P90X/workingout advice

Cyclone_Grav

Active Member
Jul 13, 2007
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Des Moines
My advice - at least for right now, ignore the nutritional part of the program and just work on the working out portion. You are working out so hard and burning so many calories that if you just take a "common sense" approach to your diet (I have a bowl of cereal and a yogurt for breakfast, a "to-go" can of soup and a sandwich for lunch, a modest dinner, and fruit for snacks) you'll get your results. In fact, I for the most part blow off the diet on weekends just to make sure I can enjoy pop and other foods that I do like that if I completely eliminated would derail me. I've been through one cycle of P90X and I'm 1/3 of the way into phase 1 of cycle 2, and I've lost in excess of 25 lbs, and a lot more fat mass than that because I've put on a ton of muscle in the process.

Now, towards the end if you're looking to "fine tune" your body and get rid of the extra fat that's getting in the way of you looking ripped then you might want to adhere to the diet. But if you're far away from that anyway (like I am) following such a strict diet for that long will probably just derail you.

I would have to agree with this. A big reason why I have had success with this program is because I followed the nutrition plan. This program is just about being ripped, losing weight or looking good, it's about living a healthier life style. If you have success with a fitness program but lose all the advantages because you don't change your lifestyle, was it really worth it? You could say your going to stick with it somewhat, but seriously where does one draw the line? It can get dicey. Regardless of what your intentions are with the program, a healthy, well balanced diet is essential for success both during and beyond the program. So start developing those good habits now.

If your hungry, try spacing out your meals and eating more frequently as you experience hunger, that helped with me in dealing with the same problem. Also, you could try increasing you caloric intake. Even though it gives you a range in which to operate in, the book also says that if you feel like you need more or less calories then you should adjust accordingly. The most important thing is to listen to what your body tells you.
 

Cyclophile1

Well-Known Member
Dec 14, 2009
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Overland Park, KS
Bringing this back, because I just started the program...in my second week. I have to say, while the workouts are in fact difficult, the hardest part, for me, is following the nutrition/meal plan, and it's not even close. It is damn near impossible.

I am not a big guy...started at 185 (5'11). I have not deviated at all, not even a single beer (this blows, BTW), and I am hungry all the time.

Please tell me it gets better.

I didn't do the diet plan, just really cut back on the snacks and fried food and obvious fattening things. I still lost 17 pounds my first cycle. I know I put on a few pounds of muscle so I'm sure I burned 20 pounds of fat. Just be sensible and unless you are trying to get totally ripped, the exercise will do a lot.

The second cycle I shifted to eating a little more fruit and veg and tried to avoid the above and lost another 10 pounds.

This winter I did Insanity first and just started a cycle of P90X again last week. I'm in so much better place this time starting up P90X then last time it's ridiculous.

Stick with it!

Cheers
 

cyclonedave25

Well-Known Member
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Jul 10, 2007
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If you want a really good workout, try looking into Crossfit. Its what all our SpecOp guys are doing, and it puts p90x to shame.

YouTube - What is CrossFit? Promo Video
I agree with this.
However, the only downfalls are:
1) this can't be done in the comfort of your own home.
1.1) having to go someplace to workout can keep people from sticking to it.
2) the exercises/lifts can take a long time to learn.
2.1) olympic lifts are awesome, but can cause injury if done incorrectly.
3) more expensive (if you factor in monthly Crossfit gym membership)
4) requires a professional trainer.

Other than that, if I had to choose between the two, I would go the Crossfit route.
 

enisthemenace

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2009
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Runnells, IA
Ok...this is for the non-believers. I am very comfortable saying this program is legit, and I'm only in the 4th week. I have lost 10 pounds (started at 185), I am considerably stronger than when I started and I feel great (don't look too bad either...already have a 4 pack. Working on the other 2).

I posted above my concerns with the diet plan, but I am now use to it, and truly believe it is a huge key to success.

Anybody who is interested in getting in great shape could do a whole lot worse than this program. No need to spend a ton of money on a gym membership. It's all right here.
 

heyguy85

Well-Known Member
Nov 9, 2007
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Iowa
Thanks for posting. I did it a year ago and gained a lot of strength. Great program if you committ to it.
 

jdoggivjc

Well-Known Member
Sep 27, 2006
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Macomb, MI
Pre-ordering for P90X2 started today and I just put my order in. Should arrive sometime in December. Anyone else put in their order?
 

