Today is Day 31 of the Power 90 program. I'm into the 2nd month of the program now. I'm on my way!
Mike French's Essay about What to Expect with P90x
I've seen an essay by a P90x-er named Mike French posted and re-posted on several blogs about P90x. The essay is titled "What to Expect with P90x." What Mr. French says pretty much tracks with what my personal trainer told me years ago; as well as my previous fitness results with the personal trainer. Here's a link: http://malibubu.com/fit/blog1.php/2008/10/07/what-to-expect-with-p90x
Here are a few pertinent quotes from his essay [my comments are in blue]:
"DAY 1-30 (PHASE 1 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Your body will take body fat off in 'sheets.' What I mean is that it will reduce your overall body fat evenly. Where we hold the largest amount of body fat largely depends on genetics and gender. Women tend to hold their body fat in their butt, leg, hip region. Men generally hold their body fat in their waistlines. This is what to watch for in this Phase: loosening of your clothes, stay off the scale and above all, remain patient and continue to work hard."
[Yep. This is why it's a good idea to track your progress with tape measurements (especially in the beginning. Also keep in mind that there is NO "spot reduction" of fat! Ever! Let go of that notion.]
. . . "DAYS 31-60 (PHASE 2 -APPROXIMATELY) . . . Expect dramatic results during this Phase as long as you remain disciplined and suffer daily. . . . Where you hold the most fat will improve but not to your impatient satisfaction. Why? Because as your body removes the fat in "sheets" naturally the leaner sections of your body will show definition the quickest."
[Yep. During my experience with the trainer, this was the point at which people started asking me what I was doing that had caused the noticeable weight loss and toning.]
. . . "DAYS 61-90 (PHASE 3 -APPROXIMATELY) This is the Phase to let it all hang out. It's an all out assault on body fat. . . . This is the time to do some extra workout sessions. Walk after dinner, take an extra bike ride. Skip rope, box, and do something extra to burn more calories and more fat."
[I would worry about overtraining with all of that. It makes more sense to me to do no more than 3 extra sessions per week.]
Gold Stars
Since this is the beginning of Phase 2, I decided that I need to tighten up my nutrition situation. Praise God, I've met my goals with Phase 1: My clothes are baggier and my measurements are smaller. But since I'm serious about wanting to see drastic changes during this phase, I need to make some dietary adjustments. So, I've eliminated processed foods (including my beloved bread), except for my once a week "cheat" meal. {very long sigh, but it's worth it}
The Awful Truth
Since I've started doing the maximum number of suggested reps with the weight training program, and mixing in the advanced cardio workout, I'm sore again. (Like I was at the very beginning.) {sigh}
What's going on with you? How are your Wildest Dreams coming along?
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15 comments:
I am about to hire a personal trainer because, although I am comfortable with free weights, I want someone who is an expert to TRAIN me in using them.
I will admit, it is really difficult to eat a balance diet EVERYDAY. In fact, I am not sure that you can do it without consuming more calories than you should.
Is Wildest Dreams Check-In only suppose to center around health related issues? I hope not, because I would also like to say that I should be starting school in August.
Greetings, DeStouet!
{much merriment over your latest check-in comment, which I'm re-posting here---folks need to know about your FANTASTIC accomplishment}
In a comment earlier today, you said: "As of November, I have lost a total of 42 pounds.
I was inspired to go semi-vegetarian (I do eat fish) because of my daughter, who became a vegetarian on January, 1, 2008. However, she does not eat any fish.
I also started running & racing.
January, 1, 2009 I ran my first 5K race. February, 1, 2009 I ran my second one, shaving a total of 3 minutes off my time.
I am currently training for my first 8K race which goes down March, 15th. Immediately after that, I will start training for my first 10K race which goes down in April (the people who plan it, are going to announce the date any day now).
Once I get down to my ideal weight (I'll be there in August) I'll start training for my first half-marathon, which goes down in November. I will have to travel for that.
I plan to run my first marathon in January of 2010. I do not have to travel for that.
Although I would like to run every day, as of right now, I am not physically able to. With all of the extra weight I was carrying (and am still carrying) my knees suffered for it.
