FORCE SMASH!

Alrighty folks, we're on to Week 2 (Day 8 for those counting) and for the first time since starting I actually had a workout that I: 1) enjoyed and 2) felt like I accomplished something. I think I've gone off on a diatribe before about how much I hate pull-ups, and while the seething hatred was still present I managed to get through most of my pull-ups with only one leg on the bench (versus two from last week). While it may not seem like a huge accomplishment to some, I felt like the Hulk smashing through 15 feet of concrete.

I was also able to up my push-ups across the board and I know that in comparison to last week I felt much better at the end of the workout. I even moved on to Ab Ripper X without thinking of ways to skin Tony alive. The abs routine was just as brutal as ever, but I definitely felt much better going through the workout today than I did last week. I guess that's the whole point though - steady progress each week will result in the phenomenal gains I want in the long term.

Just like Muddy I'm also struggling to stay away from all of the wonderful, BBQ-laden food and obscene amounts of beer that will surround us over the next few months. By heading up to see the family I was actually able to avoid any festivities in my own area, and in the end I know I'm better for it. I'll be heading back up for Separation Day to again see the family, so Muddy and I can suffer in quiet silence together as the little ones gorge themselves on cotton candy, hot dogs, funnel cakes, and bits of charred animal flesh doused in BBQ goodness. While the food orgy is going on with the rest of the family will be sitting in the corner with our grilled chicken and 2 tbsp. of BBQ sauce to dip it in.

I also had another minor victory today against the onslaught of outside food. After working out I went for a 3 mile hike with one of my friends (yeah, I know... MORE physical activity. I might actually be starting to like this) and while talking about the diet I was informed that, "Hey, you can have some pizza today - you've done an extra workout." Those were definitely the words I didn't want to hear. While the rationale is sound (especially when depriving yourself of so many things) I've worked in various diets before that allowed for cheat days (my old nutritionist firmly believed in that concept), but my problem is that my cheat day always turned into two cheat days, then cheat weeks then just dropping the diet altogether.

Thinking about the pizza made my mouth water and I envisioned a glorious (to steal from Tony) pizza topped with meatballs and pepperoni. I quickly took that wonderful vision and stomped all over it with a muddy boot! So another minor battle won on the way to P90X fame. With the conclusion of Day 8 I feel good, not too sore, and ready to do my plyo in the morning! add to del.icio.us saved by 0 users