A few weeks ago I started the P90X program.  I was primed to start the new year off right, getting in shape and losing weight.   I got about two weeks into the program and all was going well.   Sure, my eating wasn’t as good as it could be, but it was going OK.  I was almost a month in on the program when life happened – slowing down my progress.

Sometimes Life Doesn’t Cooperate

Sometimes when you’ve got a plan and you’re determined to follow through, life just doesn’t want to cooperate.  At our house I’ve had a couple of setbacks that have slowed down my P90X progress.

First, we all got sick at our house.   We’ve all been sick off and on for the past 2-3 months it seems.  One person will get sick and we’ll all slowly take our turns.  This time we were all sick for about a week – and for a second week I was taking care of my wife and son who got sick before me.  Being sick and caring for others takes a lot out of you, so I just didn’t get any of the P90X program done during those two weeks.

After being sick for a couple of weeks – despite the fact that I had almost been a month in already, I decided to reboot the process and start P90X all over again from the start.

Another Setback

This past week I restarted the whole P90X program from day one.   Then on the yoga lesson of week one I re-injured my shoulder.  I’m not sure what I did, but I have an old shoulder injury from a while back that seems to have resurfaced.  I never had it diagnosed, but when it hit it made it extremely painful to do certain exercises or motions.  I took a couple of days off from P90X, but continued again with Kenpo over the weekend.   The shoulder still hurt, but I was able to get through it.

Yesterday I did the chest and back workout with pushups and pullups.  I was able to get through it because most of the motions in the workout didn’t seem to aggravate my shoulder.  There were maybe 3 sets of pushups that I had to skip because they were too painful, but otherwise I made it through.

So for now I think I’m gonna continue with P90X while avoiding some of the reps that have motions that hurt my shoulder.  If it doesn’t get better in a couple of days I’ll probably head in and get it diagnosed.   We’ll see.

The Good News…

It hasn’t all been bad news thankfully.  Despite the fact that my P90X experience has now seen a couple of false starts and reboots, I’m still confident that the program will work for me.   In fact it already is.  Since December I’ve lost about 10 lbs doing the workouts and healthy eating, dropping from 255lbs to 245lbs in weight.  I’m determined that this body will never see 250lbs again!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post on this site talking about how I was considering starting the P90X® workout program because I needed some structure in my fitness life, and I thought this looked like a good program to try.

I got some great feedback from some friends and colleagues online, many of them saying that they had done P90X®  previously, and that they highly recommended it.  Most of them said the program was tough, but that it was ultimately worth it for them.

With all the great feedback I decided to jump in and give it a shot.  I bought the program and was hoping to start the first Monday of the new year.  Unfortunately our family had a flu bug and I ended up getting sick as well.  I pushed back my start date one week.

Getting Started On P90X – Bring It!

I finally got started on P90X® one week into the new year. The day before I started I did the fitness test to make sure that I was “ready” to do the program. Most of the things I didn’t have much problem with, but a couple of them, including the pull ups and push ups, I struggled with a bit. I did enough to be OK to start the program, however.

Week One Of P90X

That first night doing P90X® was  a bit of a struggle, but I managed to make it through that chest and back routine.  What was involved?   A whole lot of pushups and pullups.   The first week I did actual pull-ups, aided somewhat by a chair as beginners were instructed to do in the video.  The two following weeks I had actually purchased these resistance bands (highly recommended – good quality), and used those for the pullup portions instead.  The pushups have been tough as well, and during some reps I’ve had to go from my knees – especially in later rounds.  I especially hate the decline pushups, and have failed on those a couple of times.

The following nights of the first week were also tough.  I was still struggling with that initial soreness that you get after you haven’t worked out for a while, and it was tough doing the plyometrics, shoulders and arms, and other workouts when I was so sore.

Week Two Of P90X

The second week was still tough, but I wasn’t quite so sore – which made it easier.   Our family also had another bought of the flu pop up (again!), and so I was only able to workout 4 out of the 6 days because i was busy taking care of the family.  My eating wasn’t nearly as good week 2 either.  I had some nasty food (as Tony Horton would say), and I think that wasn’t helpful in my weight loss goals.

