p90x

[polaris]

i for one don't want to see any pics of chad or others posing, i'm happy just to believe the Real Life(TM) is happening, either way it doesn't affect me so i don't quite know why i'm making this post.

[shmokes]

---Cleveland steamer---, if Chad posts before/after pics that resemble the results on TV, I will fork over the money for the real thing same day and FORCE myself to complete the plan. That is a bona-fide promise.

We're talking about going on a strict diet and exercising your muscles to failure almost every single day.  For three months straight.  What possible reason could you have for doubting the results?  P90X isn't made of magic.  You'll get the same results from any number of structured health regimens. P90X just seems like a pretty good one, and it's one that doesn't require access to a full gym.  If you think you have the personal discipline to do it, you may as well fork over that money.  Cos if you have the discipline to follow it, it's obviously going to work. 

Lifting heavy things makes your muscles grow.  Exercise and eating well causes your body to burn fat stores for energy.  No matter how skeptical you are, I think it's going to be difficult to get around these generally well accepted principals.

[Dartful Dodger]

---Cleveland steamer---, if Chad posts before/after pics that resemble the results on TV, I will fork over the money for the real thing same day and FORCE myself to complete the plan. That is a bona-fide promise.

Do the first two days.

Chad mentioning vomiting during the work-out is proof enough for me he's started it.

the first two days are Spiderman training.  The rest of the days also suk, but  the first two are the hardest.  Although I haven’t gotten past phase 1, so there could be worse.

When I started this program almost a year ago I did it every day for the first three weeks, got sick, busy with work, blah blah blah... so I let the work out slide.  I thought like shardian did, I figured the before and after pictures were bogus, or only an exception not the rule, but I figured if I could just lose a little weight and look a half as good as I did in college I'd be happy.  After 3 weeks I had the results I was hoping for.  That's another reason why I didn't bother finishing the program.  My system was if I skipped more than four days in a row I'd start over again on day one because for me day 1 and 2 are the most important.

I did day three today. While doing it I realized that this is the first time I've gotten to day three in MONTHS.

Like Chad says I'm not doing this for anonymous arcade posters, but using this thread as a sound board and reading the progress of others will help keep me motivated.

[saint]

 

[saint]

I hope you guys do well on this program and get healthy.

[DrewKaree]

BTW, another potential tip for those taking protein powder.  It's ---smurfing--- disgusting, of course, but I found a pretty tolerable way to eat it.  There's this drinkable yogurt the grocery stores here carry called Yo-Gusto.  The nice thing about it is that, unlike other drinkable yogurts, it's sold in half-gallon jugs, so you don't have to buy a bunch of single-servings.  I mix a scoop of vanilla protein powder into ~4oz. of yogurt and it goes down easy.  It adds lots of calories and sugar, though.  4oz. adds:

110 calories
35 from fat
7g of fat
4g sat. fat
33g sugar
9g protein

Anyway, if you can use the extra calories, or if you can fit it into your diet, it makes for one of the best ways I've found to choke down protein powder.  And you get the supposed extra pro-biotic health benefits of yogurt too.

Dump the powder into a small container that you can shake (a small 1-cup Ziploc/GladWare container, for example).  Add a small amount of warm/hot water to the container and shake it until the powder is completely dissolved.  It'll take just a few times doing it like this before you figure out how much water to add in order to have JUST enough water to dissolve the powder, but not too much to water it down and wreck everything.  Add it to skim milk or 1% (I can't stand skim). 

For some additional goodness, find some flaxseed, and grind it up in a coffee bean grinder.  Add a teaspoon/tablespoon to your drink.  Adds a nutty flavor to it, helps to mask more of the cardboard flavor of the protein powder.  Adding a fruit like Chad recommended will help out a lot as well.  If you've got banana's, that'd be good for helping stave off cramps from your workouts.  Kiwi's are better, but they suck when you try adding them to protein-type drinks.  For whatever reason, they lose every good quality they possess when blended up.

Oh, and adding a teaspoon of peanut butter (plain old as-natural-as-possible is best) REALLY kills the cardboard powder taste, but if you don't like peanut butter either.....

[JackTucky]

Oh, and adding a teaspoon of peanut butter (plain old as-natural-as-possible is best) REALLY kills the cardboard powder taste, but if you don't like peanut butter either.....

Drew:

Do you blend your double cheeseburger IN the frosty or do you just dunk?

[Ummon]

We're talking about going on a strict diet and exercising your muscles to failure almost every single day.  For three months straight.  What possible reason could you have for doubting the results?

In this respect, the result I would be concerned about is injury. Be careful folks.

Protein powder: if you get plain whey powder, there's no cardboard taste because there's no additives.

[ChadTower]

I'm cool with this and agree with him.  No more from me in the flame war.

Just finished the Kenpo.  This one was fun.  It's a pretty intense cardio workout, but since that's my main strength right now after this summer, I could relax and focus on the movements.  Side kicks are a challenge but I saw improvement just in that one workout.

