Quick check-in

The clock is ticking down now to our departure for Florida 2012, cars booked, kennels sorted and loads more prep done. Just the smaller details to sort out now.

Meanwhile my clothing size continues to drop, so I will hold out buying my holiday clothes until the last minute. Training is going well, and I'm really looking forwards to spending some vanity time in the sun and the pool. I'm no adonis, but I feel great.

Meanwhile work is reaching the point of being a chore again, so much politics going on, and shit organisation its unreal. Along with people being work shy, and always blaming the next person. I'm no highly motivated worker, but I like to think I'm a team player. Shame there is no team to work with.

So what else is going on. Not much really, getting into summer mode now, adapting to my new lifestyle of getting up at 7am and getting stuck into training daily. Strained my back the other day, 2 days of no training was devastating for me. SO bored.

Other than that, life is pretty normal.

Oh how's this for restraint. I am due an upgrade on my phone but am NOT taking it. I knoooow! Crazy huh.

Right that's me for now, hope all are well.

If you use Twitter check out #TeamSnaz for my latest adventures.
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How annoying!

Just when all is going well, you yawn and pull your back. How the hell does that happen?

Anyway, onto more important things. Firstly training. All updates on my P90X can now be found on therealslimsnaz.blogspot.com
Now the recent highlight that needs marking forever. Congratulations to Mrs and Mrs Stokoe. Was great to see Laura so happy on Sunday after so many ups and downs in life :) And of course nice to see such genuine shared happiness and emotion between Laura and Ivan. The weather was amazing, the planning was great, and the day was mighty. One to remember for a long time.

Speaking of the weather, not sure how long this is all going to last but isn't it glorious! I'm sitting in the middle of a park on the way to work as I write this. Getting my 30 mins of sunshine I take a day. Surrounded by crows, and bathed in sunshine. That said, I can't wait to get off to Florida in a months time.

Right I'm gonna get on, I have rays to catch, so have a great day.
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The new weighted training vest

The new training aid, a 0-22lbs weighted vest. As mentioned in my earlier entry. This should really help me put that extra effort into all my activities, and make Plyo HELL !

P90X, Round 2, a new approach.

My first round of P90X officially ended yesterday, the last workout being on the Saturday. Day 90 saw some great results for me, and I have had some amazing feedback for the finished results. Bringing It really does work if you are determined, committed and motivated by the right things. If you are not, then maybe now is not the time for you. Hell you can do anything for 90 days haha.

So what do I take from this round into the next? The main one has to be nutrition. No its really not the be all and end all, while very important, its not something that total commitment is needed for unless you are aiming to the highest levels, and able to stay on track. My results have been pretty epic as far as I am concerned, but the diet side has been far from strict. I'm sure if I told some that I had been faithful to the nutrition plan and ended up like this, there would be hi-5's all around and chants of see that's what nutrition is all about. Lean arms and legs, bulked shoulders, and abs starting to show through.

However, all that said, I am going to take diet a little more seriously this time. More because of curiosity than anything if I'm honest. Now I am at the point I am at, I am left wondering just how impressive I can get this 40yr old body in just 2 rounds of P90X. Again, I should say I'm not going to be in any way strict, just careful about sinful intake and minimise the junk I eat. My top abs are just starting showing through now, and I wonder if I can make them show a lot more by Day 30, so there is my first goal.

Looking forwards to Day30 already and setting myself goals means I also have to step my game up quite a lot. So todays first session, Day1 Round2 was done with a slight twist to the past 90.

From this point in here are my rules. All dog walks before or after workouts MUST be done with the weighted vest with at least 11lbs in it. Where possible inclines will be run not fast pace walked. Weight to be increased as and when possible. ALL workouts which allow the vest to be worn will be done with it. Again with at least 11lbs in it. Push ups will be done with push up bars for full range of motion. Obviously not all styles of push ups allow for them. Intake will be minimal, but suitable for workout of the day. With protein and creatine being used throughout, and recovery drink of 500mls taken with each workout. Last meal of the evening will include fresh veg, and will be had when I get home from work, not late.

