Pain Free!

I’ve overcome this little health obstacle, and I’m now pain free.  No more sciatica pain.  Thanks to the good folks at: South Baylo University

They worked their acupuncture magic to get me back to normal. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This Monday I started a new round of P90X, and recruited 8 others to do it with me.  My objective now is to get strong again, lose the weight I put on while disabled help and motivate my friends to get in better shape.

Sciatica Injury

About a month and a half ago I hurt myself; I believe while dancing.  A Salsa song ended, and the lady dipped herself.  Unfortunately I wasn't ready for that, and caught me by surprise.  I didn't let her fall, of course, and caught her.  Pop! I recongnized that sound, as I've experienced it before, and immediately knew I had hurt my back, but the pain wasn't immediate.  I kept working out, and being active, but my situation worsened by the day.  I had "sciatica", again!

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes persistent pain felt along the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs from the lower back, down through the buttock and into the lower leg. It is the longest nerve in the body. Pain results when this nerve is compressed or injured. It most commonly results from inflammation, bony enlargement due to arthritis or a displaced (herniated) disk in the lower spine.

Sciatica causes pain that begins in the lower back and spreads through the buttock, leg, calf and, occasionally, the foot. The pain generally will feel dull, aching or burning. Sometimes, it starts gradually, worsens during the night, and is aggravated by motion. Sciatica also can cause tingling, numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg.

The treatment for it is pretty much allowing rest, and bringing down the imflammation of the muscles along with taking pain-killers to deal with the excrutiating pain.  Other treatments that help with dealing with the pain are massages, chiropractor handling, and accupunture.  However, the pain does eventually go away in about 6 to 8 weeks.

This condition has totally handicapped me, and debilitated me to barely walking.  I had to take a few days off from work, and all training has stopped.

Today I can finally walk semi-normal, and can feel that I'm coming back to life.  It's amazing how a small injury can create so much havoc.

If all goes well, I will resume my training in 2 weeks.

Competition Training - Putting on Muscle

The hardest thing to do in physical fitness is to shed fat from the body, both subcotaneous and internal.  I've gotten down to my desired level of body fat, and have begun to put on muscles; this phase is the easiest for me.

Competition Training

I began taking my first steps to training for competition 2 weeks ago.

It's been a challenge figuring out, and balancing all the components that set the foundation for it: Exercise, Nutrition, and rest.

For the last two years I concentrated on losing weight, and getting on good physical health; I've accomplished that.  I got so fine tuned into that mode that it's now hindered my progress to my new goal.  Part of my previous regiment was to weigh myself every morning.  It became part of my daily routine, and mental awareness on my diet to control food intake, and exercise to maintain/reach the weight that I wanted to be.  Weight is not an issue any more, and I must eat more nutritious food, and supplement my diet in order to increase in size.

My new goal is to put on muscle mass while staying lean.  It's a very tricky progress, but I can do it.  I have all the tools necessary to make it happen.

Watch me grow!



2 Weeks in training



Men's Physique Competition Training

What started as the only option to improve my health has now turned into a hobby to achieve maximum physical condition.

Yesterday I met with my trainer, and got educated on nutrition, physique, and exercise.  The initial road has been paved, and now it's time to prepare myself for the ultimate goal.  In three months I will be ready to take the stage.

20 Day Full Body Cleanse - Day 20 - Completed

Finally, I've successfully reached my day 20 of this cleanse. It's been a real challenge, both physical and mental, but I've accomplished it.

I'm feeling great: energized, light, lean, clean, and positive.

Day 1 vs. Day 20

Monday I will start either P90X, or a weightlifting routine, and apply all the nutritional education that I've learned during this journey.

weight
starting: 168
current: 157
lost:        11

20 Day Full Body Cleanse - Day 18 Update

I've reached day 18 with much success.  Cheating has not been an option, and I've put myself through some good tests of my commitment, and character.


Two Saturdays ago, my friend Andres wanted to hangout.  I explained to him that I couldn't do much fun stuff because I was limited on what I could eat or drink.  He said, no problem, and we went to a sushi bar, and then to a regular bar.  The sushi plates came and went, just as fast as the sake bottles emptied, and I simply sipped on my OJ.  Not a bite, did I take.  Of course, by the end of the meal my buddy was a little happy, and wanted to go for full joy, so we headed out the Far Bar in Little Tokyo.  He got wasted on strong dark beers while I ordered a little plate of fresh fruits, and water.  Again, I resisted the temptation.


Following the plan, I've incorporated grains to my nutrition.  I love beans and rice!


The end is near as I'm two days away from completing this challenge.


Here's a picture of my current progress.

Day 18

weight
starting: 168
current:  158
lost:        10

20 Day Full Body Cleanse - Days 5, 6, & 7

Finishing up day 7 here, and feeling great.

Day 5:
No more headaches, nor dizziness, yet still felt sleepy.  I actually worked out again for a little bit.

Day 6:
Headaches and dizziness are gone!
Today I felt great, clear-headed and energized.  I went to the gym and threw weights around for a little while.

Day 7:
Feeling great!  I will go jogging after work, and perhaps even Salsa dancing at night.

