P90X – Still Plugging Along
© Tim Pannell Photography
Well, I’m still plugging along with my P90X workouts.
My wife and I just got back from a 5 day photo shoot in Arizona last week.
We didn’t work out at all the last 5 days, with the exception of the running around we were doing for the shoot.
We started back up today with P90X Chest and Back.
It always feels great to get back into the P90X routine.
The 5 days off was actually kind of nice.
My left elbow has been extremely sore lately – it feels like “tennis elbow”.
This 5 days gave it a little time to heal up.
Today the elbow wasn’t nearly as painful as last week.
I’m not exactly sure what the pain was caused by.
No obvious injury or “aha” moment. It’s just been sore for a couple of weeks.
It’s not the muscle, but the joint.
In any case, progress is being made.
All 3 of us are seeing improvement in our ability to perform all the exercises, especially the ones that give us the most trouble.
Diamond push ups and divebomber push ups in particular.
When I first started doing P90X last year I couldn’t do a single diamond push up. Not one.
I was just a useless fat blob.
Today I did 2 sets of 25 diamond push ups. Not a bad improvement.
Now I’m a usefull, fat blob.
My wife, sister in law and I have been doing P90X for almost 2 months now, so it has become what I would call a routine.
We’ve had 2 periods during that time where we missed 5 days.
We’ve gotten right back into the swing of things after those down times.
Having the workout partners has helped make it much easier for me to start back up after periods where I just can’t do the workouts because of work or travel.
If you’re struggling with consistancy try and find someone to do the P90X exercises with.
Trust me…….it’ll work.
P90X Review – 2 Weeks and Counting
© Tim Pannell Photography
Here’s my latest review of the P90X workout program.
P90X is a tough set of workouts. No sissies allowed.
Our family recently moved from Arizona to Utah and during the 4 month process I wasn’t able to work out consistently.
I had several good weeks, but also some really bad ones as we had to leave the house as many as 30 times a week as prospective buyers would tour our home.
It was a pretty stressful time in our lives and frustrating at times to say the least.
Now that we’re in Utah and settling down I tried to create a situation that would help keep me on track with my workouts.
I believed that if I could get a partner or 2 to workout with me I’d be less likely to talk myself out of working out occasionally.
My main goal this time around is to be consistent.
My wife, my sister in law and I started our P90X workouts 2 weeks ago today.
In the last 2 weeks I’ve only missed a total of 3 days.
I am noticeably stronger even though I still have a long way to go.
2 days ago we did the P90X Shoulders and Arms workout.
I think the next time I do this workout I will need to add 5 pounds to my dumbbells as each exercise was much easier than the previous time I did the Shoulders and Arms workout.
Yesterday we did the P90X Chest and Back workout.
We finally figured out how to hook up the bands here at the new house.
There’s a loft above the family room where we work out and we just loop the workout bands through the hand rails.
It took us a while to figure that out, but fortunately we did. This enables us to fully participate in all of the P90X workouts.
Today we did the P90X Core Synergistics workout and enjoyed it a lot.
There are a couple of exercises on the core synergistics disc that are a real struggle for me.
Sphinx push ups and the plank to Chatarunga exercises just kill me. I know if I stick with it I’ll get better at them both.
Tony Horton is really good at insisting that the proper form is more important than the overall number you do.
I made some progress with my flexibility which was also nice to see.
I’m able to do more and more push ups with each successive workout.
I’m finally getting over this cold/flu I’ve had for the last month. Breathing has been a struggle for most of that time, but it’s getting better.
I still struggle with the more aerobic exercises because of that coupled with the higher elevation here, but I’m at least making progress.
I’m pleased with how much easier it is to workout everyday now that I have 2 partners keeping me going.
I think this will lead to even better results in the coming months than I’ve experienced in the past.
P90X Review
P90X © Tim Pannell Photography
I’ve had a couple people ask me recently what the real gist of P90x is, so here goes.
P90X is essentially a series of 12 DVDs produced by a company called Beachbody.
Tony Horton, a professional trainer, provides the motivation to work your way through each fitness DVD.
Each P90X DVD focuses on a different body part or set of muscles. These range from the chest and back to biceps, triceps, legs and abs.
