Phase 3: By the Numbers

I am officially two months in to my reCommitment to Fitness, and I'm going strong. I feel better than I have in a long time, and I'm more defined and fit than I've been in, well...ever.

And quite frankly, the numbers don't lie.

On Day 1, Week 1, I did:

46 push ups

17 wide front pull ups

33 military push ups

13 reverse grip chin ups

34 wide fly push ups

14 close grip over hand pull ups

30 decline pushups

Now, on Day 1, Week 9, I did:

76 push ups (61% increase)

41 wide front pull ups (141% increase)

56 military push ups (69% increase)

29 reverse grip chin ups (123% increase)

60 wide fly push ups (76% increase)

28 close grip over hand pull ups (100% increase)

48 decline push ups (60% increase)

I didn't weigh myself at the beginning, but I'm now at 160.8 pounds. While the numbers are great, most importantly is how I feel. I have made a total lifestyle commitment to fitness, keeping in mind the idea that moderation is key and even moderation needs to be ignored every now and again. I still go out with friends. I still enjoy beer and wine. I still eat the occasional treat. Over the past two months, I have certainly over indulged in food and or liquor, but it's now more the exception than the rule. I've adopted a healthy mindset and set of activities that make me feel great and keep me healthy.

While there are only 4 weeks left of the P90X program (at which point I'll post before and after photos), there is no end in sight to my reCommitment.

Going Strong, Feeling Strong

I am now a full month into my reCommitment 2 Fitness. Over the last 4 1/2 weeks, I've made serious changes to my overall lifestyle. The results and benefits have been nothing short of astounding. After overhauling my diet and exercise patterns, I've noticed a lot of changes.

First, I feel better than I have in a very long time. You don't realize how little energy and focus you have when you're not working out and eating right. On the mornings I get up to workout at 4 a.m., I have more energy throughout the day than on days I don't. Even though I'm getting up when some people are going to bed, the feeling and pride of my morning workouts carry me throughout the day. An added bonus, and one I wasn't expecting was that I feel like I'm a better teacher. The energy translates into how I act in the classroom.

Second, I look better. I didn't weigh myself at the beginning, because I really didn't have much weight to lose. I can see the changes though. Clothes fit differently. My body composition has changed. I'm stronger and leaner.

Lastly, I've found a drive in other activities that I otherwise wouldn't have enjoyed, if I wasn't reCommitting 2 Fitness. The first of my two new addictions is snowboarding. I've only been twice, but I'm hooked. The physical demands of the sport are tough, especially on the core and lower body. The first time I went, I, for lack of a better word, got my ass kicked by the mountain. But the second time? I owned it. Well...as much as I can own it after only having gone two times. Still...being healthy and fit has made learning all the easier.

The next new passion has become hot power yoga. P90x has a "YogaX" component. I'd done that for the first 2 weeks and did okay with it. My roommate has been trying to get me to go with her to her hot yoga classes for a while. I finally decided to go and am 100% addicted. It's physically and spiritually exactly what I'm looking for in a workout. And workout...it is! Anyone who thinks it's just a bunch of stretching and posing is sorely sorely mistaken. I've gone as much as 3 times in one week. I love it and can see the benefits from yoga in all other areas of my fitness as well.

So here I am, on Week 5 of my reCommitment and couldn't feel any better. This is truly a newly adopted lifestyle. I haven't given up on drinking or sworn off sweets, or anything like that, because as I mentioned in an earlier post, that's not what this is about. It's about LIVING LIFE in a healthy manner. It's about making choices that allow me to balance all that life is about...all with head up, eyes open, heart full and body strong.

-D