Tomorrow, I turn 30 years old, and must admit I’m feeling old and out of shape. I’m not overweight (6’1, 170 lbs), but my waist is bigger than it has ever been at 36″. I feel like I’m always drained of energy and my physique could definitely use a tune up. So, what am I going to do about it?
Today, I am starting P90X!!
Just do a google search for “p90X results”, and you’ll see dozens of youtube videos posted with amazing before and after shots of the brave soldiers who have finished this 90 day, intense boot camp-like training. Perhaps you’ve seen the infomercials. P90X is an extreme 90 day workout program sold in the form of a dozen dvd’s, that really gets people results. Its sessions last on average one hour, and mix creative cardio programs with unique muscle building programs.
I have many goals which I hope P90X will help me achieve. I hope to lose 5-10 pounds, lower my LDL cholesterol, and increase my HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Two years ago, in Aug. 2007, I purchased a life insurance policy through Banner Life Insurance, and in the blood profile, found out my cholesterol was a bit on the high side at 217 mg/dl, and had low hdl (38 mg/dl). This makes for a cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol ratio of 5.71. (217 divided by 38) Since my cholesterol/hdl ratio was too high for Banner’s preferred plus rating, for which the ratio cannot exceed 5.0, I got dinged for cholesterol. Imagine that… a 27 year old male who was pretty slim got hit with a higher life insurance premium because of cholesterol!
I’ve been wanting to replace my current life insurance policy with a new one for the past couple years, but have been putting it off so I can do something about my cholesterol. I’ve read that exercising and eating oats lowers the bad cholesterol, while lifting weights increases hdl cholesterol, so hopefully after 90 days of following P90X, I can reapply for new coverage and get a better rating.
Other goals I have are beating my friend, David Miller, in a pull-up contest, and running a 10k or 15k in December somewhere in Southern California. My triglycerides were also high (261 mg/dl), which I hope to lower. I’ll keep you posted on my progress.
***Update – As of April 19th, 2011, I have now completed my second round of p90x and lowered my cholesterol as was my goal. See here for article.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris,
Keep up the good work and you’ll get there. P90X is a great program.
Thanks for the post. Cheryl
Chris,
Hope P90x worked for you. Can you post your post P90x Cholesterol and Triglyceride results!