Bring It: P90X Day 1
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Today I started an adventure. A journey I started long ago and gave up on time and time again. It is my fight against my own personal obesity epidemic. The goal: to get healthy and toned up before my sister’s wedding next February.
Now I am not saying I am severely obese. Heck, I wouldn’t even qualify for “The Biggest Loser” if I wanted to. But, I do have a little extra plump in places I would rather not think too strongly about. Now this extra baggage, while at times it may seem impossible, isn’t hard to get rid of with the proper tools and motivation.
So today is the day. I dusted off my packet of P90X workout DVDs, grabbed my pull-up bar and pilates mat, and hoped for the best. And guess what: I survived!
What is P90X?
Since I am an infomercial junkie, I am very familiar with those people trying to show you all these different workout systems that supposedly guarantee results. I am sure they work. However, if you don’t work at it, the results will stay in the package.
P90X is different. It isn’t geared toward just woman (like those fluffy cardio programs that most men run from); it is geared toward anybody who wants to get in the best shape of their life. It requires an extreme attitude and a stubborn persistence. Believe me, after even the first day, you will be sore and questioning whether or not you want to go on. Yet, each day, all you have to do is push play.
P90X is an extreme fitness program and it works by providing “muscle confusion.” With the variety of different moves, you muscles are always being challenged to continue growing. The philosophy is “the more you confuse the muscle, the harder your body has to work to keep up.” The variety of this workout is key to better and faster results.
The design of P90X is to use “simple” exercises. By simple, I don’t mean easy. In fact, it is far from it. But it is basic exercises. We are talking pushups, pullups, jumping jacks, squats and much more. P90X consists of 3 different phases. This helps you get stronger; keeps you motivated; and is ultimately what makes this program work to give you the short transition in just 90 days.
Included in the program are the 12 DVDs you will be using, a workout guide, downloadable worksheets online to track your progress, and one hell of a motivational trainer, Tony Horton. His quirkiness and his drive are really what pushes you through this. He makes you laugh when you think your arms are going to fall off. Without the combination of all of this, the P90X program would not be as successful!
Tools of the trade
 | This pull up bar will fit easily into any door frame, making it possible for you to do all exercises in the P90X system. Amazon Price: $22.50 List Price: $39.99 |
 | This weight set is perfect for woman who want to use P90X, but want that extra boost. Made of Neoprene, there is a comfortable feel whether you are using 3lb, 5lb or 8lb weights. Amazon Price: $45.99 List Price: $99.99 |
 | Want to try P90X - get it here. Includes everythign needed to get you started. All you have to do is push play! Amazon Price: $139.80 List Price: $150.00 |
 | Not ready for extreme. Try the original. Amazon Price: $72.80 List Price: $193.00 |
Day 1: Chest & Back
This workout is all about the pushing and the pulling. That being said, my arms feel like jello after the torturous amounts of pushups and pull ups I accomplished, which isn’t saying much, because those are definitely not my strong suit. Ok - so I did them on my knees and I probably only did 10! But hey, I am just starting here!
This workout lasts a little shy of an hour and with only 12 exercises, you will strengthen, tighten and tone the major muscles of the upper torso. For this workout, a pull up bar is the only thing absolutely necessary. If you have dumbbells, that will intensify the workout, but not needed right off the bat if you are just starting. I have dumbbells and I choose not to use them. I don’t want to push myself too hard on the first day and then either lose motivation or injure myself.
In addition to the Chest & Back workout, it is suggested you do the Ab Ripper X three times throughout the week. I did not do this workout today and will not during my journey because of previous surgeries on my abdominals. I did try it today, but found my abdominals are not strong enough to do this extreme of a workout. I will be doing my own variation of abdominal workouts once I get into the program further. Maybe by the end, I will be able to start adding this in.
What's your opinion?
Have you ever tried P90X?
See results without votingGetting healthy
- Working Out - The Best Form of Self Torture
Getting started on a fitness program can be difficult. But once you get into it, working out can be the most rewarding thing you do for yourself. - Introducing the Shrek Smoothie
Are you getting the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables a day. If not, this might be the smoothie for you to help reach your healthy goals. - Top 5 Signs You Work Out Too Much
Do you live at the gym? Funny list to point out whether or not you work out too much. See if you fit into any of the categories.
How am I feeling?
After the first day, I will admit, I am feeling pretty pumped. My arms and my upper back are starting to get a little sore with each passing minute, but it isn’t anything I can’t deal with. Luckily for me, since I hate push ups and pull ups, I am done with this workout routine until next week. (But I am not promising there won’t be a few more in the other workouts!)