Another thing that I noticed was that while doing the P90X workouts you are working hard most of the time.  They give you chances to catch your breath during the workout, but you’re always sweating and huffing and puffing.  I have never been as drenched with sweat as I have been after doing these workouts – even and especially the yoga workout.  Make sure to bring a towel!

Week Three Of P90X

With the first two weeks in the bag (with mixed results), I started week 3 on Monday of this week.  It does seem like I’m slowly starting to be able to do a little bit more in the exercises, and without quite as much soreness afterwards the next days workouts are easier to complete.

Week three I also started doing the workouts in the mornings, getting up early so that I could complete them before going to work.  After doing it for 4 days this week now I have to say I prefer working out in the morning because you feel good all day, you get it out of the way and then you can relax at home at night.

Today I did the yoga workout and had to cut it a bit short because I got up late – and the yoga workout is almost an hour and a half  long.  Tonight I’ll either finish that or do some other form of exercise.

P90X So Far: Tough But Worth It

So I’m just over 3 weeks into the P90X program, and I have to say – it is tough!  I’m not sure I’ve ever sweated this much or worked this hard since I was in high school football.  The workouts are tough, but you can feel your body getting stronger.  I’m still fudging it a bit on some of the exercises, especially the pushups, but I’m getting better every week.

Now that I’m almost done with 3 weeks, I really think that I can stick with this for the entire 90 day – I can do this!

Are you considering starting P90X as well? Have you already started – or completed a round? Tell me about it in the comments!

A few weeks ago I agreed to do a review of a new digital body fat scale from the folks over at EatSmart, the EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale.  It’s a nice looking scale, with a nice sleek glass surface with no raised buttons, and a high tech look.  It looks like something out of Star Trek.

I did a full review of the EatSmart Scale after using it for a week or two. My verdict? It’s a nice scale that has a lot going for it, especially if you want to get regular body fat readings (along with other stats).  Here’s a quick look at the scale from my video review:

Giveaway Of The EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale

After doing the review of the scale I asked if EatSmart would allow me to give one of the scales away on my site.  They agreed to the idea, and now one lucky reader will be getting their own scale as well!

I’ll be hosting a giveaway from today until midnight next Sunday in which one winner will be getting an EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale.

Entering to win the scale is extremely easy, and can be done through the Rafflecopter widget shown below.  Here is what you can do to win:

• Comment and tell me why you would like to win this great scale! (Then be sure to click “I did it” on the widget)
• Follow Quick To Fit on Twitter via the widget.
• Tweet about the contest through the widget.
• Like the blog post!

That’s it! Get entering below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Details Of The EatSmart Body Fat Scale

The EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale can be found at a variety of online retailers.

Here are a few of the scale’s specs, and what it does:

• Measuring Functions: % Body Fat, % Total Body Water, % Muscle Mass and Bone Mass
• Proprietary Automatic User Identification Technology; Stores personal data for up to 8 users
• EatSmart “Step-On” Technology – Get instant readings with no tapping to turn on!
• Large 3.5″ Blue LCD display with white backlight – Easy to read.
• Auto Calibrated; Auto Power-Off; Runs on 4 AAA batteries (included); 100% EatSmart Satisfaction Guarantee

So the scale will measure your body fat percentage, as well as telling you your body water percentage, muscle mass percentage and bone mass.   It also auto-recognizes who is using the scale when you step on and will automatically tell you your body fat percentage without having to enter any details.  Very quick and easy.

As a reminder, comment and tell me why you would like to win this great scale, then confirm your entry via the widget above!

One thing that can be extremely difficult to do is continue exercising or working out while you’re on the road.   Often the places you’re staying may not have adequate workout facilities or weights that you normally work out with.

What is a person to do when there just aren’t many great options for exercising?  It’s time to get creative!

Exercising On The Road – Get Creative

When you’re on vacation or on the road for work it can be tough to maintain a regular workout schedule.  If you plan ahead, however, it can be done.

So what are some things you can do to make sure you maintain your regular healthy lifestyle while on the road?

