Losing weight with P90X

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P90X Workout – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps

By Tim Pannell On January 19, 2010 No Comments

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

By Tim Pannell On January 16, 2010 No Comments

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 Kenpo X Style

By Tim Pannell On January 15, 2010 No Comments

Okay!   I just finished the Kenpo X P90X Workout with my wife and sister in law and feel pretty good.

I’m still struggling with my breathing, my lungs are scratchy and itchy and operating well shy of 100%, but I’m at least able to keep up with the P90X DVD for the entire hour.

The stretching is always the hardest part of the workout for me.  I’m amazed at how flexible everybody is even though they’re extremely muscular.

It gives me something to shoot for at the very least.

I can say this…….I’m more flexible today than I was the first time I did the Kenpo X workout.

I’m also not nearly as wiped out as I was the first time I did the exercises.

It’s nice to be able to see progress being made over time.

I haven’t done much of anything the last couple of months because of selling our house and moving.  A P90X workout here, a P90X workout there, a 1/2 hour or 45 minute bike ride, but nothing even close to consistent.  Things were way too busy and hectic.

I know, I know……….I should have made time to work out more whether or not life was hectic.

Well, that’s in the past.  I’ll work on that in the future if my life is ever that crazy again.

For now, I’m working on settling into a routine of getting up early and getting my workout done first thing in the morning.

I’ve got some good workout buddies, my wife Kim and her sister Melanie.

It makes it so much easier to get up and get started when I know that someone else will be working out along side me.

It’s nice to know that I have their support.  It’ll help me reach my 210 pound target goal I’m sure.

In the last 9 months I’ve had ups and downs with P90X.  I have learned from my mistakes as well as my successes during that time period.

2010 will be about consistency.  Slow, deliberate, methodical steps that I will take to once and for all get into great shape.

I’m looking forward to feeling more healthy.  Life is too short.  I have to take advantage of the time I have left.

My Wife and P90X

By Tim Pannell On January 14, 2010 No Comments

Well……I only planned on writing one post today.  I have been really sick of late and was going to just go and lift some weights….”sissy style” today.

So I went into our new weight room and started working on my triceps and biceps.

In the meantime, my sister in law came over from 2 homes down and she and my wife decided to pop in the P90X Shoulders and Arms Workout.

They got just shy of halfway when I couldn’t keep myself out of the room any longer and I jumped in along with them.

I don’t know if Tony Horton practices hypnotism (look into my eyes, look into my eyes…..) or what, but just hearing his voice makes we want to work out.

Earlier today I was worried that I would get too winded and not be able to keep up, but I’m thrilled to say it was all unfounded.

I’m still not going near my bike for a few more days till I know this bronchitis thing is gone, but I will be able to do P90X from this point forward.

It felt great to get back in the saddle again.  I love the intensity as  well as the progression he goes through.

Maybe this sounds too good to be true, but I truly feel better right now than I have in weeks………..just from doing 40 minutes of P90X Shoulders & Arms.

It was great having my wife and sister in law working out along side me too.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that P90X workouts are only good for men.

The workouts are great for women as well.  The exercises are all the same, but the intensity you choose to do them at is entirely up to you.

The women on the DVD’s are pretty strong without looking like men, so for any women out there that are worried about becoming too muscly…..that will only happen if you want it to happen.

Good muscle tone won’t make a woman more masculine, if anything it will give her more shape.

In any case, It’s nice having their support.  It makes it that much easier for me to do.

It looks like the goal from today forward is to workout together a minimum of 5 days a week going through the P90X Workout Series.

Thanks ladies!

Bring it!!!

Current P90X Struggles

By Tim Pannell On January 14, 2010 2 Comments

I’m now living in Utah instead of Arizona.  We have been in our new house less than a week and I’m already struggling with my P90X workouts and my bike riding.

I have had bronchitis for a little over 2 weeks……..I’m also trying to adjust to the much higher altitude here.

