Just got everything in for P90X. I started reviewing the guides, that nutrition guide is intimidating! I recently had to change my diet for health reasons, so my ability to adapt to a higher protein diet should not be met with much resistance.
I watched the Chest and Back workout last night to get a feel for what type of exercises are involved. It looks quite intense. I only have two 20 lb dumbbells and one dumbbell that I can get up to around 50 or 55lbs. I don't know if the 20 lb dumbbells will be enough, but they should be enough for me to make it through a month of training. If I make it a month, I will look around for a more complete set of weights.
My first impression of the program once getting it is how intimidating it is going to be to complete. I know, after watching the 'how to bring it' video, that if you 'do your best, forget the rest', you will be fine.
Where do I go from here?
Well, I will review the materials, see if I can hash out a rough diet to follow... looks like a whole bunch of chicken, vegetables, and fruits will be bought this week at the grocery store. Get my supplements in order. I plan to take 2 or 3 scoops of whey protein daily as a protein shake combined with fat free milk (haven't read enough of the nutrition plan to know if that is a good idea or not). In addition to this, I would love to get my hands on some glutamine, eventually some creatine for a boost in overall performance toward the end of the program.
What kind of supplements are y'all using while on P90X?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
P90X: What is it?
What is P90X? P90x is a fitness system designed to produce maximal results within 90 days. It incorporates various exercises across 12 DVD's to develop an overall fit physique. These 12 DVD's include:
For more information see Beachbody.
- Chest and Back
- Plyometrics
- Shoulders and Arms
- Yoga X
- Legs and Back
- Kenpo X
- X Stretch
- Core Synergistics
- Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
- Back and Biceps
- Cardio X
- Ab Ripper X
For more information see Beachbody.
P90X: Equipment on a budget
What will I use to complete the P90X program?
Last weekend I decided to get some of the necessary equipment to complete the P90X program. I found myself in walmart looking for the 'cheap' fitness equipment due to my lack of a budget. Surprisingly, I found some relatively good deals.
Gold's Gym pull up bar - got it for about $19.00. Upon putting it together in about 5 minutes, it was holding me onto my door frame with ease. I must admit, in the beginning, I was scared to put my weight on the apparatus for fear of it breaking my door frame down. My 180 pound physique was supported very well by the bar. I hear it uses leverage to hold you on the door frame, I'm still skeptical about it ripping the molding off the other side of the door frame though, especially if I get into swinging all crazy trying to get that last pull up on P90X. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
It has all the grips you would need, the only problem with the grips is that when I was doing a few wide grip pull ups, I found my elbows hitting the door frame a little. Additionally, I hear that the padding that supports your weight against the door frame can rub off onto the door frame itself leaving a black smudge. I hear you stop that by putting some type of fabric between the pads and the door frame.
From what I read, the bolts sometimes break when using it extensively, so I might be re-investing in another pull up bar at some point when, or if, this one breaks. We shall see though.
All in all, it is a good sturdy bar for the price.
Weighted Dumbbells - got these for $20.00 at Walmart. I took them out of the box and began setting them up. It is 40 lbs total, 20 on each dumbbell. I don't think that will be enough for some of the exercises, but I'm sure I can just go get some more weights to throw on the ends at some point. I have some of the same type weights that a friend gave me, but I don't have enough to make two complete sets, aka. I can make one heavy dumbbell... but not two =(. I thought about buying another set of these and just putting some more weight on one set. I mean for $20.00, it's not a bad deal.
Yoga Mat - Got this from Target on sale for around $16.00. I've read on several forums and blogs that a yoga mat really helps while doing the P90X program. Yoga X, Ab ripper X, Core stuff, I heard that on those exercises, it can be brutal on your buttocks and tailbone. I have used it a few times, it makes a world of difference between the rug that is on the hardwood floor and the yoga mat on top of the rug. I love it for saving my tailbone from being sore.
That is the extent of my exercise equipment. I must say, when first researching the P90X program, I was intimidated by the cost of dumbbell systems that so many recommend such as the bowflex selectec. Instead, I just did some looking around and I ended up spending $19.00 on the pull up bar, $20.00 on the weights, and $16.00 on the yoga mat. In total, I spent $55.00 for all the equipment I would need for P90X*. I hear a chair and wall is needed for some of it as well. Well... I have a wall, live between 4 of them and a chair, I'm sure I could scrounge one up somewhere.
*I do think that I will have to buy a bit more weight to workout with on the dumbbells, but not much. Ideally, I'd like to get 10-15lb more on each dumbbell if needed. I don't think I'll need more than 30 or 35 lb per arm at this point, but who knows, I used to curl 55lb dumbbells back in college.
What kind of equipment are you using?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
P90X: Why?
