Operation B.A.L.E

When I began this year, one of my resolutions was to get back into working out, and get buff. The same as every year. I am that rhino on the treadmill above, impossibly trying to be a unicorn. So how am I doing?

P90X

My program of choice was P90x, a three month program combining all forms of workouts. Several friends have had success with it and I found a “virtual” workout partner in Seth Caskey.

I managed to stick with it for a month a half and definitely I could feel myself getting stronger and healthier. BUT …

When I started on the program I was 190lbs with the goal of LOSING weight. And while I did lose pounds at first, I soon found myself creeping up to 195lbs, and even scratched 198lbs at one point. Yes, it was probably muscle. But getting BIG was not the agenda.

I stopped for a week, and reevaluated.

Running

One good thing that came out of P90X was that I finally stopped running for a good long while giving my leg a rest. Even better, the accompanying yoga program helped stretch out my strained knee.

So I began running again over the last five weeks, following a program from Runner’s World. The result? From my 195lbs high, I dropped down to 183lbs! Again, some of that is no doubt lost muscle mass. But given where I started, and where I am, I feel safe to say I am on the right track.

Conclusions

• P90X is a great program, if you have the time and the patience for it. I was thrilled at first, but soon lost interest in the program with the exception of the yoga. Plus I was always struggling to fit time in to get it done. The only one I really went out of the way to do is …
• Yoga! Never had I got so sweaty (calm down ladies) and felt so relaxed by the end of a routine. It’s long but truly felt cross-trained, and it was something I could do dealy.
• Running works for me for a simple reason; stats. Every time I run, I try to get better, logging it with Nike+. Unlike last time, I am not trying to overdo it. I take joy in the little advancements I make.

The New Program

So here is my workout for the next quarter of the year:

• Running and walking Daily: I will continue the training program with the combined running and walking. After that, I am going to train to get faster, and hopefully plan to run a race this summer.
• Yoga Daily: Post-run, to stretch the knee, and overall toning. Plus it leaves me so serene.

Optionally, three times a week I will try:

• Weight Training: Following this program, also from Runner’s World. Quick and simple, it hits all the groups.
• Ab! Ripper! X: I hate it! I love it! When I stopped the overall P90X, I was cranking out the full 349 reps the core series workouts.

I’ll try again to blog this regularly. Hope you will all join me for this ride.