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P90X2, PAP Upper

PAP Upper Equals Hard

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What does today mark for me? It marks the day that I have now seen all of the P90X2 videos. Day two of the 3rd phase in the X2 journey has commenced and been finished. To put it mildly I will say that PAP Upper equals hard. I’m not sure it’s due to the impromptu workout my arms got yesterday or if it really is that hard, but PAP Upper is the one workout so far that really worked my arms to fail.

Now mind you, I know that Plyocide was probably that one workout that pushed me to the point of bonk. Today I didn’t bonk, but I found points in the workout where I literally could not keep up. Unlike yesterday where it was more of me learning the routine. Today it was learning the routine, but also sheer difficulty.

The Plyo Med Ball Sphinx thing is probably on par with being the most difficult move like yesterday’s Side Bridge move. I know I’m shape, but good God they are hard to hold. I imagine in 2 weeks from now I will be able to hold these moves without issue.

Time for a kick ass organic meal and nice healthy fruit smoothie shake. Then it’s into the studio to be crafting more music. Oh, and I’m awaiting word from Apple as to why my iCloud account is not sending info to the outside world.

If you haven’t made it this far into the P90X2 journey, you’ve got something great to look forward to. Something that will push you like you won’t believe.  I was diggin deep into my mind to hold moves as long as I possibly could. Even for being in shape PAP Upper equals hard as workouts go. Where are you at in your fitness journey? Join me in mine!

P90X2, PAP Lower

Enter Phase Three With PAP Lower

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I almost didn’t get to starting the next phase of the P90X2 journey today. When I got up from a late night of working on music, I was sequestered to help remodel my Grandma’s bathroom. After a day of sanding and painting walls and ceiling I was pretty wiped out. A little nap and I decided it was worth getting to the workout and push it. Thus I enter phase three with PAP Lower today.

Tony Horton started out saying that I wouldn’t be able to keep up the first time through. For the first 30 minutes of the workout I was wondering what he was talking about it. The first half I found to be quite easy even though I was learning the moves. Don’t get me wrong, I was getting a workout, though not as tough as I was hoping.

The 2nd half was a different story. The moves were a little harder. Plus I think my day was catching up to me. So while I did all the moves, I was a few reps short here and there. Overall a good workout. I was sweating more than I normally do. Yet, I don’t feel overworked. I’ll push it a little harder next time.

Now it’s time for a pasta dinner so that I can restock the energy. Oooh, I forgot to mention that I had a bowl of my own homemade granola this morning. I’ll have to post the recipe in the next day or two. It was very tasty and a great way to kick off my day. Not to mention a great start to enter phase three with PAP Lower.

The Journey continues…

P90X2, X2 Yoga

Ending Recovery Week With Yoga

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Today marked my last hard day of working out in Phase Two of the P90X2 journey. It was a yoga day. Much like last time, I’m feeling like I’m getting further. I’m really excited to be ending recovery week with yoga.

Getting ever closer to being able to palm the floor in a forward bend. That’s a tough feat for someone who has long legs and stands 6’4″. I’ll tell ya, it’s kinda exciting to finally start seeing progress with all of it. Time. It takes time.

In a way, this moving through a workout regimen has been a lot like music. You build on it every day. Eventually you see the progress. At least that’s the way it is for me. Though I’m much faster with music. My body doesn’t really build muscle like most guys do. I’ve always been lean and it’s always been difficult to put on muscle and weight.

Now I’ve finally getting some definition. I’m finally putting on some muscle. Maybe it’s because I don’t do steroids. I’m not looking for the quick fix, I’m looking for the right route. So far that route started with P90X last year and is still going with P90X2 this year. Feeling stronger than ever before and definitely getting more limber than ever.

That’s a great way to be ending recovery week with yoga in the P90X2 journey. Phase three starts Wednesday. I can’t wait!

