The Starlight Musings of an (almost) 40 something

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Haters are gonna Hate

Let me start by saying that I am NOT a diehard sports fan. Though I’ve been known to attend a few NBA games and will occasionally watch an event on television, the odds are if you catch me watching any sort of sports on tv I’ve been offered no other choice. And usually I’m staring blankly at the screen with only a hint of an idea what is going on in front of me. But I must admit that I do get caught up in the excitement when a local sports team makes the playoffs. And the buzz around the Giants was no different. Not only do the Giants play a mere stones throw from my front door, through my job I’ve had the opportunity to see them (or their buses and entourage is more like it) when they are flying in and out for games and co-workers have pointed out various team members to me as they are traveling personally. No I’m far from a band wagoner, but even a non diehard can get caught up in the whirlwind.

So yesterday along with most of America I plopped in front of my tube at 6pm to watch the big game. I figured I would flip back and forth because I know that I quickly lose interest in such things. But oddly enough I sat through the entire game (oh and let’s be honest there was really nothing else to watch!).

I’m not going to go through a play by play breakdown of the game because well … I wouldn’t even begin to know how to do that. That’s not what this is about. This post is more about the halftime show and some of the feedback I saw in regards to Madonna’s performance.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. It seems now that with things like facebook, twitter, google plus and blogs like this one everyone has a forum to get those opinions out there. And you know what they say about opinions ~ they’re like assholes, everybody has one and they all stink!

Now I’ve never been a huge Madonna fan but I have always liked her. Let’s face it she was THE big thing when I was teenager a few short years ago. And contrary to some comments I read she has remained relevant for much of the time since her debut. She constantly changes her style and appeals to different groups. Though her voice doesn’t exactly move me like someone with a better vocal range, her dancing, performing and beats have always caught my attention. Madonna first gained popularity nearly 30 years ago. Now she is 50 + and doing cartwheels on stage. She may not be your favorite entertainer, you may not agree with her personal life and blah blah blah - but you must give her credit for still doing IT after all these years.

I was frustrated about comments about her age - she’s too old to be doing this. Really? These comments came from some of the very same people who are quick to point out how good they look to be (fill in the blank). These same folk are constantly posting barely there photos of themselves in pre workout, post workout and everything questionable in between. Soooo you’re a hot looking older chick, but somehow Madonna is wrong. I’m amazed by how quickly women especially will tear another one down.

Perhaps the most ridiculous comment that I saw was she’s trying to be like Britney Spears. That doesn’t even deserve a response.

Who cares if she was lip syncing. Guess what a lot of performers do and have you heard some of them live? Yeeesh! If she didn’t some of you would be the first to point out how horrible and out of breath she sounded. Yup there are some amazing singers out there who don’t need to lip sync, I’ll give you that. But Madonna has never claimed to have the best singing voice and she’s been laughing all the way to the bank for years.

Stop the hatin’! The truth is whether you like her or not Madonna is still doing her thing and doing it BIG after 30 years in the industry.

Next year’s halftime performer will be Sheena Easton. What’s that you say? You’ve never heard of her. Of course you haven’t because she took “The Morning Train” into oblivion years ago.

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In the Hair and Now

So I did it. I chopped all my hair off … AGAIN. No you don’t understand this has been a 10 year long process (more than that now that I think about it) of cutting, regrowing and cutting again. Braids, weaves, locks, relaxers, short Halle Berry -esque ‘dos, you name it, I’ve probably done it.

Back when I first tried going “natural” there was no internet or most of us knew little about it. I spent a lot of time in the hair section of drugstores and tried every product that promised to “activate” curls. What I usually ended up with was a matted down, hard mess that was greasy yet somehow still dry. So I gave up.

The 2nd time I made this attempt was probably the most successful. Successful in terms of length. For three years I was chemical (or straightener) free and my hair grew longer than it had been as a child. I was using a product that seemed to do the trick but I couldn’t wear my hair out of the two strand twists that I kept it in for more than a day or so. My hair was still a bizarre combination of oily yet dry. How DOES that happen?

This was the beginning of a roller coast ride of back and forth changes and hair frustration. By this time there were more products to choose from and I wasted no time trying them all. Let me tell you I have spent a pret-ty penny on “product”. I have far surpassed the product junkie level. Though some of these worked a little better than others, I was still never quite satisfied with the long term results. My hair looked amazing when it was soaking wet, but would dry up and frizz out not long after.

