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I think its fair to say I failed the p90x challenge.

The goal was 90 days of an intense 6 days on, and 1 day of exercise routine. If the truth be told, I was near perfect for the 1st 45 days or so, the second month closed out with a vacation of sorts, and then I began again, and completed 2 more weeks, bringing me to the 60 day mark.  That’s when my mind started playing tricks on me, and things essentially stopped.

Why?

Well, that’s a good question, and one I’m figuring out, and also hope to learn from.

Contributing Factors:

I have a habit of staying up late at night.

I’m usually up writing, researching, or working on something that may or may not be very important. The quiet of the night seems to work better for me, but not so well for being fully alert and functional the next day.  Especially in the morning.  So as a result, I tend to delay my workouts until the evening or night time, and by then, the procrastination and reduced energy levels meet the reality of the unsympathetic demands of the workout.

I forgot why I was doing it?

I began with the goal of losing 15 pounds, and whipping my self into the best psychical shape I’ve been in during my adult life. Since the doctor mention last year that I had elevated blood pressure, I realized that my health was a live or death issue.  This, besides a tinny bit of vanity, motivated my decision to begin the p90x workout routine.  Somewhere along the way I became distracted.

I didn’t exactly follow all the directions, or approach the challenge in a structured way.

I know I’ve been singing the praises of this P90X program, and no I’m definitely not on their pay roll, or receive any perks for talking about my experience. So I can mention that this program isn’t some some sort of magic wand.  In fact, if you have the discipline, support system, and nutritional acumen, you can do all of what’s taught on your own.  But there is something to be said about having a support system of your peers, who are actively participating in the challenge as well.  There’s also a network of other people who have committed to doing the program, so its a plus to have that buddy system, that can help you when you’re in a mental rut.

I think on more than one occasion I seriously overextended myself. I have a small dull pain in my chest now, that I’m not sure is my bodies way of saying I’m still out of shape, or if its complaining for the beating its been taking.  Not to sure.  Moral of the story, and note to self, purchase the heart monitor that is suggested at the beginning of the workout and nutritional plan; that way you can stay in the healthy zone during your workout.

On the positive side, I did lose 8-10(it fluctuates) of the 15 pounds I was shooting for! So I’m not a complete loser.  Just not as big of a loser as I intended to be.  My weight fell from 205 to my current weight of 195ish.  And I have begun to feel a little better, and can see the difference in the saggy pants.

Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

Will I do it again?

  Yes. I don’t like the idea of not completing something I began, and I sort of look forward to achieving this numerical marker of 90 days. However, I am more convinced that finding physical activities that are more enjoyable, may work better for me than thrashing around in-front of a TV or computer screen.  All in all P90X is a very good exercise program, but adopting a more active lifestyle, like finding a sport or outdoor activity you actually enjoy, may be more stimulating and sustainable.  Maybe its time for me to dust of my racquetball racket?

I’ve often heard, that the best exercise plan is the one you do.  So for right now, I will give it another go.  It’s been more than a week without any exercise, and I’m starting to feel the sexiness leaving me already.

Re-Start Date: Nov.15 – Feb. 13, 2010(give or take a couple days)

So Cheers(waiving an imaginary beer in the air)!  Here’s to trying, failing, and to hopefully failing better…

I leave you with a song I never really appreciated until now.  Live shows have come a long way huh? haha…Enjoy: