Jeff 2.0: Day 7: Stretching X (256 lbs)

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Day 7: Stretching X (256 lbs)

Well I finished my first week of the P90X. I wrapped it up with an hour of the P90X Stretching X workout. Flexibility has always been my weakest of physical fitness because I have always ignored it. It hate stretching. It hurts and I suck at it. For just those reasons, I am glad this program puts such an emphasis on this vital component of exercise and forces me to do my stretching.

Today's workout was especially fun because all 3 of my limber sons joined me for the workout. We got our towels and water bottles, closed the garage door, turned off the fans, and spent and hour sweating and stretching. The boys laughed as they listened to their Old Tin Man father grunt, pant and moan. I was pleased to watch my sons effortlessly touch their toes and kiss their knees. Life is good.

Note: The green strap in this post is called a stretching strap. It comes in handy for guys like me. I put a loop around my shoe and use the other loops to give me a much deeper switch.

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About "Jeff 2.0"

Welcome to "Jeff 2.0." This website is a chronicle of my efforts to upgrade myself to the next level through serious nutrition and exercise. This next level is what I refer to as Jeff 2.0.

On April 16, 2008, I started exercising to lose weight, improve my health, and pack on some muscle. With the help of an excellent personal trainer, I made great accomplishments. I lost over 50 lbs, overcame chronic back pain, lowered my blood pressure, and was bench-pressing over 300 pounds. Unfortunately, in early 2009, at the peak of my physical conditioning I started having shortness of breath and lost my ability to do cardio almost overnight. After visiting a cardiologist and undergoing a battery of tests, I was soon informed that I needed an emergency triple bypass operation. They cracked me open on April 17, 2009.

After the surgery, I was physically devastated. My heart was very weak and my chest felt as if someone had hit me with a pickax. I shed 40 pounds within a few weeks and wasn’t permitted to lift anything heavier that 5 pounds for over 6 weeks. When I was finally allowed to start doing light exercise 7 weeks later, I felt as if I was starting all over again (I just didn’t have to worry about the weight loss part). However, I kept exercising regularly and was determined to get back into shape as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, by summer's end, with mounting medical bills and a still sluggish economy (I’m self-employed), I was no longer able to afford the luxury of a personal trainer. I was very worried because I didn't think I'd push myself as hard as a trainer does. Would I even continue exercising on my own?

Fortunately, that’s when a client told me about the P90X or Power 90 Extreme home fitness system. The P90X is a DVD collection of 12 extreme workouts designed for people who want to take their fitness to the next level. This program claims that if you follow the 90 day program, you will get totally ripped. This is exactly what I was looking for and at $120 the price was right.

As I stated above, this blog will chronicle my efforts to upgrade myself to Jeff 2.0. I’ll follow the P90X program very closely but will also mix in some of my own workouts. I’ll also pass on any useful tools and tips I come across and provide plenty of photos if you want to follow my progress.

I hope you enjoy the blog and I hope it inspires you to upgrade yourself to the next level.

Bring it,

Jeff 1.0

Sept. 17, 2009