P90X

I would start with the Classic schedule so that you can get use to the exercises and the routine on each disk. Then your second time around start with the Lean. Either schedule is going to kick your butt and show you great results.

Also, if you're motivated, don't be afraid of doubles! I did doubles most of my first round and got great results. Only do them if you're feeling crazy motivated though - you don't want to burn out early!

As a pre-warning - many many many people get a little burned out around day 45-55. Power through it and keep your eye on the goal. Make a big calendar and keep checking off the days. Seeing something on your bedroom/kitchen/living room wall that you stare at all the time will help push you to press play when you don't really feel like it.

One last tip - do Ab Ripper X first before your main workout - it helps to knock it out, then you know you can give the main workout your everything!

Steve

my question is how do y0u add P90X or Insanity workout to your exercise list with out having to list each exercise.

I haven't started P90X yet. I plan to finish the advanced elliptical program I am on and then tackle P90X around April. I can, however, give you my two cents on portions:

I plataued in early January and was getting frustrated. I started reading some articles online and one of the recurring themes revolving around weight loss plateaus was "portion creep". You start off OK on portions but slowly add a little more than is necessary and fool yourself into thinking that it is a proper portion. The best $28 bucks I have spent this year was on a household food scale. I bought a middle of the road Taylor scale with a glass top and it measures your food in oz. or grams (grams is the most accurate). I have been on a steady weight loss pace of around 2 pounds a week since then (couples with MFP and my elliptical).

Good luck to you!

If you are extremely out of shape, you shouldn't start out with P90X.. just start out with P90. P90X is for people who just completed P90, or are already in great shape. I know a lot of people who used P90X and end up quitting because they got too sore after the first week and were too discouraged to continue. Just a thought.

I did the classic P90X but honestly, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I did get stronger, but I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted to. Personally I feel that if you need to lose a lot of weight, you should do pilates or a different cardio workout. P90X is great for getting ripped but not necessarily a great cardio workout every day.

I did the classic P90X but honestly, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I did get stronger, but I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted to. Personally I feel that if you need to lose a lot of weight, you should do pilates or a different cardio workout. P90X is great for getting ripped but not necessarily a great cardio workout every day.

What would you recommend?

I was thinking of maybe mixing P90x up with some Zumba or something else. I would just have to figure out what workouts might best suits me to mix it up with.

My workout daily calorie allotment is around 2100-2200 calories and my rest day calorie allotment is 1430. I plan my meals by which day I am on (work out or non-workout) and "budget" calories for each meal. When I am checking the box/label for whatever I am eating, I look at the gram portion (usually in parenthesis) and base my portion size strictly on when the scale hits that magical weight on the scale, no more no less and of course, log it into MyFitnessPal. Focusing on the weight of the portion instead of the "eyeball test" will result in more accurate amounts of food ingested and will result in better weight loss results. If I need to shave a portion a wee bit to fit into my budgeted calorie allotment, I will break out the calculator and figure what a fraction of that portion is in terms of grams and measure that portion instead.

Did I answer your question or am I totally off base with what you were asking?

You aren't going to get bulky. Seriously, you can't even imagine how many cals you would need to eat in a day to bulk up.

Portion sizes are different for everything, but basically it's what can fit into the palm of your hand. Like a deck of cards. Unless you're measuring nuts! You do need a scale and set of measuring cups and spoons. The scale will be your best friend ;-)

my question is how do y0u add P90X or Insanity workout to your exercise list with out having to list each exercise.

Invest in a quality HRM (I use a Polar FT60 but any of their mid-range or higher units will give you accurate calorie burn figures).

I forgot to tell you this! Yes, you need a HRM with chest strap. I use the polar Ft7. I love it! Your HRM will be your best workout friend, your kitchen scale will be your best food friend.

I am female and have been doing P90X for 2 years. You won't get bulky unless you don't follow the nutrition guide (or some other calorie-intake diet plan that works for you). I would skip the Lean and go straight to Classic. There are specific work-out routines, like Plyometrics, that are not used in the Lean routine that as a female who wants to lose weight, you want that extra intensive cardio work-out that also tones muscles without having to "lift weights."

I can tell you that I did gain weight when I first started P90X (and I did do the Lean routine to start). I think it was a combination of muscle-building and the P90X nutrition plan was not right for me. I had a different situation, however: I only had about 10 lbs of baby weight to lose that hadn't yet come off after a year AND I was already fit (I'm a runner) but didn't do any weights or much variety/full body exercises.

Currently I use the weightlifing workouts, ARX, and mix in some of the cardio routines with running and kettlebells. I'd recommend getting through the 90 days and then mix it up or do doubles. If you modify what P90X routines to what you are able to do and work up to what they are doing in the videos, you shouldn't need to get Power 90 first. But the one comment was correct: if you are not used to doing extreme work-outs, don't try to do everything that the "kids" are doing on the video. They have all been doing the routines for months or years. Do what is comfortable and work your way up. You can always do a second round after the first 90 days... I also recommend the Beach Body P90X message boards where you should easily be able to find a "support group" of other people who are just starting out. It helps to keep you on track.