I get lots of emails about P90X, so I thought I'd share some of the questions I'm getting.
1. What's your favorite part about it? I like that it's a program. When I got it, I plugged in all of my days and milestones into my calendar. I knew immediately how to balance my workouts with other responsibilities. This doesn't mean I don't have room to make adjustments, like last week.
The second thing that I really like is that it has its own pre-tested schedule. What I mean by this is that I don't walk into a gym and think, "Hmmm, today I feel like I need cardio, legs, and back..." I don't have to think about what comes next. It's focused, it targets all of the right muscles and has the appropriate amount of cardio built in. All I have to do is follow it.
2. What's your least favorite thing about it? Two things...first of all, there's no excuses. It's a home program, so it's kinda staring at you from the corner of the room. The gym never closes. I both like this and hate this at the same time. The other thing to consider is that it's more of an up front financial investment, which is different from a monthly gym membership. More money comes out of pocket up front, but then in the long run, it's most likely a cheaper option.
3. Is it for everyone? Yes, I think anyone could do it. But, not everyone may be ready for it. There are minimum fitness requirements. If you want to do it but don't think you're ready, there are introductary programs like P90.
4. Are the workouts really that difficult? Yes. There are many times that we hit the pause button.
5. What's the most difficult workout in your opinion? In every single workout, there's something I dread. I get nervous and a little queasy when it comes up, and focus on bringing intensity. Before I've realized it, it's done and we're on to the next thing. The three workouts where my muscles always work to failure are yoga, core synergistics, and plyo.
6. I'd like to do P90X, but I'm not sure about the nutrition recommendations. Do I really need to stop drinking beer and change my diet that drastically? One should already be eating this way, regardless of whether or not they're on the program. The nutrition program isn't calorie-restrictive, it's healthy.
I love a glass of wine or a good margarita, but the presence of alcohol in the system causes fatigue, changes liver functioning, affects hormone levels, and can alter how fat is metabolized in the system. Even one drink can negatively impact REM cycles during sleep. If you've ever awoke at 2am because you couldn't sleep after drinking, you understand this. To get maximum results during the 90 days, the dietary recommendations should be followed. I would hate to see someone put in this kind of effort in an fitness program and not get the results they were looking for.
7. Aren't you proud of yourself and the way you look in the mirror? When I look in the mirror, I see all of my flaws. I don't know a woman who's not that way. When I look at photos, I'm astounded. I think to myself, "Wow, is that really how I looked then, is that really what I look like right now?" It feels self absorbed to focus on photos, but I understand now why all exercise programs require you to take them. The mirror lies, especially for women.
8. Will you do P90X again? I'd like to. Its a sustainable program. Ideally, what I'd like to do after finishing this round on Dec 9th, is to do something with a high cardio focus through the holidays, then begin a second round sometime in January. One of the programs that looks fun for filling in the gaps is Turbofire. I'll also probably toss on my running shoes a couple of times a week and maybe do a jingle bell run.
9. Do you think it was worth your investment? Yes, absolutely.
10. Do you have any advice for me before I begin the program? I read somewhere that most people succeed if they hold themselves accountable in 3 separate ways, so I decided to do this.
- I blog about it with weekly updates so that if I fall off the wagon, I've got some serious explaining to do.
- I have a workout partner.
- I have a P90X Coach.
I would encourage anyone beginning this (or any fitness program) to tell the world, find a workout partner, and get a mentor or friend.
P90X: Week 7
I had to make some major modifications due to scheduling this week. I took my off day on Saturday instead of Wednesday due to Jet's party. I pushed each workout back 1 day, but then had to make another modification due to parent/teacher conferences, so I switched Day 5 with Day 6, and then split Day 5 into Legs and Back in the morning and Ab Ripper in the evening.
In a nutshell, I got all the workouts in, but changed them all around.
Accomplishments This Week:
I also want to share this Link. On the days when I'm feeling unmotivated, I watch Greg. His sister is my P90X coach, and it took him 270 days to get these results. That's a long time of making healthy decisions day in and day out, and requires a lot of patience and tenacity. But, take a look at how much younger and energetic he looks after 270 days. More importantly, take a look at his cholesterol, blood pressure, and resting heart rate changes.
In a nutshell, I got all the workouts in, but changed them all around.
Accomplishments This Week:
- Three pullups!
- At Jet's party, I didn't cheat. I wanted to so badly (those chips & queso were calling my name), but I made sure that there were a couple of healthy options on hand.
- Kenpo used to be my least favorite. I'm liking it much, much more. This week, it felt strong and focused. I had much better control of my punch and kick placement.
