8-08-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 Shock Plyo + 10 Minute Trainer - Abs + Splits + TCF.

8-08-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 Shock Plyo + 10 Minute Trainer - Abs + Splits + TCF.

It was a good day. Had a good sleep, got to wake up late, relaxed prep, home early.  Got to start my workout early as well, so I was able to get it done... EARLY! I love days like this. Three Cheers for Summer Vacation!!!

Today was a tough routine that I was determined to conquer.  Well, I didn't "CRUSH" it, but I only took one mid-interval break and that wasn't my fault.  Had a computer malfunction again, but got it going a lot quicker than yesterday. But the "Between-Interval-Pull-Ups" are back.  I started after the Burpee Interval and did them every break until I did 4 sets.  But I was able to up the rep count from 12 to 15reps, so I was very happy about that.  That is, except for the final set.  I saved the toughest for last, and I had to do a 10-5rep split.  The Wide-WIDE grip pull ups just wore me out and I failed at 10reps, so I came off the bar, shook out my arms, then hammered out the last 5reps.  I had more energy today than the last time I did this routine so in the final Interval, I was able to do the Dive Bomber Push ups on my toes as opposed to on my knees the last time.  But going back to the beginning, that warm up is brutal.  It  burns out the legs pretty quick, but that forced my body to dig deeper for that second wind.  Which came with the Burpee Interval.  I think a big part of the reason why I had more energy today was two-fold, 1. I got a lot of sleep, and 2. I had a Shake for lunch just before my workout.  Felt good and strong. 

This was a bonus Ab routine today.  I normally do only 3 ab routines a week, but since I have the time during vacation, I'm going to push as much as I can and do abs every chance I get.  This week, I'm going with all Tony routines.  I haven't done 10MT Abs in a long time, so I was glad to have the chance to do it today.  Everything started off well, but then when it moved into the Plank-based moves, OH MAN!!! My shoulders really felt it, especially after the second move.  The last few moves were BRUTAL!  I can still feel it in my shoulders several hours after the workout.  But I tried to keep form and flex hard to active the core.  It burned me out. 

Splits were good, keeping up the micro movements to stretch as many muscles in my inner thighs and hamstrings as possible.  Time to push past this plateau.  The Flow was, as usual, on point.

To close things out, I did a challenge from a Challenge group I'm in through my coach.  The "How many Power Jumps can you do in 1-minute?" Challenge.  I had to put my strap-brace back on for this one.  I went for speed instead of height, but still getting my knees high, but not my body.  I blasted it from the beginning, and had to take a few seconds in the middle to catch my breath, but then went for it in the second half.  Ended up with 101reps.  My knee was feeling it.  I was going to try again tomorrow, but I figure I had better not.

In the end, I torched a satisfying 1040+kcals.   That was a bit of a boost at the end.

8-07-16 HY: Combat 60 Extreme Cardio Fighter + Power 90 - Ab Ripper 200 + Splits + TCF.

8-07-16 HY: Combat 60 Extreme Cardio Fighter + Power 90 - Ab Ripper 200 + Splits + TCF.

Today was Sunday, but I had a recruiting event at my school so I had to work.  It was one of the major events so I was very busy, plus, I was tapped to do the demonstration class for the prospective students.  And as head of the English course, I was busy running around getting things organized, finding people, all that stuff I'm not used to.  By the end of the day, I was tired, sweaty and so happy to go home.  I rested a bit but since I didn't want to start my workout too late, I didn't rest that long.

