My P90 Journey

P90 Masters Series – Day 3

Matthew Hexter — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:42:56 +0000

I just finished day 3 of P90 Masters Series. One word: Wow! These workouts are really kicking my butt, in a good way!

But here’s the deal. Unlike P90 that has two workouts – Sweat and Sculpt – P90 MS has six workouts. These include three cardio and three sculpt or “resistance”. I will list them below but will provide further detail about each one in coming days/weeks.

Cardio:

Sweat 5-6
Core Cardio
Cardio Intervals

Resistance (aka Circuit / Sculpt):

Sculpt 5-6
UML (Upper Middle Lower)
Plyo Legs

As I researched how I should use these, what I learned is that you can mix and match them based on your goals. For me right now, I would like to get lean. I still have some extra pounds I would like to shed and getting “bulked up” isn’t my primary goal. But what makes this workout system great also makes it frustrating because there isn’t a specific plan you should follow. You design it based on your goals.

Being that I like to research things, and the fact that I hate to duplicate efforts when someone else has already figured it out, I checked out the MS message boards on Beachbody.com. I was pleased to find some great suggestions and below is the 12 week workout that I’ll be following.

Weeks 1 thru 3
Monday: Core Cadio
Tuesday: Cardio Int
Wednesday: Sculpt 5/6 Ab Ripper 200
Thursday: Sweat 5/6
Friday: Core Cardio
Saturday: Cardio Int
Sunday: Rest

Week 4
Monday: Sweat 1/2
Tuesday: Core Cardio
Wednesday: UML
Thursday: Plyo
Friday: Cardio Int
Saturday: Sweat 3/4
Sunday: Rest

Weeks 5 thru 7
Monday: Core Cadio
Tuesday: Plyo
Wednesday: Sculpt 5/6 Ab Ripper 200
Thursday: Sweat 5/6
Friday: Core Cardio
Saturday: Cardio Int
Sunday: Rest

Week 8
Monday: Sweat 3/4
Tuesday: Core Cardio
Wednesday: UML
Thursday: Plyo
Friday: Cardio Int
Saturday: Sweat 5/6 Ab Ripper 200
Sunday: Rest

Weeks 9 – 12
Monday: Core Cadio
Tuesday: Plyo
Wednesday: Sculpt 5/6
Thursday: Sweat 5/6 Ab Ripper 200
Friday: Plyo
Saturday: Cardio Int Ab Ripper 200
Sunday: Rest

Day 90!

Matthew Hexter — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:43:54 +0000

Well, I did it! I just finished Day 90. What a ride!

And I do apologize for not posting for the last 60+ days. About the time I last posted, I was in Colorado and I caught the nasty ‘altitude sickness’ bug. It was my own fault. I took my P90 discs with me and exercised every day. The problem was that my body wasn’t used to it. So I came back home to Ohio sicker than a dog. I felt like I was run over by a Mack truck. It was bad. I took a week to rest before I started up where I left off.

But I’m proud to say that I stayed with it and today I completed the final day. Wahoo!

So here is an update on my P90 experience. The ‘results.’

First, I feel stronger. Actually, I AM stronger, both in my upper body and my lower body.

Second, I have more energy and increased stamina.

Third, I am more flexible.

Fourth, I am sleeping better because my lower back is stronger.

Fifth, while I did not experience significant weight loss, I have noticed significant weight shift. My upper body and lats are now the prominent part of my upper body compared with my mid-section (I lost about 1 inch off my waist). I can see significant definition in my upper body: chest, biceps, triceps, lats, shoulders, and neck.

Sixth, my backside has been reduced significantly.

Seventh, I can easily blow out 100 pushups! Yea!

Eighth, I can easily blow out 200 situps! Yea!

And last but not least, but most importantly, my wife thinks I look *really* good. And doesn’t that count for alot?!

I did not “diet” per se. I did cut back but I wanted to see how this program might be able to increase my metabolism. Like I mentioned, I did not see any significant weight loss. And that’s okay. Honestly, I love to eat and when there is good food on the plate in front of me, I tend to both devour and enjoy it.

So what’s next? This week is my ‘recovery’ week in which I am doing some light cardio and sculpt 1/2. Next week I start into the P90 Masters Series. This looks really good! There are 6 workouts in all: 3 cardio and 3 sculpt. From what I’ve read, this should prepare me for P90x, which I plan on starting in about 8 weeks or so. The workout I’ll start next week primarily focuses on cardio, which I am hoping will help me boost my metabolism and shed some pounds. After that I’ll focus on circuit training.

When I start I’ll post the routine.

Until then, BRING IT ON!!!

Day 20-24

Matthew Hexter — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:55:11 +0000

Wow! Sorry about that. I realized this morning that I haven’t posted since last Thursday. But no worries. I have been working out diligently every morning.

I did take Saturday off to rest and then back at it on Sunday.

Tomorrow I leave for Colorado to visit a good friend then ski Winter Park. I can’t wait! And I know I’ll be okay. I’m packing my DVDs and resistance bands. So I’ll update when I get home.

Day 19

Matthew Hexter — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:57:53 +0000

This morning was another day of Circuit training and my 3rd day using free weights. What a great work out! I finally feel like I’m “getting it.” I’m starting to use 15lbs for most exercises and 20 lbs for the lawnmower routine.

This program continues to be all that I had hoped. I still enjoy it and honestly, it is not that hard to wake up at 6:30 to do it. It gets me up early and I find I’m ready to take on the world by 8am, which is awesome!

