Thread: P90X

My perspective is a bit jaded given I'm a passionate professional in the fitness/health industry who can't stand snakeoil salesman. The creator and marketers behind p90x are for sure about revenue first and helping people second. They use flashy models, misleading and false principles and sell it as science, their own supplement line, etc. But that's all par for the course in this industry, unfortunately.

That said, it's a decent program for people who want to train from their homes. Is there magic to it? Nope. It's just progressive resistance training mixed with a few cardio options (as well as some flexibility stuff). The information they sell for far too much money you could find for free on the net if you knew where to look and searched hard enough.

If you go this route, I'd avoid the nutritional recommendations.

And disregard the goofball trainer's incessant need to cross his arms to form an X and act all hardcore.

I really enjoy the different workouts. They mix them up so you do not get bored. If you are wanting to lose weight I would add another cardio dvd or some running time to this workout. I do not think their cardio is very intensive.
Does anyone know if I should use whey protein to supplement my diet while working out?
CCWilson

There's nothing magic about whey protein powder. If you're not obtaining adequate protein from whole foods in your diet, then sure, powder is a viable way of supplementing your protein intake. Remember, protein requirements actually increase when dieting.

Thank you Stroutman81 and ccwilson, I appreciate your input. I have been trying to find something that is fun, challenging, and show results so I will actually stick with it for more than a few months. I get bored real easy. I have an elliptical, enjoy hiking and kayaking but this winter has been too hard to get outdoors. I want to loose at least 20 more pounds and can’t seem to accomplish this no matter what I do. I eat right (perhaps too little if anything), drink water, was doing cardio 6 or 7 days a week for at least 45 minutes, strength training 2 to 3 days a week and I am not seeing results. I am just searching for something that will work this time…I tried a new gym in addition to my elliptical but I hate the cliques and the atmosphere. I am trying to find a program that is a real program that will actually get me into shape, get me fit, improve my strength, and yes loose some weight (this year).

If you're not losing fat, you're not in a calorie deficit. Simple as that. You're doing *more than* enough exercise (possibly too much) so I'd turn to your nutrition as the primary culprit. You say you're eating too little maybe, but truth be told, most people under-report their true intake.

To do it right, you'd have to buy yourself a digital food scale and sign up to one of the free, online nutrition tracking software sites, so that you can calculate exactly what's entering your body. Since this site disallows any kind of linking out, regardless of usefulness and objectivity, you'll have to PM me if you'd like recommendations for tracking sites.

Lastly, and this is very important, it should be noted that water fluctuations can actually mask true fat loss. By that, I mean you could be losing fat over the course of a month, yet, the scale remains the same (or maybe even goes up). This is a cycle that's all too common with the female clients I've worked with. They'll have a net stagnation in terms of the scale, yet via body fat assessments as well as anthropometric measuring, pictures, the fit of clothing, etc., it's evident fat was loss.

I've come to find that left to their own demise, many folks, especially women who aren't overly fat to begin with, will enter this vicious cycle where they work hard for a period of time (typically a month or so) and they'll gauge all of their progress on the number on the scale. At the end of the time period, since they have so much riding on said number, when they step on the scale and see it hasn't moved in the desired direction, they flip out.

Typically they'll go off their "diet" and binge, only to give it another go with some other fad diet in a few months or so.

Point is, make sure your expectations are aligned with reality. The number on the scale lies through its teeth if you're not careful.

I know most of my issue is my age and that my metabolism has been damaged by the fad diets when I was younger, having kids, and not being active. I took a health and fitness class last semester along with a weight training class. Both professors agreed I was doing all of the right things but the weight and fat was just being very stubborn. I went to my doctor to make sure nothing was physically wrong and she tested everything she could think of and I am fine. I do have a scale that measures the fat percentage so I don’t focus on the scale number like I used to.

I guess what I was hoping for was a program I could do at home that would actually give me the results I want. A few years ago I had lost 70 pounds. How I did this was by walking, taking karate, hiking, riding my bicycle to work three days a week, eating right, and taking Ephedrine. Yes, Ephedrine worked great for me and I wish I could still buy it! I know diet pills typically do not work, but that one did after I hit my plateau.

When we moved to a different state, I regained 30 of the original pounds I lost. I re-lost 10 and struggled on and off with another 12 pounds for the past two years, never reaching my goal weight of 125 - 130 lbs (I am 5’3) so I would like to loose 23 more pounds (or get rid of 9 – 10% of fat). I also want definition and strength all over. I am not looking for a magic pill or system without doing the hard work; I just want to see some results if the scale refuses to move. I also do not have all day to exercise like the rich people do….I have a full time job, a long commute, a family, and go to school part time...so I don’t expect to look like the people selling these programs do. I just want to be in my best shape before I get to old and it becomes harder to get there.

Originally Posted by Josimmon

I know most of my issue is my age and that my metabolism has been damaged by the fad diets when I was younger, having kids, and not being active. I took a health and fitness class last semester along with a weight training class. Both professors agreed I was doing all of the right things but the weight and fat was just being very stubborn. I went to my doctor to make sure nothing was physically wrong and she tested everything she could think of and I am fine.

Metabolism doesn't become permanently screwed up unless they're something going on physiologically. Did your doctor run a complete blood profile to rule out any sort of thyroid issue?

I do have a scale that measures the fat percentage so I don’t focus on the scale number like I used to.

That's good, though BIA scales can be highly inaccurate. Using it to track the trends though isn't terrible. I'd also suggest taking pictures and anthropometric measurements at regular intervals... maybe monthly

I guess what I was hoping for was a program I could do at home that would actually give me the results I want.

What I'm trying to stress is there's no magic in programs. All programs... at least ones that are worthwhile... are built on the same underlying principles. They are specific to your goal, they provide a novel stress to your body that forces adaptation, and they are progressive in that they demand more from your body over time.

The mix of exercises, sets, reps and all the other stuff is secondary and there *really* is no magic to this even though lots of marketers (like p90x) want you to believe there is. As I mentioned above, p90x is a decent program. But it's not magic.

If it gets you working harder and more consistently than you once were... it might do the trick. Who's to say?

A few years ago I had lost 70 pounds. How I did this was by walking, taking karate, hiking, riding my bicycle to work three days a week, eating right, and taking Ephedrine. Yes, Ephedrine worked great for me and I wish I could still buy it! I know diet pills typically do not work, but that one did after I hit my plateau.

Would you say you were more active than then you are now?

Also, ephedrine is a very viable supplement when used properly. There is a ton of research supporting its efficacy. And I'm an anti-pill guy, so that says a lot.

Hey,
Do you guys know how much protein I need per day to build more muscle?
Thanks
CCwilson