Its easy to get ripped - its ALL about calorie control and keeping your metabolism up. Ask ANY competitive bodybuilder...

i'm confused. you say it doesnt work. but then you say it induces you to work? and you're talking about getting your strength back later on which I'm assuming is with the program?

the program itself does nothing. the disks sit in box until the user puts the work in. Obtuse? Probably.

This thread has way too much Jillian Michaels attached to it.

That's taking it a bit literal but I see your point. So with that, Touché

It's not as complicated as people make it out to be.

Eat Healthy.
Eat Less.
Do More.
Get thin.

Being "ripped" is less about muscle mass and more about a lack of fat.

This is Adrian Peterson. He is a hulk.

He is 6'1"
He weighs 217lbs

Do you realize how much more muscle he has on his body than any of us will ever have?



He's ripped.

But he's also strong as hell.

The two aren't really the same thing.

FWIW back in the day I went 195 at 5'6"

Coincidentally, she's on TV on The Dr.s right now (it's like a talk show with doctors), and wearing a shirt with a neckline halfway down her sternum.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you...

this does look pretty nuts

https://www.beachbody.com/product/fit...ms/insanity.do

thank god race season starts this week. I can put all this stuff aside until the fall.

There is now a Jillian Michaels banner ad at the top of the page, so I guess you are correct.

Yeah, Rasmussen is ripped.

that's sick................ I'd see that at the beach and run like a mofo...

Yeah, Larry Allen is ripped.


Don't be an idiot.

Here's the point: being ripped takes a combination of low fat and high muscle. Not many people who just ride and don't strength train would be considered "ripped" by the average person on the street.

Quantify this stuff, anecdotal references don't count because I've got plenty that are the exact opposite of what you're saying.

Being "ripped" requires little body fat and a little muscle. Most people have a little muscle. Most people aren't born with the physique of a professional climbing specialist and they will never will have that physique.

I did the Arms and Shoulders workout tonight, followed by the Ab Ripper X workout. My shoulders and arms are going to be really sore. I dont use heavy weights, I use lighter ones and go the more reps. Not trying too build bulk. The ab ripper X workout is just an awsome core and ab routine. 349 different ab exercises in 15 minutes. Killer.

ripped (rĭpt)
adj. Slang

1. Having an extremely defined physique; toned: ripped, bulging muscles.

2. muscular; having sharply defined muscles. : I worked and worked to get ripped, but I'm just not made that way.

You can also do an image search for "ripped" and see if any of the results look like cyclists to you.

Once body fat melts away you may have an extremely defined physique for a while, but over time if you ride enough the upper body muscle you don't use very much starts melting away, too. Once that happens you start looking weak, not "sharply defined".

Keep in mind I'm not saying this is a good or a bad thing. It's simply a result of different goals/priorities.

I know you're not saying that, I just don't think you're right. The American notion of what a healthy balanced physique looks like is a little out of whack.

You want to look like a woman?

Thanks to cycling and p90x along with great eating habits i went from 220 to right at 170 today in about 6 months or less. Ill prolly get down to around 165 and ill be happy. Here are some before and after pics. Its a little embarrassing but im really proud. Also used no supplements what so ever..
Before (fat ass, beer lover. lol)


Took this a few minutes ago.

That sounds pretty tough.

That's just hurtful.

I think the p90x workout is way too extreme. And I workout a lot and am very fit. Of course it will work if you follow the plan since they cover all their bases from a workout and diet standpoint. But it's not realistic and sustainable. If you want to get in shape (and more importantly, STAY IN SHAPE), it's all about LIFESTYLE changes, not some crash killer workout. This will only make people give up or burnout. A 3-4 day a week weight routine complemented by 4-5 day/week 30 minute cardio routine is plenty and is realistic and won't make you burn out like the p90x..

I think p90x is a good way for people starting out who just like for someone to tell them what to do. It's confusing with all the contradictory advice regarding fitness these days. p90x does a great job of marketing their product by giving specific instructions with exercise and diet.

I do agree with the periodization aspect of p90x. However, I guarantee regarding the before and after photos/videos, the 'before' photos are taken after the subjects complete a "bulking" phase of heavier weights/high calories. Then they do the p90x program, which is equivalent to a cutting phase imo.

What I've realized in my 15 years of consistent exercise after trying different routines is that you MUST do both strength training and cardio.. Cardio doesn't have to mean treadmill or stationary bike or elliptical.. Don't stick to the same cardio routine.. you'll get bored and stop doing it and/or your muscles will adapt and won't expend as many calories.. You need your muscles to be confused. Cross train- mix in cycling, running, stair climbing, tennis, basketball, chasing your kids, swimming.

What's really helped in shedding fat while preserving muscle is interval training. Either on treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, or stair climber. Warm up for 15 minutes (or 5 if in a hurry) go max effort for 1 minute, then 1 minute off for about 8-10 sets. Change it up also by doing 2 minutes on, 2 off. I usually don't stretch before if jogging or doing cardio at a normal effort, but I would recommend stretching (after warming up) before doing intervals since it's a lot of explosive movements.

Regarding strength training, start off doing very light weights and be obsessive with your form. Get a trainer at least for a few sessions to help you. If you try on your own, you may THINK your form is good, but may not be. Bad form can lead to injuries down the road. ONce your form improves, increase the weight and decrease the repetitions. I do no more than 10 reps. When I can do more than 10, I increase the weight... You have to change things up here as well so you don't plateau, so I do supersets, change reps around, routine.. Now I'm not obsessive about finding the "perfect" workout.. There is no perfect workout. Anything will work for a while, but you have to change your routine to continue to see results. I was always trying to find out the 'perfect' workout and this just led me to get 'paralysis by analysis'. Just do something.. anything. Do p90x if that will jump start you into a lifetime of fitness.

I was always afraid of looking too bulky.. I think that stems from me being overweight as a kid. I wish I realized earlier how wrong that thinking was. It's all about diet and cardio. It's all a balancing act. You still have to eat enough, especially on weight training days.

Don't do the fad Atkins style diets. Just stick to whole grain, fruits and vegs, lots of water, and limit red meat and saturated fats, and sugar. That's another reason I don't like the p90x program. I don't think it is safe to do the Atkins/South beach diet especially with the grueling workout routine they lay out. Of course you will see results faster, which is why they do it, but don't fool yourself into thinking you will do it for the rest of your lives, no matter how 'dedicated' you're feeling at the moment. I don't mean to sound cynical, just realistic.

In order for a lifetime of fitness, you must enjoy what you're doing. I look forward to going to the gym to get a workout or tennis, golf (walking), going for a jog or a bike ride. I may be shortsighted, but I can't imagine those doing p90x truly looking forward to doing it every day for the rest of their lives. My brothers did the p90x for 90 days and that's it. They stopped doing it. They achieved great results. Now they stopped working out altogether. It would be great for someone needing to get in shape fast for a wedding or event, but not for a lifetime.

Yoga tonight and that's an effort. The balance poses are strenuous.

I'm using 20's for most of the weights, what do you think?