P90X to Insanity

I know it’s been a while, and I’m sorry about that. I’ve been really busy lately, but if you remember my last post, I mentioned that if I couldn’t get through a week of P90X I would switch to a different workout. Well, from the title of this post, I think you can guess how things turned out. I realized that it wasn’t just that I couldn’t find the time or didn’t have the energy to do P90X, it was that I had lost my motivation. And whenever that happens to me, changing my routine helps me get back into the swing of things. So, I ordered Insanity and started doing it yesterday. Insanity is a 60 day workout routine that focuses on intense cardio. And when I say intense, I mean INTENSE! Shaun T is the fitness instructor and the method he uses to get you in shape is called Max Interval Training, where you do high intensity moves for a long time and get short breaks in between. The program comes with 10 DVDs including a fit test, which you do a couple of times throughout the 2 months to see how you’re improving. I did the fit test yesterday and though it was only 25 minutes, I was gasping for air after the first 2. It was tough! I did pretty well though. On some of the moves, I was doing the same amount as the people in the video (I definitely have P90X to thank for that). I’ll give a more in-depth overview of Insanity for those of you who are interested in the program, so check back for that. I’ll also do what I did for P90X, and describe each video as I do them.

I’m glad I ordered Insanity. I like doing new things, and I’m so ready to start working out again and feeling good about myself. I am a little nervous though, because I watched Plyometric Cardio Circuit, which is the video I’m supposed to do today, and it looks crazy! They never really stop moving! I can already see myself laying on the floor, out of breath, in a pool of my own sweat. P90X was hard, but I think Insanity is going to be a little harder, simply because the cardio is so intense, but I’ll let you know as I get further into the program.

Round 2 Week 3 of P90X

This week was much better, but not great. I’m thinking that maybe I need to take a break from P90X. It’s a tough routine and though I know I’m capable of getting through it, the videos are also kind of long, and I seem to be having trouble finding the time to do them. I hate to quit, so I going to try again this week to shuffle things around to see if I can get all 6 days of my workout in, but if I can’t, then unfortunately I’m going to have to try something new. I do hope it doesn’t come to that. Wish me luck.

Round 2 Week 2 of P90X

Okay, so this week wasn’t so good. I didn’t get much sleep and as a result, I had practically no energy at all do my workouts. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, I had this huge dinner last Sunday (nothing at all healthy) and I ended up having a lot of leftovers. I hate to waste food, so I ate it. I know, it’s a terrible excuse, but it also happens to be true. Anyway, I’m back on track. I did my workout today and I’m feeling pretty good.

I have decided to re-implement my reward system. When I was doing Round 1 of P90X, I would let myself have a cheat day if I did well that week. Basically, I would get to eat something that I really enjoy that might not be so good for me. I would also buy myself something or treat myself to something if I completed one full month of P90X. Let’s face it, if wanting to get healthy was motivation enough, there would be no overweight people on this planet. But things come up, life gets in the way, and sometimes exercise just isn’t the most important thing that you have to get done in your day. So, I’m using my reward system to combat all of that. It worked before, hopefully it will work again.

Round 2 Week 1 of P90X

I did so well this week! I’m really quite proud of myself. I came home from work, and even though I was tired, I put in my DVD and got to work. Apparently, I had gained back two pounds, which I fully expected, but when I weighed myself this morning, I was one pound down. It feels good to be back on track! I also started taking my lunch to work instead of eating out. Not only does it save me calories, but it also saves me money. I’m really excited about going forward with Round 2 of P90X. I know I will only continue to see amazing results.

P90X Review

Okay, so if you’ve been keeping up with my previous posts, then you can probably already guess that my review of P90X is going to be positive. If you stick with it, you are going to see results, well, once you’re also eating healthy.

Am I ripped? No, not by any means, but that has to do with the way I chose to customize the workout for my desired results. I don’t want to be ripped. I want a little muscle definition, but not too much. You could choose to lift heavier weights and do less reps if you wanted to build serious muscle.

Did P90X target my problem areas (thighs, hips, butt)? Absolutely! P90X is a workout that targets every area of your body. There isn’t a spot on me where I did not lose inches. I do want to remind you though that I started out doing the Classic program, but added in additional cardio, which left me averaging a loss of 5 pounds every month.

Would I recommend P90X? Oh yeah! P90X is a great program, but I want to give an honest review, so I will also say that it’s really hard. I have injured myself three times since starting it. The injuries were minor, but it is someting that I want to note. Also, if you’re a beginner, you probably should not start with P90X. You need to work up to it. The workouts are long and hard, and if you aren’t used to working out, especially for at least 45 minutes at a time, you might end up quitting. Once you are ready to start the program, my suggestion would be to try and get some support while you’re doing P90X. You can join a facebook group, or get a free account at teambeachbody.com where you can meet people who are also doing the program.