The P90X DVDs not only focus on gaining muscle but also work on flexibility with several videos that feature yoga and stretching.
The one thing you’ll notice quickly the very first DVD you watch is that these aren’t just muscle bound goons. They’re extremely flexible muscle bound goons.
OK, they aren’t goons, they aren’t really muscle bound and they’re not just men. There are different people in many of these videos and they are physically fit.
They all look pretty good. They aren’t anorexic and wafer thin. They are fit, they are healthy, they workout and they eat. No gimmicks, just hard work and common sense.
Each P90X Workout is at least one hour long and no easy thing for somebody just beginning to try to get into shape.
It does get easier and easier to keep up with Tony Horton in these workouts if you stick with it long enough and keep trying.
There are still moves I can’t do without a little cheating. There are still exercises that absolutely kick my butt.
I’ve made progress. If you could see how I looked the first time I worked out with P90X and compared it to today, you’d see the progress I’ve made even though I’m still overweight.
There are no prepackaged meals to purchase as there are with so many of today’s “weight loss” programs.
There are supplements as well as nutrition bars and protein shakes available, but they are not mandatory.
There is however, a P90X nutrition plan that comes with the workouts. It recommends high protein and low fat foods and the more frequent consumption of smaller meals throughout the day.
P90X promotes the idea that most healthy foods can be easily obtained from a local grocery store.
Rather than having to buy certain meal plans for an extended period of time in order to lose weight, P90X is more about making a lifestyle change.
It emphasizes eating healthy meals “for life.” It’s a plan that can be followed by anyone at any age whether they are already fit or are just wanting to end old habits and become fit.
It is important to stick with the program long enough to get the full benefits that it offers.
You’ll build muscle, gain flexibility, burn fat more effectively and establish better eating habits.
One of the main reasons P90X is such an effective set of workouts is Carl Diekler’s idea of “muscle confusion.”
The workouts are pretty intense and there is so much variety from one disc to the next that it keeps your body from getting complacent and bored.
By the end of the first month you get introduced to another set of exercises to keep your body from plateauing. Most exercise programs fail for this very reason.
While you are going through the P90X workouts you can enjoy the support, meal planning, progress calendar, other P90X reviews and success stories available to you online.
This workout at home program is endorsed by medical professionals, body builders, personal trainers and regular Joes and Janes.
It saves you the hassle and cost of going to a gym in your neighborhood. You don’t have to invest in any super expensive equipment…….a couple of fitness bands, a yoga mat and maybe a couple of yoga blocks andyou’re off to the races.
Ultimately the your success or failure with the P90X program will depend on you own personal motivation and self-discipline.
If you do the workouts but dont’ follow the nutrition guide or if you follow the nutrition guide, but don’t stick with the workouts, you won’t get the most out of the program.
If your goal is to increase your overall fitness level by building up muscle, burning fat, improving your cardiovascular activity and are willing to devote some of your time and energy to get there, this will be a wonderful workout program for you.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to have cosmetic surgery to look better. You don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight. You don’t have to guzzle diet pills either.
It’s a fairly simple plan. Just get a P90X Extreme Training System and do it. You’ll see the results and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with them.
P90X Workout – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps
© Tim Pannell Photography
Well, we finished day 4 yesterday by doing the P90X Chest, Shoulders & Arms Workout.
It feels so good to be doing P90X consistently. It’s only been 5 days since I started working out with my wife and sister in law, but I can tell that this is becoming a repeatable routine.
We started working out on Thursday with P90X Shoulders and Arms. Friday was Kenpo X, Saturday we did Core Synergistics.
We took a break on Sunday and started back up on Monday with Chest, Shoulders & Triceps.
I’m not sure what workout we’ll do this morning, but I know we’ll be doing one of them.
My body is sore in a few places, but not too bad when you consider the intensity of the workouts.
Some of the different types of push ups done in the “chest, shoulders & arms” workout really tax me.
I’m feeling tightness right where my chest attaches to my shoulders.
It’s a good feeling. That’s one of my favorite parts of working out…….feeling my muscles and being just a little bit sore.
The beauty of the P90X routines is that they work different areas with different exercises from disc to disc.
The soreness I feel in my body moves from day to day to different muscle groups………..I love it.
