OK I think I have officially become an addict of fitness. Last night when I failed to get in my workout I went into a panic attack (well kind of) but I was feeling like I was somewhat out of sorts from the absence of the workout and knowing that the pain would not be there to follow the workout.
How pathetic that is when you look forward to walking and moving from pain and when you don't hurt you think something is wrong. I know plenty of people that hurt on a daily basis and wish they could go a day or two without feeling the pain that ales their body.
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P90X system is a set of 12 DVD workouts which involves body-weight moves (like push-ups, pull-ups, plyometric moves, etc) as well as cardio and weight training cycles. The equipment you will require is a large enough space to go bouncing about in all directions without causing serious injury to you or your property, free-weights of varying sizes, a chin-up bar, a yoga mat and blocks, you may prefer to use bands, be sure you purchase heavy duty bands not the ones sold in stores that are shopped frequently as they will snap, look at getting these online or from P90X, as well as push-up bars (optional.)
The actual workouts range from a plyometric workout, core and cardio, to several weight/target area workouts (like legs & back, or shoulders & arms, etc). There is also a 90 minute Yoga session which you do every week (this is killer and your sides will hurt), as well as a cardio workout of Kenpo. My favorite of all the workouts is the plyometric, Plyometric is HARD! I love all the moves that are in plyometrics and I promise you will feel this in 30 hours after your workout. Since the yoga also comes dead center of the week, it helps to relieve some tightness that you end up acquiring through the earlier workouts.The weight workouts are good because there is not a ton of monotony. You have a lot of different exercises you move through, and you never get bored because of that. The pull-ups are not as bad as they sound. Yes, they're HARD. Yes, you end up doing a LOT of them. But there are ways to "spot" yourself, and assist with the pull-up until you can switch over to doing them without assistance. The DVD does show you how to do this, even expects you to. If you are interested in just learning about how to get your body doing pull-ups. I use the assistance of a chair for now but my goal is to do 10 chin-ups without assistance by the end of the program.
On certain days, you are expected to tack on the 16 minute "Ab Ripper" routine. This thing sucks. Sorry to use the language, but...Well... OW. Necessary, but OW. Be sure that you eat properly or you will feel like throwing up during this part of the workout.
These workouts are hard-core, but they're also geared for your own level. Basically, you will get out of this what you put into it. As with anything you do. If you go through these 12 DVD workout like a Whimp: only lifting low amounts when you could lift more and doing half-hearted moves when you should be taking it to the mat as in all the push ups that you will be doing - well, then you'll only get out what you put in NOTHING. But if you hit it with the intensity you KNOW you have, and you work HARD and focused, you will get solid results. The upside to all of this is that it is an unlimited challenge. You keep pushing yourself harder and higher, and you will always be challenged by this workout. But, if you decide to be a slacker, then it's likely the best you'll do is whine that it's not enough and "whyyyyyyyy" doesn't it work for you like it does for everyone else?
This is life, people. You want it? You gotta put in the effort. Plain and simple. In the end, you have the map - if you don't make it there, you have no one but yourself to blame. RIGHT? RIGHT!
So many of the workouts are hard and you feel like giving up but that does not mean it is not worth doing. If anything, it is because it is hard that it is worth doing. Sometimes you are on the verge of tears with pain and sweat only to see the instructor still going and doing things that a re near impossible. SNAP.......
Going on my second week I can already see a noticeable difference. Makenna told me on Saturday that she too could already see a difference in my muscle tone. (AWESOME) at least my obsession is not in vain at this point.
I have also noticed that I do not enjoy Dr. Pepper as much or at all. SAD to say but true, I am also finding that I can not get enough water during the day. Benefits to drinking water, better looking skin, healthier and no side effects (that pop brings) plus so much more.
Another noticeable difference is for being a chocolateholic I do not enjoy the taste of it like I use to. I can taste all the wax in the chocolate and less flavor. This is a sad occurrence for me as I LOVE CHOCOLATE.
As with anything Garbage in Garbage out! If you are after visible results, you need to understand that those are 80% rooted in your kitchen. What you feed yourself, how much, and when are absolutely KEY. There is no workout, pill, or magic wand that will enable you to get around this fact. What you eat is what you get. If you want to see results then you have to eat right! There is no escape from that FACT. By eating right you will experience an increase in strength/power, you will feel better! You decide on the results you want. Why do all the workout if you are just going to eat pizza and ice cream later.
You want to see your abs? You could do a million crunches, and it won't make any difference if you are eating in excess along with all wrong things. It's the one hard fact that people want to deny, yet can never truly do so.
You will also see a difference in how you sleep at night. If you are struggling in this area you will find that you go into a much deeper sleep. I also am finding that I desire to go to bed earlier and get up earlier, unless Millie wakes up for a couple of hours crying because her teeth are coming in.
Next step to this workout program is starting up on my running again. I hate to be exercising in the cold but love to be outside so summer PLEASE, PLEASE come....