So, I have to alternate days of running/resting. On the days I rest, I do the stationary bike.
I also weight train everyday.
That commment about black women exterior not matching up with their interior really spoke volumes to me. Plus, I knew for years now, I was going to have to do something about my weight, in order to take back my power from the men who molested me as a child. Going homw to press charges against the men is one thing. Cutting off my family who still have dealings with them was another. Demanding reciporcity in all of my relationships was another. But another major step was getting in shape and taking care of my body.
February 5, 2009 5:43 PM"
In response, I said:
Khadija said...
Greetings, DeStouet!
{standing ovation}
Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Yes, the things you mentioned are ALL different aspects of pursuing an abundant life!
I'm so happy and excited for you!!! Keep up the great work!
{the sounds of much merriment and rejoicing in the kingdom}"
_____________
To answer your question:
The Wildest Dreams Check-In is intended as a place where we can report in about our pursuit of our various wildest dreams----whatever those dreams may be.
People aren't limited to checking-in only about health and fitness-related matters. I'm talking about my fitness program because that's one of the main things that I'm working on right now. Others are free to check-in about whatever it is that they're actually DOING in pursuit of a wildest dream.
The Wildest Dreams Check-LIST is intended to be a think tank specifically for brainstorming IDEAS in support of our various wildest dreams.
So, to sum it up:
Check-In = report back on whatever you're already doing.
Check-List = discuss ideas and ask questions to figure out how and what you're going to do to pursue a wildest dream. For example, during the last Check-List conversation, a reader asked for ideas about how she could streamline getting her degree.
This isn't written in stone; I would expect there to be overlap between the two types of discussions. There's just a slightly different emphasis for each recurring conversation.
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
Good Morning,
Okay, I couldn't remember if the comment about her education (and the answers she received) were during on the the weekly check ins or not.
@DeStouet,
You R-O-C-K!!!!
Khadija,
Thanks for this weekly check-in. I think about you and this circle of friends when I'm about to eat the wrong thing or when I want to skip my daily stretching.
I've become very assertative about my health care. I have fired all doctors, but my primary. Before I hire a doctor I demand an interview in her/his office. If this seems "strange" to the doctor or if the doctor is too busy, then that doctor is not right for me. I have great doctors so far and I notice a huge difference in the treatments provided.
I am also receiving weekly massage therapy and physical therapy. My doctor has now okay'd me walking twice daily for 10 minutes and increasing by a minute each day. I am not too push myself too far too fast and for once in my life that is fine with me. I am usually much too critical of myself. I view my body and my health differently and define for myself what is working for me and what is not.
I am a different woman! Watch out DeStouet I may join you on that marathon!
Greetings, Hagar's Daughter!
Yes, isn't DeStouet's report the bomb?!! {excited fist pumps}
You're welcome for the weekly check-ins. I believe that it's important to acknowledge that anything worthwhile is a process, with ups and downs.
I don't like documentaries, interviews, etc. where they skip right to the end product. That's not how real life operates; and I think it serves to discourage people from being persistent in the long run.
Your health victory is on its way! I can feel it. I'm so relieved to hear that you're assertive about your medical care. Not enough people are; and they suffer unnecessarily as a result. I've seen how many physicians will treat patients like widgets on an assembly line if the patient allows it.
{raised fist salute in admiration of your steadfast efforts}
You remain in my prayers.
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
Hagar's Daughter,
Thank you very much. I've been working very hard since Novemeber.
During my children's Christmas break, we were going to the gym twice a day. Once in the morning and again in the evening. I enjoyed this that I continued going to the gym twice a day on the weekends.
Ever since MangoButtahQueen made the comment about walking everywhere, I started to do the same. I have a car, but I also live within a community that is walking distance away from EVERYTHING.
We have a trail that connect us to two different major avenues. Instead of using my Fridays as days to run errands, I use my mornings to run a different errand everyday.
For example, on Mondays mornings, I may walk to the bank, which is about 2.5 miles from my home. On Tuesday morning, I may walk to our whole foods grocery store for fresh produce, and fresh fruit. Which is about 2 miles away from our home. On Wednesdays mornings, I may walk to Walgreens for my sons pull-ups , which is about 1.5 miles away from our home. I even walk to the stores which are about 5 miles from my house now.
