Saez

Facts: I’ve completed 49 days of the P90X program in 57 days. I’m almost 2/3 of the way towards my goal. Through a bad cold, flu, lots of travel and other commitments, I feel that this is a great accomplishment. I’m now going into the 8th week focusing on core and cardio (recovery week).

I’m a bit tired, not physically, but mentally. Given my DNA and my goals, I know that I’ll finish strong. There a many encouraging thoughts about finishing this great program and making it an active life-style choice:

• The effort in working-out helps develop a stronger will to eating healthier. You are not going to throw out a brutally awesome plyometric workout to go and pig out with a movie-size Twix bar?!? There is no question that you become more conscious about your overall health: sleeping, eating, seeking low-stress, etc.

• Working out in the morning gives you a boost that helps you be more productive and active throughout the day.

• You’ll improve in some areas faster and grow stronger than others. This is just simple genetics. My hip flexors still scream when doing Ab Ripper X. “Balance moves are not my thing.” I believe that this is somewhat related to age. I see doubling my pull-up strength and endurance but don’t ask for a single one arm push-up.

• Most people do not understand the effort and commitment needed to stick to this program. I know it’s in your mind all the time. While you can talk for an hour about your newly discovered activity, others simple don’t care. Give it up and keep it to yourself. Enjoy the results, your girl will be either jealous or glad to be with you. Pick up a sports and play to win!

At day 20, I could not have imagine that anyone would want to repeat this workout ever again. I have a different view of this today. We are creatures of habit and adapt easily. After a while, we get used to anything. P90X may be all about muscle confusion, but not so in avoiding instilling the habit and discipline to reach your physical and endurance potential.

I’m pleased with the results in building a good foundation. Summer is just a few months away and my focus will shift soon to skill and mental training. I need to work and improve many other facets of my beach game.

written by osaez \\ tags: P90X, training, workout

How does one week turn into two? Travel out of the country for 4 days, pack your schedule with as many meetings as you can and wait to have your email inbox so full that you are forced clean it pass midnight before you can drop dead. That was my week. It started ok, then I got the flu for 3 days and then the travel. I packed as much workout as possible, even on the road. Doing plyometrics in Dominican Republic with no A/C and heavy humidity? Now that’s a workout with a lot of sweat.

In all, I did skipped 2 days beyond my rest day, ate bad and my sleeping was off. Hence, I decided to do week 6 twice. I continue to see improvements and so I’m not discouraged.

Yoga, plyo, legs and back are still my favorite. While on the road, I had replaced legs and back with core synergistics since I didn’t have a chin-up bar or dumbbells in the hotel. This months’ focus is to group some of the winners (yoga, plyo, legs and back) with two more variants: one to focus on movements aways from you (shoulders, chest, triceps) and another focusing on movements towards your body (biceps, back).

On my Kempo X day, I played volleyball. In the morning, I work on a volleyball clinic where I train and I’m an assistance coach running drills for about 30 B-level adults from 8AM until noon. I’ve enjoyed this for about 2 years now. Then after one hour lunch break, I played with my EVP buddies doubles for another 3 hours. After I was done, I realize what had just happened. After 7 hours of non-stop volleyball, I played strong and my body felt good. I must give P90X credit for my endurance, speed and strength. I’m happy with my progress in building a good foundation for sports training and my readiness for summer tournaments. My body fat today is 10% compared to 11% a month ago as measured by a Tanita TBF-300A. 1% seems like a small gain. Second thought, this means having shaved 1.7 lbs of fat. Now, that feels good.

Surfing around, I bumped into CrossFit. I can see a lot of the similarities with the P90X program. Some tough critics say the CrossFit is the real deal and is free. I can’t argue this. However, with CrossFit, you’ll need to plot your own way through a series of BrandX burnout routines (3-4 exercises total) combining core and other muscle groups. For some, the structure of P90X may be a better fit, especially if your are working out alone.

written by osaez \\ tags: P90X, training, volleyball, workout

Those of you who play and love beach volleyball know how much of a simple pleasure it is. No shoes, no coaches, no club dues and no time limit. All in all it is a the simple complexity and lifestyle that it offers which is always calmly calling us back to the sand, free of a shirt and in a place where we all feel like part of a small family. This is a family of hard-working people that keep making time to play out of the love of the game, not because it pays the bills, but because it puts life’s hardest moments in perspective. To those of you that have already discovered this, keep living the dream. And to those who have not, I encourage you to give it a chance. Feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your back. Stare into a sun setting over incoming waves and play the game in its most awesome state and let it become part of you life. - Marc Lomeli

written by osaez \\ tags: beach, volleyball

Forget about P90X and all this hard work, a good friend just pointed me to the best volleyball coach and training program ever! He not only focuses on your physical ability but more importantly your mental game. Sorry P90X, I found a treasure and the key to unlock my game. Here’s the Ultimate Beach Volleyball Workout 1.0.

written by osaez \\ tags: danny kinda, volleyball