Week 2

This week was another amazing one, I love what I am getting from this workout and how well my body has reacted to each and every exercise.  This has been an amazing journey so far and I am looking forward to what is to come.

I still love the Yoga and X Stretch workouts, but the other workouts are growing on me as well.  I am still increasing the weight in every exercise that I can, to help with my diesease and to increase my strength all over my body.  I still believe that what I am doing will pay greatly later in life, it's something I want to be able to pass along to others with this disease (Fibromyalgia) and other ones like this.

What is so amazing to me is everyone at work is so stressed and feeling the pressure of Management, but with me I am so relaxed and calm, not really who I was in the beginning of this disease.  I love the stress relief that P90X has given me, but I actually think that most of the relief come from the stretching and Yoga. 

I am looking forward to week three and what I will get from these workouts, I have gotten even stronger these last two weeks.  Ready to start again!
Kevin

Week 1

This is very different for me, I am used to posting everyday and seeing how each workout effects me on a daily basis.  However, I think I am going to like this a little more, I have seen how the workout effects me on a daily basis from the last Journey, to how my body is going to react from a week to week basis.  Plus, this time around I am using more weights, I have increased the weights on almost every exercise so far, and I feel really good.  I really thought that I would struggle in the beginning of this new Journey, but so far that has not happened.  I will be looking for it to come though, I just know that I am putting my body to the test, so I will be ready when it happens.

I still love the Yoga workout, to me it's the core workout in this entire Journey, and I knocked it out of the park this week.  I had trouble in the middle of the workout, but was able to recover pretty fast to finish.  This new Journey will be tough, but I believe that I am ready for it.  I have been preparing myself daily for this new Journey, to get more out of it.

My GOAL with this workout is to change my disease, not to build muscle, but it would be nice to do both.  Because I love how I feel right now, I feel really good and I know that this is just the beginning of something new. I am looking forward to what each new week will bring.  My weight is still down and my muscles are growing, which makes my pain levels almost disappear, awesome for me!

Week Two starts tomorrow,

Kevin

Day 90 & 91

What a way to end this Journey!  The last 2 days had to be the best of this whole adventure.  The workouts were X Stretch & Yoga X, my two favorites in this whole P90X workout routine. 

I thought when I started this whole thing, there was no way I would ever get to the end.  I am here though, and very proud to be here.  I really thought that it would be tougher, this P90X workout is one of the hardest workouts on the planet, and I knocked it out of the park.  Now, I may not have gotten the same results as others did when they completed the 90 day challenge.  However, I finished and to me that's enough for me this time around!

Since I have completed the course and know that my body can take it, the time has come for me to step it up a little.  I have already started a new Journey and I am looking forward to the results that I am going to get this time around, knowing that my body can handle this workout I think that it will be different. 

The first 91 days of P90X has done some great things for my two muscle diseases, my Fibro. has changed and that was the result I was looking for.  Most people do this workout to lose weight, I did it to change my Diseases and I think it is working.  I feel completely different right now than when I started some 3 months ago.  My goal is not to feel different, it is to change my stars and I think I am well on my way to doing just that. 

I am going to continue this blog, because it's the way I can tell my story, but I am not going to post everyday like I have been.  Instead I am going to post weekly, so when I finish a week I will tell about it in the post, there are 13 weeks in this new journey.  My hope is that I will see better results in these weeks than I did in the first Journey.  One way I will see better results is by ramping up the workouts, by lifting more weights and completing all the workouts.

I am looking forward to what will come from this new workout, so stay tuned to this blog for more info. on what P90X is doing for Fibromyalgia.  Bring It!

Kevin

Day 77

Yesterday was amazing!  If you suffer with a muscle disease this is something you might want to try.  I never thought that stretching would do so much for me, but it has and I love every minute of this workout.  What I like most about X Stretch is you can pause the tape and stretch for a longer time or you can skip one that you don't need.

X Stretch is one of the best workouts in this series.  Yoga X is #1 for me, you might be different!

When I started this Journey I struggled with my flexibility, a lot.  Now, I am more flexible all over my body and this does wonders for my Fibromyalgia. 