The bottom line……..not the start to 2010 that I wanted.  At the end of my previous post I said I’d be riding the bike for a half hour and doing some P90X.

Well…..not even close.  I got about 2 minutes into the bike ride and couldn’t even breath.  You know that feeling when no matter how hard you try you just can’t fill up your lungs?

That was me, gasping for air and feeling like a complete moron.  In Arizona I could ride that bike without any breathing problems whatsoever.

I know that the bronchitis is probably the main culprit in robbing me from my post workout high for the day, but I also know that the higher altitude has an affect as well.

I tried riding the bike yesterday as well and had the same result……..just plain hammered.  Loser!!!!!

Today, I’m not even going to look in the direction of my bike.  I also think that a P90X DVD will still be too much, but if I just take my time, I should be able to lift some weights.

I’ll do modified version of P90X Shoulders and Arms.

I always struggle whenever I get sick.  I never stay down long enough to actually get better.  I try to kick it back in gear too soon.

Resting for a day sounds wonderful, resting for a week sounds like agony.

I know I’m getting better because for 2 nights in a row I haven’t woken up with coughing fits and my left ear opened back up and I can hear again.  It’s the little things in life that bring pleasure, right?

In any case, I’m not going to let this little hiccup get me down.

This is just a little road block.  In the meantime we’ll continue unpacking and organizing the new house and eventually my lungs will get back to  normal and I’ll be able to get back on my bike as well as crank out some P90X workouts.

I guess today’s lesson is patience.

P90X – 2010 Healthy Lifestyle Commitment

By Tim Pannell On January 11, 2010 No Comments

Yikes!  I’ve been away for far too long.

I started doing P90X in 2009.  I love P90X.  It has helped me greatly.  My only problem with the P90X workouts was really just a problem with me.

I struggled most of the year with being consistent.  I had typical ups and downs.  It seemed as though every time I got close to following the P90X routine consistently something would come along and knock me off track.

By the end of summer I thought I got a handle on life and then autumn came along.

It was a crazy fall season for our family and many things in our lives were put on hold for a while.

We put our house in Arizona on the market in September.  We had as many as 24 showings a week.

We sold it in December and had to move out on the 28th, just 3 days after Christmas.

We had to put our almost 15 year old Dalmation”Sammi” to sleep on the 29th.

One of my dearest friends in the world passed away on the 31st…………I’m still in disbelief.

We were homeless nomads for 2 weeks until we were able to move into our new house in Utah on the 9th of January.

Thank you to everyone who helped put us up in their homes before the moving truck got here with all our junk.

We are in the new house…..finally……there are still lots of boxes to unpack, but for the most part, we are in.

Now it’s time to get back into shape and leave behind old habits and attitudes that have not served me well over the years.

New Year’s resolutions always seemed hollow to me prior to this year.  This year is different.

My life in 2010 compared to my life in 2009 has changed in so many ways.

The routines of 2009 and prior years are over.  We live in a different home, in a different neighborhood, in a different state.  We have different neighbors and will be making new friends.

The kids are all in different schools, we all are wearing different wardrobe…….we are missing our shorts and flip flops bigtime at the moment.

So…..the beginning of 2010 really is all new and fresh for us.

This is the perfect time for me to create a new routine, a healthier routine.

I made quite a few healthier choices in 2009.  I did better in a lot of ways.  2010 will be about becoming more focused and more consistent.

P90X helped stop my slide into more and more unhealthy living.  I had hit bottom and P90X helped me start bouncing back from that.

I will eat healthier meals 5 times a day and will work out at least 5 days a week.  I will make these things habits that will become as natural to me as breathing.

I want to be able to enjoy life more and make the most of the time I have left with my family and friends.

I have had several years in my life that provided turning points…..forks in the road…..opportunities to shrink or to grow…..move forward or fall back.

I’ve always chosen to grow and move forward.  2010 has provided me with another fork in the road and I am now choosing to look and move forward today.

