Feel Good Fitness31
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Why do you guys work out? Is it to look like a linebacker and score the ladies? And ladies, how about you? Maybe what you’re looking for is a quick and easy fix to drop a few pounds so you can squeeze into that little black dress and turn some heads at your 20-year high school reunion? While I support each and every one of you in your endeavors, I have to be honest here and say that I’m a little disappointed.
Anyone who’s ever trained with me knows that I’m the first guy to lift up his shirt at the drop of a dumbbell. That said, the reason I show up six days a week isn’t so that I can have laundry scrubbing abs; it’s because exercise makes me a smarter, happier, high-energy man willing to try things that used to scare the hell out of me. This comes from a guy who spent much of his time watching reruns of “I Dream of Jeannie” and eating far too many double cheese burgers and pizza.
Millions of people the world over wake up on any given day and say, “enough is enough!” They want to make a change, so they search for the “next big thing,” the magic key to turn their life around. This initial impulse often has nothing to do with health and productivity. Rather, it has everything to do with numbers on the scale and your refection in the mirror. There are hundreds of high profile muscle magazines, diet books, and weight loss programs willing to show you how to turn things around with little or no effort. But before you plop down your hard-earned money to begin yet another program, I want you to ask yourself this. What next?
Seriously, think it through. Let’s say you’re that guy looking to “look good” so you can land that special lady. What if this strategy works? Jump forward 15 years. You’re married to the love of your life, no longer having to keep up appearances (you’ve completely let yourself go) and one day, your son suggests that the two of you throw the old pigskin around. Sounds like a great idea, but by the time you’ve run your second down-and-out, you’re wheezing and huffing like you’re down and out. No one plans on becoming a fat couch potato but, well, this is how it happens.
And what about you ladies preparing for that big reunion? You lost the weight, you look good and you’re the talk of the night. What more would you want? Turns out, the next morning, you’re a little hung over so you blow off your run and dive into a bucket of coffee and gobble down a donut to counter that headache. Here we go again until you start planning for your sisters wedding in June. This cycle repeats itself right up to your 30-year reunion. You pull out the little black dress and, much to your horror, there’s no fitting in that thing, sister. Might as well use it as a handkerchief to wipe away those tears of dismay.
My point is that shortsighted goals lead to short term results. Is your motivation about ego or health? Is Priority One your desire to look good or feel good? Exercise is so much more than building muscle or losing weight. It’s life altering in every way and the greatest byproduct is how it changes your perspective, how it alters your beliefs. It releases chemicals in your brain so that you can be happy and productive. It improves your outlook and helps you spend less time struggling and more time living a full, exciting, and adventurous life. Yup – regular exercise (and healthy food) does that!
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good, but how you look is just part of the bigger picture of your overall wellbeing. So when you’re looking for the program or diet or piece of equipment that’s going to change your life, make sure it’s something that’ll change your whole life. In other words, don’t pick something that you’ll probably hate but you know will be effective. Pick something fun! Something that makes you feel great and that you just might want to do for the rest of your life. A surfboard, a pair of rollerblades, or a yoga video might not tone you up like the Ab-o-Matic 6000, but they’ll probably compel you to keep on truckin’ past that pastry shop and into a lifetime of vitality and good health.
Also, you’ll look super hot at high school reunions for the rest of your life, not that I’m saying that should be your priority…
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1st time P90Xer-4th week. A tremendous help with keeping stress level at bay-main goal is to have the ability to keep up with my grandkids for a long, long time!-’s oh, and after working out consistently since the late 80′s, I just wanna see my abs…I KNOW they’re under there somewhere!!! ( :
Awesome! Sounds like you really love p90x. I bet by the time your done, you won’t only see your abs you will have a 6 pack
Well spoken. The people who decide to lose weight because of a breakup, swimming suit event, or other special occasion make me sigh. I feel bad because I know their goal is so short term. To get into the zone during a workout and the feeling afterwards should be a person’s main reason for working out. LONG-TERM. Tony, you are right on! If a person is POSITIVE & PERSISTENT then I believe anything is possible.
I’m also a first time P90Xer. In my forth week, love,love,love it!!! I have so much energy to keep up with my 3 year old and 10 month old. I can’t wait for my husband to come on board with me. Love you Tony Horton!!!
So true! I love feeling energized all day. At 45, I’m bouncing off the walls with energy because I’m getting the right nutrition and great workouts 5-6 times a week. I get so mad at those 5-hour energy commercials. How stupid is that crap? Stay up late, hit the snooze 3 times, eat awful high carb high fat foods all day, then just drink this little magic potion…UGH! Well it’s 2:30 now and I feel FANTASTIC because I did P90X Legs&Back and X2 AbRipper this morning! Loving life every day, thanks to you, Tony, and P90X and X2!!
