P90X: Days 7 & 8

Day 7 of the P90X program is a “Rest or Stretch” day.  Chris tried the stretching routine they provide, and I decided to rest.  We’ll see how this affects us as we move forward, hopefully it turns out to not matter much.

With the beginning of week 2, Day 8 provides the start of the same schedule as the week before.  We stay on this schedule for the first three weeks of the program, have a ‘Recovery’ week for the fourth week, and then move on to Phase 2.  The premise of P90X is that it keeps your muscles from acclimating to a single routine, thus maximizing the benefit you receive from that routine.  I’m curious to know what study they are going off of that allowed them to choose a 3+1 week range for a phase of the program…

The second time around with Chest & Back (and the 4th time around with Ab Ripper X) proved to be actually somewhat satisfying.  Gone are the aches and pains that accompanied the first attempt a week ago, and now we have mild soreness and that wonderful lack of power that can only come from working out.  It would almost suggest that the program has been working for us already, though much of that may be from our low level of fitness upon starting the program.

I have been informed by a friend however that I have a noticeably higher energy level since starting the routine, and this is comforting to hear.  It also looks like my gut has been pushed out further than it was before, which tells me my abdominals may already be benefitting from the intense Ripper workouts and therefore are pushing out what gut I have to new widths.  I have been eating well and not overeating, so I find it hard to believe that I could have added so much girth in the course of one week.

All seems promising, but there is still a long way to go.

 

- Andy