Overall, I will say this is a difficult workout, but then again the guide does warn you about that. But it is difficult depending on how much you push yourself. If you want to slack and you can't push yourself with just one more, this workout is probably not for you. However, I am too stubborn to listen to the “you cant’s”. So even though this is not recommended for those just starting out (or who have been away from exersice for a long time), I realized last time it is vital to do quality and not quantity. If you can only do 5 good pushups - that is all that is required of you. That just means next week try to push for a few more extra.
The goal of this program is not to beat everybody else, but to beat yourself and improve each and every week. I am being good about this (at least for the first day) and writing down all my personal stats. This way I know what to shoot for next week.
So overall, today is done, but I have enough energy left over to maybe play the Wii Fit with my kids later on. And I am pretty sure tomorrow I will have no issues just pushing play.
Note: It is not advised that you start any program without the consent of your doctor. If you do so, you do at your own risk. P90X is an extreme workout program that you are able to tailor to what you can do. If you aren’t in ok shape to start with, you might want to start with the original P90 before embarking on this program. However, the most important thing to do is remember Tony Horton’s motto: “Do your best and forget the rest!” So, as long as you start moving, you are on your way to a better and healthier lifestyle.
Want more...
Follow me on my journey throughout the entire P90X program by clicking here, where you will be able to read Bring It: P90X Day 2. Each article will have links at the end leading to the next day. Hope you are able to find some motivation and you enjoy a real story from a real person. This truly is my own personal journey, and I hope to show some real results at the end! Thanks for your support!
Need support?
After seeing what the entire P90X program was able to do for me, I decided to continue on my journey. Only this time, not only do I want to inspire others, but I want to help them achieve the success I have had. I firmly stand by how the BeachBody programs, and therefore have become a BeachBody Coach. If you would like more information on the programs available or have a question feel free to visit my site by clicking here or contact me.
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Man I wanted to steal those from you remember? You weren't supposed to get back into them!! How am I supposed to work out now? lol. Jk.. sorta. I am glad you are getting back into them. You and Eli looked AMAZING when you guys were doing them frequently. I guess this means the competition is back on? See you at the wedding ;-)
Good luck on meeting your goal!! When my daughter got married in May I had the same goal and it was a success!! U go girl, U can do it!!
um...is that barbergirl28 or just a puddle of sweat on the floor (looks closer) no...just water from the (still) not-dried clothes...Barbergirl28! (he yells out).
She comes around the corner...looking healthy, fit and happy (drinking a Shrek smoothie)...she asks if I would like to join her in her workout.
After laughing I made the suggestion I had come to make....um...why not push the wedding back to June??
This is the third time I've tried to comment and it keeps eracing when I get near the end, so I'll keep it short and say "You rock my friend." and hi to by bud Thought Sandwiches!
@Arlene - It is funny that you mention that. I was watching a commercial that kept coming on tonight from Kaiser Permenante (a hospital out her). It was about a woman trying to find her place in the exercise world. Eventually she just ended up walking. I can't do that. I like variety so we will see how far this journey takes me. I actually blogged about it in hopes that it will make me accountable! Now I am forced to continue tomorrow because someone out there might be looking to see if I did. Oh - the wonderful world of the web. :) Thanks for the push!
@Myth - Bring it... ha ha... and yeah - even if they were collecting dust, I still wouldn't have given them to you! LOL - that system was expensive. Just like my total gym. I am going to be buried with that thing! LOL
I just hope what happened last time doesn't happen this time. A week or so into the program we both got really sick and were down for almost 2 weeks. Usually once I start getting kicking I am hard to get out of the habit, but once I am out, it is 10 times harder to get back into the torture regiment. LOL And right now - believe me - I am surprised I can type my arms hurt so bad!!!
@Sunshine - That is awesome. We (a couple members of my family -including my sister Myth up there) started this competition earlier this year to all get in shape. So far, I have been unsuccessful and unmotivated. The conditions just weren't right. So now, we are in a new house and I have the room to actually work out. No excuses... so if you find me slacking... give me a kick in the pants! :) P90X is going to be my best friend for the next 90 days or so! :)
@Thought Sandwiches - You read my mind. I mean seriously... if the wedding was in June then I could knock out two birds with one stone - wedding dress body and beach body! I will try to have the discussion with my sister once again and see if she makes a go at it. I fear however it will be unsuccessful since she already has so much of it planned. LOL
But seriously, fair warning here, if you come looking for me be careful were you step. The sweat puddles could get a little slippery on the tile floor. Fair warning - I am no longer liable! :)
Jim, thank you so much for the 20 comments, even if only one of them actually showed up. It really means alot to me that you are willing to keep me in check and make sure I am doing my thing over here. And if I am not... feel free to remind me! :) That means there should be a new hub every single day for the next 90 days. Wow - not only am I getting a physical workout, but a mental one as well! Phew... what did I get myself into! LOL
Hi, bg - I want to encourage you by saying what that character in most of Adam Sandler's comic movies keeps saying, "You can do it! You can do it!" All it takes is persistence - to keep going - and amnesia - to forget how much your muscles ached yesterday.
