P90X

I’m finally ready to write about this. 

It’s been 7 long weeks since Morgan and I began this journey together. 

It started out as something he asked me to do with him.  My husband was craving an exercise routine.  Something that would kick-start him back into something more regular, for life. 

He’s also approaching a certain “middle age”, although you’d never know it.  He’s kind of a freak of nature (in the most loving kinda way). 

I easily agreed to do it, thinking it would be a good alternative to exercising outdoors in our summer heat.  Hikes are no longer possible and yappy dogs that bark and nip at 6 AM make running around our neighborhood, irritating.

I also thought, “Sure, it would be fun to work out together and encourage one another along the way.”  

Confession:  The first 2 weeks, I was miserable.  Everyday I was thinking, “Are you serious?  What on earth have I gotten myself into?”  90 days seemed like a lifetime away.  To say that I had a “bad attitude” during those first two weeks would be a gross understatement.  I complained, I growled, I dreaded, I hated it.  My whole body was sore.

Push-ups, pull-ups, Kenpo, who?  Plyo, what?    Seriously, who cares!!

Sadly, Morgan walked on egg shells during those first two weeks.  He would gently encourage me everyday and did everything possible to accommodate my schedule, as well as my mood.  Thankfully, we can laugh about it today.

If you’re not familiar with P90X, the X stands for X-TREME.  Each work out is 60-90 minutes long, 6 days a week.  Here’s a recent comment I read regarding P90X…

“I consider myself to be in great shape. I work out multiple times a week combining cardio and weight lifting. I figured if anything, P90X would serve as a good tool to help me kick it up a notch.

false.

P90X is HARDCORE. If you want to kick things up a notch, give the SHRED a try, not P90X.

P90X is structured for muscle confusion. Each day is different, targeting different sets of muscles and providing either a cardio or weight-lifting workout. In addition, each WEEK is different. It’s not like you just keep rotating the same DVDs in a continuous loop.”

That being said, before we began, I had never seen the infomercial or knew anything about it.  Apparently everyone else had.  I can see why so many people start and never finish.  Did I mention I was sore for two weeks straight?

Remember my exercise routine?  Yes, I exercise regularly and had done so for years but since becoming a mom, it was reduced to only 20 min./3x’s a week.  I pretty much did the bare minimum to make myself feel and look “healthy.”

In a short period of time after we began, Morgan started to see and feel results rather quickly and became encouraged.  No surprise here.  Let’s face it, he didn’t have that far to come!  I was happy for him.  He was on his way to reclaiming a new desire for healthy living and exercise.  Good for him.  Good for us!

Somewhere between the grumbling of week 3, the soreness in my muscles began to subsided.  And once we determined an early morning time and routine that worked best for us me, my irritation (and bitterness) began to fade as well.

Fast forward and here we are to Week 7. 

I can’t believe we’re finally over the hump!  I do a lot less grumbling these days.  In fact, I’ve even been known to get Morgan’s rear in gear.  This is especially true since he’s typically not a “morning person.”

So, what’s my goal after spending the majority of my summer (13 weeks) surviving P90X? 

My primary goal (from the very beginning) was and still is, to be there for my husband.  Admittedly, I failed at this the first 2 weeks.  He asked me on this X-treme journey because he wanted my companionship and encouragement.  He wanted to experience the highs and the lows- with me.  He wanted us to accomplish a goal- together.  Bottom line- he needed a partner and he wanted me. 

Believe it or not, my goal is NOT to be “ripped” like the people you see on the ads.  I like no, love! to eat and the time I devote to being an intentional mom and homemaker is very precious to me, and to my family.

However, once we’ve completed the 13 weeks, Morgan and I plan to stay on a maintenance schedule that includes 3 days of “not-so-extreme” work outs.  And as weather permits, we look forward to getting outdoors to do more fun activities, which of course, include the girls.

Lessons learned thus far:  For the first time in my life, I feel physically strong.  It only took 40 years but I  no longer feel like the scale and the size of my clothes define my mood.  In fact, I care less and less about what I weigh.  I haven’t weighed myself since after the first week (when I gained 3 lbs. and my hubby kept trying to tell me its muscle).  

I have a new appreciation for how God designed our intricate bodies as well as the purpose and responsibility we have for a healthy and balanced life.  It’s amazing how physical and spiritual balance go hand in hand.  I also realized that I’m actually capable of much more than I thought I was. 

Most of all, these past 7 weeks have been a huge lesson in perseverance.  Like any worthwhile life endeavor, perseverance is a process that challenges, stretches, and then changes you- for the better. 

In many ways, perseverance becomes more about the journey, rather than the destination. 

At this point, I can’t see myself quitting (not that I ever was going to).  We’ve come too far and we’re almost there.  Besides, my goal in life (as well as in P90X), is to finish the race well- with the Lord’s help, to the very end, beside my man.

I’m thinkin’ the “P” in P90X must stand for perseverance!

God willing, 6 more weeks to go!  Bring it.