P90X - Halfway

Note: I wrote this as part Fitness Fridays at Betty Beguiles

I finished the first 6 weeks of the P90X program.  A little fitness background:

1. I've pretty much always worked out.  I find it not just helpful but necessary for my mental well being.  Most days, I run.
2. I like to bake (and I prepare a hundred thousand meals a day) so I'm rarely a skinny person but most of the time I'm at a healthy weight.  Not look-great-in-a-bikini healthy but my-doctor-isn't-worried-about-my-heart healthy.
3. I gain weight every winter.
4. I've never lost weight without cutting waaay back on the calories.  I can run for hours a day and the scale won't budge until I start regularly going to bed hungry (and dreaming of cookies).  I think, by definition, losing weight has to be uncomfortable.  

So, I was not terribly shocked to see such high numbers on the scale in February (+7 to be specific).  It happens every year.  I got right to work, figuring the weight would come off when I started working out regularly again.  It didn't happen.  On April 1, I started P90X.  I loved it right away and have done at least one workout 6 days a week for the past 6 weeks.  I've lost about 3 pounds so far.  I think I could have lost a lot more, but April and May have been very cake intensive.  Cake cake cake - every weekend a party with leftovers.  As I said above, unless I strictly limit and count every calorie, I will not lose weight.  So that's what I'm working on right now. It is, by far, the trickiest part of the equation for me.

Back to the P90X DVDs - I'm still loving every minute.  Most of the workouts have become - dare I say - a little easy (except for Core Synergistics - I hate that workout).  Even though I'm not getting the spectacular weight loss I hoped for, I'm in far better shape.  I'm much stronger, running much farther, and feeling really good.  I care a lot less about those last few pounds because I'm more confident about what I can do.  

But I still want to lose the last 4 pounds. :)  

(Not proofreading!  Must make lunch for my children.) 

Comments

[Jordin]

this is a very encouraging review! I have the set as well, but found it a little difficult to make time for myself to do it.

Well done!!

[Jennifer]

It is tricky. I only have two children, I cant imagine doing it with more.

[Sara]

I'm dying to try it, but I hesitate to spend the money and I'm afraid I really won't spend the time necessary.

[Jennifer]

I told Hallie - I was fortunate enough to borrow one.

[Kelly]

Awesome, Jennifer! My husband and I are planning on starting this program soon. My sister in-law has been doing it for a few years and turned us on to it. She is in AMAZING shape, btw.

I wanted to tell you that though you haven't lost much weight it is probably due to gaining muscle. I've been told that muscle weighs more than fat. So, you've probably just been building some kick-butt muscles! :) The best way to measure success is by taking your measurements and how your clothes fit.

[Sarah]

Good for you, Jenn! I have quite a bit of baby weight to lose =( And it's slow. But I could try harder. It's hard with kids, I think. They always want to bake something, and I can't ignore cookies in the house. I know I don't have time for P90X, but I am going to re-commit to Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred again next week. 20 minutes is doable, if I make it a priority!

[Jennifer]

I have the baby weight to lose too, Sarah. Im determined to do it before my baby turns seven this summer! :)

[KC]

Jenn, I bought the DVDs and started this week. I'm not in shape and have rarely been in shape. I thought I would die when I woke up Tuesday and my quads and rear are still sore today. However, I really like the workouts. I can't do it all because I'm just not in shape.

My muscles are starting to calm down a bit and aren't protesting all too much. The most difficult thing is fitting this in. I'm having to wake up at 5:30 to fit it all in. Not fun, but will be worth it.

Thanks for the first review. That's what pushed me into getting this. A real person review. :)

[Jennifer]

I felt that way too KC, for about the first two weeks. Yikes - so very sore.

[Rolie R]

I just completed my 90 days. I lost 28 lbs and 6 inches off my waist. By the end I found the workouts extermely easy and had to add a few changes to make me feel challenged. My wife is going to start her 90 days in the next few months after she gives birth so she can burn away that baby fat. If you are bored after the 90 days, you can always move onto Shaun T's Insanity program. Shorter but more intense workouts.