The hardest part is almost done, and I get to eat fruits tomorrow in addition to the juices.
Weight

Starting: 168 lbs
Current:  160 lbs
Lost:          8 lbs

20 Day Full Body Cleanse - Days 3 & 4

Continuing on with this detox, totally focused.  This is a huge mental challenge more than anything else.  I'm fine with not eating any food, but miss drinking coffee in the mornings.


Day 3:
Woke up with a slight headached, but quickly disappeared after taking in some juice.  Totally miss my morning cup of coffee.  The dizziness dissipated down to 20%, so I can now focus on my daily chores.
After work I was energized enough that I worked out for a little bit.  Sleepiness still lingered, and crashed on my couch by 9:00 p.m.


Day 4:
No more headache in the morning, but a bit of dizziness.  Although I felt that I could exercise I decided to take it easy and just chill around the house, and just clean up.  Still feeling sleepy.  My body is truly getting all the rest that it's been lacking. Great time to recuperate from all the hard work on the last two years.


Ready for Day 5, 6 & 7, and more importantly, ready to eat fruits on Saturday, and start eating salads on Sunday.

starting weight = 168 lbs

current weight  = 162 lbs

weight lost       =     6 lbs

20 Day Full Body Cleanse - Days 1 & 2

With everything in place, and well prepared beforehand, I began my 20 Day Full Body Cleanse this last Saturday.

Day 1:
Took 4 colontones pills, waited one hour as directed before taking the compressed olive oil.  This combination is supposed to act as a bowel movement inducer.  It took more than the expected 5 hours for it to take effect on me, but it did.  It wasn't too bad as I had expected (I guess that's good news.)  For the rest of the day I simply consumed organic apple juice, and water.  One good side effect that wasn't expected was that I felt so sleepy.  As warned by the doctor, I stayed home the entire day.

Day 2:
Started the day by taking the schedule of herbs throughout the day with juices.  This induced more dashes to the bathroom, some totally unexpected.  I stayed home the whole day again.  Experienced sleepiness again, and had a huge headache, caffeine deprivation can be blamed for this.

It was a beautiful weekend, and I felt like I wasted it by staying home, but now I realize that I needed this kind of R&R.

My initial weight was 168, today's weight is 163.5.  A total loss of 4.5 pounds in two days.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

I just watched this awesome documentary over the weekend that's moved me, and inspired me.

Focusing on two men whose bodies have been trashed by steroids, obesity and illness, this documentary chronicles the rigorous healing path -- including a two-month diet of fruits and vegetables -- that both attempt in a bid to rescue their health.

I will do a 21 day juicing fast, and once I'm done I will do all I can to have my mom do it, as well.

Whoever is reading this, I recommend for you to watch this, and consider it for your good health.

Now, back to my regularly scheduled P90X.

P90X - Round 3 - Repeating Week 4

I'm well on schedule now, and making good progress.  I've decided to repeat Week 4 and benefit from the cardio to shed some extra fat to start seeing the definitions.  Exactly one month till Summer.

P90X - Round 3 - Week 4 completed

I've completed week 4, fine tuned my diet, and followed it to the tee.  Finally!

Here's a progress picture, and also a comparison of my Day 1, back almost two years ago.  I'm still stuggling, but making progress.

Week 4

Day 1 vs. Current Day



P90X - Round 3 - Completing Week 3

Been busting chops and hustling this week.

And yes, struggling with keeping a clean diet.

It's a challenge, and I'm trying. 

I'm beginning to see some real abs.

P90X - Round 3 - Week 3

Started Week 3 yesterday, and pushed myself to the limit on each exercise to maximize the number of repetitions.

I was wasted by the end of the workout, but very proud to Bring It!



P90X - Round 3 - Week 2

I've completed week 1, and began week 2, and although I didn't keep up with clean nutrition over the weekend, I'm motivated with what I'm seeing in the mirror.

Of course I'm pumping my abs in this picture to see them.  I really need to mind my food intake on weekends, and follow my plan.

Bring It!



P90X - Round 3 Started - Week 1

This is my day 1 of my latest round of P90X.  I'm on day 3 as of today.

Current Stats

Weight: 166 lbs

Body Fat: 7.0%

Body Fat goal: 5.0%

P90X2 - Completed

I've completed P90X2.

Still not where I want to be, but inching to it little by little.  It's been a good journey, and I still have a long way to go; however, I'm enjoying every second of it.  Bring It!

Diet Plan

Here's my diet plan to drop down to 155 lbs, and show all of my hard work.

Broken down by nutrients

Slowly but surely

Slowly but surely I'm making progress towards my goal.

Current Stats
Weight: 170 lbs
Body Fat: 8.2%
Body Fat goal: 5.0%

P90X2 - Day 60

I've reached my day 60 of P90X2.  I'm struggling, but getting the job done!

Struggling but Making Progress

I've read this often, "Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym."

Front view my abs are showing already, and sideways too.  However, on this side view one can see the big chunk that needs to go.

I'm struggling with my diet, but tweaking it as I go along.  I've been fortunate to hook up with an older guy who is much into fitness, and knows a lot about nutrition.

P90X2 - Day 45 - Halfway Home

So I've been pounding on the newest beachbody product, P90X2.  It's a spinnoff of the famous P90X, which is recommended (marketed) to individuals who have completed P90X, at least once.

I've reached my day 45, and am pretty happy with the results of my hard work.