My wife, however, seems to have hurt her neck/deltoid. She thinks it might have been aggravated by doing “back scratchers.” She really tried to join me today but instead rode her stationary bike. I told her that if she needs to take a break, to feel the freedom to do so. And honestly, she is more fit than I am so she’ll be okay!

Day 18

Matthew Hexter — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:51:26 +0000

This morning we awoke at 6:30 for Cardio/Abs.

The part of this work out that I enjoy the most is the kick boxing and punching. I really work up a sweat with this. The part I don’t especially “get” or enjoy is the Power Yoga. Can someone help explain this? We do things like Upward Dog, Downward Dog, Plank, etc. Yes, it gets me moving, but personally I think it’s a big goofy. Is it me? What am I missing here?

Day 17

Matthew Hexter — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:19:05 +0000

This morning my wife and I got up at 6:30am for some more Circuit training. It was really good! This is the second workout in which I have used free weights instead of the resistance bands and I can really feel a noticable difference. So far I like using the weights instead of the bands because the “tension” is more consistent throughout the entire exercise. With the bands, there is no resistance at the start of an exercise.

As I have mentioned, I have not yet started a “diet” of any kind and honestly, I can tell. While I am starting to look more “beefed” up and seeing some tone and definition, I still have the Michelin around my waste. So my plan is to start a SlimFast diet starting at day 30 through day 60. This should definitely provide the results I am looking for.

As always, never, never, never give up!

Day 16

Matthew Hexter — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:27:03 +0000

I have a confession to make. I was a bad boy this weekend. On Saturday, I absolutely pigged out on pizza and Oreo’s… after I had already eaten. Yum! Yuck! No wonder I slept terrible on Saturday night!

Sunday was a little better, but in the evening I got together with some guys to watch the 7th episode of the HBO series “Band of Brothers.” I enjoyed some more Oreo’s – okay, too many – and today I can feel it! My alarm went off at 6:30 and I didn’t pull myself out of bed until 7am. I then headed downstairs for Cardio/Abs. The workout was great but I’m paying for it now. I’m beat! So, no more junk food in excess. Today I’ll be eating healthy and drinking plenty of water, attempting to flush out my system of all that delicious garbage.

Why is it that all the ‘healthy’ foods tastes disgusting and the unhealthy stuff is so intoxicating?

Day 15

Matthew Hexter — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:24:58 +0000

What a beautiful, crisp day here in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The sun is shining which means one thing in our household: “Sundaes on Sunny Sunday’s!” I don’t know how it exactly started, but one evening at dinner we decided that on sunny Sunday’s, we should have sundaes.

You see, we get what is called the ‘lake effect,’ which means that most of the time, we live under clouds. So when the sun bursts through, it’s something to celebrate! I think the last I checked, we get something like 60 sunny days a year. No wonder we employ so many counselors and psychologists!

Today starts our 3rd week. I determined to use free weights – dumbells – instead of the bands. Boy, what a great workout. And I have other great news to share: I was able to do the 7′s, which if you’ll recall, are 7 wide/fly pushups, 7 close and 7 normal. In the past I couldn’t bust out the close ones, but today I was able to. Yea! Bring it on!

Okay, it’s time to head down and enjoy some breakfast with the family.

Never, never, never give up!

Day 14 – Rest Day

Matthew Hexter — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:26:53 +0000

Today my son played his last Upward Basketball game. And they went out with a bang, playing an incredible second half (the first was pretty rough). We made some adjustments at half-time and pulled it out. As the coach, I was very proud of them. They are fighters.

I then met with my business partners to work on a new product offering. I really enjoy these guys, so it really doesn’t seem like work. But the ideas flowed and we are continuing to bust out a marketing presentation which we will be presenting to an influential political group in the next 30 days. Fun, fun!

Day 13

Matthew Hexter — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:22:30 +0000

Okay everyone, Day 13 is in the books! This morning was another session of Cardio/Abs. Since tomorrow is a rest day, I have essentially completed two weeks. So how do I feel? Have I noticed any changes?

I’m glad you asked! Let me tell you!

I am very pleased to announce that yes, I have noticed some changes.

I’ve lost weight
So far I have lost 4 lbs. That’s really good, considering that I haven’t gone on a “diet.” I have kept my portions respectable, I snack more often eating lean proteins, and I drink as much water as I can. I keep a water bottle going and sip on it throughout the day, refilling as needed.

Also, I have noticed that my jeans feel more comfortable. For awhile I was wearing sweats all the time because wearing jeans was uncomfortable. But not anymore!

I have more energy
I’m finding that I have more energy throughout the day and mentally I am more focused.

I’m getting stronger
The other night my 4 year old fell asleep in my lap while we were watching American Idol. After the show I carried him upstairs to his bedroom and he felt lighter than usual, until I realized that I’m actually getting stronger, so carrying him wasn’t the big deal it has been in the past.

I have more endurance
After visiting with my neighbor who literally lives down the street, I looked at my watch and realized I had to get home fast to help my daughter with a biology project. So as soon as I stepped outside I started jogging home, which is about 300 yards uphill. I made it the whole way without stopping and was amazed when I walked in our front door; I didn’t feel winded. Very cool!

So the proof is in. This is the real deal. Yes, it’s hard work. But it produces results. That’s all the proof I need. And remember…

Never, never, never give up!