept me going was the fact that if a guy with a prosthetic leg could finish, I sure as hell better finish it too. One of my goals is not only to get in shape, but to also beat any disabled person on a contest of fitness anywhere,anytime.

plyohectic

2008-02-19T21:48:00.000-08:00

my hip flexors hurt. definitely need to work on the soft landings. as promised, the before pics:

Day 1 My Pics

2008-02-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

Day 1 was pretty tough. However like mark said just pace yourself. Get used to the movements you have 90 days to get it right.

i totally had to use a chair for pull ups

2008-02-18T21:13:00.000-08:00

he says "X is for extreme" like 873 times, and the 90 i totally get, so what does the P stand for? painful?

ab ripper x, i hate it... but i *hate* it.

diamond pushups feel like my arms might rip off.

left my camera cable at work so pics tomorrow, lads. in the meantime:

i almost threw up

2008-02-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

So I just finished my first day of the P90x. It is a totally different type of workout than I have ever done before. My arms and chest were twitching from all the pushups. In less than an hour, you end up doing like 250 pushups and 40+ pullups. The key is to pace yourself, don't let the ego mess up your form. It's only the 1st of 90 days. There's plenty of time to work your way up. Good luck to all of you who are up to the challenge.

Day 1

2008-02-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a long nice weekend in SLO. Today is going to be the first day of P90X for me and a few friends(Mark, Matt, Alvin, Michael, and Me). Our goal is to get ripped for the summer. I will put my pics up later along with my stats. I encourage all you guys to do the same thing. LETS GET EXTREEEEEEEEEME.

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