My heart sank a bit when I realized that Combat 60 was up.  Since I was already a bit tired, I didn't relish the thought of doing such an intense and long routine.  But that is what was on the schedule so there was no backing out.  Once I got started, I pick up what I can only describe as a second wind of energy because I was revitalized and re-energized!  The Punch and Kick combinations just turned me into a fighting machine.  I was rolling through the routine.  I had finished the "Girls" part and was just about to finish the "Boys" part when my computer crashed and rebooted.  I had trouble getting the DVD to play so I took some time re-rebooting my computer and finally ended up having to use the external DVD drive from my laptop to play the DVD.  I'm going to go buy a new DVD player to connect to my monitor sometime this week so I won't have anymore problems.  During the time I was waiting for my computer to reboot, I was jogging in place, and I even did a set of 15 Chin Ups.  Happy I was able to knock them out. Finally, I was able to play the DVD and restart the routine.  I went back to the middle of the Interval to get warmed up again, and I was back.  Finished out the routine with a high level of energy.  As I said the last time, the way the routine progresses, it seems a lot shorter, and is finishes a lot quicker than one would think.  Just this routine burned over 700kcals.  The final interval, the push ups and ab work interval was killer.  But I stuck with the moves and I got a huge pump in my arms, shoulders, and burned out my abs.

Since I burned out my abs already, I decided to finish off the job with a short but insanely intense ab routine, Ab Ripper 200.  Seems really old school, and it is, but it burns with the best of them.  Pushing range of motion and holding the tension, BURN BURN BURN!!!  I love this routine.  Great supplement to big routines that have ab work embedded.

Splits hurt today, at the beginning, but getting to my mark is getting a lot easier and faster.  Got there today in less than half the time.  But getting there was painful.  Got to keep pushing, I'm almost there.  Flow was great!

In the end, I torched 1098kcals.  Great way to start off my week.

8-05-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 Shock Plyo + ChaLEAN Extreme - Ab Burner + Splits + TCF.

8-05-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 Shock Plyo + ChaLEAN Extreme - Ab Burner + Splits + TCF.

Early afternoon workout today.  Finally time to do a complete workout with some extras thrown in.  This routine is a BRUTAL one.  The warm up, with those jumping lunges is just killer.  I legs were, and usually are, dying by the end of just the warm up.  They definitely warmed up quick, but they got primed for the second wind which came in the next interval.  Even though it is a short routine, it is very intense.  I was able to keep up, and keep pace.  I almost fell behind during the short leg round with the weight, but I pushed to keep up and get through it in time.  I was very glad that I was able to do this routine with no extra breaks and not mid-interval breaks.  But I did have to extend a few of the interval transition breaks because I got winded.  Especially with the second interval with the Burpees and the Weighted interval.  Great routine!

Moved right into the BONUS ABS round.  I wanted to finish off the ChaLEAN Extreme Ab routines this week, so I added this one today.  Short and sweet.  Being only 11 minutes, I am able to really push hard and burn my abs because I know the pain will end quickly.  Being able to see the goal is huge when there is self-inflicted pain involved, for sure!  This is usually my "Go To" ab routine when I'm short on time, but today, I could sink into every rep since there was not time constraint.  Really burned up my abs today.

Splits were good, got a little hitched up in my hip flexors, but worked it out.  Finally got low and with straight legs all around.  Happy that there is not extraneous pressure on my knee.  Flow was on point.

In the end, I was able to torch a nice 777kcals.  Very nice way to end my week and Flow into the weekend and off day.  But tomorrow may hold some Foam Rolling.  Fingers crossed!  Happy Weekend!

8-04-16 HY: Combat 60 Extreme Cardio Fighter + ChaLEAN Extreme - Extreme Abs + Splits + TCF.

8-04-16 HY: Combat 60 Extreme Cardio Fighter + ChaLEAN Extreme - Extreme Abs + Splits + TCF.

TENNIS DAY...  NOT.

Normally, it would be tennis day, but my playing buddy hurt his back so he is out of commission for a while.  So no tennis until my son comes back for vacation.  Then, I may take a break from Combat and play more tennis than anything when he is here.  But today, another free afternoon so I took the time to get into the workout really seriously.  

