It has been two years since I started the P90X program, and what an incredible transformation and journey it has been. If you completed the program or are currently working on your first round, then keep reading. If this is all new, then you may want to start here.
I’m old school. I believe that most best things in life come with effort and determination. If you completed the P90X or any other fitness program… Congratulations! You feel strong and your confidence now propels you to take on any challenge, physically and mentally. Feel proud, look around, heck, look in the mirror. You are done now, but our humanity starts to set in… You ask, now what? Surprisingly, the answer has to do with training your mind more than working your body.
This is the same thought that I confronted when I finished my first round two years ago. My reward? The ability to kick some youngsters in the sand playing volleyball. So here’s my story: The game is about to begin and you are playing with guys in their 20’s. They look at a guy in his mid 40’s and it’s as if you would be the last person that they would pick in a line up to be in their team. They pick you only because they have no choice. The game begins. With their tanks full of energy and ego, they pound the ball and get ahead right away by 5 points. Lou Holtz said, “How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine whether you are a winner or a loser.” As the game continues, all the P90X conditioning comes into focus and you perform at 95% all throughout the day. You win the first game! The opposite team gets frustrate and go into mental meltdown since they cannot see themselves loosing to someone shorter, older and seemingly slower. What’s happening? They blame bad lady luck for their loss. They ask for a rematch. Now you beat them easily, and many more games throughout the day. Their frustration increases. They wonder if what they ate the night before that is making them sick. Rematch, I ask? They are tired but still and maybe rationalize that they can beat that old man any day, just not today.
Whatever your story, whatever helped you ’stick-with-it’, congratulations! Keeping your new active lifestyle energy requires several principles for long term success. Here are my top picks:
Always have a purpose or a goal – this not only applies when keeping a strong workout ethic, but translates into every aspect of life. Don’t just do it. Do it because _________.
Think positive – A positive attitude anticipates happiness, joy, health and successful outcome in every situation and action. “Whatever the mind expects, it finds.” – Remez Sasson
Maintain is easier than build – You dedicated a lot of energy and effort to build your body to a new level. You’ll be surprise to learn that it takes less effort to maintain your metabolism, energy and strength with lighter and cardio focused workouts. See my workout maintenance tips below.
Aim to improve – Are we talking about eating carrots everyday? Watch Shakira videos 24/7? No quite. Aiming to improve is a deliberate mental disposition to recognize that you can climb one more step. Aim is all about focus and improve is about projecting yourself into the future. So be a dreamer, imagine yourself at your goal and believe that you can do it.
So it shouldn’t not come as a surprise that what helps you reach your physical goals is in your head. As we age, mental and spiritual capacity increases, as our bodies start to decrease in stamina and strength. So training your biggest muscle, your brain, will give you a stronger edge physically and an advantage over anyone else. While others may be more talented, you can develop the skills that comes with disciplined training.
So the best advice for any maintenance or off-season training is to focus on increasing your mental capacity. ‘nough said!
Fitness Maintenance Tips
If you are a bodybuilding, be sensible about your weight gain in your off-season, work on your weak spots to come stronger next season. If you play a particular sport, focus on your overall game. If you are not winning, you are just average. This is where you should focus building your overall game skills, increase your ‘horsepower’ or buildup your strength and physical conditioning on weak areas, game repetition and find good coaching.
If you are happy with your P90X gains and want to keep working on overall conditioning and chisel your body further, then mix it up a bit. I’m experimenting working on lower reps, deeper range of motion and no breaks. For instance, I do P90X Chest and Back in 40 minutes. I keep the chest reps between 16-25, pull-ups to 10 and move quickly from one exercise to the next, no rest. I find that I retain my endurance (with a decent sweat) and build strength even working out three days a week. I’m doing heavy weights and plyometrics for legs since the P90X leg routine just does not cut it for me. Then, I finish up with yoga at least once a week.
Finally, training in general is just one aspect for good overall health. Do not overlook the power of eating right and sleeping adequately as key to maintain your gains.
Here are some good links on this topic:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbmainmind.htm
http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/bodybuildingcompetition/a/staylean.htm
http://www.wannabebig.com/anabolics/how-to-maintain-your-gains-post-cycle-part-i
http://health.yahoo.com/fitness-exercises/maintain-your-gains/womens-health–26427.html
