First Round P90X-ers

It looks like your sad faces at the beginning really did the trick!!! This is one of the longest threads I've seen.
Anyway, I started P90X on January 2, and I planned on doing two complete rounds of it before my wedding on July 3. HOWEVER, after 23 days, my fiance decided that he was ready to start back up (he had been sick and had stopped after three workouts), so I started over this past Monday.
My experience has been mostly positive with this program. I don't follow the diet guide, simply because my fiance doesn't eat very many different things, and I don't want to cook twice. So I just watch my calories, protein, and fat and do the workouts.
My first week was hellish! I'm doing the classic program, and I couldn't even do one pullup. My pushups were all from the knees, not the feet. I was so sore after day one that the first thing I said when I woke up on day 2 was, "Oh ****, I can't move!" I honestly was sore from my head to my hips. That day, I was supposed to do plyo, but I did Cardio instead due to time contraints (I'm a cheerleading coach and had a practice and a game that day, didn't get home till 8). I was holding back puke on that one. I couldn't believe it when day 3 came around and I had to do more arm work! Luckily there were no pullups, but the pushups almost did me in. Yoga kicked my *kitten* (got through 40 minutes the first try). I enjoyed the legs and back but again almost puked. Kenpo is one of my favorites. As a former cheerleader and dancer, I'm very coordinated, but I can completely see how "uncoordinated" people would have trouble with it.
I am technically on day 5 today, since I started over, but my actual 30 day photos, measurements, and weigh-in will be Sunday! I can't wait to see the differences!!!!

Regarding the HRMs and resistance exercises, an HRM won't accurately tell you how many calories you've burned because you're not exerting yourself aerobically. Weight lifting is anaerobic exercise (doesn't use oxygen, for simplicity's sake) so the calories are being burned differently. An HRM assumes that a fast pumping heart is burning more.

Choco, get a set of resistance bands. A bunch of the workouts do require some sort of "pull up/down" resistance and there's no other good substitute (unless you hang upside down and lift dumbbells that way, but that's just ridiculous ). If you don't pick up a pull-up bar, then look for the bands that include a special wedge -- that will brace in a doorway through which the band feeds.

Mojo, take the discs with you. That way, you still have the OPTION to do the exercises if you find the time and energy. Depending on where you are currently, a week missed could be significant but that still depends on you and how quickly you progress. Walking and chasing after kids is tiring, yes, but also considering the sheer spread of junk food all over the place at Disney, it might be worthwhile to just have them on hand in case you feel the need for them.

As a tip for everyone else, if you find a particular exercise or set of exercises easy, increase the intensity -- more weight or more reps. As a rule, if you feel wiped out and all noodley at the end of the session, that's the level of "Bring It" that Tony means. Over the course of the last 25 weeks, I've been slowly increasing the weight for each exercise. My bicep curls started with 8-10 reps of 15 lbs., but I'm up to 25 lbs. now. My lawnmowers started at 40 lbs., but I've maxed out the Bowflex Selectechs I'm using at 52.5 (and I'm considering going to buy a 60 lb-er just for that exercise).

Besides, as you increase the reps and weights, think of how kick-*kitten* you'll feel!

Hi everyone! Just checking in on ya'll over here. SOunds like everyone is getting into the swing of the X!

I am in round 2 & have used bands for all of the pull-ups. There is a door attachment you can use. I am lucky to have a heavy bag stand in my workout room & I attach it to that. You need to attach it way higher than your head when in sitting position. You want it to at least mimick a pull-up movement. Ladies don't dismiss the pull-ups & push-ups...they will help tone "muffin tops" & your core. They don't just benefit men! And fyi...on Legs & Back day, I do ABX 1st. My legs just don't cooperate as well if I do it afterwards.

Personally when my husband or I travel we take p90x w/us. If we have to, we just at least bring the book that spells out the exercises & follow along in the hotel gym. We even brought a whole set of weights w/us in the car last summer so we could continue on our family vacation (no hotal gym). That's just us.

Also to the ladies...lift heavy! as heavy as you can. You will not bulk up. My legs & arms have never been so small (yet also toned). I've had bulky legs my whole life from running track, gymnastics, cheering, etc...I am LOVING those little skinny jeans so popular right now. NEVER did i think i could wear such a thing. Chalean's program follows the same concept as p90x--muscle confusion & muscle fatigue. Look at Chalean. SHe's got a great body. SHe is queen of going heavy.

