P90X

[masterfins]

Keep It up Dave!!

[badger6]

You'll start seeing noticeable body comp. changes in about 4-5 weeks, if or course you are consistent with your nutrition and exercising. And you keep trying to go up on weights and workout difficulty. Did you take a before pic ? If not, go take one and in a month or so take another and compare. That will keep you motivated !!!

[Dave Gray]

Thanks for the support.  I find that this is much easier if I'm talking about it and thinking about it a lot. 

I did take a before pic.  I also took weight and measurements of arms, chest, legs, waist, etc.

I'm already noticing changes now.  They are minor, and are probably because my arms and chest are filled with blood every day after working out.  I want to take a picture after I work out on the last day, but also in a few days after, to see what I look like at rest.

I'm concerned about the 2nd month.  You start to have to do 2 a days....one workout in the morning and another full one in the evening.  That's going to be hard to pull off, just from a logistics standpoint.  I'll have to bring 2 sets of workout clothes to work and change multiple times in the day.  Tough.

[badger6]

Thanks for the support.  I find that this is much easier if I'm talking about it and thinking about it a lot. 

I did take a before pic.  I also took weight and measurements of arms, chest, legs, waist, etc.

I'm already noticing changes now.  They are minor, and are probably because my arms and chest are filled with blood every day after working out.  I want to take a picture after I work out on the last day, but also in a few days after, to see what I look like at rest.

I'm concerned about the 2nd month.  You start to have to do 2 a days....one workout in the morning and another full one in the evening.  That's going to be hard to pull off, just from a logistics standpoint.  I'll have to bring 2 sets of workout clothes to work and change multiple times in the day.  Tough.

I started Around the 2nd week of April after being off for 4-6 months. So I have a 4-5 week jump on ya. So I will take my after pic before I go to St Augustine on vacation the 2nd week of July. I'll probably continue through the summer but I have a before and I'll take a 3 month picture. Since P90X is pretty structured and tells you pretty much everything from exercises and nutrition, I would be interested to see if the P90X works any better than me just kind of winging it week by week on a regular type workout.

Off day today, but got chest, arms and shoulders tomorrow. Hell, I'm sitting here hungry as shit right now. Dinner is 1 cup of cottage cheese, a lite yogurt, and 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter...........

[Pats2006]

Keep up the good work Dave!!

P90X is a good program and is def not one of those gimmicks like 3 min abs infomercials

[badger6]

Keep up the good work Dave!!

P90X is a good program and is def not one of those gimmicks like 3 min abs infomercials

Although, I am skeptical of all the infomercial shit they sell @ 4am on Sunday mornings, I'm pretty sure it is a great program. The intensity of the program seems a bit over the top to me and I've been working out for a good while. I wasn't downing it at all, I am just curious about if it works any better than a traditional type routine. Hell, I wish that I had something like that way back when I first started. It would have made the process a lot easier. But then again I like learning and figuring stuff out on my own. I would probably be a better guitar player if I would have taken lessons 24 years ago when I started, but I tried to learn that on my own too. I guess that it's the "OCD" in me, ha ha........... 

[Dave Gray]

It's probably not all that different than a traditional program, but it's very structured and tells you what to do across the entire thing.  It's also starting from the perspective that you are already somewhat fit and can handle the pace.

This is week 3, which is the same as weeks 1 and 2.   4 changes a bit, but I'll cover that when I get there. 

Yesterday was chest/back + the extra ab routine.  I am finding that I have a little more in the tank early, but I'm increasing my weight amount to match, and I'm still winded by the end.  I maybe took it a little too hard yesterday and found myself half-assing the abs part. 

Today was plyometrics only, which is high impact -- lots of jumping and stress on the joints.  I have kinda bad knees, so I try to be really careful.  Same story as with yesterday, I am doing more early -- same exercises, and plyometrics is no weights, but I am getting deeper squats, longer lunges, etc.  I was ready to be done and had to push through the end, but I did it.

