Phase 2!!! Back to the blog

Hey everyone!
I took a little break from blogging. I didn't want to bore anyone with my repetition of Phase 1. But now I'm back! I finished Phase 1, and I feel pretty good! I just finished my first workout for Phase 2: Chest, Shoulders & Triceps. Wow this was another intense workout! I'm having a hard time typing! LOL.
All sorts of crazy with different pushups, fly exercises, and triceps extensions... But I'm done for the day! I am now using free weights. My sensei was kind enough to let me borrow some from the dojo. I stuck with 15lb weights this go around. My goal is to push 20 next week... we'll see what happens...

More to follow!

Days 4,5,6,7, and the following week

Well I've been slacking on the updates, and the P90x workouts... aye aye aye!
Day 4 was supposed to be yoga, but I decided to go to Karate instead.

Day 5 was leg and back. I went to karate and followed up with this workout. I believe my lower back injuries are affecting me. I used to have a lot of sciatica type pain and it had gone away, but now it's making a resurgence... could it be from the back workout? or being dropped on my @$$ in karate a few dozen times??? don't know, but it's been affecting my intensity level.

Day 6 was Kenpo but I had gone to a church conference for the long weekend, and didn't bring my videos with me! tsk tsk... well I got my cardio by playing in a bball tournament. our church actually won first place! it was a great feeling! any way
Day 7 was rest...

Last week I focused a lot on karate. I was staying later than usual and getting a lot more time with the sempais and sensei. I did do chest & back and shoulders & arms workouts, but the rest of the time it was karate, karate, karate... My back acted up again, so I took it easy...
Hoping to get back into a P90x routine this week!
Will keep you posted!

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Day 2 - Plyometrics redux and return of an old school sempai, Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms redux

On Monday I had a lesson from the old school of hard knocks! I had the opportunity of learning from one of sensei's old students, and he taught me a lot. We started off with review of defense and counter-attacking using iyumiashi stepping and various blocks. And then the fun began... Kiso Kumite Dai Roku, where sempai went over every technique in great detail and excruciating pain for me! But it was worth it. One thing I realized is that I was not doing the techniques right. I had the motions right, but that's about it. People I was practicing with would just fall when I did my techniques with them. Not with this sempai though! There was a level of pain missing. It's one thing to be nice to our fellow karatekas, but if that means losing the purpose of the move, why bother practicing? These moves are devastating and meant to break limbs, and yesterday I learned that when practicing the moves we must focus and give the intent of the move, without breaking the limb of course. From a level of 1 to 10, where 1 is just motions and 10 is breaking the limb, I think I've been practicing these moves at 2, when I should have been at 6, 7, or 8. So just as in P90x, I need to up the intensity!
Speaking of which, I came back from Karate and went directly to Plyometrics. I didn't bother changing, and my dogi was already heavy with sweat from karate. I think it added at least another ten pounds to me, which intensified the jump training workout.
Day 3 was Shoulders and Arms. I used the bands again, but with a larger loop. I think I did really well. My numbers are up, and I am sore this morning in all the right places.
I need to start focusing on the diet aspect more. I've been slacking at lunch. I need to hit the subway and get the 6" subs instead of going to Wendy's for the chicken sandwich. Has anyone started counting calories???
More to come!

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Day 1 - Chest & Back Redux

So last night I worked on Chest and back. I focused on technique and maximum reps.
I think I did really well, compared to my first round of phase one. All my numbers are up. I still am having trouble with the dive bomber push ups, we have a similar exercise in daruma taiso, and I still don't have it right there either. So it's something to focus on next time.

I need to work harder on the different type of pull ups. I'm still having a hard time getting a half-ton off of the ground. I am going to need to use a chair to increase my reps, or switch to the resistance band, but I want to stick with the pull up instead.

More to come!

Phase 1 Done! Next up, Phase 1!

Well, I've completed Phase 1 of the series.
Do I feel stronger? YES
Did I lose some weight? YES
Am I ready for Phase 2? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!
I don't feel I'm strong enough to do a lot of the things in Phase 2.
I'm not even 70% used to the stuff in Phase 1.

So I'm going to do another round of phase 1.

