P90X Advice

I'm on day 63 of the program - the final training block. I am happy with my results so far - I'm down right at 15 pounds, and it has helped me break a plateau that I had been on for several months (due to slacking, no paying attention to food, vacations, weddings, etc.). I am not seeing any huge, omg, mega results, but I had lost about 90 pounds prior to starting it, and my diet was already in the right place, so kicking these stubborn final pounds is a triumph.

Modify the moves as necessary, but try and strive to do it the more difficult ways.
If you haven't done Yoga before, the yoga routine will suck. Stick with it - it hits areas you don't normally hit, and balances the program. Remember to do X-Stretch, too; it isn't a true workout, but is complimentary. The guide marks it as optional, but I think it is important.
Up your protein.
Plyometrics is rough and still inspires dread in me. It and yoga are probably, for different reasons, the hardest routines, and probably the two that I will keep doing after the program proper.

The program is certainly do-able by anyone with a solid fitness base, and it can scale up to almost any level of fitness.

As for motivation, if you bring it, you will see results. It will be hard at first, and it will still be hard later, but you will be able to do it better. One of my favorite Tony quotes is something like "Don't say 'I can't,' say 'I currently struggle with,' and over time you'll get better."

I try to workout in the mornings; this morning I just did not have it in me, so this evening it's time to double-down. Commit to yourself and do the workouts.

be very careful and watch your form, don't bother to keep up with the pros on the screen if it meens sacrificing form. I tried P90X about a year ago and was halfway into week one when trying to keep up, I let myself get sloppy and wrecked my back in such a way that it made breathing painful, walking nearly impossible and one time I thought I had to sneeze and seriously the thought scared me to near tears. Kept me sidelined from anything for about 3 weeks.

I still have all the stuff, but the memory of that injury is keeping me gunshy about retrying it. Curently I'm telling myself I'm going to get stronger and healthier and then try it.

So go as hard as you can, but as safely as you can and you'll see results.

I haven't completed it yet, I'm on day 52.. This is my recovery week and I'm so looking forward to it! My suggestions, keep pushing play! Modify when necessary but challenge yourself to at least try. Good luck~

I've done two rounds of P90X and I think it's great! Don't be afraid of lifting heavier weights and stay with the 8-12 reps instead of the 12-15reps. That helped me see better results. I found the Yoga dvd really boring and never really did it. I love X-stretch though and did that instead. Good luck!

There is a lot of good advice in this thread so far. I've been doing P90X, P90X2, Insanity and even some TurboFire for the past 18 months or so. The first week of P90X is the toughest. You'll be sore on Tuesday following the tough Chest and Back workout. You then get Plyometrics which is a big kick in the gut to your self esteem. Shoulders and Arms is a great workout, Yoga X is slow and time consuming (but so worth it), Legs Adan Back is tough and Kenpo is a nice way to end the week.

My advice is to not get discouraged. You will not be able to do all of Ab Ripper X. you will not be able to keep up with everyone during Plyometrics. But, you will get there. I always recommend that you do some of all the exercises rather than all of some of them. In Ab Ripper, concentrate on 10-15 reps of each move and build from there. During Plyo, try to do 15 seconds of the 30 second moves and 30 seconds of the minute long ones. Once you get through the first week, you will be fine.

You can also message me if you have more specific questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Chances are, if you are running into a problem, someone else already has and knows how to work through it. I also like to recommend the worksheets and Excel spreadsheet from the Beachbody site. Keeping track of stuff will show you your improvement and motivate you more.

I completed this about a month ago and I could not be happier with the results. (30 lbs in 90 days) I've never lifted in my life and I haven't been very active the past 20 yrs or so. Honestly, if I can do it, you can do it. I lost weight fast and really saw some results by Week 4. Find a time that works for you so you can get into a routine. For me, 6 am was the time that worked. I knew it had to be the 1st thing or it wasn't going to get done. I didn't turn on the TV, I didn't get the paper, I didn't check my email, I just went downstairs and worked out.
Drink your protein; it really helped me with the recovery. Do the Ab Ripper every time, even when you're beat. I started only doing 10-15 reps instead of the 25; but I was doing all reps by the time the program finished. I didn't take Sunday's off--I did the XStretch because I needed it and I wanted to keep my routine.

Good luck and remember you have lots of support. If you want to complete this, you will.

We hear so much on MFP about if you're going to lift weights - go heavy with low reps.

But when doing P90X, would you use a lighter weight and aim to keep going for the time as the folks do on the DVDs or is it best to stay with low reps high weight and aim to complete within the exercise time slot for that move?

What is the aim of the weight training in P90X?

It is a great workout! I have not finished the program ever. Make sure you watch your form and try not to go to fast or sloppy. If you can't do what they do, dont!!!!