P90x

[Bullgrit]

For someone who is relatively unfit and has no access to equipment, is P90X any good for weightloss?

Sticking to the diet is what helps the weight loss, otherwise you pretty just build up muscle.

With a couple rounds of P90X and one round of Insanity, I lost 45 pounds. (I never thought I had 45 pounds of fat to loose -- I thought 10-15 only.)

As for unfit and no access to equipment:

P90X is extreme. It's not called X just for marketing. It really is hard. I was not truly fit at the time I started it, but I wasn't terribly unfit. No gut fat hanging over my belt, never smoked, etc.

You'll need a pull-up bar and dumbbells -- probably start with 10s, 15s, 20s. And a floor mat for cushion when doing the ab exercises lying on the floor.

I've met people who have started and given up on P90X, and I've come to think that a major component to getting through it is the mental attitude. It may sound corny, but really, I think you have to start it with the intent to succeed, not just "I'll try it." Then, regardless of one's beginning fitness, it works. I'd say don't even buy it unless you can honestly promise/guarantee yourself that you will complete it.

I blogged about my progress through the program: Workouts Total Bullgrit
As normal for blogs, that top post is the latest, and goes back in time down the page. And warning if it matters: photos of shirtless middle-aged man.

Also check out jcayer's blog, (link in above post).

Bullgrit

 

[Pbartender]

For someone who is relatively unfit and has no access to equipment, is P90X any good for weightloss?

I was lucky enough to find the book and all the DVDs at my local public library... I checked out the book and the first few DVDs just to take a look and get a feel for it.

The program, apparently, has three different possible schedules for the 90-day workout... The classic, standard version. A doubled-up version that adds an extra workout each day for super-fast, killer muscle building. And a third weight-loss schedule that's heavier on the aerobics and other calorie-burning exercises.

Note that P90X aims to build a lot of muscle, so you may not see as much weight-loss as you might expect... Muscle is much more dense than fat. Though program pays attention to that, though, and encourages you to track your progress using photos and body measurements (waist, hips, chest, biceps, etc.), instead.

 

[Umbran]

For someone who is relatively unfit and has no access to equipment, is P90X any good for weightloss?

The #1 impediment to getting into and sticking with an exercise regiment is picking the wrong regimen. If you start with one that's too tough, you'll get frustrated (or worse, hurt - I've had a friend bench himself for weeks trying to do p90X), give up, and feel bad about it. That feeling bad tends to be a barrier to finding a new regimen that works for you.

P90X is not for beginners, and I'd not recommend it for folks who aren't already on the exercise bandwagon.

 

[Pilgrim]

Just found this thread and wanted to chime in with my own experience with P90X. Absolutely love the program. I did a round a year ago spring and dropped from 245 to 205 (I'm 5'11 for reference) and 4 pant sizes (42 down to 36) and I didn't follow the diet as suggested in the book. After I was done I started running on and off until this past July when I ended up ripping a tendon in my calf.

P90X was the best thing I could have ever done for my life at the time. It changed my entire outlook and gave me a sense of the importance of health and diet.

Even with the weight loss I didn't reach my own personal goal. I'm actually about to start my second round coming up in September hoping to finish before the New Year, this time following the diet strictly.

 

[Kzach]

After some research there's no way I can complete a P90x program with my leg injury.

But that's ok 'cause a new housemate just moved in and his job is personal trainer

 

[Bullgrit]

Revisiting the topic

It's been almost 1 year since we last talked about this, and over 2 years since the thread was started. How has everyone who was doing an extreme regimen been doing? Still keeping it up? Working harder? Maintaining? Trying something new?

How about other folks? Anyone else gotten into something like this?

For myself, I just turned 45 years old, and I'm still doing P90X, a little Insanity, some Body Revolution, and I've just started running a couple times a week. In my recent birthday post on my blog, I show a picture of my body -- if you're interested to see my results, check it out. (I won't post it here, because maybe not everyone wants to see the bare torso of a middle-aged geek. I don't have the sense of decency to keep my clothes on like Chairman7w

So, how's your fitness coming along? Anyone new to the cult?

I'm still struggling with maintaining a proper diet. It's so hard to eat right.

Bullgrit

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I wasn't happy with my body though no one would have told me I was overweight. I still hated taking my shirt of in public because I was pale and pudgy. P90x and crossfit tempted me with all of the testimonials. I got as far as friends lending me their p90x DVDs.

But just as I was about to make my leap and start doing it, I had been scared into changing my eating habits. I started seeing my waist shrink and my belt move a notch. Did more reading around fine tuning what was working and fell into something pretty identical to the Paleo/Primal diet, kind of strict about it 80/20.

