P90X Check In

andtckrtoo

andtckrtoo

Cathlete
I threatened this before, and got a lot of positive feedback. Now that I own the series (IT ARRIVED!!!!!), I have tons of questions, so I figured I'd start a check in to keep the other P90X posts to a minimum. This is for anyone who has, had, is interested, or is simply curious about the P90X series.

My official start date is 4.16.2006 (Easter day). I've done Kenpo X and Ab Ripper X so far - just to try them - but I'm waiting 'til my official start date to do the muscle work (I'll watch them though). Oh, and yeah, they kicked my butt. I actually really like Kenpo X - I know a lot of you don't. It reminds me of the drills I used to do in Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga.

If anyone has suggestions about nutrition - do I HAVE to follow his plan? Are his supplements THAT much better? How do I figure out Levels as I'm right between Level 1 and Level 2... (1800 calories is too few, 2400 is too much)... I do plan to follow fairly closely, but to use my own recipes, etc. Will that work?

Any suggestions, ideas, hints, nudges... whatever? I know Amy is going to start about the same time I am, so we're going to be workout buddies, in a way.
 
I have the same questions as Christine, so please clue us in on what worked for you!!

I attempted Core Synergistics last night after a long week at work... skipped the bonus round and was glad to get out alive!!! }( The muscles in my lower back and lats are all awake today... not necessarily sore, but definitely had a new experience with that workout!!! }( :)
 
Christine,

I just finished my first P90x rotation and I LOVED it. I didn't follow the nutrition plan at all, and did a bit more cardio than the program called for, cause I like to eat :D. I've seen great results. I don't have much to add specifically since I enjoyed the program from beginning to end. I can't wait to start my next rotation with it!

Sparrow

ETA: OK I have had some specific thoughts. :D I'm lifting alot more heavily than I was when I started. I don't know what it was about the program but psychologically I was motivated to keep pushing myself. I would recommend going as heavy as you can right from the start, within safety guidelines of course. Also, don't be discouraged by all the push-ups. I was really bummed out about those at first but soon was actually looking forward to them. And, my last comment: at one point Tony says to get out of your own head about the exercise. Just show up and do your best. Sounds trite but doing that really worked for me. I didn't get into my head thinking, "Ugh, now I have to do pushups. Now I have to do presses." Each workout I just showed up and hit it as hard as I could. I think that made a huge difference in my results. And, it also made the workouts fly by!!!

HTH!


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Sparrow! Wonderful! That's the information I want to hear! I'm very excited to start. Did you follow the first three weeks like he says, or did you add cardio in earlier? I was planning to follow the first week as stated, then add in some more cardio, but I don't know.
 
Christine, I did the first week by the book, but by the second week had ditched Ab Ripper X (it hurt my neck) and added a couple of more cardio sessions, one long (60) and one short (30). For abs I did Cathe.

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
Great! I'm really looking forward to this! I'm already humbled by some of the workouts. Can't wait to start.
 
Hi all,
Sparrow is so right- being mentally prepared - having the right mindset is a big part of it.

I did not follow the nutrition plan either. I TRY to eat clean probably more of a moderatley clean person here. I really should have added more cardio, but for me doing 6 days a week is tough enough. Mentally it got hard for me around week 6.

It's just amazing what this program will do if you push yourself.

ENJOY!!

Catherine
 
Sparrow - just read your added comments, and I really appreciate the advice. And that kind of advice is why I started this check in post.

I'm going to spend next week trying out the cardio, yoga and core routines. Along with mixing in some additional yoga, and some TLT's to mix things up, but I'm going to take a break from lifting and when I start this, I'm going HARD! I'm really looking forward to it. I have not been this excited over anything since I got my first Cathe DVD's.
 
Christine, I just received the P90X program and am going to start in on the 16th also, that is if I hussle and get the extra needed equipment by the 16th. I may have to push it back a week because at this time I am more concerned with Easter shopping for my kids. I have alot of the same questions so I think this check-in is great. I eat clean 90% of the time so I think I will stick with my BFFM eating for now and I am have to up my calorie intake once I get going. I also plan to add extra cardio but I will wait for a week or two. I have been advised before that the program is intense so waiting to the second phase to start the doubles is best but we all have to tweak it to fit our own needs }( . Looking forward to the start,process and hopefully great end results!
 
As far as the nutrition plan...it all depends on where you are currently, what your goals are, and how specific you want to be. If you don't have weight to lose, and you are doing it more for the muscular/fitness benefit than I would say no don't worry too much about the first phase definately (protein heavy phase). This is geared more towards fat loss as it's encouraging your body to use it's fat stores as fuel instead of carbs. I can tell you I stuck with the first phase all of a week and knew that it wasn't for me once I realized how depleted it was making me feel. I then moved to phase 2 and shortly thereafter moved into phase 3. I can tell you the cleaner you eat the better your results are going to be...but I guess that's pretty obvious...heehee.

I wouldn't suggest eating any less than 1800 and I guess it's just going to be trial and error for a couple of weeks until you figure out exactly where you need to be calorie wise. Your body will tell you!! I can say that in the nutrition manual I discovered the portion plans outlined did not equal out to the calorie count they specified. The menu's were often much less than 1800, the percentages were often off as well. I found fitday.com to be a great resource when getting used to tweaking my diet towards certain percentages of carbs, to proteins, to fats. I would use this for a couple of weeks to get the feel of what it "looked" like to be at 60-20-20 and then would just do it on my own, as I can't stand to be counting my food all of the time.

