What the heck is Juice Plus+???

If you have noticed my links to the left there, you may have noticed one of the links is Juice Plus+.   What the heck is that you may ask?  

The quick answer is that it is 17 Fruits, Veggies & Grains picked at peak ripeness, juiced and dried at very low temps to maintain the nutrients and then the powder is put into capsule form.

It carries a nutrition label.   It is NOT a supplement.  It is food.  Whole food.   The water, sugar & salt are taken out during the drying process, but the nutrients remain intact.  Let's face it, we are not vitamin deficient - we ARE whole food deficient.    Juice Plus+ is also the most researched health/nutrition product on the market.   If you are interested in the studies that have been done on and with Juice Plus+, let me know. 

Do you get your 9-13 servings of raw Fruits & Veggies each day?  Heck, who does?  While Juice Plus+ does NOT replace eating fruits & vegetables (and I suggest you do so as much as possible) it IS the next best thing.  

To your health!

Chris

Can you Build Muscle & Lose Fat at the same time???

It does not seem possible does it?  But check out this interesting article and see what  you think:

Click here

I'll tell you what . . . after reading the article, I realized that the structure of P90x is VERY similar to what this program is talking about.   Not exact, but the same idea.

Kudos,

Chris

Nutrition - A Vital Cog in the Wheel

I had my family members reviewing my blog to make sure that they felt it looked "ok" and to make sure all the buttons worked and everything made sense.   You know, just to check myself.

My younger brother questioned me on the absence of information about nutrition.  I have assured him that it was not on purpose.  I am in the process of getting this blog going and am working hard to get vital information on the site.  BUT - he was right.  Nutrition is a vital cog in the wheel of P90X.  

In fact, in researching P90X before I got the program, I came across a quote saying that "if a person is not going to commit to the nutrition part of the program, then it is NOT the program for them".   I found that a very bold statement.   It showed me the commitment that Team Beachbody has to its customers. 

With the P90X system you will receive a very detailed nutritional guide.   It has several different approaches to it, but all lead to the same place.  You start with Phase I - Fat Shredder in which you'll take in lower complex carbs to get your metabolism ramped up and burning fat.  At the end of 30 days you'll enter Phase II - Energy Boost - in which you decrease your protein slightly and increase your complex carbs.  Once you start to become more fit your body will NEED the complex carbs so that you don't crash.  The final 30 days is Phase III - Endurance Maximizer - in which you really increase your complex carbs for that final push to excellent results.  

It is all clearly laid out in the guide and easy to follow.  As always, I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have on this topic.  

As I will get into in another post, my wife and I are really into nutrition and I will highlight those different areas later.  Until then, have a great evening.

Chris

A thought on "Cheat Meals" . . . .

Ok, I am going to work on a post that talks more about the nutrition portion of P90X because it is just as important as the workouts.  In fact, if you decide to do P90X, as part of package you received is a very detailed nutrition guide.  It is VERY easy to follow.  

If you are someone who was like I was, then junk food is a regular part of your diet.   If you commit to P90X (there is that word again) then you must commit to getting rid of the junk food from your life.   A good friend of mine says "Abs are made in the kitchen" . . . 

However, I AM an advocate of a "cheat" meal per week.  If  you love pizza, then have a couple slices once per week.   If you like a rich dessert, then HAVE it once a week.  That is the key - only once a week.  

Don't worry about feeling hungry.  I can almost guarantee that you have never eaten as much food as you will while doing P90X - but it is what we call "clean" food.   Proteins, complex carbs, fruits, veggies, healthy snacks, etc.   But take that ONE meal a week to have whatever you want.  What ever you crave - then have it once a week.

The reason is two fold:

1.  Your metabolism will be ramped up while doing  P90X.  You'll get that fire burning hot and every once and a while it is good to throw a big log on it to make it burn hotter.   In fact, the opposite is true when we gain weight.  Most of us who have struggled with weight have had our metabolisms in almost a cool ember state.  So when you throw a large log (high fat meal) on a cooling ember fire, what does it do?   It just sits there and NEVER burns.   Well, that is why I advocate one cheat meal a week - because your metabolism will be burning very hot.  I call it "diet confusion" - just like the workouts are muscle confusion.  

2.  It will actually help insure that you DO NOT binge.  If you know you can have it "in a couple days", then you will be able to keep the rest of your nutrition good and clean and healthy.  "I get to have my pizza Friday" will allow you to focus on the task at hand.  

Now, the key is to make sure that a cheat meal does not turn into a cheat week and so forth.  