Diet:

I have not been following the diet exactly.  I'm eating too many carbs, in terms of fruit and natural sugars.  They are good for you, but not what I need at this point.  Right now is all about cutting fat.  Phase 2, which is in 2 weeks allows me to work in some of that stuff.  I'm going to hit the low carb thing really hard for the next 2 weeks.

[Dave Gray]

Good news!

My workout partner was reading the schedule to me and we expected to have to start 2 a days (morning and evening) workouts, starting in the 2nd phase, and then every day in the 3rd phase.

She was reading the wrong page!

I don't have to do 2-a-days at all, which is great news -- not only because that's too much commitment, but because my schedule wouldn't allow for it.  Now, I think that I'll be able to complete the full program (except for the 1 weekend day we miss).

Each day is still hard, but I feel like I'm getting a little more out of the workout.  I feel leaner and my face looks thinner.  Next week is recovery week -- no lifting -- all core, balance, stretching, cardio, etc.

Then we're supposed to up our difficulty and exercises in week 5, as well as introduce some carbs into the diet.

[badger6]

Good news!

My workout partner was reading the schedule to me and we expected to have to start 2 a days (morning and evening) workouts, starting in the 2nd phase, and then every day in the 3rd phase.

She was reading the wrong page!

I don't have to do 2-a-days at all, which is great news -- not only because that's too much commitment, but because my schedule wouldn't allow for it.  Now, I think that I'll be able to complete the full program (except for the 1 weekend day we miss).

Each day is still hard, but I feel like I'm getting a little more out of the workout.  I feel leaner and my face looks thinner.  Next week is recovery week -- no lifting -- all core, balance, stretching, cardio, etc.

Then we're supposed to up our difficulty and exercises in week 5, as well as introduce some carbs into the diet.

Good deal. I have a month long cutting phase to start Monday. I'd like to get a little bigger before cutting calories but I would rather have my abs for my vacation to St Augustine. Gonna be tough, but I've leaned out pretty good and added some mass in about  6-7 weeks and I haven't even been doing much cardio, ha ha. So starting Monday of next week I'll add 3 cardio sessions and then add one more per week until the end of June. I'll do the same with my diet. I'll shave 200 calories off starting Monday and subtract 200 a week until the end of june with no carbs but fibrous veggies after 4pm. I'll keep the same lifting schedule of Monday, Weds, and Fri and try to keep the intensity the same but the limited calories may hinder any progress. I may add an ECA stack to keep some energy for the workouts and help with suppressing the appetite. I hate cutting, I like to eat too much     

[Jim Gray]

I'm almost inspired Dave.  I've been talking to Drew about doing this with me.   I really need to do something.  Did you buy the program or "borrow" it from someone?

[Dave Gray]

I didn't steal it, if that's what you're asking.

My buddy Brian bought it and did some of it piecemeal, but then gave up.  I borrowed it from him.

We have modified the program and removed day 6 (Saturday), because it's just not realistic for my life.   We started week 4 today, which was a new exercise, Core Synergistics.  It's a full body workout that focuses on your chest, back, and abs, with low weights and high reps, with cardio built in.  I think I sweated today more than any other so far.  This particular week has no "lifting".  It's supposed to be a healing week.  Next week, we hit the heavy weights full go.  I also get to change up my food intake next week, which is good for me, since I'm sick of all protein all the time.  I have lost a few pounds and I'm already a scrawny dude.  It will be nice to put on a little bit of size.

[Dave Gray]

Today, we had another new exercise, Kempo X.  It's a cardio-based program, using fighting: punching, kicking, knees, elbows, blocks, and some boxing-style jumping jacks and jumprope. 

This was the easiest exercise we've had yet.  It was a workout, but it used no weights, and though I wasn't able to keep pace sometimes, it wasn't usually because I was tired, but instead because I couldn't get set in position quickly enough.  I was sweaty and worked out by the end, but I still had energy at the end.  I do feel some tenderness in my back, from the repeated motions.

I feel that today's exercise played into some of my strength areas.

