It's been quite a while since I updated the blog. So much for updating each week. I've gotten a couple of messages that have lead me to believe that there are at least a few folks out there interested in the blog. Thanks for that.
This week marks week 10 of my voyage through P90X. There have been some ups and downs. I missed a whole week due to a chest cold, but picked up the following week and felt pretty good. Along the way I think I've actually missed about 4 workouts (some nights there just isn't enough time). I'm keeping track of these missed workouts and plan to just tack them on to the end of the program. By way of update and review, I'm going to answer a couple of the questions that have been asked:
Question: Does it work?
Answer: This is the most frequently asked question. The simple answer is yes. To elaborate a little bit, I don't know if it works any better than if I was going to the gym 5 or 6 days a week, but that was kind of the point for me. I knew that if I was going to get healthier, it would have to be something I could do at home. Also, the variety of exercises and routines are far more well rounded than I would be getting on my own at a gym. I definitely wouldn't be doing things like plyometrics, core synergistics, yoga, or intense ab workouts on my own.
Question: Can you see your abs yet? (yes someone asked me this question).
Answer: Not yet, but I can tell they're there. When I had that chest cold I had a coughing fit and I think I saw a stomach muscle or two.
Question: What about travel?
Answer: I haven't had to go out of town lately, but as long as you have a dvd player and some room, there's no reason you couldn't take it with you. Weights (or chin-up bar) could be a problem, but half of the workouts don't require it, and if you have a resistance band, you can use that pretty effectively. I have to go offshore for about a week next month. My plan then will be to treat it like when I was sick. Skip the week and just pick it up when I get home.
I'll be happy to answer any other specific questions that anyone has, but here's the bottom line. As with anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it. I can't say that this is the best program out there. I haven't tried them. This is the one that I have, and it's working for me. I would definitely recommend it, mostly because it's kind of like having a personal trainer at home. The routines are all there and you don't have to figure it out on your own. BUT, if you don't have the willpower to put in a dvd and press play every day (or almost every day) don't waste your money. Of course the same thing goes for your gym membership, the mountain bike in the corner, the bowflex in your garage, and the treadmill that's become your favorite clothes hanger in your bedroom.
I haven't quite figured how I will handle things after day 90. I think there are ways to alter and cut down the workouts to less intense, maintenance levels, but I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it.