P90X2, Recovery + Mobility

Foam Rolling For Recovery

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Day three into the week of downtime between phase two and phase three of P90X2. It’s more of the foam rolling for recovery. Increasing the stretch and pliability of muscles. I really like the mellower vibe of this particular part of the program.

I’m still not finding any knots. Not even when I’m doing the full pressure style of being on the roller. Obviously it’s a good thing to not be tight in terms of muscle knots.

Tomorrow is another day of Yoga X2.

Until then, it’s time to make a gourmet meal and make more music. Catch ya tomorrow post foam rolling for recovery.

P90X2, Recovery + Mobility

A Week Of Recovery And Mobility Plus Yoga

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It’s a sunny day. Snow melting. Ski season pretty much dun. D. U. N. Done. With the back back and abs workout yesterday my phase two came to a close. Now I have a week of recovery and mobility plus yoga for sprinkled fun.

I’ll be taking some photos for my 60 day interval in a few minutes. Then it’s a trip to the shower, an organic breakfast and finally some music business stuff to attend to.

The trip down the foam rolling lane today was great. I’m not sure what it releases, but it sure feels good. Technically I know what’s supposed to release. What I mean is that, I’m not all tied up in knots with my muscles. So I don’t find myself finding too many spots to sit on that need to release. Once in a while I do, but it’s not the pain that I see others hit on the DVDs.

What I do notice is that I feel a little more relaxed afterwards. That’s probably the true goal. Another thing I’ve noticed is that my flexibility is increasing. I’m nearly able to palm the floor in a forward bend. I’m about 1/2inch from being able to do that. That’s the closest I’ve been yet.

Maybe after a week of recovery and mobility plus yoga next week I may be palming the floor, who knows. Where are you at with your journey? Need help? Need a coach?

 

Base Back & Abs, P90X2

Final Base Back And Abs Of Phase Two

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Today marks the end of my 2nd phase in the P90X2 journey. I inserted an extra day due to a chance yesterday for a free day of skiing. One can never pass up a free day of skiing, especially when it’s an awesome spring day. As I say, a day spent skiing is a great day. Besides, Tony Horton is a skier and I’m sure he’d understand. As I mentioned at the beginning this is the final base back and abs of phase two.

Things I noticed. I got more reps on the pull ups. Most I’ve done unassisted. While I was an ardent follower of the “assist” method in P90X, I found that while I could do a lot of reps, I couldn’t manage to do a lot of pullups at all unassisted. Maybe it’s harder for a taller person to really do pullups. However, I’m finally working up numbers past 5 reps. That’s great for me. Being that I previously couldn’t do more than 3. Thus that’s a big 50% jump in reps for me.

For the plyo portions I was keeping up. Only had one moment where I had to pause the DVD as I was winded and needed to catch my breath, but I’m pushing it hard too. Despite a slightly weak start in this phase, I’m now feeling ready to take my recovery week then start phase three.

There were a couple of moves in the ab ripper where I lost momentum, or the ability to complete the move due to exertion. Beyond that I completed the rest of it. Hardest one right now is still Abernome and also Phelon. Ooof. But I keep my mind at it and continue to push.

Wrapping up the final base back and abs of phase two leaves me feeling great. Time to eat, and conduct the rest of my day. What have you accomplished today?

P90X2, X2 Yoga

Impromptu Break Into Yoga X2

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Got sidetracked for a couple of days. Ended up doing some work on a video thing. Then got a call to do music for a trailer. Deadlines and a little massage ended up giving me an impromptu break into yoga x2.

I was feeling a bit more relaxed going through the moves this time around. I think that’s a good thing. Mostly because I was getting further into the moves than I normally do. Had a couple of bobbles on the the left side of the warrior 3 part, but otherwise pretty solid.

Even had a moment of brilliance with the Crane move where I got fairly well balanced before losing it. It will be a great day when I’m able to move into Crane and hold it.

