Saez

Timing often sucks. Just when you are resolved to start something and then, whamm, it hits you. You catch a bad cold. I’ve had one since Thanksgiving and, so far, have only played fast-finger on my remote browsing the P90X DVDs. I did my fit test today and worked through the Yoga X. I have a decent benchmark, some ugly photos and a lot to say about my first home video workout experience ever.

I’m trying to formulate an opinion about this guy Tony Horton. He is the host of the P90X videos. He has an off beat sense of humor and does not take himself too seriously. Personally, I prefer an actual gym to workout. I like to watch people sweat and pour their energy into their workouts and fight against the machines. So the idea of a home video workout was initially not appealing to me…. and the idea of watching a guy on video for three months repeating the same pep-talk-sound-bites is not something that just grows on me. Tony is a decent talker, a bit over the top. Then again, I was anticipating this reaction since I’m pushed by my ipod music pumping some techno beats, instead of a talking head. Tony is pretty good about hinting the next move or rep and then you can zone him out for the rest with an occasional glimpse on the screen for form and staying in sync. He adds some useful gotcha hints to maintain posture and proper form throughout.

I was not feeling fully recovered today to start the classic routine from the top but I did the fit test, popped the Yoga X file and hit play. Wow! Pretty intense. I like to stretch after workouts, but I learned that this is going to take my workout to a new level. I held tough for most of the 1st half until the balancing part. Crane? Royal Dancer? Frog? Boat? What kind of names are these for balance moves? How are you suppose to learn this? I’m crazy to admit, but I’m excited to master all these. I just hope that I can get it in 90 days. Oh, a side bonus from today… Julie and I worked out together. This was very rewarding by itself. Now, I have a few more days to shake out the cold and be mentally ready to endure Tony’s talk.

Click here for photos at Day 0

written by osaez \\ tags: daily journal, P90X, saez, training, workout

During my 43rd year, I want to be in the best shape of my life. I played some college volleyball but lost my athletic edge and drive while my daughter was growing up and I was in hard pursuit of an ambitious career. My career is in good shape and our daughter is now in college. I can now enjoy more time to pursue an active lifestyle with my wife. After researching many training programs, I bought The Ultimate Guide To Weight Training For Volleyball by By Robert G. Price book early this year. I picked Program Level IV the 3-day a week variant. It worked fairly well for a while during my training in Spring 2007 getting ready for a comeback volleyball season in the summer at North Ave Beach in Chicago. I played a few tournaments and did ok. After seeing some improvements, I was hungry for more. I connected with local great coach and mentor who is keeping me grounded. My journey begins with three promises for 2008… (1) to be in the best shape of my life and (2) to win an A-level EVP tournament next year. At my age and 5′11″, this is going to take some physical and mental conjones.

So now comes a renewed test of my competitive will as I get ready for next year. First, I need to alter my training program. It has to be more intensed and holistic. After researching many options, I went with P90X. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it and it seems to be at the right level for me. This will be a big challenge since I travel a fair amount for my work and I need to stay focus on my goals. I’ve spent a total of $310 for setting up my new workout area in my basement. This includes; the P90X DVDs from ebay, a cheap but decent pair of used PowerBlock dumbells (2.5-50lbs), a Perfect Pushup stand, a generic floor mat, a thick 3/4″ hard conduit pipe from HomeDepot plus other fittings. I took an old computer, ripped all my DVDs into Divx and connected it to old projector beaming onto a wall. Add some old computer speakers and I am ready to go!

I picked the nutritional book that came with the P90X package. It looks like a Rachel Ray compilation, simple and not very substantive. I do keep a healthy diet (weight 169lbs.) and found some helpful tips in the book, but nothing groundbreaking. I know sticking to a diet will be tough for me. Moving on to the intro workout book and 1st DVD. The theme is “Bring It”. After reading the book, I think the theme should be “Stay strong” given the degree of perseverance needed. The book starts by scaring you into a fitness test that you must pass before starting the program. This will be easy for me. I’m doing this tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, along with the ‘before’ near naked pictures. Lots of food and pictures tomorrow hopefully will likely enhanced the dramatic effect of before and after. Then, I need to commit to clean up some bad eating habits (e.g. late evening cereal, milk-n-cookies, KFC, etc.)

The video production, set and soundtrack for this series are phenomenal. The music is basically instrumental rock, it’s well timed with the workout and if you don’t like it, turn it off and your can workout off a persistent on-screen ticker timer. The combination of video shots, set, lighting and sequences are well executed and definitely (re)watchable.

Oh, I forgot… I mentioned 3 promises and included two. I’ll share the 3rd later on. I wonder if the journey will be more relevant than reaching my goals, or the other way around. Either way, I can’t wait to get started!

VIDEO: Volleyball hitting drills @ P90X day 1

written by osaez \\ tags: daily journal, P90X, review, saez, training, volleyball, workout