Hi everyone!

I completed my first round of P90X yesterday. It is such a good feeling! I failed twice last year to get past a couple of weeks of P90X, so it feels so good to succeed this time. I wanted to post up here both what methods I used to stay motivated/accountable and also what benefits I have noticed from the program.

First- how I stayed motivated. For me- motivation was the hardest part. There were days, flat out, when I did NOT want to work out. And yet, in the entire 90 days, I only missed one workout and it was the optional Stretch X workout from Sunday. Other than that, I completed every workout plus occasionally did extra hikes or walks outside. Initially, my biggest motivation was just watching the success videos that Beachbody posts on its facebook page or that you can find on Youtube. Seeing other people achieve massive changes in their body composition and health was very motivating to me. I used to watch a minimum of one video a day. I also joined several accountability groups. Beachbody's message boards has groups going all the time, and I found a woman-only group and also a group of people that started the same time I did. I also got invited to an accountability group on Facebook which was very motivational, and in many ways better than the message boards because it was constantly being posted to and people were replying to each other directly on all kinds of issues from motivation, to what to eat, to questions about how to do certain exercises, to people adding their achievements.

Second- the benefits of doing the program. Well, I did lose weight. I lost 16 lbs, which was not as much as I hoped for, but still decent. I dropped two clothing sizes. I started getting unsolicited compliments on my weight loss. I have *way* more energy now. I went from being able to do 0 real push-ups to being able to do 9 real push-ups. I saw improvements on every exercise whether it was how many reps I could do or how much weight I could lift, or just whether I could do the entire DVD without taking a break (Plyo!). I noticed changes in my every day activities. My confidence has increased. My food choices have improved. My portions have improved. I have biceps and triceps now. I can see my ankles again. My posture has improved. My blood pressure and heart rate has improved. The final test is going to be on Thursday, when I have my next round of bloodwork. Before starting P90X my cholesterol was 265. I have every expectation that my cholesterol will have dropped significantly, but the proof will be in the pudding. When I get my blood test results back, I'll post up.

Thats brilliant EagleRiverDee!! When I did my first round i was sooo happy n proud of myself it's a wicked feeling!.
Just started my second round last night thinking about doing doubles this round... might help me lose more weight to increase my chances of doing a pull up unassisted that's my goal this round and get rid of my pouch.

Did anyone else notice the improvement on how you feel about yourself? I noticed that I took more time and actually took more consideration as to my appearance including doing my make up which I stopped doing after having my girls lol It's great.

Thanks, Fitmum! It is a wicked feeling to have accomplished the program. I did notice that I feel better about myself. I care more about the clothes I wear now, particularly as I can now get some nicer looking clothes that fit. Before I mostly had to wear men's clothes because I couldn't find ladies clothes that fit me.

I just started week 3 of p90x and I am LOVING it. I haven't lost any pounds BUT I have lost inches which is really exciting. I had lost a lot of weight before this and was working out my muscles before so that's why I think I didn't lose pounds. But I'm hoping I will lose pounds in the next 30 days.

Okay, I have one last update about my first round of P90X. I had bloodwork done just before I started it, and then last week after finishing. I would have to say, the results speak for themselves:

Total cholesterol: Was 265/Now 184
Triglycerides: Was 136/Now 44
HDL: Was 67/Now 68
LDL: Was 187/Now 127

My cardiac risk is now low and my doctor even told me my triglycerides are a bit low and to add more nuts and avocado into my diet.

Wow...plenty of great stories here to use as motivation. I actually dusted off my P90X disks this morning and started day 1. I tried about 2 years ago, but injured my wrist and got frustrated with the yoga disk! lol

I've been following Atkins for a while now and have lost 46lbs. I figure now is a great time to start a routine to tone up and build back some muscle mass I have lost over the past couple years. After reading your posts, I know P90X will be just what i need right now! I'm gonna give this a shot...I'll be back frequently for motivation!

Congrats to everyone on their progress and success!!