This is why you are the MAN Tony!!!! I am recovering from a broken foot and a hysterectomy. I was a P90X-er up until the pain (not from the workouts) got so bad surgery was unavoidable….weeeelllll….my motivation is back at 0. Big fat 0- no motivation. But every time I read your posts you make me realize the reason I began my P90X journey. I want to be HEALTHY. Not just get my pre baby body back ;P I’d honestly pay you to call me everyday and ask if i’m BRINGING it haha!!! YOU ROCK TONY!! I should be healed from surgery by now and the foot will be ready in about 2 more weeks..i’m NOT going to have an 80 yr old body at 27
LOVE YOU TONY!!
best wishes to you jennifer…sounds like inspiration to me…motion creates enthusiasm…enthusiasm creates energy…and energy opens the door to success…and success is the sum total the effort…that rises out of inspiration…
My wife and I have been doing the 10 Minuete Trainer program together, have gotten great results, I am down 30 lbs and 20″ in 4 months, just go the Deluxe Package and push up stands! Yikes that’s tough, but I love it! In July Im going to P90X
Did p90x 4a year b4 I had hernia surgery, now 3 months later im back to feeling great! It was hard 2 start back up,.but then I think back 3 years ago and I was 265lbs I was down to 180! Thanks tony 4 changing/saving my life!
hey chad…i know what you mean with hernia surgery…i had an inguinal and an ventral hernia…the first surgery they didn’t use the mesh…9 months later i had to go back in for surgery on both…they used the mesh and now 6 years later nad no problems…
You’re right old friend. The mirror is not enough. It becomes so empty, so bankrupt. I have to love the challenge. The uncomfort. The growth. Than tak my skills And PLAY!!!
That reminds me of what tony robbins said…that which you see in the mirror is the standard that you have accepted…and transformation happens when you are no longer willing to accept that standard…
tony, so true! april 28th 2011 I decided to try p90x, i lost 33 pounds in 90days and i felt fantastic…the strange thing is I didn’t want to stop it because now it was a habit and I truly made a life style change so i did another round of p90x and then did a round of p90x plus…now i just finished my 4th week of p90x2, which is truly awesome…i can now do crane into handstand…when i started a year ago i couldn’t do crane at all! tony you truly changed my life and because of you i have 6 other people doing your program! thank you!
Tony, I fell into that trap last year. I just wanted to look good for summer. I fell into the exact cycle you mentioned.
This time, I set the resolution to work out the entire year, 5-6 days a week. I want to increase strength, vitality, and improve my brain function.
Now that we’ve had our last kid, no more excuses. Sges over a yesr old now and my wife and I graduted Power 90 and on phase 3 of P90X. We ordered P90X2 from QVC and ready to keep moving on!
OK you got me wasn’t going to push play today I had already worked out everyday but after reading your post I’m heading up to get it done thanks for the words!! Yes I know I’ll feel great when I’m done.
jen
My goal is to break a sweat every day. No excuses!
Motivation to be the best we can be is a beautiful thing and your positive attitude is contagious! I can and will find the time to push ‘play’ as frequently as possible! P90X is a great addition to the home workouts and I can’t wait for version 2! Keep up the phenomenal work! You da man! Bring it!
This is so very true. I practice Yoga almost daily and sometimes feel I am missing out on Gym. But an hour of Yoga not only helps me but also its something I look forward to each day. Thanks for the wisdom Tony, as always. We keep looking up to you.
I started on beachbody a year and a half ago with P90X. I’ve always been into fitness, but never felt really healthy. I now have finished P90x, insanity, asylum, turbofire and just started les mills pump! I’m a 35 year old mother of two working full time and dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety every day. For me its not just about looking good. It’s feeling good! Thanks to you Tony for putting me on the path to good health and happiness!
Its all quality of life to me. Growing up, both of my perants smoked. We ate everything fried around the house. My mother was always feeling bad, thus causing her to be depressed alot. My dad died at 55 from a hear attack. He was very active and looked fit, but we all know what we put in our bodies is just as important as P90X and all the exercise in the world. Tony. You educate people on life style choices. You have helped save thousands of people from a early death or just a low quality of life. That’s why I respect and admire you. I’ll be 44 on March 1st and I feel mentally and physically strong and fit! Thank brother for all you do. I get it Tony!
