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Well, I've been at it at the LifePointe Center for a month.  I think I've made some progress.  I've dropped about 7 lbs...although it definitely fluctuates with what I eat.  I'm still struggling with keeping the overall calorie count down to 1800 per day...Net calories are ok since I'm working out about 90 - 120 minutes 4-5 times a week, averaging a calorie burn of about 1200 - 1900 per workout.  I feel I've made some physical progress...I'm stronger, and my heart rate rise and fall suggests that I'm getting fitter...rises more slowly during stress and drops faster when returning to rest...also is peaking lower for the same level of stress.

I've been doing a total body strength routine plus cardio workouts via treadmill and swimming for a month so it's time to change routines a bit.  I want to move to the P90X format while continuing to work at the gym.  To get some plyo in I'm adding some Zumba dancing once a week and adding a BodyFlow routine to get some yoga/pilates work.  I'm modifying my strength routine to focus on upper body/arms twice a week and Total body once a week with added emphasis on lower body.  My abs routine will continue to be integrated with other workouts to be done at least 3-4 times per week.  Will try to do treadmill and swimming cardio at least once a week. (Zumba will also count as cardio).

I will continue to work on nutrition management ...keeping total calorie level at 1800 and keeping protein intake at about 160 grams per day.  Fibre at about 25 grams per day.

Just finished a strength workout.  Total Body w/free weights...flex work 2 hours.  Yesterday met with Nutrionalist.  lost 4 pounds in first week.  mostly water retention drop, I would guess from reduced sodium intake.  But, had a good first week.  Did a great strength workout today and used the stretch cage afterwards.  A KA workout!  a lot like P90X but with a few barbells added in.  I try to modify some of the dumb bell work to the P90X forms.  So far no push ups, but I'll add them soon.  Soon I'll be doing P90X, with primary change that I'll be doing it in a gym instead of my basement.

Last week I started a 90 day accelerated program at LifePointe, a health/fitness center associated with BryanLGH Hospital here in Lincoln.  The program focuses on fitness and nutrition.  I seemed to be at a plateau with both and needed a change.  The basic fitness tests at the center showed that P90X has, indeed, been good for me...my upper body strength was in the 90 percentile for my age (68) as was flexibility.  My cardio was a bit above average, lower body strength and core was a bit low...not surprising, as I tend to focus on upper body and flexibility in my workouts...letting legs follow along via a lot of cardio kickboxing.  Overall my health is pretty good.  Nutrionally, I'm, for the most part eating the right things, just too much...The nutrionalist put me on an 1800 calorie, protein accented diet plan with the requirement of not eating more than 600 calories per meal and to shoot for 150 - 165 gram of protein per day.  If I do that, carbs and fat should fall into place.. basically a 40-30-30 diet.  My calcs show it closer to 40-35-25..cpf.  I need to drop about 40 lbs and just haven't be able to muster up the dicipline to do it on my own.

The fitness program is mostly strength w/free weights and treadmill/crosstrainer cardio.  I have done the strength workout once and found it to be demanding and fun.  The dumb bell exercises are similar to my P90X routines.  Today we added an abs routine that I think I'll like...always had trouble convincing myself to do Ab Ripper X...too much work?  We'll see, but I think starting with this new routine and progressing through it should move me into a regular workout routine.  I definitely need the ab work, I don't deny that.

My intention is to use the new Fitness/nutrition program as my base for 90 days and integrate P90X into it so that I can both workout at home and at the gym.  I do like the steam room and the whirlpool...plus swimming pool and cardio machines...But I love P90X and don't want to give it up. and I need some one on one supervision for a while.

Kept caloric intake right at 2000 yesterday.  Quads definitely sore today from jogging yesterday.  Did JJ Gormley Intermediate Yoga today.  Helped a lot.  Shakeology with "Ninga-ed" watermelon and fresh pineapple + PB2, whey lsolate and nonfat plain yogurt for breakfast.  Now off to the studio for some sculpture work today and packing for a weekend art festival...Cottonwood festival!

Tried a run today....30 minutes run/walk or jog/walk to be more accurate.  Hard work...had the ol' heart monitor pounding in no time.  Probably did 40/60% jog/walk distance-wise.  Then followed up with 2 10-minute trainer segments, cardio and yoga flex.  Overall a good workout.  Now for a Shakeology breakfast and off to the studio to throw some pots!

Oh yeah!  Kept my caloric intake below 2000 yesterday (1780)...Had lots of "need something to eat" attacks around bedtime, but I stayed in the moment with the feeling and experienced it rather than acting on it...hmmm...interesting.  Will continue to work on this.