Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

So what else do all us normal guy’s have in common? First of all, we’re not in shape. The statistics are clear – and the moment we do achieve ‘goodness’ of shape, we are no longer, (health statistic wise) normal. Now don’t get me wrong, it might not be obvious that we are not in shape, some of us ‘look good’ but, just listen to us around the water cooler… “I used to be able to…”; “I can no longer…”; “My back…”; “My shoulder…”; My gosh. Have we given up? Are we resigned to accept these defeats? NO.

I myself have always been active. I played tennis and volleyball until my back hurt – went to the Chiropractor, got my fix and ‘on with the show’. I played more until my rotator cuff inflamed so much, that it took 10-20 seconds after a hit before I could raise my arm enough to spike again. I learned the therapy for that and continued on… until the next back injury or the next shoulder pains forced me to slow down. No matter how much therapy masked the problems, it never totally solved them. Inevitably, the pain got worse, the back gave out and the MRI pointed to back surgery or give up. Even then, I was told to avoid any sport that had the word ‘ball’ in it - indefinitely.

Not wanting to hear that, I was diligent with all the post-operative therapy routines. They were very helpful and soon I was able to try sports again. As long as I did my therapy and sit-ups religiously, I could play, but not as well. If ever I felt a twinge of numbness or pain returning, I would drop and do 20 sit-ups or even hold back a bit. I wanted more so I tried Power 90. Now this was work. Therapy was good, but it wasn’t suited to building me up – taking me past where I was once. Power 90 was great and even though school started for the kids, I had to miss a day, then a week, and, eventually ended the program before I finished it, I was stronger; able to do more. I remember clearly one day thinking, I haven’t done any exercise for a few weeks and I haven’t felt any numbness, any twinge, somehow Power 90 did more than keep me in business, it made me better.

So, like another thing we ‘normal’s’ have in common, I wanted more. This was great. I learned a lesson as well, that if I actually ‘pushed play’ – did exercise that builds, I was not only going to return to my old form, I was going to get better. It was about this time that my college-aged daughter asked me if I heard about P90X. Not only asked me, but challenged me to a round with her once summer began.

Hmmm, I thought. Power 90 did good. Maybe P90X would do even better… and it did. Until I broke a rib around Day-70 (unrelated accident). I didn’t do the meal plan and I was just starting to transition from Power 90’s Ab-burner (250ish) to giving Ab-ripper X a try. Yet, again I was not just ‘back in business’ - I was stronger. Now if only I could get through 90 day’s without getting derailed – maybe I could obtain what I really wanted. What we all really want: To be truly healthy; to live long, strong, and look good along the way.

It was in that frame of mind that on January 7th, 2008. I started P90X - again. My goals this time were higher, but, not unlike those any ‘normal guy’ might obtain: To pay more attention to my eating. To give the Million Dollar Body community a try. To obtain the milestone, while in my 40’s, of being in the best shape of my life.

Where am I now? It’s exciting – I’m more durable than ever. I’m obtaining new milestones in my fitness, and in those humble pursuits like ‘shoveling the snow’, or ‘loading the firewood’, or any other sort of activity I’d partaken in the past. As for sports with the word ‘ball’ in them. I can play any of them, certainly as well as I could in my 30’s, and I expect to say even more about that as I progress. That spring, my 8th grade soccer team was in for a treat, as I substituted for the normal ‘laps around the field’ warm-ups with some of the great moves I’ve learned doing P90X.

What’s really exciting is that I don’t even know what’s around the next corner. What might I lift? How fast a time might I run? How many chin-up’s might I do? This is much better than the weak prospects I might have had back when I was thinking ‘normal’; thinking about what I can no longer do or how I’m getting older. The truth is, I’m getting younger. I’m getting stronger and although there are obvious limits to what I can achieve, there is no doubt – this is living!

2008 Update! Wow. Okay, I've always wanted to say this... "I'm in the best shape of my life!" and that's the truth. I can run faster, farther, I'm more flexible, strong, I can jump higher and it's the results I was hoping for. Not that I'm done. I've made it to 199 but now I want to maintain a weight below 200. I also want to keep things going until I see that 6 pack definition. I know that's close if I keep going.

I've got my 8th grade soccer team doing plyo moves instead of laps. They like that - even though it's harder.

I'm huggin' myself :) Thanks Beachbody. Great program. Anybody that would like advice - I would love to help if I can - give a shout. provenzano5@gmail.com
===========
Sept. 2010 Update - I've just completed another round of P90X - that was fun... and needed. I was slacking there for a while. Getting back to 'normal' and I don't want to go there :) This round of P90X was a little modified but worked perfect - I did a 5 day rotation instead of 6, I had Mon. and Wed. off and that helped a lot with work schedules. I liked that extra day off and it didn't impact my results. I'm still in the best shape I've been in since high-school, except I'm stronger and have more stanima... all's good. Keep pushing play!
===========
March 2011 Update - Another round of X almost done. I've reached my goal of staying in the 190's for over a year... it's my new normal. I'm close to uncovering that 'father of 6' status but I think I'll need to be in the 180's to see that... if I do, that will be great. If I don't, it's still obvious I'm in great shape. It's good to have stretch goals however and that is a good one for me.

My next round of X is going to be about 'building arms' - I would like to do more pull-up's than 6 and I can't do that by maintaining, I need some growing in order to have the muscle. I read a great article on how to use X to build muscle (it's purpose is overall strength and fitness and not muscle growth of the type I'm talking about) and it involves reps of 8-10, than 6-8, than 4-6 and pushing yourself to ignite growth. That will be a summer or fall goal and I'll let you know how it goes... Keep pushing play.