Becoming Buff: P90X

I've always loved sports-especially soccer.  When I was 12, I started to play competitively, and had the best time traveling to tournaments and making friends, but I really just love playing an incredible game.  I love the competition, I love the footwork, I love the freshly-cut grass, and I love the nervous feeling in my stomach right before kick-off.  I love it all.  When I came to college, I started playing on intramural teams and running, but I lost a lot of muscle.  A few months ago I realized it was getting increasingly difficult to open doors and whenever people needed help lifting something, I would shy away knowing I couldn't lift it.  That is NOT how I roll, so...insert P90X here.  I LOVE it.  I miss running, but for now, I want to bulk up a bit and not feel so weak all the time.  I've been doing it for a few months now. Here's the analysis.

1. It works.  I couldn't do a single push-up when I started.  Now I can do several variations of them and...well...a lot more than I used to, even though it's not super impressive.
2. Tony is annoying.  It's okay.  Just focus on the fitness and try to ignore him.  If you want, you can make it so you can't hear him talk, but you can hear the music.
3. It IS an investment, but it's less than a gym, and you don't have to take the time/gas to get there.  You'll need to buy: The DVDs, several different weights, and either a push-up bar or resistance bands.  I got the bar and the bands, but I only use the bands.  I recommend going that way; pull-up bars are a little too extreme for me.
4. Great couples activity.  Landon Paul and I have always worked-out separately.  (I run; he lifts), but this has been great for us to do together-it pushes us and gives us more time together.  We each have different strengths (He can lift way more than I can, and I'm way better at cardio), which is great, because our pride doesn't have to get hurt.  (It is possible that I'm slightly competitive).
5. Meal Plan: I don't do it.  I've always eaten pretty healthy, and the P90X plan was just too extreme for me.  I didn't want to buy all new food and have to cook all new things, so I just try extra hard to eat right.
6. Recovery Drinks: Overpriced, but do you know what works just as well?  Kirkland Signature Weight Loss shakes, and they taste delicious.  The ingredients list is surprisingly similar, according to my brother.  I keep them in the fridge, and when I'm done with the workout, I put some protein mix in with it in the blender, mix it up, and drink it down.  DE-LISH.

7. One of the most difficult parts of P90X is the time commitment.  Workouts average an hour a day and must be done 5 days a week.  I was going on half an hour runs each day, so this has been a trick, but it's worth it.
8. The workout isn't trendy, and it doesn't require expensive machines, and that's probably why I like it the most.  It's push-ups, sit-ups, weights, and eating right.  That's how to be fit, and that's why I like it.
9. I haven't been able to do it every single day.  Believe it or not, Tony, there is life outside of working-out.  He does say, "Do your best and forget the rest," so that's my motto.
10. Has anyone else tried it?  Any tips for me?  Cause I am sore!