I’ve been sick as a dog for almost 2 weeks now, but I don’t care.  My home gym is set up, my weights are out, my TV and DVD player are all set up, the recumbent bike is ready to go…….no excuses…..even if I’m hacking up a lung with this stupid unending cough.

Let my quest for good health in 2010 officially begin right now.

So………..I’m off to ride the bike for 30 minutes and pop in a P90X DVD.

P90X Stumbling Blocks

By Tim Pannell On December 3, 2009 1 Comment

So you went ahead and bought P90X, watched Biggest Loser, vowed to jog several miles a day or ride your bike and were ready to take on the world and drop all your extra weight in just weeks.

Let me guess…….here you are several months later and you’ve done several workouts, eaten better, but for some reason you haven’t lost all your weight.

What could have gone wrong?

Are you frustrated, bummed out, ready to quit?

Have you figured out the problem yet?

If you’re anything like me, the problem might be lack of consistency.  My biggest struggle to date with P90X workouts has been setting up an easily repeatable routine that  could follow day in and day out.

Here’s what I’ve learned about myself over the last several months when it comes to P90X and working out consistently:

1.  If I don’t work out within 1 hour of waking up, the chance of me getting around to it later is almost zero.

2.  If I don’t make it an absolute priority each and every day I can talk myself out of it with almost no trouble at all.

3.  If I can get 5 days in a row, its that much easier to keep going.

4.  After having a successful run of several days I can still make the mistake of becoming “casual” about working out.

5.  It’s easy for me to overdo the workout DVDs I like and avoid the ones I have the most trouble with.

6.  I actually do better when I forgive myself for not being perfect.  I no longer beat myself up when I stumble or fall short.

For me to be successful, it requires a daily commitment.  I have to make it a priority.  I feel so much better starting my day out with a 10 mile bike ride and an hour of weight lifting and or P90X.

The funny thing though is that even though I love the way it makes me feel, it still doesn’t happen on auto pilot for me.  I just have to remember that.

So if you’re struggling with your results, take a good look at your P90X workout habits and be honest.  Are you being consistent?  If not, what can you do to overcome that and get over that hurdle.

I’d love to hear any ideas that you might have that have helped you get better at this.  Please share them so that anyone reading this might benefit.

I have to get to it early, I know that’s the key for me and as long as I consciously think about it as I go to bed the night before and right after I get up in the morning I am more successful.

Just keep hanging in there and if you stumble or struggle, the worst thing you can do is just quit.

Take each day, one at a time and recommit to your fitness regimen, no matter how many times you might fall short of your expectations.

Hang in there!

Post Thanksgiving Stress Disorder

By Tim Pannell On November 28, 2009 No Comments

Okay…..so you pigged out on Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie and who know else what.

Did you feel bloated, fat and gross?  I woke up the next day and felt like crap.

I didn’t want to move.  I just wanted to stay in bed and be a vegetable.

I forced myself out of bed and onto my bike.  I rode for about 45 minutes and then I did my P90X Shoulders and Arms workout.

It was the best thing I could have done.  I felt so much better after working out.  My post Thanksgiving guilt was gone and I was ready to start the day.

I’m not going to step on the scale for a few more days.  There’s really no sense in bumming myself out in case I did gain a little weight from the oversized feast.

One day of overeating won’t destroy your diet or exercise program unless you let it get you discouraged and that discouragement stops your momentum.

Don’t fall victim to that whole all or nothing mindset.  If you’re a typical person, you’ll have some good days and you’ll have some bad days.

Appreciate the good days and build on the momentum they give you.  Use the bad days to regroup and recommit to your overall fitness goals.

P90X Workouts have been an integral part in my becoming more active and getting back into shape.  I still have a ways to go, but I’m much healthier than I was this time last year.

Get up, get moving, get active, get positive.

Where Should I buy P90X?