My Top 10 Areas Where I Have Seen Increased Flexibility:

1. Standing Side Stretch- when I started this my stretch was horrible, now it has take shape and it looks 1,000 time better.
2. Shoulder Stand- I couldn't even do this one when I started, now I can do it and hold it for a while
3. Plough- again I could not do this one either, now I can drop my legs back over the couch and soon I will be at the floor.
4. Glute Stretch- I was able to do this one but not right.  Now I can do it and do it right even pulling my arms towards my body to increase the stretch.
5. Wide Feet Forward Hamstring Stretch- Early on I could only go as far as my knees, now I can go to the floor, almost putting my palms on the floor.
6. Back Hero- couldn't do at all, now I can and even put my palm on the floor behind me.
7. Bow- in the beginning I could only reach one ankle, now I can reach both ankles and pull up to form the bow.
8. Seated Single Leg Hamstring Stretch- early on I could only reach my knee, now I can touch my ankles, never thought that would be possible on either side.
9. Standing Single Leg Hamstring Stretch- early on I could only reach my knee, now I can touch the floor with one hand and the other hand is past my ankle on both legs.
10. Camel- in the beginning I could not do this without cramping out, now I can not only do it but hold it for the full time.  I am almost to the point where I can take my hands off my waist and reach them to the floor to increase the stretch.

As you can see this workout is amazing and it gets results, that's the most important part of the whole exercise.  I know that when I started this Journey, results is what I was looking for.  I have noticed that my increased flexibility has changed so many things.  My pain levels have disappeared to almost none, my core has gotten so much stronger and my workouts have gotten better.  I would recommend this workout to anyone who struggles with muscle pain.

I am so looking forward to starting week 12!

Until Next Time,

Kevin

Day 70

Yesterday was amazing!  X Stretch is like my new best friend, I do it all the time, but yesterday I needed it real bad.  This workout stretches my whole body and it releases so much stress and I think I had a little to get rid of.  This was the first time I had gone through the whole workout, I usually only do what my body needs.

I felt so awesome this morning when I woke up, I almost didn't want to go to work, but I did!  A normal morning is full of soreness, today I was not sore a bit.  I owe that to X Stretch last night!

This is another complete workout that I have progressed in this workout so well though.  When I started my flexibility was very bad, now it is so much better, that I believe it has allowed me to push myself in each and every workout.  In the beginning I was at my knees on every stretch, now I am at the floor with both hands.  That just amazes me!

If I had to pick one Stretch out of this workout it would be single leg hamstring stretch from a standing position.  I love what this stretch has done for me in every workout that I do.

I am looking forward to starting week 11 later today!

Until Next Time,

Kevin

Day 69

Yesterday was different, I was tired, that hasn't happened lately, but I guess vacation caught up with me, or it cold have been the ride home (14 hours).  Anyways, the workout was Kenpo and I surprised myself.  I was able to do the whole workout, I threw every punch and kick in this routine.  This was the first time for me, but I hope it's not the last.

Kenpo is a different kind of workout, but I like what it gives me!  I think this one has helped me more than I thought it would.  Let me explain! 

In the beginning I thought this workout was kind of stupid, but now that I am 69 days into the workout I see the bigger picture.  I have gained so much flexibility in this workout, never saw that one coming.  I see how each workout supports the next.  Just three days ago I was sore and my stretches did nothing for me, now I can touch the floor, and I think that most of that comes from doing it so much, but the other part is this workout.  Before I started this workout, I could not kick at all now, I still struggle with my balance, but I can get through the workout a lot easier than I could in the beginning. 

Early on I was afraid of throwing punches and kicks, now that I am stronger and more flexible it takes less energy to complete this workout.  My stamina has gone through the roof and I like that. 

I am so looking forward to X Stretch later today, I need a good stretch after a long week, plus it will get me ready for next week.  Like I said before each workout supports the next one, so today's workout is very important.
Bring It,
Kevin

Day 66

Yesterday was Back & Biceps and it was another great workout.  It was a day filled with a lot of curls done a bunch of different ways.

1. There are regular curls- I did them with 15lbs
2. There are one arm concentration curls- I did them with 10lbs
3. There are hammer curls- I did them with 20lbs
4. There are in and out curls- I did them with 15lbs
5. There are curls in a lunge position with one arm on your knee and the other resting on that arm- I did them with 15lbs
6. There was a different set of regular curls with a hammer down- I did them with 20 lbs

Then you have the different pull ups mixed in to keep your muscles guessing all the time.  Plus there are 2 different lawn mowers one with elbows in and one with elbows out, I did both with 20lbs.  This is the most weight I have lifted since starting this P90X workout. 

I know the soreness will set in in a couple of days, but I am hoping that Yoga X will take some of that soreness away.  I do not have much soreness right now, just my regular from waking up, so usually every morning I start with the cream and then later I will stretch it out.  This has been my routine from the beginning of this workout, and so far it is working.  It usually takes 2 days for the soreness to set in from a weight workout, so I know I have a small window to take some of that away.