That feedback from my muscles lets me know the workouts are doing what they’re supposed to do.
The bottom line for me is this – I am at a stage in my life where I can’t wait any longer to get committed to changing my lifestyle.
I started P90X last year and have made a lot of improvements in my life.
I’m eating better than I was. I’m working out more often than I was.
This year I need to get more consistency. I know it’s unrealistic for me to cut out sugar completely, it’s just not gonna happen.
Though I can and will do a better job of limiting the amount of sugar I take in.
I have a better system in place this year to keep me on track with my workouts.
I’m basically just piggy backing off of my sister in law since she’s been working out on a daily basis for years.
My wife and I are accountable to her and since she’s coming over to the house in the mornings for P90X with us, we have no excuses.
We have to show up.
In fact, she just walked in so I’ll have to finish this post after today’s P90X butt kicking.
I’m back after an hour of P90X “X Stretch”. It felt pretty good.
I definitely need to work on my flexibility. This workout helped me easily identify the areas of my body I need to work on.
I know that by keeping with it my flexibility will improve.
I’m so glad I’m in a position to be working out every morning. It just improves my entire outlook for the day as well as gets my body in shape.
If you’ve struggled with your weight year after year or decade after decade you have to make a choice.
I’ve decided that I can’t continue to live my life with an extra 100 pounds. I’ve lost over 45 pounds and have about 55 more to go.
I know that as I apply what I’ve learned by cycling through the P90X workouts, ride my bike consistently and eat more responsibly I’ll eventually reach my goal.
Maybe I do it in a couple of months, maybe it takes me a couple years. I am embracing the process and focusing on that as oposed to just focusing on results.
I will be healthier from doing these things, whether or not it immediately shows up on the scale.
My mindset is changing as I do more and more of these workouts.
I’m no longer just hopeful. I actually expect to succeed at reaching my fitness goals.
I can now see myself at my target weight. I can picture it in my mind’s eye.
I can feel it, I can taste it. I will reach it
P90X Core Synergistics – My Abs Are Screaming
© Tim Pannell Photography
Well today was the third day in a row that I worked out with my wife and my sister in law Melanie.
We popped in the P90X Core Synergistics workout and I think all 3 of us are now sorer than crap.
In spite of any soreness, it feels great to be getting back into the habit of working out.
Core synergistics is a great workout, it covers from your chest to your backside and everything in between.
I can really feel it in my abs as well as my hips. It’s nice to feel things tightening up as new muscle groups get worked out.
The great thing about the P90X routines is that they switch the training exercises up on each DVD.
Your body doesn’t get too used to one or two specific exercises and then stop responding to them.
I did struggle with my breathing today. Still feeling the effects of bronchitis as well as the higher altitude up here in Utah.
This worked out a different group of muscles for me as well so those muscles sucked up extra oxygen and left me experiencing some heavy breathing………perv…..lol.
There are several of the exercises that I can barely keep up with and I know that my form isn’t perfect, but I’ve done enough of these P90X workouts to know that over time, I’ll get better and better at them.
Eventually, I’ll master the form and I can increase the intensity as I keep at it.
The trick is not to get discouraged when I feel or look like an idiot trying to pull off some of the more exotic moves some of the exercises require.
The best thing is this……I feel good working out. I know that I’m going to be healthier in the long run for doing it.
I know that eventually I’ll get rid of my excess weight and add some extra years to my life.
My overall attitude is better as well when I consistently work out. It’s much easier to be positive minded.
It’s also nice doing the workout series with someone else. Having my wife doing it with me is awesome.
I really appreciate her encouragement and help as well as my sister in law’s.
She’s pretty fit already, she and her husband workout a lot. Tons and tons of running, hiking and racquetball. She teaches P.E. at the elementary school.
Assembling a support group around has made working out much easier.
Instead of being tempted to stay in bed and blow off working out, I get up because someone else is going to be here and I don’t want to flake on them.
I need all the help I can get at this stage. I really do want to get over the hump so to speak and change my lifestyle for the rest of my life.
It’s only been 3 days, but I’m off to a great start.
P90X Workout – Hang In There!
© Tim Pannell Photography
I started doing my 2nd full round of the P90X workouts last week and I’ve lost 2 pounds. I’m now weighing 266.
