We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Questions for those who have done p90x

cgilles9
cgilles9 Posts: 53 Member
edited January 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm starting a p90x program in order to lose some weight, but I'm not sure what to do for my daily caloric intake goals. MFP has my goal set at 1800 calories a day, but when I did the formula for the nutrient level for p90x, it has me at 3000 calories per day. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what did you do? I know p90x is intense, so I understand the additional calories needed, but that is nearly double what I'm supposed to eat with MFP.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    MFP gives you a calorie intake before exercise. If you log exercise, the calories you burned will be added to your daily intake.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    Unless you are TRYING to bulk (gain weight) you really don't need 3,000 calories, especially with a program like P90X
  • cgilles9
    cgilles9 Posts: 53 Member
    Okay, that makes sense. I'm definitely not trying to gain weight. :) I'm just trying to decide which nutrition level I should be following for the nutrition plan.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    At 5'10" I ate 3,000 calories and exercised twice a day in order to gain about 20 pounds (not all muscle). I went from about 180 - 200 in a few months.
  • Plates559
    Plates559 Posts: 869 Member
    I am now slowly gaining about 4 pounds a month eating around 2,500 calories a day.
  • mirthfuldragon
    mirthfuldragon Posts: 124 Member
    The P90x nutrition guide is a bit confusing - I'm currently on day 75 of classic program, and I'm throwing in doubles at the gym in swimming and spin class, along with the normal classic program.

    P90x calls the nutrition plans "phases," which in my mind is a misnomer. In the program guide, it states that you can use any phase at any time, based on your needs. I'll describe them below; please forgive any numerical innacuracy, as I don't have my guidebook in hand. The phases are not supposed to coincide with the program training blocks.

    Phase 1 - Fat Shredder- 1,800 calories, 50% protein, 30% carbs, 20% fat. This plan is generally for weight loss. I have been following it, since I am using P90x to crack a plateau and drive to my goal weight. I personally have found the 50% protein to be almost impossible, as a practical matter. My macros are currently set to 40%/40%/20%, since that is more realistic for me. It also puts my protein goals at 175g, which follows the general rule of 1g per pound of lean body mass.

    Phase 2 - Energy Booster - a balanced approach, for slight weight loss and performance. 2,400 calories, 40/40/20 macros. Generally speaking, this would be maintenance, more or less, for the typical 2nd round P90x participant, or someone who is at his or her goal weight at the start.

    Phase 3 - Endurance Maximizer - 3,000 calories, 20/60/20, carb-heaving. This diet is what I would use during the last two months of triathlon training, or two-a-day training schedules, and days when I bike for three hours or other long, intense, cardio/endurance activities.

    If you're trying to lose weight, then stay in phase 1. If you are at or near your goal weight, then use phase 2. If you are using P90x to supplement your marathon/triathlon training schedule, go to Phase 3.

    From a quick glance at your profile, it seems your primary goal is to lose weight; based on that , stick at 1,800 calories, keep your protein up, and have fun. I've enjoyed P90x, and it has helped me lose some very stubborn pounds, and I'm in the best shape of my life. Plyo and Yoga will be routines I keep doing long after I finish this program, and every time I do Ab Ripper, it feels just as rough as the first time, despite huge subjective gains in my ability.
  • Mighty_Rabite
    Mighty_Rabite Posts: 581 Member
    When I started P90X, I weighed about 185lbs and estimated I was around 27% body fat. I stuck to about 1800 calories per day, focusing on getting at least 150-160g protein per day, and that really did the trick.
  • proton77
    proton77 Posts: 409
    Hi UCB1984,

    Was 1800 your net calories (after deducting the calories burned from the p90x workout)?

    I'm in my 4th week of p90x classic. I weighed about 187lbs when I started. In the first 2 weeks I dropped about 6lbs. I lost about a pound in the 3rd week. I eat about 1600-1800 cals a day and after the workout I net about 1200-1300. I never felt hungry because I've been eating 5-7 meals a day yet I heard that my net cals should be close to 1800.

    What's your thoughts on this?
This discussion has been closed.

Categories