HELP ME! I need to get in shape. P90X Sucks!

Just_Dot

Hey people...he amended his previous statement to say, "It sucks for me..." and he didn't like the "booty shaking" aspect of some of the other workouts. I totally get that...it's why I LOVE Chalene and Turbo Fire! Him not being able to finish P90X has nothing to do with him being a man...it's his fitness level that's holding him back. So instead of giving him crap, how about we commend him for wanting to start a fitness regimen and give him some useful advice other than, "Suck it up, Buttercup."

Just my $.02.

ETA: Oh, and I agree with the people that are telling the OP to try and do the workout as much as you can, modify, and go from there. The important thing is that you're MOVING, not that you're finishing each workout.

rachpiper720

bodyrock.tv is a free blog and it is amazing! The lady is insane and has a new challenge for you every day. However, it is really tough stuff, but the challenges only last about 20-30 minutes. It is really fun and I can usually watch a tv show or something while I am doing it just to make it less boring.

mzenzer

Throughout the P90X videos statements are made such as "do your best and forget the rest", and "modify". You say "what's the point", well the point is that you do what you can and each week you try to do a little better until you can in fact complete an entire DVD. What you are complaining about is nothing anyone else hasn't already gone through (myself included) and I can now complete the videos and do way more than I thought I ever could. If you would just give it a try for 30 days you'll see how much it can help you.

It's called pushing yourself. I guess you didn't follow Tony's advice to modify. Just because you could not do it does not mean it Sucks!

Sorry if I offended you, let me rephrase, "It Sucks for me".

It's not that I didn't try to push it, I literally can't pull off most of the moves in the program.

Crowhorse

It's called pushing yourself. I guess you didn't follow Tony's advice to modify. Just because you could not do it does not mean it Sucks!

Sorry if I offended you, let me rephrase, "It Sucks for me".

It's not that I didn't try to push it, I literally can't pull off most of the moves in the program.

I would try getting a few videos and mix it up. Someone else suggested the Power 90. Why don't you try that instead?

I, too, have been inactive for a long time. I use to be very active. I did lvl 1 of 30 Day shred, and it kicked my butt, and it was only 20 minutes. I'd say 1/5 of the time I was standing there huffing and puffing, trying to get my breath and feeling ashamed that I couldn't even do what seemed like simple moves.

Eventually, if folks like you and I keep working at it, we'll better be able to keep up over time. You can't go from 0 to 60 overnight.

RiverRatChick

Try Insanity

If he's having a tough time with P90X, Insanity isn't the right choice. Insanity is WAY tougher than P90X.

To OP: The whole point of P90X is to help you get into good shape. It's reiterated time and time again on that program that you need to work up to an advanced level. It's also emphasized that you should make appropriate modifications when needed. There's nothing wrong with that. What's the point of getting into a workout program if you already have it mastered? That leaves little, or no room for improvement. When I did P90X it was really tough in the beginning, but I was motivated enough to keep going. Now I think P90X is a piece of cake and had to move onto Insanity. You have to make the determination for yourself if you are willing to put in the work to get better though....

NathanBurton

Thanks for all your help guys. Ive decided im going to try and stick with p90x. If I only get half the workouts done at first than I guess that's okay. If anyone would like to add me as a friend and cheer me on/keep up the good advice I'd love the help.

Sorry for being a downer earlier too, I literally had just failed the video when I was typing and was a bit ticked off.

Spitfirex007

Thanks for all your help guys. Ive decided im going to try and stick with p90x. If I only get half the workouts done at first than I guess that's okay. If anyone would like to add me as a friend and cheer me on/keep up the good advice I'd love the help.

Sorry for being a downer earlier too, I literally had just failed the video when I was typing and was a bit ticked off.

I am glad you are giving P90X another try. The key is do your best and keep digging. If you have to pause, that is fine! If you can't finish a whole workout, that is fine!