I’m also riding the bike for an hour a day as well. My left knee is still tender, but the motion from the bike doesn’t bother it in the least.
I feel good and I’m feeling all my muscles again after the workout.
I don’t ever remember sweating this much in my life as when I’m doing these workouts. Maybe it’s because I shave my head and there’s nothing there to soak up the sweat. Let me rephrase that………..I shave 1/2 my head, the other half falls out before I can get to it.
In any case, my endurance is better than ever. I have noticed being a bit weaker in general after taking one month off of P90X. I’ve had to drop 5 lbs off some of the dumbbells I’m using for a few of the exercises.
My guess is that I’ll be adding that weight back on within a week or two and quickly surpass where I left off over a month ago.
I’ve basically got close to 3 more months to go on this and my expectation is to have lost at least 24 more pounds by the end of it.
After this round I will be looking at doing Shaun T’s INSANITY Workouts. I hear they’re pretty intense. I hope I’ll be able to keep up.
If you do happen to be overweight like me and are wondering about P90X, I would ask you to check with your doctor first before starting the program.
With that being said…..many overweight guys have asked me if its just too much and too intense of a workout if you’re carrying 50 plus extra pounds.
My answer is it depends on the individual. I took it pretty easy the first month or so. I did what I could do and when it got a little cuckoo I slowed down or even rested and waited for the next set of exercises to begin.
Trust your instincts, if you think its pushing you too hard, take an easier approach. There is always someone on the workout dvd that’s not maxxing out and is taking it a bit easier than everyone else. Pace yourself and most of all, be patient.
The results will come in due time. Some people lose weight right away, some are stubborn losers and yet others may put on weight initially. I put on about 8 pounds before I started losing weight.
I could have gotten discouraged, but instead I just focused on how much better I was feeling and how much more energy I had. I got through it and eventually started losing the weight. At my heaviest I was 310 – now I’m 266 and dropping…..pretty cool!
Hang in there!
Does P90X Really Work?
Does P90X Really Work? © Tim Pannell Photography
A lot of my friends keep asking me…...does P90X really work? All I can tell them about is my experience. I can’t guarantee that the P90X workout will work for anyone else given that not everyone else will use it the same way I have.
Not everyone will stick to the schedule. I would say this though, anyone who truly sticks to the workouts will see results. I would love to hear from anyone that actually did the workouts and after all was said and done believed that they got zero results.
I don’t believe that that’s even a possibility. P90X workouts were designed for people that are already in pretty good shape. I am not one of those somebodies. In the past 19 years I’ve weighed as little as 185 and as much as 310 lbs.
I’m currently at 268 and have been plateaued there for a few weeks. I know that some of you might be saying that P90X says it’s designed specifically to avoid “plateauing”. So you say………….there’s proof that it doesn’t work!
Before you go thinking that it’s P90X that doesn’t work, let me assure you that in this case the “plateauing” was caused by none other than me not working.
We took a family vacation for a week and I lost most if not all of my momentum that week. I wrote a post earlier about how easy it is to do P90X if you travel. I should have clarified that post by saying “if you travel by yourself on business trips.”
We were visiting family and I did a lousy job of keeping up with it. I only did 1 workout that week if I remember correctly and went golfing twice.
I love to golf, but come on, nobody ever got ripped from golfing. Tiger has a great physique, but we all know that he didn’t get it by golfing. He trains like a lunatic in the gym.
I have no one to blame but myself for that week, but it definitely took a toll on my momentum. Thankfully, I got back into the swing of things once we got home.
The other struggle I had that week was what I was eating. I took in a lot more fatty foods than I had been eating at home and I could really feel the difference. I was pretty tired and lethargic for most of the week.
The big difference for me at this stage of having done the P90X routines for the last 3 months is that I’ve learned not to beat myself up for the days that I’m less than stellar. The past is the past, tomorrow is tomorrow. the only thing I can control, is what I do with my life today.
For many of you that might not sound like a big deal, but let me assure you it is. In the past I would beat myself up for any missteps, and since my past is loaded with plenty of missteps you can imagine how negative my “self talk” became.
I still have 58 pounds to lose. The cool thing for me is that I KNOW that I will lose it. The other cool thing for me is that I don’t have to get down to 210 lbs. to enjoy the benefits of P90X training.