A few things I did learn through all of this. Water is good for the hair. Hair needs moisture and guess what, water is wet and moist. Like most women with relaxed hair, for many years I avoided wetting my hair for as long as possible because water dries out the hair. Right? When you think about it how does that even make any sense? I also learned that brushing was terrible for kinky/curly hair, only creating more frizz. Also oils and other greasy concoctions do NOT moisturize, they simply make the hair oily. I had been doing all the wrong things using shampoos that stripped the natural oils, not conditioning and using styling products that dried out my hair even more. I also discovered that my hair was already curly but had been buried beneath years of chemical relaxers in an effort to fight the “bad” hair.

Fast forward to present day. Tired again of the endless maintenance to keep up a short, chic straight hair ‘do, the dryness and fried ends. Sick of the the effort to maintain perfectly coiffed hair without weekly trips to the salon. The natural look started to look appealing again. I always loved big curly hair and I knew that underneath all the frizz I had curls. Albeit NOT the big loopy cupid curls I’d always longed for (think Tracee Ellis Ross or Rachel True), but curls nonetheless. No more braids, no more locks just frizz free curls. I knew they were there I had seen them! I decided that if I could hold out for a few months, this time I would splurge and go to a well known natural hair stylist.

And was it worth it! I knew a trip to a well known salon would be costly, but it was worth the expense. In my case what I seemed to be lacking was a good hair cut. All these years I had a layer of fuzz that prevented me from seeing what was underneath. You can’t cut curls and kinks any old way. If you want a well defined curl without frizz, it can’t be buzzed cut by a barber who is used to only doing short men’s styles. They require special care. I had sat in countless barber and beautician’s chairs with people who only knew how to style straightened hair, braids and low cut fades.

One thing I’ve discovered in this hair journey is that hair care is much like nutrition for the body. There is no one size fits all. You may have seen the chart that breaks hair down into different categories, 3C, 4A etc. It’s like the body types of endo/ectop/ mesomorph. Just like there can be blends of different types of bodies there are blends of hair types. Especially when it comes to kinkier, curlier types. It has taken me 10 years to figure out that my hair needs a little extra TLC. And just like your body changes over time, so does your hair (and I don’t just mean losing color). Depending on how you’ve maintained it, it may or may not be your friend. My hair is finally liberated and I hope it will reach great and healthy lengths.

So let’s go over it again. Kinky/curly hair needs moisture, moisture, moisture and conditioning. And a good cut could never hurt. Being “natural” doesn’t mean that you can forego the maintenance of your hair. If anything it needs more. While you may not have to spend as much time styling it on a daily basis, if left alone too long it will show it’s neglect. As my new stylist and I agreed, going natural is not about fighting the power. Nobody is trying to look like Levar Burton’s version of Kunta Kinte or a modern day Florida Evans. You can be chic and stylish without chemicals and a little maintenance.

Hair’s to you … I know that was kinda’ corny, but I couldn’t resist.

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I exercise so I can eat whatever I want and other fitness myths …

Myth #1- I can eat whatever I want because I exercise.

This is something that I repeated to myself many times in the past. After running anywhere from 2-5 miles several days a week, I still couldn’t understand why my pants were getting tighter and I could never lose that extra layer of goo.

It wasn’t until I realized the importance of actually watching portion sizes and even better eliminating certain foods if not permanently then at least only indulging in them occasionally, that I began to actually see a difference. I get a lot of questions (and kidding) about why I’m eating or NOT eating certain foods. The truth of the matter is I probably have some of my favorite treats more often than most people think. I enjoy eating and don’t feel deprived, but I know that in order to achieve and maintain the look that I want I have to limit certain things to special occasions or the rare treat.

Myth #2 - I spend at least an hour at the gym several days a week walking slowly on the treadmill and talking to my friend so why aren’t I seeing any changes?

I would never tell anyone that any form of exercise is pointless, whether it be taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a stroll in the park. Health wise, the important thing is to just get moving. But if you want to see dramatic changes in your body you MUST break out of your comfort zone. Every form of exercise is not for everyone, but you have to find something that will challenge you if change is what you’re looking for.

Myth #3 - I only like to do (insert exercise here).

We’ve all seen the guys who do nothing but “pump iron” but can’t run to the end of the block or touch their toes. Or the person who loves long, slow cardio but can’t push up their own body weight. Everyone has something that they prefer over something else. Running used to be my exercise of choice. I spent years running for miles and miles and somehow managed to gain weight (refer back to myth #1). It wasn’t until I picked up a weight that I realized that I needed to switch things up. A nice mix of cardio, weights and high intensity interval training is a good way to keep your body guessing and blast through a plateau.

