P90X - Month One

I am definitely a fan of Shaun T and the more cardio based workouts, however, I really enjoyed P90X3 with Tony Horton.  One of the things that I liked best was the fact that they were 30 minute workouts.  I did, however, want to see if I could actually make it through the original P90X.

My initial fears - Will I fit in hour long workouts...and sometimes more?  Well, that is why I decided to wait until school was out to begin the program.  Still....would my short attention span get the best of me and want to hit stop on these videos after 30 or 40 minutes?  I enjoy working out, but I also enjoy SHORT, effective workouts.

So, here is how it has been going...

P90X is divided into three blocks.  Each block is 4 weeks long.  There is the Classic Program schedule, the Lean Program schedule and the Doubles Program Schedule.  I was following the Classic schedule.

Block 1

Chest & Back:

This routine swaps back and forth between a variety of push-ups, pull-ups/chin-ups and using weights.  I, personally, cannot do a pull-up, so I use a 50 lb. band with a door anchor...which does plenty for me.  Day one of this routine, I was doing 10 reps of most of the exercises....but declined push-ups and the last move....HOLY SMOKES!  I was lucky to do 4!  It DID get better as weeks progressed.  The great thing about this routine is that it is as hard or as easy as you make it!  And if you push yourself, you WILL feel it!

Ab Ripper X:

Tony has got you on the floor working your abs with no rest!  This is not a super long workout, but you'll be glad when it is over!  It is tacked on to the end of your workout for 3 days of the week, so you are already tired going into it.  I WILL say, however, that I HAVE gotten to the point where I can agree with Tony....I hate this workout, but I love it.

Plyometrics:

You can do anything for 30 seconds, right?  You'll go through a series of jumping moves, repeat them, then get a short water break.  Pam is in this video to help modify...but those modifications just help take a little pressure off the knees.  They do NOT make the exercise easy.  This routine will make you sweat.

Shoulders & Arms:

Great workout where you go at your pace with the weights that you need.  I did find that I had to hit pause once in a while because I'm in the 12-15 rep range....and fitting 15 reps into the given time wasn't always easy.  Otherwise, you push as hard as you can and get it done!

Yoga X:

I'll be honest....I'm not a huge yoga fan....and an hour and a half of yoga....UGH!  Yes, this is a good stretch.  Yes, it has good core work.  Yes, it is good for you....but, YES, it is a LONG stretch of yoga.  I actually decided in week 3 to replace this one with P90X3 Yoga, just so I can get it done in 30 minutes.  Sorry, Tony.

Legs & Back:

WOW!  This is a great workout.  You'll be rotating through pull-ups (or using the door bands like me) and leg exercises for the entire workout.  Many of the leg exercises don't even use weights...and I was thinking, "hmmmm...maybe I should add weights to this one..." or "maybe I should increase my weights on that one..."  Until I woke up the next morning.  WOW!  My calves, glutes, hamstrings...everything was screaming!  It does get better as the weeks move on, but it is quite the workout!

Kenpo X:

Thank God for the stretching at the start of this video after doing Legs & Back the day before!  It is a nice stretch to get you warmed-up.  Then Tony has you punching, blocking and kicking your way through a workout that seems pretty laid back and not too fast paced....yet really gets you sweating.

X Stretch:

This was the optional Sunday routine until Thursday of the 4th week.  Personally, I enjoy having one day/week where I do not hit play, so I did not put this in until week four.  It is a nice stretch that really was needed.

Nutrition for Block 1: 

The nutrition guide suggests mapping out your day so that you are eating 50% protein, 30% carb, and 20% fats throughout month one.  This was not an easy task!  My first week in, I think I was successful at this 2 out of the 7 days.  One problem is eating proteins that don't also contain carbs.   The other...it's summer and we have been on the go....so.....I was not totally successful at this.  I did make sure that 80% of my food intake was on par.  The other 20% is where I gave myself some leeway.

Results after Block 1:

No major visible changes, but I feel a lot of differences.  I've lost a half inch around my hips and my upper body is feeling stronger.  Can't wait to start Block 2 tomorrow!