Today I completed the first of three phases of P90X. To be honest I haven’t yet seen the gains that I hoped to achieve by now, but I’m only 1/3rd through the program, so I’m still hopeful. And I can tell that my strength and endurance have increased, and I have lost some weight, though I’m trying not to focus on weight because I don’t think it means anything when replaced with muscle. In defense of P90X, I’m still not doing the entire workouts, following the nutrition guides, or buying any of their supplements. I’m just trying to do 45 minutes a day, 5 or 6 days a week, with no change of diet, and that isn’t P90X.
To counter balance the risk of vanity, this year I’ve also taken up other things including: Gifts of the Spirit, CWP, blogging, flossing, far less use of alcohol, and the Topical Memory System. This week I’m 4/5th way through TMS. I’m not 100% on all 48 verses, but I’m at least a solid B, and I’m pretty proud of that. Of course the real question will be retention, same issue with P90X. Unlike taking a test, these are things that I’ll have to continue to work on forever, not just get a grade and be satisfied. I’ve also read a couple of books this year, which is a real shocker to those who know me, though not as many as I had planned to read by now.
Is it mid-life crisis? Probably, but at least I’m responding to it positively and not buying things I can’t afford or doing things I might regret. Becca is gracious to allow me some time, space, and money to do these things, thanks Becca. But if I get back down under 225, I might have to reward myself, Becca will join me.
Bring it,
Nate
Congrats man! I just finished insanity… I did about 50% of p90x, but got tired of it… Insanity was way harder, but I found myself pushing harder…. It’s only 60 days, instead of 90…
My endurance and resting heart rate improved so much, it was ridiculous… I just finished a triathlon, and looking to do the Honolulu marathon, and then perhaps a half-ironman. When you get done with p90x, you should try month 2 of insanity… you will be in good enough shape to skip month one.
Based on the infomercials, here’s my assessment of P90X verses Insanity. P90X is the embodiment of Beach Body. Having a Beach Body is not about being a high performing athlete, it’s about having a body that looks good. Insanity, on the other hand, is more about a true aerobic workout, being in good shape, but not necessarily looking good. I suppose I’m after a little bit of both, but I like the variety in P90X, and Insanity does not look fun to me. It’s odd to me that the infomercials for Insanity seem to show more overweight people than P90X does, and yet at the same time looks like a harder work out.
Plus, the reason I got started with P90X to begin with is because I was able to borrow it from my neighbor for a couple of weeks. By the time I had to give it back I had already decided that I liked it well enough that this was something I wanted to do to completion.
I would agree with you on that assessment of both… insanity primarily works your core, your legs (through several plyo movements), and your heart. I have an overweight friend who is doing insanity, and I was a bit perplexed… but I think the he is just going at his own pace… but I really don’t think insanity is the right workout for him…
And you are right, insanity is not fun… I mean, I did enjoy how I felt after the workouts, but not really during them.