I shed 35 lbs in 9 months with zero exercise (and maintaining a full 10 months more now after hitting this level). My GERD stopped. My headaches stopped. I stopped snoring. My back aches stopped. Mental fog is gone and I have energy all day long. Plus I never get hungry immediately after eating, I can easily go 14-18 hours without eating and not be ravenously hungry. I couldn't have ever tried intermittent fasting before the change in diet, now I willingly IF 2-4x a week.

I don't see much of a need for me to try P90x to hit the weight loss target anymore, diet alone did it for me. I certainly don't need the spike to my cortisol levels it would almost assuredly bring. I might revisit P90x to mine it for a strength routine I could do 2-3x per week for 30 minutes. I'm also looking to MovNat as an option.

[edit] Excellent photo of the progress! Congrats!

 

[Umbran]

How about other folks? Anyone else gotten into something like this?

Nothing nearly so extreme. But... something.

Back in the late autumn, if I recall the timing correctly, my wife and I read about the "Run for Your Lives". Basically, a 5k run, with some obstacles, and zombies.

It sounded fun, but really, I wasn't in any condition to run 5k. But, a three mile run should be within reach, darn it! With the assist of a membership at a nearby University gym (with its indoor track), and I started doing "Couch to 5K".

We didn't do it at its suggested 8 week program. We doubled it, doing each week twice. And, we had an unfortunate break in there where my wife got dreadfully ill and I got a nasty cold in January, that set us back. But, we had the time. And, with this program, other than the time of illness, I *never* hit a workout I couldn't finish. Sometimes I thought I was going to fail, but I always managed to make it.

So, I hit my original goal: be able to keep a jogging stride for a half-hour. I can do that reliably, without strain, or feeling wiped out afterwards. I noticed only a slight shrinking of my waistline, and I don't think I actually lost any weight. But, honestly, my blood pressure being lower is far more important than exactly which notch I'm using on my belt.

Now, I have a new goal, which is in many ways more ambitous: Jog for a half-hour, covering a total of three miles (so, three ten-minute miles). I've been set back by lower-back muscle strain, but I'm about ready to get back on the wagon.

 

[Chairman7w]

Hey Bulgrit, long time no talk! I checked out your blog - great job man! I have a six-pack too, it's just hidden behind my belly! LOL It's funny, I am in great shape, and have a great core, but just not willing to invest the discipline (eating) to lose that last bit around my gut, and on my sides just under my armpits. Those two trouble spots are about 60-days away with SERIOUS carb/protein/calorie tracking, and right now, the priority just isn't there for me.

Don't know exactly where I ever left off with updates, but for those wondering, I did P90X twice, did Insanity, and did Insanity Asylum (which I really liked). But haven't done an organized program in a year.

I've been maintaining, staying in shape. I play hoop (full court runnin' ball) several times a week with my 19yr old son and his friends, and I've been doing weights 2-3 times a week. Nothing like P90X intensity, but a nice variety of whole body routines to maintain.

My eating isn't so good, I've been trying to clean that up. But I'm maintaining a good weight (175 or so) and I've got good strength and wind - all that a healthy 46 yr old needs.

However.... I DID just recently pick up the Tapout XT workout program and I think I'm going to give that a go. It looks very cool.

I'll keep you informed.

It's been almost 1 year since we last talked about this, and over 2 years since the thread was started. How has everyone who was doing an extreme regimen been doing? Still keeping it up? Working harder? Maintaining? Trying something new?

How about other folks? Anyone else gotten into something like this?

For myself, I just turned 45 years old, and I'm still doing P90X, a little Insanity, some Body Revolution, and I've just started running a couple times a week. In my recent birthday post on my blog, I show a picture of my body -- if you're interested to see my results, check it out. (I won't post it here, because maybe not everyone wants to see the bare torso of a middle-aged geek. I don't have the sense of decency to keep my clothes on like Chairman7w

So, how's your fitness coming along? Anyone new to the cult?

I'm still struggling with maintaining a proper diet. It's so hard to eat right.

Bullgrit

 

[Bullgrit]

So, I hit my original goal: be able to keep a jogging stride for a half-hour. I can do that reliably, without strain, or feeling wiped out afterwards.

I'm surprised at how hard running/jogging is. I think the pounding is harder with running than with the exercises in the regimens I've done. And with the exercises, it's easy to just stop for a few seconds to catch breath or rest the muscles, and then start again. With running, it looks kind of pathetic to stop on the sidewalk/road/trail with your hands on your knees, gasping for air, as people walk or run past you.

So while running, instead of stopping completely, I'll slow to a walk. But sometimes I find myself walking longer than I should, and it's so hard to speed back up. Running is surprisingly hard even after succeeding with the various extreme exercise regimens.

Bullgrit