Les Mills COMBAT: I'm actually on Day 47!!!

My hectic schedule actually had me thrown off quite a bit. With working two jobs and planning two fundraisers, I did my best to stick to the Les Mills COMBAT Warrior schedule, going so far as to cram two workout sessions in a day to keep pace. And here I am at Day 47.

Today was COMBAT 60 LIVE... again. That capoeira track remains a challenge. 

Still, I pushed through it all, working hard to maintain good form and keep up with the DVD trainers. Sweat poured from every part of my body, my favorite Superman shirt drenched with every drop of water I drank today. And, as always, I feel great.

Since beginning Les Mills COMBAT, I feel stronger throughout my body. I feel as though I can kick through any door and punch through several blocks of ice. That's how I feel. I'm not ready to try those things just yet.

I also feel lighter and leaner as I notice an increase in my overall muscle definition, albeit a slight increase. That's mainly due to my dietary struggles. I love to eat like most people and, unfortunately, my favorite foods tend to be high in sugar and salt. I've been trying my best to improve my diet, but I still tend to slip up more often than I should.

I'm proud to have made it this far in Les Mills COMBAT and although the end is near, I have no intention of stopping. The warm weather approaches. Spring lurks just around the corner. That means I'll look to hit the gym and to continue with the sessions. I'm also looking at other possible Beachbody workouts to add to my burgeoning collection.

I hope you're enjoying following my journey. Here's a sample of what I've been doing.

Check out Les Mills COMBAT and other Beachbody DVDs here: philipm78.

Check me out on Twitter here: @pmelton357.

Check out my facebook page here: Independent Beachbody Coach Philip A. Melton II.

#letsgetstrong

Les Mills COMBAT: Day 31 - Wasn't this a Rest Day?

Here it is, Day 31 of Les Mills COMBAT and I'm still going strong. 

Today was scheduled to be a rest day, but I've had to do a bit of adjusting this week due to some additional activities going on in my life. Because of this, I made Sunday and Tuesday both unexpected rest days and doubled up my workout on Monday. I did COMBAT 30 and COMBAT 60 and I felt invigorated.

COMBAT 45: Power Kata was the session for today. As a matter of fact, I peeped ahead to see what the rest of the week's session were and I finish off with COMBAT 60 and COMBAT 30. That's cool. I really like the mixed fighting sessions. I don't feel like I can get in someone's ring or back alley fight club and throw down yet, but I do feel more confident in my kicks and punches.

Day 31 also marks the halfway point of Les Mills COMBAT.

That's right. It's a celebration. To be quite honest, I thought I would give in before now. However, with everything that's been going on this week, I was determined not to fall short. Doubling up on Monday showed me my determination to finish. It also helped me see how far I've come cardio-wise. After finishing both sessions, I was pumped and even considered doing multiple sessions from now until day 60. I said, "considered."

Since this is the halfway point, I also took my measurements. They are as follows:

• Chest: 40"
• Right Arm: 13.5"
• Left Arm: 13.5"
• Waist: 35.5"
• Hips: 41.5"
• Right Thigh: 23"
• Left Thigh: 23.5"

When comparing these with my first measurements, not much has changed. I've lost an inch in my waist and, somehow, inexplicably gained an half an inch in my left thigh. Who gains an inch in one thigh? Especially on the weaker side of their body? There's definitely a margin of error in there somewhere.

My assessment of my first 30 days of Les Mills COMBAT: I need to step it up during the sessions, with my additional exercises, and with my diet. I like to eat and most of what I like to eat is cohesive to changing my body. I've improved on eating healthier, but some days I'm just like... I'm going to eat whatever I want to eat. Need to be more disciplined than that. 

I can say that I do feel a change on the inside. Doing regular physical activity that's fun is all part of the motivation to change your body for the better. Check it out for yourself at www.beachbodycoach.com/philipm78.

Also, follow me on Twitter at @pmelton357.

Until next time... let's get in shape, let's have fun, and #letsgetstrong.

Les Mills COMBAT: Day 23

While I may have slacked off on my blog, I've kept up with my Les Mills COMBAT routine.

Here I am at day 23 and I've never felt better. The order of the sessions has changed a bit since my first two weeks. This week started with COMBAT 60: Extreme Cardio Fighter on Sunday and Shock Plyo HIIT 2 today. Those just happen to be the last two sessions I did last week.

Since I began Les Mills COMBAT, I've noticed that my legs have gotten stronger. That's been especially evident when I do the Plyo HIIT 2 session. The lunges are getting easier and my legs don't get fatigued as quickly as they did in the beginning. I would go for a run if I didn't hate the cold so much.

In just a few more days, I'll be at the halfway mark of Les Mills COMBAT. I'm excited to see what changes there are in my measurements. Whatever changes have occurred, I know all the credit doesn't solely go to this DVD workout set. I had to get off of my butt and put forth an effort to make my body change. Some days I didn't feel like doing anything. Other days, I wanted to do more than expected. 

Overall, these workouts have kept me motivated with the simply notion of wanting to complete a goal. That goal: to finish all 60 days and to give my all at the same time. At day 23, I feel that I've been doing just that and I plan to keep on going to day 60 and beyond.

If you're ready to grow and want to change your body, check out Les Mills COMBAT or any of the other programs Beachbody has to offer at beachbodycoach.com/philipm78.

Also, follow me at Twitter at @pmelton357.

Les Mills COMBAT: Day 15 - COMBAT 60: Extreme Cardio Fighter

Here I am at the beginning of the third week of Les Mills COMBAT and it's time for something different... COMBAT 60: Extreme Cardio Fighter.

Sixty minutes of punching, kicking, knees, elbows, bobbing, and weaving. Plenty of moves to get the heart beating, the lungs working, and the sweat pouring. And I feel great.

The first two weeks of Les Mills COMBAT gets you prepared to take on this long session. Initially, I was hesitant because of the 60 minutes, but once I got going, I realized that I was ready to take on the challenge.

There are lots of combos to work through in this session, so it took some time getting my rhythm together. Of course, the punch combos full of jabs, crosses, uppercuts, and hooks came easily. It's the punch-kick combos and kick combos that require the most coordination.

Going from an uppercut with both arms to a back knee strike to a front kick is a lot for a beginner to handle at first. However, with each repetition, I got more comfortable performing the combination. Fatigue makes it hard to keep up with the combos as well. 

I'm glad that I was able to push myself and finish another session of Les Mills COMBAT. I'm enjoying every workout I do. Every session I complete, I feel better and better. Every morning after I feel I can take on the world... or at least do another session.

If you're ready to grow and want to change your body, check out Les Mills COMBAT or any of the other programs Beachbody has to offer at beachbodycoach.com/philipm78.

Also, follow me at Twitter at @pmelton357.

Let's get in shape, let's have fun, and #letsgetstrong.