Friesdays are banned (maybe one monthly) and Sindays are the only day of the week when a small sin can be had. Fluid intake to remain very high. Weigh ins have no great importance from this point on, just about feeling fitter, trying harder and getting toned. Weigh ins will be for humour more than anything, and the only accurate record will be of workouts from here on in, and NOT weight.

Its sounding pretty different already isn't it? Add to that the increased resistance bands, and new heavier dumbells for really making my back and arms work hard, and it should all have the impact I'm looking for.

The longer this journey goes on, the more epic it gets, and the more people that join me on it just makes it more fun and interesting. Its not a competition in any way, but its great to have others you know to bounce thoughts, ideas and findings off. Its just one big learning curve, and we can all learn from one another, constantly.

Oh before I forget, ABRX, or Ab Ripper X. I have a confession. During round 1 I did it once, or should I say 'tried' it once. This time its a must, and will be done every session that it applies to. Todays effort was a lot better than I remember it being last time. Probably down to less bulk and more core strength thanks to Core Syns and Yoga.

Tomorrow will be of great interest to me. Plyo, with the weighted vest on. Having felt the difference the vest makes to simple long walks, I am expecting some serious digging being needed to complete an hour of Plyo with all the extra weight on me. Or at least I'm hoping so. That feeling of total exhaustion at the end is the goal here, knowing I gave it everything my body has. Collapsing during push ups today, while a little painful on the knees, was rewarding in a weird way. Knowing that it wasn't my mind giving up, but my body.

So there it is, my approach to my second round of P90X. Seeing results this time around is going to be somewhat harder, but I'm hoping with well taken photos, some evidence will be visible at each 30 day checkpoint. Let's see eh.

As ever, if you are doing, planning or starting your P90X journey, best of luck, stick at it, keep pressing play and give it all you got. If you gave it your best, you are an achiever. Compare yourself to no one, commit to yourself. I look forwards to hearing your stories and findings soon.

@therealslimsnaz
#Fit4Forty

Feel free to follow me on Twitter.
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Day 90 has arrived.

Ok guys and gals, just a really quick entry to say, 'here ya go'. The start and finish pics of my first trip with P90X.

All I can say is wowza! I had a great time, and am starting over again in the morning. Blown away by my results, not too shabby for someone who didn't really take nutrition too seriously.

Let's see what happens second time around.

Thank you all for taking the time to follow and support, and congrats to so many friends jumping on board, good luck to you all. Let's do this!
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Just a quick note to Anon's

I love the fact that people from all walks of life and various countries read my blog. The feedback is appreciated both positive and negative.

HOWEVER....
If you a spineless little shit that wants to post threatening comments about matters you disagree with me on... You are NOT welcome.
This blog is in MY name, about MY life, and contains MY opinions. If you don't like them, feel free to say so, but do NOT feel you have the right to post any kind of threat or wish of harm to me, while hiding behind the name 'anon'.

Sorry to regular readers for putting up with this rant, but I am sickened and disturbed when complete strangers feel the need to make comments like this....

"Maybe Santa will bring you a hot bullet to the head, followed by an IPCC cover up for Christmas, seeing as you clearly don't know the value of life (or your own brain, for that matter)."

You are a threatening, childish, spineless fuckwit, so as I said in my reply... Fuck off and save the world. If you took the time to read other entries you would realise I put a very high value on life.... Or most peoples anyway.
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The final straight

The finish line lays dead ahead of me. Currently just having finished Day3 of Week13 on P90X, I have just 3 routines remaining before I achieve the status of completing the complete P90X program. Its surprising how quickly the time has passed, and I have to admit to being a little impressed with myself for reaching this stage.

So, 3 months of quite intense, almost religious training, what have I learned, what can I share with you about my experience that might inspire or inform you.

