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I am an Air Force wife and mother of three precious gifts from God. I enjoy learning at home with my children, and the many adventures this life sends our way. So stop by often to visit, and check out what the Five Nomads are up to.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I heart P90X!

Back in January my neighbor, K invited me over to do an exercise video. At first we started just picking out one of the many videos, and doing what we felt like that day. Then I mentioned to another friend I was trying out these P90X workouts. She began to gush. She too was doing these workouts. Only she and her husband were faithfully doing the program. That means, following the nutritional guide, and the workout schedule. Here was the hook: She was getting great results! In just a couple months she had gone down 2 sizes.

The next day I filled K in on my conversation with my friend. I announced that we were done messing around. We were going to get serious about this P90X thing. K was as intrigued as I was. (K decided to follow the nutritional guides. Mr. Nomad & I eat pretty healthy, so I decided to just go with the workouts.)

When we started the workouts, I joked my way through much of the tapes. Seriously I thought I would never be able to do it. Did I really want to do it? It is HARD! Now, the strangest thing has happened. Each day I could do a little more, and now I am feeling good. In fact, I miss the workouts when we can't exercise. (Sounds crazy, doesn't it?)

So what is so great about this program? Why does it work? I think it is the variety. P90X is a combination of toning/cardio/stretching. You lift weights, do aerobic exercises, and yoga. The main idea is that by mixing things up, it creates muscle confusion. You are out smarting your body, thus no plateaus.

Many times us ladies are good at walking/running or doing aerobic activity. However, we neglect weights because we don't want to look bulky. This is really a myth. Toning with weights is the secret weapon. It builds muscle mass, which burns more calories (thus burning fat). More muscle means we are stronger, which decreases injuries. Another added benefit, women need the weight resistance to maintain our bone mass (osteoporosis is not a pretty thing).

Now K and I made our big commitment 4 months ago, and guess what?!? It really does work! K and I have both slimmed down. K has lost over 15 pounds, and I am so happy to be back in my pre-pregnancy jeans. (So what if my baby is 4. . .I was just pacing myself. ;)

The big thing for me is maintenance. K and I agreed, this wasn't going to be a 90 day thing for us. Rather, we wanted to get fit, and then commit to staying fit. We have 2 weeks left of the Lean schedule, and then we are starting the Classic.

I'm not saying everyone should run out and buy the P90X videos. I think the most important thing is to combine some type of cardio and weight resistance training. It can be as simple as a walk in your neighborhood, followed with push ups, stomach crunches, leg lifts, lunges and arm curls. (I've done this in the past and it was very effective.) Some people love personal trainers and gyms. There are tons of great programs out there. Find the one that suits you. Personally, P90X is the one that is working for me right now.

Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted.

12 comments:

  1. I love it, Tami! Good for you! You are spot on. The more variety in your workouts the BETTER! Also, did you know that varying your calorie intake from day-to-day also helps? So some days you have 1400 calories, sme days you have 1700, some days 1200, some days closer to 2000. The point being that you go up and down from day to day and it keeps you body guessing!

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  2. So those days that I over indulge in chocolate chip cookies are actually helping me to lose weight? Who knew? :)

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  3. Hey Marti, does it still work if some days you have 3800 calories, some days you have 4200, and some days you have 600? Heehee...

    Good luck, Tami!! I think people who actually stick to their plans are SOOOO COOL!! But I don't like skinny people very much. That was a JOKE, of course. Hahaha! Skinny people are as good as fat ones - as long as they don't stand next to me in pictures. :D

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  4. ABM,
    You are a goof ball. I adore your sense of humor.
    Thank you for the compliment. Sticking to my plans has been something that I have had to really work on.

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  5. And I adore YOUR ability to understand my sense of humor. :D

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  6. Oh, and I also adore the sweet, always just right, things you say. It's a gift - for sure. And one I think your sister, Jody Blue, possesses too.

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  8. Good for you, what a goal to achieve!! And thats no small commitment to stick with Pxyz! I so miss my work out days. When school is out I am doing something--very, very, neck and back friendly but something none the less...I have given up my dream of benching my own wt. I will let you know what the new dream is once I've dreamt it:)

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  9. I did not know you had a dream to bench your own weight. Hmmm. . .learn something new everyday. I pray for inspiration in the dream department. I know this neck/back injury has taken the joy of dreaming from you. I hope that gift is soon returned.

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  10. How funny, Tami! My husband just got the P90X stuff two weeks ago. So, you think I should do it with him??

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  11. Yes! Only make sure to modify, unless you are a superstar athelete. It is intense. I started slow, doing what I could. I'm surprised at how much I've improved.

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