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I consider myself a fairly independent person, but there are two things I've learned that I don't do well on my own:
- Losing weight
- Exercising
I've lost weight a couple times before — around 20 pounds each time — and both times were when I was involved in a Bible study/weight loss support group. Having that support from others made the difference. Of course, I've since gained that weight back…and then some.
Exercising is also something I've never done on my own regularly — and I mean never. And I have a sneaky feeling that regular exercise might have helped me keep the weight off.
My husband is the same way. We both need to lose weight, but we can't do it on our own. So we're using some positive peer pressure to help each other meet our goals. And we're getting the kids in on it too.
Several people at our church are going through the P90X program, meeting at the church on a regular basis for their workout. They are enjoying the workouts, even though they're somewhat extremely intense.
Since P90X offers a variety of workouts, we figured it might be a decent fit for us. We can't possibly get bored with the workouts with the way the program is set up.
So we picked up P90X on Craigslist and started the workouts last week as a family. Jeff and I and all three kids work out together in the living room. It's really quite an amusing sight!
We're definitely not able to do all of the exercises in each workout at this point (I don't think I even have the muscles I need for some of them!), but we're surprising ourselves in being able to do more than we expected. We've done three days of the workouts so far, and it's most definitely been a challenge, but a fun challenge.
The family time during the workouts is priceless. And even if we only only make it through 30 minutes of the workouts each day, that's still 30 more minutes of exercise than we usually get. And there's no doubt we're getting exercise — every muscle in my body is sore!
Jeff's goal is to reach his target weight, at which point he hopes to be able to get off his high blood pressure meds.
I have two goals: (1) To lose 25 pounds, which will get me back down to a healthy weight, and (2) to make exercising regularly a habit.
I already know that heart disease runs in my family, and that it's almost certainly genetic, so I really need to get serious about working out. I want to be here for my kids for a very long time.
Additional updates on our P90X progress will be forthcoming.
[This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.]
Joy is the wife of 
My husband and I have also done P90X. It is definitely extreme! I love that you are including your family in the workouts.
My 5 year old would join us occasionally and ask if he would get big muscles like Tony!
Just wait until you do Legs and Back. I couldn't walk properly for 3 days after that one
.-= Stacy Karen´s last blog ..My vision for this blog… =-.
That is great you'll be working out as a group. I find it much easier as well. P90x is definitely a touch program but delivers amazing results. My cousin and his wife used it for a few months and look incredible! Good luck to you.
And if you need any other motivation, here's a link to my WFMW post:
http://lifewithleslieandtroy.blogspot.com/2010/05/staying-motivated-while-exercising.html
Leslie
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..western Washington & B.C. Canada road trip #1 =-.
Good for you! My husband did P90x last year and lost some weight. This year he has started running and really looks great (lowest weight in years). He ran a half marathon a few weeks ago and now he has inspired the rest of us. I've started running/walking with my boys and we're going to do a 5k at the end of June. It's fun doing it together as a family.
I have heard it definitely is extreme. That is awesome that y'all are trying it out!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..WFMW – Playing with my kids =-.
Incorporating people always helps me go A LOT farther than I thought I could! *BLessings*
So, it's family-friendly then? I've had a hard time finding a workout that (1) uses appropriate language (no need to cuss, we're just exercising!) and (2) dresses appropriately (we know you're skinny, great, but wear a little more clothing please!)
I really wanted to do The Shred (Jillian from Biggest Loser) but her workouts failed on both counts. lol
.-= Ginger´s last blog ..A Meme or a Stream of Consciousness =-.
Joy Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@Ginger, I wouldn't rate P90X as G-rated. The women wear sports bras and short workout shorts and the guys are often topless.
Also, Tony Horton on rare occasions uses mild language, but that's very rare, and is usually only da**.
I'd rate it as PG, so it may not follow the guidelines you have for you own family.
And as for family-friendly in the exercise sense? It's definitely extreme! None of us do all the exercises…yet. But throughout, Tony offers variations that are easier to do.
It seems like it's a good fit for our own family, but it may not be a good fit for every family, that's for sure.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..P90X and Positive Peer Pressure =-.
Ginger,
There is an exercise program on one of the Sky Angel satellite channels. Both the men and women are modestly dressed and no foul language. Kids are even able to do the workouts.
How's the workout going? I'm curious to hear if you've seen results?
Allie
Joy Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 am
@AllieZirkle, Well, I'm definitely stronger and more flexible. The weight loss isn't going as well, though. I've lost a couple inches off my waist, but only about 4 pounds off the bathroom scale