My Five-Year-Old Personal Trainer

Since hitting Day 90 in early June I've been taking a planned break. I was workinng out three or four times a week, mostly cardio and plyometrics, and while I was still watching what I eat, I was enjoying some foods that were off-limits for 12 weeks.

Then I started a new job. Then I got a cold. Then friends were visiting for a week. None of this prevented me from exercising really but they were good excuses. Suddenly I hadn't worked out for two weeks.

This morning my wife ran my eight year old to a friend's house and I had some time with my newly-minted five-year-old (pictured on his new bike). I said "what do you want to do big man? Do you want to go to the pool?" His answer:

"You haven't extersized (sic). Do you want to do P90x? Then we can go to the pool."

Busted.

I said "okay" and got my sneakers on. We put on Cardio X and my five year old trainer joined me for a few minutes before going to play with the train tracks.

It is so damn easy to fall into old habits, especially bad ones. It's a good think I had my Big Man to slap me out of it.

So what now? Well, I'm about to travel for work for a few days and I'm bringing my workout clothes and DVDs with me and I will "extersize" every day.

Then, on July 18, I start my second round of P90x.

Thanks, Daniel, for having my back.

5 Guys Revisited

On my 2nd day of P90x, the folks in my office ordered Five Guys for lunch. I was bitter--and hungry--but I resisted. You can read all about it here.

Today, the idea of Five Guys came up again in the office. Since I'm on my two week "break" (and this is also my last week in this office), I decided to go for it. I had a cheeseburger and fries.

Now, here's the part where I'm supposed to tell you it really wasn't that good and that my tastes have changed so radically that I'm not sure I really enjoy food like that anymore. However, if I said that, I'd be lying. It was good.

Very good. Sorry. Some things never change.

However, what has changed is that this won't be a weekly meal anymore--just an occasional treat. Not only is it bad for me, but there's another side effect: I need a nap now!

Days 91-93: Old Habits Die Hard, and Come Back Harder

After Day 90, this was the plan: Take a week off from rigorous exercise, eat what I want (within reason) and then start my next round of P90x on June 20. But I can't wait that long. Here's why:

Saturday night was nice. We went to Austin Grill in Rockville and I had a steak, with mashed potatoes, some veggies, and a very tall, cold Blue Moon. Afterwards, we went to Berry Cup, a yogurt place next door, and I topped the evening off with a glass of Maker's Mark. And I couldn't sleep that night.

On Sunday, I didn't eat too badly, but I had some cookies during the coffee time at church and some other unhealthy snacks during the day. And I couldn't sleep that night. By today, I was back to popping hard candies in my mouth and grabbing handfuls of snack without thinking (like Wheat Thins, which puts the "crack" in cracker for me).

The difference is simply that for the preceding 90 days, I was THINKING about what I was eating. I was bringing snacks to work with me and being very particular about what I put in my body. For the past three days, I haven't been thinking about it much. And, very quickly, I'm thinking about it less and less. It's surprising how quickly the old habits come back..

So, it's time to get back into a routine. I probably still won't actually start P90x again until later in June. But, I am going to start exercising again tomorrow morning and watching what I eat.

And, to the Wheat Thins: GET BEHIND THEE SATAN!

Day 90: A Photo Finish

I made it. Day 90. I got up at 6 a.m. and put in the one workout I hadn't done yet--Cardio X. It's like a "greatest hits of all the other workouts: some yoga, a little ploymetrics and some kenpo. By 7 a.m., Day 90 was in the books.

A friend asked me, recently, if I was going to post pictures of myself with "six-pack" abs after I hit Day 90. Uh, no. The only six-pack in my life remains the frosty cold kind pictured here.

I have been--and remain--somewhat reluctant to put photos of my shirtless self on the internet. People might see them and go "HOLY CRAP! If that's what's on the Internet, I'll never use it again." But, given that everyone at Woodley Gardens Pool is forced to see me as such during the summer, I will post the following Day 1 and Day 90 photos. Looking at these photos, I realize:

1) I have definitely lost weight and changed my body shape.

2) I still have a long way to go.

3) I'm still funny looking.