I’m already enjoying them even though I’m still overweight. I am pain free in my joints, especially my knees. That’s HUGE!!!
I have gained muscle, especially in my arms. I am noticeably stronger. My resting heart rate is lower than when I started the program. How many 268 lb. guys do you know with a resting heart rate of 58 beats a minute? Not bad, right?
The biggest eye opener for me of how much better shape I’m in was this:
I hadn’t played racquetball in over 3 months because my partner hurt his knee. Usually after that long of a layoff the first couple of days back on the court are excruciating.
After a couple of long drawn out points, I would be sucking wind so badly I couldn’t breath. Mike and I played again a few weeks back and I never once was out of breath.
Now some of you might be picturing a couple of old bald fat guys swinging their racquets like Peter Pan. It’s just 1 bald fat guy….me. You may have seen guys dogging it on the court, hitting the ball underhanded as they jog to and fro like a couple of “english gentlemen” in some kind of sick mama’s boy badminton experiment.
That’s not us! We play hard. Mike and I both hit the ball over 160 miles an hour and even though I’m big, I can move pretty quickly. Mike has close to a 48 inch vertical leap and is faster than anyone else I’ve ever played. He played collegiate volleyball, so diving on the floor to keep balls in play is pretty common stuff for him.
I have to hit absolutely perfect shots to beat him, he gets to everything….it’s infuriating! No one should be allowed to be that fast.
In any case, there was an obvious difference in my fitness level when we hit the court for the first time in 3 months. I’m impressed at how much the P90X workouts improved my overall health and fitness levels over that time period.
I did not do this program like some kind of “uber-robot”. In the past 3 months I have skipped days, I have done 1/2 the workout on some days. Some days I’ve done 2 workouts. I have not been as consistent as I intended to be, and my diet hasn’t always been spectacular, but I’ve experienced plenty of great results from P90X.
P90X really does work!
P90X Weight Loss – Get Back On That Bike Dude!
P90X / Biking © Tim Pannell Photography
We just got back from taking my 16 yr. old son to Lacrosse Camp up in Utah and I am anxious to get back in the workout saddle so to speak.
I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how easy it is to do P90X workouts on the road. That post was aimed more at business travel and staying in hotels. I never really tried doing P90X while visiting friends and family.
Let me just say this, it’s a completely different animal. I struggled with working out this last week. It was hands down the worst week I’ve had since starting out on my program. I feel like I lost an entire week.
I did a lousy job of keeping up with my workouts when we were away. I did a series of P90X shoulders and arms with my wife sometime in the middle of the week and the rest of the time I just kept getting sidetracked with other issues.
I got to play golf with my sister a couple of times and that was fun in spite of me playing the worst I’ve played in at least 5 years. Man did I suck!
I’m starting a new photography blog and that consumed me for most of the week as well. I’m teaching people how to shoot better photos of their kids. The website is just in it’s infancy, but check it out if you get a chance and you’re interested in photography. http://photomommies.com
In any case, I’m home now and I’ll be doing P90X chest and back and riding the bike this morning to get things started up again.
The old me would be beating myself up right now for not having worked out consistently all of last week, even though it was nice to get to see family and spend some time with them.
The new me sees the past as the past and today as the present. I can’t change last week, but I can make good choices today. If you’re struggling with weight issues like I do chances are you can get easily derailed from your workout goals.
It’s all too easy to just throw in the towel and give up when things don’t work the way I hope. This is always a major crossroads in my life. What I do in these situations will ultimately show what I’m made of.
I have a choice to give up completely and wallow in self doubt and pity or I can pick myself up and learn from the past instead of dwelling on it. What can I do better, where can I improve?
I’ve been working out with P90X for the last 2 months and 3 weeks. I haven’t last the amount of weight that I’d hoped for, but I am in much better shape than I was.
I would say that my biggest problem over the previous couple of months is that I haven’t been consistent enough and that is what I will be working on this coming month.
I am guilty of letting off the gas once I made a lot of progress. I have to do a better job of keeping my fitness goals a priority and not put them on the back burner.
I know that ultimately getting my body back into good shape will have a profound effect on every other aspect in my life.
