Hi there,

Well it's been a while since my last update. I bet some of you got scared I gave up! Well, sorry to disappoint you, but sadly I have been keeping up with the program. I've just been a little lazy on the journal entries.

So Monday was a total defeating blow to my ego. I could barely do anything. I don't know why either, although I suspect that the pre-work out mix I took (similar to NO Explode) might have had something to do with it. Regardless, I felt like a dried up kleenex by the time it was over. Ab Ripper was somewhat pathetic as well. Regardless, I pressed play and on we went.

Plyometrics on Tuesday however was awesome. I always have such an energy rush after that work out even though I feel so exhausted when I'm doing it. The thing is I feel better after that than any other work out. I think the sweat is cleansing. Also, this week I found my second and third "winds" came much sooner than in previous attempts. All in all it was good.

Wednesday I let the day get away from me and I had to do my workout late at night. It wasn't that much fun let me say that late in the day, but I got it done regardless. I could REALLY feel a tense pump on the bicep curls and shoulder presses, and I didn't use any pre-work out drink as I was a little apprehensive of that. No beer for me this St. Patrick's day - Just P90X.

Yesterday I did Yoga. Again, starting to see some real gains in that department. I went out afterwards for a beer with a friend and I had the veggie burger, with two sides. Roasted veggies and garden veggies. Detect a theme here? IT was awesome to feel like I was eating a massive burger except when I got home I didn't have that feeling like a force-fed goose.

Today is legs and back which so far I have enjoyed doing. But before that, I'm making a trip to Safeway, buying some healthy foods (there's no food in the house so perfect timing) and working out before meeting up with some friends. I think it will be a good time. On the topic of food, I have also noticed that my energy is lacking without the right kinds of foods at the right time. So I think now that I've experienced 2 weeks of a butt kicking, it's time to fight back with a healthy diet. This, I think will help a lot.

Still bringing it.

Jordan

Friday was Legs and Back

Not much to say really. I found it to be a challenge but nothing that knocked me off of my feet. Ab ripper was a killer and a half, but you know I'm starting to feel the changes in my body. Not seeing it quite yet but it's coming I can tell for sure.

I was actually surprised at how much strength I had for legs. It was a pretty promising day for me actually after the work out. Sadly I abused my body at a gig that night (too much beer) and got very little sleep. Yesterday I napped after coming home and made myself do Kenpo-x even though I thought it was gonna suck. I ended up getting a great work out, and some second and third winds here and there. It was a productive day.

So all in all, good times, though I am really going to focus this week on being more accurate with form, lifting more weight, and going to bed earlier. Hopefully that will contribute to an even better week 2 of P90X.

Jordan

I need to make a small amendment to my once quoted Facebook Status...

When I said I "thought" I could do Yoga, I meant that from the perspective that I had experienced a reasonable amount of success in some guided Ashtanga Yoga classes I once attended. The thing with Tony and Yoga X is that it goes through a hybrid of Ashtanga and Hatha, and does move right into very advanced poses and postures. This, I feel is a little bit dangerous, not because he's teaching it wrong or anything like that, but because Yoga is all about practice. In fact, it means practice. So when I watch a DVD and the intent is to make it "extreme" I have to chuckle a little bit. That's like hiring Richard Simmons to lead a meditation seminar.

Anyway, my point is simply that there were a couple of missing ingredients to what I think should be part of a yoga experience. For one, he neglected to mention the words "listen to your body" or at least doesn't say it enough. There are too many overweight people who will buy this program as an over the counter remedy to their obesity who will hurt themselves trying to wrap one leg or another around their heads. Secondly, there should have been more emphasis on the "beginner" aspect of it considering that most people who are new to Yoga can't to shoulder stands or inverted poses. There is ALWAYS (as Tony has put it) a beginner's phase for everything.

Thirdly, and this is just my opinion, especially if you're new to it, is the human contact that goes with Yoga. While I understand it is personal and a personal practice, there could be some benefit to going to a studio, smelling the incense, meeting the people, and feeling welcome in the company of others. Instructors can provide that adjustment here and there and those warm words of encouragement to keep you feeling great about what you're doing.

Regardless, I kept going, did what I could and didn't push myself too hard. As I recall, Yoga is a life long journey for many, so I'm not going to treat my once a week installment with too much vigor or aggression. I'll do what I can, get a good stretch, feel my breath, and try to become just a little more centered throughout the day. I chose to utilize Yoga for its intangible benefits rather than force something out for the sake of the letter X being on it.

I think P90X is on the right track with Yoga X, but could do some refining in years to come and a little more research in terms of how it is delivered. However, for a work out video, I'm not going to give them crap for it. I was sweating...

Namaste

Jordan

Hi,

So I did arms and shoulders today. I kept it mostly to the resistance bands, but I use the tightest one I have and keep it looped for some extra tension. It was a good workout today, although I was surprised at how side raises with even 10lb weights in my hands could be so hard!

