Tag: P90X2

Yoga: 40 is the new 30

90XScreen-4Isn’t Orange the New Black or something like that, according to the hit TV show? If that wasn’t enough, 40 is the new 30. And this post has everything to do with yoga. Random!

Yesterday was the last day of my self-imposed yoga challenge. The deal I had with myself was that I would do 30 yoga or stretch sessions of at least 25 minutes each in 30 days. If I missed a day, then I could double up. This task will be simple, I thought.

I failed at the task. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I can say I’m disappointed with how it went. Once I started missing days, it was excruciatingly hard to double up! In the end, the 30 day yoga challenge turned into 40 days. Stretching is so important to prevent injury, help recovery and increase mobility and flexibility. I definitely have noticed a difference over the course of the last 40 days, so am I glad I took on the task? Absolutely.

But did it feel like a chore? Absolutely! Difficult in the sense that although I enjoy yoga, once or twice a week is good for me. To schedule stretching or yoga each day tested my ability to just push play. What I’ve learned over the many rounds of P90X and the different Beachbody programs is that variety in the workouts is key, and it’s so important to be able to remain engaged in the fitness journey. I did not feel engaged with my yoga challenge, so it’ll be quite some time before I take on another one.

I noticed, however, that the half-hour-or-less mark seemed perfect, which is why T25 Stretch and Yoga Meltdown 1 had the highest frequencies of plays. I’m even more excited now about P90X3, where all the workouts are 30 minutes long, and the workouts are highly varied.

So lesson learned: days upon days of yoga- maybe not so much for me. But if I have a program in which I can fully engage myself, like P90X (and hopefully P90X3)- then I’m a machine! So stoked.

For posterity, here are the numbers by workout. There’s a reason that P90X’s yoga is at the bottom with the lowest frequency… and full disclosure, I only completed the first half of it. At 90 minutes and many rounds of P90X, I just can’t seem to sit through it anymore. It’s still an amazing DVD though!

  • Focus T25 Stretch: 15
  • Yoga Meltdown 1: 6
  • Stretch X (P90X) or equivalent stretch: 5
  • Yoga (P90X2), at least 45 minutes: 2
  • Yoga Meltdown 2: 1
  • Yoga (P90X), at least 45 minutes: 1

 

P90X2- Time to Bring it Again!

P90X2 has arrived!

Having been a P90X junkie for a couple of years now, it’s no surprise that I was super excited to hear about the next home fitness program offered from Beachybody: P90X2! I pre-ordered it as soon as it became available and it was shipped to me shortly before Christmas *yay*. Of course, I didn’t start it prior to the holidays, with the food and the eating and the family/friends time, but now that I’m back in Calgary, it’s time to go hardcore once again and Bring It! “Consider P90X2 to be THE next wave in applied science for body transformation. It takes the principles and foundation of the P90X concept and dials it up to the next level with additional focus on functionality, agility, balance, mobility, and of course visible results” (P90X2 Fitness Guide). How could I not be excited!? So what exactly does the P90X2 training schedule look like? I copied this from one of the inserts included in the P90X2 box.
Training Phases
Phase 1- Foundation (3 to 6 weeks)
Day 1: X2 Core
Day 2: Plyocide
Day 3: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 4: X2 Total Body & X2 Ab Ripper
Day 5: X2 Yoga
Day 6: X2 Balance + Power
Day 7: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Phase 2- Strength (3 to 6 weeks)
Day 1: Chest + Back + Balance & X2 Ab Ripper
Day 2: Plyocide
Day 3: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 4: X2 Shoulders + Arms & X2 Ab Ripper
Day 5: X2 Yoga
Day 6: Base + Back & X2 Ab Ripper
Day 7: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Additional Options (not sure if I’ll do this…)-
V Sculpt & X2 Ab Ripper Switch into Day 1
X2 Chest + Shoulders + Tris & X2 Ab Ripper Switch in Day 4
Phase 3- Performance (3 to 4 weeks)
Day 1: P.A.P. Lower
Day 2: P.A.P. Upper
Day 3: X2 Yoga
Day 4: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 5: P.A.P. Lower
Day 6: P.A.P. Upper
Day 7: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Recovery Week (to be done whenever needed)
Day 1: X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 2: X2 Yoga
Day 3: X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 4: X2 Yoga
Day 5: X2 Recovery + Mobility
Day 6: X2 Yoga
Day 7: Rest or X2 Recovery + Mobility
Yeah :S.
There’s only 5 days of intensity per week instead of the 6 like in P90X, and I’m thrilled about that! There seems to be a big focus on balancing, core strength, and stretching. After enduring a difficult Bikram yoga session on Friday, this is a good thing. Over the last few days, I’ve invested in a stability ball and 2 ten-pound medicine balls. Whatever’s in store, it sounds more intense already.

Ready with all my equipment

What I like about this program is there’s quite a bit of flexibility. Most people starting P90X2 will have experienced a round of P90X, so the flexibility promotes sticking to your own fitness goals this time around.  As of now, I’m quite looking forward to the Foundation Phase. I think it will be a killer, but I do enjoy working the core. I plan to spend 5 weeks in the Strength Phase with recovery weeks throughout the program, since I’d really like to keep my yoga up at the same time. And in terms of yoga, I’ve really taken to Bikram and plan to substitute some of the X2 Yoga with Bikram yoga. 

Once the box was opened, I could feel the intensity :S

I’m not really sure what to expect in the Performance Phase. What exactly is P.A.P.? According to the P90X2 Fitness Guide, it stands for Post-Activation Potentiation. It involves weighted resistance exercise prior to an explosive movement, which increases the amount of power produced by conditioned individuals. Sounds good to me. The manual makes it seem intense, which is why it doesn’t come into play until Phase 3. To quote from the fitness guide: “These workouts will destroy you in an oh-so-beautiful way”. I can’t wait.

I want to look like Tony Horton when I’m 53.
(Photo taken from the P90X2 Fitness Guide)

My biggest challenge will be nutrition. Just like with P90X, my nutrition was good but not great. I’ve read countless times how important it is to eat the right foods for both fuel and recovery as you’re working out, so I’m really going to make this a priority. I guess I should start by opening the enclosed Nutrition Guide at some point. My other challenge/goal will be to manage my schedule better (there’s a lot of things going on in the next few months), and listen to my body more. If my body screams like it needs a recovery week, then a recovery week it shall receive.
My goal: Focus on Nutrition
I guess it’s time to get started! First up today- X2 Core. It’s all about bringing it again! When I watch this official video (linked from trek2bfit), I’m excited to be starting the program. Yay 🙂

Damn you Tony Horton and your…. P90X2!? WTF?

P90X2-2

Monday, September 5th (Labour Day) marked Day 1 of my 5th Round of P90X. The timing seemed to fit nicely with my pre-Christmas schedule and I was itching to get back into some sort of work-out routine. I’ve just completed a few sessions of physio for my legs, so the “Plyometrics” and “Legs and Back” work-outs shouldn’t be so bad. And with winter around the corner (NOO!), P90X makes a great indoor activity. Continue reading “Damn you Tony Horton and your…. P90X2!? WTF?”