wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand New Reader
2/3/11 12:39 p.m.

I just ordered P90X (its a training regiment to get in shape).

I have heard from friends that it works, but they were already kinda health-nuts.

I am overweight (235 lbs and 6') and haven't been active in about 2 years. I am 31 years old. I travel for my job and live in a hotel Monday through Friday. I don't get a chance to do much exercise during the week, and on teh weekend I wrench on the car.

I am getting married in May and want to lose some weight between now and then.

My question is: Has anybody done this and what were your results?

Thanks,

Rob

mtn
mtn SuperDork
2/3/11 12:57 p.m.

I did one day of it with a friend, and then he moved and I didn't do it anymore.

If you stick to it, it will kick your ass and you will get into shape. My only gripe about it is that I know about a hundred different ways to get into shape, they all work, I just don't do them.

My advice is to do it, and don't stop doing it. It works.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
2/3/11 1:01 p.m.

If you are in terrible shape now you will need to summon some serious intestinal fortitude to stay with it. You CAN do it - but it can be disheartening if you are not able to keep up. The very first workout is an hour of pull-ups, chin ups, pushups of all kinds and some other stuff. It makes for a steep curve for sure.

My advice would be to take a month and work up to be able to do do 30 min of good cardio, 50 fast push-ups and 10 real full hanging pull-ups in good form THEN start the program. That gives you a nice platform to help make the initial curve a little less steep. It will still challenge you though. I still struggle to do the yoga workout and I am convinced that it is probably the most important one of all of them (even though it does not rip up the abs or guns ;) )

turboswede
turboswede GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
2/3/11 1:02 p.m.

The only problem I see with P90x is that it doesn't do much for the times when you're not working out. Otherwise, it seems to work great.

Personally, I use Advocare products (works for Brew Brees and many others) and have lost about 20 lbs and only work out occasionally (right now). The key is that the supplements help control my cravings and work throughout the day to give my body the nutrition it needs and doesn't get from the foods available today (it is proven that even fresh foods are providing fewer and fewer nutrients due to the changes in farming techniques and genetic changes)

The key to either system is to work very hard at having it become your routine. That means that while you're in your hotel, force yourself to hit the workout room before you go to bed or before you leave in the morning.

Force yourself to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day (4-5 total) about 2-3 hours apart and you'll see that your body will respond by speeding up your metabolism and dropping weight.

Good luck, I'm getting married next year, so I'm starting to ride my bike to work everyday and workout on the weekends. Forgot how much I can enjoy riding to/from work.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand New Reader
2/3/11 1:10 p.m.

Thanks for the info.

I should clarify. I raced mountain bikes in college and helped our team win the division 3 years in a row. I was in FANTASTIC shape. Then I got a job.

I am not in HORRIBLE shape now, I just feel like I am compared to where I was.

I can do probably 30 pushups and 10 pull-ups and at least 30 mins of cardio right now.

I am going to give it a go. I will remember this thread and post up results as they occur.

Wish me luck!

Otto Maddox
Otto Maddox HalfDork
2/3/11 1:31 p.m.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

It sounds like you are in decent shape already, just need to lose a few pounds. If I was you, I'd just eat better/less and do more cardio. P90X is ok, but I think the time it takes versus the benefit you get just isn't worth it.

Rusted_Busted_Spit
Rusted_Busted_Spit GRM+ Memberand Dork
2/3/11 2:03 p.m.

Take a look at Insanity , its done by the same people but is only 60 days. I did it with a friend of mine last summer, it does work if you stick with it.

AngryCorvair
AngryCorvair GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
2/3/11 3:06 p.m.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: My advice would be to take a month and work up to be able to do do 30 min of good cardio, 50 fast push-ups and 10 real full hanging pull-ups in good form

in one month? you're a better man than i. currently i can do cardio for hours on end, 25 dips, and 2 -- count'em two -- full hanging pullups. and i've been working out for three weeks to get there.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde Reader
2/3/11 3:26 p.m.

couple guys I worked with did P90 for a while. It worked well if you follow the whole diet plan, etc, but it was seriously hard on them. Like couldn't walk half the time hard. And they were in pretty good shape.

poopshovel
poopshovel SuperDork
2/3/11 3:48 p.m.