For anyone not following the nutrition guide, please follow it as best you can. The guide can teach you things about yourself & your body that will follow you long after p90x is done. That's one of the reasons I say p90x changed my LIFE (not just my body).

Great job everyone!!!!!!! Getting through month 1 can be tough since its all so new. Keep it up! :happy:

Hey BiloxiBelle! Thanks for stopping by! Good call on doing ARX first on L&B day. Those bicycles are HARD to do after Legs & Back!!

whew i thought it was just me that had that problem...lol...last week i actually did arx on day 6 and then kenpo in afternoon/evening bc i couldn't even do the arx after l & b...

i actually have a hard time with yoga as well, just don't have a 90 minute block of time in my day, so i break it up into a morning and afternoon session, after about 1/2 way through i call it quits, then in afternoon i restart dvd to do the warm up and then ff up to the point i left off

I took the good advice to do ARX before L&B and that worked out great! I also decided to pause between each of the exercises for 30 seconds, and that really helped my form. I cannot get those reverse bicycles down no matter how hard I try. I can't seem to even make my legs make a circle!

I plan to increase my intensity with heavier weights, but I have to buy them first! LOL. Hoping to do that tonight!

Hi! I am glad you started this thread. I am on my first round of p90x. I just finished day 5. I am not doing the supplements, but I am trying to stick with the 50-30-20 eating plan. I always go over my fat..gotta work on that!

not going to look through all 4 pages to see who said it, but whoever had the idea of ARX first and L & B 2nd, i commend you, i did the whole ARX with no problems today...also whoever said no shoes on ARX another good idea...lastly the 30 sec break in between exercises during ARX excellent recommendation...to all of you bright minds out there thank you for a successful ARX session

dreya rolls - and yeah, my big fat belly gets in the way!

I would probably think that they are fun, if I could get up from them! Anything core and push up related is what I struggle with. That's due to a recent pregnancy. A time during which I did NOTHING. I love Kenpo too! I can kick high and punch all day long.

My knee bothers me on and off. It's my left that's the real problem. My right will get tender if I do too much, but my left will shriek in pain if I even try to walk up and down the steps and bend it at times. I did L&B/abs and Zumba on one day, the next I did Kenpo. It was bothering me horribly during the workouts, so I was being cautious on that side, and being careful not to extend my knee over my ankle. Well, after the workout, I picked up the baby, sat down on the couch to feed her, and as I was sitting down, something just popped in that knee and I could hardly put any weight on it the rest of the day. That was Saturday. So yesterday, I did my scheduled rest day- no stretch or anything, and today it feels 99% better. Did not even bother me during the workout.

WEll, i'm starting tonight....for the very first time doing P90X EVER! I'm a little scared, but after reading everyone's posts, i've got a little more confidence. The hardest part for me is going to be sticking with it every day. i hate to exercise. i mean really hate it. but i know i need to get into better shape, so theres not much else to do, right?!?! But sticking it out every day for 90 DAYS! Whew. that's going to be tough. But I can do it (with all your encouragement and support, of course).

Well wish me luck and i'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!
Laura

Just think of it in one week intervals. Just make it your goal to get through one week at a time. If you think of it as one big chunk of 90 days, it does seem overwhelming! Good luck!

i just recieved my p90x today. i did alittle bit of the first dvd. what i did, i like it alot. i'll do more of it tomorrow. i'll let you how i'm doing on it.

Since I'm feeling a bit better today I'm going to give the Plyometrics dvd a try. I have to modify some of the moves b/c I have a bummed right knee but I did it last week and did survive which is a good thing.

I'll report back once the workout is complete.

Morning everyone!

I was wondering how everyone is doing with the nutrition part of this program? I generally eat pretty healthy so that's not the problem. but i started on Phase 1 (Fat Shredder), Level 1, and am having a terrible time getting all my protein and my calories. I mean, i planned my meals out today and still have 600 calories left and 28 grams of protein! What i've got is chicken, ham, more chicken, eggs, turkey bacon, more chicken, and 2 scoops of protein powder. And it looks like i'm eating TONS!

Anyone have any advice about how to up my calories and protein, but not the fat and carbs? (I always make the fat and carb goal for the day.)
Thanks,
Laura

I just finished my second Shoulders/Arms. I'm coming back later for ARX, but after a little cardio to help me warm up! only 3 days before disney!! I decided not to bring my workouts with me because I know I will not have time for them. I think I'll bring along JM Shred - it's an easy 20 minutes in the morning.