So, I am always walking in the morning and still putting in my two hours in the evenings.(Thank you MangoButtahQueen for that awesome walking idea).
As far as my diet, I mentioned being semi-veg, but one of the major things that have helped me is eating like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for dinner (when I do eat dinner). Normally even though I have worked out really hard at the gym, I find that I am not always really hungry when I get back home.
My meals are balanced. I even started eating brussel sprouts. LOL!
As far as junk food, what I've found is that I can NOT bring it into the house. If I do, it will be eaten. I thought I was going to be able to ration it out whenever I got a sweet tooth, it doesn't work that way for me. So, I protect myself by not buying snacks, sweets, cookies and candy. During the month of December, I ate a whole loaf of zuchinni bread in three days because I didn't want it to go to waste. LOL!
But the bottom line for me is wanting my exterior to match up with the person I am inside.
Sometime this summer, I will have results for you all because there is a website that records the results of all of my races.
I have decided to force myself to move physically, mentally and emotionally. I am also being more aggressive about making career decisions. I may be temporarily leaving the state to seek work elsewhere but I really like living in CA. This could be a shorter-term situation or not. I do know that I was angry about how "unfair" life can be and not doing anything so I hope any shift in my thinking backed with action will be beneficial. I don't have "answers" where I can say if I do A, then B will result from it but if C is doing nothing things will never change. I hope this is the best choice.
Hello there, Faith!
As you know, there's a huge difference between rejuvenation and stagnation. Sometimes I have problems telling which one I'm doing at the moment. [Ahh...the magic of rationalization! LOL!]
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
Khadija,
That brussel sprout comment was for you.
Hello there, DeStouet!
Oh yes, I caught the Brussels sprouts reference. LOL! {suppressing the urge to say "feh!" LOL!}
As...not tasty...as I find them, I have decided that I must give credit to these useful mini-cabbages in appreciation of their humble service in preventing cancer. {still suppressing the urge to say "feh!" LOL!}
I would suggest that everyone check out a book called Foods to Fight Cancer by Dr. Richard Beliveau, Ph.D. The life you save could be your own or that of a loved one!
{still suppressing the urge to say "feh!" LOL!}
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
I've been good with workouts but not great with food. I eat 1-2 leafy green salads everyday and I love my berries, steamed veggies and whole grain, but I also love the cake from the local bakery. (Walking distance, arrrgh!)
Actually my biggest problem is nibbling on chocolate and eating too late, since I only have cake 2x a week and usually split the slice with my dh.
My fitness level has increased dramatically. 1 month ago I was doing 2.2 miles in 40 minutes on the treadmill, and now I can do 3 miles in 45 minutes at increased incline.
It's also more comfortable to run because I jiggle less! *giggle*
So, I've made progress and am committed to continued improvement!
Good job everyone! As long as we can look back and say that we are doing better overall, we WILL get there!
Greetings, ForeverLoyal!
{raised fist salute} Onward and forward to victory!
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
Hi Khadija,
I first read this post when you first submitted it. I had seen in passing a commercial for the P90X and watched for about 5 minutes believeing it was too hard for me. (I tend to get sucked into good informercials, you know for like, Hip Hop Abs)
After reading this post I decided to TiVO the P90X infomercial. I watched it the whole way through. You are the best because that is one challenging system.
I have decided to contiune on my regimen. The one I have been following since October. I have been rising at 4:30 am to do the first video and before I eat dinner I do another video. This is about two hours a day.
I am eating better and feeling better. I have noticed that I think much more clearly when I get up and actually move a bit. I don't ever want to go back to being a slug!
Greetings, Tam!
Oooh,no! I'm NOT fit enough (yet) to do the P90x program. Girl, there's a fitness test to even start that program that I described in my first Wildest Dreams Check-In. THAT "kitchen" is way too hot for me.
I've been doing the program that comes before P90x: Power 90. My plan is to start the P90x program after I finish the 90-day Power 90 program.
Keep up the good work with your regimen! {raised fist salute}
Peace, blessings and solidarity.
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