p90x workout plan

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:01 pm

I don't want to derail the thread but I just don't have the ability to do P90X with the space I have to workout. Particularly the pull up bar. After my son was born I realized I had let myself go too far (5'8" 201) and I was a prime candidate for a heart attack since I store most of my fat in my belly and chest. I also realized that at age 37 I owed it to my son to get in shape so I would still be around when he was a teenager and able to play boy-type stuff with him when he gets a little older.

In the past 5 weeks I have lost 16 pounds just by doing EA Sports Active workouts and dieting. I cut my calories down to 1500 a day and the past week down to 800 (I'm trying to win a Biggest Loser contest at work). The contest ends Friday and I will go back up to 1500 calories a day and when I feel that I've mastered the EA Sports Active workouts on Hard I will be ready to take the next step in my workouts. Another program I've heard great things about is the Insanity workout which is supposed to be as rigorous as the P90X stuff but you don't need any other equipment outside of your body. Does anybody know anything about this program? I have "obtained" it already but wanted to know if anybody has tried it or knew anybody that has tried it.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:11 pm

Scoop,

I don't even use the pull up bar. Didn't have a spot for it. Instead, I use the resistance bands with the door attachment. $10 and you're done. In fact, for $10 you can have all you would need other than the videos as the band can be used for each and every exercise. One of the people on the video will always show you the alternate exercise (with the bands) as well so you can see it.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:47 pm

Where do I get the door band? I haven't stepped in an sports store in ages....

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:06 pm

Where do I get the door band? I haven't stepped in an sports store in ages....

Will, it's not a "door band". It's a resistance band that includes a door attachment. Target, Dick's, Walmart, they should all have them.

The only thing you need to figure out is what level of resistance you want. I would say medium is fine for most guys who haven't been consistent with their workouts. That's what i'm using but i can see moving to the "heavy" band about midway through.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:33 pm

I bought the original Power 90 back a few years ago. Bought some creatine powder, some fat burning capsules from GNC, and got to work.

For about two weeks.

It nearly killed me. I was such a workout whore in high school and the early part of college, that it pains me greatly to see myself over 100 lbs heavier than I should be, devoid of nearly all energy, and with that, pretty much all of my motivation.

About 3 years ago, I bought the 'Chuck Norris Machine'. That thing is awesome, but, again, the motivation bug died on me not long into it.

It's the Catch-22 from hell: The ones who need this stuff the most, are the ones who absolutely have no energy or motivation to stay with it.

I watch the damned p90x infomercial every time I see it on, and I know I want to place the order, but I know that I'm in terrible physical condition. I'm 5'8, and weigh in at around 250 lbs. My ideal weight is supposed to be somewhere around 155 to 160.

I don't drink too much, and only light up a stogie or a pipe once in a blue moon, so that part's okay. But I eat absolute s***, and have for years. Hot wings, pizzas, burgers, drink Mt. Dews like they're going on prohibition tomorrow, can down a 12 stack of Krispy Kremes without blinking.

And I hate it.

So here I am, wanting to be healthy, wanting energy. But energy is like money. You almost have to HAVE energy to GET any energy.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:43 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:Scoop,

I don't even use the pull up bar. Didn't have a spot for it. Instead, I use the resistance bands with the door attachment. $10 and you're done. In fact, for $10 you can have all you would need other than the videos as the band can be used for each and every exercise. One of the people on the video will always show you the alternate exercise (with the bands) as well so you can see it.

The only problem I would have with that is the fact that I don't have a door right by where I'd be working out. I would have to go across the room to do it, I would no longer be able to see the tv and from what it sounds like the pace of the workout would be lost with me having to go over there. Maybe I'm wrong.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:44 pm

One DSP observation...why is everyone 5'8"?

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:46 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:One DSP observation...why is everyone 5'8"?

While I didn't post my spec I am also 5'8.

Weird.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:56 pm

Danimal wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:One DSP observation...why is everyone 5'8"?
While I didn't post my spec I am also 5'8.

Weird.

