The End of Week 1 and the Dreaded Weigh-In

Today marks the start of week 2 of P90X for me. Looking back, I had a great week with the program. There is no doubt that my mentality was one of simply getting through each workout. Ipushed myself, but always had in mind that it is fine to simply work through the exercises. At times this felt like I was dogging it, at times it felt like I was making a smart choice so that I would show up again the next day. And that I did. I showed up every day. I also ate well. I haven't been trying to follow the nutrition guide with P90X, but I do eat pretty healthily.

So, where am I now. I chose Saturday mornings as my weigh-in morning and that's today. Heading to the scale, I noticed that I feel better than I did last week. More energy, a bit more toned, stomach (slightly) smaller. As I stepped towards the scale, I told myself that THAT is what is important. No doubt, I want to lose weight. I have my sights set on sub 180. I figured a few pounds (with a slight chance of up to 5 pounds) would be a good step. Last week 211 pounds, this week...210.8 pounds. And there goes the wind from the sails. That sucks. The effort doesn't suck. The way I feel doesn't suck. But come on! Are you frakking kidding me! All that and essentially no movement towards 180?

Where do I go from here?

• For one, I am going to give the nutrition guide a look. I am not interested in drinking power shakes or supplements or crazy diets. I want healthy and sensible. Maybe the guide will give me enough of that to move in the right direction. (Really though, I never eat fast food, I haven't had any alcohol, I eat little meat compared to most, I had dessert once and that was corn pops from Wegmans. Doing alot right!)
• As far as the workouts go, I will step them up. I am using the training philosophy I used for the Cherry Blossoms 10 Miler. Start easy and build, build, build. Nothing but time as I get stronger and fitter over the next 12 weeks. Rome was not built in a day. So, this week I will start recording numbers (I didn't have worksheets last week.) I will keep giving my best, and, yup, forgetting the rest.

The big question for me right now is do I weigh in next week or not. Before seeing the number, I felt good. Healthier. Happier. Afterward, I felt disappointed. I feel like I might just weigh in at the end of each cycle (essentially the end of each month). Or maybe at the start of the recovery weeks. I think I will leave it open until next week and see how I feel next Saturday.

For now, I will do Yoga X this morning, work hard this week, keep an eye on my diet and continue to be healthier and healthier.

New Year's Day

January 1, 2011

Other than my daughter being born in 2010, I look at that year in pretty negative light. It seems to have been the year my 40's really kicked in and the year I lost my friend Delaney. As I view it now, I remember illnesses, injuries and sadness mixed with a bit of joy in Juliet's arrival.

But that is now in the past!

As I look ahead to 2011, I have been trying to think of some guiding words. Here is what comes to mind: resurgence, tenacity, focus, caring.

I have alot to look forward to:

• Starting a Masters program through Boise State as I begin a new stage in my teaching career. It'll be tough to balance it with work, family and fitness, but I am very excited about the work and the learning.
• Rebuilding my fitness. I really only worked out 4 months last year. I trained for the Cherry Blossom in April and let it slide form there (granted that softball brought a number of injuries that hindered progress. I had no triathlons and I don't think I even ran a 5K race. Starting today, I am working through a 90 day round of P90X. After that, a more triathlon directed program for summer and ending with a long run (marathon?) late in the year.
• My family is growing up. I can't believe how big Juliet is already. Jocelyn can have a normal conversation with me. Jackson is getting closer and closer to Jocelyn in height and speed. This year, I become an example for them. Let me say that better, I am always an example for them, this year I become a GOOD example for them. Healthy eating, regular exercise, laughing more and just plain enjoying my time with them. All the things I want them to be.

As far as exercise goes, P90X starts today. I will start in day 4 of the program to fit my schedule best and end on days 1,2 and 3 after day 87. Since the program is broken into three sections, I am dedicating each section to one of my kids for inspiration. January is for Jocelyn, February is for Jackson and March is for Juliet. I will push through the program to the bets of my ability without risking injury. I imagine that each section will have it's challenges. January is the start and if I push too hard, I risk injury. February is a transition to a new phase and that can be tough for me. March has two weeks of vacation. It will take focus and tenacity.

Just some stats:

• Weight on 1/1/2011: 211 lbs
• Waist size: 38(+)
• Flexibility (scale of 1-5): 2
• Strength (scale of 1-5):3
• Endurance (scale of 1-5):2
• Overall Sense of Myself (scale of 1-5):3

All in all, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities 2011 will bring.