There are two primary reasons that gym programs like Crossfit and home programs are doing so well with people.
First, they do a good job of providing an excellent return on your time invested. You are meticulously instructed on each move as far as proper form and just as crucial, correct intensity. Second, these programs seem to be very effective in allowing the participant to see results during the process, especially early. As we know from experience, the most crucial time to get validation toward a fitness goal is those first couple weeks. You need to see results. Truly effective programs will deliver them.
As a veteran of programs, I have noticed that unfortunately they can burn me out. Most of them are 5 or 6 days each week. If you want to get technical, P90X is 7 days each week. That can get awfully monotonous and sort of stressful trying to always keep up.
I believe that you get a huge benefit from any program by learning basic principles that work to get you really fit. All good programs will teach you variety, how to challenge yourself, the importance of clearly defined daily goals, record keeping, and appropriate diet. These principles can be applied to any regimen you create.
When I am suffering from program fatigue, this is one self-created regimen I created which I like because it is simple and effective. You need only work out 4 days-a-week and stick to some basics of eating.
Get Into Terrific Shape With My 4 On, 3 Off Plan
One unfortunate collateral victim of the new direction of weights-based high intensity workouts is that good old-fashioned running has gotten somewhat of a black eye. So it may be surprising that 2 of my 4 days of working out each week include running exclusively. Take like Monday and Thursday as an example and do what I call tempo running.
Tempo running is about changing your pace during the run and running at or near full aerobic capacity for parts of the run. This is to be contrasted with distance jogging. Tempo running gives you better conditioning, fat burning, and body re-shaping results, than from a moderate paced jog. Limit the run time to no more than 30 minutes, but go hard both at slow and high paces. I like running because you don't need a trainer instructing you on form or any of that. Here are some tips to review for best results and safety.
On the other two days, grab some dumbbells and work out with the weights for 30 minutes with minimal rest in between your sets. One of the keys for great body shaping results with weight lifting is to work on one muscle group during one set, then switch to the opposing muscle group for the very next set. This maximizes your time and effort (a recurring theme in good exercise plans). I know that weight lifting may seem like something you once did for high school sports, but it is one of the best ways to work the total body and reshape it. Try to embrace it.
Check out this workout among many I found by using the internet search engines with the terms "30 minute dumbbell workout". Do upper body one of the days and lower body on the other. I think it is especially important to separate out the legs to a special day because they'll be getting plenty of work with the running.
For both running and weight work, make sure you keep good detailed notes of your results and try to improve a little each time
Eating Right And What To Do With Those Other Three Days
The reason we can do only 4 days of intense working out and still get great results is we are going to eat wholesome foods and as much of those wholesome foods as we want. We'll eat lean meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and aged cheeses. We'll avoid the breads and pastas and get our carbs from natural sources like fruits. We won't count calories. We'll drink lots of water and we'll get plenty of sleep. If we slip we won't let the bad day become habit. We also are going to use those three non-workout days to move more and be more active outdoors. This will reinforce our increased fitness. It's lifetime activity and good real food that will make us and keep us fit, not fitness regimens.