Chris Fehnel

I’m done with Phase 2, but to be honest, I’m a little disappointed with the results this phase. I have been doing doubles, but wonder if I should just try to stick with the classic version for this last phase and stick exactly to the nutrition guide.

I actually really enjoy doing doubles, but I didn’t up my calories much. The Nutrition Guide doesn’t really go into what you should do calorie wise if you are doing doubles. I’m just worried I’m overdoing it and burning lean muscle rather than fat.

I’m excited for the last phase and am going to try my best to bring it as hard as possible.

My results for the first 60 days are:

• Weight: 225 pounds (down 15 pounds, 1 pound from last phase)
• Right Arm: 15 1/2″ (up from 15 1/8 – 3/8″ gain – same as last phase)
• Left Arm: 15 1/2″ (up from 15 1/4 – 1/4″ gain – same as last phase)
• Chest: 44 3/4″ (down from 45 1/2″ – 3/4″ loss – down 1/4″ from last phase)
• Waist: 38 3/4″ (down from 40″ waist – 1/4″ loss – down 1/4″ from last phase)

So, I’ve made it farther than I’ve ever made it before. I’m on Week 7 Day 2 (around 44-45 days), which means I’m about halfway through my P90X “journey.” And, I’ll tell you what, I’m loving it. I feel great, energetic, and ready to keep pushing play for another 45 days and hopefully longer.

My first two times through, sometimes I would miss a workout (mostly Ab Ripper X and Legs and Back) and would take it easy some days. So far, I have only “missed” two workouts, but only because I wasn’t around a pull up bar. However, I didn’t just sit around and do nothing, I still managed to get a regular non-P90X workout in. I have brought it as hard as I could as much as I could. I am bringing it harder than ever and pushing myself more every week, especially at Ab Ripper X. I’m doing more reps and accomplishing more than I thought were possible.

I have felt so good the last two weeks that I started doing “doubles.” I never planned on doing doubles, so why did I start? Well, I was feeling so good after my workouts, that I felt like doing more. I just felt like I had to do more or else I really wasn’t giving it my all. Now, I love doing doubles. I love waking up earlier, getting a workout in first thing, because by the time the afternoon rolls around, I feel like I am ready for another one. If I only do one, it’s almost like I get discouraged. So “doubles” keeps me motivated. I’m not sure how it will translate into progress yet, but if it makes me healthier and in a better mood, then that is all that matters. Also, for me it’s not all about results that I can see, but just general well-being and energy.

At basketball, I feel like I can run around more, although I do crash sometimes, probably because I’m not eating enough. I try my best to stick with the nutrition plan, but like I said, it’s hard to eat as much and as often as they would like you to, especially if you are on the run or are having a hectic day.

Overall, though, I’m actually glad to be only halfway done. If I were three-quarters of the way done, I think I would be almost sad. Being halfway done gives me more time to accomplish my goals, most of which I feel are pretty close in my grasp, other’s not so much, but I have no worries, I will reach them. It’s weird, but I actually love working out again. It’s something that is becoming an activity to look forward to rather than dread.

I want to thank Stickel for staying on my case, Colin for starting the diet and doing great on it, Salena, Eliza, Nathaniel C. Reilly, and anyone else that calls me a wuss and says I won’t finish because that just motivated me more, and also everyone who checks up on my progress and encourages me.

Bring on the next 45+ days.