A brief GRRRRR

I just wanted to get something off my chest.

When you make decisions in life, you are left to live with them. Whatever the outcome, good or bad, you made the choice, so it is for you to make it right.

However, along the way, in making the matter right we may lose out. Financially, socially or many other ways.

What is important is that we correct our mistake at our own cost, and not at the expense of the happiness and welfare of others.

Some people however are too fuckin selfish to realise that, and put a price on EVERYTHING, even happiness!

To you people..... You are arseholes!
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Another day, another commute

But the clock is ticking and soon there will be no more... Not for a couple of weeks anyway.
As the countdown continues to tumble, the trip to Florida gets closer, 2 weeks away from the UK, a long time coming, this trip is really gonna set my mind free.
Taking the new fitness regime with me, not a minute there will be wasted. And this year we have company so will make the trip a little more interesting too.

Weather out there has been dry and high heat recently, so I'm sure it will rain lots when we get there, but who cares. As long as I wake each day away from home for a bit, that's all that matters to me.

The ridiculous hire cars we have will help make it all the more fun for sure. 4 people, 3 cars and about 18 seats between them collectively lol, over kill, hell yeah, its the US baby!

So as much as it pains me to go to work today, its not long now, so anything is bareable.
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Just can't sleep

No idea why, but for some reason recently I have been waking up at about 5am daily, regardless of the time I go to bed, or how tired I have been. Usually I would lay there and just keep trying to sleep, but from years of experience I know this only results in waking up feeling like crap.

When you are awake, you are awake, can't fight it. Usually there would be a reason to wake up early, noise, stress, excitement, plans... But no, nothing at all recently. OK I like to be up early to train, that's certainly become a routine for me, and waking up at around 7am for that is just fine. So why my body has decided 5am is better I do not know.

Instantly the first concern for me is a weird one. What's going to happen when I fly to Florida? Is my body clock going to go completely bonkers? Worrying times, is jetlag going to have me all over the place when I return?

Maybe its all down to a healthier body and mind, and that I really don't need as much sleep as I have got used to over recent years. Don't get me wrong, if my body decides it wants me up at 5am daily, I can adapt to that no problem. Its just a bit sudden and unexpected. I wonder if my body has decided 'get up a couple of hours earlier, and you can do tai chi too' lol, now that would be good eh.

Either way I guess I am going to have to follow my bodys orders and do as I'm told, so I'm up, awake and ready for the day now. Guess I should do something like X-Stretch to get the day started huh.

Have a good day people.
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Peaceful Saturday morning

So I woke to the sound of this bugger of a machine drilling and hammering away at the concrete once used to flood the basement and secure the foundations and surrounding houses on the site at 6 Church Rise

From the day the original structure became unstable and needed securing, I always knew that this was going to be an irrirating time. Getting the dozens of tons of concrete, which were just pumped blindly in there, back out. So here we are!

I can't moan too much really, it could be a lot worse. But today is the first time in ages I have really NEEDED a lay in and extra rest and sleep.... However it was not to be!

Right now I can't wait for this phase to be over with, and for some reinforcements to go in to make the whole thing secure again. Once a building starts to appear out of the ground I will be far happier. Its been 4 years since disaster struck, and I can't wait to see a house there again, and not have god awful hoarding around the place. That said I will miss the extra daylight I currently get.


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6 Church Rise

The fantastic building works that are currently going on next to my house. Those bits of metal give me such great comfort that the sides of the hole can't collapse in.
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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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