Photo of me after Speed 3.0 using Lamaze toy "Tomy" for comfort.
Unfortunately, I was born with very little athletic ability. Growing up I played tee-ball because that's what all the other kids did, but I wasn't very good. In fact, I focused most of my attention on not getting yelled at by the coaches. After a few "Hey kid you stink!" moments I decided my tee-ball days were over and shifted to something a little more up my 'alley' -- bowling. Yes, I joined a youth bowling league. A/C, chicken wings, second hand smoke -- now we're talking.
In high school I joined the wrestling team and got into respectable physical shape. In college, I'd head over the gym and just walk around with my towel and wait in line to do some chest flys on a bench or go run on a treadmill and then leave after 30 minutes or an hour.
Fast forward a few years (I use few loosely) and your not playing Guitar Hero in your sweatpants anymore. No - your changing diapers, going to work to drink coffee and absorb stress, and coming home to set up for the next day -- there isn't much time to head over to the gym to walk around and pick up a few weights.
After starting my first job as an attorney, it only took a few months of eating out everyday and going to happy hours regularly that I was starring in my own version of 'Fat Guy in a Little Coat.'
I turned to P90X and Tony Horton to help shed the extra pounds. To my surprise, I lost 20 pounds doing the workout DVDs at home for 90 days. It was a huge achievement for an unathletic human like me.
Laney and I decided a few months ago to try another Beachbody program called T25 - created by Shaun T. We were drawn to the program because the workouts are only 25 minutes which made it easier to fit into our schedules (checkout her review at her blog which now has a 'meatier' title - Bibs and Burpees).
Here is some basic information on the program. There are two phases: Alpha and Beta. Alpha builds the foundation for the Beta workouts and requires no equipment to complete the workouts. Beta introduces new workouts which add intensity and weights to the routine. There is a bonus series called Gamma which adds another layer of intensity and new workouts to the series. We did all three rounds. After, completing 14 weeks of T25 here my overall thoughts and results.
1. The time is real; the intensity is real. These workouts are really only 25 minutes; but you work your [fat] ass off for all 25 minutes. Like I said I'm not athletic - I made it through the workouts, but it's not easy. There is a modifier for every workout which helps if you are uncoordinated like me.
2. Your work out 5 days a week - day 5 is a double day. It's nice recovering on the weekend, but Friday is a bear when you attempt two of these workouts back to back.
3. You need to stretch. After all the jumping and moving around in the speed workouts, my hamstrings, quads, and hips were shot. My hips were so tight I couldn't even do 'Da Dip'. Luckily there is a stretch DVD included.
4. Follow the calendar. Wake up, look at the calendar, and play the workout listed for that day. It's that simple. No need to bring your notebook scrap paper to the gym that says bench press, biceps curls, and abs on it.
5. Hardest workout of T25. Speed 3.0.
6. Easiest workout of T25. None were easy you fool.
7. Do the program with a someone. Having someone who is also doing the workout with you, not necessarily in the same room but on the same schedule, is helpful. It keeps you motivated and accountable.
8. Results. Yes. I lost 10 lbs in 14 weeks. I feel healthier and somewhat athletic. To the right are the before and after shots (top row -before; bottom row - after). 8x10s are available for printing. Framing options are available too. Just email me at the contact page.
*Note -- I am not a Beachbody Coach. I'm the 'Peter LeFleur' of fitness blogging. I like you just the way you are, but if you are like me, and want to lose a few pounds, try something that works.