So Here we go again!
My goals for this go around of Phase 1:
1) Do more pull ups /push ups reps
2) You a stronger resistance
3) Improve stamina
4) Lose more weight.
5) Try not to kill myself doing Goals 1, 2, 3, and 4

Oh boy....

Day 22, 23, 24

So it looks like I missed a day of Yoga X at the beginning of this workout week, so I will be making it up on my rest day.

Day 22 Kempo X
I still enjoy this workout. It's fun, and I tried to bring up the intensity during the routine.

Day 23 Stretch X
Would you believe this was the first time I used this routine? I think I will start using it on the rest days.

Day24 Core Synergistics
The chataranga runs are killer! If you want to know what I'm talking about, here's a link to show what it looks like (not me doing it)

Day 21 - Core Synergistics

WOAH - I tthought this was supposed to be me week of rest! And here I am huffing and puffing and curled up in the fetal position... Another killer routine that's got me so sore and it's only been a couple of hours since I finished... could it be related to the last ab ripper x routine that I did or the ab routine during daruma taiso? not sure... but I am not moving so well at the moment... a good night's sleep should do wonders...

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Day 20: Kenpo X

Last night I had done Kenpo X. I really am starting to like this routine. And I can't believe how sweaty I get doing it. I focused more on intensity, and I also modified techniques to match what I've been working on in Karate. Speaking of which, I went today to Karate, and I am so winded! The dojo was a sauna yet again... But it was a good workout and I worked on Kata Geki Sai Dai Ichi, Kihon Kata Sanchin, and Koryu Kata Seiunchin. I also had an opportunity to practice Kiso Kumite Dai Go again. I am excited about next week. I will get an opportunity to be an assistant teacher during the daruma taiso workout. I've also been told that black belt exams are in the beginning of December. Though I haven't been given the green light, I am going to continue to practice as though I have the opportunity to test...

Day 19: Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X

I did Legs & Back today, after a very tough workout at the dojo... It was very tough to get quality or quantity out of me... but I managed to work up another good sweat after the grueling karate workout...
I like the leg & back workout because of the focus on balance... my calves are really tight right now. I believe I will be sore tomorrow... :)

Day 18 Yoga X

I took my time with this program today and really got a good workout with it. By the time I was done, my shirt was drenched. I wasn't as pretty or graceful as the crew, but I got a good workout from it...

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Day 17: Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper X

Today's workout was Shoulders & Arms followed by Ab Ripper X... I really focused on technique this time and I feel that I had the proper amount of resistance. I started feeling the burn toward the last few reps of each exercise. I'm actually happy that I'm getting the technique down now. Day 15's routine's soreness are started to hit me this morning in my chest and back and not in my triceps. I guess I'll have to wait for day 19 to feel them. ;-)
Ab Ripper X got the better of me as usual... 'I hate it, but I LOVE it' as Tony says... I still can't keep up with the folks in the video, but I am trying my best. I got to remember to breathe more!
Next up Yoga X!

Day 16 - Plyometrics

Today was a very tough day for me physically.
First of all I decided to go to karate in the middle of this heat wave. The dojo was like a sauna. We went through a lite version of our daruma taiso exercises. The one nice thing was that an old face showed up at the dojo today that i haven't seen in a year and a half or so. He's an older gentleman, short in stature but could easily kick my ass - and his personality and features reminds me of my father-in-law, whom I love just like my dad. anyway, it was a pleasure practicing with him. when I was a green belt, he was at the level I am today, and then had gone away for a bit. Well, I'm glad to see him back because now we can both practice together for our black belt exams.
Anyway, after karate, I came home and did plyometrics. I was totally winded. The 'mother of all X workouts' got to me... I think the heat had affected me, but I managed to get through it, though was not very high in intensity. A couple of things I did was to change up some of the moves again to be more like karate techniques and follow the lower impact workout.
On to shoulders & arms!

Day 15 - Chest & Back

Wow it was tough to get back into the swing of things after a holiday weekend! I can't believe it's my 3rd week! Time flies! Well the first workout of the week is Chest & Back. I really focused on technique this week. It actually affected the number of reps I did, but i think this was for the better. This morning I am feeling the soreness my chest and especially my back, and less in my triceps. So I think the pushups and pullups are finally hitting the right spots. :) Stayed tuned to the next update!

