P90X3 vs Counting Calories

urban_ninja

Actually, it's not a contest. My goal was to get fit, have endurance, and be agile. I've done numerous programs and achieved some success, but hit a plateau. Once I realized I was simply eating too much, I've started managing my portions and tracking my intake. I haven't stopped eating the foods I love; just less. I did have a few overage days, but my weekly aggregate was still a deficit. This is sustainable for me. I've tried to do the Beachbody nutrition programs once, but I couldn't live like that! And there was no way I was going to cut carbs or filter myself to certain foods. I LOVE bread, potatoes, and pasta! I'm asian so cutting out rice was crazy talk!

I'm posting my progress since getting the new P90X3 program, and I've seen dramatic improvement. I hope this may inspire others. I still have 30 days left to do in this program. It's 30 minutes per workout, and I also incorporate circuit work for additional strengthening and run training. I exercise 6 days a week and average 60-90 minutes per workout. I love these programs and it works for me (I'm not a coach).

These are simply tools I use to attain my goals.

I believe MFP is the biggest contributor to my success. My friends rock!! You want to lose weight? Account for your calories and exercise to speed up the process. It works!

thrillho3

wow you look awesome! love that you decided to eat what you want, only less. that's the way to do it, to be sustainable, imo. great job, and thanks for the motivation!

minizebu

Congratulations on your progress so far! What a change! Good for you.

impromark

Damn, bro! Looking good!

I'm on a circuit of T25 + treadmill right now and have been getting some decent results after a month. Like you I'm not worrying much about diet content, just calorie counting. Here's hoping I can get some moderate shrinkage as you've seen, we've got nearly identical background and goals. Well done!

Mark

urban_ninja

@Mark, I love your timeline pic. You are right! You're like my twin, except I can't act worth crap! You look great and good luck with your run training. When I started, I couldn't run more than a minute at a time.

bikermike5094

frickin smokin results bro! I'm at the 60 day point as well with p90x 3.. I started at 320 so my results wont be as dramatic this round as yours are.. but i plan to keep doing them. its the greatest 30 minutes of my day!! I'm going to add in P90x ab ripper as well 3x a week. congrats on your progress!!!

Lifelink

Keep hearing good things about P90X in general. I'm bored (and plateauing) with Insanity, so I'm definitely going have to look into acquiring this. Congrats on the results!

urban_ninja

frickin smokin results bro! I'm at the 60 day point as well with p90x 3.. I started at 320 so my results wont be as dramatic this round as yours are.. but i plan to keep doing them. its the greatest 30 minutes of my day!! I'm going to add in P90x ab ripper as well 3x a week. congrats on your progress!!!

@bikermike5094, I know you'll rock it! Calorie counting was the catalyst IMO.

Keep hearing good things about P90X in general. I'm bored (and plateauing) with Insanity, so I'm definitely going have to look into acquiring this. Congrats on the results!

@Lifelink, I liked Insanity and gives you some serious cardio, but I think incorporating strength exercises with weights helps tremendously.

stephdmash

I tried both P90X and Insanity, and both were very hard on my knee (had reconstructive surgery in 2011)..I wish I could do either though - they're both intense!!

KetosisTina

I tried both P90X and Insanity, and both were very hard on my knee (had reconstructive surgery in 2011)..I wish I could do either though - they're both intense!!

You might want to try something like T25 it has a lot of modifications for things like bad knees. I am actually missing 20% of the flesh and 10% of the muscle in my right leg due to necrotizing fasciitis. (look more like a shark took a bite out of my leg) but anyway. I was able to finish T25 Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. I am currently on the last Block of P90x3. Yeah like you Insanity was just too intense for my leg.

So trust me when I say if I can do it anyone can.. I could even do 1 jumping jack when I started. Just message me if you want more info.

urban_ninja

I tried both P90X and Insanity, and both were very hard on my knee (had reconstructive surgery in 2011)..I wish I could do either though - they're both intense!!

You might want to try something like T25 it has a lot of modifications for things like bad knees. I am actually missing 20% of the flesh and 10% of the muscle in my right leg due to necrotizing fasciitis. (look more like a shark took a bite out of my leg) but anyway. I was able to finish T25 Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. I am currently on the last Block of P90x3. Yeah like you Insanity was just too intense for my leg.

So trust me when I say if I can do it anyone can.. I could even do 1 jumping jack when I started. Just message me if you want more info.

I totally can relate to knee problems. I had bone grafting surgery done to my knee due to cancer. When I first started exercising, I had the modify the hell out of everything. Although my post reflects 60 days, my efforts spanned over years just to get the strength and mobility in my leg.

ladywizard43

You are so rocking this program Steve! A real inspiration to all of us! I This program is hard, but so worth it!! Keep up the amazing work, I'll be watching your updates!! Can't wait to see day 90!!!

Minnesnowtagurl

Wow this is truly motivating.
You are doing an awesome job!!!!

urban_ninja

I'm just playin. LOL But you are looking scrumpdiddlyumptious. Keep up the great work!!!

Thanks! :flowerforyou:

I do pair well with chocolate and the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!

bradXdale

Yay another P90X3'r! I've lost (visibly) a LOT of inches. I have pictures too but I'm waiting to finish the program to post them, yet I've only lost about 12 pounds on the scale (which I could care less about).

Great results, keep us posted as shall I!