Let's have a recap of this whole trip now and see.
I found myself doing P90X by complete mistake. A conversation with Noel one weekend got me interested, and a week later I was getting stuck in. The first thing I should impress upon you is 'be prepared' before you start. Not in a physical way, but more making sure you are ready to start, and have all you need to get things going.

Equipment for the program is very basic, and one of the things that appealed to me about it. That said, increasing the amount of equipment and improving the quality of it will make a big difference, as I have found over the past 13 weeks. I shall explain.
Pull up bars are an option but one I was never going for (you can if you want) So I went the route of adjustable dumbells and a single resistance band from Decathlon. This was fine to start with, but as things progress it becomes routine and stale, so change is needed.
For pushups you can use push ups bars, but I didn't.

12 weeks later I have 6 resistance bands, including 2 epic beast strength ones, Nike push up bars, a yoga mat, a heart rate monitor. Sounds a lot, but its all very compact and hasn't cost the earth. Now instead of doing the same thing week in week out, I can vary between free weights and bands, and vary the resistance of the bands to mix it up a little and give more on good days.
In addition to the above I have now added a weighted training vest to the mix. Up to 10kg with 500g removable weights, it allows me to make jumping and moving of the torso and legs a little harder, and like the bands, allows me to increase or decrease the intensity. I will be using this for round 2 of P90X, but experimented with it today at half weight and OMG! What a difference it makes.

The crazy part about the vest is that it only weighs 22lbs. Since first starting to look after myself, I have lost almost 4 times this. However one 1 hour walk with the vest at just 11lbs made me realise how much strain I must have been putting on my heart, other organs and joints. I don't ever want to do that to myself again. That alone has been a serious lesson for me to take care of myself better in future.

The first few weeks were a struggle for sure, I won't deny it. To anyone in the early weeks, Phase 1, and finding it a chore, keep plugging on there, it gets easier. So easy in fact that you will probably need to do what I did and challenge yourself a little more to feel like you gave it your all.
By Phase 2 (week5) things are starting to make sense, form improving and confidence can start to sky rocket. This is the time to make sure you are not cruising along, and check the weights, reps and intensity are the best you can do, and not just what you can get by with. Underachieving is just cheating yourself, no one else.

At this point I should also say, make the most of Week4, the stretching and cardio routines are there as a break for your body, to let the muscles recover a bit, and for you to make sure all is well. Improving flexibility will help a lot in the coming weeks, trust me on this. X Stretch and Yoga are sheer genuis routines there to allow your body that much needed rest, while keeping the heat on a little.

By the end of Phase 2 I was really starting to feel alive. Craving more exercise, brimming with confidence, and a touch of arrogance creeping in. Not a good thing, as this is where intake and diet can start to slip a bit. I didn't gain weight, but it has left me wondering if my physicals gains could have been enhanced without all the naughty extras.
With the energy comes the need to do more. For me, getting the girlfriend started on the program, and doubling up routines by training with her in the evenings was the extra burn I needed. An average day would be 4-5 miles with the dogs, train, go to work. Come home, 4-5 miles with the dogs then train again. And it has really been no big deal to keep that intensity.

That said, for Phase 3 I decided to throttle back on the extra sessions, and just focus on solid, clean single sessions daily, giving it all I have, and making sure I am training on the limit of my ability. By this point the extra equipment is starting to come into play, and things such as push ups have changed completely. Extra inches of travel, extra focus on the muscles, and a perfect clean push up of any variety that can be done with bars. For £14 they are alone game changers. With the introduction of muscle confusion, and really pushing hard and digging deep, post workout shakes appeared, and the day after effect returned. Struggling to open doors and climb stairs early on.

Post workout aches are a beautiful thing. They are not a strain as such, but the can remind you of what day to day activities use which muscles. Try and push a heavy door open after a session on triceps and POW they are alive. Push through it, and enjoy that sensation. Pulling the same door open (from the other side) after a bicep session and BANG, feel that bicep bulge as you pull. Some people moan about the aches, some struggle to function with them. But for me, I love them, and strive to ache like hell the nest day.