I am too...how come everyone I meet in real life is taller than me but all of my virtual friends are the the same size? Or maybe the 5'8'ers are the only ones who like to announce their height...not sure why that would be.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:58 pm

RallyMonkey wrote:
Scoop,

I don't even use the pull up bar. Didn't have a spot for it. Instead, I use the resistance bands with the door attachment. $10 and you're done. In fact, for $10 you can have all you would need other than the videos as the band can be used for each and every exercise. One of the people on the video will always show you the alternate exercise (with the bands) as well so you can see it.
The only problem I would have with that is the fact that I don't have a door right by where I'd be working out. I would have to go across the room to do it, I would no longer be able to see the tv and from what it sounds like the pace of the workout would be lost with me having to go over there. Maybe I'm wrong.

Do you live with me?

The room i work out in seems similar to yours. All i do is pause the workout while i walk to the door and get set up. Once there, start it up again and get a good look at what i'm going to be doing. If you can hear the tv from where you are, that's all you really need as you can hear them count down and finish the routine. Honestly, it's really not a big deal.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:00 pm

Glad to be in the "6 feet and over" group, then lol

And yeah...once you see the exercise, you don't have to physically watch the TV. All you do is do as many as you can until your form goes south, then move on to the next exercise.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:21 pm

Count me in the 5'8" club as well.

I had some weight issues in my fourth year of med school - just so busy with work that I wasn't working out, late night and irregular meals, eating junk and just hated, hated going to the gym.

I still hate going to the gym and I don't - I just realized that I really enjoy playing sports so I started playing ball hockey again, then soccer and now I play soccer 3 times a week, have 1 or 2 practices a week. That's more than enough exercise for me and, most importantly for me, it's actually exercise that I look forward to. Even practice where it's a lot of sprints and exercises is still fun - it doesn't feel like a chore and going to the gym totally felt like that for me.

That said, it took me a long time to lose the weight and Teal hit the nail on the head - it's so chicken vs. egg when you're starting off because you want to exercise to get some energy but you first need energy to do it.

I've seen those p90x videos and they look like amazing work-outs, particularly the plyometrics ones but I just wouldn't have the discipline to keep up with a regime.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:49 pm

6'1" - 200 lbs

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:52 pm

Spooky wrote:6'1" - 200 lbs

...kiss my ass...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:59 pm

6-1, 215, turn 45 in May

For those who don't want to do P90X -- and it sounds like a great program -- I suggest that you buy a heavy bag, wraps and bag gloves. Boxing is a phenomenal workout, as the last time I was in this kind of shape was 20 years ago. My blood pressure is 118/78, and my resting heart rate is 48.

Boxing also is cathartic as hell. Nothing better than snapping off 80 to 100 punches per round with good footwork and evasive moves for six three-minute rounds, with a minute of active rest (sit-ups, leg lifts, crunches, neck rolls, leg hops, etc.) in between. Great stress-buster.

Love to hit the bag. I've added a double-ended reflex bag to my home gym and plan to get a speed bag very soon. I'm also skipping rope, which is much harder than it seems for any duration of time, and getting in some good, old-fashioned roadwork (running).

Good luck to all the fellas on P90X. Sounds like it works!

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:02 pm

To those needing a little energy for their workouts try this: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3480832

I picked this up to help speed up my metabolism and get more out of my workouts and after a little over a week taking them I can definitely notice an improvement. I take 2 pills in the morning 30 minutes before my workout and I am sweating bullets by the end of my 30-minute workout and I've got a ton of energy throughout the day. I also take green-tea extract throughout the day for some natural energy and I feel great all day drinking only water. This coming from a guy who can't sleep at night and doesn't get much sleep. I used to feel the same way about lacking energy and the best thing I did was stop drinking pop and start drinking 8+ cups of water a day. I love pop but after weening myself off of it I have absolutely no desire to drink it again.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:22 pm

Teal wrote:
Spooky wrote:6'1" - 200 lbs
...kiss my ass...

Ha. Sorry if my wink seemed snooty. Just realized it might look like that. I am by no means in that great a shape. I am definitely getting there though.

