Day 5

Legs & Back + Ab Ripper X

Today's workout was both rewarding and frustrating.  The "Legs" part was primarily squats and lunges of different varieties. I think I got through at least half of the exercises without having to stop.  The other half....well, I didn't make it.  But I'm good with that.  I've found frustration in other routines when I simply didn't feel I was doing the exercises correctly, it's hard to work and watch at the same time.  So getting a good muscle burn so badly that I couldn't finish was rewarding.

This video was much easier than the previous ones to understand.  I did not have nearly the trouble understanding what to do as in previous routines.

The "Back" part was exclusively pull-ups with different hand positions.  Most of which were repeats of Day 1.  I found this to be the most bitter-sweet part.  My previous workouts did not include pull-ups, except a few I added in the last couple of weeks before beginning P90X, as preparation.  So my muscles are simply not developed for pull ups.  So most of my sets were between 4-6 reps, which left me standing while the trainers did 20+.  I did return to the bar for a couple of bonus reps when I could, but standing left me feeling like I wasn't working hard, even though I was.

Ab Ripper X was a repeat of days 1 & 3.  However, having done the moves twice before now (and perhaps developed some new muscle?), I found it easier to get through fluidly.  I felt far more burn than previous attempts.  It was not easier in the sense of having it mastered!  But being more confident in what I was doing helped me focus on simply getting it done.  I did have to take breaks, and did not make it straight through.  But worked my ass off and felt a great burn for it.

I am still fighting off this nasty chest cold.  It hasn't changed much, just a heavy brick sitting at the bottom of my lungs.  This unquestionably affected my ability to breath deep and my endurance.

Between the two routines, I was left with an appropriate and pleasing burn in my legs, back, and abs!  My frustration was with the downtime, which was created by my own inability to finish routines.  No doubt though, my best workout yet.

I'm going to do some 1-week measurements tomorrow.  But, unofficially, I stepped on the scale today and saw about a 2# gain!  This can easily be attributed to time of day (water weight, etc), but at least the variance is on the good side of the scale!

Reps: (each exercise repeats)

Reverse Grip Chin-Ups: 8/9

Wide Front Pull Ups: 4/3

Closed Grip Overhand Pull Ups: 4/6

Switch Grip Pull Ups:  4/5

Tomorrow: Kenpo X