The thing that impresses me most about this program after 1 week is the arrangement.  You work a specific body area really hard, and the next day it's tight and sore... but the next workout specifically loosens it up.  Chest/back followed by plyo/stretching.  Shoulders/arms followed by Yoga.  Legs/back followed by Kenpo.  I'm spent but feel good and do see results after the first week.  Tomorrow is rest day 1 and I'm looking forward to it.

Forgot to post my main start numbers so here they are as of this past saturday:  220lb, 24.7% bodyfat, 40" waist.  Too much fried food after the tri training stopped, I think.  Gained 10lb between the middle of July and now. 

[DrewKaree]

Oh, and adding a teaspoon of peanut butter (plain old as-natural-as-possible is best) REALLY kills the cardboard powder taste, but if you don't like peanut butter either.....

Drew:

Do you blend your double cheeseburger IN the frosty or do you just dunk?

Only an idiot doesn't dunk.  Blending ruins the texture too.


What does the plain whey powder taste like?  I just assumed they all tasted like ass, to varying degrees.

[shmokes]

They all taste like ass.

[CCM]

I think the vanilla ice cream flavor of Optimum 100% Whey tastes great mixed with skim milk.

[Dartful Dodger]

Just finished the Kenpo.

The thing that impresses me most about this program after 1 week is the arrangement.  You work a specific body area really hard, and the next day it's tight and sore... but the next workout specifically loosens it up.  Chest/back followed by plyo/stretching.  Shoulders/arms followed by Yoga.  Legs/back followed by Kenpo.  I'm spent but feel good and do see results after the first week.  Tomorrow is rest day 1 and I'm looking forward to it.

I won't be able to work out this weekend so for day 4 I switched Yoga with Kenpo.

When I was working out every other day I'd do this all the time and it didn't bother me.

Since I always had a day off after arms, I thought Kempo was just a useful aerobic work-out.  I learned quickly that doing Kempo the day after arms is a bad idea.  I can barely lift my arms so punching the air repeatedly was tough.

I was relieved when the kicking part of the work-out started.

From now on I'll do them in order.  If I miss a day I'll skip that work-out.

[ChadTower]

Got an email back about the group.  They wanted me to write up a short desc so I did and sent it in.  I expect that to take a couple more days. 

[Malenko]

  Adding a fruit like Chad

 

you said it not me!

[ChadTower]

I can't help the size of my grapefruits.

[ChadTower]

Chest and back done, 5 minute break for an apple and a post, and then Ab Ripper X.

Still a hardass workout but much easier than last time.  Did all the same rep counts and no nausea, much stronger, had more left this time.

My younger son made me a workout buddy.  A guy made out of paper plates and popsicle sticks.  He sits next to the projector and watches me, covered in Power Ranger and Spiderman stickers, cheering me on.  Silent but deadly, like a flatulent ninja.

Diet has been super clean so far.  I'm sick of it but once I found the right veggies it smoothed out.  I could use a cheat meal, though, after 8 days of nearly zero carbs or fat.  I have an event to attend tomorrow so I plan on eating it up there.  Free food, baby.

[Ummon]

The thing that impresses me most about this program after 1 week is the arrangement.  You work a specific body area really hard, and the next day it's tight and sore... but the next workout specifically loosens it up.  Chest/back followed by plyo/stretching.  Shoulders/arms followed by Yoga.  Legs/back followed by Kenpo.  I'm spent but feel good and do see results after the first week. 

Sounds good.

What does the plain whey powder taste like?  I just assumed they all tasted like ass, to varying degrees.

The little flavor that whey has is milk-like. No surprise. Consumer powders are loaded with artificial sweeteners and anti-caking agents, which particularly the latter make for the famous 'taste'. Nutrabio.com has plain whey, of which I've always gotten. It's easy to mix with foods, and I've never had any problems with caking. However, they do have flavored powders that have plant and herb extracts in them for flavor, and no anti-goo stuff. I tasted one and it was the best I've ever had for a flavored whey powder.

Of course, apparently carbs in combination with protein is necessary to build muscle, so I don't see a problem with including honey or some fruit in a consumer product.

[ChadTower]

Plyo workout done.  Diet suspended today - needed to restock the body.  Not a hog day but diet was not in effect.

[shmokes]

Finally started.  Did chest & back.  Pretty intense.  Looking forward to rest of week.

[Chris G]

I'm going to start my own company.  You heard of this thing, the P90X?  This is going to blow that out of the water.  Listen to this...

P--60--X

Think about it, you walk into a video store, you see P90X sitting there.  There's P60X right beside it.

Which one are you going to pick, man?

[boykster]

I'm going to start my own company.  You heard of this thing, the P90X?  This is going to blow that out of the water.  Listen to this...

P--60--X

Think about it, you walk into a video store, you see P90X sitting there.  There's P60X right beside it.

Which one are you going to pick, man?

Yeah, but what happens when the next guy comes along and comes out with P30X.....

[Harry Potter]

I'm interested. Can I email you my credit card number?