I'm very proud of number 1. And, after a brief break--and a meal of burger, fries and an ice cold beer--I shall continue the journey to address number 2. However, number 3 ain't gonna change, but that's okay: I have a beautiful wife or, as my friend Clint says, I "outkicked my coverage." Amen.

So, shield your eyes, hide your children and don't eat at least an hour before looking at these. I'll post some more thoughts later, but here are the pics:

Day 1

Day 90

Day 1 (This is an especially attractive picture. I'm saying "who is that fat guy?")

Day 90 (I decided not to look at the screen, so I couldn't say "who is that fat guy?")

Day 89: Happy Doughnut Day!

Today is National Doughnut Day and most of your favorite doughnut shops are giving a free orb of manna. Normally this would be a day of celebration for me. I love doughnuts almost as much as Homer Simspon--especially hot Krispy Kremes.

But given that this is the penultimate (big word!) day of my first round of P90x, I will have to pass on a free circle of glazed goodness.

Of course this reminds me of one of the biggest challenges I will face in my new job in Washington D.C. On June 29, I will begin a new gig that will require me to take the Metro to Dupont Circle and walk about a half mile to my office. That's all fine.

But the problem is that I will have to walk right past a Krispy Kreme EVERY SINGLE MORNING on my way to work. In fact, as you emerge from the metro stop I will take, you can smell the doughnuts. That will be a challenge.

Must. Be. Strong.

Mmmmmmmmm. Douuuggghhnuts.

Day 87 & 88: My New Shaq-a-licious Nickname

Shaquille O'Neal during his basketball career was known, among other names, as the Big Diesel, the Big Aristotle and, more recently, the Big Shamrock (though that didn't work out too well). In honor of Shaq's retirement, I am bestowing a new nickname on myself: The Big Justifier.

You see, I can justify myself right out of anything, especially a workout. Throughout the past 88 days, I have done my very best to come up with reasons why I CAN'T work out. Usually, this happens in the morning when I'm trying to think of a reason why I shouldn't get up and push play, including:

"If I start working out now, I won't be done for an hour and I'll be late for work."

"My (knee, back, neck, ear, hair, cuticle) hurts--maybe I should take a day off."

"I'll work out tonight instead of this morning"

It goes on and on. Even this morning I held an internal debate with myself about whether I should work out. I have an early appointment, so I need to leave the house by around 7: 15 a.m. It took so long for my internal debate that--guess what--I actually did miss my window and I don't have time. So, I really will have to get it done tonight.

The Big Justifier strikes again.

The good news is that in the past, I could justify myself right out of exercising and right in to a plate of wings and nachos. But over the past 12 weeks, my Inner-Justifier has not been very successful. I've only missed three workouts (and two were due to circumstances beyond my control) and I've continued to eat pretty well. And with just three days left in my first round of P90x, I certainly won't miss tonight's effort.

The Big Justifier needs to step off.

Day 86: A Balancing Act of Suck

There's an old saying in basketball: "You can't teach height." The message: Some people are just born tall and they have an advantage in basketball.

Well, let me modify that: You can't teach balance. At least not to some people. Over the past 12 weeks, I've done countless Yoga workouts and to be honest, my friends, I still suck at it. Big time. I have no sense of balance. Maybe it's all the head injuries I had as a kid (yes, I was always this graceful) or maybe it's so many years carrying a "heavy load."

Or maybe, as Lady Gaga would say, I was born this way. (For instance, if I tried the pose in the above picture, disaster potential would be very high.)

That's not to say I haven't improved at Yoga. I have. My dog is more downward (that doesn't sound right) and I actually know what Chaturanga is now. And, a couple of times, I've felt the relaxing nature of Yoga. Even though it's a tough workout, I see why people can become addicted.

But I will never become addicted. I suck at Yoga. But I'm just proud that I keep trying it.

Day 85: Making a Splash

I guess there was one benefit to being fat--I was a rock star at the pool. During adult swim last summer, my boys and many other kids would line up in the "splash zone" and urge me to do a cannonball. And, believe me, I could deliver.

Partly because I know how to get a big jump off a diving board and partly (mostly) because I had a wide, uh, surface area, I generated quite the splash. I was definitely the cannonball king at the Woodley Gardens Pool. (Actually, I do jackknifes, but you get the point.)

