P90X: Let the Games Begin
photo by edd sowden
I never thought this day would come.
Let me backtrack a little. For most of our marriage, The Man has been the kind of person that associates McDonald’s with the gym. As in:
TRACEY: Hey, let’s go to the gym.
THE MAN: Really? No, let’s get McDonalds!
TRACEY: The gym.
THE MAN: I’m sooo tired! And I want McDonalds.
You get the idea.
Recently he’s been better about getting to the gym because we go together after work. Still, he has a hard time pushing himself or knowing what to do. So he ends up running and then wandering from machine to machine, aimlessly like a lost sheep.
Well. You can imagine my surprise when The Man said he wanted to do P90X. At first, I laughed. Then I realized he was serious. And then I told him we weren’t spending that kind of money on a workout video when he can’t regularly get to the gym we already pay for.
But little by little I became convinced that the structure is just what he needed. And besides, he has a goal to work toward. Which means that in 88 days he will be a P90X grad.
Did you catch that? 88 days. That means he’s done two already. Day one kicked his butt bigtime. I had my cell nearby in case I needed to call 911, but he survived. After that hour he was panting hard but at least he was breathing. Day two also kicked his butt, but what do you expect? A miracle?
Now he’s walking around the house like a cowboy with bruised arms. Every motion—picking something up off the floor, moving a book—is accompanied by a long, loud groan.
In case you’re wondering: I’m not doing the workouts with The Man because ye ol’ knees can’t take the jumping and lunging and squatting that the crazy video throws at you.
Any P90X survivors out there who want to give The Man any words of wisdom? Feel free to comment as long as your wise words don’t include STOP NOW! TURN BACK! GO NO FURTHER! OMINOUS! OMINIOUS! DOOM!
For the rest of you: Do you do workout videos? Which is your favorite?



19 comments
I have P90x and Insanity. I think I’ve done them each 1 time through. Great workouts if you’re not a gym-goer but I’m a gym-goer and I have wicked A.D.D. when it comes to working out at home. But I like having DVD’s and some workout equipment for days I just can’t make it to the gym.
I wish your man the best with P90X! It will be fun to hear about his experience with crazy Tony Horton.
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I know a lot of people who have done P90X and they love it. The only complaint I hear is that it gets boring and a little monotonous after a while. But yay for the man! I am rotting for him!!
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My hubby was doing P90X at the first part of this year but his work travel schedule has messed up his routine.
I have some exercise DVDs. Leslie Sandsone walking ones and I will use them in the winter when I can’t walk outside. I don’t love them, they get pretty boring pretty fast.
Like you I have bad knees and walking is my exercise of choice.
Hubby just ordered an aqua belt and water aerobics kit with a DVD for me so I can exercise with no impact in our pool. It should be here later in the week and I am excited to use it.
I borrowed the aqua jogger belt from a PE teacher when I was in physical therapy after ankle surgery and it was a great work out in the pool.
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Tracey Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Let me know how the water jogging goes. I’m not a fan of swimming at all, but I know it could help with my injured knees. If it’s awesome, I may have to suck it up and be freezing while I do some water aerobics.
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Now he’s walking around the house like a cowboy with bruised arms. Every motion—picking something up off the floor, moving a book—is accompanied by a long, loud groan.
That’s me at least 3 times a week. I love that feeling
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Tracey Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Yeah, it’s painful but in a good way. I love it too.
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Please don’t think of me as Debbie Downer, I’ve had SO many friends try this and they don’t make it. What I hope it teaches anyone is regimen and routine to adapt for an overall healthier lifestyle.
I am sure your workouts still rock. PWhateverX
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Tracey Reply:
June 16th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I hope that too–that no matter what he learns some new ideas and how to keep a regimen.
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WOW. Good luck! I’m loosely following the 30 Day Shred as a workout program myself, and I’ve heard that P90X is indeed insane… O___O good luck! Seriously. He’ll need it.
Wei-Wei
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That workout is so popular hey? Can’t wait to hear updates!
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Wow, sounds like your healthy habits are rubbing off on The Man!
I’ve heard that this workout is crazy intense. Hmm, maybe I should encourage MY man to try it, too! All those buffets in Vegas leaves a lot of room for some squats and lunges
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i have never tried it but hear so many good things about it! love that your hubby is doing it
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haha my dad has done p90x!! I heard INSANITY was CRAZY! major calorie burn!
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…like a lost sheep. I love it. You crack me up
My brother does the same thing at the gym…I totally know the pacing that ensues when someone’s being a slacker gym-goer.
P90X is SCARY…but I can’t wait to hear how the next 88 days go
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Good for the man! P90X will kick his butt, from what I hear…but maybe he needs the structure to stay motivated? And a little instruction is always good.
I used to be like him…wandering aimlessly around the gym like a lost sheep (haha) after running on the treadmill, trying to figure out how to strength train. I found that once I planned out my workouts and decided what I wanted to do (and learned how to do it) I was more efficient.
I don’t do workout DVDs as much as I used to…but I used to do Jillian Michaels all the time. I have all of her videos and they’re pretty good..a little repetitive but I enjoy them and get a good workout in.
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I don’t think I know anyone in real life who has done the whole thing. That is one hard workout – but with your encouragement and his dedication – he can do it!
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I can’t wait to hear how P90x goes for the husband. So proud of him for deciding to go for it!
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Ah, Tracey…confession…I am so sad lately cause i see everywhere people starting these programs whether it is running, or P90, or yoga or insantiy….and i do nothing….i just feel so eager, but body unwilling. drives me nuts. seriously.
good luck to the man.
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Tracey Reply:
June 17th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Eh, me too. I live vicariously through him. P90X and Insanity are so out of my broken body’s league.
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