In regards to the extra cardio, for the first four weeks I would advise against any added cardio. You really need to give your body time to acclimate to the program as is first. Once you move into the second phase you may want to start adding in some LIGHT cardio, no Imax's...unless you're subbing them for Plyo. Those weight routines are very cardio in nature...my heart rate was often up there, especially in the Chest and Back routine. You'll be shocked at how an hour of pushups and pullups can create quite an aerobic workout. As many have reiterated here, the program is light on cardio for a reason. But if you have some fat to lose, and you have tons of energy after that first 4 weeks then go for it, but listen to your body and don't ignore signs of overtraining. You don't want to do anything to hinder any progress.

Good luck to you!! I love P90X and am looking forward to starting a new rotation sometime in the near future. I'm too hooked on Cathe right now to go back to Tony just yet :D .

Deni
 
i just received my p90x workouts also. i am so glad you started this thread. i checked out a few of the workouta and i am scared:)
 
Deni- Thank you for the great advice in this thread and questions you have answered for me before. How were your results on your first P90X rotation, did you again alot of new definition?
 
Sunny - I'm scared too! I did Kenpo X and Ab Ripper and was pleasantly surprised at how tough they really are. I get the feeling with these that it's literally you get out of it what you put into it. Kenpo X could be a breeze, but if you really concentrate and use intensity for every move, it's a workout! My lats are on fire right now!

My plan has always been to follow the first week as outlined (except for the exact meals - I'll follow the little boxes though), then reasses what I would like to do after that. I've already been humbled by two workouts, so I expect to be very humbled by this rotation (I'm a Leo and think I know it all, so this is good for me!).

Deni - thanks so much for the advice! The more I hear, the more excited I become. I want to start tomorrow, but that's just not feasible.
 
>If anyone has suggestions about nutrition - do I HAVE to
>follow his plan? Are his supplements THAT much better?

I didn't follow the nutrition plan at all. I just cleaned up my eating a bit, and had my own "recovery drink" (Power Dream soy milk, which has near the same macronutrient breakdown as their "Recovery Drink") after each weight workout.
 
Hey no problem:D !! I had great results for being an ecto body type...and I must first say that it's really hard for me to gain in my upper body. Having said that I think I did some things while doing that program which may have sabotaged my results.

First, I fell into the doubles trap. I didn't feel as though I was getting enough cardio and I think I may have added on too much which hindered the muscle growth. Don't get me wrong I definately got broader and added some girth and a little definition but I think I could have had better results if I hadn't gotten so gungho on the cardio piece.

Second, I've learned since starting Cathe how important form truly is, and how momentum really isn't your friend. While doing the X I stayed in the 8-10 rep range and I have to say made some significant increases in weight. However, what I didn't realize was how much momentum I was using in lifting those weights. Tony will reiterate in many of his workouts not to feel like you need to be a superhero, don't sacrifice form and technique for your "ego". If I had lessened the weight and really payed attention to my technique (follow Drea for this...she has superb technique) I could have seen better results...and had less of a bachache throughout the program ;( ;( . It's really easy in this program to get fixated on the numbers and push yourself too hard to lift more and more weight.

I'm eager to do the program again and kind of "start from scratch" so to speak. I'm eager to see how much better my results will be when I concentrate more on technique rather than the poundage I'm using.

Deni
 
Ahhh...don't be scared, you will LOVE P90X!!!

I did not follow their nutrition plan at all. I started my Vegan adventure in my 1st P90X rotation May 2004. I would suggest some sort of protein drink within 30 mins of any P90X workout, especially the weight ones. I normally made a smoothie with fruit, soymilk, flaxseed and soy or rice protein powder. For results try your best to eat CLEAN!

I lost 19 lbs the first 6 weeks of being Vegan and P90X. The best results I ever have had. I did the first week as stated but since I am a runner and was getting past and injury I did add running 3 days a week which made me switch to the Doubles rotation. I will say also I added 1 Cathe leg workout and sometimes one of her shoulders, bi's and tri's workouts once during the week. But I am crazy and my body is used to this...:)

I am on my 4th P90X style rotation. Style meaning I am modifying a bit and using Cathe's S&H, GS's and then I'll do the P90X weights weeks 10,11 and 12.

I have to say...I am so excited for all of you getting P90X!!!!!!...:)
 
Kathryn - that sounds much healthier too. I have an issue with drinks and bars. I like FOOD! I've seen the Power Dream Soy Milk in our stores. I'll pick some up. On the bright side - the kids drink my protein shakes (when I buy them), they won't touch soy milk. :+
 
Carolyn - great! You can check in with us and keep us on our toes!!!

Oh, I know a question I had - what weight dumbbells do you need? I have up to 20 and beyond if I include my adjustable dumbbells. I can go above 20 for one-armed rows and things like that. Should I get higher weights?
 
>Carolyn - great! You can check in with us and keep us on our
>toes!!!
>
>Oh, I know a question I had - what weight dumbbells do you
>need? I have up to 20 and beyond if I include my adjustable
>dumbbells. I can go above 20 for one-armed rows and things
>like that. Should I get higher weights?

You might try 20 first. If your adjustable go higher then you don't need to buy anything else I'd think. I'm spoiled and bought the Bowflex Select Tech adjustable Dumbells...they go from 5 to 52.5 lbs each. In 2.5 lb increments until 25 lbs then it is 5 lb increments.

I'd love to check in with your group...:)
 
I just ordered the P90X...waiting for it to arrive. Hoping to start it around the same time you are. I'm so glad you posted this! It answered some of my questions!
Looking forward to starting it!
Alicia:)
 
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