In P90X on
5 January 2009 with 2 comments
Day 2 of P90X introduces a cardio workout called Plyometrics. Basically it’s floor exercises designed to give the lungs a good burn and the heart rate up. For someone like myself that’s out of shape, what a ball buster this one was. 50 minutes of constant movement. I lasted 35 minutes before my legs gave out. That’s ok, I’ll try and make it thru all the way during Week 2.
This is what I love about P90X. You work out everyday, blasting each muscle group only once a week. Not the same ole’ same of droning on with endless reps and sets of the same exercise. Jumping Jacks, Flying Scissors and Running in Circles are just a few of the lung burning cardio routines on this scheduled workout.
Feeling a little better today then the first. Back and Chest are a little sore from all those pushups yesterday and the eating is alot better then I thought it would be. Haven’t had a Coca Cola or any sugar drinks in 2 days, and that’s ok. Water, water, water. Trying to drink glass of water in the morning, afternoon, and evening in addition to the glasses during meals. I’m not crazy about Skim Milk, but I’m getting that down ok for the dairy requirements of the meal plan.
In P90X on
4 January 2009 with no comments
Today is my first workout with P90X. The theory behind the system is called muscle confusion. Typically when a person exercises, whether doing weight training, cardio, or stretching the body will plateau after a period of time. The P90X workout system is designed to prevent this. The videos are laid out very nicely and easy to follow. All you need is a DVD player, spacious room, and the desire to get fit. Or as they say in P90X - “Bring It”.
First routine of the program is 50 minutes of Chest and Back exercises. Nothing fancy, just 2 series of floor exercises; variances of pushups, pullups, and dumbell or cable raises. I used a 20 lb dumbell and resistance bands for my workout. It was great. I moved the coffee table out of the way in my den, inserted the DVD into my player, filled a water bottle, opened my log sheets and got started.
You start out with 5 minutes of stretching and warm up exercises. VERY EASY. Follow along with Tony Horton and you’ll be fine. One thing I like about this program is that everyone is at different levels of fitness. Tony is motivating yet constantly reminds you to concentrate on body form and proper technique versus just bombing out reps.
58 minutes later I thought I was gonna die! Over the course of the hour I had done over 300 pushups. It’s worth it!
And just when you think you’re finished, 15 minutes of Ab Ripper X are added to the end of your workout. While difficult because of the tire around my waist, I thought they were very basic and one day I hope to be blowing thru them with ease. I didn’t know that there could be so many variations of the situp and ab crunch.
One last comment: The diet plan with this workout is essential for maximum results. I was surprised at how much food you actually get to eat. My biggest obstacle is sugar and caffeine, so that may be a tough one to overcome. I’ll write a post later to fully describe how the nutrition and meal plans actually work. It’s an interesting, yet simple system and after a few days of doing it you won’t have to look at your sheet anymore. It’s all about measuring calories and food portions.
In P90X on
1 January 2009 tagged P90X with no comments
I am a 43 year old male that’s let himself get out of shape due to work schedule, family life, and just pure laziness. When I was 18, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and for the first 6 years was in the best shape of my life. I could do 100 situps in 2 minutes and run 3 miles in 21 minutes.
After my discharge civilian life took over as did the donuts and pretty soon I became a fat body ballooning to almost 240 lbs, which is a lot for me since I am only 6 feet 4 inches tall. Over the years I’ve worked out here and there, but not with any real consistency. Today I decided enough was enough. This is my new beginning.
While I was familiar with proper diet, exercise, and how to stay in shape; I wasn’t doing it. I needed something to kick-start my new physical fitness program. I saw P90X on a tv commercial, purchased the DVD set for about $70 on eBay, and have committed myself to making it work.
My goal is to drop 40 lbs and regain the best body and overall physical fitness I can achieve thru exercise and proper diet. This blog is my record. I hope it provides some inspiration to those traveling the same path. Look around the site, as I grow I’ll add more useful tools to assist you in your journey.