Anyways, I enjoyed it, I felt like I got a lot done and it feels great to have another one in the bag. I have a feeling this is going to fly by before I know it. Ab ripper kicked my ass though. I think it will come together soon though, I'm close to being able to do all of the moves in it top to bottom. I'm focusing really hard on form, so I suppose if I can maintain a decent form and get through it all this early, that's a good sign. I'm really excited to see the changes after a few weeks of ab ripper, seeing as I can feel it in my body already and it's only day 2. If this is the "learning" phase I'm stoked for the "adaptive" phase.

Oh and seeing my veins pop out while I'm lifting weights = awesome!

I'm really looking forward to doing some early morning Yoga!

Still bringing it.

Jordan

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

I HATE plyometrics...

However, that being said, it was a pretty awesome day in terms of getting it done. I remember the first time I tried P90X, plyometrics was the bane of my existence. I enough to make me not follow through, I felt that defeated. But I took my own advice, and just kept going, even if I couldn't keep moving, I just paused, and kept on. After a while, it was my second wind kicking in, and then a third. For some reason I had way more energy than I would have ever given myself credit for. I was so sweaty... it reminded me of Pittsburgh, KA when I was in The Cavaliers. I haven't sweat that much in a long time...

But I made it! And that's all I'm gonna remember about today. Stinky, sweaty, veins-poking-out-of-my-skin success!

And now it's time for bed.

Jordan

Hey Kids,

Well, it was a major butt-kicking, but I got through day one of P90X Chest and Back and Ab Ripper. While I'm pretty tired, and sure that this will feel a lot worse after plyometrics tomorrow, I can also sleep well knowing that I did the whole work out top to bottom.

Did I break? Of course I did. Did I hit all of the goals I set out to hit? Not really. Some of them. Others were just too damn hard, and I can appreciate that this program will instantly give you a reality check as to where you REALLY are in terms of fitness. But I did have a bit of a realization mid work-out.

While I was doing both work outs, it occurred to me that I was having trouble doing everything I set out to do. Then I had this epiphany. It doesn't matter if I have to break, or press pause or anything like that. I just have to keep going. I think about my musical upbringing and well, if I think about what I might have sounded like in Junior High... it probably would have seemed like a pipe dream to ever think I could be where I am now. And currently, I consider myself an amateur pretending to get by in the professional world.

So here's my thought on this whole thing. It's gonna suck, and I'm gonna hate my life for a few days. But really, the first time I tried this whole thing, I got through the first few work outs, and then gave up because I thought "Well if I can't be like Tony, then what's the point?"

So I guess the only thing I have to worry about is getting it done. Just like those days when I got the living poop kicked out of me in Drum Corps, I still showed up. Mind you, I sorta had to... Regardless, it's all about process. Follow any process and some sort of product will come. Walk away, and you guarantee failure. I wish I could have figured some of this out earlier in life, I wouldn't have lost so many things close to me. But as Lester Burnham once said "Both my wife and daughter think I'm this gigantic loser and they're right, I have lost something. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I know I didn't always feel this... sedated. But you know what? It's never too late to get it back!"

Talk to you soon. Up next, plyometrics.

Jordan

P.S. Look for my before picture. I told you I was hairy

Time to Bring It...

So here it is, the day before I start over with P90X and what I hope to be an amazing experience.

A little background information before we get going...

Throughout my life I have always been involved in different forms of physical activity. As a child, I played soccer competitively in leagues and as a true Canadian, enjoyed street hockey both at home and on the playground. I could always run around and keep up with the rest. In indoor soccer I played Center. In outdoor - Midfield. Being in shape was never a concern, because I was never OUT of shape. Later, I got involved in music which forced me to quit soccer to commit to some other endeavors. One of those was marching band which I was in for 9 years.

Most people think that it's not physical at all. I urge you to watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjgu2gYs2UQ

I happened to be in the group being profiled at the time this video was made. I must point out as well that I was a baritone player, which meant I didn't hold a heavy drum. Which meant, I ran around more. And I played my horn which meant I was restricted in my breathing, much like a swimmer. And I did this for 85 days for the summers of 2005 and 2006! I ate 4500 calories a day, and came home 10 pounds lighter than when I left (I was 155lbs by the end of August 2005 and I'm 6'1" tall). When I went back to school following this time I hit the gym and was able to bench more than I weighed! I had a workout partner who kept me motivated. I was still very much on track. Then something happened... I fell off the wagon and life as a musician took over. All of a sudden, it's beer, wings, late gigs, getting home at 4am and working at 9am the same morning. I beer battered my way into the proverbial pancake that I am.

I attempted to do P90X a few weeks back. That lasted about 4 days until I had to leave town on a bus trip to perform with a band and got little to no sleep. Since then, I reverted back to my poor eating habits, and have watched my fitness level sink and my general overall health fall by the wayside. Well that ends now. Starting tomorrow it's day 1 of P90X. I'll even put up the photos for you to see. You can laugh at my hairy, non developed chest if you like.

Much like Lester Burnham who once said in my favorite movie American Beauty:
"It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. Makes you wonder what else you can do that you've forgotten about."

Not to mention... "I wanna look good naked!"

So here it is, the pursuit of peak physical form being broadcast to you every day on the Jordanzo blog. I don't know why I kept that nickname, but hey if that silly name can get shredded, I might even hang on to it. Much thanks to Ben Perrin who suggested this as a means to keep me on track.

Here we go!

Jordan