This is the Mother of Combat.  A long and intense routine that is brutal on the arms, shoulders and Legs.  Plus, to up the ante a bit, I used the little half pound weights in place of the gloves.  It was a good routine and I was really feeling it right from the start.  I really like the progressions/intervals in this routine.  They are a lot of fun and they really hit the spots.  I'm still a bit disappointed in my Round House kicks.  There was a time when I could kick at head level.  I could get my leg up there and snap a good Round House, but now, I can only raise my leg, mostly my right leg, to kick to the stomach or chest at the most.  But today, felt a little better, but the range of motion is still very limited.  I thought I would be able to do a lot better because of the splits training, but nope, not to be.  On VERY HAPPY thing, is that when I woke up in the morning, something inspired me to look in a drawer for my strap supporter and I found it.  It has been missing for a few months now.  And I actually hadn't needed it much recently, but since starting Combat, I need it.  So I was really glad I was able to find it.  A lot of punches and those lunging forward for power punches puts a lot of different pressure on the knee so I now need the supporter.  Especially today!  Still felt a little gimpiness, but a lot less were I to not have the strap supporter.  I was hoping to do the Muay Thai Flying Knee, but I guess that move is only in Combat 45.  I loved the last interval for the abs.  Killer moves!  Served as a good warm up for my abs routine coming next.  

This week, I'm going through all the ChaLEAN Extreme ab routines and up today, was Extreme Abs. Love this one, and I was able to burn out my abs today with it.  I tried to keep good form and push my range of motion, especially keeping my lower back on the floor.

I ended up waiting to do the Splits and Flow after my night class so in the evening, I was able to push the stretch more and take a nice long session.  The pain is real, and I hope my results will be realized this year.  Flow was on point.

In the end of the first session, I torched a solid 855kcals.  Pretty much as expected.  I still missed my tennis though.

8-03-16 HY: P90X2 - Recovery and Mobility + Splits + TCF.

8-03-16 HY: P90X2 - Recovery and Mobility + Splits + TCF.

Mid-Week Recovery! Today, I had the time, so I took the time to really "ROLL OUT".  The routine starts out with sort of a warm up, balance, find-a-baseline type of feel to it, then gets into 20 minutes of Foam Rolling.  Then it does the same moves as a check to see if there are any noticeable affects on my body.  To tell you the truth, I usually don't feel much, if any difference between the first and second times.  I feel good after the rolling, but no actual differences in my performance.  Today, however, having time as I said, I more than doubled the Foam Rolling time and really sat on the hot spots.  And when the second time came, I had better range of motion, and a lot better on my balance for the Twisting Step-Back Lunges.  I felt really stable on those, but I lost a little balance on the Balance Reverse Toe Touches on my left side.  I had to tap down twice.  But really felt a lot better and there was a noticeable improvement in performance.  Guess I need to put more time into the Foam Rolling and do it more regularly.

I was going to do a full workout in the morning, but decided that I had a great time with Tony and I'd keep the Splits and Flow for the evening.  So today ended up being a double stretch day.  Need more of those, too.  So, in the evening after work, I banged out the Splits and Flow.  Splits were painful and low, and Flow was on point.  Just a little hard because of my right knee, but not anything that hurt the fluidity of the Flow itself.

In the end of the morning session, I burned a nice little 247kcals.  But I sweat like CRAZY!

8-02-16 HY: Combat 30 Kick Start + ChaLEAN Extreme - I've Got Abs + Splits + TCF.

8-02-16 HY: Combat 30 Kick Start + ChaLEAN Extreme - I've Got Abs + Splits + TCF.

Another HOT HOT HOT day in Japan! But it was a good day because I was able to get home early and relax a little before working out.  Again, got some Project time in and a little TV time as well.  As soon as my room cooled off, I was ready to go.

