Training Update.

Yesterday was day 84 of 84 of my 12 week BFL cycle. I ended up dropping 11 pounds and an inch off my waist. Not horrible results, and nothing to sneeze at, but not really the drastic changes I was hoping for. Certainly no fault of the program itself, as it's the second [and a half] time I've done the BFL routine.

Last time was at the tail end of my time in NC, and while I can't remember the #s or whatnot, I had pretty good results. Of course, after that, with the move up to VA, for a variety of reasons, I let all that progress go to hell. And the first time I psuedo-did the program was way back during the first time we were in Japan. Sandy and I both were both doing it for a bit [and there's a kick-ass uber-cute/hot pic of Sandy somewhere flexing her shoulder and arm muscles] but it fell off about halfway through because of scheduling-and-holidays-and-god-knows-what-else I can't remember.

I there were a few reasons I didn't get better results... first being that back in NC, I was working nights, and would end up doing my cardio and workouts right after I woke up, in the afternoon. PT in a fasted state leads to greater fat loss, according to a lot of sources. Second, this go around I didn't have any supplements, whereas the last go around I used a lot of MRPs and RTD shakes. And some others I think. Supplements aren't absolutely necessary, but they do make balanced nutrition a lot easier. And then this time around I've been low carb/anabolic dieting as opposed to the recommended BFL diet.

Which has only been a problem because I've been thinking of low carb as cure-all, which it isn't. It's a better plan that the standard diet, but still, a lot of the standard low carb items - butter, cream, mayo - are calorically dense. While I can't be a calorie counter like Mike I do need to be more aware of how many calories I'm sucking down if I want to maximize my results.

Along those lines, while the 'free day' is a much needed psychological and dietological [yeah, totally not a word] respite, I tended to go a little nuts on my free day. Eating so much junk to the point where I'd feel a little ill, even into the next day.

7 and a half months in and I'm 22lbs and 6" down on my waist. Not bad, but objectively, that's only about halfway to being where I want to be. Another 3-6 months of busting my ass and hard work and I should be approaching, not completion, but some sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. A place where I won't be dissatisfied, at least.

Originally I had planned on rolling into another 12 week BFL cycle, even bought a brand spanking new training log, but I think I'm a little burned out on BFL right now, though I'm sure I'm gonna come back to it.

So what I'm going to do is take this week off... rest and recoup.

And then starting next Monday I'm going to start into the P90X Program. Yes, the P90X of late night infomercial fame. I had ordered up the DVDs back in VA with a view towards getting back into shape. Because, clearly, I don't pay attention. The infomercials themselves say they're for folks in shape, looking to get into better shape. And while in VA I was far from being in shape. But in my former-Marine-what-can't-I-do? mentality I ordered them and then proceeded to be embarrassed and have my ass kicked by not being able to keep up with them. So the answer to the what-can't-I-do? question is apparently a whole hell of a lot when you haven't worked out in couple years.

But I think that after 7 months of kicking the absolute worst of the rust off I'll be able to hang with them, and I did bring them here with me to the land of the Rising Sun when I came over. Too bad it took me 3 and a half years to use them.

So sometime this week I'll take the Fit Test [PDF] and make sure I'm up to snuff, and then next Monday I'll kick off a 90 day cycle.

I think it'll be good in that in terms of sheer volume, it's a lot more work than BFL and I think that's kind of what I need right now. And while it is a 7 day a week workout scheme, it has built in yoga and stretching work, which'll ensure I start adding some stuff to my workouts [flexibility and mobility] that I've been meaning to, and failing to, for a while.

And also, it has more of an emphasis on fat loss and muscular endurance rather than size and bulk. So while visions of the Incredible Hulk may dance in my head, what I really need to do first is get lean and lose all this flab. While it is possible to add muscle and lose fat at the same time, it's easier to pick one goal and put more of your eggs in that basket, to torture that metaphor a bit.

But to continue my obstinance, I won't be following the P90X diet. I'm still gonna go mostly low carb/low glycemic/anabolic 6 days a week with one free day. But I'm gonna shoot for 5 meals a day, vice the 6 I was doing, plus I'm gonna pay more attention to the calorically dense low carb "go-to's" like butter, cream and mayo and I'm going to attenuate the free day. And still 2-3L water per day, at least.

Rough outline, starting from Monday, December 1st -

P90X CLASSIC PHASE 1:
Weeks 1-3: Day 1 - Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X, Day 2 - Plyometrics, Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X, Day 4 - Yoga X, Day 5 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X, Day 6 - Kenpo X, Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch
Week 4: Day 1 - Yoga X, Day 2 - Core Synergistics, Day 3 - Kenpo X, Day 4 - X Stretch, Day 5 - Core Synergistics, Day 6 - Yoga X, Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch