So... I'm getting kind of worried. I'm in the second week of phase three, and I've seen great results with P90x. But next week, I'm going to go to NY for 9 days to visit my girlfriend over Thanksgiving (we're long distance for my final semester of college), and I'm pretty sure that I'm about to fail miserably at sticking with the program.

For one, she absolutely hates that I even have fitness goals. She gets upset at me if she finds out that I've been working out, and she hates it if I diet... it's not nearly as miserable as that makes it sound, but in general she's not at all supportive of me getting in better shape. And... I'd honestly really like to avoid arguments for the week and a half that I'm there. I'll try a measure of portion control and when we eat out I'll make sure to order healthy things, but I know she's just working on a list of cookies and cheese-loaded/fried stuff to put in front of me... and I'm not sure how to respond to that without starting another argument.

Also, I've been using free weights and don't have any portable option for resistance training. So, I figured I'd do plyo and kenpo while I was there, but I'm really not sure about what other options I have to keep on with the workout calendar.

So... while I'm going to do my best to keep from absolutely ruining all my effort, do you think it's possible to completely undo all this work with a week's worth of cheating?

Well - let me ask the obvious question. Why in the world is your girlfriend against you having goals to be in better shape? Does she not want the long term benefits for you?

I don't think a week off is going to kill you, especially if you stay active and don't completely fall off the nutrition train. But, from the sound of it, a little bit of P90X cheating is the least of your worries. I'm mean, not to get "Dr Phil" on you or anything, but I would be kinda concerned if my girlfriend were not 100% supportive of me working on becoming more healthy and fit.

I'm with db.

There are ways to workout and not let it really affect your time with your girlfriend. She needs to backoff a little. Maybe she's jealous. One time I left my gf's house to go work out (we live 3 hours away from each other...so I understand your long distance thing.) She didn't like that. But I told her I set a goal and I'm not about to stop. It's nothing personal, but I'm doing P90X...even if that means I have to leave a little bit early every once in a while.

Let's just say she likes the results. She was annoyed for a minute or two because I left, but a few weeks in she couldn't keep her hands off of me. Not trying to be "that guy." but it's true. I caught her staring last time we hung out. Never had a gf get "caught" staring at me. HAHA!!

I suggest you do your best. How about this schedule? (All the exercises without weights.)

Day 1: Plyo
Day 2: Core Synergistics
Day 3: Kenpo
Day 4: Yoga
Day 5: CardioX
Day 6: X Stretch

Maybe throw some Ab Ripper X in there (Days 1, 5, 6, maybe?) Give yourself a break on day 7 and then repeat. Eat as well as you can, and start week 3 when you get back. Be sure to hit it hard.

That will be a lot better than doing nothing.

Actually, maybe ARX only on Day 6. Days 2 and 4 both have pretty good ab workouts. That way you're doing Abs 3 times a week.

i'm with adam and db, that its not right that your gf will not support you in your working out. but thats your personal business and thats between the both of you.

Adam's schedule seems ok. if you can find time. otherwise, maybe suggest active things to do? i know its cold now so that may be harder to do. you can buy a resistance band (usually no more than $30, and closer to $15). and at the very least, be smart about what you eat. except on thanksgiving, treat yourself a little =)

but if you absolutely cannot workout the whole time you're in NY, once you're back home, here's how i'd approach it: i would not only repeat week 4, but i would repeat week 3 as well. yea, it'll take you an extra 2 or 3 weeks to complete, but it'll "make up" for your loss time.

so where in NY will you be? i'd be willing to convince your gf about the benefits of all this. i live in NY =)

Thanks guys for all your input. I think I'm going to try something very close to Adam's suggestion. I also have someone who might be hooking me up with some Insanity DVDs, and I may mix them in there for experimentation's sake. Little worried about that though-- I hear they're deadly.

I'll be in Brooklyn; we have an apartment there where I'll be joining her after this December. I was trying to think of "active" things to do, but I couldn't really come up with anything other than just walking around.