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Day 12, 13, 14

Hello there!
I've been slacking on the blog at the end of this week, so I thought I'd give a quick recap:

Day 12 - 7/2: Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X. I can't believe how intense this workout was! My calves are still super sore from Friday's workout. The calf raises really hurt, but I got through it. Now If I could only walk properly... anyway, I am getting better at the pull ups and chin ups.

Day 13 - 7/3: Kempo X. I really enjoyed this workout! My calves were sore from they day before, so my technique could have been more graceful, but it was fun and I stuck with the whole crew.

Day 14 - 7/4: Happy Independence Day! Rest day for me!

Week 3, here I come!

Day 11 - Yoga: not so much

Well, plans thwarted again... I went to karate and did daruma taiso exercises followed by review of all of the kata that I have learned so far, and then kiso kumite dai roku and dai go. Then all hell broke lose. I get visited by wifey at the dojo and she tells me that our dog might have broken its leg! Off to the Animal ER - in my karate uniform... sigh... Anyway, two hours later and 200 bucks poorer, no broken leg, thank goodness - just a sprain. Poor puppy is limping though... Yoga X was not meant to be today and since I did have karate and daruma taiso exercises, I'm going on to Day 12 - legs, back & ab ripper X tomorrow!

Day 10 - Shoulders & Arms and Karate

You know, one thing I haven't done since I've started this blog is go into detail about what I've been doing in karate. As I've mentioned before, my goal of doing P90X is to improve my strength an stamina, and to lose weight for my black belt promotion, which will test me on everything that I've learned since I was a white belt. I am currently a 1st kyu student (brown belt with three stripes). I've been holding this rank since last December.I am not sure when exactly my black belt exam will be, but i've been training for it since January. Anyway, today's Karate routine is consisted of Daruma Taiso exercises, which I think is based on Yoga and Martial Arts exercises which included 10 reps of daruma taiso pushups, a crazy ab routine (included crunches, sit-ups, and leg lifts), a bonus step training, as well as other stretches and warm-ups. We then did a two man Tai Sabaki drill. It was then followed by a partial review of 3rd kyu curriculum which included the review of Geki Ha Kata Dai Ichi, Koryu Kata Saifa, and Kiso Kumite Dai Go. When I was first learning Kiso Kumite Dai Go, it really scared me, because one of the techniques was a throw, and I had to learn the counter, which was rolling out of the throw properly so you don't dislocate your shoulder. Since it's a two man drill, it requires a lot of trust in the person you're practicing with, and I had a really good practice buddy yesterday... good times :)
Anyway, after Karate was over, and I came home and did my Day 10 Shoulders & Arms routine. Since I had an ab workout already during karate, I skipped the Ab ripper X. The basis of the routine is a simple cycle - shoulders, Bi-s, Tri-s, Shoulders, Bi-s, Tri-s, etc. I am still using the resistance bands and adjusted tension accordingly. I've moved from doing beginner chair dips to the more advanced one legged chair dips. The really make your triceps feel the burn! I'm having a hard time bending my arms, so I think I need to stretch more afterward. Anyway, Day 11 is going to be Yoga X. I think I'm going to do my best and forget the rest! I'll keep you posted!

Day 9 - Plyometrics

So day number two is in the bag! I did Plyometrics, and I am winded. I tried my best to stick with Dominic and Pam. I increased the intensity and did my best! I am going to feel this tomorrow...lol.
I was on a mission to bring the X with deeper squats, higher jumps, and faster repetition! I'm looking forward to the next routine!

Week 2 reboot - Day 8: Chest & Back

So the previous week started strong and ended a little week... Time to try harder!
'Do your best and forget the rest", right??? Ugh where to begin??? The week ended with a birthday party in the city on Friday, and the rest of the weekend was in Baltimore, Maryland for a wedding. So the leg workout and kempo was skipped... very bad...
But I have returned back to Day 8 - Chest & Back - the basics of push ups and pull ups, followed by Ab Ripper X. My numbers improved compared to last week. I was doing between 15 & 20 push-ups and around 15 pull-ups with the chair. By the time I got to The Dive Bomber Push-ups, I was exhausted, but I got through it... Again the Ab Ripper X got the best of me. I felt like I kept up better than last time, but the leg climbs and the mason's twist totally destroyed me.
I am going to do my best to finish every routine this week and am ready to Bring It!