• Stay at a hotel with workout facilities:  When you’re booking your hotel make sure that they offer some sort of a workout facility with weights, treadmills and so forth.  Most hotel booking sites will make a note of hotels that offer those types of amenities.
• Go running:  One thing you can always do even if your hotel doesn’t have a treadmill is to go running in the area that you’re staying. It can be fun to go out and see the area  where you’re visiting – and see it early in the morning before things get busy. Just don’t get lost!
• Do body weight exercises: You can do body weight exercises in your hotel room.  Things like pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups or squats.  Check out a program like Crossfit.
• Bring your own workout gear: You can bring lightweight exercise gear like resistance bands in your suitcase and get in a good weights workout routine.  Put video workouts on your ipod or laptop!
• Go hiking or walking while sightseeing:  When sightseeing do plenty of walking while you’re checking out the sites.  Or if you’re in a more natural setting, go for a hike! You’ll be exhausted at the end of the day!
• Incorporate fun healthy activities like golf or tennis:  Take time for golf breaks and check out the local courses. It can be fun to see a course you’re not used to.  Or play some tennis with a friend.
• Do Yoga:  Yoga can actually be quite strenuous, so try doing some while on the road.
• Play beach games:  If you’re on the beach at a tropical location, get in on a beach volleyball game or play frisbee on the sand.
• Take a bike tour: Many popular tourist locations will do bike tours, or allow you to rent bicycles by the hour.  Go out for a spin!
• Swimming:  Go for a swim in the hotel pool or the ocean.  Swimming can be great exercise!

So as you can see there are a myriad of ways to stay on your fitness regimen while you’re out on vacation – or on the road for business.  Just get creative and you’ll come up with a bunch of other ways as well!

How do you stay fit while you’re away from home?  Tell us in the comments!

A while back I wrote an article on this site talking about how running can be a great cardio exercise, but how there are so many exercise alternatives for people who don’t enjoy running (of which I am one).

Among alternative exercises that we listed:

• Doing a workout video
• Playing basketball
• Rowing machine
• Hiking on local trails
• Spin classes
• Stationary bike
• Roller Blading

The alternatives are really numerous and you’re really only limited by your creativity.   There are a ton of exercises out there for non-runners.

One of the alternatives that I didn’t list, but that truly can be great exercise, is golf.

Golf  Can Give Great Exercise

One thing a lot of people really don’t realize is that golfing can be great exercise.  I think people have an image in their heads of a bunch of old fat guys riding around in a cart and stopping off for drinks  and food at the clubhouse.  But the truth is that golf can help you to burn hundreds of calories.  Playing 18 holes of golf can be about the same as walking 3.5 to 6 miles!

Research conducted by Neil Wolkodoff of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver found the following statistics:

Golfers who walk and carry their own bag burn 721 calories, golfers using a pull cart burn 718 calories, golfers walking with a caddie burn 613 calories and golfers riding in a golf cart burn 411 calories on average.

So if you carry your own bag and walk the course when you  play, you can burn in excess of 700 calories. That’s not too shabby!  Even those who rode a cart still burned more than 411 calories by golfing 18 holes.

Not only does golf give you some great exercise, it can prolong your life!  A Swedish study by the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports and based on data from 300,000 golfers found that golfers have a a lower death rate than others:

The death rate for golfers is 40 percent lower than for other people of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status, which correspond to a 5 year increase in life expectancy. Golfers with a low handicap are the safest.

They found that those with a lower handicap – those who typically play more – had better health.  Also, because golfers tend to golf into old age, they will enjoy the health benefits for longer as well.  So start golfing and add years to your life!

Of course in order to enjoy the health benefits you have to be a regular golfer, and not a once every 3 months type golfer.

Conclusion

Golf is another great exercise alternative for those who don’t like to run, bike or do workout videos.  It will help you burn hundreds of calories while being low impact and doing something you enjoy (if you’re good enough and not hitting it into the sand traps!)

Next time you may think twice about taking your buddies up on those golf offers because you’re in fact improving your health and prolonging your life.   So go hit the links!

A few weeks ago I talked about how I was considering jumping in full bore and trying P90X. I had heard it was tough, but when you think about it – so many things in life worth having aren’t easy to achieve.

