P90X newbie from California

[mabes9]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum as well as new to P90X. I'm 30 years old and a mother of 2 toddlers under 2 years old. I did the P90x program for about a week and a half and fell off the bandwagon because "real-life" took over (kids took turns getting sick, etc.) I used to be a size 4 and now I am a size 12. It is quite depressing whenever I need to pick up new clothes. I am now ready to give P90x an honest try again! Hopefully I can find enough motivation and support to keep it up.

I have about 20-25 pounds to lose, what would you guys suggest I do - the classic or lean? I don't really want to bulk up...

Any suggestions or things that have helped motivate you to work out, please let me know, I am at my wits end about my own self-image

[FitRunner]

Mabes,

Welcome to the boards!

Don't be too hard on yourself. Part of health is being happy in your own skin. Don't forget you're still you, and still lovable and respectable and everything else you were at size 4 other than just physically. While physical health is important, you being a size 12 doesn't mean the sky is falling down. That being said - I completely understand wanting to get rid of fat you don't feel if you. I've been there, as have many others on these forums. But even when you're really aggressively working on losing them in a way that works, like P90X, it's still not going to disappear overnight. Focus on the process - bringing it, reinforcing new eating and life habits - and pat yourself on the back not when you've gone down a few pounds, but when you succeeded in getting the workout in and eating well that day. And the next. And the next. Watch your body's capabilities grow and feel yourself getting stronger. Let go of worrying about the weight loss goal for the most part or it will drive you nuts. At least it did for me. If you do P90X and eat well, you'll lose the pounds. It's just a game of endurance to get there, and a lot of the challenges are not just "laziness", but what you talk about - getting your whole life in gear to make it possible to eat right and work out every day even when life happens. We'll be here for you, though! I think we've all had a rough patch due to work, kids, life, whatever. Good for you for seeking out some support to keep going!

I'm doing classic with "doubles" of running, because I refused to give up running when I started P90X because I love doing it. I've been very happy with that choice. I figured that as a woman, my odds of looking like a female bodybuilder after some P90X are pretty much nil. And if I do, I obviously should be a bodybuilder because that's the dream of many bodybuilders and I put nearly no effort into it compared to the pros. Needless to say, I have yet to start my bodybuilding career :) However, I would actually like to bulk up, because I've come to understand that looking "toned" is actually having muscle definition show through your skin. Can't get that without some muscle volume! But if you're interested in burning more calories and have the time (I realize you may not!), consider doubles. That's some serious calorie burn if you can fit it in.

I've really enjoyed seeing and feeling my muscles grow, actually. I'd never done much weight-lifting before, but I love it. I can feel my abs in a whole new way now, too. That's a good feeling. I am stronger. Obviously you don't have to feel the same way, I'm just saying that bulking up as a woman (without steroids, or living at the gym, of course!) isn't necessarily what you might think of when you first say the phrase "bulk up".

What motivated me to work out - initially just with running - was that it was 100% "me time." It benefited no one or nothing other than ME. It felt good and it was all me and myself and I, seeing what we could do together. It felt like a luxury, not a chore. (At least most of the time, which helped me get out the door even when it didn't.) It was a kind of freedom and I constantly surprised myself with what I could do. That, in turn, helped me feel stronger mentally with respect to work. I'd think to myself, "I ran up that hill pretty fast yesterday, I can write this in 30 minutes. Bring it on."

I'm starting to ramble so I'll stop now, but if you want to talk more about how I rearranged my life to make it work let me know! I'm crossing my fingers for you :)

Teresa

[Chrittyg]

Hi! I am also a 34 year old mother of two kids, ages 1 and 3. I work full time and my husband and I work opposite schedules. He works weekends (12 hour shifts) and I work weekdays from 8:00 to 5:00. I just ordered P90X and expect to receive it by Friday. The only time I will have to workout is at 5:00am during the week and at the kids naptime on the weekend. I am NOT a morning person. I am really going to have to dig deep to roll out of bed at that hour! I also used to be a size 2/4 before having kids. Since getting married 7 years ago, I have gained 15 pounds and lost all of my fitness. I would like to lose that much. My husband and I used to be very active (he still is). Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I am also worried about falling out of my routine with everything going on with work and kids' schedules. To find the motivation, I have been going on YouTube and other internet sites to see all of the P90X success stories. This sounds corny, but I think I'm also going to print a couple really good before and after pictures of others and hang them in my workout room. I'm also worried about finding time to prepare the foods required for this program. It doesn't seem to jive with the rest of my family's eating preferences! But, they say it's a lifestyle change and I'm willing to work toward that. I need the support, though, and I was glad to see your post and know that I am not alone in my struggle. Looking forward to getting started.

[Netty]

Mabes & Critty,

You ladies are not alone and you have come to a great place for support and motivation. I am a 35 year old mom of 3 children (15, 10, & 5), 4 if you count my husband...haha

I am only a couple of days away from day 60 on the P90X program. Ladies you will see the results that you want. I started out at a size 12 and am now at a 6 and still have 15 pounds to go. I stopped really looking at the weight though, it doesn't help me, I look at the inches that I have lost, how my clothes are fitting, and my decrease in my body fat percentage. You ladies stick with the program and continue pushing play, follow the nutrition plan and you will see the results. I started out doing Classic and following the Nutrition guide to the T on Level 1 Phase 1. Now, I am doing doubles for my last 30 days as a challenge to myself. As Teresa said above, this is about YOU...I had to sit down with my family and let them know that I was going to take some time every day that was just going to be Mommy time and that they needed to respect that time. We as mom's do everything in life to make sure that everyone else is taken care of but we forget about ourselves. My name is Annette and that is who I was as a person before I became a mom...so I call it "Annette" time. We have to remember that this will not only benefit us, but it will benefit our spouses and our children in the long run...trust me, I am walking proof. I work a full-time job an hour away from home and I am making it work. Things that motivate me are this site, and reading other peoples success stories. I love knowing that we all started at the same point at one time or another in our lives. You will soon find out that the folks here on The Fit Club are like extended family and we are on your side! I hope you both keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Many blessings Ladies,

Netty (Annette)

[Chrittyg]

Thanks for the encouragement, Netty! It really helps me to hear other full time working mothers' posts. I keep thinking, "If she can do it, so can I". I'll get some photos up and post on my progress. Thanks again!

[FitRunner]

I stopped really looking at the weight though, it doesn't help me, I look at the inches that I have lost, how my clothes are fitting, and my decrease in my body fat percentage.

Me too. Weight fluctuates so much with things like hydration and what you had for dinner and whatnot I just feel like I never know anything about how things are going. My watch is looser and looser though, every day. That I know for a fact :D

Teresa

[InTheZone]

Where do you live in Cali? I would be happy to meet up with you to workout! I will be starting a fit club in Tustin and I have one in Long Beach. You can email me at dez@inthezonefitclub.com I LOVE ChaLEAN Extreme!

[scourtney7]

Wow! Well stated ladies!!! You guys rock! I am so happy that you are achieving your goals and that you are seeing the results that you want physically and more importantly mentally! I agree 100% with everything that was stated up there. I began my journey three years ago and it was not until about a year ago when I found P90X that I really began to make strides in getting healthy. Over the past few years, however, I have dropped in size from a 12 to between a 2 and a 4 so it can be done! I promise you that. If you stay focused on the goal and committed to the nutrition plan and you keep pressing play and giving your best daily you WILL get there. I promise! And keep coming here, we really are family and we are here for you all the way!!!

shannon