Mike's Marathon Blog

I finally started shedding some pounds! It took about 4 months, but good things come to those who wait, I suppose. To recap my post-NYC body transformation, I gained 23 lbs from November 7^th to the beginning of January. No, that is not a typo. Twenty three pounds! I started P90X on January 17th and just finished last week. During that time, I gained another 9 lbs. Awesome!

You can argue that the 9 lbs is muscle, but typically muscles are visible to the naked eye. If this is true and I have gained 9 lbs of muscle, I believe it is under about 23 lbs of fluffernutters.

I do feel stronger after 90 days. I can absolutely do more pull-ups and push-ups, there is no doubt about that. Do I look different? Not at all! I love when people ask me if I just started P90X, when I actually just finished. Asking me if it worked afterward is simply uncalled for. I know you are mocking me at that point.

The area where I notice and feel the most difference is, believe it or not, my legs. My quads and calfs are visibly more toned. The area where I wanted to help the most, my abs, was a complete failure. My main objective when I started the videos was to strengthen my core, so I didn’t have to walk to the bathroom in the morning at a 90 degree angle. P90X has an ab video called Ab Ripper X that you do 3 days/week. I never skipped one and I did each exercise till it felt like someone was sticking a hot poker into my stomach. I’m not sure what else to do? Again, it may have worked and the fluffernutters are hiding the results. Come to think of it, this is the most logical reason. If given the choice between fluffernutters and a 6-pack? I choose fluffernutters 9 out of 10 times. They’re amazing!

I’m not knocking P90X. Again, I can feel the results. I know the muscles are in there somewhere, even though you can’t really see them. The main reasons for the weight loss is because I have been on a strict diet and finally started running again. Running always makes me lose weight, but I had been hesitant because of my back. But so far, so good.

I’ve been running 5 miles, 2-3 days/week on the treadmill for about 3 weeks. I still do P90X before I go to the gym, so I am a bit tired once I get there. Other than that, the running has been positive thus far. My back feels pretty good and my legs feel strong. The only downside to my runs is my new iPod, which I absolutely loathe. My uncle (who always asks to be mentioned in my blogs…….be careful what you ask for) ended my old iPod’s life with a hammer, so a new one had to be purchased. Why did he hit my iPod with a hammer you ask? Only Freud would know that answer, unfortunately. Only Freud.

I’ve been consuming 850 calories and 91g of protein before dinner, every day and I allow myself 1,000 calories for dinner. Not that I have a 1,000 calorie dinner every night, but it evens out over the course of the week. For instance, I may have a salad for dinner one night and steak and mashed potatoes another. I have also been conscientious of my above average desire for ice cream and have been trying to limit my sugar cravings to Saturday nights. The cupcakes, ice cream, box of M&M’s and homemade fried dough I had on Saturday does not count, of course (holiday weekend!). I know, the fried dough was a bit excessive. It was the heat of the moment, second overtime, no fingernails left. I was in an extremely vulnerable state!

If I had to choose between fluffernutters and homemade fried dough? I would choose fried dough 9 out of 10 times. You can make a fluffernutter at home! You only visit your fat friends with the frialator once and awhile.