[Blanka]

WTF is a P90 X?
A 1990 Pedro Xeminez sherry?
A new Nikon?
Viagra competitor?

I see this ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- topic taking up 50% of all recent posts every time I check BYOAC 
Can some mod lock it pleaze?

[Harry Potter]

It's awesome is what it is. w00t

[shmokes]

WTF is a P90 X?
A 1990 Pedro Xeminez sherry?
A new Nikon?
Viagra competitor?

I see this ---smurf-poop--- topic taking up 50% of all recent posts every time I check BYOAC 
Can some mod lock it pleaze?

Why are you so fat?

[Blanka]

Ah. googling p90x helps. Guess we don't need it riding our dutch bikes . Forgot there are some countries with a national weight problem.

With integrated extra resistance, and combined with Dutch autumn storms, it keeps the butt toight.

[ChadTower]

Is there a reason to do this again?   

[shmokes]

Forgot there are some countries with a national weight problem.

Does your country's general physical health make you feel any better about your own obesity?  If anything I would think that would make it worse.  When I see all the fat-asses surrounding me I actually feel better about being thin.  To each his own, I guess.

[CCM]

Is there a reason to do this again?   

You of all people should know how difficult it is to search for P90X....

[ChadTower]

Got email back about the group again... said they won't put up a group with a url to another site in the desc.  I told them to just remove it then and create the group.  I guess getting a user group created has to be "extreme" with them too.

[JackTucky]

Core Synergistics was fairly nice today, smooth and calm again, I didn’t really push too hard because my legs are sore from hiking all over this weekend, but I finished the whole thing (didn’t do the bonus moves) and felt good and strong.  Hopefully I can get some more sleep tonight than I did last night and bring it more for Cardio X.

[Todd H]

You guys have peaked my interest in this.

Back around 2000-2002, I was in fantastic shape. I was a runner and would run 10 miles non-stop three times a week. My metabolism was so high I could pretty much eat what I wanted and not gain any weight.

Fast forward to today. I'm a good 30-40 pounds overweight, have a 16 month old little boy, and rarely find the time to eat right. With my wife's crazy work schedule and lack of a babysitter, starting back running would be just about impossible.

I think I'll check this out. Sounds like an interesting exercise plan.

[Ummon]

I'm going to start my own company.  You heard of this thing, the P90X?  This is going to blow that out of the water.  Listen to this...

P--60--X

Think about it, you walk into a video store, you see P90X sitting there.  There's P60X right beside it.

Which one are you going to pick, man?

Yeah, but what happens when the next guy comes along and comes out with P30X.....

To me, the lower the number, the less effective. Kinda like motorcycles, you know.

[ChadTower]

Shoulders/arms and ab ripper done.

[Dartful Dodger]

Started week two yesterday and did the ab ripper for the first time.  I feel like I've been hit in the stomach with a sledge hammer. I ended up skipping Yoga and legs last week.

Today my buddy pointed out that we started this thing last March and we're still in phase 1.
I need to finish the 90 days in under a year.

[ChadTower]

Started week two yesterday and did the ab ripper for the first time.  I feel like I've been hit in the stomach with a sledge hammer. I ended up skipping Yoga and legs last week.

Why did you skip yoga and legs?  I have yoga tonight.  My least favorite so far but it did really loosen up the sore shoulders and back.

How many reps are you doing of the ab stuff?  For the time being I'm only doing 10 of each set focusing on quality.  I figure I'll up it by 5 in phase 2 and again in phase 3.

[CCM]

For curiosity sake, what is the approximate total cost for everything needed for the P90X system?  From what I've read here, I need the dvd's/books, dumbbells, and a pull-up bar.  

I have a gym membership, so I don't want to spend a lot of cash for this, but I am interested.  If I were to start this, it probably wouldn't be until January.  I know myself too well to think I will stick to any kind of diet with all of the holidays coming up...

[ChadTower]

Well, there's the retail cost of the DVDs if you buy them... but everything else can be improvised on the cheap.  My pullup bar is a 3/4" steel pipe held under a floor joist by some 3/4" screw in hooks.  Total cost would be around $7.  I'm using mostly iron plates for the weight work and unless you're already really strong you won't need anything bigger than tens.  That could easily be improvised with some gallon jugs full of water or sand.

By far the most expensive thing I'm using is the projector.  I'm projecting the vids onto the newly drilocked basement wall.  That stuff makes a damn fine projection surface, all perfectly flat white.   

[shmokes]

I bit torrented it.  The package included rips of all the DVDs, Scanned PDFs of every page from the nutrition and fitness guides (including all the worksheets, recipes, etc.), and the excellent homemade Excel spreadsheet that Chad attached to an earlier post in this thread.

I purchased a pull-up bar that takes about 2 seconds to mount/dismount it on a standard doorway.  That was about $40 shipped.  Other purchases were stretchy bands that act like dumbbells ($8), yoga mat ($20), push-up bars (pushups without bars eff up my wrists - $10).