Mrs. p00 and I do this chick's workouts:

http://cathe.com/

The 'STS' series is (I think) similar in concept to the P90X thing (working opposing muscle groups, cardio mixed in.) I hit a wall after losing 15 lbs., but I'm definitely in better shape. Sis-in-law introduced us to it. She also tried P90X, but said the 'P' stood for 'Pu$$y." FWIW, she is a berkeleying badass, and can most certainly wear my ass out on some push-ups, so I'm sure the P90X thing is no joke, but cathe's E36 M3 is apparently a little tougher in comparison.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury SuperDork
2/3/11 4:03 p.m.

I have P90x, and I really now only do a few of the routines. I have all 15 discs or whatever it is, but I really only do the Plyometrics, the Cardio, and the core discs. Im not trying to get ripped their way, but I do want to get lean their way. I want a real weight bench and freeweights/barbells to add a bit more mass. But that can wait till I get my weight down. If I could do only one, I would do the Plyo disc. they move at a rate fast enough to be considered a decent-ish cardio workout, and you can work with kettle balls or dumbells if you really want to pep it up. I work with 10# kettle balls and It really gets you pumped and your heartrate going.

DustoffDave
DustoffDave Reader
2/3/11 4:07 p.m.
Rusted_Busted_Spit said: Take a look at Insanity , its done by the same people but is only 60 days. I did it with a friend of mine last summer, it does work if you stick with it.

+1 on this one. Also, based on what you're saying about being on the road a lot, Insanity doesn't require anything other than yourself -- helpful for working out in the hotel room, whereas P90X requires weights, pull-up bars, etc. I've done both and there are merits to both. The key, as mentioned, is to pick something and stick with it.

Maroon92
Maroon92 SuperDork
2/3/11 7:22 p.m.

I did P90X for 3 weeks, it annihilated me. I was so sore I gave it up for one day at first, then two days, then a week, then gave it up altogether.

It is very very hard.

ShadowSix
ShadowSix New Reader
2/3/11 9:09 p.m.

I thought we were talking about this:

Anyway, I know a few ex-Army fitness types that are into the P90X so there's got to be something to it.

Ian F
Ian F SuperDork
2/4/11 7:39 a.m.

I've found that if I manage to stick with any sort of regular exercise program, I'll see results.

Of course... that is the problem... sticking with it...

So I'm trying a new strategy: a hard-set date to be in shape (more or less) by. In this case, a XC mtn bike race in early May. Which should be all the more interesting since I haven't done and XC race since 1998 and haven't raced at all (DH) since 2003.

chuckles
chuckles Reader
2/4/11 7:40 a.m.

Exercise is important but never forget that weight loss is, fundamentally, about what you eat.

davidjs
davidjs Reader
2/4/11 7:56 a.m.
wvumtnbkr wrote: I just ordered P90X (its a training regiment to get in shape). I have heard from friends that it works, but they were already kinda health-nuts. I am overweight (235 lbs and 6') and haven't been active in about 2 years. I am 31 years old. I travel for my job and live in a hotel Monday through Friday. I don't get a chance to do much exercise during the week, and on teh weekend I wrench on the car. I am getting married in May and want to lose some weight between now and then. My question is: Has anybody done this and what were your results? Thanks, Rob

If you're on the road all the time, I think you'll find that getting something like a salad (or healthier food of your choice) and keeping it in the room fridge instead of eating at the bar will be your biggest help.

Maybe try for hotels with gyms? If nothing else they usually have a few cardio machines.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand New Reader
2/4/11 7:57 a.m.

In reply to Ian F:

I wonder if we raced against each other back in the day.

I raced at Mickey's Mountain in Ohio; Did DH at hidden valley; raced cross country everywhere (apollo, emlenton, whitetail, etc...). I raced DH at Whitetail also.

This would have been about 1995-2001.

Ian F
Ian F SuperDork
2/4/11 8:04 a.m.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

It's possible. I did a few races at Whitetail. The last Seven Springs National as well as the Nationals at Snowshoe from 01-03. Sport XC and DH until mid-'99. Then Expert DH until I stopped. My racing age is 41 this year.

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