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Health & Fitness

Paul Ryan leads with both fiscal and physical fitness

Whether you're pleased or peeved by Mitt Romney's pick for running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, there's no denying that the politician is a model of good health.

Whether you're pleased or peeved by Mitt Romney's pick for running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, there's no denying that the politician is a model of good health. The new GOP vice presidential candidate is just as zealous about zapping body fat as he is about slicing government spending.

A former personal trainer, Ryan, who stands 6 feet, 2 inches, and weighs 163 pounds with 6%-8% body fat, works out like a warrior and leads fellow Hill staffers in daily morning sessions of the popular 90-day, body-sculpting program called P90X.

The Wisconsin congressman has been a devotee of the brutal P90X workout for about four years, and frequently leads workouts with other members of Congress. P90X is a 90-day workout plan that involves intensive cardio combined with yoga, karate and other fitness staples for 60 to 90 minutes a day, six days a week.

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"I'm kind of a workout guy. I've always been into it. [Former Mich. Rep.] Bart Stupak and I lead [P90X classes] — there's about a dozen of us that do it," Ryan told Politico. "It works because it hits your body in many different ways: pull-ups, sit-ups, lots of cardio, karate, jump training, yoga. It pushes your body...and gets you out of your plateau."

P90X is based around muscle confusion for the simple reason that it works. Not only that, but it helps prevent against injury. When you suddenly change up your workouts, your body will react as if you are starting again from scratch. The important thing is that you work the same muscle groups, but in a different way. The best way to do this is by switching up what equipment you use, i.e. moving from resistance bands to free weights.

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Whatever exercise program your currently doing perhaps some muscle confusion is in order. The P90X program, cross fit, boot camp programs and circuit training are all ways to change up your routine, reduce boredom and create some muscle confusion. While the confusing messages of our political candidates can seem negative at times, its nice that some like Congressman Ryan set a clear example of the one confusing thing that is positive, muscle confusion.

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