Being unemployed has its drawbacks, sure. But just like anything in this world, there are always positives to contrast the negatives. Where there is now less money, there is now more time. More time to think. More time to do homework. More time to complete projects around the house. More time to write. And more time to think about all the things that I should be doing to take advantage of the fact that I have been blessed with all of this blessed time.
One thing I tried to do straight away after being laid off was to exercise. I was having a pretty good go at running for a while, but it got boring the way running always does for me. So, inevitably, I fell off the exercise wagon, and came to a point where I was reassessing my goals. What did I want from a fitness program? Ripped abs and arms like Conan the Terminator? A clear head and more energy? Strength?
Yes, yes, and yes, please.
Alas, though, I was far from any of these things, and worst of all my motivation and clear sense of purpose was starting to sag like bags of fat beneath the arm. I needed to snap out of it and start getting something done. This was my chance, right? I thought, I am never gonna have this much time again!'
I needed to get my ass in gear, and fast.
Since we’d canceled our gym membership (you know how it is, no job=budget reevaluation) pumping iron Arnie-style wasn’t an option. Fortunately I had a back up plan. A cheesy, spray on tanned, annoying one. But an option nonetheless.
Enter Tony Horton and P90X.
Kelley and I bought P90X a little over a year ago. Several of our friends were getting on board and thought highly of the program. One of my best friends, Russ, has been a trainer for years, and he couldn’t find fault with it, so we entered the fray. And quickly exited the fray. It seems our sense of timing is a bit off. We purchased the program right before we were set to move into our newly acquired home.
Verdict?
We did about three days worth of P90X before we had to begin packing up the house. Let me just tell you that packing and trying to do a home based workout do not mix. I don’t care who you are. So P90X faded into the sunset like so many other failed work out plans, and we didn’t think about it much anymore for a year.
When I began to tire of running, I started to try and think of another option, and lo and behold P90X came right up to the forefront. Why not? It was paid for. I had all the equipment and space that I needed to do the workouts right there in my own living room. And I had the time. Conditions were perfect.
It was business time.
So late last week marked my reemergence into the insanity that is P90X (if you haven’t heard of it, then clearly you never watch TV early on Saturday and Sunday mornings or late at night), and I have decided to blog about my experiences with the program here at The Sound and Fury.
So sit back. Chuckle at my mishaps and missteps. Witness the pitfalls. Say “I told ya so” (when appropriate), if you like. But feel free to get inspired, if you’re moved to. Take the challenge to do something more than sit on the couch and allow life’s real pleasures to pass you by. Stand up and put on your jogging shoes. Make a goal to lose a few pounds, increase your strength, or just tone up so you can take off your shirt at the beach next summer. Whatever you decide to do, I appreciate your feedback and your readership.
I’ll post my preliminary thoughts and criticisms after I’ve completed the first week.
