Have You Got Balance And Power

Today marks the end of the 3rd week in my journey. At least the third week of the phase. Tomorrow is a stretching and mobility day. Then next week is the cool down week before phase two. I’ve done it and now I’m asking have you got balance and power?

I can really feel a difference in the workout. The sphinx moves are not necessarily easier, but I can do more of them. To me that’s a huge improvement. It tells me I’m getting a further increase in strength.

There was only one move where I lost a little ground, but I have to believe it has to do with how much harder I was pushing myself in all the other areas. And even then it was only on one half of it. The plyo burpee move 2nd to last from the end (and that’s even in the “bonus” section).

I’m really looking forward to the next phase to see what’s in store for the strengthening of the body. For if I’m feeling this much better now, I can only imagine what the weight and sweat of the next round will provide.

If you haven’t started the P90X2 journey yet? Why not? Once you start, you can ask someone else “Have you got balance and power?”

X2 Yoga Mah Brutha

Week three of the journey is coming to an end. Two more days then it’s a “recovery” week. Today it was X2 yoga mah brutha. A little play on a Tonyism from P90X.

What did I notice today? Some of my stretches, or as yoga peeps would say – poses, are getting a bit farther and stronger. I did have a couple of toe taps in the twisting half moon poses. Though I have to think this only due to the length of time Tony has us holding those moves.

I’m getting better with the “belly” moves now too. My core must be getting a whole lot stronger and that’s a plus.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s workout to end the week.

Where are you at with your X2 journey? Are you enjoying the X2 yoga mah brutha?

X2 Total Body Plus Ab Ripper Week 3

X it, x it, x it, but not exit. Nope, it’s midway through week 3 of the X2 journey. Today marked the 3rd time through the X2 Total Body plus Ab Ripper workout. This time around I increased the weight in all the weighted exercises.

Overall it was an improvement. There was only one move where I did not match last week’s numbers. The Crunch Lever Pull-up thing. I was 1 less in both rounds on that one. Otherwise all other numbers increased and the weight was upped as well.

The bonus is, I’m feeling stronger and my balance is getting even better. I also notice that I’m standing taller. I never noticed it before though others have said it. Now I’m noticing it. Very strange.

The other night I got to see Stars On Ice. During intermission I decided to go get a snack. Being that I had on the ice seats, I wanted to sprint the stairs up the arena to the snack area. Easily done, not winded. Awesome.

The Ab Ripper part is still a little tough, new moves that are a tad harder. Otherwise, I can tell there’s an increase in core strength too.

Off to have an awesome breakfast and nourish the body. How did your X2 Total Body plus Ab Ripper week 3 go? Are you there yet? Have you been there?

Plyocide Or Plyo Life

Plyocide or Plyo Life inside of week 3 in the X2 journey. That’s where today is. Mostly due to the fact that I added an X2 day of skiing yesterday. I know X2 Skiing isn’t in the program, but with the way I ski, it ought to be. The beauty is, I’m skiing harder than I have in a few years. I’m pushing faster and harder turns than I can remember. It’s a beautiful thing.

I had a mogul run yesterday that reminded me of my competitive days. Difference is, I was pounding rather than riding. Made me miss the glory of competition. Especially with how today’s competitors have nice straight lines to turn through and pre-built jumps. Doesn’t get much easier than that.

With Plyocide today, I found myself hitting the pause button a little more often than last week. Not because I wasn’t able to keep up. No, this time I was hitting pause because I was pushing it harder and harder. Meaning I was keeping up, and extending myself. The extra pauses were to keep myself in check and forego the possibility of what happened in week one.

I’m really getting into now. Thanks Tony.

Time to go get my organic breakfast on. Then finish up a new song or two. What will you do?

X2 Core Week 3

Beginning the third leg of the first phase. That’s right X2 Core week 3 starts now. Well, actually it started a little over an hour ago. I’m now getting around to posting about it.

First impression is that I’m already getting into the flow. I’m pretty much able to keep up on all the moves. I believe there was only one that I lagged in. I have the feeling that by next week I’ll be on target – then again, if I remember correctly next week is a transition week.

My balance is already noticeably better. I’m feel like I’m standing taller. And I’m not having as hard of a time with the workout now.