I'm just a 3-4 times a week gym guy that mixes up free weights, machines, abs and a bit of cardio. Try to eat decently and be active. Oh and LOTS of sex.

Running a 5k next month which is no big deal but is kinda tough for me. I usually hit a wall around 2.5 miles for some reason. Mostly mental.

The problem for me now is that my 36 year old body does not want to cooperate at all. I swear, as soon as I get in a seriously good groove at the gym something gets f*cked up. Whether it's tendonitis, or a shoulder tweak or a pinched nerve, something sidelines me for a bit. SO frustrating!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:28 pm

6'1" 240 at 42 years old.

I'm in good shape. I run 15-20 miles a week including one long 6-10 mile run a week, swim a mile on Fridays, and bike 30-40 miles once a week. I can also bench my weight.

I've lost 24 pounds this year but have pretty much been between 230-265 for the past 18 years. I think with my large frame a good weight for me would be 215 but I just can't seem to get there. Even when I was running 120 miles a month at a 7-8/mi pace and ran a 5:50 Harrisburg Mile I was 230. I'm jealous of those that can diet and have more willpower than I do. I've got the exercise thing down pat but can't layoff the sweets/beer enough to stay "thin."

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:40 pm

6'1" 200 lbs. I'd like to be 185.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:48 pm

You all seem so much taller on xbox Live

Curently 6'2" 215 as I have been dropping lbs and have lost a lot of weight in the last year. The goal is 200.

EDIT: Actually read posts in the thread.

Leebo33 wrote:
I've lost 24 pounds this year but have pretty much been between 230-265 for the past 18 years. I think with my large frame a good weight for me would be 215 but I just can't seem to get there.

I have been in the same boat the last 10 years yo yoing between 220 and 280. Up and down the weight would go. I finally got under that 220 mark and Im trying very hard to keep going in the right direction but almost every day I worry Ill just start in the other direction again. Its hard when you love the sweets, the beer and the pizza etc....

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 8:44 pm

So here I am, wanting to be healthy, wanting energy. But energy is like money. You almost have to HAVE energy to GET any energy.

To quote Nike, "Just do it!"

Seriously, if you want to just f'n do it. For the first 2 or 3 weeks do not allow yourself any excuses to get out of doing your workout. After that you'll have formed a bit of a habit and actually be upset or pissed if you do miss a workout.

You just gotta break the old habit of coming home from work, going strait to the fridge, laptop, xbox, whatever. Get to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier. Find the time of day that works best for you to get your workout in, but something from your current schedule is obviously going to have to give. Sacrifice a little of several things.... like I said, go to bed a little earlier, get up a little earlier, take a bit of a shorter lunch, spend little less time watching / playing tv, browsing the net.

you'll find that it's really not that hard to find the time. you have the energy... you just can't let you convince yourself that you don't.

Get it done. Without your health you don't really have the rest of it anyway, IMO.

Oh and like pk said. It doesn't have to be some expensive P90x. Sure it works, but it is a VERY STRICT DIET AND EXERCISE PROGRAM. If you don't follow it to the letter, don't expect the results you see on TV.

Start small and work your way up. Ride bike, do a short jog/walk/jog, do some pushups and crunches. Do some squats during commercial breaks, etc. You don't have to go all in to get started.

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:36 am

I am pretty pumped about this and told my wife. She is now all worried I get all buffed and every woman would jump me. I forgot to tell her that she was pretty much the only one ready and willing when we were dating.... whew.

Anyway, I am probably the shortest here. 5'5" but 150lbs. I should be skinnier.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:38 am

6'3, 190. Unlike many of you, I'd like to put on 10-15 pounds. Will the P90x help in that regard?

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:44 am

Yeah, you just change the weight and reps. Bulking up, you go with as much weight as you can run 8-10 reps on. Less weight, more reps for loss and toning, etc.

They remind you practically every exercise about it, too.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:28 pm

TCrouch wrote:Yeah, you just change the weight and reps. Bulking up, you go with as much weight as you can run 8-10 reps on. Less weight, more reps for loss and toning, etc.

They remind you practically every exercise about it, too.

Thanks Terry.

How long are the workouts by the way?