Today, the kids were back in the splash zone and I was back on the diving board. Yes, I'm 25-30 pounds lighter, but I'm also stronger and can generate even more force off the board. The result was the same...big splashes, lots of cheers, high fives.

But I think I look a little better doing it (well, at least I do in my mind).

Another positive sign: Last year after doing all my cannonballs, I would be wiped out. This year, I had enough energy to hang out in the pool, cut the lawn when I got home and do various tasks around the house. Hey, even the Cannonball King has chores.

One thing I did NOT do today was workout, but it was going to be a light day anyway. One five more workouts until Day 90 and I will do each and every one of them.

Day 84: The Best Workout Partners in the World

Over the last--gasp!--12 weeks, my boys have each watched me workout and, a couple of times, one of them has tried to do some of the moves. But I've never had both of them working out with me at the same time....Until today.

About halfway through KenpoX today, my 8-year-old and my almost 5-year-old came in and began trying to do all the kicks, punches and blocks. (That's me with the big sweat stain, the eight-year-old in Spiderman pajamas and the almost five-year-old showing off his physique).

Truth be told, it was a bit difficult to maneuver in my small workout space. I couldn't really do full kicks for fear of inadvertently hitting one of my kids in the face. (Wouldn't that be an interesting conversation at the hospital? "Mr. Tofig, exactly HOW did this happen? You were exercising? Really?").

But that very minor inconvenience aside, this was perhaps the best workout ever.

My boys and I did it together (and my 8 year old actually was able to do plenty of the exercises very well). At the end, after more than 100 vertical punches, we celebrated, high-fived each other and--because it was Kenpo--we bowed.

This was exactly why I've been doing this for the past 84 days. And this is exactly why I won't stop after Day 90.

Well done, boys. And just remember....we don't do any of these punches or kicks at school!

Day 83: Taking Off My Shirt

Today is the opening day at the Woodley Gardens Pool, which is a very exciting day in our house. Daniel was so stoked that he woke up at 7 a.m. and immediately put on his bathing suit and sandals. Unfortunately, the pool doesn't open until 11 a.m.

Last summer, when I was at about my heaviest, going to the pool was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I love the pool. I was a swimmer as a kid and, despite my girth, I'm still pretty quick in the water.

But the pool was a place where I had to take off my shirt and I was extremely self-conscious about that. I was the "fat Dad" who could play in the pool with his boys for a little while, but would get extremely tired and have to sit out for a while.

This year will be a little different. I'm certainly not thin by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm in far better shape. I'm 25-30 pounds lighter and I actually have something resembling a physique, including biceps and triceps.

I'm still self-conscious about taking off my shirt. I probably always will be (hence why you haven't seen any such pictures on this blog). But, maybe, just maybe, I'll feel a little better about it and, most importantly, I'll be able to play with my boys in the pool without breathing heavy.

And that should make for a great summer.

Days 81 & 82: What a Pain in the....

I know exactly when it happened. As I was pushing for just one extra rep during one of the bicep exercises yesterday (May 26), I stupidly jerked my arms really hard up and--oof--I felt a pain in my neck. I kept working out, but I knew I had pulled a muscle and for the rest of the day I'd be feeling it.

As expected, I spent the entire day was walking around like Mr. Roboto. And this morning, my neck is still pretty stiff.

Over 80 days of P90X, I've stayed relatively injury-free and now, with Day 90 in sight, I hurt my neck. Truth be told, a little Advil and some stretching will loosen it up, but I'm gonna be really careful the rest of the way not to tweak, pull, break, crack or hurt anything. I've decided that Yoga--at least the way I do it--is probably not the best choice for me this morning.

No more Mr. Roboto dance for me.

Domo Arigato.

Day 80: Don't Be the Utah Jazz

In the 1990s, the Utah Jazz were a really good team. But I wouldn't say they were great. Why? Because they couldn't finish. The Jazz, led by Karl Malone and John Stockton, won more than 50 games every year, went deep in the playoffs and then--every year--came up short. They just couldn't finish. It didn't help that there was this team called "Da Bulls" with a player named Jordan.

Still, I'm a little worried that I'm acting like the Utah Jazz. With just 10 days left in my first round of P90x, I am losing steam. I'm not getting enough sleep, I'm not getting up early enough and, while I'm still working out hard, I can't say my intensity level is where it should be.