The_Architect

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
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I'll probably do the P90x2 after I finish the first one. I'm in week 5 of the p90x and just getting ridiculously shredded already. I've always been a weight lifter so doing all of this variety is really different and I'm getting much more cut up than ever before. I really like the Yoga too, love getting more flexible.

Tony Horton ftw.
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
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After finishing insanity next week, I'm thinking of starting p90x. I just hate the idea of spending $300 on those adjustable 5_50lb weights.
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
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I finished Insanity a week ago and started P90x yesterday. I bought 160lbs worth of bands (2x80),powerblock 50lb weights, and some push up bars.

I'm really surprised the I'm not more sore after the first day. I just did the plyo (2nd day) and it's a little easier than the plyo Insanity but I like it more since I was able to keep up the whole time. I'm happy I went with Insanity first.
 

BigDISU1

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
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Oskaloosa, Iowa
I finished Insanity a week ago and started P90x yesterday. I bought 160lbs worth of bands (2x80),powerblock 50lb weights, and some push up bars.

I'm really surprised the I'm not more sore after the first day. I just did the plyo (2nd day) and it's a little easier than the plyo Insanity but I like it more since I was able to keep up the whole time. I'm happy I went with Insanity first.

Finished p90x last tuesday. trying to figure out what to do next. Didnt increase muscle size too much (was not eating enough) but did increase strength and droped about 10% BF
 

Gonzo

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2009
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Behind you
I have done it with both weights and the bands. Buy yourself either the adjustable weights or go buy yourself some sets of dumbells (20,30,40, and 50 lbers) you will get much more out of it than with the bands. It is worth the cost.

I also use both weights and bands. I like the hex dumbbells instead of the adjustable weights, just personal preference. Then I use bands for certain things, like upright row. Doesn't have to be an either/or thing.
 

The_Architect

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
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I'm really surprised the I'm not more sore after the first day. I just did the plyo (2nd day) and it's a little easier than the plyo Insanity but I like it more since I was able to keep up the whole time. I'm happy I went with Insanity first.

For me, the Plyo usually takes 2 days for the soreness to kick in.
 

Cybyassociation

Well-Known Member
Mar 5, 2008
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I finished Insanity a week ago and started P90x yesterday. I bought 160lbs worth of bands (2x80),powerblock 50lb weights, and some push up bars.

I'm really surprised the I'm not more sore after the first day. I just did the plyo (2nd day) and it's a little easier than the plyo Insanity but I like it more since I was able to keep up the whole time. I'm happy I went with Insanity first.

IMO, its because of the bands. First day is chest and back isnt it? Doing actual pull ups is much more difficult than the bands imo. Same applies with the rest of the workouts. You'll still get results though.
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
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IMO, its because of the bands. First day is chest and back isnt it? Doing actual pull ups is much more difficult than the bands imo. Same applies with the rest of the workouts. You'll still get results though.

Yeah I'm just using the bands for the pull up parts since I'm unable to do a real pull-up. I think my arms would be hurting a lot more from the push ups if I hadn't did them in Insanity but P90X seems to take push ups to a whole different level.
 

Im4State

Active Member
Oct 16, 2009
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Urbandale
Ok...this is for the non-believers. I am very comfortable saying this program is legit, and I'm only in the 4th week. I have lost 10 pounds (started at 185), I am considerably stronger than when I started and I feel great (don't look too bad either...already have a 4 pack. Working on the other 2).

I posted above my concerns with the diet plan, but I am now use to it, and truly believe it is a huge key to success.

Anybody who is interested in getting in great shape could do a whole lot worse than this program. No need to spend a ton of money on a gym membership. It's all right here.

Starting tomorrow with the wife. I'm excited to get back in shape. Played soccer in high school but that's been over 10 years now!
 

Im4State

Active Member
Oct 16, 2009
372
176
43
Urbandale
Thanks for posting. I did it a year ago and gained a lot of strength. Great program if you committ to it.

How did you maintain? Did you just keep up nutrition and doing other exercise? I know i need to get through the next 90 days but I'm curious as to what happens after to maintain the positive results.
 

clone26

Member
Jan 30, 2009
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How did you maintain? Did you just keep up nutrition and doing other exercise? I know i need to get through the next 90 days but I'm curious as to what happens after to maintain the positive results.

I just started up another round of P90X to get ready for P90X2, which if you pre-order now, will be delivered around Christmas.
 

SplitIdentity

Well-Known Member
Mar 31, 2007
11,486
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Minnesota
Started this last week, but had a few day break this past weekend for opening trout season.... so now I'm restarting it for good, and man it seems to be harder this week than last. I can definitely see where people get good results if they follow the program.