Day 4 - Yoga X

Yoga FIRE! That's what i felt in the back of my legs! whew... this is an hour and half video... unfortunately I didnt have enough time to finish the whole thing. I did over 30 minutes, and had to get ready for bed. i thought it was very intense. in fact a bit too intense. i need to work on my flexibility. i will have to adjust some of the poses and exercises because i was getting back spasm after i was done. I may actually switch to my daruma taiso exercises that i learned from karate instead of yoga X, because I need to review and could use the practice. Maybe i'll switch back to it in the next cycle. all in due time...

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The stumble and Day 3 - Arms and Shoulders

I know, I know... I'm making excuses... I didn't have enough hours at the end of the day on Tuesday to accomplish the Day 3 exercises. I came back late from training in the city, and had to take our dog to obedience class. Then take care of a support issue at work, next thing I knew it was midnight, and I have yet to sleep. Since I needed to wake up early again to go in for my last day of training in the city, I opted to go to bed.
So I go back on the P90X wagon on Wednesday - Arms & Shoulders, and Ab Ripper X... Have I mentioned that I hate Ab Ripper X??? No seriously - I HATE Ab Ripper X. But I got through it again. The arms and shoulders workout was pretty good... I kept up with Mr. Haas(?) and the resistance band... I like the way the bands work, but I believe I am going to need some weights sooner than later... But I don't want all the clutter. Anyone have any options for cheap adjustable weights out there???

Day 2 - Plyometrics

First I want to thank Johnny Beergut and his photoshop skills for editing the pic on this blog!
On another note, I woke up this morning with sore triceps, chest, and lats...
Anyway, Day 2 was Plyometrics. I have to say that Karate training definitely helped me out. Shiko dachi (Horse stance) and a lot of the other techniques helped me with the squats and balance. I'm pretty sure I will still have sore legs on Wednesday... It was pretty high impact. In fact I had to adjust what I was doing during the Jump Knee Tucks because they we tweaking my knee and it's hard to get half a ton off the ground. Other than that I kept up with they crew for the most part, but took one extended water break of a minute.
The soreness was starting to kick in early from Day 1's workout. My arms almost buckled during the cool down section! All I was doing was the downward dog to stretch my calves. oh boy... can't wait till Wednesday when the lower body soreness kicks in. It's going to be awesome because I have training in the city and will be using mass transit and walking around a lot... :)
Will keep you posted!

Day 1 - OMG What was I thinking???

Day 1 - Chest, Back, Ab Ripper X...
I wasn't sure what to expect...
I attempted to keep up with guy in the back.
I managed 12 push-ups and 10 pull-ups using the chair... I used the resistance band this time around... By the time I was done I was having trouble bending my arms...
I think I need to work on my push technique...
AB Ripper X totally destroyed me... If you've known me or seen me lately,
you know I have a weak gut... This thing was intense! I was taking waaay too many breaks - that's what I get for eating BBQ with dad...

I tend to get sore 2 days after a workout, so I'm probably going to feel this on Tuesday... Can't wait... oh boy...

First Blog

The pupose of this blog is two-fold: to track my progress of obtaining a black belt in Shoreikan Goju Ryu Karate & to track my progress in P90X!
I hope to go for my black belt exam sometime towards the end of the year, and to improve my chances of earning it, I've decided lose weight. I started with lowering my caloric intake to ~2000 Calories. I kept my usual routine of attending Karate class once or twice a week... I went from 235lbs to 220lbs in about four months, but now I am starting to plateau...
So time to get extreme! A couple of my friends (Johnny Beergut & Joey Fatso) have started working out with P90X and are making progress and have insipred me to get extreme too! So...
Pull up / kvr tower assembled and ready? CHECK
Weights / resistance? CHECK
Day 1 begins JUNE 20th!
I will keep you posted! ;-)

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