Time to get on with the next workout tomorrow which will end my phase two and begin my recovery week. Looking forward into getting through the final phase of the P90X2 journey. Once in a while life happens. When it does, don’t be bummed if you get an impromptu break into yoga X2. You’ll swing right back in and keep moving forward.

P90X2, Shoulders Arms & Abs

X2 Shoulders Arms And Abs Part Three

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Midway through my third week of Phase Two in the P90X2 Journey. The fun thing about this particular workout is that my upline coach is in it. Plus he’s a musician like me. Good ol’ Jason Scheff. While two weeks ago I thought I might be thinking I’d need fou weeks of phase two, I’m now thinking I’m ready to move on. I’m keeping up with the peeps in X2 shoulders arms and abs part three which is awesome.

Normally I would have done this workout yesterday, however I was out getting some X2 skiing in. Couldn’t ask for a much better day to get outside and carve some turns. It’s even better when a friend who works at the resort offers up the tickets. Sunny with recent two feet of snow fall = awesome day. Even better is being in tip top shape so you can last the whole day carving and skiing hard.

Today I was upping reps and increasing weight. Thus I think it’s time to push this week out (two more workouts) then move into Phase Three of P90X2. Oooh, oooh, also means it’s about time to take the next round of photos. Rather than posting them as they are taken, I’ll likely post the beginning middle and end photos in the final post about this 90 day excursion.

Saying so long from X2 shoulders arms and abs part three. See ya tomorrow. Eat healthy. Eat well. Exercise with beachbody and join me in the journey to a happier healthier life!

P90X2, Plyocide

Getting That Plyocide I Mean Plyolife

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Ah yeah, Plyocide. Last week, if you can recall, I ended up bonking out in the middle of the workout. I’m pretty darn sure it was due to a couple of things. One, being on the road and not getting the same amount of nutrition as I normally would. I wasn’t eating bad, just not to my potential. Two, a lack of sleep. I normally have a schedule that is shifted from most people. I go to bed late, but I also get between seven to eight hours of sleep. Usually eight. When I’m doing that I’m getting that Plyocide I mean Plyolife type of workout without bonking out.

Today was full on. I was keeping up. I nailed all the moves. I brought it and brought it 110%. No bonking. I did get winded a few times. Apart from that it was as strong as I’ve ever felt doing any kind of plyo type workout.

When you’re feeling this good it’s amazing what you feel like you can accomplish. I know I’m going to push the next workout. I can feel it already. May mean that I’ll move into the Phase Three sooner than I anticipated.

Have you been getting that Plyocide I mean Plyolife into your day? Are you pushing it? Are you phoning it in? Let’s get you into the discussion, let me know how your workouts are going. Join me in my NRG.

Chest Back & Balance, P90X2

Third Time Is A Charm With Chest Back And Balance

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As I mentioned yesterday I had somehow gotten off by a day. Normally I’d let it go, but instead, this time around I decided to get back in sequence. So I put two workouts back to back that would normally have a day off in between. Wow. Kicking off week three I can say that the third time is a charm with chest back and balance.

My goal was to do no pullup with any assistance. I made that goal. However the reps went down a lot. I started strong with my highest unassisted number ever, but by the end I was petering out and still did a few unassisted. There was one, the “Lever” to which I only got 1 done. I went for a second and got half way up. Damn hard that is.

The Impossible/Possible got 3x better. Instead of 1, I got 3. That’s improvement there. Overall I felt a lot better about the workout. The only thing I could have done better with is the Chattaroll and the rest of the bonus. I did do 3 of those as well, compared to 1 last time too. But I couldn’t quite get to the final two bonus moves. I’ll chalk that up to putting to workouts back to back where there should be a rest day.

Looking forward to plyocide tomorrow. Weird to say that. But then I’m feeling good having had a third time is a charm with check back and balance kinda day.

Where are you at in your journey? Join me and start blogging about your exploits here. I’m looking for a few P90X2’ers to start bloggin.