Phase 2 - BEGIN!

Well, today we felt good enough to start Phase 2.

Exercise was Chest/Shoulders/Tri's. What a workout. Some killer pushup routines. Those slow 3 movement pushups certainly gave my sweat glands a workout!

Still lacking the energy I'm used to, most likely from the bad head cold that we both had. Still not feeling 100%, but we wanted to get back into it. Maybe the pain from the workout will push the sickness out... hahahahahah.....

After that, good ol Ab Ripper X. Still can't do bloody crunchy frog. Not due to the lack of coordination, but it hurts my tail bone for some reason. Lauren doesn't have a problem with it though.

We did our workout in the morning too, normally we do it in the afternoon/evening. Morning seemed to work well though.

Gotta go cook some juicy Porterhouse steaks for dinner now!

Sick...

Well, the inevitable has happened. We've both got massive colds. Not just the sniffly type that you hardly even notice, but the one with the constant river of snot, sneezing, sore throats, coughing, headaches, and massive lethargy.

Needless to say, we won't be starting phase 2 until we're both well again.

So, for the moment, P90X is on pause for the next day or two until all this medication, vitamin C, and good food kicks in to get us back in energy mode!

On another note, pics will be taken today of our 30 day results. Stay tuned!

Day 29

Day 29. Start of Phase 2. We haven't posted the last two days because we've both got massive colds, and haven't been working out. Luckily, it's during the 'recovery phase', so we haven't really lost anything.

We did our Phase 1 body fat tests today. Lauren is down to 26.76%, which means she's lost 5 points, which equates to 17% in 30 days.

I'm down to 19%, which isn't much, but I'm happy it's under 20%.

Now comes the good part, of taking the pics.

I'll take them either today or tmw, and post them up. Hopefully you guys can see the difference, if any.

Day 23

Today was Core Synergistics. I didn't do it due to the intensity level of the course I'm doing at the moment, and simply don't have the energy when I get home after fighting for 8 hours, to do anything else.

Lauren said she was knackered after 15 minutes, and did a plethora of push ups, and something called the Superman and the Banana. I'm curiously intrigued...

On the fitness side of things, we're both going well. Nutrition is still strong, although we had a 'special' meal tonight to celebrate something. It wasn't fast food or takeaway, it was homecooked, but wasn't as healthy as normal. It was a one off though.

Day 22

Day 22 was yoga. Lauren did it, I didn't. Why? I'm doing a course that's physically intensive until Thursday. I say intensive, because after the first day I'm sore all over, drank over 3 litres of water to replace what I was sweating out, and went for a piss once. Dehydrated much?

I'm smashing the fluids into me now though.

Lauren still amazes me. Not only is she the worlds best wife, worlds best mother, and worlds best lover, she is going great guns at this program. She's starting to have a lot more energy, and is smiling a lot more. I think she's starting to realise how good she's going, and I think she might have the goal in her sights of where she might be after all this is finished. Her enthusiasm keeps me motivated, which in turn motivates her back. It's a great circle.

Core synergistics tmw, which I'm really looking forward to. Haven't done it yet, so I'm curious. Hope I'm not too sore to check it out. I know Lauren will be doing it though.

Day 21

Ok, so you might have realised we haven't posted for a while. You can blame this on a few things, the major one being that we've been absolutely stuffed the last few days. I get home from work, and pretty much go straight to bed, or we've been running around like headless chooks doing things during the day, get home, do our workout, then it's off to bed. I update the blog when I can, and it's pointless doing it when I'm tired. All you'd be reading is poor grammar and shocking spelling mistakes.

Anyway...

We've been going hell for leather on the workouts still. We've only missed one, and that was the most recent Legs and Back. This is because Lauren has what is probably shin splints, and I've got a dodgy knee that I didn't want to aggravate. So instead of doing Legs and Back, we did an extra session of Kenpo. Better than nothing I guess.

I've got an ISR Matrix Instructor certification course this week, so that's going to be brutal. (Watch the clip below if you're curious) Luckily, we're into the recovery week of Phase One now, so it's mostly cardio and core stuff.

Only one more week until our Phase One pics are taken. Lauren is already down to 57kg, and I'm noticing improvements in my musculature. Weight is still around the same, but I guess if I'm putting on muscle at the same rate I'm losing fat, then I'll be happy.

Nutrition wise, we're still going well. We still haven't been tempted by our 'bad' foods, although Lauren is pining for Hungry Jacks. My water intake probably isn't as good as it can be, but I'll fix that.

Anyway, we're back now, and hopefully I won't be too stuffed this week after the course to update the blog.

We're almost one third of the way into this program. And we're loving it.

Day 12

Today was Legs and Back again, followed by Ab Ripper.

I enjoy doing legs and back. All those lunges and squats are starting to pay off methinks.