KristaWeiss

wow, those are great results!

urban_ninja

Yay another P90X3'r! I've lost (visibly) a LOT of inches. I have pictures too but I'm waiting to finish the program to post them, yet I've only lost about 12 pounds on the scale (which I could care less about).

Great results, keep us posted as shall I!

Yup! I lost about 20lbs since the start of the year. I record the weight but it's not a significant metric for me either. I've also lost 10 inches in waist and neck total.

Keep rocking it, and I look forward to seeing your results.

nyiballs

I wish I took a before picture... I'm down 40 pounds and 4 inches so far on p90x3 at 10 weeks in... Definitely gonna finish, rinse, And repeat. Started at 250 and a 42 waist. Ultimate goal is 185 and 34 inch waist.

KetosisTina

I don't know how many times I hear folks say how the wished they had taken before pick. You are not alone. Many are just too embarrassed or just forget. Yeah I was in a wheelchair for 4 months before I started T25 and you think I have and picks of me in the wheel chair. No. I have a few close up shots of my leg injury but nothing saying "hey look at me I'm in a wheelchair". You just don't think to take them.

My hubby is down 85 lbs and we had to dig up pick of him for before pics. He just never liked taking picture when he was 305 lbs.

Victoria2448

Awesome job! Way to go!!! Very motivating!

I am just finishing up X3, I love it, it's so challenging..how about those crane crackers! :laugh:

mackemom

what happened to that belly!?
You look great!

MelisaBegins

Nice work! You look great. I love your straight-forward approach to the process: eating a sensible amount of food + working out. I'll be 40 this year and the lightbulb has finally *FINALLY* gone on for me that that combination WORKS. It's no joke, and not easy, but it WORKS. You are living proof! Thanks for sharing.

icandowhateveriputmymindto

Someone is looking hot!! And I also love how in the last picture you have a smile

urban_ninja

Nice work! You look great. I love your straight-forward approach to the process: eating a sensible amount of food + working out. I'll be 40 this year and the lightbulb has finally *FINALLY* gone on for me that that combination WORKS. It's no joke, and not easy, but it WORKS. You are living proof! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! Just the other day, my bother in-law asked me how I did it. I just told him I manage my portions and don't eat too much. He just shook his head and responded, "Yeah, right! You wouldn't be losing weight if you didn't do P90X videos." :huh:

I replied, "I still would, but it would take longer".

His response to that was, "Yeah, but you have to cut carbs and candy like me!" :noway:

impromark

"Bother-in-law".

Some guys will always have an excuse - I certainly did, for many years. But when anyone just buckles down and DOES SOMETHING, it's remarkable how easy it can be.

I lost my first 20 pounds just by swapping diets from cans and microwaveable packs of pure bachelor, chow to a much more average intake of volume and composition. Also, eating breakfast instead of skipping is key! Working out is just the accelerator for me.

Mark

urban_ninja

Working out is just the accelerator for me.

AMEN!

jazz_h

I'm on week 11 of p90x3. Might be late to be asking this, but are u guys eating back ur calories burned to maintain the calorie goal in the nutrition guide. Mine is 1500 calories and I generally eat 1600-1800 calories to take into account calories burned.

Is that ok? I'm asking coz I have just lost 3 lbs in ths whole program and its almost finishing!!

urban_ninja

I'm on week 11 of p90x3. Might be late to be asking this, but are u guys eating back ur calories burned to maintain the calorie goal in the nutrition guide. Mine is 1500 calories and I generally eat 1600-1800 calories to take into account calories burned.

Is that ok? I'm asking coz I have just lost 3 lbs in ths whole program and its almost finishing!!

Although you only lost 3lbs, what about your measurements? Any improvement there?

Mine is set around 1600 cals daily, and yes, I do eat back my exercised calories since MFP already accounted for the deficit. However, I leave a little buffer when I have to use the MFP database or cannot accurately measure the amount of food. I also log all my condiments since they can add up. On average, I rarely burn more than 300 cals on a P90X3 workout, and I push myself hard. I've incorporated additional strength training (3 times a week) and running (4 times a week) afterwards so I'm doing more than just the program.

Try upping your weight. If you are using bands, try switching to free weights (I think it's better). Whenever weight is required for the exercise, I progressively increase it. If I'm not struggle when I hit 10 reps, I up it the next time around.

PM me and I can send you details on the weights and reps I do in the program.

KetosisTina

Don't forget to submit your before and after pics.. Free T-shirt and you could win some cash.

Jaydec70

I am finishing my first round of P90x (original) I bought years ago then lt collect dust until I was "ready". Finally started after shifting the diet last fall. I've been debating doing it again or buying 3. With summer coming I figure the shorter work out inside with other exercise daily makes sense. Heartened to see your results. I think I will invest in 3.

Kat5029

Wow! You look great!

This is such a great thread to read. So glad to see your P90x3 results and read that others have liked it as well. I just ordered it on Sunday to follow up T25. (I'm on week 4 of T25. Bad knees are slowing me down on some of the lunges but for the most part-I love the program. ) Looking forward to P90X3!!

I just joined MFP the other day. I couldn't understand why I wasn't losing a pound- then I started logging my food- I eat "healthy"- however I never realized the amount of fruit I eat during the day, the tablespoons of PB for my veggies...the (2) 8 oz lattes i have each morning at home..- I actually thought i was eating a high protein diet- forgot about the carbs and fat- oops. 'll have to read up on Protein Powder in the posts.