Myth #4 - I’m getting older so I’m supposed to gain weight or it’s my genetics.

I spent a long time thinking that I was destined to gain weight as I got older. Everyone in my family seemed to so it was a natural fact of life right? Wrong. Ok, some folks were born to be long and lean and others of us were (ahem) not. But that doesn’t mean that you HAVE TO gain weight. You may gain weight a bit easier than your friend who somehow manages to be the same weight she was in high school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still be in the best shape of your life as you get older. All it takes is the willingness to try something different and to break out of that aforementioned comfort zone.

Myth #5 - I just don’t have the energy or the time to workout.

Everyone’s schedule is busy, but if getting in shape or getting your health back is important to you then you will make the time even if it’s 10 minutes a day. People all over the world in a variety of different circumstances are choosing to find the time for themselves. Chances are the reason you don’t have the energy to exercise is because of all the myths combined … you’re not eating properly, you’re not motivated or you’re just bored with what you’ve been doing. You have to fuel your body in order to keep it running properly and that means a nutritious diet. May sound like a cliche but it’s true. Once you get moving you’re more likely to keep moving, once you start feeling better about yourself and seeing some results. Variety is the spice of life so keep changing up your exercise routine to keep it interesting and break out of your comfort zone to keep your body guessing.

Myth #6 - I don’t want to worry about diet and exercise, I want to enjoy my life.

I don’t understand why some people feel like these two things are mutually exclusive. Ok, I love to exercise. Always have. I love working up a good sweat and getting my heart pumping. But I understand that for a lot of people it’s not quite as enjoyable. But hating exercise and healthy food is no longer a good excuse as to why you’re out of shape. Today there are many different options for exercise and some of them are quite fun (anybody tried Turbo Jam?). Connect with a group of people who all have similar goals whether it’s on line (with a Team Beachbody Coach) or in your local area. Go for a hike or a bike ride or a walking tour of your city (there may be plenty of things you’ve never seen before as you whiz past them in your car).

Gone are the days of watching your weight by eating plain tuna from a can, iceberg lettuce and carrots. There are so many delicious ways to be healthy these days that not wanting to eat like a rabbit no longer is a good retort. And the occasional treat never hurt anyone.

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Can you eat whatever you want and not have the world come crashing down around you? Sure. Do you have to work up an actual sweat during exercise? Nope. You can continue on with your same old, boring exercise routine and have the sun still continue to shine. Keep living it up and “enjoying” your life and the Earth will keep spinning on it’s axis. The only person you have to be accountable to is yourself. You don’t have to change your lifestyle one bit. But don’t complain when you continue to struggle to lose the same 15 pounds that you’ve been fighting for the last however many years or worse more and more health issues begin to arise. And certainly don’t ridicule others for wanting to make positive changes in their lives.

You don’t have to break all of your old habits in one day. Take it one day at a time. “Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still “ … Chinese proverb. Once you begin to change your old ways of thinking and become clear and focused about what goals you want to set for yourself, you’re more likely to keep a consistent routine. As you reach a goal, set a new one to keep the momentum going. Time to show yourself and everyone around you that change is possible and that all those myths are just that.

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Self Motivation is the key

Most people who know me know that I’m a fitness fanatic. Some people ask me if I’m doing PX90 (sigh) or Insanity. What they usually don’t know is that my living room has been my gym for years. I’ve had various gym memberships over the years, but I’ve always come back to what is the most convenient place for me to workout … my own home.

I recently had someone say to me, after I explained my involvement with Team Beachbody home fitness products, that they needed a gym environment to stay motivated. I’ll be the first to admit that there is nothing like a room full of super energized people all moving in sync or pushing to their limits to get your mojo working. Whether it’s a Turbo Kick class or Crossfit WOD or a super group workout at Summit, you feel compelled to keep moving. But there comes a point when the only person who can keep you motivated and inspired is YOU. No amount of membership fees or fancy equipment is going to do the work for you. Sure you can spend an hour at the gym, but if all you’re doing is walking at 1.0 on the treadmill or lifting weights in between socializing then it’s not doing much good.