This seems like a transition week because I'm going back and doing some of the beginner routines.  I started it out just like normal and remembered that the last time I did this I used some half pound weights instead of the gloves.  The warm up was only a few moves in when I decided to really up the game and use 1kg weights.  WHOA!  That made a huge difference and by the middle of the first interval, the one with all those punches, I was really feeling it in my shoulders.  I was very careful not to extend my punches or I could really hurt my joints with the extra stress.  So I kept my elbows at a slight angle and stayed vigilant. Even on the kick interval, I was feeling it extending the blocks and guide hand, and also the ready stance with my hands near my face.  That was tough just keeping them up after a while.  But it was good to test myself like that today.  A good day to be alive!  Great routine.  I was also doing my best impression of a Sprinkler.   The sweat was rolling!!!  But there was a negative.  My knee was also feeling it a bit today so I had to modify on moves that put pressure on the right side.  I had a brace, but lost it. I'm going to have to put out for another one because I don't know if I can go another long round like Combat 60 without one.  Maybe later this week before Thursday.

I wanted to step it up on my abs and stay in ChaLEAN Ext.  So I went with I've Got Abs.  I think I went to the hardest routine.  Now that I think about it, this routine is more intense than Extreme Abs.  But that will be my closer for the end of the week.  The moves are all just a little more intense.  Weights are used in a different way, more to isolate the different core muscles.  Really hit the obliques hard today.  But everything, too.  I was cramping almost every couple moves.  Good thing there was the Push Ups to give me a slight break.  But the moaning and groaning was resonating through out the house, but in a good way!

The Splits were really good today.  I judge that by the pain.  A lot of pain in the stretches today.  And getting nice and low! Flow was good and on point.

In the end, I torched a nice 657kcal.  Shorter workout today, but very effective!

8-01-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 POWER + Swiss Ball Abs + Splits + TCF.

8-01-16 HY: Combat HIIT 2 POWER + Swiss Ball Abs + Splits + TCF.

Another HOT HOT day today, but after work, I made it home quickly and tried to get cool quick.  But I had to get to my workout quick so I wouldn't have to workout later than necessary.  No more procrastinating.

This routine is a good routine for resistance training with weights and body weight moves.  The intervals were known to me, but they were still brutal.  But today, I wanted to reduce the number of breaks and finish as close to the time allotted as possible.  I started off strong and made it through the whole Warm Up! But then the Weighted Interval came.  I stuck with 7.5kgs and that was enough to get the heart pumping.  I started off strong and did the first set of moves well, but when it came to those FIVE sets of Triple-Presses, my legs and shoulders were BURNING!!!  But I stuck with it.  No extra breaks, but I did have to extend the existing breaks a bit to catch my breath.  But the interval with the Burpees was the nail in the coffin.  The three sets with 8-12-16 reps was BRUTAL!!! I did the 8 reps fine.  I didn't want to stop in the middle of the set, so I pushed the 12 rep set and I was dying afterwards.  I needed to greatly extend the break by about 60-90 seconds or so.  The guy says the last set is "2 sets of 8".  I took him at his word and did 2 sets of 8.  I just took a little breather between sets, but at the end of the 16 reps, I was so out of breath it wasn't even funny.  WHEW!!! BUT, Goal achieved, no extra sets.  That all ended on the next and final interval. The interval on the floor.  The "Get Ups" and the Cross-Mountain Climbers and Spider Push Ups.  I basically had to take a break between each move.  My shoulders were dying, and I couldn't stay up.  I kept needing to reverse the video because I didn't want to miss any time with the move.  But I finally got through it.  Great Routine complete with Burn!

Normally I wouldn't do two days in a row of abs, but I was feeling good, so I decided to just do something new, so I went to the internet again and found a video on youtube that had an interesting set of swiss ball ab moves.  It was easy at first, but the more reps I did the burn crept up on me and then grabbed be from behind and nailed me.  Burned my abs UP!!!

Moved right into the splits and killed it!  Great stretch on the inner thighs and hamstrings.  Hip Flexor is still needing a lot of work to get it loose enough to do good splits.  The Flow was on point. Smooth and clean.

In the end, I torched a nice 790kcals.  Keeping up despite the heat!