Still here?

It's 2020 and I just rediscovered this blog I started a decade or so ago. I have no idea what I'm still doing with this blog. So much has changed. I'll guess I'll stick with it. Who knows, maybe I can make money off of it or something! For now, enjoy one of my favorite Billy Paul tunes ever.

"I Think I'll Stay Home Today"

Found! Forgotten Nabisco product

An earlier post I told you I couldn't remember the name of the product I enjoyed years ago by Nabisco. Well, I was on flickr not too long ago and discovered this:

It's the second row, first box. While this isn't the box I remember from the late 1970s to early 1980's, this at least, is the actual product that Nabisco sold which consisted of Oreo and Swiss cookies together in one package.

Harvest Time!

So I planted Tomatoes, Basil and Cayenne Peppers this past Spring. Today I harvested the Peppers and 2 minature tomatoes.
I think I'll stick with the Cayenne Peppers next season. I haven't ever been successful growing tomatoes; I think it has to do with the lack of huge containers for the tomato plants.

P90X Update

Oh rats. Last week I had a setback. You see, I got sick on Sunday 5/1/2011 and I thought it the sore throat would pass within a day. This did not happen and I was forced to be sidelined for the entire week.  I did however get in 1 workout last Monday 5/13/2011. That day, I did the Yoga X routine. I tell you, I think Yoga X ( THE FIRST 1/2 OF THE VIDEO) is my favorite workout. The second half if so tough because it's all about balance. After Monday, I really felt awful and the next days I had the sore throat, saw my doctor, took some antibiotics, rested and still felt awful the rest of the week. I didn't attempt to exercise anymore since my strength just wasn't there. I know I lost a few pounds, only to gain them by the end of the weekend. Now that it's a new week, I still have residual effects of the sickness and I don't think I will try working out today. I just need a few more days to get my body back together. I think by Wednesday 5/11/2011 I should be able to resume my regimen. I think I need to incorporate some strength exercise first before doing cardio.

Tags: P90x, exercise, fitness, workout

Finally Compeled Kenpo X!

Last night I decided to modify the P90X routine by breaking up the strength training exercise, replacing it with "Kenpo X." Since I've always said as the week progresses, my workouts diminish. Usually the weekends I don't workout for whatever reason. I was scheduled to to "Chest, Shoulders and Triceps" plus "Ab Ripper X" but I wasn't up to lifitng weights so I told myself to incorporate a cardio workout. This week, I started with "Core Synergistics" and "Cardio X" so I didn't want to do any of those workouts too soon; I figured I would do the "Kenpo X" workout since I've YET to get an opportunity to do it (mind you, I'm in week 6).

What can I say about Kenpo? It's great!! I really enjoyed the workout! When it first started off, I didn't think I would build up a sweat. It starts off so mild and tranquil that I thought I was doing a the "X-Stretch" workout! However, after about 15 or 20minutes, the pace definitely picks up and you start to work your heart rate up. At some point, I had to take a break to catch my breath, an may have skipped an exercise set or two.

Going forward, I can see myself doing more Cardio X, Kenpo X, Core Synergistics, Plyometrics (the hardest workout in my opinion) and Yoga X. I would only add 1 strength training exercise per week. My goals aren't so much as muscle building as it is in shredding fat and getting lean. Soon, I'll develop a weekly schedule and stick to it. No one says I need to follow P90X to a 'T' right? I figure that hey, any exercise, whatever workout I choose in the P90X series is BETTER than sitting on a coach eating a bag of potato chips!

Tags: P90X, Kenpo X, Cardio X, Core Synergistics, exercise, fitness, workout, home workout, Yoga X

P90X Update

I think I may have written before that I seem to start my weeks off well doing the daily exercises, then by the end of the week, I'm skipping them.
That same outcome happened last week. I worked out only 3 days last week. I worked out last Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. It makes no sense that I didn't get any workout during Saturday and Sunday. We even have a 3 day weekend due to the "Good Friday" holiday.

