Designing a workout routine

I have to request you.

Do what you enjoy at a time each day you can eekk out a block and go for it. You will probably start to see a routine, so go with that. Easier it is to fit into your day, the more likely you are to stick with it. Work hard but don't overdo or burnout. Good luck!

It really depends on what your goals are. I designed one based on the principles that are in Tom Venuto's e-book Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle. I joined a gym so I do 3 days of weights per week. I do 2 cardio kickboxing classes a week, I also run on the treadmill, and use the step-mill. At home I do some cardio videos and PiYo videos (I am a non-practicing PiYo instructor, lol).

Whatever you do, I find it most helpful to write it down and stay on top of things. If it is not written down, I tend to make more excuses not to do anything at all. Also, with weight routines, make sure you are not working the same muscle groups on consecutive days. Other than that, the possibilities are endless depending on your goals.

Of course since you have P90X, you techincally could just do that program for the time being while you are concocting something new and different.

Just get up and do something. My cardio sucked today but I am good with that because I did do the weights today. Did my curls, shoulder press, triceps etc. Tomorrow I will hit the cardio hard only because I did very little today. I walked 1/2 mile instead of 2 today. While I don't agree with MFP not giving credit for strength training, this is how you try and keep young.

I can't take my dumbells to central america but I will have resistance bands and will be walking, hiking lots. I am seriously hoping I come back no worse for wear. That being said a few mile walk everyday in Central America is easier said than done.

Up early and get out, swim then lay in the hammock. I am hoping clean eating principals can be applied but I will be relying on restaurant food. I will have a kitchen for 3 days so I am hoping I fair ok. I will be more active than usual so even with the straying I think all will be ok. I hate the pedometer but I will probably do more than 10K steps a day.

Start gradually and work up. Do 10 curls today for 1 set, 2 days later do 12. Find something that you will do.

I had a lot of problems structuring something for myself. Partially because I just wasn't sure about the right mix and partially because I love running, so I just wanted to run every night. But after too many injuries from running every single night and not seeing any improvements in pace I went searching for a structured plan.

After reading a bunch, I decided on Hal Higdon's 10K plan. I wasn't training for a 10K at the time (I am now though. lol) but it was like night and day. My strength is improving on an almost weekly basis and I'm running stronger, faster and more efficiently than I ever have. Plus I've been injury free the whole time I've been following the plan. Here's what my schedule looks like:

Sun - My long run day, add a half a mile each week
Mon - Strength and stretch. I lift heavy, full body on each set (I have "circuit" of upper and lower body that keeps the muscle groups alternating within the sets, do three sets of my "circuit", with about 8-10 minutes of stretching and a 3 minute slow-pace walk in between each set)
Tue - 3 mile run
Wed - Cross training, gradually increasing amount of time spent each week. (I rotate between stationary bike, elliptical and arc trainer)
Thu - 2 mile run and strength. For the strength I either do the same 3 sets I do on Monday, 2 of the same sets, or a trio of Kettlebell workouts (just depends on my mood. lol)
Fri - Rest
Sat - Cross train, longer than the Wed session but rotate the same options (never do the same on both days within the same week)

I'm still trying to get one going that works for me, so I could use some help too, haha. There have been times when I've done an hour of yoga every day, and days when I've run every day. I'm aiming to set something up where I can incorporate running, yoga, and weight training.

with balance in mind.

When building a routine with KBs or clubs it's easy to have balance because they're a full body tool. Otherwise try to get opposing groups in the same day. Biceps and triceps, chest and lats/shoulders, lower back and abs. To often people focus on the muscle that pops and ignore the rest. That's a formula for imbalance and injury.

haha well i wouldn't exactly say I've done long distance running. I was topping out at 4 miles / 5.5 or 5.7mph. There are things I really like about running, and if I can build up my strength and stamina to get faster speeds and run longer I think it would be pretty great. I have to (eventually) have some goals to work towards, and I think doing some races could be good. I would have a long way to work up to that though. I might be able to do like a 5k right now, but that would definitely be my limit.

start with the 8kg -10kg range. You would be surprised how much they weigh when they're being swung around. Or, see a trainer and they will help you find the optimum starting weight for you.