I enjoy the convenience of being able to exercise in my own home whenever I feel like it. I don’t have to rush to make a certain class or sign up before the limited pieces of equipment are all taken. I don’t have to sit in traffic driving to a gym then search for a place to park. More importantly I’m not wasting money on an expensive gym membership that I never use. I know that at anytime of the day or night I can log into WOWY (Team Beachbody’s online virtual gym) and there will be someone doing some kind of workout. Or I can link up with a friend on facebook or through email and get the motivation and support I need. But no matter where I decide to exercise, ultimately I’m the one who has to put on my exercise gear and lace up my shoes and get through the workout.

And if I do need an extra dose of mojo juice, I know that my Beachbody friends are always coming up with ways for us to get together and keep each other motivated and there’s always another event just around the corner.

So what are you waiting for … PUSH PLAY!

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Jumping the Shark

Jumping the Shark … is an idiom used for the moment of downturn for a previously successful enterprise. This originated from an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie jumped a shark in water skis to demonstrate his bravery.

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Most people who know me know that I have a keen interest in maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle and offering to share what knowledge I have with others. Over the years I’ve read many books and articles and have tried a lot of different programs. Some of them were a bit extreme and looking back I realize that they were not sustainable for long periods of time. Others had some merit though, but were not things that worked for me particularly or that I enjoyed.

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to fitness. Some “experts” see no need for cardio and recommend only resistance training, while others are just the opposite. Some people believe that only activities that mimic functional movement have any real value and that any other sort of nonfunctional training should be tossed out the window. Now there’s the argument for short but intense bursts of movement over longer workouts. I find that all of these have their place along the exercise scale, it all depends on what you are looking for at any given time or what your skill level is or simply what you enjoy doing. Mixing it up works best for me.

There are just as many different ideas floating around when it comes to nutrition as well. Though I am what some would consider certifiably nuts, I am not a certified nutritionist. But I have tried many different eating and “diet” plans over the years. I have searched high and low and gone out of my way for different foods that most people would never even think of trying. Sadly enough it costs more to maintain a healthy diet than it is one filled with less than nutritious and fast foods. At times I have gone above and beyond what most people want or are able to spend in order to find whatever my latest eating style deemed the healthiest item. While I still may take things a step further than what most folks will do when it comes to meeting my fitness goals, I have learned that it is often better and easier to keep things as simple as possible especially for someone who is just beginning the journey towards good health. Through plenty of trial and error I have pretty much figured out what works best for me, but some folks still need a lot of help.

Jamie Oliver has been making a big splash with his television show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. I think what he’s doing in trying to change what people’s perception of real food is can’t be beat. But I have heard criticisms about his show because he doesn’t adhere to any of the more stringent ideas about eating, it’s not paleo or zone or primal. He simply wants people to stop eating food that never at any time came from a natural source. This typically means that if it didn’t originate on a tree, in the ground or never roamed a pasture, flew through the air or swam in the ocean then you shouldn’t eat it at least not regularly.

I think this is a good place to start. Most people are never going to do what some of the more extreme foodies think is necessary to maintain a healthy existence or to get six pack abs. They aren’t going to stop eating beef or completely give up processed carbs or stop eating cookies and ice cream or pay extra money for grassfed meats and dairy. But as long as they stop over consuming the foods that come in a plastic wrapper and are filled with unintelligible ingredients they are off to a good start. Who knows maybe once they get started they will decide to take it one step further, but you can’t expect someone who has never had a meal that didn’t come out of a box or off a dollar menu to suddenly be willing to travel out of their way and spend more money on top of it to obtain the freshest of ingredients. After all most of our less than nutritious foods were developed out of a need for convenience and low cost.

Maybe over time and with more education and knowledge about where our society is headed as far as rates of obesity and illness and quality of life, more people will be willing to make these sacrifices. But for now you have to begin by grabbing people’s attention and have them slowly make changes. Just like when you begin a new exercise program, the changes in nutrition are not going to happen overnight. If you push too hard people will surely begin to feel overwhelmed and get discouraged and eventually give up.

Don’t start jumping the shark with all sorts of information overload and obscure menu items and ingredients. Inevitably those who thought you had a little bit of merit will surely begin to think you’re completely nuts! Like I always say K.I.S.S.

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To The Rescue …

This past week I was in training for what I like to call my day gig. This is the job that pays the majority of my bills and is how I make a living, but it is NOT who I am. I have a variety of different interests that better define me and one of them is being a fitness fan and independent Team Beachbody coach.

Much of the training that I went through this week was to sharpen various skills for my job and to enhance safety awareness in the event of a catastrophe. But I always find it interesting that in these courses that deal with safety and sustaining life that many of the instructors are clearly leading unhealthy lives on a daily basis.

