Then my friend and beachbody coach from California, Tonja, invited me to join a group of ladies who were getting together to do a 90day P90X challenge. The object - to log our P90X workouts, choose an eating plan, post on Facebook everyday (regardless of success or failure). The result - to motivate and inspire each other, become more fit and healthier, and enter into a drawing to win $100,000. So I jumped at the chance to give the challenge a try. I mean - who wouldn't want be fitter and healthier and have the chance to win some money along the way?
My eating plan - The Paleo Diet
My workouts - P90X Lean Phase, some running, training sessions with my trainer
Facebook - Daily posts about what I ate and what I did during my workouts
To begin, I took measurements, logged my weight, and took photos to document the start of the challenge. Over the course of the first 30 days I ate about 90% Paleo. I did my P90X workout every morning before work, did an occasional 3-4 mile run in the evenings, and often wrote on my P90X group page about my workouts (although I never mentioned that I skipped AbRipper X on most days I was scheduled to do it) and the food I ate.
After 30 days I repeated the practice of measurements and photos. My weight fluctuated by about 1/2lb or so but I saw the progress I had made - lost a few inches and could see that I was more tone. In addition, my co-worker and friend, Ron, encouraged me to try Bikram Yoga - which I fell in love with - but that's a story for another time.
As I approached the 60 day mark the holidays were starting to set in. I began staying up late and skipping my morning workouts. I wasn't logging my workouts or posting on my Facebook group page and little by little I fell off the 'band wagon'. Once again I found myself not eating the right foods. I got some P90X workouts in, but only 2 or 3 days.
Then I took my 60day photos and measurements and the difference I saw gave me the inspiration to get back into the game with a new vengeance. At first getting back on schedule with my morning workouts was difficult but within two weeks I found myself getting better and better at crawling out of bed. Also, since I had missed several workouts during the holidays, I started running 3-5 miles every day after work in addition to my morning P90X sessions (minus AbRipperX).
But as the 90day benchmark approached my body finally said "enough is enough" and I found myself tired and achy. So I took the last week of the 90day challenge off and rested. After taking my end of 90day P90X challenge photos (I'm a little embarrassed to be sharing these), but I am newly rejuvenated and ready to start another session of P90X. This time I'm going to concentrate on doing AbRipperX and start another round of eating Paleo (at least for 30 days).
Before starting this challenge I did not have the energy or motivation to do strength training by myself. I was lifting 5lb weights and doing pushups on my knees. But with the support I got from Missy, Tonja, and the other ladies in the P90X challenge group I not only do 2-3 strength training sessions a week, but I am more fit, healthier, and toned because of it. So ladies - a big THANK YOU to all of you for support and motivation during this challenge. I have the results to show it....I am lifting 8-10lb weights, doing regular pushups, (and today I finally did one complete pull-up). AND I've lost 3 inches from my waist!
I didn't win the $100,000 this time around, but I encourage everyone to get out there and exercise. You think P90X is too hardcore for you? Just start slow... go walking or biking. Then give P90X a try. You don't have to go all 'gun-ho' like I did, but you can motify the moves as you see fit. The important thing is that you get out there and move your body. You will become a stronger, fitter, and healthier person. And I'll be here to support you along the way. If you're interested in joining me on the next challenge send me a message. I can't wait to hear from you!