P90X has given me so much to look forward to, a lot of added strength, and most of it is core strength.  I am looking forward to the end of this Journey and what the outcome will be.  I am so looking forward to Yoga X!
Until Tomorrow,
Kevin

Day 63

Today was amazing, not only am I in Destin, FL, but X Stretch just made my day.  We are having to much fun on vacation that I decided to continue the P90X Journey right here in Destin.  I absolutely love what X Stretch does for my Fibromyalgia & Lupus.  It just amazes me each time I do the workout, how much better I feel. 

I am so looking forward to week 10, after that workout.  I am ready for the burn, I am pretty sure I will finish this workout, it's just a matter of what my two diseases will do when I finish.  Right now, I am doing pretty good, it will just depend on how hard I push these next few weeks.

I am not real sore today, which I expected that since I stretched my entire body out yesterday.  Really looking forward to a weight workout later today.  Looking ahead to Yoga, it is that awesome!

Until Tomorrow,
Kevin

Day 60

I have reached another milestone in this amazing Journey, Day 60!  When I set out to do this workout I really never thought I would make it to this day.  But, I have and I am very proud!

Yesterday was Yoga, and I always know what I am going to get out of it, some hard working that will pay off later on.  All my life I have heard people talk about yoga and how awesome is it, I never listened, now I am hearing all those people all over again. 

If you have a muscle related disease, I want to offer a challenge to you, try Yoga.  You don't have to go all out like P90X, and Yoga X, but find a video at wal-mart and try it to ease your pain.  I love what this workout is doing for Fibro. it has completely changed everything.

I have made a ton of progress with this workout routine.  In the beginning I could not make it through the first 45 mins, it was too tough, now I can go all the way through the first 60 mins. doing all the different poses.  I never thought I would be here.  I am so proud of my progress physically and for my Fibro.  it turns out that P90X has been the best thing to happen to me all year.

I have put some of this workout in my routine, because it is so good.  I now have something to look forward to each and everyday, and this workout has given new life with my Disease.

I want to encourage all the readers to try something, it may not be P90X, but get off the couch and start stretching, work Yoga into a routine, lift weights (they can be small ones), you will thank yourself later in life.
I am looking forward to Legs and Back later today, this workout always pushes me to the limit.

Until Tomorrow,
Kevin

Day 59

Wow! Shoulders and Arms + Ab Ripper X just kicked my tail, I pushed a little with this workout today and I thought I would pay for it this morning, but I was good.  This is a complete testament to my routine, which I started right after the workout.  I know without a doubt in my mind that I would not be able to do any of this workout.
Today, I lifted more weight than I ever had, I was completely worn out afterwards, but I recovered very fast, thanks to Two Old Goats and Vemma.  These 2 things mixed with a little stretching has allowed me to accomplish so much. 

The Ab Ripper X is still impossible for me to complete, but I will keep pushing myself to one day complete this workout.  I have made it further and further with each new time that I have done it, so I will just keep pressing forward.

Now, I know that through this workout most of my soreness comes on the second day after we do weights, so I will just have to wait and see if this happens again.  All in all, most people with Fibro. deal with pain right after a workout, so I am blessed to not have do deal with this on an everyday basis.  I love what my routine has given me day in and day out.
I am getting ready for Yoga , can't wait for this workout!
Until Tomorrow,
Kevin

Day 58

Yesterday was Plyometrics and what a workout!  I just thought I was ready for this workout, I got tired real quick, but was able to finish strong.  However, I had to skip some of the exercises in order to finish strong, but I only skipped them once, you see with this workout you do 4 exercises and then repeat them.  So even though I did skip a few, it was still a great workout.

Plyometrics is more of a cardio workout, than it is legs!  This workout take me to the limit each and every time I do it, and I dig that.  I can say that my legs felt like jello afterwards, but I was quick to start my routine ASAP, so that I could recover for today's workout.  I am in the best shape of my life right now and I have lost 22 pounds and gained so much muscle that I never thought possible.  Now the question remains, will this change my disease.  Only time will tell!

I just noticed today that I have added muscles in my legs and arms, maybe they were always there, but not as big as they are now.  When I stretch my legs I see muscles I have never seen before, this is so amazing!  Workouts like Plyometrics, these are the ones that help build these muscles.

Yesterday's workout might prove to be one of the best ones so far in this Journey.  Why?  It was the first time I was winded and tired, but i had the strength to push through.  This was the first time I had experienced this in the 57 days that I have been doing P90X.  So to me this is the turning point of this Journey, the next few days will tell a whole lot.
I am looking forward to today's workout,
Until Tomorrow,
Kevin

Day 56

X Stretch is an amazing workout, but I only did half of the workout today.  Instead of doing all this workout, I did half of the X Stretch and the first Half of Yoga X.  I really needed both today, so I changed it up a little and it was worth the change.  I felt so much better after that workout, so it was needed, plus it allowed me to get prepared for these next 4 weeks of workouts without a break.

