anyone attempt p90x?

I have been doing p90x for about 2 weeks. I have lost 3 pounds so far but I've been following the diet of 50%protein, 30%carbs and 20%fat. I'm going to do this for 2 weeks or so then increase my carbs. The videos are brutal and I've been working out for years and used to compete in triathlons! I was wondering if anybody has completed the full 12 weeks and if so, what were the results? H

Did 2 weeks of p90x lean, then went on vacation - starting back at it this last week.  sorry, obviously no results to post, but want to get back at it. Usually I'm a runner , and its hard for me to give that up and can't fit in more than a bit of running with this program. So, way to go! I want to encourage you to keep at these tough workouts - great results so far for you!

I'm not good at sticking with that meal plan, but will be back on track with the workouts....going to do abripper and core syn. right now actually....yikes.

ps. good to see fellow BCer on here. I'm in the Fraser Valley.

P90x is Crossfit-like on DVD.  I have no doubt that it is working for you.

However, the problem with DVD based workouts is that it's a DVD and the motivation is not there to complete it, the routines will become stale, you are lacking personal coaching and you may injure yourself, with the lack of coaching, your form may not be 100% correct and your results may not be what they could be.

How is Crossfit different?  First you have top notch coach/instructors who have very good form with the exercises, this directly transfers to the repeat student.  The classes are in a group setting, so the same group of people show up, you make friends, you joke around, you all "suffer" together, you all enjoy the post workout glow together.  You also have competition.  Whether you want to admit it or not, you are competetive.  In a group setting you will try harder than if you were doing the same workout solo.  The home DVD workout has a huge disadvantage with equipment.  Do you have a pullup bar, or space to do it? olympic weights? kettlebells? rowing machine? wrestling mat to practice tumbling? parrallel bars? climbing rope? bongo boards or balance boards?  All this equipment can be incorporated and this is where it gets fun, as a student, you let the instructors mix it u pfor you, sometimes you are working on balance and agility, sometimes it brute strentght, sometimes it's more cardio based, and you get to PLAY with a whole bunch of differerent toys.

Crossfit is constantly varied functional movements.  So the workouts will never repeat unless you are doing a benchmark workout.  The movements are real movements that you use in real life.

I have not done p90x, but I've seen enough of it to know that I'd rather workout with a group of people, make new friends, and have some competition to drive me forward vs come home, try to get motivated to put a DVD whenever I feel like it, then try to put 100% effort into the workout that I've already done 3 time before.  

With P90x, you will hit a plateau, and at that point you need to re-evaluate.  You have to ask yourself how scalable is P90x when all those exercises get too easy and you are not seeing the results anymore.  in Crossfit, the coaches can detect your plateau, and help you push through it.

So... P90x is a start, I don't think it has the legs to stand the test of time, it's marketed via late night TV infomercials, wait 6 months for the next DVD based home workout sensation to hit the tube.  Check out Crossfit for the ultimate workout.

Personal stats are: Male 32, started crossfit 11/22/08 at 153 lbs and 18% bodyfat, today 146 lbs at 13-14% bodyfat, can to 10x more pullups, 5x more pushups, 2x more situps.  Instead of being skinny fat, I'm skinny toned, working up to skinny muscular.

brigatta1, I grew up in Chilliwack! I havn't seen too many poeple from Canada on here. I'm up north now, better off considering all the murders lately eh? I'm happy to say I dropped another pound, thats 4 total. Not craving so many carbs anymore, but I've had to hide the leftover easter candy. I am having a hard time coming up with more lean protein choices.

Joebreese, I would love to spend more time in a gym but I have three kids and theh youngest is 2 months old and very cholicky.  I live in a very small town and there aren't any classes that you are describing. Plus the daycare at the gym is only 3 days a week for 2 hours. This program is perfect for people who just can't get out of the house.

I've done p90x since August.  Just the exercises... I'm up and down with my food so that is the problem.  I don't have great results because I don't follow it 100%.  But I love the workouts as they are different and he keeps you going.  I have done Body for Life and Leanness Lifestyle and have been lifting weights and doing cardio consistently for 9 years.  I liked the p90x change of pace and I like someone talking me thru the movements.  the other upside is the VARIETY of ways you can do it - bands, weights, etc.

all that being said I get burned out and bored.  Some times I do the workouts with using the DVD.  I need to mix it up so most of my cardio is done at the gym now so I don't get distracted.  During p90x Kenpo or Plyo I some times go to fold laundry during the break and get distracted!