After considering all the pros and cons and hearing from several P90X graduates (and P90X evangelists!) I decided to give it a try.

I got the class materials a couple of weeks ago and delved into them. The class takes a whole life approach to losing weight, eating healthy, and exercising to become fit. They give you a full nutrition and exercise program when you sign up, not just a workout program.

Nutrition Is Important

One thing that becomes apparent when you watch the introduction video is that the exercise in the course is not  going to help you to be fit by itself. In fact they stress that the diet and nutrition portion is also an integral part of the plan.

Quite honestly I think the nutrition portion is the part that I’m probably going to have more trouble with.  No, not because I’ll find the exercise easy – because I won’t, but because this is usually where my fitness plans break down – on the eating side.  My love of donuts and sweets always seem to do me in.

So I’m looking at the nutrition plans and hoping to carve out some sort of routine so that I can do this thing the right way.  All I do know is that I’ll be going to the grocery store later this week to get some better foods than what we have now.  Lots more protein rich meats like chicken and  turkey, more veggies and fruits.

Last Night’s Workouts – Night Number 1

So yesterday was my first day doing the P90X program.  I followed the nutrition portion of the program pretty well, eating healthy foods all day. I had a salad for lunch, healthy snacks in between and then grilled chicken, broccoli and rice for dinner.   I plan on trying to do the workouts in the morning once I adjust to it, but this week I’ll probably be doing the workouts at night.

Last night I did the first workout, the chest and back workout, and then the ab ripper workout.   Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

I struggled my way through the chest and back workout first.  There are lots of pushups and pull-ups in this routine.  If you want you can modify the pull-ups a bit to use a chair if you’re not confident in your pull ups  – or use bands to simulate pull ups.  I used a chair part of the time as my pull ups have never been very strong.  Something to work on.  I think I was still able to get in a pretty good workout. The pushups near the end I had to modify a bit and do from my knees -   as I started getting pretty tired.  Just goes to show how out of shape I am!

I was able to complete the hour long routine though, despite having to keep my number of reps significantly lower than the folks on the video.    As they say in the video, however, doing less reps when you start out isn’t a problem, just “do your best and forget the rest“.

On several days of the week you’re supposed to also do the ab ripper workout after your initial workout.  So that’s what I started to do.  Let’s just say that I made it through about 3-4 of the exercises in the ab ripper workout before i was complete toast.  I didn’t complete it. I was so sore from the first workout that I was just spent.

I have a feeling it will get better over time as my body adjusts to working out again, but let’s just say it was rough that first night.  The question is – did I miss something in the manual?  Are you supposed to split the two workouts out – one in the morning, one at night?

Sticking To It

So tonight I’ll be moving on to workout two – Plyometrics.   I hear this one is also good but will leave you exhausted. I can’t wait – my tired sore body and all.

A couple of weeks ago I got a new digital body fat scale from the folks over at EatSmart, the EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale.  I’ve had a body fat scale from another manufacturer for a while now that I thought worked reasonably well, but after seeing the new Ipad looking scale from EatSmart I agreed to try it out and do a quick review.  The GetFit scale just looks cool.

The scale arrived in the mail a few days after the agreed to send it out.  The first thing I noticed when taking it out of the box is that it was thin – and had a decidedly high tech look.   The first things that came to mind were the Apple iPad, and one of those Star Trek control panels.  It just looks nice – and the black color should fit into just about any bathroom’s decor.

The EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale

The EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale can be found at a variety of retailers including Amazon.com where it currently retails for around $55.

So let’s look at some of the specs behind the scale, and look at some of the things it measures.

• Measuring Functions: % Body Fat, % Total Body Water, % Muscle Mass and Bone Mass
• Proprietary Automatic User Identification Technology; Stores personal data for up to 8 users
• EatSmart “Step-On” Technology – Get instant readings with no tapping to turn on!
• Large 3.5″ Blue LCD display with white backlight – Easy to read.
• Auto Calibrated; Auto Power-Off; Runs on 4 AAA batteries (included); 100% EatSmart Satisfaction Guarantee

So not only does the scale measure your weight and body fat percentage, but it also goes the extra mile and gives you numbers for total body water percentage, muscle mass percentage and bone mass.  I’ve never actually seen a scale this affordable that calculates all of those things.  Honestly I’m not sure how I’d use those stats, but it’s cool to have them if i need them.