Your mindset, enthusiasm and energy have helped motivate me for the past 2 years. I’m ‘almost’ as old as you are, I was a star high-school athlete with many college prospects & blew my opportunities due to my youth & lack of direction…, I could touch my elbows on the rim in 12th grade @ 6’2″— Played multiple sports since I was 8– kind of like King Midas my brother & I– P90X is the 1st thing I’ve done that made me feel like I was back in high school. I’m recovering now from a severed 3otator Cuff/bicep (work related) & looking forward to P90X2 after recovery & another round of P90X– by the way…, I’ve completed P90X 5X’s and have the XPlus DVDs too!! I’m keeping up with you Tony & you’re right– it’s about the quality of your life & the level of health & wellness that is worthy of the effort– the looking good is a by-product.
I came to P90X wanting to look good. But I’m staying for the health! I’m on day 60, and I’m more hooked on how this makes me feel than what I see in the mirror. Outwardly, I’m not changing that much, and if that were still my only goal I probably would have quit by now. The fact that I could barely do jumping jacks when I began, and now I can do the yoga poses, the Dreya rolls, the plyometrics… it’s obvious I’m changing on the inside, and it feels wonderful!
i like working out for many reasons i was at the olimpics long time ago i just need it i can’t stop it and feel so bad when i can’t work out want to be honest another reason i want to be and shape and look younger and healthy i’m 32 and people said i look 25 makes me happy
Oh Tony…where were you 20 years ago? Just want to thank you for this article; and for P90X. Just finishin week 5 with great results. At 56 years oldwith a long way to go – I’ve never felt better!
i hated working out , my husband started doing p90x,i saw the results he got , you ve created a monster , i now love working out ! well sometimes , but i dnt think about it i just push play , you ve changed my life !!!!<3 thxs
Tony, my man, you are my inspiration. Over the last year and a half, your program and your mentality has helped me become a fitness junkie and has saved my life. Before starting P90X in August of 2010, I was 5’9 and 116 pounds, just weeks away from my vital organs beginning to shut down. I was anorexic. My digestive system and immune system were shot, I was in an even worse state of depression, and I was becoming a cardio-king that didnt compensate for his work. My buddy got me on P90X, and i did that for one year, which allowed me to return to the Cross Country (running) Team for my Junior Year of High School (This Year). I already know what I want to do with my life: Help other people. I know the best way I can do that is through health and fitness. You have inspired me to spread the message of hard work, variety, nutrition, and movement, and for that, I give you the greatest of thanks. Here’s to you Tony, changing (and saving) the lives of people of all ages (even a lowly 16 year old) all around the world. You are the Jack LaLanne of this generation.
Hi Tony, I’m wondering when your information will be coming out about how to become a P90X certified personal trainer. When I asked for more information the website said end of Jan. I’d love to become certified with P90X!!!
This post is so true. I’m a huge fan of P90X and I’m currently doing P90X2. My outlook is so different this time though. I tried to get through P90X probably 6 times or so always failing to complete it all the way through. I got to phase 3 a few times, but I’d always find a reason to lose motivation and stop.
I figured out what the problem was as I was reading a blog prior to P90X2 launch…I was always working out for some reason….specifically I wanted to lose weight. With P90X2 I’m looking at it the other way around…I’m working out because I enjoy working out and the benefits it has on my life. Now I focus on eating healthy foods and working hard, trying to improve performance each and every week. My motivation and outlook is so different with that goal in mind compared to when I was just trying to lose some weight.
Just remember, if you improve your performance enough your body will follow.
True! While a lot of times we strive for better looks, because these are the obvious changes that take place when we exercise, the real benefits are often underrated. Improved focus, better cognition, and great energy, these are the real benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Just finished round 1 of P90x on Saturday! Going to start round 2 next week, I amaze myself every time I do a P90x workout and manage to celebrate my accomplishments during and after…mostly by yelling really loud because I feel so accomplished I did 31 standard man style pushups one day! Don’t worry I only do that when I’m home alone
Not only do I feel accoomplished but I feel awesome! I feel sexy, confident things that I’ve never felt consistently until now. Thanks again!!!
Long story short.
10 years active duty Navy. Female. Aircrew.
Broke my back falling down a flight of stairs pregnant with child #1.
Honerable discharge & back surgery. up & about again. nothing like before
not able to walk again after having child number 4, 6 years later.
Back surgery number 2… am a lump of a person, feeling 110 years old in 30 something body…Y*U*K
started walking. didnt want to DIE and be a lump for the rest of my pathetic life.
walked EVERY day, feeling better every day, then started RUNNING…REALLY feeling great. Husband got me p90x…and guess what Tony???
OMG. I FELL during the plyo workout, when i was twirling all the way around….and instead of laying there like a broken lump on the floor, I hopped RIGHT BACK UP and FEEL GREAT. NO PAIN!
T*H*A*T is what I excersize for. THAT is what YOU have done to motivate ME to do for MYSELF!