So what can I say now that I'm into my 6th week of P90X. I did Cardio X last night and I tell you, I think I'm not getting enough endurance to do the entire workout without taking a break to catch my breah. Perhaps I'm pushing myself too much because the next days, yes  I wrote DAYS, after one workout I'm feeling too lethargic. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning but managed to make it to work, where I'm now writing this blog post. Tonight's supposed to be Chest, Shoulders & Triceps + AbRipper X. I'm going to ixnay that

and substitute another cardio workout. Maybe, just maybe I'll attempt my first stab at KenpoX since I've yet to complete an entire week of P90X causing my to weekly skip the Kenpo X workout

Tags: excerisce, P90X, workout, Kenpo X, Cardio X

P90X Update

I just completed Shoulders, Chest, Shoulders and Triceps plus Ab Ripper X and have to be honest. I didn't like the workout at all. I have a weakness in my left arm so it's difficult to do exercises consistently using my arms. Several exercises I skipped because they are too difficult. I found myself staring out the window during some of the sets. I'm not using heavy weights (10lbs per dumbell) yet many of the exercises I just couldn't complete. I think I'd rather do more Cardio X or Plyo then do the Strength exercises. My dream week would be Cardio X, Plyometrics, Yoga X, Core Synergistics and perhaps 1 strength workout. I think considering my weight and goals, the strength training can take a back seat. I really would like to focus on doing more cario for the remainder of this 90 days.. or should I just stick it out. Well, I might as well stick with the program and once it's over, develop a better plan of attack for my body type. I don't see myself enjoying or doing much of the strength training exercises because of my left arm. Ironically, I can do pushups without problems and one thing I have developed is stamina doing more pushups than I was able to do say 1 month ago.

On another note, I still feel changes in my body and my clothes are slightly looser. I notice it in my waist and torso area the most.

OOPS! I did it AGAIN!

Yesterday was supposed to be my first Kenpo X session. Would you believe it didn't happen yet again!? This is the 4th time I was scheduled to do Kenpo X, but didn't do it. I did workout, but I used the wrong exercise video. I accidentally put on the Plyometrics. Now, prior to yesterday, I scanned the Kenpo X video and knew that there was plenty of kicking and punching movements. Well when I was about halfway through Plyometrics, I asked myself, "What happened to the karate movements?" I actually finished the entire video and it wasn't until later that I realized I was doing the wrong video. Let me just say that the Plyometrics session is extremely difficult. The difficulty isn't with the movements, but with keeping up with the instructor. After 15-20mins in, I wound up taking a break ever other exercises set. At some point, I knew I wouldn't have enough energy to do every exercise, so I kept the video playing in order to catch my breath. I forget the name of the exercise that really tested me; I think it was some 180 degree twisting squat. After the first time I did it, Tony makes you do it several more times throughout the rest of the workout. I did a few more but found myself skipping several exercises. It's really exhausting. I think it's twice as difficult than the standard Cardio X workout. Since I'm doing the lean P90X program, Plyo isn't on my schedule. While it was fun to get an idea what it's like, I'd rather stick with Cardio X!

One more thing

Just wanted to add that I'm noticing small, but inspiring, changes in my physique. I think I may have said earlier that I haven't done a complete week of workouts. The most I've done in one week was four sessions and that was the 1st week. However, taking into consideration the workouts I have completed, my body is changing. My lower body I feel it has changed the most. My pants are a bit saggy, my belt is a bit looser and I feel my buttocks don't fill out my pants as much as they did say 1 month ago. I am pleased with this nascent results that I feel it will entice me to continue on this journey. I know that once P90X is up, I just can't go back to being the same guy sitting around hours a day ( I have my job for that!) I need to stay motiviated enough to get some type of physical activity into my weekly regime. What I can say now is that going forward, I wouldn't want to stay with the up and down bouncing around Cardio exercise, BUT I would like to stick with the Yoga X because I feel I can do that up to any age.

Kenpo X!

Ugh, Hate to tell you but I missed Kenpo X for the 4th straight time in as many weeks! I just don't know what is it about Kenpo X that makes me miss my workout when it's scheduled. Well yesterday, I had just gotten home from a Dentist appointment and was so tired that I didn't exercise immediately. I guess I laid down about 4:30pm. When I woke, it was just after 10pm! I wasn't going to workout that late; my workout would be delayed a day. No problem, just get it done today is what I'm feeling in my soul.
It's almost 5pm Thursday and while this week was supposed to be Rest, I'm going to attempt yesterday's Kenpo X for the FIRST time! I hope to update tomorrow how it went!

tags:

