P90X redux - Full Body Training Routine

[sloth2946]

Well considering Keeks' P90X thread was whacked, I figured I'd restart it with this gem:

Day 26....

Bet ya thought I quit. You all thought, 'sloth's too lazy and out of shape. He'll quit.' Guess what...you're wrong. I'm still at it, day in day out I am bringing it and getting through it.

Here's a little refresher for those not playing at home. I did not do the fitness test, and I did not take before pictures, nor will I take progressive pictures. However I may decide to take a few day 90 pictures to illustrate what has occurred. I just dove in. I weighed approximately 212lbs before beginning. I am 5'9". I don't know my BF%. But I should add that I was wearing a 36" pant.

So here we are today. I have dropped my belts back a full notch and might even be able to go back 2 notches, but that would be a little tight. My wife is elated at the results. I am slowly getting back to the body shape that I had when we met.

Some observations I have as to the results on my body. My overall body conditioning is much, much better for hockey. My flexibility has gone back to near the same level as in college. I also appear to be nursing some sort of groin tear that I noticed once a long time ago and it creeps up during some of the yoga poses. It hurts, but I push through it with no ill effects.

I've also taken note of how my body is 'hardening'. Every muscle is much more defined and firm. My balance is improved, and returning slowly back to my college days. And best of all my posture has improved dramatically.

Has this improved my goaltending??? Yes. Is this the best possible workout for a goalie??? I still say no. Will it help 90% of the goalies here, if not more??? Absolutely.

Some comments on the program itself.

Favorite video: Yoga.
Least favorite: Dunno yet, but the Kenpo is in the lead right now.
Best video for you: Core Synergistics

I've only done the Core Synergistics 2x but it is obvious that it is the most complete, whole body workout that the program offers. If you only could get one of the videos and do it...I'd say the Core Syn is it.

So some have suggested that this is the best thing out there. I will disagree and here's why. There are many programs out there that will get you the same or at a minimum similar results. It just takes dedication and putting in the time.

But what separates P90X from the others that might be out there....simple. It is prepackaged. It is simple. It gives you drop dead simple directions for what to do for 90 straight days to get to a desired result...or damn near it, or even surpass it.

I'm trying to get my wife into it to do the lean program, not that she needs it as she's about 114lbs on her 5'2" frame and just overall fit and thin. But I think she'd like it, and she asked how hard it is to follow it, and my answer to her was this....if you can make macaroni and cheese, you can follow this program. Just get the needed supplies(bands, DVDs) and just do it.

Some comments on Tony Horton... He gets a tad annoying from time to time, but he is positive, non-threatening in respect that he's not yelling too much and is understanding that all types of people might be doing the program. He also does a good job of motivating by keeping it simple with his mantras of 'just show up, just keep pushing play' and 'do your best, and forget the rest.'

I wont be updating this until probably I am nearing day 60 as it gets rather tedious to do daily updates.

If you have any questions fire away.

{edit}

Just wanted to add that I am playing a lot of hockey as of late. I.e. I had 4 games in 4 nights this week. Normally something like that and I am wasted on the 4th night but I went strong this week, so that might contribute to my weight loss and overall fitness.

Also, one thing of note.......it is a massive time commitment. 6-7 days a week doing this for an hour a day is taxing on the soul to just keep doing it time and time again. It has cut into some family time but it is what it is....I have to take care of myself as I advance in age and ward off the demons that is my family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes.

[The Wall33]

Rob,

Great to read that you are sticking to it... I'm looking into the P90X system myself.

Questions:

How are you finding the diet portion of the plan? The P90X site says you should be in shape before trying the workout - do you concur? If yes, to what level of fitness pre-P90X?

Thanks,

Wellsie

[Bryan]

I hear you on the Kenpo vid. I just couldn't get into it. I kept thinking "Billy Blanks".

Yoga though, is just too freaking long. At an hour and a half, it was the one workout I often ended up skipping just because of the time involved. I just recently got back into doing a bit of Yoga on a regular basis, but I'm using Tara Stiles as my muse.

[Southshoretrash]

Although this may sound obvious, do you skip the workout when you have a game?

Thanks.

[Ryeno42]

It depends and what type of workout. Like Yoga or streching you could do in the morning or even running.

[sloth2946]

Originally Posted by The Wall33

Rob,

Great to read that you are sticking to it... I'm looking into the P90X system myself.

Questions:

How are you finding the diet portion of the plan? The P90X site says you should be in shape before trying the workout - do you concur? If yes, to what level of fitness pre-P90X?