Look at it as a reward to yourself once a week.   Enjoy it and then keep working hard!!  

Chris

P90X - Time commitment???

One of the main questions I get about P90X is:  "How much time does it take each day?".

We have all seen workout programs that promise great results in only 20 minutes, 3x per week.  Is that realistic if you are really wanting to see AMAZING results?  Probably not.  

Look at the folks on Biggest Loser.   While I may not completely agree with the method, the bottom line is that they are working out 4-6 hours a day.  

The majority of the P90X DVD workouts are 52 to 58 minutes.   There is always a block of stretching time at the beginning and end, so the actual hard workout is 40 to 48 minutes.   

The only one that is longer is Yoga X.   You will need a bit of extra time for this workout, but it IS worth it.   

The Ab Ripper X is 16 minutes long and you would do that on Days 1,3 & 5.  I would suggest that you do this workout at a later time than the regular workout for that day.   It would be, of course, up to you how you want to work this.  

The word commitment will be a familiar theme because that is what this is.   If you can spare an hour a day to commit to yourself, your body and your health - then you CAN do P90X!

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

Chris

P90X Review - Detailed!!

Here is a full P90X Review:

If you look at my photos posted to the left you can see that I have made BIG changes in just 60 days.  So you can only imagine that I have had many friends & family asking me "What are you doing?".  Well, I say I'm doing a home-based workout program called P90X!   They say "what is that?".  Well, if you were wondering What you get? . . . . Here is a breakdown and review of the DVD's you get in the program:

1.  Chest & Back:

This is the DVD that introduces you to what will be P90X.   I happened to watch a youtube video called "Average Dad Starts P90X" BEFORE I got my copy of the program and he was doing this DVD.  It scared me to death.  He could not do it.   He just couldn't.  I started thinking "I made a mistake".    However, that turned out not to be the case.  In fact, it was the best thing I ever could have done.   This is a great workout.  It is 12 different moves.  6 chest/6 back.  Lots and lots of pushups & pull-ups.   THEN you repeat the process.   But let me tell you - it is fun.  It is hard - but in a good way.  You know you are working out.   You will feel pumped up.  Great, great burn.  

2.  Plyometrics

What is what I call "Plyo"?  It is jump training . . . and lots of it.   I will tell you, as I have told many people, that this DVD made me curse under my strained breath the first couple times.   Tony says it himself - it is the "mother of all P90X workouts".   It's true.   It puts the "X" in P90X.  But, here is the thing - as your lungs get stronger this will become one of your favorites as it is now one of mine.   It is perfectly laid out, in my opinion.  Just when you feel your legs and lungs cannot take anymore, you do a move that is less strenuous and you can keep going.  Love it, love it!

3.  Shoulders & Arms

Well, after Plyo, this might feel "easy".  Not easy, but just not as extreme, if that makes sense.  Honestly, this is one of those workouts that you will decide how tough it is by the amount of weight you lift.  But let's face it - these are the glamour muscles, so why not work the heck out of them???  Right?   It is a great workout and it will pump you up.

4.  Yoga X

This is a hard workout.   Not like Plyometrics hard, but patience hard.  But you know what?  It is suppose to be.  You, like many others, may not like this workout at first.  I didn't.  BUT . . . it will grow on you.  Trust me.  I now love this workout.  It is one of the most important of the bunch, I believe.   This workout is a great gauge of where you are in your fitness.   Are you holding the poses the entire time and doing them correctly?   Once this one grows on you, you will look forward to it.  No doubt. 

5.   Legs & Back

Do you have stairs in your house or apartment?  Hmmm . . . that may be a problem the day after you do this workout the first time!!  (kidding . . . sort of)  This is another one that will convince you when you think "how can I get a good workout at home??".    But again, it is perfectly laid out.  Just when you think "I cannot do another squat move",  they move you on to pull-ups for a set.  Then you're ready to get back to the legs.   Talk about great burn.  Wow.  Bring it!

6.  Kenpo X

Anyone else have Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris as childhood heroes?  Well, I did and it makes this DVD that much more fun.  This one is FUN.   It will get your heart rate up,  you'll sweat buckets, but all while having a great time.   Punch and kick your heart out here.   This is another one that you'll look forward to after some of the really tough ones.   

7.  X Stretch

An optional workout on your 7th day of the week.  You can do this or Rest.   It is a very valuable workout.  I agree with Tony that stretching is VERY important and this one does it.  It is very relaxing and gets you all limber.   