Hell my first day I did Cardio X. I had to pause after the yoga part. No joke. Then around the 25 min left mark, I paused after every single routine. Now I can do the whole DVD without stopping! And I'm only on Day 16 or so. It takes time and it takes everything you got for 60 mins a day. You can add me. And I'll try to help with anything I can.

glfprncs2

If you want to continue using your investment in the P90X program, why not try the "Lean" rotation of DVDs? When I did my first round of P90X, there was no way I would have been successful if Chest and Back and PlyoX had been my first two workouts. I would've failed big time.

With the Lean rotation (which I really think is more like P90X-Lite), I find it's a kinder, gentler P90X. Also, you HAVE to modify. Seriously, I know LOTS of guys who dump to their knees in push-ups, who don't jump in the plyometric moves, who use chairs and resistance bands to modify pull ups, etc. They give you a bunch of different ways to modify, so utilize them.

That said, if you just 'know' that P90X isn't the program for you, I would try something that will better prepare you for P90X (and that is more 'guy friendly') such as Power90 or Rev Abs. I would NOT try Insanity if you thought P90X was too hard.

myofibril

Thanks for all your help guys. Ive decided im going to try and stick with p90x.

Good luck with it and I hope you get the results you want.

In my opinion the best workout routine is very much like the best "diet" (I dislike that word but people understand the meaning.) That is: it is the one you can stick to over a sufficient period of time, which accords with your goals and shock, horror the one which you enjoy. I know, I know, enjoying a workout sounds craaaaaazy.

No matter what resistance workout routines you choose you will need to push yourself and work with a reasonable degree of intensity IF one of your goals is to lean out, increase strength or muscle mass. That's a given However, if you LIKE what you are doing and derive pleasure from it then you are likely to go much further.

Try lots of different things and go with the one that suits you best. Having a clear idea of your goals is key to this. For example my goals over time have changed and as a results the routines I use have been adapted. These days I work principally for strength which takes precdence over being lean (although that is still an important driver for me.) I like seeing the weight stack up on the bar as I prepare for my lifts, I like being able to bench 280 for 8 reps with perfect form and a rep cadence of 4,6. Because I like it I stick to it.

Bodyweight exercises, crossfit, circuit training, good old fashioned heavy lifting. The world's your oyster. Find the one that is right for you.

edorice

Thanks for all your help guys. Ive decided im going to try and stick with p90x. If I only get half the workouts done at first than I guess that's okay. If anyone would like to add me as a friend and cheer me on/keep up the good advice I'd love the help.

Sorry for being a downer earlier too, I literally had just failed the video when I was typing and was a bit ticked off.

Glad that you're going to give it another go. Each video is going to be a challenge, but that's the point. I'm coming up on a year with P90X and it hasn't been a walk in the park. But I love the DVD's and I'm strong as hell. Most women my age would have given up, thrown in the towel, accepted their fate. You have to push yourself to get better. So put in The Expendables soundtrack or score, crank it up, and work your *kitten* off.

mlb929

Another idea, if you have NetFlix - you can search DVD's on there for free. You can also find good workouts on youtube.

DaveGlasnost

P90X "sucks"...for now. I can tell it isn't going to "suck," hopefully really soon. Me: I'm way out of shape, my body is really sloppy, the only way it could be worse is if I was markedly obese or something. I really have "taken it easy" for way too long, and lost whatever average semi-decent level of fitness I reached back in like '06.

It takes me twice as long to do the workouts right now in some cases, and that's not even doing every single rep they do or anything like that. Lots of pauses. The place I am living in has this kind of open floor plan with a little circular path such that I can go room to room around the house. Well, I've probably done hundreds of walking laps already, just to keep moving while having the program on pause simply because I couldn't function anymore. But Tony tells me not to sit or have a donut, and that's why I keep pausing, walking around, sipping water at times, and then eventually hitting 'play' again. Even if it's only minute-and-a-half intervals, I inch through the program.