Thanks,

Wellsie

I forgot to mention I am not doing the diet plan. I am trying to do this from the perspective of an average person. The diet plan calls for some foods that I either simply cannot eat, simply do not like to eat, or do not have at my disposal to eat during the course of what is my usual hectic day. What I have done is taken the common sense approach to eating. I eliminated soda and sweets. On an occasion I will cheat and have a single Hershey's kiss. I eat lean meats, pastas, and poultry. I've added more fruit and veggies as well and the occasional protein shake. My energy level is at an all time high. I am so much more peppy and positive with my energy that it is a godsend. My wife cannot believe the level of dedication I've shown. Today I was bad...I had 5 M&Ms.

With regard to fitness...can you reasonably do 25 pushups with good form at a clip? Can you do front pull downs with around 100lbs around 15 reps? Can you reasonably do 60 situps in 90 seconds?

If so, you should be in reasonably enough shape to handle it. The trepidation of starting it is big. It is a leap of faith and you will fail. But as Tony says in the videos, keep coming back. Keep pressing play. Do your best, and forget the rest. I know to the P90X crew here that is cliche but it is the answer. Give what you can, and keep giving it and keep pushing. The walls you see when doing it are mental. Just keep at it regardless of your fitness level. You will push yourself too. Mediocre wont be enough for you. You'll struggle with 12 reps and there will be 10 secs left in that exercise and you'll get pissed and rip out 3-4 more just because you're not happy with yourself. That internal motivation that this workout gives you because you see near instant results is huge. Milk it and keep pushing on.

I suspect you are active enough that you can get through it. What I did was to prepare myself, I did 3 days of the workout for two weeks just to get the hang of everything. Maybe even take the first week as a starter week and get used to the pace and routines and then start the next week as your official start date.

Also realize that the program has modified moves for people who might not be able to do 12 pull ups or other exercises. It is also important to watch the videos and plan your workout so you have your space set up properly with the weights/bands/equipment set up because there is such a small rest between exercises that being prepared for what is coming next gets you into the flow.

Give 'er a go. Have no fear and just dive in and commit yourself. You wont regret it.

Originally Posted by Southshoretrash

Although this may sound obvious, do you skip the workout when you have a game?

Thanks.

Absolutely.................................Not.

I have not skipped a game or turned down ice time because of the workout. I have had due to scheduling conflicts had to miss a workout once, but what I did was I did a double the next day. My day, that day consisted of the following:

Up at 6:15am. Yoga X.
at work @ 9am
Lunch around 12pm where I did Shoulders/Arms/Ab RipperX
Left work @ 5
Coaching @ 6-7pm
Game @ 8:20.
Game @ 11:10.

While I was gassed, I soldiered on and did Legs/Back/Ab RipperX the next day.

The point is....NEVER skip. This routine is designed very rigidly. Stick to it, be disciplined and religious about it.

Originally Posted by Bryan

I hear you on the Kenpo vid. I just couldn't get into it. I kept thinking "Billy Blanks".

Yoga though, is just too freaking long. At an hour and a half, it was the one workout I often ended up skipping just because of the time involved. I just recently got back into doing a bit of Yoga on a regular basis, but I'm using Tara Stiles as my muse.

Yup...Billy Blanks indeed. My wife used to do Tae-Bo and is intrigued by the Kenpo. I told her to do it any time she wants. She hasn't taken me up on that yet. I will wear her down. I might do it with her when I am done with this cycle. Maybe we'll do the lean together.

I like the yoga because it is challenging and meditative. It takes focus, strength, power and balance. And at the end of it, yoga just gives me a bit of an endorphin rush that makes me feel completely at peace and calm that nothing else has ever done. In the past workouts actually used to leave me short tempered and for lack of a better way to put it...nasty. But at the end of these, with the yoga style cool downs, I am at peace with things which is great.

As stated above. I've never missed a day yet and don't want to. I want to do it by the book in terms of the workouts...diet excluded!

{edit}

I will admit one motivating part of Plyos. The friggin' amputee guy. If a dude can do that with a prosthesis, there is no excuse for you gassing out.

[EvilPepe]

Just gave the program a whirl for the first time. I'm thinking I am going to use some of the routines, and replace/change others (chest and back come to mind).

Did the short ab ripper and thought it was great. My core/abs are definitely not what they should be, and this really made me realize it.

Won't comment on the program too much as I only just got into it, say, two hours ago. But the presentation and attitude of the workout is good, and it should help people stay motivated.

[sloth2946]

Originally Posted by EvilPepe

Just gave the program a whirl for the first time. I'm thinking I am going to use some of the routines, and replace/change others (chest and back come to mind).

Did the short ab ripper and thought it was great. My core/abs are definitely not what they should be, and this really made me realize it.

Won't comment on the program too much as I only just got into it, say, two hours ago. But the presentation and attitude of the workout is good, and it should help people stay motivated.

Not to be a nazi here or anything, but don't pick and choose what you do. Do the workout as designed, that is the best way to get results.

