Day 1 - Chest and Back / Ab Ripper X

Ok, so yesterday was Day 1 and it went well.  I am using the "portion" approach to track my food intake throughout the day.  This document is very helpful as I simply have to check the boxes throughout the day.  The excel file can be found here: http://www.thefitclubnetwork.com/2009/01/p90x-nutrition-plan-made-easy/.  On this same website, there is a Word file under Step 2 that shows what you can have for each food group.  I'm trying to get used to not having a check box for chips or cookies :)  Yesterday, here was my menu:

Breakfast: Pure Protein Bar - 20g protein, 200 cal
Snack: Pure Protein Bar - 20g protein, 200 cal
Lunch: Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich (threw away the top bun) and a small chili from Wendy's
Snack: 17 Turkey Pepperonis
Dinner: P90X Turkey Chili with peppers, onions, beans, and tomatoes w/ 2 cups of steamed veggies
Snack: All natural Dreyers frozen strawberry bar - 80 cal
Post-Workout: Body Fortress Protein Shake - 26 g protein, 105 cal

Total Calories: 1,675
Calories burned from P90X: 600
Net: 1,075

The workout for Day 1 was Chest and Back with Ab Ripper X.  The total workout time for this was 1 hr. 15 min.  I gave it all I had for the entire workout hammering out push-ups and pull-ups to absolute failure.  By the end, my body was shaking and I was drenched in sweat.  I came out of the workout absolutely exhausted and my muscles were like jello from the beating.  The great thing about it is that I know I shredded some muscle fibers and now they are in the process of getting larger.

P90X - Let's Get Started!

Starting something new usually begins with some type of inspiration.  Mine in particular is that the scale has been on a steady incline ever since I graduated from Texas A&M in 2003.  During my time at A&M I was in decent shape from being so active with my roommates playing basketball, tennis, volleyball, disc golf, etc.  When I graduated, I was probably somewhere around 175 lbs.  Fast forward 7 years and I am now hovering around the 200 lbs. mark.  Not terrible, but definitely something I’m not pleased with.  Over the years, I’ve been on some diet “kicks” and I’ve tried a lot of different things with the same end result that I’m not at all proud of – the diet just dwindling away – one “cheat day” turns into a couple of them and then into a week and then it is over.

I am tired of being tired.  I am tired of being overweight.  I am tired of “failing” at an exercise/nutrition regimen.  I am tired of not feeling good about my appearance.  I want to be in tip top shape so that I can live life full of energy and completely enjoy my time with family and friends.  I want to mow the yard with my shirt off and feel good about it.  I want to go to the pool or to the beach and feel good about myself. 

As a result of this, I have decided to start one of the most intense exercise/nutrition programs on the market today – P90X.  For the next 90 days, I am going to fuel my body with the nutrition it needs to be in top condition.  For the next 90 days, I am going to do the P90X workouts which will push me to my limits and beyond them.  I recognize the challenge and I am going to take it head on. 

Overall Goals:
1) Complete the 90 day program
2) Get down to 175 lbs. (lose 25 lbs.)
3) Cut down my body fat from 25% to 20%.

Accountability – that is the main reason that I’ve decided to start this blog to document my journey.  I know in the past, if I just do it on my own with no one else knowing, it has not worked.  So with this blog, I will document my progress for all to see.  Feel free to offer encouraging words along the way!