Any "Morbidly Obese" people here doing P90X?

kywildcat82
kywildcat82 Posts: 8
edited February 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I started P90X on 9/23. I am having a hard time staying motivated. Not only am I struggling with nutrition, I am having a really tough time with Plyo and Yoga. I know people heavier than myself have made it through the program and succeeded.

I was doing really good at pushing play when I came home from work for the 1st few days. Then, when I seen I could barley make it through 23 minutes of Plyo and I could not do the Yoga I became discouraged. I bought a really thick mat to absorb impact on my body. It has definitely helped my feet. However, when I got on the mat to attempt ab ripper X, my lower back and tale bone were in sever pain. I stopped for a minute to try to regain form and to fight through the pain but it didn't work.

I didn't even attempt Legs and Back on Friday, nor did I do my Kenpo on Saturday.

I want so bad to do this and to succeed but I am having a time out of it. It's my fault I let myself get this way in the first place. I don't want to make anymore excuses. I just don't know how to work through the soreness, tiredness, and weakness. How do you exercise when your energy level is at rock bottom.

I have tried energy boosting foods and I have changed my diet quite a bit (though not near what it needs to be). Although I feel a little better, I am still sluggish.

I don't sleep well do to my allergies and asthma, plus I have to get up early (I work 6-2:30) and go to a very strenuous job.

Any advice, input, and constructive criticism is welcome. Thanks guys!

Replies

  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    Even if P90X isn't for you (for now), don't give up on the goal. Keep moving, eat better, find the healthy lifestyle that works for you.

    You seem to understand the program well, and that puts you way ahead of the game. Modify the movements, do what you can, mix it up, and make it work within your limits.

    Congrats on finding a path to a better you!
  • kywildcat82
    kywildcat82 Posts: 8
    Thanks I appreciate that :)
  • MrsFowler1069
    MrsFowler1069 Posts: 657 Member
    I agree. You do what you can. I am quite overweight also. I started at a high weight of at least 348 in June, now down 46 pounds. Because of old injuries and weight-related pain, I have a hard time finding exercises that don't hurt. But I'm just trying to make sure I move more, even if the only exercise I count is work-related (my jobs vary by the day, some being quite physical, so this is not included in my activity level) or a walk.

    Our health and weight don't get to a level of morbidly obese overnight. Getting it back under control takes time as well.

    Make sure you're eating at a reasonable calorie deficit and do what you can to keep moving. Your energy will start to improve and as you accomplish new victories in terms of weight, health, strength, and the oh-so-important non-scale victories, you will find encouragement there. Keep your goals in mind, do whatever modified exercise you can to move your body, both cardio and resistance.

    Do NOT beat yourself up for not yet being able to do what you want....every day you are getting closer to that. In the meantime, you do what you can and you will be able to do more before you know it. Remember, you're already doing more than you were!

    I can't wait to see your "Success Story" posted someday, saying, "I wondered if I could ever do P90X when I started! Now look at me!"
  • TigerBite
    TigerBite Posts: 611 Member
    I'd recommend starting off with something like power walking and very basic weight training, first ... build up to doing P90x ... No one just jumps up from being sedentary (no prior physical training) and says, "Hey, I'm going to run a 5K today." ... Fitness is a gradual thing, like weight loss ... Trying to do something too strenuous at this point (and without supervision) can lead to injusy ...

    ETA: Plyometric exercise are not such a good idea for very overweight (morbidly obese) people, bad for the knees ...
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    I have 6 days left of P90X Lean--I'm on Day 84. My current BMI is just a hair under 40 (39.8 or something like that), and was quite a bit higher when I started. I've lost 23 lbs and have gone from a tight size 20 to a loose size 18.

    I decided to start with Lean because I was worried about Plyo, specifically, and how it would be on my knees and back at such a heavy weight--it was challenging the last time I started P90X 2 years ago (I didn't finish because I found out I was pregnant part way through).

    My fitness has improved drastically since I started the program, but there are still some moves and routines I really struggle with. Certain postures in Yoga, for one thing. I find with things like Prayer Twist and some of the other twisting moves, the bulk of my stomach gets in the way. I modify slightly in a way that doesn't hurt or, if it's something I just can't do (Crane, Shoulder Stand, Plow) I either stay in Child's Pose or I stretch lightly until the video moves on.

    Legs & Back isn't bad, but I don't do pull-ups, I use the bands. I'm pretty muscular under all the fat, which I think helps, but when I first started I modified, or did as much as I could and then lightly jogged through the rest of the routine and just kept moving. Then I'd start over with the next move. Near the end of the program, I rarely modify other than Yoga, but I still do all push-ups from knees and some of my rep counts for the crazier push-up exercises are pretty low!

    Still, I'm very glad I've done it, and once I finish this round I'm intending to do a round of P90X Doubles!

    Add me as a friend, if you like. I intend to post before & afters plus stats this time next week.
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    Modify! Modify! Modify!

    If you can't do the moves as presented, do an easier version. If you have to use blocks for balance in the yoga portion or your feet stay on the ground the whole time during plyo, then do that. If all else fails, just march in place until the program gets to a move you can do.

    Just imagine how great it will feel when you CAN finally do all the moves. Just keep going, but don't let the program defeat your will.
  • simonkurth
    simonkurth Posts: 395 Member
    Hi there.
    I started p90X at 314 pounds. I struggled like crazy when I began this time last year. This program works!! I'm so grateful to have found P90X. Try your best, listen to your body and modify where necessary.

    Friend me I will help you get through this. I'm a proud Beachbody coach and I truly love to help people feel the same way I'm feeling after a year of consistency and hard work.
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