P90x???

[michelem]

Well, I went ahead and ordered the dvd's and started on Thursday (wanted to make sure my "rest day" lands on Wednesdays when I have 2 hours of ballet!).

WOW!!! The first day consisted mainly of push-ups and pull-ups: Standard push-ups, military push-ups (hands directly under the shoulders with elbows tucked in close to the body), wide push-ups, diamond push-ups (hands in a diamond shape directly under the chest -- lower all the way down to hands and back up), and decline push-ups (feet up on a chair or bench). Also, a variety of pull-ups -- wide, close-grip, reverse, etc. I had to use a chair for the pull-ups (balance one foot on the chair to take some of the weight off), otherwise I couldn't complete ANY pull-ups with good form!

I was really disappointed in myself that I couldn't do all the reps and sets called for before reaching failure. My first set of standard push-ups (with push-up stands, which enable a larger range of motion) I did 25 in the given amount of time. My last set of diamond push-ups, I had to do on my knees and was only able to do three!

So, I was thinking, I'm not going to get much out of this if I can't complete everything! HAH! I was pretty sore the next day. Today I am SUPER-SORE! So, it must be doing SOMETHING for my muscles!

Yesterday was plyometrics -- glad to give the upper body a break. And today will be shoulders and arms (with weights). Not sure how I'm going to do with that since I'm still so sore from day 1, but I'll just do my best.

Anyway, I like that there is structure to this program. It's raining again this weekend, so no cycling or running . . . I'm curious to see how this works with running and cycling. I need to be super-carerful about overtraining, which has been my big downfall in the past.

My DH will be joining me once he gets over the chest congestion he has.

Anyway, so far, two thumbs up. I like that as long as you can complete the initial fitness test, you can adapt this program to your own level. I'm excited to see what strength gains I get -- I really want to be able to do unassisted pull-ups someday!

Oh, and the Ab Ripper X dvd, which I think is supposed to be done 3 days a week, is pretty good as well. I didn't feel like it was all that difficult, but my abs were sore the next day, and more sore today (will be doing it again tonight). So, I guess it really did target those core muscles after all!