Oooooog.
Two weeks into my expanded P90x workout, and I'm (mostly) feeling good. I'm pushing hard for reps and weight on P90x, although I'm not quite near the scale that the demonstrators are at. (20+ pull-ups. GYAAAAAH. Tony Horton is a madman. *grin*) In addition, though, I'm supplementing the workouts with rock-climbing, running (2.5 miles at fast-pace, and 4 miles at cruising (~6 mph?) pace), and some bike riding. With both running and and P90x workouts in the morning, though, I don't have time to bike to work if I want to get there at 9 -- at least, not if I want breakfast and a shower and don't want to get up before 5:30 am.
Still, I really am enjoying both the sense of increased capability and self-confidence. That's supplemented by the fact that I dropped about 8-9 lbs. and I can suddenly fit into certain pants and shorts that were somewhat snug before. I feel like I'm almost plateauing with weight loss, though, and though I'd like to drop another 5-10 lbs. I'm not sure how possible that will be once I hit the "packing on muscle and definition" phase of P90x.
Rock-climbing, in all its muscle-cracking, body-torquing, tendon-stretching glory falls somewhere in between. To get up some of those walls -- particularly overhangs, which are my doubly-bedamned nemesis -- is enormously difficult and challenging. Maybe that's part of why I like it -- it's something I seem to be naturally good at, but clearly I have a long looooooong way to go to be in the caliber of the better, far more experienced climbers in the gym. Still, given that I started trying this seriously -- as in, not just idly scaling a slope or a shelf frame at work -- a little more than two weeks ago.
Anyways, last night I signed up with no hesitation for a continuing membership at the Boston Rock Gym. Even if I can't find someone to belay with on a regular basis (outside of the Meetup.com gatherings, which often inconveniently seem to fall on my late nights at work *grin*), I can hone my skills and my physique by doing bouldering. I've got my good La Sportiva climbing shoes, I picked up a solid belaying harness package (Black Diamond sells a very nice intro pack with all the basics)... it's a start, and something to build on, but it's not too money-intensive.
Overall... I'm liking it. At the same time, I have purely cosmetic hopes that extend beyond just the endorphin rush. ; )
Still, I really am enjoying both the sense of increased capability and self-confidence. That's supplemented by the fact that I dropped about 8-9 lbs. and I can suddenly fit into certain pants and shorts that were somewhat snug before. I feel like I'm almost plateauing with weight loss, though, and though I'd like to drop another 5-10 lbs. I'm not sure how possible that will be once I hit the "packing on muscle and definition" phase of P90x.
Rock-climbing, in all its muscle-cracking, body-torquing, tendon-stretching glory falls somewhere in between. To get up some of those walls -- particularly overhangs, which are my doubly-bedamned nemesis -- is enormously difficult and challenging. Maybe that's part of why I like it -- it's something I seem to be naturally good at, but clearly I have a long looooooong way to go to be in the caliber of the better, far more experienced climbers in the gym. Still, given that I started trying this seriously -- as in, not just idly scaling a slope or a shelf frame at work -- a little more than two weeks ago.
Anyways, last night I signed up with no hesitation for a continuing membership at the Boston Rock Gym. Even if I can't find someone to belay with on a regular basis (outside of the Meetup.com gatherings, which often inconveniently seem to fall on my late nights at work *grin*), I can hone my skills and my physique by doing bouldering. I've got my good La Sportiva climbing shoes, I picked up a solid belaying harness package (Black Diamond sells a very nice intro pack with all the basics)... it's a start, and something to build on, but it's not too money-intensive.
Overall... I'm liking it. At the same time, I have purely cosmetic hopes that extend beyond just the endorphin rush. ; )