Doh! I just realized I am off a day on my posts...

I missed a post for a work out WAY back when on day 18 or 19...I did a Legs and Back work out and didn't blog it. So I'm actually on Day 28 right now and not Day 27...I'll adjust on my future posts...Argh!

Day 27 - Yoga X

Wow...first of all I had no desire to work out tonight...aside from the desire to not let myself down. It was late...I'd had a long day...we had a disappointing loss in our soccer game even though EVERYONE played their best and did a great job. We still fell just one goal short...My buddy Jay did an amazing job in goal considering the pressure he faced and I was proud of how our team played, but you guys (if there really even is anyone reading this) don't come here to read about soccer.

So Yoga X...I was already very stiff and sore and tired from our soccer game and doing a few chores at one of the rent houses...but I forced myself to do it tonight and I'm glad I did. My form wasn't as good as I believe it has been in the past, but a lot of that has to do with one of my hips being a bit sore and I think I've got a slight strain in one of my hamstrings...anyway...I started with a shirt on and it came off almost immediately...this work out is just so crazy intense AND you're hardly even doing anything! I can't believe how fit you've gotta be to really excel at Yoga...I've really been missing out all these years by not doing it until now!


Not the most perfect of poses...but, I'm still doing it!

Again...my form isn't flawless, but I'm busting my hump doing the best I can...what are you doing?

Last pic...form isn't prefect (again), but I'm glad I do what I can...I do the BEST I can each and every time I Bring It!

Day 26 - Core Synergistics

Today was supposed to be Yoga X, but if you've been following along you'd know that I didn't get to work out yesterday so I guess that makes yesterday my "rest" day. Although as hard as my beautiful wife and I worked at one of the rent houses...it's hard to call that a rest day. In any event, I did Core Synergistics tonight. I really do enjoy this work out, but it is the first work out in a while that I'm actually having a hard time keeping up and not able to do everything w/o stopping. I didn't stop MUCH, but I did have to pause a couple of times during a couple of the moves. I really like the different styles of pushups and look forward to the next time I'll get to do this routine...which won't be until week 8. I'm hopeful that by that time I won't have any trouble AT ALL.

No pics tonight...

Day 25 - Yoga (oops!)

I'm actually not 100% sure that I'm supposed to have done Yoga X today or not....more of the same from yesterday. My wonderful wife and I worked until after 11pm over at the rent house again....we came home and had dinner...watched a little TV...and now I'm going to bed. I'll have to push Yoga X and Core Synergistics into my "rest day" on Sunday.

Day 24 - X Stretch

Alright well...I only did half the work out tonight. My hard working wife and I were busy cleaning up one of our rent houses and getting it ready for the next folks to move in...we didn't get finished up until after midnight I think. Anyway...I had to go back to work that night and so I only did the upper body portion of the stretches.

No pics...

Day 23 - Kenpo X

I had a soccer game tonight and I followed that up with Kenpo X. My body was not pleased with the double cardio...I was really stiff after my soccer game and it was hard to really push myself during the kicks required for Kenpo X. I felt like I did fine, but I wasn't thrilled about how I was feeling...just sore during...

My soccer game was great...I got a hat trick and my buddy Jay (the goalie) got a shut out. It was a lot of fun!

No pics again - my amazing wife did Kenpo X with Jay and I.

Day 22 - Yoga X

I kicked it up to another level tonight on Yoga X. I was doing 2-5 pushups on all the movements and I could really tell the difference at by the end of the 40 minutes of pain! :) The thing I love most about Yoga X is the gradual improvement I see in myself every time I do it. I'm still no where near close to being able to do the crane...but one day!

No pics...

But, I did post my video to Break.com - http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/5/richards-p90x-progress-731174.html

Day 21 - Core Synergistics

Today was a bit of an off day...I was supposed to do Yoga X tonight, but I didn't get geared up to work out until way late (after midnight). My beautiful wife was kind enough to work out with me and we figured we'd swap up the work outs and do Core Synergistics instead of Yoga X (since it's 90 minutes!). It was our first time to do this work out and that was nice to do something different for a change. It was entertaining and very hard for me...I think my wife breezed through it though ;)

I was drenched in sweat...the front and back of my shirt were totally soaked through.

We didn't take any pictures tonight, but I did take my day 21 pictures this afternoon. I'll post them later.

Day 20 - X Stretch

Nothing much to say here...I stretched for an hour...It's not the most amazing work out in the world, but it's a crucial part of the program. I know a lot of people skip it...those people are wrong.

Day 19 - Kenpo X

Tonight my adorable wife joined me for a full on P90X work out! She did fantastic! She's a Kenpo fighting queen! She did it right after completing her own Turbo Jam routine too so that is double hot!

I don't have any pictures because it was just the two of us...and we were too busy Bringing It! :)

Great work out.