X Stretch has completely changed my life and my body.  I am a different person physically because of this workout, it has changed everything for me.  I even think this workout has changed my disease.  I recover faster and faster each time I do this routine, I know that over the next couple of weeks my body will be put to the test and I will have to lean on my routine heavily to get me through.  I am looking forward to these next few weeks, sounds crazy but it is true.

Right now I feel amazing, I can't wait to get to the end to see how I will feel then.  I know what I have to do!  I just have to do it!

Until Next Time,
Kevin

Day 55

Yesterday, was an amazing workout Core Synergistics works your body to the core.  This workout is building so much strength, and it has been good for my Fibromyalgia as well.  However, I was very sore today after such a great workout. 

I like the exercise, because it is different, the workouts are designed to mix and shake things up.  When they put the muscle confusion part of this workout together, I think this was at the top of the list.  There are so many non normal exercises involved in this workout.  I know that sound weird, but allow me to explain. 

Throughout this workout I have done push ups, but not like we did in Core Synergistics.  The push ups in Core Synergistics:

• Stacked Foot Staggered Hand Push Up- the idea is to involve the core in the whole push up
• Sphinx Push Up- rest the forearms on the floor and raise up into a push up, by pushing up from the ground.
• Prison Cell Push Up- do a regular push and bring your knee in to touch your elbow, then do another push up and bring the other leg in to touch the other elbow, then stand up and raise your arms up and then back down for another round.
• Walking Push Ups- in a push walk your hands forward four time keeping your legs engaged and not raising your butt, walk forward and then back.
• Reach High and Under Push Ups- do a regular push up, come up and balance on one arm reaching the other arm up in the air and then reach that same arm under and reach as far as you can, then repeat the other side.

These are just the push ups, there are about 15-20 other routines mixed in, as you can see this workout is tough to say the least. 

Today will more than likely be an easy day for me, but I will make the most of it.  These next few weeks will be far from easy, so I have to prepare for this physically and mentally, but I think I am ready for Hell.
I getting ready for the ride of my life,
Kevin

Day 54

Somehow, I skipped a workout, it was Kenpo, and man what a workout this was.  The day I did this exercise I had to work 13 hours at Walmart and I could have skipped the workout, but I didn't.  I was tired but I was able to push through the workout, which speaks volumes for my Routine.  I pushed through because I had the stamina to do so. 

I was able to do the complete workout from start to finish, something that had been missing from the previous workouts.  Part of the reason this is possible is the core strength that I have added over the course of this workout.  Plus, I have more energy, the proof is how I am able to finish even though I have had a hard day.  People at work are starting to notice my confidence, and that is a direct result of this P90X Workout.

In the beginning I was not sure what Kenpo would bring to the table, but now I know!  This exercise bring two things; added strength in my arms and legs, and added Flexibility.  At first I didn't think I was going to get anything out of this workout, but now I see where it fits into the scheme of things.

I look forward to this workout now, so I will be ready for it in week 9 and I will try not to miss the post for this workout then either.  I still can't believe that I am almost in Week 9, just amazes me every time I think about it.
Bring It,
Kevin

Day 53

What? Another amazing workout, but it was X Stretch.  I love what these last two workouts are doing for me.  The set up is perfect, and I am so looking forward to the end result.  X Stretch does more for my Diseases than I could ever explain, but I will try.

Yesterday was different to say the least, about noon my lower back was cramping up, it felt like rain, for the last 5 years I can tell you when the weather is changing, and I don't have to be outside.  So, I did X Stretch about 2pm, but I still had the uncomfortable feeling in my lower back, so I decided to stretch a little throughout the rest of the day.  About 6 we went to a basketball game and i told everyone there it was going to rain soon, they all looked at me like I was crazy, there was not a cloud in the sky.  But by the time the game was over a storm moved in and dropped an inch or two of rain.  It is amazing how Fibromyalgia has changed my ability to see the change in weather.  As for my pain most of it was gone when the rain left, but there was still a lot of soreness afterwards, X stretch took care of all of that soreness.

Today, I woke up feeling so good, it is just amazing to me how stretching changes everything.  This exercise is designed to stretch everything from head to toe, and it does just that.  I am really using this week to prepare me for week 9-12, because I do not get a break like I did in week 4 and 8, the break week comes in week 13.  So once this week is done there will be a lot of lifting, push ups, and pull ups, but not much down time.  I can almost guarantee that during these weeks I will be using a lot of X Stretch and the Yoga X Stretches.

I am ready for Core Synergistics later today!
Until Next Time,
Kevin