It is a great program and I recommend it to anyone needing to workout at home.  And the variety of lifting techniques is bar-none!  For years I have read books, magazines, and surfed the web for more workout routines.  And this takes the cake!

Original Post by hmindel:

Joebreese, I would love to spend more time in a gym but I have three kids and theh youngest is 2 months old and very cholicky.  I live in a very small town and there aren't any classes that you are describing. Plus the daycare at the gym is only 3 days a week for 2 hours. This program is perfect for people who just can't get out of the house.

If your location doesn't accomodate with a Crossfit gym or class schedule, then that's a pretty large obstacle.  As far as time goes, I probably spend less time in the Crossfit gym than most people do on Home DVD workout plans or even the typical GloboGym.  For the first month I just did one day a week or approximately 60 minutes, I was total body sore for 3-4 days after a workout because of the intensity the was put into the workout, I lost lots of body fat that month.  The second month I upped it to two times a week, 120 minutes total commitment for the week.  And then I started noticing some strength and definition.  After that I just found ways to incorporate it into my busy schedule.  

Having kids is a huge burden when it comes to caring for yourself, balance is the key, I'm sure you'll find it.  P90x is better than nothing, but it will get stale and statistacally speaking, you'll stop doing it because of factors I listed earlier.

I've just finished my third week.  I love it!!  It's such an awesome program, I am already seeing some serious results in my body.  I can see some abs poking out.  Woo Hoo!!  I've never had defined abs, its awesome!  I cant wait to see the full transformation when I'm through.

Joe~  I disagree with you completly.  Just my opinion.

To HMindell: I grew up in Chilliwack too, I'm a few years older though, so probably wouldn't have connected. Sardis grad '90. You? do you still have family around here?

I so agree with you about the P90X - with young kids and schedules, I would hardly ever make it to a scheduled class. It's engaging enough to keep me going, and I can do it at 6am, noon, 10pm, whenever. And intense! I'm pretty fit, and this is challenging me....now if only I could fix my eating....that chocolate and ice cream keeps sucking me in...then I'll see even better results. Tomorrow, no more sugar. Aaahhgg!

To all of you....whatever works to get fit, I encourage you to keep at it. Personally, I am also with the ladies and moms and the home P90X system!

Good luck!

OK this is pretty wierd, what are the chances, I graduated in 94 from Sardis, my brother in 92. My parents still live in Sardis. My maiden name was Bergen.

I found that my sugar cravings lasted only a few days, them it was pretty easy to stay at 30% carbs. Atleast its only temp. otherwise I don't know how motivated I would be.

Is your brother Jason Bergen, by any chance? I can't remember if he was 1 or 2 yrs behind me. Too funny, small world.....

o.k., you are right, cravings getting less each day. Woohoo! Last I tried though I found it incredibly difficult to get that much protein in. Anyway, I'll follow it loosely and eat smart. I'm not fitting in the proper workout program this week either - crazy busy  :( .  Do what I can.

Have a great rest of the week!

no, my brother is Matt Bergen. No relation to Jason.

It is hard to get all the calories when eating that much protein. Some days I'm only getting 1200-1300. It seems weird to be eating when your not hungry. but you have to eat all the time!

I plan to give this a go (officially) on Saturday (with Friday being my rest day).  Just for fun I tried the Yoga, Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper.  So far I enjoyed them all.  I'm in pretty good shape right now.  I lost 50 lbs (230 down to 180 - 5'10.5" Male) from April to November last year (change in diet, no exercise), then did 3 months at the gym to try and get toned up before going to Mexico with my wife in Feb.  After I got back, as my reward for loosing weight, I started doing Kyukushin Karate (about 7 weeks ago).  I love doing Karate, and I was hoping it would help me get toned (well ripped really), but it's mostly cardio and I only go 3 times/week.  For this program, I figure I will do Karate in place of the cardio days.  It works well since the program is structured as weights, cardio, weights, cardio, etc etc.  For me, with a slight modification to the classic program, the first month will be....

Sat - Karate, Yoga X

Sun - Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X

Mon - Karate

Tues - Shoulders & Arms, Ab Rippper X

Wed - Karate

Thurs - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

Fri - Rest or X Stretch

I'm also going to give the nutrition plan a try as well.  It's calorie based with a focus on getting the proper ratio of protein, carbs & fat.  I haven't really paid much attention to the ratio of nutrients I have been consuming, just calorie amounts.  So I'm hoping that this plus the exercise program will get me in Xtreme shape.  Bring it!  =)