P90x

[mlmpetert]

I thought I would post about this because ive had really good results on the high protein diet. For the first time since high school (almost 10 years ago) I started lifting free weights in October. After a couple weeks I got up to a 1 rep max of 185, which was about where I was in HS (I think 205 was my most ever in HS). I increased it to 205 up until December, then had surgery which kept me out 4-6 weeks. Dropped back down to 185 max when I started again, then got up to about 215 and then had to have surgery again in late January which kept me out another 3 weeks. Came back at 205 and since then ive really taken off.

So basically in the month of February I went from 205 to 235 (as of last night). I could feel a slight plateau around 215 before (3+ weeks in a row at 215). Then 3 weeks ago I started punishing protein on work out days. So basically in 4 weeks my max went up 30 pounds, but even more significantly (and probably why my max jumped) is that I am able to get a lot more reps out. Yesterday I put down around 250grams of protein (no easy feat).

Mondays is when I do bench. We start off on bench, then do; incline, decline, military press, shoulder shrugs, and seated chest pull downs (front and back). Besides the flat bench press we take a cue from p90x and mix the other things up and do slightly different variations (Change is good – Tony Horton). Also compared to how I used to work out in HS vs now is a major difference. P90x definitely gave me the Bring It attitude when lifting weights. We usually go for about an hour and half and it’s a pretty intense regimen for just free weights and no cardio at all.

So because of the surgies I had im not exactly sure how my bench would have progressed if I was on a non-high protein diet. But in the last 3 weeks is when I felt the most change. Im sure a lot of this is just because im basically new at lifting, but I do think the protein has helped significantly. My goal at the start of the year was 245 by summer and 265 by summer end. I think I am going to be able to up those a little bit. I also do p90x Chest and Back on Thursdays. Im thinking once I plateau I will switch out Chest and Back with Core Synergies, YogaX, or Chest Shoulders and Biceps.

I think ive put on about 10 pounds, I now weight around 215, but I have definitely fatted up a little. Im guessing half to muscle half to fat. For body comparison sake Im 6’2.5” and have a 78 in wing span and would have normally considered myself a slow gainer. Eating 200+ grams of protein is a all day challenge. I do though usually drink a 50gram protein shake right before I lift and probably put down 60-100 right after I lift. I also take creatine which I know fattens me up. Also I found that pork has a lot of protein in it and have seriously stocked up on bacon (really high). Also Body Fortress Super Advance Whey Protein has 52 grams of protein and only 280 calories. You can get it at Walmart (I know some people here hate/are too good for Walmart) for I think 16 bucks for 13 servings. I get the chocolate and its not bad at all.

Also I put my 80 weight vest to test this weekend and put down dandylion killer on my lawn. I could only do it for about ¼ of the lawn, before I gave up ( I was also pretty hungover). Its pretty eXtreme and you can feel it primarily in your shoulders/core/back. I was hoping for a leg work out so im not sure how im going to use it going forward.