Among the other features I also love the fact that it automatically identifies the person who steps on the scale, and the fact that you just step on the scale and it turns on and gives you your stats.    It also has a super easy to read screen that you don’t have to bend over to read.

Opening The Scale

When the scale arrived from FedEX I opened the package and was met with a full color image on the box of the new scale.  Even before I opened it up I knew I was going to like the design of the unit.

After taking the scale out of the box I unwrapped it and admired it’s shiny surface.  It gives off a nice reflection and is as smooth as the touchscreen on a tablet PC.  In some respects that’s what it feels like as you touch the buttons on the unit as well.  The buttons are touch sensitive, not raised buttons that you depress like you see on so many other scales.

The unit comes with 4 AAA batteries which you insert into the panel into the recess in the middle of the back of the unit.    You also need to set the units that the scale will use, either kg or lb, by setting a switch on the back of the scale.  Default is set to pounds so I left it.

Setting Up The Scale

After inserting the batteries I started the unit up and hit the set button to enter my height and body type (regular/athletic) into the unit, which it remembers for future use.   I also entered my wife’s stats so that she can use the scale as well.

From then on when you step on the scale it will remember which person you are (Person 1-P erson 8), and use your stats to calculate everything from body fat percentage to total body water.  There is no need to turn the scale on either as it will turn itself on when you step on it.  It will automatically decide which person you are when weighing you.

When you step on the scale it will tell you what your weight is, and if you stay on the scale for a few more seconds it will calculate all your other stats as well.

Using The Scale

I’ve been using the scale for a couple of weeks now, and here are my first impressions:

• Seems to be accurate enough with the scale readings matching or being close enough to other scales we use, and the one at the doctor’s office this week when I had an appointment.
• It’s easier to use than our old body fat scale.  Our old scale doesn’t save our personal stats, needs to be turned on by clicking a toe button, and then you have to enter your sex and height every time. This scale  you just do that once and save it.
• The blue lighted display is super easy to read, versus our old scale that has a simple LCD display that can be hard to read at times.
• Love having that extra data that it calculates, despite the fact that I’m not sure how to use it quite yet.

So there you have it.  I love the scale so far because it’s easy to use, it’s accurate, it looks great and it makes checking your weight and body fat percentage so much easier by removing un-necessary steps that other scales ask you to perform.

While the scale may not be as advanced as some others that I’ve seen, like the Withings scale that has Wi-Fi and Ipod/Android apps,  it does a good job of what it does at a price that’s affordable for most folks.  Definitely a good scale to check out if you’re in the market for a body fat scale.

Have you tried the EatSmart scale, or any other body fat scales? What are your impressions?

At the beginning of 2011 I hadn’t been posting on this site much at all, and I was at an all time high weight for me, over 270 pounds. At 6’4″, I’m a big guy, so the 270 lbs didn’t really look that bad, but I knew something had to change. I wasn’t feeling healthy and I was beginning to feel the strain that the weight was putting on my body.

In January of this year I joined Weight Watchers as a support system to my wife. Over the next few months we both lost weight, and by July/August I had dropped around 30 pounds off of my starting weight. I was ecstatic.

But then reality started to set in. I started getting bored with the program, life started getting stressful and I started to let myself slip into old bad habits. On top of that I hadn’t really stepped up my exercise routine while on Weight Watchers, and I knew I needed to get back on that.

Weight Roller Coaster

This past week I realized that over the past few months  I was starting to gain back a bunch of the weight I had lost this year.  Frustrating.   I know why I’ve gained it back, my eating habits have quickly deteriorated.  I haven’t been exercising.  I know I need to get back on some sort of healthy eating and exercise regimen.

I’m now at around 255 lbs – still down from my high of 270, but nowhere near my goal of 200 pounds.

I need to get back into something that I can enjoy doing and that will get me moving.