I did plyometrics this morning, but I started late and, at the beginning, I felt like I was just going through the motions. As the workout went on, my intensity level rose and I did get a good workout in. But it wasn't my best.

I won't be too hard on myself. There's a lot going on elsewhere in my life (more on that in a future post) but that's no excuse. There's always going to be distractions. My challenge is to remain focused and finish these 10 days strong.

I need to be like Da Bulls and finish what I started.

Day 79: Plyo after Eating Mexican?

With a Board of Education meeting that ended at 10:30 p.m. on Monday and a 7 a.m. meeting this morning, Plyometrics did NOT happen this A.M. However, I will do this workout, especially because I am definitely in the home stretch and don't want to miss one.

Unfortunately, it's "dine-out" night for my the preschool my almost five-year-old attends and the event is at California Tortilla (which is kinda like Moe's or Willy's for my friends in Atlanta). The question is: How can I do "jump training" after eating Mexican food? I would imagine that Burritos and Plyometrics do not mix very well.

This could get ugly...fast. Will report the, uh, outcome.

UPDATE: The mind was willing, but the digestive system was not. I did not work out, because I feared seeing my "Burrito Bowl" a second time. Instead, I moved all workouts up a day, meaning Plyo happens on Wednesday.

Days 76 & 77: The End is Near!

With the Rapture predicted for yesterday (May 21), I held off on my Legs and Back workout. After all, if I was going to ascend into Heaven, I don't think leg strength would matter. And if the Rapture occurred and I didn't ascend into Heaven, I don't think the my thigh and calf strength would really matter. Once 6 p.m. passed, I realized the End was not coming (at least not now) and I would need to do my workout.

However, the end is near--the end of my 90 days.

In just 13 short work outs, I will have made it through my first round of P90x. As I've blogged before, it is important for me to know what's next before I finish the 90 days. Too often, I have reached a weight or fitness goal and then shut it down, giving up all the progress I made and gaining all the weight back (and then some).

I am determined that will not happen again.

Once I finish my 90 days (June 4 for those keeping track), my plan is to take a couple of weeks "off" (meaning only working out three days a week) and then do it over again.

I may make some changes. I've considered getting a pull-up bar (remember, I'm using bands this time through). I've also thought about getting P90x Plus, five additional workouts that you work into the rotation. Or maybe doing P90x "lean" which focuses more on weight loss than muscle gain. Regardless of what I choose, I know I'll keep doing P90x.

With no end in sight.

Days 74 & 75: Dancing like Elaine on Seinfeld?

I spent the latter part of this week at a retreat for my Leadership Montgomery class, which includes my P90x-ing friend Michael. Like many retreats, the evening included some--um--fellowship and fine spirits, if you get my drift.

Despite the late-night reverie, I was determined to get up today (Friday) and do Kenpo- X (which I swapped with Legs & Back workout, which I'll do Saturday). When the alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., I must say the ONLY thing getting me out of bed was the fact that Michael had said he MIGHT join me for the morning workout. So, I got my workout clothes on and slowly made my way to the room that had a TV and DVD player. Thankfully, Michael was there or I would have turned 180 and headed back to bed.

As we did the workout I started feeling a little better with each move. But when I was doing one of the moves, Michael looked at me and said "you're looking like Elaine from Seinfeld dancing." OUCH! And here I thought I was looking smooth.

Ah well. I was proud that we got up and did our workout. And Michael, who did not bring sneakers, gets extra points for working out in dark socks.

Just 15 days to go until Round 1 of P90x is done.

Days 72 & 73: A Letter to my Knees

Dear Knees,

Cut the crap.

For 10 weeks I've been working you out hard without a problem. Even at the beginning, when I was 20-something pounds heavier and so out of shape I couldn't lift a fork without getting winded, you never gave me much push back.

Now, here we are, with 17 days left in the P90x program, and NOW you're starting to hurt. Why? I've lost weight. I've modified so I don't stress you out. I've stretched and stretched. I've followed the program. And now--when I can see the finish line--you start acting up.

Nice.

Well, I'm not stopping (I hope). Unless you decide to give out, I'm gonna keep going and just do my best not to aggravate you anymore. In 17 short days you'll get some much-deserved rest, so for now, just hang in there.

