Why Aren't You Getting Results

Countless people start P90x or Insanity or 10 Minute Trainer or any program and never finish.  They aren't seeing results like they saw on TV so they just give up.  Remember, this isn't a 3 month investment, it's a lifetime.  You didn't get out of shape in 6 weeks.  Why would you expect to get in the best shape of your life in 4 weeks?

If you want the infomercial style gains in 60 or 90 days, you need to have 100% commitment from day 1 on both the workouts and nutrition and probably be blessed with some pretty good genes. If you want the best results you can get in 60 days or 90 days, you need to have 100% commitment to nutrition and the workouts. Any less than 100%, you'll be on your way, but the progress will come slower.

Coach Mike - Checking In

How's everyone doing this week?  This week was a practice week for me.  As I mentioned last week, I'm entering the Asylum on April 30 with a Challenge group made up from some of the group that I did P90x2 with.  Before I officially do any workout, I like to watch it and try it out first.  I like to know what I'm going to be in for, what my form should look like, what equipment and/or space I need.  It helps me to be able to do my best when I get started.  I also went to my second yoga class ever.  It was moderately hot at 90 degrees, but I was able to keep up and I don't think I embarassed myself.  Doing the P90x and P90x2 yoga has finally paid off.  How is your progress?  Are you moving in the right direction or are you stalled?  Let me know.  If you're stuck, I want to help.  Not everyone ends up with the informercial style results.  I'm getting closer, but it's taken almost 2 years.  If you have a good story to share, send it to me and I can share it with the team.

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Earlier this month, Beachbody added a new tool to its ever-increasing arsenal of wellness products.  The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a complete, three-phase, 21-day program that provides everything you need to reclaim your body's natural balance, release the harmful materials you may be storing within you, and restore your system to its maximum health.  Although this program isn't right for my current fitness goals right now, that doesn't mean it's not right for you or someone you know.

Our environment has become more and more toxic. Our bodies absorb pollution and harmful chemicals all our lives, along with the air we breathe, thefood we eat, and the water we drink. These toxins can get stored in our bodies, clogging our cells and slowing down their natural functions.

So often, we focus on working out and eating better, but it's not enough. Beachbody realized that we had to take a break from the everyday and find a way to get those toxins out of our bodies. Along with getting in shape on the outside, we have to start getting healthy on the inside. They decided it was time for a Reset.

Post-Activation Potentiation - P.A.P.

Another new concept that has been introduced in P90x2 is Post-Activation Potentiation, or P.A.P. P.A.P. is a revolutionary athletic training method pioneered by Dr. Marcus Elliott at P3 (Peak Performance Project). P3 is an elite training facility for elite college athletes, professional athletes, and Olympians.

But, what is P.A.P.? It's a method of "complex training" comprised of combining strength movements, with similar plyometric movements. Basically, first you do a heavy-load resistance exercise. When you follow that up, immediately, with an explosive move utilizing the same muscles groups in a similar movement pattern, you can do more. The more you can do, the more gains you will make in your strength and overall fitness. Sounds easy, right?

Beachbody Challenge

You're already pushing play every day, so make sure you enter the Beachbody Challenge.  As you're trying to improve your fitness, you can be entered for a chance to win some great prizes, and hopefully add some incentive to meet your personal fitness goals.

• Daily Prizes*: $500 - $1,000
• Monthly Prizes: $1,000
• Quarterly Prizes: $5,000 and an expenses-paid trip
• The Grand Prizes: $100,000!

No matter what kind of results you get, when you take the Beachbody Challenge and complete a program, you get a shirt.  But, the best part, it doesn't cost you a cent to enter the Beachbody Challenge.  That's right...all you need to do is keep doing what you're doing and push for the best results you can achieve.  If you're already working out, you don't need to buy a new program.  If you're already getting results, all you need to do is share those with Beachbody and the world.  Isn't a chance at $100,000 worth it?

Stability Balls

Another fun toy I was introduced to in P90x2 is the Stability Ball.  A Stability Ball, or Swiss Ball, is something you will find in just about any gym nowadays, but you may not know how to use it or even why it's there. 

The main purpose of a stability ball is to add instability to your workout.  That's actually a big concept of all of P90x2.  When you're on an unstable platform, whether it's one leg, on a medicine ball, or on a stability ball, you have to work harder.  You have to bring your core into the mix to keep yourself from falling over.  It's like getting an extra ab workout in without even trying.

Coach Mike - Checking In

How's everyone doing this week?  Last week I wrapped up P90X2 journey.  To celebrate the end, I strapped on my weighted vest with 20 extra pounds in it for my last to P.A.P. workouts.  Although I lost 19 pounds through the process, adding 20 pounds and trying to do a push-up is a killer.  This week I've been doing random workouts to get a bit of a rest and to start getting ready to enter the Asylum on April 30.  How is your progress going?  Let me know.  If you have a good story to share, send it to me and I can share it with the team.

Neuro-Integrated Stretching

Continuing on the topic of some of my favorite things that I was introduced to in P90x2, today I want to talk about neuro-integrated stretching or NIS.  The first time it was introduced at the end of the Plyocide workout, I was so impressed that I had to try it a second time that night and kept talking about it with my wife.

The concept behind NIS is to work opposing muscles.  By flexing and tightening one muscle, its opposite muscle will loosen and release a bit.  Think tightening your quad to help stretch your hamstring.  It's a difficult concept to verbalize, but when you experience it in action, it is revolutionary.

Foam Rolling

One of my favorite things that I was introduced to in P90x2 was foam rolling.  I saw the potential in it so quickly that I had to go out and buy a travel size foam roller after one session to keep with me on the road.

