So I started my first week of the Military Fitness Program on Monday, April 14, 2008.  The first workout was a breeze.  No soreness whatsoever.  Yesterday I did day 2 and I'm feeling it.  Soreness today, maybe I'll do a TRX flexibility program.  I'm on a nutrition plan, but I feel hungry at night...didn't sleep well at all last night and my body's eating itself.  Time to eat breakfast.  I'm glad there's a break.  I was trying to figure out if I wanted to do the optional cardio today.  I think I'll bring my running clothes into the office.  I'm disappointed that Chris Frankel is out of town this week because I wanted to workout with him, but Lindsey has been keeping me company.  

We're supposed to see a movie late tonight, so I'll try to watch not eating popcorn or anything unhealthy, unless I kill a 3-5 mile run.  Does that sound like a fair trade off?  Maybe not.

 

DOC 

Week 1 is over.  Week 2 begins today.  Overall I'd have to say that I'm happy with my results from Week 1.  I feel a lot more energetic since doing it, and I know I've lost at least a few pounds.  I feel healthier, lighter and more explosive.  Emio is my partner for this week.  I'm looking forward to getting through it.  Friday was hard because I didn't want to work out, but I did anyway. Then Steve Katai joined me for a run on Saturday.  We ran across the Golden Gate Bridge.  Thank you Chris Frankel!  See you in a few weeks.   

Week 3 was okay...went through the workouts pretty quickly and I was ready for the challenge having run a 10 mile run on Saturday before leaving for Ft. Bragg.  I did the workouts fine in the hotel and managed to bang out some cardio.  I'm also using my Nike + iPod to keep me on my running goals.  I ended up getting sick later that week due to traveling, but came back with high expectations for week 4.   The tough part was that the workouts have really stepped up in length and I am having serious problems getting motivated to do the workouts.  Thank God I'm doing them at work and can bug other people to help me.  Still have ambitions to get explosive, but my body isn't responding the way it has in the past.  I think I've just gotten so far out of shape that I have a serious lack of strength, physically and mentally.  On the brighter side, I have definitely lost weight doing this workout.  I feel lighter and more energized.  I hope that FAI can develop a nutrition plan--HINT, HINT.

 

So, in case no one got it, I was remiss in posting week 3 so I just wrote how I was feeling.  My body feels like it's been in shock, but surprisingly as much as I've been bitching about how f'ing hard week 3 and week 4 have been, I'm actually through it.  I had so much energy when I got home from my workday and WORKOUT, that I felt like going on another longer aerobic run, but it was too late.  

All week I've been complaining about Week 4, and here I am going through it.  I'm about 10 pounds lighter than I was when I started, but I honestly have about 20 pounds that I should lose to consider myself healthy.  Ugh.  It hurts me to even write that.  I was on a nutrition plan, but when I went to Ft. Bragg, I ate unhealthily.  I think FAI should develop a nutrition plan to supplement what we're doing with this program, but maybe it's the wrong program.  Anyway, a nutrition plan would be great.  I've found myself struggling this week to eat healthy, or have salads, or not have a ton of Chinese food at lunch--WHICH is exactly why i'm usually not super-motivated to do the workouts in the evening.  I think I'll hit my stride Saturday morning, when I have a day to rest off the TRX and I'll be able to hit up another 10-mile run.  Okay.  Gotta sleep.  DVDs to review in the morning.

Lord have f'ing mercy on my poor soul.  This week is intense.  Jesus.  It stepped up big time this week.  It felt like I was tweaking my back a little on the Suspended Oblique Pikes.  That was H-A-R-D.  Did it from my fists, which was a greater challenge.  I ran with Binder for the cardio portion and it was the worst run I've had so far.  I ran 10 miles on Saturday and another 5 on Monday morning, just for the hell of it.  I think I may be pushing myself too hard.  Nah.  it's prolly the chili I had for lunch.  See how it goes.  Thanks Nicole and Kim for working out with me.  Ryan is trying to catch up with me this week after missing the first workout.  Not much else to say.  Gotta edit.  LOL.

 

Great stuff Des Keep it up... it is starting to happen for you! if you feel your back "tweaking" be sure to pay attention that your hips are not dipping below parallel. Another technique that might help is to think about keeping your butt tight as you go through the movement and especially while you are in the plank position. Finally also make sure that you are not doing any kind of a body saw like movement at the bottom of the action. Unconsciously your body might try to do this in order to pre-load the pike but it will put a lot more stress on your core which if you are unable to control you will feel in your back. Bottom line... keep your butt tight, don't break parallel and avoid the saw during the pike. Other than that you should be feeling pretty pleased with your results. You are at about a 2 lb per week weight loss rate which equates to about 1000 cal per day deficit. You wouldn't want any more so nice job.

Gonna buy my new TRX here this afternoon.... just wondering how the training is coming? Looks like the last time you posted was early May and it's almost July.. no disrespect.. just wondering how the last couple of weeks have progressed.  I'm looking forward to starting my 12 weeks!  Thanks

It went really well.  I felt great, lost a ton of weight and elevated my fitness level.  I'm getting married in a few weeks and I've been incredibly busy at work, so I had to fall off the wagon a little bit.  I tell you what though, I'm really interested in going after the Military Program again.  I've gotten a lot stronger and my technique has improved.  When you start, post something up or send me an email and I'll do the program with you on the west coast.  Thanks for the reply.  

 

DOC 

Good job. I started on week 5 and its not a bad workout

 Do you mean week 5 was the first week you started on? Do you have the DVD?  I think it's pretty tough.

 

 

Yea I started on the Military Workout on week 5. Im an actually fit guy. Not, saying that its easy. I go to failure almost all the time.  The toughest workout for me is the leg day.  I can tell that my core sucks.  Im starting the Week 1 cardio this week.  Since its really simular to my 5k running plan im going to do it.  I just like the workouts.  They are pretty tough

Yeah.  The run program gets progressively harder.  I'm in San Francisco, where there are very steep hills which is very conducive for the running program.  The running program was the key for me to getting over the lower body/leg days because hill running makes you mentally and physically stronger.  I love running and hill running additions really made me better combined with the program.   If you're in the mood to increase your core strength, try throwing in a set of Body Saws at the end of each workout or do some prone rollouts.  Good luck, brother, and keep me posted.  I'm going on a honeymoon next week, but when I get back, I'm on the program.  God bless, California and America are behind you.  Stay safe and fit.

 

DOC 

 I have some questions for you. i just got the TRX. I have not started training with it yet. I need to improve on my physical conditioning at a fairly rapid pace. I can dedicate 2 hours daily to this.  I need to know where to start. Being able to i,prove my running time is the biggest obstacle-esp breathing & endurance.The meds they have me on make things harder righ now. Please help>

Wow.  You have 2 hours you can dedicate daily?  That's amazing. You're in for a treat and you'll see and feel an incredible change in your body over the first 6 weeks and next 12 weeks.  Get ready for some serious workouts.  Honestly the Military Fitness program kicked my ass a few times.  Not just once or twice.  I'm actually doing another TRX training plan right now (Body Blast) but if you need to improve physical condition at a rapid pace, the Military Fitness Guide Program is EXACTLY it.  The hill running combined with the workout, and the fact that the workout also challenges your cardio and strength conditions you so well it's quite unbelievable.  If you're looking to improve your running times/endurance do the workout and follow it immediately with the run.  You'll see in a couple of weeks (at the most) vast improvements in your cardio, strength, and running ability.  Just ask me any questions you've got.

DOC