Brief musings about last 3 weeks of P90X

I've followed the P90x regime to a T. Not at all.
1st Wk: Did 4/6 sessions
2nd Wk: Did 4/6 sessions
3rd Wk: Did 3/6 sessions (I got sick in the beginning of the week and couldn't do much until Sat)
4th Wk: So far 2 straight days, it's wed now and I have Kenpo tonight. Oddly, I've never been able to do Kenpo b/c the days I've missed (Saturdays), Kenpo was the scheduled session, I've read it should be fun to do and I look forward to it tonight.
Will update on how it went tomorrow (I hope)

PS. Haven't mentioned that I really wanted to do an exercise series AT HOME! I do NOT like the gym at all. It was 10yrs ago that I was a member and although I had some improvements, I stopped going regularly and then my gym shut down and I haven't been back to a gym since '03/'04.

Yoga X

I'm now into my 4th week of P90X. When I first attempted the Yoga X session, I didn't think I would like it after the 1st day. Well I've done Yoga X 4 times so far and I must say that I do enjoy it very much. It is long, however, since the movements are slow and drawn out, the time does go by.  I will add that I enjoy the first 45 minutes (roughly the halfway point) because I know I'm getting a great workout. I sweat so much during the 1st half. Thinking about the 2nd half, it is very difficult for me. I found myself sitting and watching Tony and the crew do the most difficult things that I simply could not do. I do try, yet I just find that my body just cannot get into some of those positions. I noticed that because I couldn't do the same amount of workout during the 2nd half, I didn't sweat as much. If I were to revise Yoga X, I would change the 2nd half so that it can accommodate those who just can't do those difficult positions

P90X: 1st week completed

So I've started this P90x program (I'm doing the Lean P90x sequence) and it's already been a week. Last week I started off with a blast but only completed 4 workouts.

1) Core Synergistics
2) Cardio X
3) Shoulders & Arms + Ab Ripper X
4) Yoga X

A few days last week I just didn't have time. I went out to dinner one evening (wed) and was out all day with my best friend on Saturday
Sunday was just a wash as I slept in and didn't have the energy to do any workout.

This week should be different. I did my Core Synergistics last night. It was tougher than the 1st week. I had very little energy but I did do as much as possible and the entire workout played. At this point, I'm going to press on and do as much as possible. I know it's unlikely that I'll be able to do every exercise with their number of repititions. I may not be able to do every day either. I'm going to do the very best I can, given that I started this at 255lbs and a 42" waist.
My goals for my ideal measurements are ~ 200lbs and 36" to 38" waist.

Dusty the cat burglar

I love cats, and this is why.. they can be quire unpredictable

Just saw "Knight and Day"

I saw "Knight and Day" starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. You ever have one of those moments when you think and actor looks like another actor? I did in this movie! There's a character named "Fitzgerald" played by actor Peter Sarsgaard. For the life of me, I swore it was actor Jonny Lee Miller. When I got home, I had to look it up and discovered that these two actors are not one and the same.
You decide..See any semblance?

Article from Philly Weekly

Check out this article published by Philadelphia Weekly. They say if your a certain color of skin, avoid these bars. It may be hilarious, disturbing or ridiculous, but I guess it's true.

This is just one section of the article "Summer Guide: More Lists than You Can Handle

Safari 5 new "Reader" feature owns!

I think the new Safari 5 is great. But I especially enjoy the Safari "Reader" feature. It lets you view articles in a text mode only format by excluding the nonsense that's distracting such as ads and videos and popups. It's like you have your own iPad on your computer screen. Way to go Apple for creating and releasing this great feature!

Tonight's Dinner

I saw this recipe on LiveWellHD. It's an over the air DTV channel affiliated or owned by ABC. I modified the recipe and made baby bok choy, broccoli, mushrooms, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, beef stock, cilantro, basil and scallions. I didn't use any other ingredient mentioned in the video because either I didn't have it or didn't want it. Also, I didn't use any chicken this time since today for me is no meat day. I'll probably follow this recipe verbatim one day.

Spinners: I'll Be Around

One of the best songs ever! Hey that's Bobbie Smith on lead vocals.

Found it!

This has been bugging me for years. I remember watching this PSA on tv in the 1970s, probably even the early 1980s. For the longest I couldn't think of exactly what the commercial was about but I knew it was some PSA. After a bit of searching, I found it on Youtube. Apparently, it's from the late 1960s about preventing forrest fires.