P90X, P90, and ChaLEAN

[dairyou]

I am a 47 year old woman who is 40 lbs overweight. Last year it took me 5 months to loose 10 lbs with WW. I drank my water, exercised and followed the plan. Of course I gained it all back. My weakness is Pepsi and I hate to exercise. BUT...once I am committed, I am.

I think I'm ready to go at it again. I already asked about the P90X. I didn't realize it was an advanced program. So, has anyone had any luck with the P90 or the ChaLEAN? What caught my eye about the P90X is results in 90 days. I can keep focused on that and know that 90 days i will almost be there. I know it is all a mental game but I'm not very patient :

My question is: does anyone have experience in any of the programs and did it really work.

What do you think would be best for me?

Deb

 

[cewait]

Deb,
You will do fine on the P90x. I have been through the program a few times and use several of the exercises in my daily routine. There are options out of the box. You can go through the classic program which is the true P90x strength plan. Or you can go through the lean program. It’s more about the aerobic work with light strength. In all DVD's Tony points out modifications throughout the DVDs that a first time, new to training person should use. Frankly, I hit the program after sitting out of all workouts for 6 months and found myself working on the light end of the workouts.

You will hear Tony several time say, “Do your best and forget the rest.” Follow this and do not feel like you have to pull a 45 pound weight while doing lawnmowers. He points out the modifications for pushups and pull ups. You can do all moves with a stretch band, avoiding the cost of some dumbbells. One modification that Tony never mentions is running through the exercises only once. Most of the strength sets are done twice. Just run through each once in the first 4 weeks then start the program over - makes it a P120x. Finally, I really suggest a mirror. You need to have great form to prevent injury (this holds with ALL programs not just this one). A mirror helps tremendously in helping you spot form flaws.

I would suggest a couple things.
1- Diet is important to see the results. You could cheat the Kcal daily limit but you need to have the correct ratios
2- Consistency is crucial. Miss a week and you will not see the gains.
3- Logging – you must write it down (another Tony ism). I have mine on a spreadsheet and look at where I was the last workout and start that as a goal or add to it to make the goal a little higher.
4- Open mind - You will not feel good after a few of the workouts. Smile. The DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is your body saying I am getting stronger.

I am on record in several places as saying that P90x is one of the few infomercial items I would buy. There are maybe 5 items seen on Saturday morning that are worth the investment. This is one of the true great deals in my opinion.

 

[dairyou]

thanks for your response. i originally debated getting the P90X but then someone said it is for the advanced and there are tests that need to be done. i knew i couldn't pass anysort of test as of now. i have made it to the second cd to my pilates machine but stopped when i fell off the wagon.

i'll looked into the P90X again thanks!

 

[stefsko]

GO for the P90. YOu can do it. Sounds like you have the desire and thats half the battle. Just take the low options. Most often it takes being forced out of our comfort zone to be really successful with weightloss. I would bet if you stick to it and good eating habits you will reach your goal in no time.

 

[zgirls]

Deb
Been there done that, to all above.

I always, always suggest that newbies start with P90, it will give you a great base and you can lose weight with it. P90 workouts are anywhere from 35 - 50minutes, P90X workouts 60 - 120minutes.

P90X is not necessarily a weight loss workout. Yes you can and will lose weight on the program but it is not designed for that. It is a complete body workout and following the diet is critical and time consuming.

P90 is a 4 (2 cardio and 2 sculpt)workouts(plus 2 ab workouts). You work through a combination (cardio/sculpt)2 of them until you feel ready to move to the next 2. They are called level 1 and level 2. Most people do not move through bith at same time and this is ok.

Based upon your 'I hate to exercise' comment I would STRONGLY suggest P90 as the time commitment is not as long.

I started on P90 originally many years ago and lost nearly 20 pound in the 90 days, I then was fit enough to move to P90X.

Best of luck and keep hitting play.

 

[ElizabethG]

I agree with zgirls. I would go for P90. I lost weight on that one. I lost weight with ChaLEAN Extreme too. I wish there was more cardio in that one. I just started the Insanity workout and I love it! I have to modify some things, but I have never sweated so much in my life. My husband jokes about the one "old guy" on the video who is 40

 

[kirkson]

I agree with zgirls. I would go for P90. I lost weight on that one. I lost weight with ChaLEAN Extreme too. I wish there was more cardio in that one. I just started the Insanity workout and I love it! I have to modify some things, but I have never sweated so much in my life. My husband jokes about the one "old guy" on the video who is 40

I'm 3 days from finishing Insanity, and wow, all I can say is that it has been BRUTAL. If you think month 1 is hard...well, wait until month 2.

That said, you get what you give, and the results have been GREAT. I'm significantly fitter now than I ever have been in my life (at age 37) and before starting Insanity, I had run 3 half marathons and completed two rounds of P90X. Insanity is the REAL DEAL. It is basically impossible to do this program and not see incredible results in a very short period of time.

Next up for me is another round of P90X, but I'll replace the 2 cardio days (which i don't think are very good) with Insanity workouts.

 

[cewait]

I'm 3 days from finishing Insanity, and wow, all I can say is that it has been BRUTAL. If you think month 1 is hard...well, wait until month 2.

That said, you get what you give, and the results have been GREAT. I'm significantly fitter now than I ever have been in my life (at age 37) and before starting Insanity, I had run 3 half marathons and completed two rounds of P90X. Insanity is the REAL DEAL. It is basically impossible to do this program and not see incredible results in a very short period of time.

Next up for me is another round of P90X, but I'll replace the 2 cardio days (which i don't think are very good) with Insanity workouts.

I really do not like the p90x cardio routines either. I substitute hi intensity runs.

I think Insanity is insane. I made it through 1 round late last year while I was building a house. It kicked me bad.

 

[kirkson]

I really do not like the p90x cardio routines either. I substitute hi intensity runs.

I think Insanity is insane. I made it through 1 round late last year while I was building a house. It kicked me bad.

It's a shame, because the resistance programs are terrific.

Insanity, yes, appropriately named. Did you try any of the max workouts? My goodness are they brutal.

Finished the program this AM, VERY pleased to be done.

 

[dairyou]

I did purchase the ChaLEAN extreme workout and started today. I don't feel like I did very well. Just new and I kept loosing my balance. I did feel out of breath which just goes to show how out of shape I am I'm looking forward to being proficient and getting into shape!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Deb