Adam and I have finally made it through Phase 3 of P90X! It’s been a lot of work and dedication, but we’ve also thoroughly enjoyed the program. It has done wonders for us physically and mentally.
The Phase 3 results below are based on following the nutrition plan (with a couple cheat meals – engagement celebrations etc., and a somewhat cheat week with our vacation). I was still training for half-marathons, so running 3 times a week. Adam and I also did a minimum of 5-6 workouts per week. There was a week-long vacation in here as well where we stopped workouts and following the nutrition plan strictly (we didn’t overly splurge, though). Overall, Phase 3 has been by far the “least dedicated” due to all the excitement of the last few weeks, but we still worked hard and put in a solid effort. What can I say, life happens!
Phase 3 Tape Measure Results
(Kelly in blue, Adam in green, in inches).
Waist: -.25 -.75
Chest: -.5 -.25
Hips: -.5 -.25
Calf: +.125 -.125
Bicep: 0 +.25
Body Fat Percentage:
Kelly: 0
Adam: -1%
Weight:
Kelly: -.5 lb.
Adam: +1 lb. (thank goodness)
Running:
Last year this time before P90X I ran a 2:06 half marathon. This year on the same track/race, I ran a 1:51! That’s probably not completely attributable to P90X, but certainly a huge part of it is. I’ve been amazed at how much strength training has improved my running. I am now a huge proponent of lifting and hope to use this as a lesson to not neglect it in future training plans (as I always did before!). Honestly, I always worried I would bulk up. I don’t have a naturally long and thin body, so I’ve feared heavy lifting (I didn’t want to look masculine). Man alive am I glad I gave P90X a go to prove to myself that heavy lifting will actually make me more slender (and not manly)! An awesome discovery.
Photos:
Low points of Phase 3:
- Going on vacation and having to deal with some strange scheduling. It was hard to split up the program right at the end.
- Our motivation really wavered. We were just ready to be done.
- I was running races so I wasn’t able to give 100% during workouts (oh I can’t do legs and back, oh I can’t push myself like crazy – I can’t be sore for my race!)
- LOTS of celebrations – which is definitely amazing…but lots of treats and temptations :)
High Points:
- Funny how all the “low points” above are actually life high points. Phase 3 was awesome in terms of “life” :)
- Being able to do almost all the moves in workouts. Really physically being able to bring it.
- Seeing a lot of results. We have come very far aesthetically and, more importantly, strength-wise.
- Trying Shakeology! We finally got to see what the buzz was all about.
- Running my fastest half-marathon ever, by a long shot!
- Completing the program!
Coming Up:
I’m planning to start Insanity next week, and I’m really excited to see how the programs differ. I’ll be sure to document my progress as I continue to get fitter and stronger. I’ll keep running shorter distances (got clearance from my PT to do short distances and see how my knees are feeling). I’ll aim for another half in the fall. Let’s see if Insanity brings me the results like P90X has! Adam will be moving and I’ll lose my workout buddy. He will have access to a gym for free (lucky stinker) and will start doing his own plan to gain weight and muscle for the wedding (because that’s super visible behind a suit in a January wedding). :) We will both work to maintain our healthy (but balanced with treats and relaxing) lifestyle that we have come to enjoy through P90X.
Keep bringing it!
-Kelly
Races, Reps, and Ramblings 