Our Workouts This Week

If you follow P90X by the book, it has you on a strict schedule. You work out 6-7 days a week, with three "active" weeks followed by a fourth week of "recovery" (which, with core synergistics and yoga, still seems pretty dang active if you ask me).

Once Zach and I graduated from the first 90 days of P90X, we both agreed that we still liked the workouts and the routine...but not the 6-7 days per week stuff. So we decided to go Monday through Friday, keeping Monday and Wednesday as upper body (chest/back and shoulders/arms), Tuesday as a plyometric day, Thursday as another cardio, and Friday as legs/back. (And Saturday as a "sleep past 5 a.m." day! Yay!)

To create some variety in our workouts, we bought P90X Plus and eventually graduated to receiving the One on One workouts with Tony Horton in his home gym working out by himself. Sounds boring, but it's actually quite entertaining.

At the beginning of each month, Zach and I discuss what the first three weeks' workouts will be. Right now we're in our third week of the cycle, which means next week is recovery week. Here is what we've been doing for three weeks:

• Monday: Chest, Back, and Balls (One on One)
• Tuesday: Plyometrics or Interval X 
• Wednesday a.m.: Shoulders & Arms MC:2 (One on One)
  Wednesday p.m.: Cardio Workout with the Teachers
• Thursday: Yoga (usually a cardio, but since we're doubling up on Wednesday, we moved yoga into the mix.)
• Friday: Base and Back (One on One)

It's been fun receiving a new One on One workout in the mail every month. On the day that it arrives, we sit down and view it together as a family. I was alarmed, however, when we previewed Chest, Back, and Balls. 

Whaa?

Huh?

Yeah, right.

But here's the thing. Zach made me try it out, and it turns out I can do some of that stuff. Now, not "The Lever" -- that thing he's doing on the pull up bar up there. I've not come close to completing that exercise. But I can do this one: 

I'm not breaking any repetition records or anything, but I can get up there and do 10 or so. And if he comes to an exercise I can't quite accomplish yet, I use the perfect push up handle bars, or just get down on the floor (and knees if I have to!). And if necessary, I lie down in the fetal position for a few minutes. It's good for ya sometimes.

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The following is re-posted from Tony Horton's Facebook Page:

Why P90X works

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010

I hear 20 times a week - "P90X has changed my life!" I heard it a hundred times in Dallas this weekend. P90X is NOT a workout program that focuses solely on weight loss (which still happens) like most programs. It's not a pill, potion or processed food program to help you look different. Lives are changed because P90X goes much much deeper than smaller dress sizes and lower numbers on a scale. It cuts right to the core of who we can be. Poor eating habits and lack of physical activity keeps us from learning, growing and thriving. P90X grads are completely different people in every way - after 90 days. Physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually in many cases.

I'm trying to teach people that short term diets, gizmos and gadgets cater to the lowest common denominator. P90X on the other hand, exposes our greatness. P90X grads have moved away from the archaic methods of the past. They know that the numbers on a scale and eating manufactured factory food to lose weight does NOT work and does NOT excite or motivate them. It never did. If it had, these things would have worked long term. Companies with big ad budgets and shiny media campaigns fooled them once, but after P90X they've learned the truth. 

Change is hard for most people because of the lack of authenticity in things they've tried in the past. They bought into the quick fix plan and were disappointed so they make excuses to prevent further disappointment. Pre P90X, people didn't have time. After day 90 they continue to make time because their lives are better. They want to feel good every day. They want their health, strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, self esteem and energy go through the roof. They do NOT want the future to be filled with aches, pains, illness and disease. The P90X devotees around the world know that 6 days a week of muscle confusion and healthy food is the only way to get there. They see through the smoke and mirrors and refuse to be fooled again.

Do you want to look good in a dress at a wedding in front of a bunch of people who don't care, or do you want to change your life? If you said yes to the dress go buy somebody else's program. If you want to be super fit, healthy and at the top of your game (for the rest of your life) buy P90X!