In my line of work I am constantly aware of the possibility of being hurt either by accident or at the hands of someone else on a major or minor level. I do not like to lessen the importance of these concerns in today’s environment, but on a daily basis these are not things that I have a tremendous amount of control over. What I do have control over is the quality of my life which can either suffer or be enhanced by my attention to fitness and nutrition. While you never know what cards you will be dealt in life, I prefer to do what I can in the form of quality nutrition and a regular exercise program to help prevent any problems from arising.

This past week I’ve had instruction in everything from basic aircraft firefighting to first aid and CPR. Some of my instructors are very knowledgeable in their field of expertise. These are people that I would hope to have around in the event that something happens. They are clearly aware and concerned for the safety of human life so I find myself wondering why, if they’re so good in the business of saving lives, are they not trying to save their own.

A simple change in eating and a few extra minutes of planned activity might be all it takes to get these folks moving in the right direction and improve the quality of their existence and even sharpen the skills they are already contributing. I think it’s honorable that there are people out there who are willing to risk their lives for others. But ultimately the life you save may be your own.

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Size Does Matter

Ha ha … had you fooled!

I went shopping today and was pleasantly surprised that I was able to buy shorts in a smaller size than I’ve worn the past few years. This is due in part to my fitness and exercise routine.

I’ve been following my latest fitness plan for quite some time now and I always get a bit frustrated because I never see much movement on the bathroom scale. I know this is a way to gauge your success or lack thereof, but I find that for me it never tells the whole story.

For years an outdated doctor’s chart has been instilled in us. If you’re this tall, you should weigh this much. While that is a good way to have some idea of what your range should be, times have changed and everyone is built differently. I have a close friend who is the same height as me, but we have very different frames and our weights are nowhere near the same. I tend to have more muscle mass, so my weight settles in around a certain number and won’t budge unless I’m meticulous with diet and exercise. But my body does what I like to call a lot of shape shifting. Although the number isn’t quite where I would like it to be, my clothes tell a different tale.

Although the scale is a good way to measure weight loss or weight gain (if you are monitoring this), don’t be consumed by it especially if you are doing a fitness program that involves weight lifting like P90X. It sounds cliche but muscle really does take up less space than fat. A lot of women like to focus on an ideal number, but I would rather be carrying around a few extra pounds of muscle than to be the perfect number packaged in a flabby physique.

The scale fluctuates depending on the time of day or month or whether or not you just had a glass of water or made a recent trip to the restroom. Your clothes don’t lie. Now let me just insert here that different brands of clothing are cut differently. This is often the case with jeans. What may be your size in one brand, may fit you a little less flatteringly in another. But for the most part this is a pretty accurate way to measure where you are. If your pants are a little loose, this means that all your hard work is starting to pay off. Conversely, if your pants are a bit too snug it means you need to push back from the table before dessert or just say no to the next round of beer and buffalo wings.

This smaller pants size actually inspired me to be even more dedicated to my fitness routine. Hey, I just bought new pants and I don’t plan on going back to the old ones.

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Bingeing & Purging

No not that kind of bingeing and purging … I’m talking about cleaning out your house and your proverbial house.

It’s Spring time, the time to make some changes.

If you’re embarking on a new diet and exercise plan, start off in your kitchen and get rid of all the junk. Toss out all the processed food, chips, cookies and restock your cupboards with fresh all natural foods. Foods as close to their natural state as possible are the best choices. This is the first step to getting your nutritional house in order. Your diet doesn’t have to be perfect especially if you’re not vying for the next Oxygen magazine cover, but the key to any successful fitness regime is the diet. I know that stinks but it’s the cold hard truth. Even the best exercise program can be ruined with just a few bites of the wrong kind of food, or even too many bites of the right kind of food.

Next let’s head into the rest of your house. Why do you think they call it Spring cleaning? This is the perfect time to tidy up the place and get rid of all those winter clothes that you haven’t worn in the last few seasons. Or even those Summer clothes that you have no intention of wearing this year. Hold onto a few things that may be a bit too snug, after all you WILL get back into them since you’ve cleaned out your kitchen.

Getting organized is the best thing about Spring. Clear out the clutter, get your house in order and you’ll be surprised how quickly your mind follows suit.

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‘Tis the Season

I have never considered myself a religious person but I am a lover of words and great literature. For that reason I find many passages in the Bible that resonate with me. One of my favorites is Ecclesiastes 3:1 … To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven … A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Unlike most people who choose the New Year as a time to seek changes, I always think of Spring as the perfect time to begin new things. It is the season when all things on earth begin anew. The warm weather and vibrant colorful scenery seems to spark a desire in many to change something about themselves or their lives.

