A #P90X Graduate’s Look Back….and, oh ya, my stats.

A few days ago, as many of you might recall, I tweet blasted the world (read: my twitter followers and facebook) that I was officially a graduate of P90X. (cue monty python cheer).

Needless to say, it was a big day for me. I had a huge feeling of accomplishment all day. Though it took me a little longer than 90 days (I think the grand total was 102), my deviations from the schedule were unavoidable and being able to say that I stuck to the nutrition guide 90% of the time was another gold star on my fitness lapel.
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LOOKING BACK

Looking back, I’ve got a much better sense about what P90X actually does for the individual, and my stats confirm that. From an intellectual perspective, I now see specifically how muscle confusion works. I mean actually works. I read tons on the theory behind it, but now I have the experience under my belt that tells me, if I keep it new and fresh it’s not just my mind that stays engaged, my body has to try and adapt as well.

Another thing that I love about how P90X is structured is that regardless of where I was in the program, it was always tough. BUT, some of that was due to my ability to recognize that either a) I wasn’t pushing myself as hard as I could or b) the workout in it’s basic form was becoming to easy. There is always a way to make any workout on and disc harder.

Of course, the obvious ways to maintain a workout’s effectiveness are to either add weight, add reps, add height, add balance, let gravity work on you or some combination of those. But here are a few of my own personal additions that were necessary to keep my reinventing my A-Game:

Plyometrics: I stuck with Dom. If you can follow Dom (the guy in the back) on everything, then you are a Plyo Beast.

Yoga X: I kept my front leg bent at 90 degrees. Really. Most people don’t. Think of it like you think of Wall Squats. If you do, you’ll be forcing your entire body to maintain a tough balance, increase strength and increase your flexibility. My stats will support this idea, as I worked aggressively on this throughout.

Kenpo X: I added weighted weighted gloves. Whether it’s maintaining solid form on all punches, or trying to keep up with Tony & Co. on the Jumping Jacks and X’s, weighted gloves add an additional level of intensity that works your delts and your core.

Ab Ripper X: I added the arms wherever I could (duh), I added reps and I added weight. I added a 5lb medicine ball to my mason twists and it’s worth it. Even having little dumbbells in your hands, or the weighted gloves really increases the intensity.

And it’s that kind of self-motivation-determination that I think it takes for someone to get the most out of P90X. No matter where you are, it can always be made tougher.
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LOOKING AHEAD

Today marked the beginning of my new hybrid workout series. It’s a combination of (so far) P90X+, 1-on-1 with Tony Horton (Vol. 1), interval sprinting, hiking, biking, jump rope and any number of Sunday afternoon activities that seem fun.

My fitness glasses, as it were, are shaded with a new color. I think of things based out of what I learned in P90X. I default to thinking I need to be sure I’m not working out a cold body beforehand. Some of what I saw with P90X was in support of what I learned in fitness previously, but that did nothing but reinforce it’s importance. Things like a good night’s sleep. Eating correctly before and after a workout. Hydrating. Spending an hour a week just stretching (yummy, yummy, yummy).

And with that, here are my stats:
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THE DETAILS

Now, as you can see, there are a few blanks. First off, let me say that I didn’t do a very good job of tracking the stats when I first started P90X. I didn’t do a good job of taking Before photos, and even my first week, I kept forgetting to write the workouts down. The bodyfat percentage I was never able to get an accurate measure on, mostly because of the excess skin as a result of my rapid weight loss before P90X. Also, on Day 0, I got distracted with a phone call and forgot to keep checking my HR. Genius, right?

The upside, however, is that my Day 90 results are pretty off the charts. I was supremely pleased. And it is worth noting how in this process, my measurements all went down and I improved in every area physically. I didn’t think I had much room for improvement with my measurements starting out, but to be honest I didn’t know what to expect either.

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THE PHOTOS

I’ll be honest. I’m extremely hesitant to post these photos, and for a myriad of reasons. First, I’m embarrassed about the excess skin. I don’t have much to be self-conscious about anymore, but I kick myself every time I see it for not better educating myself before changing my habits, losing weight and getting fit.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To understand where I came from, if you are not already aware, please read my story of weight loss before P90X. CLICK HERE]

Secondly, I did such a poor job of taking Before Photos that my After Photos don’t seem like really anything at all. For that, I sincerely apologize to those who get to view the photos. I took 1 Before Photo and just kept on working out.

Thirdly, due to a variety of projects I am involved with in business, it would not be prudent to simply display the photos on this blog. Many professional connections have easy access to this blog and are aware of both its existence and my journey with fitness and nutrition and posting these photos of myself, regardless of the capacity in which they are presented, would not bode well for my future involvement with said groups.

Having said that, I am providing a password protected to the photos. Contact me for the appropriate login information.

P90X Photos Link: CLICK HERE

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THE CLOSING

I hope you guys enjoyed my terribly and unforgivably late post regarding my Results from P90X. I hope you can forgive me in spite of my stupidity. I look forward to the future. P90X+ and 1-on-1 have been really great so far. I look forward to tackling Insanity once I get my fill of the outdoors.

Please, please feel free to comment all over this blog. I would love to get your feedback, your thoughts on things.

Cheers, God Bless and Bring It,
-N
P.S. For those wondering, the 1st photo is the Before Photo.

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