Wanting to change

Well there are so many things that I want right now. A Job that has decent pay would be nice. The ability to take a vacation and not feel guilty about leaving work for a week or two. (of course that would come after I get the job) I would also love to lose a little more weight. I seem to have gained back some of the stuff I lost recently.

But Of all these things the thing that I want to change the most is my attitude about my life. I have been letting myself get a little down. As you can see by my last post, I have been feeling a little unwanted for any type of work. I have to personally realize that this is only temporary. I have some great friends and family looking out for me. The give me work to do, they take me out to eat and they send ideas for work my way.

I need to get the motivation to get up every morning and do something besides turn on the TV. I am not normally a couch potato. But I have really picked it up over the past few months. I feel like I have nothing to do. when really I have plenty that I could be doing that would benefit me more than sitting in front of the TV watching some dumb mid morning show. I could be working out or I could be doing school work or I could be working on a hobby. There are so many other things I could do with my current situation.

So starting now I am going to limit my time on the Internet. I am going to post something on my Blog once a week just to keep my mind running if nothing else. I am going to get up early every morning and go work out. I am going to spend time drawing for at least a half hour every day on anything that comes to mind. I am going to do my schoolwork for that day before I turn on the TV. I am going to take the dog on a walk after I work out every morning and then take him on a walk before bed every night. I am going to make sure the pets are groomed every week. And I am going to make sure my wife helps me on everything because I know I will eventually fail if I do not have someone to support me.

These are my gaols. These are my way of saying to life you have not defeated me. This will be my way to take back what I have lost and what was taken from me. This is how I will prove to myself and others that I am willing and ready to work hard and smart. That I am a good person to have around. That I am trustworthy to myself and others and that I am the best person for any job that comes my way.

Day 5 P90X

So I started P90X on Monday this week. I took some pitures and felt like I was going to die on a couple of the days. These days would be when I did Plyometrics and Yoga. If you ever want to feel like your going to die after doing a workout try the Plyometrics and go all out. Yoga on the other hand will make you feel so weak. After 45 min of the standing postures you might as well feel like you could roll over and die. But the benefit of yoga is that it teaches you to relax.

All the other days have been good. I have worked out hard but sometimes just wishing that I could afford a set of free weights instead of having the bands. But I guess that is why I have had a gym membership in the past.

So now this week I have not lost much weight if any. I have weighed myself and have only seen about 1-1/2 pound difference. that could easily be just that I did not eat as much the day before or just that my body is in flux.

Today being Friday was my leg & back day. I have to be a little careful as I have two bad knees and so I have to tone down the moves at first so that I don't cause any damage. Wall Squats I would say are the most difficult, especially the single leg squats. I cant say much about the pull ups as I have always had a difficult time with them. When I did this last year I got up to being able to do 5. That is really good for me. This time around I started off a little better. So I am hoping and have a goal to be able to do 10 by the time I am done with this whole process.

So now for the Bad news. Here are my pictures. You should be ok since this is only a few pictures of me so you won't have to wear protective eye wear.

Working for a living.

    Well as I sit here with my two screens on earthday. (Yes I use them both. Right now I have autocad and Revit open. So not only am I using them I am sure I am stressing out the processor on my work computer. ) I was thinking about how my workout progress is going. 

    Today I did Kempo. This is one of the more entertaining workouts. Maybe it is just because I like to fake hit things. Or maybe it is because I have alot of agression twords the air which constantly gets in the way. But I get to punching and kicking and by the time I think to look at the clock. a half hour has easily passed away if not 40 min. I always want more.  This is a 1 hour workout. And the shirts I wear during these workouts can only be worn again after I wash them, as they are drentched on sweat which makes them really stinkey.

     Admittedly this morning I looked at the workout schedule and was dissapointed that it was not the X Stretch this morning. (that is tomorrow.) But after the initial warm up and stretches I was ready to go. I was punching smoother today than normal and felt myself moving more. which would make the punches hurt more if I actually hit you. I don't hit that hard anyway so don't worry. But I felt energetic this morning after my lathargic start. when we were set to do 30 punches or kicks I did 32. when we did our breakes I dade sure to keep my heart rate up and actually did extra jumping jacks. I figure 1 or 2 extra of those will not hurt me. I had a good workout this morning. I cannot complain. Yea. Maybe 4:30 was a little early for me to wake up this morning and my pillow was extra heavy but one I got up and shook off the sleeping fairy dust, I was good to go.

     So I am happy to say my progress is going well. I have hit my 3-1/2 week mark. I am feeling good. I am feeling strong. My kicks are not only higher but stronger and more cordinated.  My punches flow. My push ups have incresed. My pull ups have more than doubled. my weight has dropped, and my energy has gained. Big change from 4 weeks ago.

My P90X Workout review and updates.

    Well I thought I should update my blog. and also tell about the new workout program I am on. This one I hope to keep updated for the full time that I am on this program. P90X. 

    So far I am in my 3rd week.  I have noticed alot of strength and stamina changes.  My finacee has said she has noticed that I am slimmer. So I am getting what I want (strength) and she is getting what she wants (A slimmer Jake).

    So far my workouts consits of alot of pushups and pullups on Mondays(chest and back). and then jumping around on Tuesdays (Plyometrics), Curls, curls, curls and tricept, tricept, tricept on Wednesdays (Arms and Tricepts). and then Massive losses of water followed by Death on Thursdays (Yoga). and then Friday I do alot of squats and 

pull ups. Or in my case falling down and getting back up alot. (Legs and back) Finally Saturdays I learn how to kick you A** if you try to bother me during my workout. (Kempo) and then Sundays are a rest and streach day. and then I start it all over again. But that is only the first 3 weeks. Which I am just finishing up. the 4th week Will be a low impact week. So I will do alot more cardio and keep on the Yoga. 

     Now when I started this I was just on the verge of not being able to make it. So if you have not been the the gym in months. or are overweight I do not reccommend this workout. Find something else or make sure your fully comitted before you invest in these DVDs. 

    They have a test online to see if your are ready for this program. Try it and see how you do. If you pass all of them or only fall slightly short on one maybe two of the workouts. You can handle these workouts. But do not expect to keep up with the people on the video for atleast a few weeks if not more.

   The Next picture is not for the weak of heart or those that are sensative to light or easily blinded. Also those that like to make jokes or any other inapropriate comments Plase do not. 

This is my start up picture. 

     Yes the workout might help the gut. But I do not think it will help the tan or lack there of.

     I will be taking a new picture in a few weeks. Hopefully I can say I look better then.