For myself, swimming is the answer and since I live in sunny south Florida with a pool nearby, that's what I do for at least 30 minutes a day 5 times a week.
You go, girl! You can do it!
@drbj - Thanks for the extra push. This morning when I got up, I could definately feel that I had arms. And they felt like dead weights! But, I got up, and even though I grumbled to myself I still pushed play. So day 2 has been good. As for the swimming - I could never do that for a workout. The only stroke I know consistently is the doggy paddle. I fear I have a higher chance of drowning then actually getting a workout. Although I do hear treading water is good. We have a pool in the backyard but it is one of those easy set up pools. So, I tried swimming in circles the other day, but I was getting interferance from the kids and their pool toys. Might have to try that when not everybody is in the pool.. lol
You go girl!!! Your motivation is inspiring me to get up and do something. I have no doubt that your fitness will continue to improve each week and you'll look and feel fabulous for your sister's wedding. Keep drinking lots of water to release the toxins from those muscles :-)
I've seen this advertised and was intrigued with the program. However, I've been working out with a group the past 5 years and it works for me b/c it provides that "muscle confusion" that you need without me having to figure out multiple different routines. Looking forward to reading regular updates on how you are meeting your goal.
@Cloverleaf - I am hoping this hub has 2 outcomes... the first is that it will keep me motivated to keep it up. Last time I tried, I think I was done after a week. With the online commitment, I am hoping it keeps me accountable even if the motivation is lacking. The second is to serve as inspiration to others. If I can do it... anybody can do it! We can call it Online Workout Buddies!!
@Danette - I got the original P90 from one of my friends back in 2006 to try and get into shape. I thought it was a good workout, but I only had 1 DVD and while it was a good work out, I got easily bored without having the whole program. I ended up buying this one day because I wanted to get the rest of the DVDs from the original P90X. I can't say the workout is disappointing. It keeps the muscles confused and when I did it last time, people were commenting on the results after only a week.
As for working out with groups, that doesn't always seem to work for me. Either they were way to far ahead or I was way to far behind. So I found I did less socializing and more work when I went on my own. Besides, I usually used a group to keep me motivated, and I was the one doing the motivating instead. Often after a few weeks, I got sick of trying to get them to work out with me. But it definately helps to have a support system out there! :) Hope this helps to keep you motivated as well! :)
barbergirl, some people I know swear by Kaiser's weight loss classes. Ewwwww. Yeah, that commercial is a riot. I could see me POLE DANCING or BELLY DANCING. Hahahahahahahaha. I get bored with the walking. Who wants to wear a cannister of bear gas to keep the loose dogs away? But, I do. I almost got attacked a couple of times, and I'm one big chicken unless I'm walking in the park where people pay attention to the leash law and keep their furry children on leashes. There's always my hand-me-down bicycle with the foot brakes. But I spend a lot of time coasting. ZUMBA! ZUMBA!
@Arlene - I love Belly Dancing... but I would never actually do it were people can see me. I have tried Carmen Electra's Strip Tease workout videos (my husband bought them for me because he thought they would be fun) Honestly, if these people are following that workout, they will never be able to climb that pole. As for the bike, I can't last too long. My butt doesn't have nearly enough cushioning to enjoy sitting for long rides. I even tried the cushioned seat with no help, the next option was biker pants with the pads, but those are realitively embarrasing. But I do love zumba. We all got our favorites though! But I can see how the walking isn't too enjoyable if you have to wear battle gear to do it. :)
Omg! Where have I been?!? Ha! You crack me up...I am sans computer for a couple days and you're getting hub world in shape! Crack the whip!
@Real - I am not sure if I am getting hub world in shape or if they are just having fun laughing at my expense... lol... you should have seen me today. Ouch! Ha ha - I am working on it now so hopefully I will have it up and running later this afternoon!
Good luck bbg, rather you than me but great to keep it all recorded on here as now you have all of us to account to ha ha!
@Azure11 - That is what I am talking about. These haven't been my most successful hubs, but even if only 1 person reads them, I feel like I will be disappointing if I don't return to it tomorrow. Guess that means I better get to writing about today's torture session! :)
Good luck BBG. I'll be rooting for you from my "easy chair" lol. Seriously, I recently lost about 15 lbs. (due to stress) and I'm trying desperately now to keep it off. So many more clothes in my closet fit being just one size smaller. Good luck, will be watching . . .
Sharyn
@Sharyn - Thanks so much for the support. Ironically, if I am stressed that is usually when I pack on the pounds. When we moved out to California - in the short 10 months we have been here - I put on almost 15 to 20 pounds. I think I have finally gotten to my starting point again. That kind of sucks cause I am way behind. But, my clothes are getting a little more looser so I can't complain too much. Especially since I was getting used to them being so tight! :)
A lot of my friends have been telling me to try this. I've never really been fond of home exercises though. I like going out to do something. I get to commit more since I actually dress up and prepare for it. But I might look into this since I've been getting more and more work. I dont have that much time to go to the gym and my boxing sessions always take up at least 2 or 3 hours of my day if you add the travel time.
