P90X - My Review (finally)

Now that I am two weeks post-P90X, I feel I can give a little review.  First thing I should say is that I am VERY happy with my results.  I do believe I could've done even better had I followed the nutrition plan.  But, I am excited to have muscles again, even if they are tiny.  The reason I didn't follow the nutrition plan is because I have three other bodies I am feeding in my home.  I just wanted to focus on healthier eating for all of us versus just following a plan for three months while I work out.  So, I am not disappointed in myself for not following along with the nutrition, but if you decide to do "the X" and want to go all the way, the nutrition plan will get you that much farther.  Also, if I had heavier weights at home I think I would be more toned and cut.  I topped out at 10 lbs. and really could've used 12s, 15s and 20s as well.

I will do a post on each individual workout so please check back, but as a whole, I feel P90X is geared more towards men.  That is not to say women won't get fabulous results using it, but there is a heavy concentration on upper body strengthening and building, leaving us women with the same old saggy butts and thighs we had before.  Legs are only worked once per week with weights, and the plyometric DVD helps out a bit as well.  But while my butt is hard as a rock, that rock is hiding underneath a bit of "cushion".  My legs are stronger than ever as well, but not as cut and toned as I would've liked (which again, could be because of my lack of heavier weights).  When I started adding in the Brazil Butt Lift workouts towards the end, I did see more "lift" in the rear though but it still needs some work.  The upper body and ab workouts though - totally killer!  Never would I have gotten this much muscle growth just doing my own thing at the gym.

As for the cardio segments, other than plyo, they are a tad weak for my taste.  I did some running during the week to make up for the lack of good cardio.  My least favorite was Kenpo in the beginning, but I grew to love it and found ways to make it a bit more challenging (weighted gloves, ankle weights, higher kicking and using my own body to resist during the punches).  Plyo though, wow, intense, intense, intense.  Within the first five minutes (out of a nearly 60 minute workout), you will be sweating.

All in all, I am glad I chose P90X and will probably do another round of it as soon as I finish Insanity. P90XMC2 is coming out next year, and I will do that also.  This round though, the upper body results came so quickly and I felt my strength increasing week by week.  My tolerance and performance during plyo also increased each week.  The program is a great way to work your entire body and to avoid plateau.  I like how each phase (30 days each) brings different routines and schedules - it really keeps your muscles guessing (P90X refers to this as muscle confusion).

The Skinny
In 90 days, I lost over 10 inches, mostly from the chest and butt (a/k/a "the fun zones").  The girls went from a C to an A cup within the first month.  Upside, smaller bras are cuter and cheaper.  :)  I started out at 125 lbs (I am 5'6) and cannot tell you if I lost any actual weight as we don't have a scale (I don't like to measure my fitness level by those nasty numbers), but I will try to access one in the near future just to see.  My abs and core are tighter and stronger than ever.  They too though are covered with some of that "cushion" which I'm hoping the extreme cardio of Insanity will help burn off.  The biggest gains I found were to my back and shoulders.  The muscles developed in these areas pretty quickly.  Never found a place to install a pull up bar, but on the jungle gym at the park I can do one to two unassisted chin ups depending on the day - hey, it's better than nothing.  The best part though?  During our recent beach vacation, I didn't pack anything other than bikinis and I confidently strutted my stuff on the beach daily.  No cover ups, big t-shirts, sarongs, etc.  So, if for nothing else, the gain in body confidence is reason enough to do this program.

The Before and After
5/17/2010:

8/21/2010 (yeah, I got a tan with shorts on, excuse the mid-thigh tan lines):

Side Effects

You will be HUNGRY.  You will spend countless hours in front of a mirror (any mirror) flexing your new muscles and checking out your abs.  You will excitedly call your friends to tell them how you were finally able to do all 25 crunchy frogs and have mastered the Dreya roll or the superman banana.  The people around you will be SICK of hearing about the "X" so you will seek out other victims X-ers to discuss all things X with (and hopefully I am one of them)!  Worst of all, you will start using Tony-speak.  You will say "bring it" and "do your best and forget the rest" to members of your family about random things like homework, yard work and laundry and they will look at you like you are insane.

Separate reviews (with pics) of each of the 11 DVDs I used to follow.

To read about other women and their journey check out Muffintop to Skinny Jeans.  Tons of inspiration out there!