P90X3 Progress Pix (Day 0-60)

SUPER EXCITED to share my next set of P90X3 Progress Pix with you!! 

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would have the body that I have today. After dealing with being overweight and obesity for 15 years I couldn't have asked for more. And while it is no way perfect it is mine and I couldn't be happier with what I have accomplished.

Just for some comparative action here is my official before and after from the beginning of my 100 lbs weight loss. As you can see also by my 16 yrs picture I have always had this struggle ahead of me. Feels amazing to know that I have FINALLY made changes that have led me to the life I have now.

These pix next are specific to my P90X3 progress. I haven't lost any further "weight" as per the scale but my body has DEFINITELY changed. Actually it has even gone up about an average of 5-8 lbs. But that my friends is muscle gain.

The pix in the orange top are P90X3 Day One, the middle are my P90X3 Day 30, and the right are my P90X3 Day 60. 

If it weren't for these pix I really wouldn't believe the progress I have made. P90X3 really is an amazing program. After having had 3 children I have a stomach that I never thought was possible. 

 The angle on the last pix is a bit different but my back is not only looking leaner but also stronger. Thanks to all those P90X3 pushups. Also my legs are starting to get more and more tone. Butt is also getting smaller. A far cry from the size 22+ that it used to be 2 years ago!!

HUGE changes going on here in both my upper and lower abdomen. 

What can I say. I absolutely LOVE P90X3. I will never stop shouting it out. It is an incredible mix of strength training, a variety of cardio elements, flexibility work, yoga, Pilates, and so much more. P90X3 can increase your strength both in body and in mind. 

I only have 30 days left and can only imagine what the next set of pix will look like. 

P90X3 ROCKS!! 

My Workout Video Collection (Plus an Important Note)

When someone asks me how I lost 101 lbs I always say something like "oh you know, I got exercise and ate healthy". I thought it would be fun to share though EXACTLY what I did in the exercise portion of that equation.

Yes folks. This is EXACTLY the collection of DVDs that I personally used to get myself from fat to fit. To get myself from 250 lbs to 149 lbs. 

So let me break it down a bit more:

1. 30 Day Shred 3X

2. Ripped in 30 4X

3. 30 Day Shred 1X 

4. Ripped in 30 2X 

5. Shred It With Weights 1X

6. Extreme Shed and Shred 1X

7. Shred It With Weights 2X

8. Three months of Jackie Warner Power Circuits with Shred It With Weights, Yoga Meltdown and Jennifer Nicole Lee's program off Bodybuilding.com (alternated them all)

9. 90 Days of Les Mills Pump

Following Les Mills Pump I did a month of random workouts from my collection just ensuring I did a workout each day. 

10. I started January 2014 with P90X3 and am currently almost 60 days through!! 

So there it is. From the day I started the 30 Day Shred and stuck with it, and gradually moved on to different programs, until now is 22 months. 

To add as well, once I am done P90X3 that doesn't mean my road ends. Once you start you can never quit or all that work is lost. I am always thinking 3-5 months in advance, what am I going to do. In my case after P90X3 I am going to do a few rounds of the 21 Day Fix, followed by some Brazil Butt Lift, and then possibly make my move into Body Beast. 

When I tell people that they need to add fitness into their lives the usual response turns to getting a gym membership (that collects dust) or going to a few yoga classes a week, or buying a treadmill (that ends up as a clothes hanger). I'm not knocking yoga or jogging on their own of course, they have their merits. But I do want to discuss two things: 

FREQUENCY AND CONSISTENCY

Physical fitness HAS to be a daily occurring activity. Two to three times a week is not enough. You have to do it frequently and consistently. Daily exercise keeps you progressing, dabbling just keeps you stuck where you are. Every time I redid a program I also increased my weights and pushed for greater range of motion. You will only progress as much as you allow yourself to. 

Frequency and consistency are reasons why I encourage at home DVD programs more than anything else. The majority of people need the trainer aspect, the music, the encouragement. I have done printed off workouts and put it to an iPod playlist but it is just not the same. 

Frequency and consistency are also much easier to attain from home. The more effort you have to put into your fitness the easier it is to shelve it. With at home DVDs all you have to do is press play. There is no driving to the gym, requiring kid care, cost of gym passes. It is a lot easier to say "I'm not going to workout today" when it is -30, you have to lug kids in the car, drive there, show up, then pack back up, drive home, etc. etc.

I lost all my weight without stepping foot into a gym. You seriously do not need that equipment. You don't need the treadmill. You don't need the elliptical. You don't need the fancy weight machines. All you need at home at most is a yoga matt, a few dumbbells, and YOU. What would take you closer to 2 hours at the gym all time factors included you can literally do in 30 minutes at home, imagine what you can do now with that extra 1 1/2 hours. 

Keep frequency and consistency in mind at all times in relation to your health and fitness. What you do on a regular basis is what will determine your outcome. 

Stay frequent, stay consistent, and keep Rockin'! 

Avoid These Five Fitness Mistakes

So you’ve made the decision that you are finally going to shed some weight and get fit. But before you start off be sure you know these common fitness mistakes so that you can avoid making them.

It’s okay, we all make mistakes. That is why I am here. I am going to tell you what the top five common fitness mistakes are and how YOU can avoid them.

5. Lack of a Plan. For me this is very important. You wouldn’t go on a cross country drive without your GPS would you? So why is it people expect to go on a fitness and health journey without knowing some specifics. Look up fitness plans online, take them with you, refer to it constantly. Keep yourself on track.  This is where workout videos are actually a great option for a newbie. They tell you EXACTLY what to do.

4. Too Much Too Fast. Many people when they start are excited, which is great. BUT that excitement can lead to overload. Don’t try heading out to jog 5 miles the first time. Don’t sign up for a class every day. Don’t just hop into hot yoga. Don’t load up with big weights thinking that you are tough enough. It isn’t just about strengths, it is about smarts. Easing yourself in is incredibly important to avoid burnout, both mentally and physically. Start with three days at a time, even as little as 25 minutes. Then as you progress do more and more each week. 

3. Poor Form. A huge reason why many people fall off the wagon is that they hurt themselves. Often this is due to poor form which can leads to strains, sprains, and even worse, breaks. There are guides on workout videos for a reason, to help you correct your form to avoid injury. If you are hitting the gym, get some help from the staff on your form. There are also plenty of youtube tutorials out there just waiting to show you the way. Avoiding injury is critical and that starts with proper form.

2. Only Cardio. Women seem to be particularly bad for making this mistake. They go and spend an hour on the treadmill or other cardio machine, or they just set out to jog. I’m sorry but that is not going to help you reach your goals. You may lose weight, and yes you are burning calories, but you will remain soft. You won’t get any tone. This also means you aren’t going to see the results you want and may end up leading you to quit your efforts. Add regular strength training and in no time you will see your goals within sight.

1. Improper Nutrition. When I ask many of my challengers about their biggest struggle they tell me it is exercise. Nine times out of ten though that is what should be the least of their worries. You can not out exercise a bad diet, and you'd be surprised how easily you can out eat your workout. If you are serious about getting fit you have to be serious about your diet. Up to 80% of your weight loss and results depends on nutrition. Start eating clean, avoid the inside aisles at the grocery store, fill up on whole foods, drink lots of water.

If you are guilty of making any of these common fitness mistakes don’t worry. Now you know better. Find a plan that will work for you and commit. Take things easy, gradually increasing intensity and frequency. Do research on how to do things right. Balance out your efforts between cardio AND resistance training. And most importantly FUEL YOUR BODY RIGHT!

Now get out there and get Rockin'