Great hub and good luck!!!
@truebluewriter - I enjoy the different activities you can do at the gym, but I also found the drive made me slack a whole lot more. That and I got seriously disgusted on how much it has really become a social scene. I get frustrated when I can't get on my machine because there is a date happening when I want to work out.
I am still making my judgements on this, but so far I think this is a great program. I can feel the difference in how I feel. I can see the results, although I will admit the weight isn't melthing off. However, it is one tough workout. You definately need to be prepared both physically and mentally. Being you already spend a bit of time with your boxing sessions, this might fit in nicely to your schedule. And you will probably really like the KenpoX routine.
Thanks for your support and good luck with your decision.
I am a 50 year old guy, always reasonably fit but no six-pack, trust me. started P90x on my 50th birthday and have been going for 4 weeks. first couple weeks were pretty brutal - pretty much continuous soreness in abs, back, arms, shoulders, etc etc. not so much in my legs because i was biking several hours a week for the 6 months leading up to starting p90x. http://www.90dayworkout-plan.com/p90x-extreme-fitn
@jonely - Congrats on taking the plunge into P90X. I have to say the first 4 weeks for me were complete brutality. I could hardly move at all. However, as it gets easier, I push harder. Yet, I have made it way past the halfway mark and I am loving the results!
So its 12 DVDs, what other equipment do you need?? I ask because my brother has it and I'm wondering if I borrow it what else I might need???
@Lapse - It is 12 DVDs and the equipment will vary on which DVD you are doing. For the most part though - you should havea pull-up bar - you can get one at walmart for about 30 bucks... otehrwise if you can get the bands that attach to the doorway they show you how to do it that way. I want to invest in those as well because I think the pull-up bar isn't helpful. The doorways are too short so it is too easy to cheat on them. Especially since I can't do a pull-up so I use the chair assisted version. Then you need dumbbells or bands. The bands are good because they take up less room and you can always increase the resistance. Dumbbells can get pricey. But both work. Or, you can just concentrate really hard on flexing the muscle without weight when you start off. YOu have to flex harder to push those muscles but it will still work. Then you need a chair - for chair dips and a few other exercises, a water bottle and a towel to mop up the sweat... and a yoga mat is helpful. The tools needed are few... however, you can always improvise. Obviously though when it comes to the weights - the results will be better with weights. But some of the workouts don't require anything at all but a towel and a water bottle. Plyometrics you can do without anything... and KenpoX can be done without any extra equipment. Yoga and StretchX also dont' require anything but the matt - but while the matt is helpful, carpeting will work too.
If you borrow it let me know what you think. This are some serious workouts!
I got some 55s... Are those heavy enough? Nevermind that they haven't been lifted since I moved last... :-)
Hmmmm.... let me know how that works for you. :)
Interesting! I like the fact that it has varied workouts all week, as I get bored very quickly if you have to keep repeating the same stuff.
Thanks for SHARING
@Brett - One of the best things about all the Beach Body workouts is the variety... If you pop in Taebo it seems like you are doing the same workout day after day. I need variety because I do get bored very easily. But, variety is really the key... not only to sticking with it, but for not getting stuck into those dreaded plateaus!
Meant to comment on this forever ago, but that meant actually logging in for the first time in months and...yeah.
This hub, combined with your commentary on the P90X via Facebook, was actually what inspired me to try it for myself. Finishing up on week two and have at least reached the point where I don't hurt the next day during the more intense workouts.
Voted up, of course, and maybe a useful/awesome one-two punch. It was more than five seconds ago, so I forget.
@Keith Worth - Well I am glad you finally got around to signing on in... and even better - you decided to try out P90X for yourself. That first month is brutal and just when you think you have the hang of it, phase 2 starts! Hope you are sticking with it! You will see results if you follow his advice! Good luck! :)
Arlene V. Poma 7 months ago
Better you than me. I quit the gym years back. I got tired of these clowns leaving me 450-lbs.+ on the Smith Machine whenever it was my time to use it. Or using their sweaty towels to wipe down the machines. And blah-blah-blah. I haven't done a sit-up since October 2008. I have yet to do a pull-up in my lifetime. But, I will follow you on your journey. I have an XBOX 360 KINECT ready to roll. If I move furniture around in my tiny living room, I can ZUMBA if I purchase the ZUMBA feature. WooHoo! Voted up, useful, interesting and AWESOME for the inspiration. I'm still searching for something fun to do on a daily basis. Otherwise, I'm not gonna exercise. Thanks!