I used to have a problem with my knees (don't have as much cartilage as everyone else anymore), and used to suffer a bit of pain.

With my quads and hammy's getting stronger know, they're supporting my knee more, and the pain isn't as great.

Still hate those damn wall squats though!!!!!

Looking forward to cardio tmw.

Day 11

Urgh... Yoga. Again. And it's sooooooo damn long. There's only a certain amount of time I can attempt to tie myself into a human pretzel before it gets boring.

I ended up pretty much just using this as a stretching session.

Day 10

Shoulders, Arms, and Ab Ripper X today.

Really enjoyed todays workout. I made sure I pushed hard in all the sets, and jeebus was I feeling the burn at the end of each one.

I'm also getting sick of Tony's lame jokes, and not sure how much longer I can put up with it. Might have to turn the volume down and crank some decent music while doing the exercises... I'm sure they're funny, just not over, and over again.

Lauren and I did our workouts separate today due to work commitments. From the text I got from her just before midnight, sounds like she was buggered though.

Yoga tmw... I'm not looking forward to it as much as Lauren is...

Day 9

Plyometrics again today. I can safely say they're getting easier to do. By easier, I don't mean I'm not getting a workout... I'm still sweating about a litre of fluid I reckon every workout (gross - I know), but I'm finding the movements and dynamics easier to do.

James, my brother in law, came over and did our workout with us today as well. He started the same day as us, so we're all in it for the long haul.

Lauren slept from 1pm till 5pm, and when she woke up she was complaining of no energy.... duh... I gave her one of my protein bars to nibble on while she was doing the workout for some quick energy.

And this is gonna sound funny/gross (depending on your level of humour), but plyometrics make me fart LOTS. Every time I lunge or squat, thar she blows... I could only blame it on the dog for a few minutes before Lauren and James caught on that it wasn't the dog at all...

I guess all that jumping around gets things moving!

Damo's Protein Bar Recipe. Awesome.

Ok, so during the days where you feel like something snacky, or you're getting a sweeth tooth attack, a protein bar is normally the best way to satisfy both those urges. You get the hit of protein (and a few carbs) to keep you going, and the sweetness to keep the sugar demon at bay.

I've spent the best part of two days going though multiple nutrition/body building/fitness forums and websites, hunting for that elusive perfect protein bar recipe you can make at home.

Why make them at home I hear you say? Because I don't want to spend between $3-6 every time I want a snack!

So from all the recipes I read, I decided to unleash the chef within me, and have a crack at making my own.

It took about ten minutes, and is SIMPLE to make.

Here's my recipe....

1 Cup of Peanut Butter (I use crunchy)

1 Cup of Honey (good sugar substitute)

1 Cup of Water

2 Cups of Rolled Oats (I toasted one cup of them in the oven for a bit of flavour)

2 Cups of Cereal (Use whatever you want, I used rice bubbles)

1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Essence

12 scoops of protein. (A scoop is about 40 grams - for my scoop anyway)

(If you want to make a smaller batch, just halve the ingredients, and only put in the oven for 10 minutes)

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius, and LIGHTLY grease a flat baking tray.

2. Put the peanut butter, water, and honey into a saucepan on low heat, and mix until the peanut butter isn't lumpy. It doesn't actually dissolve, it just seperates.

3. Once the peanut butter is mixed, pour all the saucepan contents onto the rest of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

4. Start mixing! It's pretty thick, and you'll get a good forearm workout, but make sure you get it all mixed properly.

5. Once it's mixed well, spoon and spread it out on the baking tray. It's VERY thick and sticky, so this is a task as well.

6. Once it's spread fairly evenly, whack it in the oven for 15 minutes.

7. Remove tray after the 15 minutes, and place in the fridge to cool.

You can choose to cut it before or after you put it in the fridge. I did it as soon as it came out of the oven.

It sets very well, and has the same consistency as store bought protein bars.

Oh, and did I mention they taste UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

As for the calories, I calculated (based on ingredients) that its about 210 calories per serving (normal size bar), with 29 grams protein, 19 grams carbs, and 4 grams of fat (good monounsaturated fat from the peanut butter).

A great CHEAP healthy alternative....

I'll be making them again for sure!

Day 8

Back to the start. Chest and back again.

Chin ups are getting easier, I find I'm getting at LEAST an extra one over last week. Also busted myself in the window reflection doing chin ups - was that a hint of an ab on my stomach? Or maybe I'm just psuedo-placebo effecting myself....

Push ups are also easier, and because I know what's coming, I can push myself harder.

Ab ripper X again at the end, still don't have the coordination for crunchy frog!

Lauren is also doing pushups! When she started, she couldn't even do a girly pushup on her knees, but is now doing about 5 of them, all with good technique.