Well, I have 2 days down and will be doing workout 3 in a couple hours. I have a major case of DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness)...I can barely walk and can't scratch the back of my head...lol. Hopefully this soreness doesn't impact the next 2-3 workouts, until it subsides.

I start week 4 tomorrow and i'm very excited. I haven't lost pounds. I've actually gained. BUT I have lost about 2" in my waist so I'm very happy. I'm in that phase where I only have 10-15 pounds left to lose so I don't expect the pounds to come off quickly but i wasn't expecting the lost inches. It seems that the most drastic results for others happen during the 2nd phase so i'm hoping i fall in with them. i also need to be more strict with my diet. But here's to the 4th week. BRING IT!

P.S. SaskNewfie- i usually don't feel the pain until about the second day after the workout. i know exactly how you feel!

lol...i do feel it more at the 2nd day! I'm about to tackle my nemesis this evening...yoga! That was as far as i got 2 years ago...93 minutes of yoga got to me, and i quit. I think i got frustrated cause i was lacking flexibility to perform half the movements.

Hey everyone! Found this forum and thought I would check it out. I recently joined the site and am part of another support group and someone suggested I look for a p90x support group as well so here I am!

I started day one of p90x yesterday and did Plyo today

On and off in the past year I have started and quit the program. Seems like around day 3/4 I just give up! Not this time!

Me and my DH are going on a cruise for our one year anniversary on March 3, 2012 and my goal is to finish this round and count my carbs/calories so I can have healthy habits established. Also, because we want to do a zipline in Belize, I need to lose at least 15 lbs and a few inches off my waist or I will be too big to go.

I am blogging about all of this...the link is under my username.

It's just great to read that
1. I'm not the only one who has started/given up/started over!
2. Other people who followed this pattern of giving up have succeeded!

So! Congrats to everyone who has finished a full round of p90x! I look forward to the day when I can say the same!

also:
Newfie: You may not need them but I have found that yoga blocks and straps really help me to keep up with the video...the first time I did yoga I gave up 10 minutes in because I was frustrated at my inability to do the exercises! And yoga was usually the day I quit the whole program...but the yoga blocks and strap (at least in the states) are really affordable and a HUGE help as I can actually perform the exercises...hope I'm not sticking my nose where it isn't wanted just wanted to say what worked for me!

Tavvy- you can do this! I started and failed twice at P90X, then on my third attempt (exactly one year after starting my first) I was able to complete a round. And not just complete it- I crushed it. I not only did P90X but also extra exercise. And I feel great for having done it. You won't regret the time you put into the program to complete it, I guarantee it!

No, you're def not sticking your nose in where it's not wanted...this is the main reason I am posting here...to get input/suggestions from others. I may have to invest in yoga blocks...I've been using dumbells laid on their end right now...slightly unstable though. What are you referring to by a "strap"? Thanks for your suggestions!!

I'm starting my 2nd week tomorrow...most of my soreness has subsided...except my calves are sore today. One thing i did notice is that my appetite has increased substantially. I've been on Atkins for quite a while now and this is the first time I've actually been hungry between meals/snacks.

Kells: That's awesome loss I'd favor size loss over weight loss any day! Congrats!

Eagle: Thank you for the encouragement! Day 3 tomorrow Shoulders and arms here I come!

Newfie: A yoga strap is a long strap that just helps you to hold certain poses. You can google it...I tried to post a link but I can't I find it really useful as I can't hold poses that require me to hold my foot outstretched for a length of time. My yoga blocks came with a strap and I am so glad for it!

I'm starting round 2 of P90X today. I decided that with the holidays, I need the support of an exercise program so I don't falter.

FWIW, I use a belt when I need a yoga strap. It seems to work just as well.

I was thinking of something like that as well. 2nd round? That's devotion! My fingers are crossed that I make it through...I'm enjoying it so far. Perhaps when I'm done I may try out P90X2!

I'm curious, as strength builds, is it acceptable to use heavier weights on a weight bench and perform the same movements? For example...instead of doing 20 pushups, can I add weight on a bar and do 10 bench presses? Do we have that freedom to be creative, or would you recommend sticking with the program as it is?