“Don’t let your ego get in the way.” — Tony Horton
When I used to workout in the gym, my ego was ALWAYS in the way. I didn’t want to do an exercise I’d fail at (like pullups) or that would show my weaknesses (like anything having to do with flexibility or core). I stuck to the few things I could do well, and that’s it. I would do some squats and some bench. And then I’d play around on some of the machines. You wouldn’t catch me working on flexibility (which I stunk at) or failing at pullups. I wanted to look cool LOL!
But in the comfort of my own home, with no one watching … look out! I can work on all those things, and that’s why I’ve gotten in such good shape. I’m sure I look like a total fool sometimes. And that’s fine with me!! No one is watching LOL!
Don’t say, “I can’t”. Say, “I presently struggle with …..”
— Tony Horton
If you’ve watched any of the P90X DVD’s (or really any Beachbody program), you notice that the cast demonstrates each exercise at different levels of intensity. One is doing the all-out exercise, one has a slight modification, and one is doing a beginner move. Tony says “Modify, modify, modify!” This is absolutely true!!
If you’ve watched any of the Insanity DVD’s, you probably notice that there are no modified moves. The people simply drop out and rest when they need it (which in a way makes me feel good because I know I’m not the only one dying LOL!).
But the key isn’t to ask, “Can I keep up with Tony, Sagi, or Shaun?”. The key is to ask, “Did I do better today than I did last time?” Every time we show up and press play, we are improving our fitness and getting closer to our goals. We may not be at the finish yet, but we are making progress.
With P90X, X2, X3, Insanity MAX30, and Body Beast we know how to match the workout to our ability level. And as our ability level increases, we know how to ramp up the intensity. That’s why we are able to see such amazing progress from Day 1 to Day 90 or Day 63. We modify where needed, and over time we get stronger and improve our weaknesses until we are able to perform the moves without modification.
Part of what makes all off the Beachbody Programs so much better than going to a gym is that in the privacy of your own home, you can modify the exercises without worrying about what others think of you. You can do some very goofy-looking things (which are fantastic for your body!!) with no inhibitions!
I get questions / comments often from people who feel like they aren’t measuring up because it’s “already week 4 and I still struggle with _____” (you fill in the blank — it’s usually pull ups or ARX or something like that). They feel like if after 1 month (or 2 months or whatever) they can’t stay move for move and weight for weight with Tony Horton, who’s been doing this for years, that there must be something wrong with them!
Nonsense! We need to stop judging our progress by what the people on TV are doing! We need to look at where we started and where we are now. Let me tell you the things I modified during Round 1 of P90X (lest you think I’m some sort of workout stud and that all this stuff comes easy for me! LOL!). How about this for a trip down memory lane:
1) One-handed pushups = I NEVER did an actual rep of this during all of round 1! I did them on my knees, always. For round 2 I started trying to do them the Tony Horton way, and I can now do at least 30 (see my YouTube video for proof — shameless self-promotion LOL). I never could have done that if I hadn’t done them modified for the first 3 months. Modify!
2) Pullups = I used a step stool for every rep during the first month. Then I was able to start doing some unassisted during the second month. Now I can do them with a weighted backpack. Again, it’s because I modified. And again, I have a YouTube video describing the ways I modified pullups if you’d like to watch it. Modify!
3) Ab Ripper X = There was no way I could get through all of those exercises and keep up with Tony for at least the whole first month. I modified! I started off doing 17 reps in the time that Tony did 25, and each week I tried to get 1-2 more reps on each exercise. By half way through month 2, I was keeping up rep for rep on all 25. For Round 3 and beyond, I’ve added other ab and core workouts like Killer Abs, Insane abs, ARX2, etc. Again, I improved because I modified and kept pushing to get better.
Don’t be afraid to modify gang! It’s not about ego. It’s about doing our best and forgetting the rest. Doing 15 modified reps is much more beneficial than 2 regular reps. Get the most out of your muscles, but don’t expect to be Tony Horton right away. Over time you will see improvement in your strength, your reps, and your form.
One of y’all said it best in an email to me (this is someone who was describing his first 2 days of P90x):
“It’s no wonder why you don’t see more Zero-to-Hero transformations in the gym. People are too afraid of ridicule and judgement to do what it takes to get it done.”
What about Challenge Groups?
This is where it can change bit. Facebook has been awesome in keeping us more connected and building a closer bond as a team. But be careful to not compare yourselves to others. I have talked with so many veteran teamRIPPED members that still LOVE the challenge groups. Why? Cuz they love seeing progress! We are all cheering you on. So if someone posts a video or pic of something you can’t do, don’t let it get you down! I want to see your progress pics. I want to see you doing more than you could last week or last month. I don’t care where you are on your journey, the important thing is that we are all on the journey!
Keep Bringing it!!
Need a coach?
My email: coachwayne@teamripped.com
IG: @wayne_wyatt