So, for now, I’m going to stop writing and I’m gonna go hop back on my bike for an hour and then I’m dropping my P90X chest and back into my DVD player and I’m gonna sweat my butt off for a while.
P90X Reviews – Weight Loss For Women
P90X for Women © Tim Pannell Photography
We talk about P90X as though it’s only for big ‘ole tough guys. That sells the workout program a little short.
Will P90X work for women? For anyone who has ever done or followed a P90X Workout DVD you already know that there’s always a woman on the program, and they all kick butt.
I know that for many women there is a fear of bulking up too much and looking un-feminine from lifting weights. As with all things in life, it really depends on what your goal is. There are women out there that have created enormous physiques for themselves, to the point where most people find it gross.
P90X is not designed with that in mind. It’s purpose isn’t just about losing weight.
It’s goal is for people to get fit and lean. By building muscle, the body naturally uses more energy, aka calories. As your body adjusts to the workouts and the healthier diet you’ll see your body fat % shrink and your lean muscle mass increase. Your arms and shoulders will have greater definition, legs will get more toned and tummy muscles will tighten.
Take a look at the women on the DVD, they actually represent a variety of different sizes and shapes, but they’re all fit.
My wife usually works out at the gym, but we were on a family trip recently and while we were gone she did some of the P90X workouts with me and really enjoyed them. I really enjoyed working out with her.
We did P90X Shoulders and Arms first, followed by plyometrics. She kicked my butt at plyometrics. I still struggle with this set of exercises because of my knees, but I am getting better and better at it.
We had such a good time doing them together that we’re continuing the mutual workouts at home. She keeps me focused and on track on the days that my attitude isn’t as good as it could be.
P90X training can benefit just about anyone that is trying to get back into shape. I realize that it’s marketed for people that are already in fair to moderate shape, but speaking as a guy that’s still 55 lbs. overweight, it’s been great for me as well.
You can go at your own pace, from moderate to really intense and the DVDs always have someone doing lighter weights and more reps. So, for any women that are considering P90X and unsure about whether or not it’ll be too intense for you, I wouldn’t waste my time worrying about it.
My wife says that the workouts she’s done with me seem to be a bit easier than what she does at the gym. I guess that sounds like P90X heresy, but that’s her experience.
She does however like the workouts and it is nice to be doing them together instead of by myself. So whether your a guy or a girl or a couple, P90X will work for you. Just be sure to check with your doctor before you start if you have any questionable health risks or concerns.
P90X Routine – Why Do I Do It?
P90X Routine © Tim Pannell Photography
OK, I’m still seriously overweight. I’ve been doing pretty well with my eating habits and p90x workout routines. I’m losing weight, I’m adding muscle and burning fat.
Today I’m taking an account of where I’m at compared to where I was just a few short months ago.
It used to be extremely easy to talk myself out of working out. I could find all kinds of excuses.
The biggest excuse was the lack of results. I was notorious for getting down on myself when the weight didn’t just fly off my body after a few days or maybe even weeks of “being good.”
My attitude towards living a healthy lifestyle was only based on hard data, numbers…….results that could be seen or measured with some kind of tool. Well guess who the “tool” really was.
Living and dying by your numbers alone is a fools game. All the right things for all the wrong reasons. I’ve changed my attitude around completely.
I now workout for the sheer enjoyment of it. I feel better, I have a better attitude about my life, I look at things differently. Sure, I still have crappy days, just ask my sister about my golf game yesterday. I was a schmuck! It felt nice to do a little venting though and now I’ve moved past it.
I am no longer willing to let a few less than stellar numbers keep me from working out and eating more healthy foods. These are rewards in and of themselves.
Who cares if I’m still overweight today? I’m more healthy today than I was 2 weeks ago. I’ll be healthier still 2 weeks from today. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
I’ve embraced the healthier lifestyle for it’s own sake. The measurable results will come at their own pace and in their own time. The real benefits happen immediately as I consistently workout and eat better.
I’m celebrating a little bit today. That statement doesn’t mean today what it meant 4 months ago. Then it would mean treating myself to a Jethro Bodean sized bowl of ice cream.
Today it just means I’m consciously being grateful that I’ve finally found the key for me to get back into shape. I am now living for the process.
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