Overall, P90X is a great workout, and if you’re dedicated and put in the effort, you will see results. Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have about the program. I officially started round 2 today. My plan is to do a modified version of P90X. I will do only two of the strength training workouts per month instead of three, and I will also be exchanging Legs and Back for Cathe Gym Style Legs, since I’m a little tired of Legs and Back. Cathe Gym Style Legs is a great workout that has my legs on fire by the end of the video. I might also cut out Plyometrics, although I don’t really want to. Since starting my new job, I get home kind of late, and I have people who live below me. I’m worried about doing all that jumping over their heads late at night.

Anyway, I’m going to continue blogging about my experience with P90X, so please keep reading. And again, if you have any questions, leave a comment!

Week 12 of P90X

I guess it was a bit ambitious to think that I could just continue with my P90X routine during my first week at work. It’s a whole new schedule my body has to get used to, and it seems as though my body doesn’t take too well to change. I was so tired this past week that I only had the energy to work out one day. I’m pretty bummed because it seems the closer I get to finishing P90X, the more obstacles there are standing in my way. I can’t complain too much, because having a job is not such a bad obstacle to have. I’m going to try redoing my week 12 this week. I am more determined than ever to finish my first round of P90X, even if it is three weeks late. My plan is to just do my workout the minute I get home. If I give myself the chance to sit down and relax, then I’ll get lazy and won’t want to do it. I figure, in a few weeks, my body will get adjusted to this new schedule and it’ll be a lot easier for me to get my workouts in. Hopefully, this will be the last week I have to redo.

Week 11 of P90X

What a week! I’m not too happy with my progress this past week. I missed two of my workouts, and I didn’t eat so well either. I don’t want to beat up on myself, because I actually had a really good reason for splurging a little. Don’t know if I mentioned this before, but I lost my job a while ago (thank you economy), which is the main reason I put on so much weight. I was sitting at home, bored out of my mind, watching tv, and snacking all day long. The only time I got up was to go from my bed to the fridge. I know, pretty sad. But eventually, I realized that this sedentary lifestyle just wasn’t for me – hence P90X. Anyway, I just got a job! I’m pretty excited about it, and so are my friends and family. Everyone has been taking me out to celebrate. So, I stumbled off the wagon for a few days. Eh, I’m not thrilled with how I ate, but this was a pretty big deal for me, and I’m glad that I had a chance to celebrate it with the people I love.

So, now that the celebrating is done, I can refocus on my last two weeks of P90X. I will makeup those two workouts I missed during my rest week. I have to say though, that I’m a little worried. Will I have the energy to workout after I come home from work? I really hope so, and I going to try to really push myself. I’m almost at the end here – this is no time to quit. Wish me luck!

Week 10 of P90X Part 2

I didn’t write my post yesterday, because I spent the day shopping with my mom, and boy was it a good day! I have always hated shopping for pants, because I never find any that fit me properly, but yesterday, every pair I tried on looked like they were made for me! I love you Tony Horton! What better motivation is there than actually seeing your body change? Week 10 Part 2 was great! I did all of my workouts and I’m just so ready to keep going, because I am now in love with my body! Is it perfect, no, but I am only a few inches and pounds away from meeting my goal, and I am already loving the way I look! P90X is by far one of the best things I have ever done for myself!

Week 9 of P90X Part 2

Sorry I’m late with my post, I was dealing with tax stuff yesterday. Anyway, I had a great Week 9 (though it was really week 11). I did all of my workouts willingly. The best part was – well, I don’t know if I told you this, but I used to dread doing Ab Ripper X. It’s a pretty tough routine, and I used to have to force myself to do it. But when I did it last Sunday, I noticed that I didn’t struggle through it the way I normally did. I was able to do each move without having to pause once, and I could go directly into the next move without having to take a break. It was fantastic! It’s pretty amazing when you can actually feel your body getting stronger. So, for the rest of the week, whenever it was time to do Ab Ripper X, I just let it play and got to work. I no longer dread that workout and it feels pretty good. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a challenging routine, but I no longer fear it. Well, that’s it for my update. Check back in at the end of the week to see how Week 10 Part 2 goes.

Week 10 of P90X

I had a setback this week. I got really sick and couldn’t do any of my workouts. While no one likes to be sick, I think I was even more upset because I struggled a little in week 9, and I really wanted to push myself in week 10. Instead, I spent all my time in bed, feeling miserable, and snacking a lot. I snack when I’m bored. I know it’s terrible, because that’s how I ended up gaining weight in the first place, but it seems that I just can’t help myself. I’m sure that between the last two weeks I’ve put back on a pound or two. I won’t get on the scale to confirm my theory, because if I’m right, then I’ll just drive myself crazy trying to work extra hard to lose what I’ve gained. What I am going to do though is start Phase 3 over. The goal was to give my all during my last month of P90X, and since I haven’t been able to do that, I’m going to restart my last month. Next week’s post will be titled “Week 9 of P90X Part 2”. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’ve missed my workouts with Tony, and I’m really looking forward to doing Chest & Back today.

I’ll write a progress report next Saturday, and hopefully I’ll be able to tell you that I had a great week.