The Why
The question in many individual's minds is why would you put yourself through this torment called P90X? The answer is simple and falls into three categories:
1. It is the quickest way you know of to get the body you have always wanted.
People can workout casually over the course of a year and achieve the same results or they can 'bumrush' their physical fitness with a hardcore workout program structured and designed with a promise of results within 90 days. The ability to achieve the same results that a year of consistent effort would produce is an enticement that not many can forgo.
2. The Challenge, structure, and design of the program.
Some do not know where to begin when trying to get in shape. For those people, in walks P90X, a do it all program that teaches you how to stay motivated and dedicated to your goal of getting fit. It is simple, follow the program, get the results. Yes, it is hard, but it takes the guess work out of such things as, "Is what I am doing going to get me the desired results?" The answer from the P90X box sitting in front of you would be, "Yes, it is... now BRING IT!"
3. Needing a sense of accomplishment.
There are individuals who seek a need for feeling accomplished. These individuals often master their current undertaking finding themselves with no more options for accomplishment. I have met several of these individuals at the gym. They are the men and women who seem to always be doing the same weight on bench press, they never seem to improve. They are plateaued.
P90X is designed in such a way that there is no muscle plateau. It is a good 'break' from the monotony of the gym to try something new, something exciting, something that will get you past the plateau you have been experiencing for the past 3 months. Often these individuals are wondering why they are not getting any stronger, bigger, faster. You need to change the direction of your workouts if you start experiencing any such lingering questions.
Based on these three categories, you can describe most individuals that come to P90X. They come to P90X in search of higher ground. A refuge from the daily monotony of life in order to improve physically and mentally. This is the playground they choose to build their sandcastle. It is tough, the sand is hot and burns with every move, but in the end the sandcastle built is the best they have ever accomplished.
I ask you, "Why P90X?"
The question in many individual's minds is why would you put yourself through this torment called P90X? The answer is simple and falls into three categories:
1. It is the quickest way you know of to get the body you have always wanted.
People can workout casually over the course of a year and achieve the same results or they can 'bumrush' their physical fitness with a hardcore workout program structured and designed with a promise of results within 90 days. The ability to achieve the same results that a year of consistent effort would produce is an enticement that not many can forgo.
2. The Challenge, structure, and design of the program.
Some do not know where to begin when trying to get in shape. For those people, in walks P90X, a do it all program that teaches you how to stay motivated and dedicated to your goal of getting fit. It is simple, follow the program, get the results. Yes, it is hard, but it takes the guess work out of such things as, "Is what I am doing going to get me the desired results?" The answer from the P90X box sitting in front of you would be, "Yes, it is... now BRING IT!"
3. Needing a sense of accomplishment.
There are individuals who seek a need for feeling accomplished. These individuals often master their current undertaking finding themselves with no more options for accomplishment. I have met several of these individuals at the gym. They are the men and women who seem to always be doing the same weight on bench press, they never seem to improve. They are plateaued.
P90X is designed in such a way that there is no muscle plateau. It is a good 'break' from the monotony of the gym to try something new, something exciting, something that will get you past the plateau you have been experiencing for the past 3 months. Often these individuals are wondering why they are not getting any stronger, bigger, faster. You need to change the direction of your workouts if you start experiencing any such lingering questions.
Based on these three categories, you can describe most individuals that come to P90X. They come to P90X in search of higher ground. A refuge from the daily monotony of life in order to improve physically and mentally. This is the playground they choose to build their sandcastle. It is tough, the sand is hot and burns with every move, but in the end the sandcastle built is the best they have ever accomplished.
I ask you, "Why P90X?"
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
P90X: How I learned of such a system
The Background
I got interested in weight lifting in general during my Sophomore year of college. I needed some outlet to channel my frustrations from studying, I thought throwing some weights around for an hour or two every day would suffice. Well, it became an obsession throughout the remainder of college with a minimum of 45 minutes in the gym, typically every day (don't get me started on overtraining for 3.5 hours a day during the summer).
Once out of college, I have been involved in weight lifting sporadically throughout the beginning of my career as an Auditor. There were sport bursts of motivation that would lead me to get back in relatively good shape only to fail a month or two into the program I was doing. For 3 years, I have lived with this frustration of no sense of physical fitness achievement. In comes P90X.
The Intrigue
I sat down on one dreary afternoon in search of some much needed answers. I wondered what I wanted from a workout system, a fitness system designed for one goal, to make me better. As I sat on the couch pondering this thought, an infomercial came on that I had never seen before. It was an infomercial for P90X and the amazing transformations that ordinary individuals such as you and me have gone through in only 90 days. I admit, I started to wonder if such promises were legitimate or was this a 'get rich quick' scheme for some young entrepreneur.
The Curiosity
A year or more have gone by since I saw my first P90X infomercial only to become re-energized with a youthful vigor to learn more about P90X. Does it work? How does it work? What do I need to get started? Is it a huge investment? How long do the workouts take to complete? I needed to know.