Day 18 - Yoga X

Yoga X - I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to get through those first 40 minutes...they're such a killer! I did a push up after every single movement (when he tells you to if you want to) this time through and they felt great...well all of them except for the two after turning to one side and holding your body up off the floor...those two hurt...I was even able to raise my leg on one side...I don't remember which though.

Bottom line...as hard as it is...its getting easier and I'm enjoying it. The little ab routine at the end is a nice change from Ab Ripper X...but it still gives me a nice burn.

No pics...maybe next time.

Day 17 - Arms and Shoulders + Ab Ripper X

Another great work out...I'm coming to the end of phase one this week and so I'll be going through a nice little recovery phase then on two phase two. I have no idea what I'm in for...except lots and lots more pain and gain!

I beat last weeks numbers across the board so I'm happy with my progress. Also, and I'm thrilled about this, I was able to get through Mason Twists without stopping or dropping my feet to the floor. I also kept my feet up the entire time on Fifer Scissors. I didn't say how HIGH up I was able to keep them...but I felt some new muscles burst into flames in my abs! I made it a point in my mind that I wasn't putting my feet down...no matter what and it worked.

No pics - sorry. My little vixen was in the other room doing her own couple of videos...

Day 16 - Plyometrics

Well I was alone for the work out tonight, but that didn't stop me from nearly killing myself doing Plyometrics. No pics because my gorgeous wife was busy doing her own work outs in the other room...The best thing about Plyometrics is no Ab Ripper X at the end...I am pretty darn sure I had nothing left in the tank when I finished tonight!

Day 15 - Chest and Back + Ab Ripper X

We had a late start on our work out, but we still brought it. I was extremely proud of myself after this work out. I made greater than 100% gains on many of my reps from the prior week AND I stepped up my resistance band to the green one. So not only was I able to do more pushups on all the various exercises I was pushing myself harder on the bands too! I think I was inspired by my day 15 pictures - taken prior to the work out - to really blow it out. Jay and I would push ourselves to failure on the pushups and then drop our knees to the floor and knock out a few more modified pushups to get that last little bit out of our muscles.

Here are some pictures of Jay and I doing some diamond push ups...as best we can...

Me getting ready to start...

Another good reason to take pictures during your work out - bad form!

No pain yet...just some good breathing!

just a few more...

That's working hard...

And finally...a smile

Day 14 - Stretch X (or not)

Well I had every intention of doing Stretch X today, but you know what they say about good intentions. I did at least get to work up a small sweat playing soccer today, but I scored 3 goals pretty quickly in the game and so I pulled myself out since I wasn't able to generate anymore points for my team. Then my darling wife and I had dinner plans and we visited for quite a while after that...then we had to watch the Survivor Finale of course...anyway....long story short...I didn't do Stretch X today.

Day 13 - Kenpo X

Today was Kenpo X. Jay and I went through the routine and worked up a good sweat. I was a lot more into this work out the second time around. You have to check your ego at the door...or at least I did...I think last time I was thinking to myself how "silly" it was for a guy with as much martial arts experience as I have...to do cardio kick boxing. I was a lot more focused this time through and I felt at it the end. It is a really great work out, but you only get out of it...what you put into it.

Day 12 - Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X

I thought that the first time through the legs and back routine was hard...I was wrong...I'm pretty sure I didn't "BRING IT". After I saw my chair squat pictures I was pretty disappointed with how low I went. I also know I didn't push myself on the two sets of wall sits.

Well tonight I feel great about how hard I worked and am looking forward to a good nights rest and sleeping in some tomorrow.

Some how Jay was able to power through the work out even though he spent the first part of the night drinking a few cold ones with some friends. I guess he's just lucky it wasn't Plyometrics night...or maybe it's me thats lucky...we work out at my house after all.

Sorry...no pics today.

Day 11 - Yoga X

So today I had a friend tell me he wanted to work out, but couldn't do it at my normal time. I agreed knowing that it would mean I'd be doing a bit of extra Yoga (ouch). So I did the first part of the Yoga DVD and took a small break and then did the "whole" thing over again. I paused a few times during the first part to snap some pictures of the guys working out with me. I don't consider that dogging it because I'd already gone through the entire routine once!

Oh and congrats to Cam for making the deicions to do P90X! You won't regret it brother!

So here are the pictures of Yoga X

I think I'm swan diving here...more diving than swaning.

My gorgeous wife is a little ahead of me here (or behind I can't tell).

This is one of those things that looks SO easy...until you try it!

I wonder how long that smile will last...

About that long...way to push it Jay!

Looking good Jay!

Jay doing some Yoga...a sight I never thought I'd see.

My lovely bride doing the twist prayer pose

Rei and Travis...you guys come over to my house and show me up...whats that all about! Nice job guys!

Here is a picture of just doing the best I can...

I think this must have been taken early on...I don't look tired yet.

One of the best things about P90X and Tony Horton...you warm up first and you cool down with some fantastic stretching...check out Rei on the red mat...THAT is some flexibility!

More stretching...Jay and I were a little cramped...

