5 Miles!

Last night, in an effort to remain active while I find a good re-start date for Round 3 of P90X, I went for a run in central park, with a friend (whom mind you, just ran a half marathon). She advised we would be doing 5 miles, and so all through the day I wondered if I'd make it out alive. As I have previously stated many times, I AM NOT A RUNNER. Keep in mind also, the most I've ever run was the 3.5 mile JP Morgan Corporate Challenge. Which coincidently was also the last time I ran, at all, which occured on June 11.

So I tackled the task. I told myself, if I can finish within an hour, I'd be happy (thats averaging just about a 12 min mile (aka- 5mph). As luck would have it, I finished 5 miles (actually, its 5.15 miles, according to the central park runner's map) in 58:33. Yay. Haha...I was incredibly sore and almost dizzy afterwards. I scarfed down a banana and a protein shake for recovery, because I REALLY needed it.

The good news in all this is my goal of remaining active was achieved, since my heart rate was "in zone" for most of the time. Maxing out around 184, and averaging 166 (according to my Nike heart rate monitor). And from various sources, it looks as if I burned anywere between 600-750 calories!

Final stats:
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 58:33
Max heart rate: 184
Avg heart rate: 166
Time in target zone: 58:01
Calories burned: between 600-750

Round 3, on hold

Ok, for now, P90X Round 3 is being placed on hold. A mix of being busy (trying to get settled in, STILL) and a little laziness has caused this round to get off to a rocky start. So, I figured I'll take another week to wrap up what i need to in the house (hopefully thats enough!), as well as get through the labor day holiday (bbq?).

Projected re-start date? Sept 14 (hopefully).

This will also give me a chance to get this darn diet in order. Darn lack of willpower!!

P90X: Round 3

So last night I started Round 3 of P90X. So after having done it twice before, losing over 30 pounds, one would think to themself, well, it should be easier this time around. Well, one would be DEAD WRONG!!!! I had as difficult of a time as I've always have, and even got a headache halfway through. In my defense though, it has been over a month since I last worked out (hey, I had a wedding, honeymoon, and trying to get settled into a new place). So here starts Day 1, again. Here are stome stats (Haven't taken photos yet, but will soon).

Day 1: 8/17/2009
Weight: 202.2
Body Fat%: 20.5%
Waist: 36"
Gut: 36"

(yea, waist & gut went up an inch in one month!! not good, not good at all)

Drum Roll Please....

Ok, so I finally mustered up the the courage to post, *gulp* my before-after pic! so here it is! and just for a dramatic effect, I'm comparing it not from my Day 1 pic, but from my pic from last year, so we can see what I was. So, after a year and 2 rounds of P90X, we have this (click to enlarge):

P90X Round 2.5- COMPLETE

Well, round 2.5 is in the books and its time for some stats!

Now, a quick disclaimer. The reason this is round "2.5" is because I had originally started on Jan 1., 2009. But after getting through about 45 days, some of you may remember I injured my ankle pretty badly (see mobile photos for reminder). So after 2-3 weeks, it was finally healed enough where I could workout. I decided to just restart on March 30, which is why this became round 2.5. so with that being said, note that these stats are from the beginning of the year, not March 30 (since i did not redo my measurements at the time, tho my weight loss since then was still good!). Here we go!

Day 0:
Weight: 223.8 lbs
Fat %: 26.0%
Body Fat Wt: 58.19 lbs
Waist: 40"
Gut: 42"

Day 90 (round 2.5, so more like, day 130):
Weight: 196.6 lbs
Fat %: 19.0%
Body Fat Wt: 37.35 lbs
Waist: 35"
Gut: 35"

Totals:
Net weight loss: 27.2 lbs
% weight loss: 12.15%
Net FAT wt loss: 20.83 lbs
% of fat wt loss: 35.8%
Inches lost, waist: 5"
Inches lost, gut: 7"
How much better i feel: 100%!! haha!

For those of you who question the effectiveness of this program, question no more. This is the REAL DEAL. If you look back to this time last year, i've lost over 35 pounds. All this, without REALLY following the nutrition plan thats prescribed. I can't imagine how much more my results would have been had I eaten better. This is as much nutrition as it is working out.

So, I'll do a modified plan from now until the big day on July 18. Planning to restart on Aug. 1. If anyone is interested, let me know!

One Ninety Nine Point Four

Well, ladies and gents, the day has finally arrived. For the first time since before my ankle surgery in 2004, I am under the 200lb mark!! Weighed in at 199.4 this morning!!! 199.4. havent seen that "1" in front in 5 years. FIVE YEARS. I guess this is kind of like those people on "The Biggest Loser", when they go from the 300's down into the 200's, and they say they haven't seen that "2" in a long time....haha. Well, just thought I'd share my happy news. and just for any doubters, here's some visual evidence for you.

Things I've Tried...

::edit:: (i forgot about the 3-hour diet!)
So, I just got to thinking of all the various workout programs/gadgets and or diets that I've attempted in the past to lose weight or get healthy, and that have ultimately failed. Here's how the list rounds out.

Windsor Pilates
3-day Diet
Special K Diet
Some ab-belt thing (dont ask)
Walking from my office to Penn Station (roughly 20 blocks, 25 min)
Hydroxycut
3-hour diet

All have failed mostly due to lack of motivation/determination. All but P90X now. I'm not really sure why. Maybe because the results come relatively quickly. and its fun, for the most part. Almost under 200 pounds for the first time since college. just 1 little pound to go. hopefully i will get there soon, and you'll be sure to hear about it!

running

Currently on week 8 of P90X, Phase II Recovery Week, so i decided to go for a run last night, with a couple of colleagues. this is the third time i've gone and i must say it is getting easier, i've also done Plyo X a few times since the first time i ran. we did the small (1.7 mile) loop twice, but walked about half of the second lap. as you can see, i'm no runner and still fairly new to this running thing, and running on a treadmill is NOTHING like the real thing.

i dont think i realized how weak my legs have gotten. i've always had strong legs (big too), but i think that was because i used to play sports regularly, from bball to football to softball. but in the past couple of years, its only been softball and volleyball (and not very regularly), and the 10 minute walk from my house to the LIRR station! but softball and volleyball really do not compare to the intensity of bball or football. plus i've put on some pounds since then. so i'm hoping with the combination of Plyo X, Legs & Back (P90X), and running, i'll regain the endurance i once had in my legs.

Plateau

its been a long time since i've updated. so here goes!

so, it looks like i've really hit a wall in my weight loss journey. i've been stuck around 205 lbs since the middle of april, and its May 14th today. weighed in at 206 @ 20.5% fat. wondering what i'll need to do to get that jump started again. Currently in week 7 of P90X (round 2.5). Will have a recovery week coming up and then Phase III, so i'm hoping that will do the trick. or perhaps i'm just not working as hard! =P in any case, here's a summary of results so far:

	1/7/2009	5/14/2009	Totals
weight	223.8	206.4	17.4
fat %	26%	20.5%
waist	40"	35.5"	4.5"
belly	42"	35.5"	6.5"

Round 2: P90X

ok, so i stumbled to the finish in round 1. so, after 2 months off. i think its time for round 2. who's with me?