Tony talks about how this will get you in the best shape of your life. While I cannot speak to that because I think when I was in college I was in better shape than this 90 day program could get me, although I might be wrong. But I've studied a lot about training and this program is very comprehensive and well thought out. Everything is designed with a specific purpose, and it executes that. Don't judge the program or make changes to it based upon one night's work. Give it 30 days...seriously.

[EvilPepe]

Originally Posted by sloth2946

Not to be a nazi here or anything, but don't pick and choose what you do. Do the workout as designed, that is the best way to get results.

Tony talks about how this will get you in the best shape of your life. While I cannot speak to that because I think when I was in college I was in better shape than this 90 day program could get me, although I might be wrong. But I've studied a lot about training and this program is very comprehensive and well thought out. Everything is designed with a specific purpose, and it executes that. Don't judge the program or make changes to it based upon one night's work. Give it 30 days...seriously.

I understand the wisdom behind this, and will probably end up "sticking to it" at least at first to give it a shot. I just have a hard time giving up on the things that worked for me in the past, but like a lot of what I see in the program as well.

Either way you are probably right, as I mentioned I haven't viewed the entire series yet. Will probably skim through it before doing the rest just to get a good idea (though the workout sheets help with that as well).

[redwing30]

Well I have been on the program for what seems like a while now but in reality is only 2 weeks. Already I feel much stronger and energetic as stated above. I took a different meathod toward the videos and downloaded them on to my computer. Now each morning I am waking up at around 5:15 and doing the program before school. My personal favorite exercise is ab ripper x. This really pushes you and allows you to get the abs you have always wanted.
I was wondering what proteins or 'supplements' people were taking with this program if any. Myself I take a multi-vitamen as well as Whey Protein before the program. I have heard a lot about nAno Vapor as many kids in my school are using it. Does anyone have any comments on this stuff?

[kohokid]

Sloth,

Very interested to read a fellow goalie's take on the P90X program. Sat down and watched the infomercial in a hotel room about a year ago, and it stuck in the back of my mind. I haven't been any further than simply thinking about it, but personal & work-related anxieties have overrun my thoughts over the past few months. Once I get some things settled for myself, I may be prepared to do myself some good.

Keep at 'er, man.

[wjmurray]

I have the P90x sitting in a box in front of me right now. I actually got it about a month and a half ago, but have not started it because I already work out 6 days a week and don't want to discontinue some of the work that I do. I row 40 minutes a day 4 days a week, spend a good bit of time working on the slide board each day (about 30 to 40 minutes with the pads on) and work with weights 2 to 3 days a week. Body fat is not a issue as I run at about 9% all the time anyway. I am still thinking that I will start it in a few weeks just to shake things up a bit and do something different for a change as I have gotten stagnant with my current routine. I am glad to see that it is working for those who actually take the time and effort to use it. Now I just have to get out of my current mindset and commit to 90 days doing this routine.

[Ballistic22]

Like the title implies, I'm just wondering if there are any female tenders trying this program as well. I'm always jealous of those ladies in the videos doing all those pull-ups/chin-ups as I can't even do 1.

I agree on the Kenpo X, my least favorite program so far. It's a toss up between the ab ripper and Yoga X program for my favorite. (It's a love/hate relationship for me with regards to the ab ripper program).

Scheduling this into my daily routine has been tricky, especially when I have started biking to work again, the ball hockey season and summer ice season is on the go, and I work a part-time job along with my full-time job, but it has been worth it thus far doing the program. (I'm about a week in).

Sloth, I'm with you on Tony, I find him to be somewhat annoying. I also am not a fan of his sense of humor either. What is it, "we call her Pam the Blam!"...lame, I say, lame.

[CTGoalie33]

I just finished week 9 of the program and I am pretty sure I am in the best shape of my life. As sloth said, one of the best things about the program is its pre-packaged. No real thought necessary, just follow the program. If someone is planning to do it I recommend doing it, don't pick and choose, just follow it.

As for favorites and least favorites, I have no real favorite video but I definitely have a least favorite: yoga. It is long, I find it somewhat boring and I just do not like it. That said, it IS very challenging and I do it every time I am supposed to. It helps with overall flexibility so its beneficial and I suffer through it.

I am not following the nutrition program either. I generally eat healthy and try to follow a high protein diet. That said, I think I should be eating more. According to the program, I should be eating 2400 calories or so. I don't think I am eating that much and I find that I am tired at the end of the day. This could also be because I am getting up at 5:30 in the morning to do the workouts.

All in all, I think P90X is a VERY good workout. It is easy to follow (not easy to do, just well put together) and I am seeing great results.

Sloth, glad to see somebody restarted this thread!

[BananaTender]

I ordered p90x a few days ago, so it should be here this week. Cant wait to get started. I plan to do the routines first thing in the morning, how much time should i allow....an hour, hour and a half?