Namaste: "the light within me honors the light within you"

Day 10 - Arms and Shoulders + Ab Ripper X

I had a friend drop by tonight to give P90X a trial run. Lucky for him it was only Arms and Shoulders night + Ab Ripper X (oh and he declined to do Ab Ripper X due to time). I think he got off easy, but I hope that he was able to get enough for a pump to get a good feel for the program. It's hard to judge it by a single routine...P90X is a total body work out...but not from just one DVD...at least not yet. I stepped up my resistance bands to the green for all the bicep work, but I'm still struggling with my triceps. The only thing I can do is keep pushing play and I know it will come...

Ab Ripper X...I was able to get through more of the routines with out falling over or dropping my legs, but I'm still no where near able to do it for the whole routine. I especially have trouble with the Mason Twists...I can get up into the 20s before I crash and then struggle to pound out the last bit about 5 or 7 at a time before I crash again.

Day 9 - Plyometrics

Plyometrics is a very intense explosive jumping exercise. It involves a lot of deep (eventually heh) squats and jumping and lunges and hopping and bouncing around. This is one of my favorite routines, but it is also one of the hardest I've done thus far.

Here are few pictures from the work out - my darling wife was busy doing SlimIn6 so she wasn't around to take any for us so I don't have many...

Jay busting out the plyometrics!

If you think I'm kidding about how hard this is - check out my face!

Ahh blessed is he who developed this product! It is an absolute LIFE GIVER!

Day 8 - Chest and Back + Ab Ripper X

Ok so it's Chest and Back - not Chest and Shoulders...

I did a lot better this time around, but I'm still struggling to get through all the pushups. This work out has SO many pushups....so many DIFFERENT types of pushups! I'll get a little better each time I'm sure and before long I'll be keeping up with the gang on the DVD - that's the plan anyway! I was really looking forward to this work out...well finishing this work out to more precise because I was wanting to drink my recovery drink!

Here are some of the pictures from that night.

Travis and I going through the motions - not hurting too bad yet!

A little more of the same - just me this time obviously.

Here is a pic of me doing the lawn mower...

Jay and Travis doing some diamond push ups...

The three of us doing our thing...

Dive Bomber!

And here are my week 1 progress pictures. These were taken before tonight's work out and I only did stretching the day before this so I should have little to no "pump" in my muscles. I haven't yet compared these to my day 1 pictures so I could look exactly the same, although my wife says that she can already see a difference.

P90X is no joke - Change or no change after 1 week - this is a 90 day program. I have absolutely no doubt that I am going to see dramatic changes in my body as a result of my dedication to the program. Are you ready to change your body? If you are - I can help!

Day 8 - Good Morning!

Enjoying a nice protein shake this morning....3 scoops...16 oz milk...lil ice....and one banana. Mmmm - thats a tasty beverage. I slept great last night and I'm looking forward to seeing how I can do tonight on Chest and Shoulder (I think that's tonights workout). I was struggling to do pushups still last night during Stretch X...Thank God my recovery drink will be here today.

Day 7 - Strech X

Well P90X gives you the option of doing nothing on Day 7 or doing Stretch X. No way I'm doing nothing...I didn't commit to this to take the easy way. If I'm able to do it - I'm gonna do it!

Not a whole to to say about Stretch X except that it's 55minutes of stretching. I played soccer EVERY season from the age of 5 until I was probably 21 years old. In the middle there I did a bunch of martial arts and then I did a bunch of nothing and then I did some martial arts and then I did nothing...then I did some more martial arts...then I did some soccer...you get the idea...fast foward to the age of 34 and I've done A LOT of stretching in my life....

I have NEVER stretched like this and I've certainly never stretched for that long...loved it!

No pics - sorry - wife was doing it with me and Jay was basking in the glory of a superb night in goal. ;) Nice job Jay.

Day 6 - Kenpo X

A karate man bruises on the inside!

I don't have any pictures to post from this work out. I had a different friend over for this workout. He's a big karate guy so I figured he'd get a good "kick" out of Kenpo X. I was right - he loved it...and so did I. Obviously, this work out routine isn't something that anyone should use to practice self-defense, but if you want a great and fun cardio work out then Kenpo X is a good fit for you. I'm looking forward to the stretches tomorrow. I know my body can use the day off and the muscles will really benefit from the stretching.

Day 5 - Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X

Legs and Back...

It's funny how tired your legs can get...how heavy they can begin to feel...It was illustrated quite well in my CHAIR POSES. I thought I was doing a lot better...was sitting much deeper...until I saw the picture my wife had taken...It was a HARD work out, but it felt great.


Believe it or not - I thought I was at about a 90 degree angle here

We did a bunch of lunges and wall squats.

One of the many pull-ups we did that day.

All smiles after a great workout!

These pictures were of course before we realized we still had Ab Ripper X to do! I love Ab Ripper X - but my goodness - it's hard! My wife was a good sport and jumped in and did it with us though! She was able to keep up and even exceed me in some areas! I'm so ashamed!