P90X Workout Review

Name: Stephen Saunders (Coach name: sksaunders)

Program: Power 90

What made you decide to start Power 90? Was it the infomercial, friend or co-workers results, bored with the gym, etc.?

My primary motivation has always been simply to get in shape and have the kind of self-confidence I wanted to have. In trying to find the right approach to fitness that would work for me, I was really tired of investing time and money into things that seemed to work for some others - but were never quite right for me personally.

I tried the gym route before, for a couple of years in fact... and although I did gain strength and some bulk, it just plain wasn't working. I didn't really know how to exercise properly or eat properly; I was going at it all blindly. I've also tried other home fitness programs by companies other than BeachBody, and I did experience some success with them, but it was short lived.

The main thing I noticed about other-than-beachbody produced home fitness programs is that virtually all of them seemed to focus primarily on joint-jarring cardio floor work, with only a very light emphasis on strength training. I assumed, as many have, that this was the proper approach to fitness. I was wrong, and so were the companies marketing those dvds!

One of the most discouraging times for me was about four years ago when I threw myself hardcore into a home fitness program. I lost a significant amount of weight (that's the good part), but the program was total overkill on my joints. I severely overtrained and my body could not keep performing at that level. My feet, ankles, lower legs and knees began to feel brittle. I was in pain, I was exhausted, my body just felt wrecked. I became discouraged, stopped exercising, and I gained a lot of weight back.

Eventually, fate lead me to feel motivated to try yet again for the umpteenth time to get my body into shape. So I set out to find something that would be the *right* approach to fitness for *ME*. I began paying closer attention to the P90X infomercials I was seeing on TV, and I started researching that online. I was impressed with how BeachBody seemed to be putting their programs together, everything seemed so thought out and well-researched.

I did feel that P90X may would be a little much for me at first, and I read how that some others began first with the Power 90 program... so I made my decision then to try Power 90. I ordered the program, and it's one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.

What were your biggest obstacles (work, school, family)? How did you overcome those?

My biggest obstacles in life have always been psychological... Can I really do it? Am I committed enough? Do I really deserve to be successful and happy? Depression and low self-esteem are major hurdles that I continuously work to overcome. So with that in mind, I knew that my single biggest obstacle would be the need to stay motivated and focused. I couldn't let negative thoughts stop me from reaching my goals; I'd previously fallen victim to that too many times.

I fortunately discovered that the BeachBody company places tremendous importance on the psychological aspects of getting into shape. BeachBody has done everything they can to be sure you have the support, the guidance, and the motivation you need to succeed. Everything from the Team BeachBody online forums, to having access to your personal Coach, to the workout dvds themselves, is centered around keeping you FOCUSED. And I needed that!

In 90 days I lost a total of 33.4 lbs, 22 inches, and 12.4% body fat. My strength, flexibility, stamina, and my eating habits, all significantly improved versus when I started the program. And the most important benefit I discovered is that unlike so many other things I've tried, my motivation and my drive never decreased. From day one all the way through day ninety, I was driven to succeed! I never became bored or disheartened or burned out!

I could go on and on about all the ways that Power 90 has improved not only my fitness, but my LIFE. I don't just look better, I *FEEL* better. I am healthier physically and that is so awesome... but the greatest benefit to me is that I am healthier psychologically. The closer I come to my fitness goals, the more inner healing I feel. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to have finally discovered something that works for me. I finally have confidence that I can succeed, not only just with my fitness but with my life.

Thanks to the 25% Coach discount, I save a ton of money on my purchases and this really helps me. The small Coach fee expense that coaches pay, quickly pays for itself after the second month of receiving Shakeology on home direct, (and due to the health benefits, Shakeology is definitely something I recommend that everyone seriously consider!)

I'll say also that just the fact of knowing I'm a Coach, helps me keep my focus to keep pushing play. When you're a representative of the company, people do expect you to be a product of the product... and for me, this is a huge motivator. Nothing is more important to me than keeping my focus, because I know I can succeed at anything as long as I never quit!

Last but most certainly not least, I love knowing that I am ready to help other people discover their right approach to fitness with BeachBody products. Power 90 helped me so much, and now I'm doing P90X. BeachBody is playing such a significant role in helping me improve my life; and I was beginning to think nothing could help me. I know BeachBody has the right products and opportunities to help others too, no matter what their goals are.

This was a guest post by fellow coach Stephen Saunders. You can contact Stephen at his coach site or blog.

Monday (3/2/09) Did the Power 90 Sculpt Phase 1-2. After finishing this workout I jumped on the treadmill and did ran 3 miles.

Tuesday (3/3/09) Power 90 Sweat Phase 1-2 followed by another 3 miles of running.

Wednesday (3/4/09) Power 90 Sculpt Phase 1-2 with 2 miles on the treadmill.

Thursday (3/5/09) Power 90 Sweat Phase 1-2 with 3 miles of running.

Friday (3/6/09) Went to the gym. It had been some time since I had been there due to my trip to Mont Tremblant. I really missed the pool so this is why I went. When I got there I hit up the treadmill for 3 miles. Upon finishing that I went and did 20 pull ups and then headed over to the pool. From all of the running I did this week already I felt light in the pool. I did 30 laps (60 lengths) with no problem. 

Saturday (3/7/09) 30 minutes of running on the treadmill which came out to 3 miles.

Sunday (3/8/09) Took the day off.

All in all it was a very productive week. I am not sure if I am really digging Power 90 right now. I know its only Phase 1-2 but its not really pushing me. Its not that they are not great workouts but I am use to doing P90X for an hour followed by 15 minutes of Ab Ripper X. The Power 90 DVDs are only about 35 minutes long and have not really challenged me yet. There was one day where my calves were sore from jumping around but that's it. I had to get on the treadmill just to get my heart rate up and break a sweat.

Power 90 is helping Dad out though because since he is so out of shape that the workouts are helping him gradually. He has told me that he is starting to feel more flexibility in his body already. For me to stay with it though we are going to have to skip to Power 90 Phase 3-4. Hopefully these workouts will be a little more intense and push me a little harder.

All in all it was a great week in workouts. I got a ton of running in, 17 miles in all. I even took my first YouTube video describing the many uses of the P90X Pull Up Bar. Over the weekend it had some views and even some nice comments from people. To help more people see what P90X is all about I am going to record myself doing all 12 P90X workouts and put them on here. Will take me a couple weeks to do but should be fun.