Starting P90x

I am on the last 2 weeks of the program. And I still struggle with some of the DVD's. I am finally to the point of doing Ab Ripper X all the way through, except the bonus Mason Twists. Plyometrics still leaves me gasping, and I no longer have to take unscheduled breaks. It really depends upon your beginning fitness level as to how long it will take. I know the first month I fought, screamed, and groaned my way through every workout, even the recovery week. The 2nd month was a little better. This final month has been the best. I feel like I have mastered the moves, even if I can't keep up with them all the way through. It does get better, so don't get frustrated. I thought I was in shape until I pushed play.

I'm on the tail end of week 3 and I'm in a similar boat as LifebloomLMT. Everything is super tough and I wake up sore every day. Mind you, I don't mind waking up sore. It makes me feel good in some sick, demented way. Just take your time, work within proper form, and like Tony says, "Do your best and forget the rest." Good luck and have fun with it!

It definitely works. I've lost 1.5 pounds, 1 inch off my stomach, 1 inch off my chest, and added 0.5 inches to my biceps.

I'm just reaching the end of Week #3 now (Recovery Phase, I need you!), and I was doing Kenpo X yesterday and still had to pause the DVD for a moment a little while into it to take a break. That's totally normal. You'll get better. Make sure your form is on target and give those reps that you can do your very best effort. I started with dinky little 3 pound weights when I started a few weeks ago, and I was doing Arms this week and thinking to myself "Am I even lifting a weight right now?" So, I went out and bought a se of 5 pound and 8 pound weights. I'm looking forward to doing the whole thing again in Month #2 and lifting heavier weights.

Hey there, I just started week 5 and the guys are right, some of the stuff is still pretty tough but you get through it. I found push up bars a great help and you will be able to do more and more along the way. Im not messing around with the pull ups at home so Im using the bands and do a couple of pull ups at the gym. Trust me you will feel and see the difference very soon and it feels soooo good Feel free to add me for support and if you have any questions. Always find it very helpful to talk to someone who is doing the same program

I'm 12 days into P90X Lean, and yes it's a challenge...A serious challenge.

How long it takes before one is able to do the exercises unmodified, I'd think is a function of your starting fitness. I know I do many of the exercises (especially the Yoga and Ab Ripper X) modified because I started waaayyyy out of shape. Though, even in the short time I've been doing P90X Lean, I've already noticed that my flexibility and energy levels are much improved -- along with being on a -5lb/wk weight-loss pace. And whereas, in Week One, I couldn't do one downward dog, in the just completed Yoga segment two days ago, I was able to complete the position a couple times, which takes (a surprising amount of) strength and flexibility.

I bet if you do the program faithfully, by the 2nd or third week of phase one you'll find that you're able to do more reps of the modified exercises AND even do more of the exercises in the unmodified fashion. :happy:

Lastly, if you're doing P90X Classic, you may want to consider doing P90X Lean first, to drop a few pounds and increase your fitness level, then after completing it, move back to P90X Classic and see how that works...

Not to sound trite, but like Tony says in the DVDs "Do Your Best, Forget The Rest." I think that's perfect for this situation. *Your body* will let you know when it's ready to do more unmodified exercises.

I just started today!!
Although im not starting properlly until i get back from my holiday in a couple of weeks..
This will be like a test run lol.
Im just doing the Core Synergistics for the first time.
Figured i'd start on Monday.. even though it's sunday.

Hey sister,

My wife and I are starting week 7 tomorrow and If you remain consistent with your workouts--don't skip ANY days, maintain proper form on all exercises and "do your best and forget the rest" you will be fine. It's VERY important to write everything down so you have a goal the next time you do the exercise.

I don't work for Beach Body, but I guarantee improvement if you stick with the program and don't quit. The only thing I had a problem with in the beginning was Yoga (go figure) but I still can't grab my hand under my butt and between my back while in prayer's twist. My wife takes a break on plyometrics after knee jumps but we keep up for the most part and it helps having a partner to motivate and push. I refuse to let my wife out do me in any of the exercises so she is motivating me more than she knows.

We use the 3 band resistance bands and perform an isometric hold on each concentric phase of the exercise. My pull-ups and chin-ups have improved 10 fold. I can do more pull-ups at 45yrs old than I've ever done in my life including my time in the military. I love this program.

Oh my wife starting doing Ab Ripper X in the morning or evening but not doing ab ripper right after doing the other workout. It was a good idea because we both have improved the quality of our ab exercises and I can now do the hard version of each exercise. As long as you do ab ripper on the day scheduled on the program, I don't see why you have to do it back to back.

Get some resistance bands--a wonderful tool for improving strength and form safely.