8.  Ab Ripper X

Abs, Abs, Abs!!!  Want ripped Abs??  This will do it.   Let me tell you right now.  I am over 60 days into the program and I still cannot do the entire routine.  It is that hard.   Again, a great hard.  In fact, Tony says in the "intro" to the DVD " I hate it . . . but I love it".    While you're doing it you will hate it, but check my photos again - it is working and the ABS are coming. 

9.  Core Synergistics 

You will do this workout during your "Recovery Weeks", which are week 4, week 8 & week 13.  I believe it to be a very accurate gauge of where you are in your fitness.  The first time I did it, it seemed like a test.   A "let's see where you are in the program" test.   I just did it again last week, and I did much better, so my fitness is better.   But the first time - the lungs were a burnin'.  It is all core work and a great workout.  

10.  Chest, Shoulders & Tri's

You will start this workout week 5 instead of Chest & Back.  (Chest & Back then comes back in week 9 & 11)  It will make sense once you have the program.   When I did this workout the Monday of week 5 I felt like I had started over.  But that is the whole point - muscle confusion.  Different types of push-ups, great shoulder work and triceps work - that pushes you that much further in your strength and development.  GREAT workout. 

11.  Back & Biceps

Again, you will do this workout in weeks 5,6 & 7 instead of Shoulders & Arms.  This is a great DVD workout.   Talk about pumping up the show-off muscles.   You might want to have your friends reserve tickets.   Tickets to what you ask?  Tickets to the GUN show you are going to be putting on after doing this workout for a couple weeks.   If you push your biceps in this workout, you will notice rapid development.   

12.  Cardio X

Now, I have not done this one.  This is for people who either 1.) cannot do Plyometrics yet or; 2.) are doing what is called "Doubles" or "Lean" versions of the program.  That's right there are different ways you can do P90X.    Bottom line is it's a cardio workout but not as extreme as Plyo.  

Please let me know if you have any additional questions about any of the specific workouts.  It is a GREAT program.   Stick to it and the nutrition guide and you WILL see results.  

To great health,

Chris

Why Me and Why P90X???

My name is Chris McCarty.  I am 38 years old and in January 2008, I decided to finally take control of my health, and thus, my life.  Look at my Day 1 photo.  I am a regular guy.  I'm an average Dad of 3 kids.   I was just someone who was fed up with feeling horrible and looking at "that" in the mirror.    I was just like many of you.  I was looking for an answer.  A real answer.

After years of trying quick fixes and magic pills (and trust me I tried it ALL) I finally decided to commit myself to P90X.   

I had done Power 90 (P90) in the past, but while doing so had never really committed to the program.  So, while I became more fit, I did not see great results.   But, don't get me wrong, P90 is a great program and definately one to start with if you feel you are really out of shape and not ready for P90X.  

Honestly, I was afraid to start P90X.  But isn't that true for many of us on many subjects.  I don't know about you, but I was afraid to succeed.  That is what I have figured out thus far in my journey.   I finally realized that it was not about a quick fix, but it was a lifestyle change that I only recently was ready for.   I knew if I started to see results that I would have to continue on the program and that would mean giving up some of my worst habits - forever.   (well at least 95% of the time)

I am just over 60 days into the program at the writing of this post.   I started P90X at 211 pounds and a waist over 40 inches - Yuck.   Well, check my pictures and see for yourself.  If you follow the program, you get results.  Plain and simple.  I am currently 192 pounds and have gained muscle mass.  I am fitting into jeans that I have not worn in 10 years.   CRAZY!

I am still heading toward my goals, so it continues to be a journey for me.   But I would love to help you attain your goals.   I will write another post as to why I wanted to become a coach for Team Beachbody.    

Here is wishing you all GREAT health!

Chris

Getting Started w/ P90X!

Now, let's get started! . . . . 

If you would like to take advantage of my FREE Personal Coaching, use this link to sign up for your free account with Team Beachbody.   The link is coded with my coach ID and Team Beachbody will immediately assign me as your coach.  You'll be listed on my coach's dashboard as a client.   Again, this costs you nothing except about 20 seconds.  Please be sure to make note of your username and password.   Besides my coaching, you will also receive free access to Team Beachbody's online gym (WOWY) and be able to win up to $1,000 each day just for working out, plus you can log in and shop for official Team Beachbody products from the Team Beachbody store.  

Welcome!!

I am busy trying to get my site together, so this is more or less a test post to make sure everything looks o.k. I am excited to get rolling w/ everything here and starting getting people to my site.

Again, Welcome.

Chris