So here we are, middle of the final week, end of Phase 3, and embracing the rest, while using this time to fine tune myself to start over again. Getting the weight right in the vest to start on Week1 with it, making sure my bands are insane enough to really cause some ache, and perfecting my push up technique with the bars.

Round 1 almost up. Most than impressed with the results of it, and eager to see what round 2 can deliver. A trip to Florida mid-way through Round 2 will add a little challenge for me, but I can't wait.

End of this week sees the much anticipated Day90 pictures, and already I know the change from Day1 - Day90 is crazy. I was never expecting or even hoping to be ripped, which is a good thing, but I'm sure for anyone who has not seen pics since Day 30, they will be impressed to say the least. Watch for them, coming this weekend.

So thanks for the company on this funtastic journey through P90X, and keep watching for Round 2. It all starts again next week :)
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The changes that occur

I have just finished Week 12 of P90X now, and am on the final straight now for the end of the first lap. Week13, stretch week is all that remains.
Talking to a friend who is just starting her P90X journey, we have been discussing what changes we have seen so far, and what goals have been realised, or reconsidered.

So what have I noticed?
Well obviously there are the obvious, the physical changes, so let's run through those first. Weight loss affects you in many ways, not just physical appearance. For starters there is how you move and feel moving. Brisk, flowing and comfortable. Rather than stumbling along awkwardly and uncomfortably. Its not something that happens over night, so is not something that you notice unless you look back carefully.

Every day on my commute to and from work I tackle many flights of stairs, and as I think back I realise now how cumbersome I was travelling up and down these, where as now I pounce up and down them like a cat stalking prey. Jumping, springing, and travelling fast and lightly. Where as before I would really know I had just tackled a flight or two.
Just the whole feeling of being able to move, being free and able to do things you want to, agility is a total transformation too.

One of the biggest physical changes for me though it the lack of excess body getting in my way when I am trying to bend, reach or move in general. Slipping through smaller gaps, but still allowing for your former mass is quite hilarious at times. My greatest though it during workouts. Bending down to stretch hamstrings, or doing side stretches and actually not getting rolls of flab winding you as you bend forwards, or stop you bending to the side, and finding yourself going over much further.

The next change I have noticed is comfort in clothing. Now obviously all my clothes are a lot looser than they were, but some replacements in smaller sizes have been bought. Finally realising the word 'fitted' doesn't mean your belly doesn't hang out, nor that it pulls tight like lycra. Seeing how a fitted shirt makes you look in the mirror is quite rewarding. Speaking of mirrors, I think I am getting a little vain to say the least. I do love the opportunity to check myself out when it presents.

The strange one for me, which I think I mentioned before, is my fascination with myself. What do I mean? Well suddenly I have pecs, lats, biceps and triceps, boy have I got triceps! Catching a glimpse of the new definition in the aforementioned mirrors, well that's a match made in heaven for my ego. I love a good cuddle..... With myself! Wowza I have shoulders, yummy lol. I know its weird, but its motivational and rewarding too, so I'm gonna keep doing it.

Confidence also peaks as I start to feel fitter, strutting the streets, rollin with swagga, that's my new flow, ya feel? Seriously though, from brief encounters with people, to general interactions of all sorts, the feeling of being confident that my physique matches my persona is something great. Not hiding in the corner secretly ashamed of being the chubby one anymore feels gooood! (He types listening to LMFAO, Sexy and I know it' lol)

What I'm getting at is, P90X, training, getting fit isn't just about looks at all. Its a whole bunch of things. My life is very different. Full of energy and motivation to keep moving. Drive beyond belief, and goals that just keep moving for the better.

