In April 2012, weighing in the mid-150s and in good cardiovascular condition but with no muscle tone to speak of, I began Tony Horton’s P90X. I had been doing some light weight training at the gym where I am a member but nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to embark upon. The first month was grueling. I awoke every morning with stiff and painful muscles in literally every part of my body. But somewhere around day 65 or so, I started seeing results. I finished the program and took a few weeks off to rest – and then I started the program all over again… and again for the third time. This past June I took two weeks off for my annual hike through the Peruvian Andes. Upon my return, I began P90X2, finished that and then went back and started P90X again – for the fourth time. I am now in the 7th week and loving it. Meeting with the gang on DVD every morning has become a regular part if my day. They have become my workout buddies. Mondays usually involves an hour of chest and back exercises – push ups and pull ups – of every variety (see the schedule above) until you’re so dizzy you’re almost blind. But the results on this soon-to-be 59-year old are satisfactory although admittedly the transformation has been slow to come about. The old Nike ad reminds me “There is no finish line.” And the importance of establishing a daily exercise regime has become a priority in my life. Check out my recent newspaper column, Confused about your weight? Ask a personal trainer, that appeared in North Jersey’s Sunday, December 15 Suburban Trends.
Fit For the 50s and Beyond 