I also want to share this Link. On the days when I'm feeling unmotivated, I watch Greg. His sister is my P90X coach, and it took him 270 days to get these results. That's a long time of making healthy decisions day in and day out, and requires a lot of patience and tenacity. But, take a look at how much younger and energetic he looks after 270 days. More importantly, take a look at his cholesterol, blood pressure, and resting heart rate changes.
Jet's Birthday Party
Jet's party turned out amazing last night. He had lots of friends dressed up in costumes. They had fun time together.
I could never have given him a fun birthday party without the help of my stepmom, who let us have the party in her home, and who asked me every few minutes if she could help me in any way.
I Dream Of Disney
I've been dreaming of our first Disney vacation since Jet was born six years ago. We'd stay in a villa with a kitchen, living area, and multiple bedrooms at either the Animal Kingdom or Bay Lake Tower. Yeah, I know it's expensive, but it's MY dream and I can dream it any way I like...even if it's no where close to reality.
We'd invite Dad & Teri and Jay's mom, June. In the morning, Jay and I would wake up early and sneak down to the hotel fitness center to get in an intense workout. When we'd get back, the kids would be watching cartoons in their pajamas, and June would be cooking one of her yummy breakfasts....no syrup for anyone - we'd need lots of energy with no sugar crashes.
I'd get in a HOT spa shower while watching the Today Show - the bathroom has a flat screen!! I'd have my morning cup of coffee while putting on makeup and getting ready for the day ahead. The kids would float in and out of the bathroom with their little bedheads and some breakfast still smeared on their cheeks.
Around 9am, we'd set out for the park of the day. Dad would have a motorized wheelchair and the kids would take turns riding on his lap. The weather would be 72 degrees, and there would be no lines for rides. We'd ride the rides in the morning, and I'd have healthy snacks in my purse to keep us going. We'd stop to have lunch with Tinkerbell or Ironman.
After lunch, we'd see a show.
After the shows, we'd come back to the hotel and put everyone down for their nap. Jay and I would head down to the hotel spa for a couples massage.
Once everyone is awake from their nap and we're back in the room from the spa, we'd make an afternoon snack in the kitchen and toss on our swimsuits and sunscreen for an hour or two at the pool.
I'd cook dinner a few of the nights, we'd eat out as a family a few of the nights, and and Jay I would have a date night once or twice. We'd watch the Disney fireworks.
Of course, this wouldn't be the exact schedule every day. There's be times that there's an evening show we'd want to see, or days when we'd skip the spa or pool. June would want to do some shopping, and Dad and Teri would want some time alone.
We'd stay about a week and just soak it up....
...am I the only one who takes a vacation in my mind?
CDC Report
Source: msn.com on 10/22/2010...Article by Amanda Chan
In the United States, 1 in 3 people will have Type 2 diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The projections, released today, are alarming to U.S. health officials, who say the numbers highlight the need for interventions to keep the number of new cases from climbing.
Currently, 1 in 10 Americans has Type 2 diabetes. But if new cases develop as projected, its prevalence could double or triple over the next 40 years, said Ann Albright, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC.
"We can't have that, it's unsustainable," Albright told MyHealthNewsDaily.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and is triggered by a combination of unchangeable factors, such as family history and race, and controllable factors, such as obesity and inactivity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
..It's also the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to 2007 data, and is the leading cause of leg and foot amputations, kidney failure and new cases of blindness in adults under age 75, according to the CDC.
The costs of diabetes add up to about $174 billion a year, the CDC said.
My thoughts...tax the hell out of fast foods at restaurants and unhealthy foods found at grocery stores (like we do cigarrettes and alcohol). Use that income to subsidize healthy foods, gym memberships, and the inevitable healthcare costs that these individuals will incur.
In the United States, 1 in 3 people will have Type 2 diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The projections, released today, are alarming to U.S. health officials, who say the numbers highlight the need for interventions to keep the number of new cases from climbing.
Currently, 1 in 10 Americans has Type 2 diabetes. But if new cases develop as projected, its prevalence could double or triple over the next 40 years, said Ann Albright, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC.
"We can't have that, it's unsustainable," Albright told MyHealthNewsDaily.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and is triggered by a combination of unchangeable factors, such as family history and race, and controllable factors, such as obesity and inactivity, according to the Mayo Clinic.
..It's also the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to 2007 data, and is the leading cause of leg and foot amputations, kidney failure and new cases of blindness in adults under age 75, according to the CDC.
The costs of diabetes add up to about $174 billion a year, the CDC said.
My thoughts...tax the hell out of fast foods at restaurants and unhealthy foods found at grocery stores (like we do cigarrettes and alcohol). Use that income to subsidize healthy foods, gym memberships, and the inevitable healthcare costs that these individuals will incur.
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