I know how you felt when trying to do it, I had a few moments like that. I dare say that now, on day 6, I am seeing changes in my endurance, but it is probably too early to tell. I'm hoping to see some real undeniable, however subtle, changes by mid next week. I'm still pausing a gazillion times, but I think maybe that's going to start changing pretty fast. For now, still sucking wind here, but trying my damnedest to suck it up.

Anyway maybe you can try the Power 90 vids (though I hear they might be a little cheesy/stale and haven't been updated since the VHS days, and also can be much more repetitive since there are less workouts to look at than P90X). Or try free health/fitness websites for routines, etc.

I can throw you a friend invite, would really like to see someone else, who is maybe sucking wind too, go through this process. Today, Friday, I am on day 7, you'll be just a few days behind if you are going to continue with it.

tiffvea

Good luck!

jadesign19

I'm in my second week of INSANITY too. I agree that modification is the key. If I can't keep up with speed, I just make sure I keep my form. I stop when I need too. I noticed a difference since last week and I push it harder each time I do it. Tomorrow is Pure Cardio- that kills me. I put my own music on that inspires me. I'm psyched because in two weeks it's cardio recovery. My goal is just get through the week.

jadesign19

Good luck to you :drinker:

rockyface1

YOU HAVE TO PUSH YOURSELF! not everyone that starts p90x is in great shape. in fact, my friend tried and it SUCKED for him at first BUT it has FANTASTIC results and he looks better than ever. I suggest that you really, really try to do p90x because it really does work. it is intense i know, but if i had it i would definitely do it.

I saw that you stuck with p90x...good for you! i hope it works out for you!

todd_beavers

As someone who started this journey back in June 2010, I think I can relate to you quite well. I started with Power90 and over the 90 days, I lost 30 lbs. I then took 1 week off and then started P90x. Power90 did an amazing job of getting me ready for P90x. On day one of P90x, I could do 4 pullups (the chin was barely to the bar). By the end of P90x, I could finish a chest/back workout and then knock off 4 one handed pullups with EITHER hand!

www.letsendthetrend.com You can see pictures of me before and after at my website.

Point being, if you do even a little something everyday and control the diet along the way, you will see results. The harder you push and the stricter your diet, the better results you will get in 90 days. Hey, if day 1 were easy, then you would have no need to even do the workout. It's suppose to challenge you! I was sore even on day 90!!

freerange

Get on Craigslist, a buy yourself a Nordic track, you can get one for 50$ if you watch for a few weeks. Or 100$ just about every day of the week.

My workout is 15 min of Nordic track every morning, and I do a strenuous walk UP a local trail (about 45min) every evening after work. For the last week I haven’t been able to do the walk, so I do another Nordic track workout instead.

I did that for almost a month then added some weight training 3 times a week. It is amazing how little it takes to start feeling better. My goal is to get into good enough shape to do P90X. Every few weeks, as I feel what I’m doing is getting easier I push my workouts to another level, increase weight, intensity, or duration, just enough to make it “hurt” again.

And about the girly exercise programs,,,,,,, I took an aerobic class in college,,, I was the only man in the class, got one hell of a workout, and made a couple friends too

iplayoutside19

Don't worry so much about videos. Menshealth.com Has great circuit workouts, a lot of which only use a couple of dumbells. Try the Spartacus workout on their site, it is awesome and only takes about 40 minutes.

What this guy said. Push-Ups, Sit-ups, door jam pull ups...your body provides enough weight for you to get a work out at home.

I'm not saying the P90 and other Beachbody franchizes aren't good workouts. But some of you need to realize there are other ways to get in shape. If the OP doesn't want to do it, he doesn't have to do it.

kmoorer

Billy Blanks DVD's PT 24/7 is a good one not as hard as P90X or any of his other Tae bo dvds

motivated42

I am 42 yr old female who started out at 211 lbs 3wks ago. Started doing p90x and could not get through any of the videos at first. I thought I was going to die!! I found myself many times just staring at the video because I could not move! Trust me. It gets better. It will get a little easier as you continue so please don' t give up. I've lost 7lbs so far. weight currently at 204.