Beren's P90X Lean journey

[justliveit]

Hey everyone,

I thought I would start off with just a short post. Its the beginning of summer, and I hope to write on here every day.

Since coming to college, my weight has ballooned over the course of 3 years from an athletic 5'11 185 to an embarrassing 235. I'm starting to get really self conscious and I can't live like this any longer. So, I've decided to try P90x, reputed to be one of the more intense fitness programs out there.

I'm hopefully that I will succeed, simply because I have to succeed. Living an overweight lifestyle has held me back for long enough, and my time is now.

I am the sort of person that really thrives on positive feedback, and this community looks great. I hope I can get to know many of you as you follow me on my journey.

Tomorrow is Day 1. We can only improve from here.

- Beren C,

Austin, TX

[LiftGirl]

We wish you the best in your fitness journey. Keep us updated, and we will cheer you on!

And welcome to DF!

.

I'll be following your journal and cheering you on. Intensity is just what you need to accomplish your goals. It might be a little overwhelming at first but if you want it bad enough you'll be able to do it.

[JDR3]

Welcome, I look forward to reading your post!

[The Flash]

Welcome! I'll be checkin in often as I'm actually planning on giving P90X a shot this summer after I finish my current program. Remember you get what you put it in so bring it every workout! Good luck!

[justliveit]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for sharing all your thoughts with me so quickly!

Today is Day 1, and after work I will come home to my first experiences with core synergistics.

I'd like to get a diet plan going, and was wondering if you had any ideas. I see that p90x comes with its own plan, but something about cutting carbs while adding new intense workouts doesn't seem to add up. Does anyone have suggestions for someone "weening" off of fast food for the first time in a while?

I still enjoy eating out, since my cooking skills are abysmal, and I am looking for places to eat healthy... Subway, Jason's Deli, etc.

I'll post again tonight, after the workout.

Thanks!

- Beren

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by justliveit

Does anyone have suggestions for someone "weening" off of fast food for the first time in a while?

Cold Turkey is best.

If not try this one. (Read the whole thing it is a great motivational story)
http://www.discussfitness.com/forums/f35/aars-9007.html

[The Flash]

justliveit, I believe the P90X diet plan has you going low carb for the first month, not the entire three months. Alos, could I ask you why you are choosing to go with Lean over Classic?

And yes, just stay away from fast food. With the time it takes to drive there, wait on line or drive thru, etc, it's really not fast food anyway. You can also watch Supersize Me and remember it everytime you want to go out and have some.

[justliveit]

Well guys, I started my first workout yesterday, and I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be. I have a feeling the soreness is about to hit me like a train, but the actual program left me feeling almost euphoric. Its been so long since I've had a good burn like that one.

Now, of course, I passed on the bonus round at the end of the DVD... that can be a goal for later, but overall I am feeling solid.

Since weight loss is my main problem, I'm looking into meal replacement bars, weight loss formulas, and the like. Does anyone have any good recommendations? I'm a little hesitant to put random chemicals in my body, but as long as they are safe and effective I'm ok with it.

Starting tomorrow I hope to get my diet established and post what I ear, so that yall can keep my cheating urges in line.

To The Flash - I elected to do the p90x lean because for the majority of my athletic life... 4 years in tae kwon do and 6 years of football in middle school and highschool, I allowed myself to focus on building size. Despite being in good shape, I never got the totally lean look I was going for because my weight routines didn't shed the amount of body fat that I needed to lose. Since I'm starting the program "behind the curve" you might say, I want to give myself every opportunity to really lose fat. Being ripped would be a nice bonus, but my health is my first concern. I am actually hoping to pick up some additional summer classes in something new and interesting... maybe Yoga or another martial art.

Thanks to everyone for your replies, and I'll do my best to keep you updated daily.

- Beren

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by justliveit

I'm looking into meal replacement bars, weight loss formulas, and the like. Does anyone have any good recommendations?

I would save them for once in a while or instead of fast food. They are nothing but glorified candy bars. Stick with portable foods like oranges, apples, celery & carrot sticks, hard boiled eggs, etc. You can take a shaker cup with protein in it to work or workout and just fill with water or juice. Shake and instant meal.

[minime]

hey beren, welcome!

in your quest for weight loss, remember that diet is much more important than workout.

Get thee a fitday journal and start logging everything you eat. No more fast food!

www.fitday.com Its free and easy to use.

I am not familiar with that workout program, but all I can do is agree with pierini and say intensity is key.

Good Luck!

[LiftGirl]

Originally Posted by minime

Get thee a fitday journal and start logging everything you eat. No more fast food!

I agree with minime's suggestion about logging. Next time you want to go to McDonald's you'll hesitate if you know you have to write it down after you eat it. Sometimes just recording it can be motivational.

It's ok to treat yourself once in awhile to fast food, but I'd suggest getting one of those quick and easy 30-minute cookbooks. Then you can fix yourself real food in little time. You'll be surprised at how good real food tastes!

[justliveit]

Well, the past few days have been a mix of LSAT prep and working out, and I've been feeling good about both. I'm still working on my diet (sorry guys) but I've been really going after the workouts. I am excited to workout... its great.

I need to find a camera so that I can take some before pictures, although I might be too embarrassed to post them before I have some at least mildly improved afters

I remember reading on some forum somewhere that a big roadblock in terms of being intense in exercise is actually a mental block - your brain literally stops cooperating with you. So, I've been trying to reframe my workouts as the only time per day that I have to make my body improve... limited, valuable and used to the best possible efficiency. I seem much more willing to get into it mentally when I view my workouts like this. Something about an artificially "scarce" amount of workout time makes it more valuable.

Anyhow. Thanks for continuing to support me. I am going to try and get established on that diet journal site as you recommended. I'll let you know when i do.

- Beren

[The Flash]

Taking before pictures is very important so go ahead and do that now. They can be extremely motivating as well. Dont worry about posting them here because that's what the internet is for. If you're worried just cut out your face from the pics. Then make sure you take progress pics at regular intervals (day 30, day 60, day 90). Often times we dont see how well a program is working because we look at ourselves daily so this is the best gauge of progress.

[justliveit]

Hey Everyone,

Thought I would give you some updates!

Week one was a total success, and I am beginning to feel better about myself already. Having the daily workouts is giving me a boost in energy and making me feel more outgoing and social.

I haven't locked down a diet type yet, but I've got the approximate number of calories. I'm going to try to eat about 2000 daily, which is low for my current weight, but I am hoping to lose 2 lbs weekly, so I've got to attack both the diet and exercise fronts.

So far, I've completed the first workout of week 2, core synergistics again, and it was better than last time, though still needed improvement.

The Flash is right, I need some before pictures, and fast! I feel like these workouts are changing me, and I'd like to see that each month or two weeks.

Sorry about the lack of writing, I've just been busy with other stuff in life. However, not so busy that I haven't been bringing it each and every workout.

Thanks guys for reading!

- B