Just as seeds are planted in the Spring for crops to be harvested later in the Summer and Fall, Spring time can be used as a metaphor for life. A time to plant new thoughts for new ideas, beliefs and goals to grow.

If you are like me, you are in a changing season of life. My hair is turning colors and a life that I’ve spent years cultivating has suddenly begun to bring about many questions. I’ve out grown certain things and others that were once important to me have withered. As I uproot old belief systems, new ones are waiting to be nurtured. A close friend told me several years ago that she finally felt like she was getting older when she had to go up to the next age group in a magazine survey. She no longer fell into the 30-34 age group, but was now lumped in the 35-39 category. This has caused a lot of recent confusion for me, where am I going, what am I doing, is this really the life that I want? What can I do to change things? Where will I be when I get into that next survey age range?

Spring time for me signifies the ability to wipe away all that is old and start over fresh. It doesn’t matter what choices I’ve made in the past or what mistakes I’ve made. Now is the time to plant new seeds and create new habits. This is the time of year when the Earth begins to incubate in order to give life. Giving birth to new ideas and making changes can be messy and painful just like the cycle of life. But sometimes a little patience and a little pain is what we need in order to create something beautiful. To Every Season turn turn turn …

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Balancing Acts aka The Spice of Life

Most people know that I’m a fitness enthusiast. What they don’t know is that I’ve tried just about every fitness and nutrition program that is out there at one time or another. Some of them you’ve heard of and others you probably haven’t unless you’re like me and constantly on the look out for a new challenge.

Lately I’ve been seeing reviews of various programs, people saying this one is better than that one or the other. This one is not good for sustainability (meaning is it something you’ll be able to or want to do continuously for like ever!). The reasons are all different, overtraining, the risk of injury, boredom etc.

Now as I’ve said I’m a fitness enthusiast. I’ll openly admit that currently the only fitness certification I hold is as a Crossfit level 1 trainer, though pursuing others is on my “to do” list. I know what works for me and what I like, but everyone has to choose what is best for them. The key is to get moving in the first place.

I’ve been involved with Beachbody, the company that markets such products as P90X and Insanity for several years. I took a brief hiatus to delve into Crossfit. P90X was my first exposure to so called “extreme” fitness. I loved the program but after several rounds of it a few years ago, I was ready to move on to something else. That’s when I discovered Crossfit. For an adrenaline junkie like myself, this was perfect. Everyday was different but no less intense. But I quickly burned out on this as well. A recent article that I read gave some of the pros and cons of both of these programs. The biggest con was that neither of them was something that you should do for the long haul. But is anything?

The argument against the X was the hour plus long workouts 6 days per week. And against Crossfit was the high rep and heavy weight extremely intense WODs day in and day out were sure to tax the system. Now neither of these programs is for everybody and this is something that you’ll need to figure out for yourself. But the point is they get people off the couch.

Even the creator of P90X has said that his program is NOT something that was meant to be done over and over and over again. Use it to get into shape then move on to something else, come back to it as a base if you need to. I am currently in the middle of a P90X round, but as great as it is I know that after this I probably won’t even look at it for awhile. The good thing about it and all the other Beachbody programs is they provide people with a structure because let’s face it this is what most folks need. I find myself always researching new fitness programs and downloading information. I’ve discovered some terrific ones that have been added to my own personal fitness library. But most people aren’t interested or willing to do that. They need something laid out for them daily, eat this not that, do this not that. Some people will eventually get to a certain level and know what works for their body, but others will always need more guidance to help them stick to something and that’s fine.

The important thing is that you find some physical activity that you enjoy doing and do it (no Buckethead I’m not referring to that!). Not everyone will want to do the adrenaline pumping, gut wrenching workouts that some of us love. But the key is variety. That’s what is so beautiful about having so many choices. If one program is too long then choose another. If yet another is too intense for your taste then move on to something else. Or here’s a novel idea … mix it up. Some people want to climb Mt. Everest, but is it something you should consider doing more than once if you’re able to complete it at all? Probably not.

Variety is the spice of life. Choose a mish mosh of programs that gets you from in front of the tv (and the computer). There is no one surefire way and it all depends on your preference and what you’re trying to achieve. But do something besides the quick sprints to the kitchen to lift the icecream out of the fridge during commercial breaks.