P90X Day 57 - Chest & Back w/ Ab Ripper X

Okay, no sad childhood story today.

It was the start of Phase 3 for our group, but it seems we have fallen off the wagon. And when I mean we, I really mean they. I'm still going strong as ever. Work ended a little bit late today so everybody's workout timing was somewhat off. Whatever workout you chose to do today (Chest and Back), you were on your own.

It was a beautiful day out, driving home with the tunes cranked up. I really wish I had my motorcycle to ride today but sadly I sold it last year before I moved =(. A new motorbike and I will reunite some other time in the near future I suppose. Being quite warm, I opened up all the windows in my room and did my workout. Again, no shirt since all that does is facilitate more sweat. I sweat a lot and it's really disgusting, so I won't go into any more details.

Previously I had picked up a sample of this creatine (Size-On by Gaspari Nutrition) which stated that you could mix it with water and it would act as your recovery drink. You could also sip it during your workout or just before bed. Now, I'm not huge on other supplements besides protein, but I thought oh, that's cool I'd just try it, doesn't hurt right?

After reading the package on this thing, it requires 24 oz. of water to mix. My shaker, which is massive in itself, can't even hold that much liquid at once (only goes to 20 oz). Do they really expect you to mix 3 full cups of water with this stuff? It ain't happenin' unless I get a Big Gulp from 7-11 and mix it in there, sorry. I even have the metal whisk ball inside my shaker (which works wonders to mix protein drinks/scramble eggs, buy it, I recommend it, GNC, check it out :p) but this powder would not mix properly at all. If you let it sit for a while, all the sediment drops to the bottom, and this is after you've shaken it for a good minute.

Upon first taste it wasn't that bad. It was some sort of lemon flavor, a bit tangy off the tongue, but that's probably because I was taking in the half centimeter of powder off the bottom of my shaker (kidding). During my water breaks, I was gradually sipping this drink when the real taste kicked in. After a dozen or so sips, the 14.5 g of sugar within really starts to rear its' ugly head. This is product that I would definitely not recommend. Drink your water people. I felt really bloated during the last part and with Ab Ripper. Note to self, next time no sugary recovery drinks right before V Up Roll Ups.

Chest and Back is one of the workouts that I feel that I struggle with the most. But when I do complete it, it feels exceptionally great. Why? Well, like most people, I never really had a ton of upper body strength. The strength was there in the arms, just not across the chest or there for pullups. The fatigue is there, so I know it's working, and I've even come to expect it. Tony is just a madman with the Wide Grips and he's totally right when he says that he's a pullup-boy. He cranks those out like no tomorrow.

How can you be in that much pain and have that much fun? Yay for Dive Bombers.

My core is probably weakest of all, so adding the Ab Ripper at the end of this is such a perfect combination. I would say I can keep up with the kids, but I am still only completing about 80% of Ab Ripper. I always need that mini-mini break in between that sets me back a few reps. I was getting my butt in the air today, were you?