Tomorrow is Stretch X.  I am anticipating that it won't be so difficult, but that it will hurt.  My flexibility has always been bad, but it's improving some.

[Brian Fein]

Dave, I'm impressed by your level of commitment to this program.  I have a few questions:
1- do you think that, if you didn't have a partner to workout with, you would be as motivated to continue?
2- do you feel that this program is good for those of us looking to lose weight rather than to get ripped?
3- does the meal plan you are "following" come as a part of the program, or did you consult with a nutritionist separately?
4- do you find that "any" exercise program in combination with your meal plan would show results?  In other words, is the exercise routine something that seems to be specially coordinated for maximum results, or just a set of exercises?
5- do you feel that working out at home (or wherever) is more effective than going to a gym?

Sorry for the barrage, but I have been intrigued by this program for a while, but I am skeptical that (a) my fat ass would even be able to do it and (b) its worth the hefty price tag (especially given part a).

[Dave Gray]

1- do you think that, if you didn't have a partner to workout with, you would be as motivated to continue?

No.  Not even close.  Without someone to hold me accountable (and for me to motivate, as well), there's no way I'd continue.

2- do you feel that this program is good for those of us looking to lose weight rather than to get ripped?

Absolutely.  A common misconception is that P90-X is only for those who already work out.  There are 2 philosophies that they continue to preach: do your best (forget the rest), and MODIFY.  So, if an exercise is too hard, or you have bad joints and it causes pain where it shouldn't, you can change it.  I don't do pull-ups, for example.  1) I don't have a bar in the gym, but also 2) I won't be able to do very many.  I do the chest or lat pulldown machine instead.  But if I had a pull up bar, he recommends putting a chair underneath to use one foot, to help you get to 8 or 12 reps.

Also, P90-X has different levels to choose from.  I'm doing "classic", which is supposed to get you ripped.  There is also a harder version, where you bulk extra, if you're already big and strong.  The 3rd version is "lean" and I think that's more for women that want to lose weight without getting definition.

3- does the meal plan you are "following" come as a part of the program, or did you consult with a nutritionist separately?

It comes as part of the program.  It's REALLY specific, down to what to eat, meal by meal, snack by snack.   That was too much for me, so I follow the general guidelines (low carbs, high protein to start.) 

4- do you find that "any" exercise program in combination with your meal plan would show results?  In other words, is the exercise routine something that seems to be specially coordinated for maximum results, or just a set of exercises?

It would probably show results, yes.  But this is good because it tells you exactly what to do, and those things keep changing.  You avoid hitting a plateau, because you aren't doing the same things over and over.  Also, the meal plan is supposed to match the program.  You start getting more carbs in your diet as you up the intensity.  The program is a combination of jump training, traditional lifting geared towards muscle groups, yoga, kempo, stretching, and cardio.  You are also supposed to write down the amount of reps and the weight that you do, so we you intensify, you can up your amounts.  That is one part that I was hesitant to follow, but it makes a difference.

5- do you feel that working out at home (or wherever) is more effective than going to a gym?

I work out at work.  It's a gym, but it's really just a room with some weights in it and a TV.  The vast majority of exercises don't need heavy weights.  I use 15 lb. weights for most things.  ...but sometimes lower.  You don't need a big weight rack or bench or anything like that.

Sorry for the barrage, but I have been intrigued by this program for a while, but I am skeptical that (a) my fat ass would even be able to do it and (b) its worth the hefty price tag (especially given part a).

No problem.  I love talking about it.  It keeps me motivated.

It also just plays to the strengths of my personality.  I am not very good at making ongoing choices.  So, if I had to work out for as long as I felt, until I was done, I wouldn't do well.  If I have to work out for an hour, I can do it.   The same with food.  I am good with strict diets.  No bread means no bread.  I never cheat.  I never almost cheat.  Bread may as well not exist.  It's when I'm trying to make moment by moment choices that I fall short.

[Pats2006]

Dave how about some before and after pics?