Sincerely,

P-Daddy-X

Day 71: But Who's Counting?

When I was a kid, I loved to read, not because I was thirsty for literature---but because I liked to count the number of pages I read. "I just read 12 pages," I would shout proudly. My sister, Leila, used to call me "The Count" like the guy on Sesame Street.

(TWELVE...TWELVE PAGES READ...AH AH AH AH AH!)

I still love numbers and that is why I'm surprised I haven't done this until now, but after Monday's "chest and back" workout I tallied up the number of push-ups I did in an hour.

The grand total? 232!

The very idea that I could ever do 232 pushups in an hour would have been ludicrous a few months ago. But, today, that's where I am. I'm not bragging...okay, maybe I am bragging a little...but I know I still have a lot of work to do in order to be totally fit and healthy.

But, as The Count would say...

TWO-HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO....232 PUSHUPS....AH AH AH AH AH AH AH!

Day 70: Whuppin' Up on the Smiths

In conversations with a couple of other "P90x" friends, we've been commenting that Kenpo-X, the cardio/martial arts workout that I generally do on Saturdays, had been getting easier. A couple of my friends even told me they don't do it anymore because it doesn't feel like a workout.

It's true that I haven't been "grabbing my shorts" during Kenpo recently. Yes, I'm in better shape, but I wondered if that was only part of it. With the weight workouts, as things have gotten easier, I've upped the weight. With plyometrics, I've started jumping higher. And with Yoga, well, that hasn't gotten easier.

But with Kenpo, the only thing to add is intensity--to get lower in my "horse stance," to kick higher and to add force to my punches. This morning (yes, Sunday--I just couldn't fit it in yesterday), I definitely stepped up the intensity.

When I did punches, I imagined I was hitting someone who had pissed me off (you know who you are). With the kicks, I imagined knocking over stacks of bricks. With blocks, I visualized a Matrix-worthy group of bad guys descending upon me and I was fighting them off (although I don't think I have got of the ground like Neo versus the Smiths in the picture).

After 45 minutes of that, I was dripping with sweat and definitely feeling the burn.

Even with all the workouts P90x has and all the focus on "muscle confusion," you can fall into a routine. You still need to find that intensity within to make all the workouts count.

With three more weeks to go, the Smiths are in for a few more ass-kickings.

Day 69: Missing the Reunion

Like anyone who has dieted or been on an exercise program knows, it's helpful to have a few dates on the calendar to look forward to. For me, one of those dates was today, May 14--my 25-year high school reunion (actually it's my 26th year since graduating, but let's roll with it).

I've never been all that vain or really concerned myself with how I look, not in high school, and not really now either. But everyone wants to look good for their reunion. Of course, looking at old photos today (like this one), I realize that I'll never look like I did in high school.

First of all, I'd never wear that hat or bow tie (although, I would happily stand with two beautiful friends like Linda and Sue). I'll also probably never weigh what I did in high school again and frankly, that's not what I'm trying to do. But I'm certainly prouder of the way I look today than I was 10 weeks ago.

In the end, I am not able to make it to tonight's reunion, which is too bad. I was looking forward to seeing some friends I haven't seen face-to-face in many years. But still, knowing the reunion was coming up was a small piece of my motivation for being "P-Daddy-X." It wasn't why I decided to do the program, but it was good to have it on the calendar.

Hopefully, I'll make it to my 30th reunion--and still be working hard to stay in shape. Meanwhile, to the North Haven High School Class of 1985, I'll raise a glass (of red wine) to you tonight! Have a great reunion.

Day 68: Yeah, I Ate This...And It Was Gooooood!

Over the past 10 weeks I have made some very good changes to my diet. I definitely feel better and it has made a difference for my overall health.

However, I've had people say that when I eat fattening food now it won't taste as good anymore.

They are wrong.

Last night (5/13) I went to the Washington Nationals v. the Florida Marlins game (clash of the Titans) and I ate the "half-smoky" pictured below (pre-ingestion) from the Ben's Chili Bowl stand at the game.

It was good. Very good.

So was the chili dog. And the beer.

In some ways it was even better. Chili dogs, sausages and other nitrate-laced food used to be a way of life. Now it is a choice and I know I can control my eating. That makes it taste even sweeter.