One thing I can appreciate is the foam rolling. Wonder why I hadn’t heard of it before. The concept is a little strange at first but now I’m diggin it. This morning marked the first time that my right shoulder really didn’t give me a mobility issue. Thus I really have to think that the foam rolling and the increasing strength are “fixing” my long standing shoulder injury. Big plus.

Now it’s time for kick ass organic breakfast and a full day of music makin.

X2 Recovery And Mobility

Just a quick note to say that I really got into the X2 Recovery and Mobility DVD today. I’ve decided that it really does offer a really great down day to the workout schedule. Certainly need to spend a bit more time on the foam roller. It’s so choice to push out the kinks.

Fortunately I’m not finding ton. But I have found that my right shoulder and lat is the most needed area of rolling. Another discovery I had during this is that the mobility of my right shoulder is improving. Despite an old injury that prevents certain movements that cause strange pinching pains internally, they’re starting to go away.

Starting week three of the first phase tomorrow. One more week of workouts then the change over week before hitting phase two. So Awesome! Looking forward to the next X2 recovery and mobility session.

Week Two Going Down But Feeling Up

Week two is wrapping up today. The journey in phase one continues for one more week. Then it’s a week of change followed by phase two. Balance + Power is a whole lot of moves that get you in to some great muscle movements. I’m showing small signs of improvement in only 7 days from the previous 7. Week two going down but feeling up is the name of the game.

I will say that I’m still feeling some muscles from a couple of days ago with Total Body. Especially in the back under my shoulders. It’s most likely from the lever pullup thingy. I really worked it.

As for B+P. Today I was adding some light weight to a few of the moves that I did the first time around with no weights. Also noticed that next week, I’ll need to add some weight to other moves where I’m already using weight. The hardest move so far is the balance move inside a burpee. I’m still modifying that. Must be a height thing. But I’m working on it.

Stay tune for recovery day.

X2 Yoga Push

Aw yeah, today was the next step in the journey. It was an X2 Yoga push kinda day. As I mentioned last week, I feel like X2 is a much more doable routine for yoga. However, there are a couple of spots where it’s still a tad tough. The biggest issue is the speed of some of the moves. There was a more relaxed pace in the original yoga from P90X.

The toughest move so far has to be the extended warrior 3 section. Standing and balancing on one leg while keeping form is not a piece of cake. No, it’s pretty darn tough. Add to that, the amount of time standing in that position, or at least staying on that leg and oof – it’s a burner.

I was able to keep up much better this time. Nearly got into a full Crane as well. Had moments of it being only on my hands and some with only a single toe. That’s improvement to me.

Following it up with a kickin breakfast. Then I have to decide if I’ll be making a few turns on the hill or diggin deep into music making. Maybe I can slide both in…

X2 Total Body Plus Ab Ripper Part Deux

Ah thanks for yesterday and a day of X2 Skiing. Not part of the program, but a fun day nonetheless. Today marks the next step in the P90X2 journey. The second round of the X2 Total Body plu Ab Ripper workout.

Unlike last week, this week I had the full time to do it. This is the longest workout. Roughly over an hour and 15 minutes. I pushed it a little harder this week. Then found myself starting to bonk a little in the 2nd half of the repeats.

The main workout was awesome. Better than the first week. The Ab Ripper on the other hand. Holy Cow! This ain’t your grandpappy’s P90X Ab Ripper routine. I had a hard time keeping up on this one. Some of these moves are much harder to work the form. Which is the important part of my journey this time. Meaning that I wasn’t able to keep up. Especially with the Phelon Twist. Yikes!

Now that I’m through it, I’m going to give myself a brunch treat of homemade organic waffles. Add a little quinoa flour in those puppies for some extra protein.

Catch ya tomorrow with my post X2 Total Body plus Ab Ripper workout, the X2 Yoga!

X2 Skiing

Normally at this point I’d be into the next X2 workout of Total Body. Instead I’m going to be inserting a day of X2 skiing. Really it’s a day of skiing, but I’m going to pushing myself, thus I’m going to call it an X2 workout.

Tomorrow I’m on top of Total Body and back on track for the workout schedule.