P90X Sounds Intense, But Maybe What It’s What I Need

A few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Smart Passive Income with Pat Flynn, and he was talking about how he was on a fitness kick. He was doing P90X, an intense 90 day workout from Beach Body, that promises to kick your butt and whip you into shape in no time.   At the end of his 90 days, he shared his P90X results. They were impressive to say the least.

…just getting started is the hardest part. At the beginning, it was tough. I could barely do half of the workouts on the DVDs and would constantly drop out in the middle of routines just to rest. One of the mantras of P90X is “Push Play Everyday”, and that’s exactly what I did, and after a while I began to notice that what was once hard was getting easier and easier everyday.Also, I learned that nutrition is more important than anything. What you eat makes up 85% of your results and the workouts and training is only 15%. It sounds crazy, but it’s soooo true.

When I read his results I thought – “Hey, I should try that”!    But then I put it on the back shelf in my brain and didn’t think about it again until this past week.

This past week was when I finally realized I was sabotaging all the results I had seen earlier in the year, losing 30 lbs, and slowly getting into better shape.  I needed to stop my downward slide and get back into it.

So now I’m once again considering jumping onto the P90X bandwagon, and giving it a shot.

P90X Details

I first heard of P90X years ago when it first came out after seeing it on TV.   At the time I wasn’t that interested in it as I was doing another fitness regime called “Body for Life”.  While I still think that program is good, I think I need something a little different now.

So what is P90X all about?  Here are some basic facts and screenshots from the P90X website:

P90X® is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days. You’ll also receive a comprehensive 3-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options, a detailed fitness guide, a calendar to track your progress, online peer support, and much more. Your personal trainer, Tony Horton, will keep you engaged every step of the way, and you won’t believe your results!

Why is P90X so effective?

The secret behind the P90X system is an advanced training technique called Muscle Confusion™, which accelerates the results process by constantly introducing new moves and routines so your body never plateaus, and you never get bored! Whether you want to get lean, bulk up, or just plain get ripped, there’s an endless variety of ways to mix and match the routines to keep you motivated the full 90 days and beyond!

So when you buy the package, you’ll get a 12 workouts on DVD, a nutrition plan, a fitness guide and an overview video to get you started.

The workouts run the gamut from cardio, to weights to yoga.

When you sign up you also will get access to a variety of online support tools, community support and more.

So I’m seriously thinking about jumping in and giving it a shot.

I’d love to get some feedback from others who have tried the program.  How did it work for you?   Did you get the results you were hoping for?  Was it hard to complete?  Would you do it again?  Tell me your thoughts in the comments.

Living in the culture that we do today where everyone is so concerned about appearance, about being skinny, and where billions of dollars are made by companies helping people to lose weight every year, these ads that I saw today from some vintage magazines seem very foreign.

Vintage Weight Gain Ads

The ads, which came from Vintage magazines from decades ago feature a variety of ads for different weight gain products. Some of the products featured, along with their hilarious taglines:

• Wate-On:  Don’t let them call you skinny!
• Numal: Skinny girls are not glamour girls!
• Kelp-A-Malt: I wonder how she did it… she was skinnier than I am!
• Wate-On (again): If you want to be popular… you can’t afford to be skinny!
• Ironized Yeast: A skinny man hasn’t a chance. I wish I could gain flesh
• Unknown product: Gain Weight!  Stop being skinny and tired!

Here’s a look at a few of the ads, click the images in the gallery below to view full size.

Granted, the ads come from a different era in the 50s and 60s when a “curvy figure” was en vogue and obesity wasn’t the epidemic it is today, but seeing these ads made me realize just how much things have changed. There is no way we would see these ads today.

To be quite honest, however, it’s not like the women in the photos post “weight gain” are overweight by any means, just that they’re not stick thin.  In some respects I think that’s a good thing.

What are your thoughts about these vintage weight gain ads?

Ads sourced from retronaut.co.  Head over for more weight gain ads on their post: Vintage Weight Gain Ads

If you’re in a time crunch and want a simple but highly effective metabolism boosting fat loss workout that only takes 15 minutes to complete then this is right up your alley.

Give it a go and let me know how it works for you: