Fitness for a fast paced world

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post on this site talking about how I was considering starting the P90X® workout program because I needed some structure in my fitness life, and I thought this looked like a good program to try.

I got some great feedback from some friends and colleagues online, many of them saying that they had done P90X®  previously, and that they highly recommended it.  Most of them said the program was tough, but that it was ultimately worth it for them.

With all the great feedback I decided to jump in and give it a shot.  I bought the program and was hoping to start the first Monday of the new year.  Unfortunately our family had a flu bug and I ended up getting sick as well.  I pushed back my start date one week.

Getting Started On P90X – Bring It!

I finally got started on P90X® one week into the new year. The day before I started I did the fitness test to make sure that I was “ready” to do the program. Most of the things I didn’t have much problem with, but a couple of them, including the pull ups and push ups, I struggled with a bit. I did enough to be OK to start the program, however.

Week One Of P90X

That first night doing P90X® was  a bit of a struggle, but I managed to make it through that chest and back routine.  What was involved?   A whole lot of pushups and pullups.   The first week I did actual pull-ups, aided somewhat by a chair as beginners were instructed to do in the video.  The two following weeks I had actually purchased these resistance bands (highly recommended – good quality), and used those for the pullup portions instead.  The pushups have been tough as well, and during some reps I’ve had to go from my knees – especially in later rounds.  I especially hate the decline pushups, and have failed on those a couple of times.

The following nights of the first week were also tough.  I was still struggling with that initial soreness that you get after you haven’t worked out for a while, and it was tough doing the plyometrics, shoulders and arms, and other workouts when I was so sore.

Week Two Of P90X

The second week was still tough, but I wasn’t quite so sore – which made it easier.   Our family also had another bought of the flu pop up (again!), and so I was only able to workout 4 out of the 6 days because i was busy taking care of the family.  My eating wasn’t nearly as good week 2 either.  I had some nasty food (as Tony Horton would say), and I think that wasn’t helpful in my weight loss goals.

Another thing that I noticed was that while doing the P90X workouts you are working hard most of the time.  They give you chances to catch your breath during the workout, but you’re always sweating and huffing and puffing.  I have never been as drenched with sweat as I have been after doing these workouts – even and especially the yoga workout.  Make sure to bring a towel!

Week Three Of P90X

With the first two weeks in the bag (with mixed results), I started week 3 on Monday of this week.  It does seem like I’m slowly starting to be able to do a little bit more in the exercises, and without quite as much soreness afterwards the next days workouts are easier to complete.

Week three I also started doing the workouts in the mornings, getting up early so that I could complete them before going to work.  After doing it for 4 days this week now I have to say I prefer working out in the morning because you feel good all day, you get it out of the way and then you can relax at home at night.

Today I did the yoga workout and had to cut it a bit short because I got up late – and the yoga workout is almost an hour and a half  long.  Tonight I’ll either finish that or do some other form of exercise.

P90X So Far: Tough But Worth It

So I’m just over 3 weeks into the P90X program, and I have to say – it is tough!  I’m not sure I’ve ever sweated this much or worked this hard since I was in high school football.  The workouts are tough, but you can feel your body getting stronger.  I’m still fudging it a bit on some of the exercises, especially the pushups, but I’m getting better every week.

Now that I’m almost done with 3 weeks, I really think that I can stick with this for the entire 90 day – I can do this!

Are you considering starting P90X as well? Have you already started – or completed a round? Tell me about it in the comments!

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