A foam roller is a cylinder made of…wait for it…foam.  It’s kind of like a rolling pin, but you use it for your muscles and fascia.  Regular use of a foam roller can help reduce muscle and joint pain and enhance athletic performance.  Foam rollers are designed for self-myofascial release; an intense form of sports massage that you perform on yourself.  It’s basically deep-tissue massage that you can use to loosen tight fascia and reduce some of the stiffness and soreness of muscles.

Mike's P90x2 Story

As soon as I heard that P90x2 was coming out, I knew it was something that I would want to try. I like variety in my fitness. I enjoyed P90x and Tony Horton. I enjoyed Insanity with Shaun T. I knew that Tony would be stepping up the game with X2 and I wanted to be a part of it. I pre-ordered my copy on the day it was released.

My coach was putting together a challenge group of people that wanted to take on X2 to get ultimate results. I was pumped to take my fitness to the next level so I joined the X2 Crew, led by Coach Wayne. I spent the weeks leading up to the start of the challenge learning what I could and giving my all in the P90x, Insanity hybrid that I was on at the time. I was taking my Shakeology and tinkering with my diet to get ready to get some serious results.

What's Next?

When you finish a structured workout regimen such as P90x or Insanity, or hit a training goal such as a 5k or a marathon, the logical question is, What's next?

As you know, once you reach a goal, you aren't done.  You have to set your sights to the next goal and focus on that.  If you're a student, it's your next semester.  If you're a runner, it's your next race.  If you're into fitness, it's your next training block.  The important thing to remember is that you are never done - in whatever you're doing.  You have to be a lifetime learner. You always have to work hard at your job to advance and better yourself.  You have to keep working at your fitness and nutrition.

Coach Mike Checking In

How's everyone doing this week?  I'm on week 13 of my P90X2 journey.  I’m finishing up the 3rd and final phase, Performance.  Post-Activiation Potentiation, P.A.P., training tries to train you like an athlete.  I'm pumped to take my final fit test on Sunday and my 90 day pictures.  I have to get them prepped to send into Beachbody for my entry into the Beachbody Challenge.  How is your progress going?  Let me know.  If you have a good story to share, send it to me and I can share it with the team.

Results and Recovery

When I'm done working out, I want my body to recover. Obviously. I think it's important to be fresh enough to get through the next workout.  What is important to me is getting my blood sugar back up and getting some protein in to help the recovery and minimize soreness. If I don't get something in me, I really feel like I'm going to crash and sometimes even get nauseous.

For me Results and Recovery has been the best fit. One of my favorite parts is that it's available in both single serve packets as well as in the tub. Taking a small plastic container with a bunch of scoops of powder isn't always ideal. So, I just bring my packets and a shaker cup. I like the taste too, possibly due to all of the sugar (fructose). It reminds my of something kind of like a Tang/Orange Hi-C mixture and it's more like juice. Many of the others I've had are more like milk, and that could be due to the flavors. I also like the ingredient list. It has 10g or protein, along with things like creatine and glutamine for replenishing my muscles and energy, as well as some good vitamins and electrolytes. 

My Travel Meal Plan - Snacks

When you travel, for work or pleasure, eating well can be a challenge.  I know for me eating isn’t the problem, but finding a good, balanced meal isn’t always easy.  I always carry a protein bar or two with me in my work bag and try to keep good snacks with me in my room or office.  Below are a few options, including my go-to snacks when I travel for work.

Back on Track

There are lots of reasons that people fall off of the exercise and nutrition wagon.  People get sick.  People have family obligations.  Kids get sick.  You go on vacation.  You have to attend holiday parties and gatherings.  There are a million excuses.

When you fall off the wagon, the best thing you can do is to get right back on and get your train pointed back in the right direction.

My Travel Meal Plan - Dinner

When you travel, for work or pleasure, eating well can be a challenge.  I know for me eating isn’t the problem, but finding a good, balanced meal isn’t always easy.  Below are a few options, including my go-to dinners when I travel for work.

Coach Mike Checking In

How's everyone doing this week?  I'm on week 12 of my P90X2 journey.  I’m in the middle of the 3rd and final phase, Performance.  The main focus of the performance phase P.A.P. training to try to train more like an athlete.  Expect to see a more about his as I finish up X2.  The workouts are under an hour, but they are hard, they get you doing moves back to back working opposing and complimentary muscles to get the most out of your workout.  Where are you all at in your current programs?  Let me know and let me know what you have planned next.

E&E Energy And Endurance Review

I've used a couple pre-workout supplements (PWO) in the past to give me the oomph that I've needed for my morning workouts. The idea was to give me a bit of a jolt to get me going and get me to push my hardest. I've tried 1MR; I've tried Jack3d. Although I was apprehensive about them due to controversy around some of the ingredients, I had heard enough good things from people to give them a shot. For the most part, they work and work well. Their effects do both seem to wear off after a while, and due to the fact that they have creatine in them, they need to be cycled on a regular basis.

My Travel Meal Plan - Lunch

When you travel, for work or pleasure, eating well can be a challenge.  I know for me eating isn’t the problem, but finding a good, balanced meal isn’t always easy.  Below are a few options, including my go-to lunches when I travel for work.

Working Out in a Hotel Room

As I've mentioned, I've done each of the workouts of Insanity and P90x in a hotel room.  It's not ideal, but for those of us that have to do it, it can work.  I think you need a bit more room for Insanity than P90x, but when my options are a large meal at a restaurant with a few drinks, or my workout, I'll choose the workout.

My Travel Meal Plan - Breakfast

When you travel, for work or pleasure, eating well can be a challenge.  I know for me eating isn’t the problem, but finding a good, balanced meal isn’t always easy.  Below are a few options, including my go-to breakfasts when I travel for work.