By Tim Pannell On November 15, 2009 1 Comment

Maybe  you’re wondering where you should buy P90X.  Well, here’s my two cents, I’d recommend buying it directly from the Official Team Beachbody Store. Beachbody is the company that makes the P90X program, and they actually offer a 90 day, 100% money back guarantee — if you’re not completely satisfied, simply return it within 90 days for a complete refund of the purchase price (minus s&h). They will even let you keep the P90X Nutrition Plan and Ab Ripper X workout DVD as free gifts.

Here’s another thing to think about -  As with a lot of other things you can buy on the internet these days there are pirated versions of P90X floating around which are created illegally and being sold.  You might think you’re saving a couple of bucks, but you won’t get the amazing support system that Team Beachbody provides, the return policy or access to any of the coaches and workout buddies.  The quality of the pirated DVD’s is also subpar.  So, protect yourself from fraud and be on the safe side, make sure that you buy P90X directly from the Beachbody Website.

Step 1: Click Here to visit the official Beachbody website (it will open in a new window).

Step 2: Go down to the bottom of the page and click “Add to Cart”.

Step 3: Other product categories are listed in the top left corner that can enhance your P90x experience.

Some of the items I would recommend are:

1. The P90X Chin Up Bar
2. Push-Up Stands
3. Shakeology
4. Heart Rate Monitor
5. Yoga Mat
6. Manduka Plyometrics Mat
7. Yoga Blocks
8. Resistance Bands

All of the above items can be ordered directly from Beachbody at the same time as your P90X order is placed and they’ll ship together. Some of those items are optional, but highly recommended if you want to get the best results from this program.

Step 4: Once you’ve added all the items you want to order from Beachbody to your cart, click the “Checkout” button near the top right portion of your screen add your credit card info and your shipping address and you’re done.

Enjoy your P90X DVD’s.  It’s an amazing workout.

P90X – Time to Reboot

By Tim Pannell On October 9, 2009 No Comments

I’ve had a crappy 3 weeks.  I think I only did 2 P90X workouts during the entire time.  It’s definitely time to reboot and start over.

I could spout off with a bunch of false bravado about how I’m doing so well at this or that, but the truth is that in spite of all the inspirational quotes I surround myself with, I’ve fallen into the “doldrums.”

Well……..no more!!  Pity parties suck and are a waste of time, but they’re easy to fall prey to.

I’m getting back into it starting today.  No more excuses.  I still weigh in at 263lbs.  and I’m happy that I haven’t gained back any weight over the last 3 weeks.

I’ve barely done any P90X at all over that period.  I’ve been on the stationary bike several times, but nothing consistent.

I just allowed myself to get sidetracked with work and taxes and putting our house on the market.

I’m learning that if I don’t get up in the morning and do my workout within about 45 minutes of getting up, it becomes really easy to not get around to it that day.

I’m not going to beat myself up over the last few weeks.  I just want to learn from my mistakes and move forward….it’s a new day.

If any of you have struggled at times like I have with being consistent, try taking it just one day at a time and recommit yourself to make the effort necessary to change your life.

I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m far ahead of where I was when starting out back in April.  Any time that I find myself getting discouraged I start to make a mental list of the things I’ve changed in my life over the last 5 or 6 months.

I’m eating healthier foods.  I’m only eating fast food 1 or 2 times a month – still room for improvement, but miles ahead of where I was a year ago.  I’ve become much stronger.

My knees are in much better shape that they were a year ago.  I had a little blip with my left knee a couple months back, but it’s better now.

I’m still eating ice cream occasionally, but I’m not serving it up in a bucket – LOL – smaller portions – no guilt.

At the beginning of this journey of mine I decided to embrace long range goals.  Slow, methodical, long lasting lifestyle changes.  I have to admit that there are times that I’ve been discouraged, but overall I’m pleased with how I’ve done so far.

After all, it took me 18 years to gain my extra 125 pounds.  It’s entirely unrealistic to think I can take it all off in no time at all.

I have 53 more pounds to lose and if it takes me another year to lose it, that’s just fine with me.