Technique is the key. It's all about quality, not quantity. One perfect pushup is better than five shit ones. I'm proud of her progress so far.

She went to bed feeling sore though... That's a good thing though.

Day 7

Rest day! Oh yeah!

Did the stretching today. Was nice to feel the good burn on the muscles that had copped a flogging during the week. Still a bit sore in my calves and glutes, but otherwise feeling good.

Have to remember that it's not a rest from nutrition though... gotta keep up with that.

One week down! Eleven to go!

Day 6

Day 6 was Kenpo X. Wicked workout today.

Lots of martial arts related stuff. Blocks, punches, kicks etc.

Good cardio workout, and was also fun to do.

Lauren looked a little unco at first, but once she concentrated on the technique, she was punching like Bruce Lee.

Well, not quite... But she'll get there.

Now, thought I'd better say this. As a martial artist myself, if you think you're going to learn how to kick arse and smash bad guys by doing the kenpo on this program, you're very, very wrong. All you do is a few blocks, a few punches, and a few kicks. It's ALL about the cardio you get by doing a few hundred repetitions of these moves that's good for you. Please don't think you're going to be Bruce Lee (yes, I know he did kung fu, not kenpo) after doing a few sessions of this.

Day 5

Today was Back and Legs.

The key words for today were lunge, squat, and chin up.

My calves are on fire, my quads feel like they're about to pop, and I want to burn my chin up bar.

But it feels sooooooo good.

Lauren and I did our workouts separately today. She's at mothers group with Aston, and I start work this arvo, so couldn't do it together.

I know she won't cheat though, she's a good girl. Isn't she...?

Day 4

Day 4 was Yoga X. I will NEVER bag anyone that does Yoga again. This shit was hard. Contorting your body into some type of pretzel shape named after a dog, then holding in there for an undetermined period of time... I thought Yoga was going to be an easy session where I could relax a little. WRONG. I was sweating just as much as with any weight workout.

They say that Yoga increases your cardiovascular system, as well as a few other benefits. Hopefully this improves my flexibility, I'm hoping to one day touch my toes...

Lauren enjoyed the Yoga, she got the hang of it well before I did.

Day 3

Well, day 3 comprised of the Shoulders and Arms workout, followed by the Ab Ripper X - AGAIN.

To say my arms are still sore from the first day is an understatement. I think they're the sorest they've ever been with any workout I've ever done.

Lauren is still complaining about her legs, obviously the squats are her weakness at the moment.

I didn't go too full on today, only because of the muscle soreness. Still a good workout for stretching though.

Ab Ripper X was a winner again. I might sound sadistic, but I'm starting to enjoy this program...

Nutrition wise we're still going strong. Having our breakfast, followed by a snack mid morning, lunch (today was turkey and ricotta sandwiches), afternoon snack, and I'm about to start cooking dinner. Porterhouse steak with steamed pumpkin, broccoli, and sweet potato. Only tomato sauce though, no gravy!

Day 2

Today was Plyometrics. If I ever hear the word SQUAT again I'm going to punch something. More squats that you can poke a stick at. They're all the same burn, but giving them all different names somehow makes it better.

Today was a long workout. 56 minutes all up. Every time that 30 second water break came along, it was pure bliss.

Lauren sounded like she was giving birth again today. Sorta looked like it to when she was doing wide stance squats.

I was doing my best not to poo myself...

Arms and chest are sore from yesterdays workout. We're both stretching lots to minimise the pain.

Had a wicked Turkey and Ricotta sandwich for lunch. Lauren's upset cause she's on a different nutrition plan, so she can't have two sandwiches. Oh well. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little to get a lot...

Tomorrow is Shoulders and Arms with the Ab Ripper again. That's gonna hurt...

P90X Day 1

Today my wife and I both started the P90X workout. With our new son, it was time to get our arses into gear, and step up the lifestlye. We've never been fit, so we're doing it together.

Day one was the Chest/Back workout, and the Ab Ripper X.

Chest and back were good workouts. Pretty much pushup city. More variations of pushups than I've seen before. Lots of chinups too...

Back workouts were good, but need to go up in weight.

The Ab Ripper X was a killer. Only 16 minutes long, but about 350 situp variations by the end of it.

I'm sore. Lauren sounded like she was giving birth during some of the exercises. Slightly off putting when you're lifting weight, and trying not to laugh and blow snot out your nose at the same time...

Nutrition has also meant we're eating healthy too... Lots of fruit and vegies. The fridge and pantry were cleaned out, and restocked with superfoods. Snacks are now fruit or vegies, and main meals are all portion controlled, and the correct amount of protein/carbs/fat our bodies need. We're on different nutrition plans, but that just changes the amount we're eating.

This is the Day one picture of the two of us....