Right, earlier I mentioned the friend I was talking to, she is at the end of Week2 now, and also blogging her progress, so feel free to check out someone elses perspective on the P90X program here... http://lilcaz83.blogspot.co.uk

Next week is far from relaxing with 2 sessions of yoga, and other stretching and cardio routines. But come the weekend I will have officially completed P90X. I am torn right now, do I take a week off, or do I dive back in. I will decide over the coming week. In the meantime I know I need my weighted vest asap. As great as its been to lose weight, I now find myself wanting to carry more to make the workout more intense, so the solution is a weighted training vest. Adding 20lbs to the load I'm carrying walking the dogs and working out should hopefully have a positive impact. Let's see, I will be sure to let y'all know.

Right I'm done. Have a great weekend, and keep doing what you're doing.
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Quick update....

Ok so this period of 2 weeks towards the end of P90X Round1 is my transition period as I have previously said. And its a steep learning curve.
First up, without checking the scales I can honestly say I am NOT expecting any further losses. This phase has been all about nutrition and supplements, and they appear to be working. Bulking out and firming up. As well as building stamina in muscle groups.
If there is a loss, then great, but I don't expect it. We will find out the final weight next week at the end of the program, til then I'm focusing on the important things.

I have been experimenting with the time of day I work out recently, and today tried yoga first thing. After 20 mins to wake up and get moving I got stuck in. I can honestly say that this is NOT ideal for me at all lol. Damn it was hard work getting tired muscles involved. Needless to say, form suffered a little for it, and stretches were not as good as they could have been. As for the rest, well, the other workouts have been done varying before and after dog walks, and once again there is a noticeable difference to them also.

I want to add this too before I go. I am building my own little army of P90X'er Snaz's Soldiers :) so wanted to say well done, keep going and dig deep ( and get a move on to those who have not yet got their fingers out.) So , Chantal, Carly, Clare, Amit, John, Matt and Chris.... Well done for even considering this program. Anyone else interested in getting going on P90X, just shout. I'm always here to offer what advice I can, some guidance and a whole bunch of motivation and arse kickin.

Come on Snaz's Soldiers!
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Switchin it up

Its all very well being in a well planned program, alternating, varying, switching and changing as the weeks go on, but ultimately as you perfect your form you are going to get used to things a bit. I am now in Week12 of P90X and decided I had lost the edge on that 'morning after ache', so it was time to switch it up my way.

For the first two phases I have been doing the same things the same way, bands for back and pull downs, with free weights for the rest. For push ups I have used the flat open hand to floor approach. So this time around I decided to throw a spanner in the works and cause some muscle confusion. This week I am using resistance bands for 90% of the movements, and my new Nike push up bars for the push ups.

In simple terms OMG! What a difference its made. The workout itself suddenly became a struggle again, in a good way. And the morning after, well enough said. Needless to say I KNOW I have worked out, and exactly what body parts I hit yesterday.

With this in mind I am set on the idea that the next round of P90X (in 2 weeks time) will consist of switching every 2 weeks. Bands to weights and back again. Given there are only 3 weeks per phase, this means it will be even more unbalanced, but even more confusing for my body. Which is exactly what I want.

On another note recovery drink is not all hype, that stuff really works. I'm using Aptonia ISO, and my god it makes a difference for me, especially during an intense workout like Plyometrics. That now forms a solid part of my workout regime for sure. Today for example, with my heart averaging 135-155bpm for the hour, the carbs in the drink kept me on my game. Huge fluid loss during training, but I ended fresh, and felt great for it.

Todays Plyo was rounded off with an hour of walking the dogs. Another little switch up for my body and mind to cope with. And to be honest keeping it fresh is keeping me focused too. As committed as I am to the program, and trust me I AM committed, there are always moments of wavering concentration and focus.

My mind is in the game, my heart is in it, and my health is brilliant right now. I know I'm doing something right when 2 more friends have decided to jump on board and give P90X a go.

So that's me for now, popped it up a gear, heading for Day90 and the final pics FAST, and also round 2. My Day90 pics will become my Day1 pics for round 2, and what I have learned during round 1 will stand me in good ground to do amazing things for the next time around. Diet dialed in, nutrition sorted, routine plotted, and goal in sight.

Let's do this!

Welcome aboard the P90Xpress people :)
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