The Research
I began researching P90X. I got as much information on the topic that I could without actually purchasing the DVD's. I downloaded workout charts, guides, watch multiple youtube videos of the exercises being performed. I began practicing the exercises the best I knew how from the sources I had available.
The Equipment
I went to walmart the other day for groceries with my fiancee. I 'wandered' into the fitness section of the store to find a door frame mounted pull up bar along with some cheap weights to get started on the P90X program even before I had the program. I am putting full faith into a system that I do not own yet. I hear that is all the equipment you have to get.
The Program
From what I've read on Beachbody's Site,
The Thoughts
It sounds like a solid system after seeing many results via youtube, blogs, and forums. The main concern I am going to have is sticking with the program. My short attention span accompanied with a will to be lazy and procrastinate along with the need to study countless hours in order to obtain licensure as a Certified Public Accountant challenge even my daily chores. How on Earth could I manage to complete such a dedicated system involving 1 to 1.5 hours per day working out.
The best advice I've been given regarding physical fitness and finding time to workout has been, "If you want to workout, you will find a way to get it done." I believe this to be true. After reading the stories of Arnold waking up at 4 am to workout before going to work at 5 am, I believe me workout for an hour a day would fall short in comparison.
The Next Step
The next step towards completing my 90 days is, of course, getting the program. Additionally, it would be advised by many to obtain the will, the motivation, to complete such a program. Without motivation, the program simply becomes a hamster wheel without the cheese. You need the cheese in order to keep running.
What will my motivation be for P90X? How will I get this program done?
BCMCWKWSANT2
I got interested in weight lifting in general during my Sophomore year of college. I needed some outlet to channel my frustrations from studying, I thought throwing some weights around for an hour or two every day would suffice. Well, it became an obsession throughout the remainder of college with a minimum of 45 minutes in the gym, typically every day (don't get me started on overtraining for 3.5 hours a day during the summer).
Once out of college, I have been involved in weight lifting sporadically throughout the beginning of my career as an Auditor. There were sport bursts of motivation that would lead me to get back in relatively good shape only to fail a month or two into the program I was doing. For 3 years, I have lived with this frustration of no sense of physical fitness achievement. In comes P90X.
The Intrigue
I sat down on one dreary afternoon in search of some much needed answers. I wondered what I wanted from a workout system, a fitness system designed for one goal, to make me better. As I sat on the couch pondering this thought, an infomercial came on that I had never seen before. It was an infomercial for P90X and the amazing transformations that ordinary individuals such as you and me have gone through in only 90 days. I admit, I started to wonder if such promises were legitimate or was this a 'get rich quick' scheme for some young entrepreneur.
The Curiosity
A year or more have gone by since I saw my first P90X infomercial only to become re-energized with a youthful vigor to learn more about P90X. Does it work? How does it work? What do I need to get started? Is it a huge investment? How long do the workouts take to complete? I needed to know.
The Research
I began researching P90X. I got as much information on the topic that I could without actually purchasing the DVD's. I downloaded workout charts, guides, watch multiple youtube videos of the exercises being performed. I began practicing the exercises the best I knew how from the sources I had available.
The Equipment
I went to walmart the other day for groceries with my fiancee. I 'wandered' into the fitness section of the store to find a door frame mounted pull up bar along with some cheap weights to get started on the P90X program even before I had the program. I am putting full faith into a system that I do not own yet. I hear that is all the equipment you have to get.
- Door mounted pullup bar
- Set of weights (weight is dependent on goals)
The Program
From what I've read on Beachbody's Site,
"P90X® is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days."This revolutionary system uses a term referred to as 'Muscle Confusion' so that you do not hit a plateau and stop gaining. It continually keeps the muscles guessing what activity is going to be done next. This uncertainty leads to continual muscle growth.
The Thoughts
It sounds like a solid system after seeing many results via youtube, blogs, and forums. The main concern I am going to have is sticking with the program. My short attention span accompanied with a will to be lazy and procrastinate along with the need to study countless hours in order to obtain licensure as a Certified Public Accountant challenge even my daily chores. How on Earth could I manage to complete such a dedicated system involving 1 to 1.5 hours per day working out.
The best advice I've been given regarding physical fitness and finding time to workout has been, "If you want to workout, you will find a way to get it done." I believe this to be true. After reading the stories of Arnold waking up at 4 am to workout before going to work at 5 am, I believe me workout for an hour a day would fall short in comparison.
The Next Step
The next step towards completing my 90 days is, of course, getting the program. Additionally, it would be advised by many to obtain the will, the motivation, to complete such a program. Without motivation, the program simply becomes a hamster wheel without the cheese. You need the cheese in order to keep running.
What will my motivation be for P90X? How will I get this program done?
BCMCWKWSANT2
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