Ok, just did chest, shoulder, triceps and it just shows that I have no strength in my chest. The work out pushes my triceps hard. It feels like they are about to burst. From that point, push ups are just hard to do. Doing the best I can on knees lol. More progress on ABX. Mason Twist Im doing about 20-30 with feet up, rest w/ feet down. I couldnt do any with feet up in the beginning. Fifer Scissors are too tough but I think Im doing better if I use more ab muscles to hold my legs up.

Robert

What is everyone eating for calories and what are your stats?
I am 222lbs and shoot for 1800 net cals a day (Male, 5'10" and 26 yr old)
I need to dial in on my cals but see suggestions that I am eating either not enough or just right to lose.
Also, I started thsi blog back on June 6th and just want everyone to know I am still doing p90x and am on phase two and although my weight has not changed my whole body has lost a half and inch and i can see veins in my arms from my delts to my elbows...which is awesome.
hope everyone is doing well and bringing it awesome

Robert,

Awesome! You are making great gains! I can't stand those scissors and I cringe when he says them. I can't extend my leg all the way but working hard at them.

JB

BringIt! Glad to see you are still with us. There are about 3-4 of us that are still active on this thread and it helps to be accountable to others in the same boat.

I think you need to dial in your diet to help make the gains you want. The diet really is 50% of the battle... From what I read, you need to up your calories a bit and make sure you are hitting the appropriate servings. If you are not eating enough you will not have the energy to mentally/physically make it through the workouts. I have experienced this a couple of times. I find that I am constantly adjusting here and there to find where my body responds. In the end, you have to do what is right for your body.

How are your workouts going?

I need to get and post my stats...I have definitely slimmed down quite a bit...with 2 inches just in the waist alone. Hooah!

Knocked out legs and back this morning. Having a miserable workout week...feel like it is a struggle to get moving and finish up. Not sure what my problem is...just hoping it goes away quickly. I think I just need a mental break. Ha! Little under the weather today so there was no extra cardio. Diet is going pretty good....not too worried about it at the moment.

Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you!!

Bad workout days happen to all of us. Just do your best and forget the rest.

Remember...you win if you work out!

Kevin

Kevin wrote:

QUOTE:
Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you!!

Bad workout days happen to all of us. Just do your best and forget the rest.

Remember...you win if you work out!

Kevin

Thanks, Kevin!

Kenpo workout complete. Felt pretty good before, during and after. It is not my favorite workout, but I was satisfied with the effort. After a rest day tomorrow, week 6 will be in the books. Targeting a run for this afternoon if I can find a hole in my schedule.

JB

Was wondering, what are you guys doing for reps? Are you always doing 8-10 reps w/ maximum weight?

I think the number of reps are getting to my head. Trying to do more reps to beat the last time. I noticed Ive been doing 12+ reps because Ive always thought 12 was the right number. I think I have to change my mind set and try to increase weight to stay in 8-10 reps.

Robert

Robert,

I depends on your goal. If you're going primarily for strength gains and maximum muscle mass gains, do fewer reps with more weight. So start at 8 reps, with the last 2-3 reps burning (if you're wondering in your mind if you can reach the goal you've set for a rep number because of muscle burning, you're at the right weight). Build that up to about 10 reps and then go up in weight when you can do 10 reps with only a minimal burn.

If you're going primarily for calorie burning and you're willing to accept a little less muscle mass gain, go for 12-15 reps. The same rules apply as outlined above, and you should definitely feel a burn with the last 2-3 reps. If you can get 15 reps in with minimal burn, it's time to increase the weight. You will gain muscle, but the gain won't be quite as much as it would be if you were doing 8-10 reps.

There are some exercises (usually pull ups, push ups, etc) where you're going for maximum reps. Some days, you'll feel like cranking out a bunch, but other days will be more difficult and you may not crank out as many. It's okay, you win if you exercise. In general, you'll find yourself increasing the number of reps with time for each of the exercises as your fitness improves.

Also, over time your goals may change. I've been doing the program for over a year, and I really don't want more muscle mass at this point. I'd like to get rid of more fat so I'm doing lean. Still, my workout weights with dumbbells are higher than they would have been this time last year. And I'm doing more push ups and pull ups than this time last year. It's a long-term commitment for me now and I'm willing to accept stable muscle for a calorie burn. But, man, what a calorie burn!!! So, in my workouts, I'll start for the muscle gain group by doing 8 reps. I'll gradually increase that to 10, 12, and then 15 reps before going up in weight. That way, I add strength and then endurance. But I started doing Classic and went for the 8-10 reps range my first run through the program.

Hope this helps...

Kevin

Kevin,

Thank you for your excellent reply! This is going to help. P90X is the first real workout program Im doing in my life. So you can tell Im not too knowledgeable on weightlifting but Im learning as I go.

In Phase 1, I was limited to a max of 20-25lb dumbbells because of lack of equipment. Im going to have to pick up some more dumbbells/weights so it can allow me to go up in weight. Also need to get more dumbbell bars so there would be less downtime (changing weights between exercises, it sucks). Selectable weights are cool but expensive.

Thanks again

Robert

Glad I was able to help!

Learning about this is half the fun! You'll be in better touch with your body and you'll have a better awareness of the messages it sends you. I know it can sound a little out in left field, but there is some truth to it.

Those selectable weights are great, but you're right about the expense. I bought a set of the Bowflex Selec-Tech dumbbells and really love them. But it about broke the bank! Yes, you can make payments, but it's not an option for many. E-bay or Craigslist might be good options for used equipment. We have a fitness store that takes old equipment for trade-in on consignment, so you could search for a used set if you have a similar store near you. Weider is one of several manufacturers who make quick-change sets and they have a very nice set that a friend of mine bought. They're about a third less expensive than the Bowflex. The Bowflex handles and grips just worked better for my hands, and I just recently stopped grousing about the added cost!

Great posts, Kevin. Thanks for the information.

I bought the selec-techs and they are fantastic. I slide in and out of weights with just a couple of clicks. Totally recommend them. I personally am working in the 8-10 range. As my strength is rapidly increasing, I am having to dial in different weights all the time. I use the previous week's worksheet to target where I need to start.

JB

Knocked out chest, shoulders and tris today. Great workout...making fantastic gains and feeling great. However...I was pretty wiped out when I finished. I went into ARX and stunk it up. I typically spread them out over the course of the day and can pretty much keep up with all the exercises as they do them on the DVD. Today...not so much. I chatted with my coach about it and he told me that some are doing them on the cardio days....Mmmmmm....I like that idea. I am going to experiment a bit with it to find a better schedule. I am still seeing dramatic results...despite my diet not being absolutely perfect.

JB

Started this week MUCH better...mentally stronger and pushing forward. Had plyo today and it didn't kill me. Didn't even have to pause. The gang on the DVD end up being a couple reps faster than me, but I was hanging in there. Even had my arms straight up for some of the exercises. Diet has stunk this weekend....adult birthday party...Coronas....lots of food....onion dip..... Ugh! Refocusing today!

Hope you all are kicking butt!

JB

Hey guys, I'm still around. Work and family plus p90x makes posting often difficult, but I'm still keeping up with you guys.

I finished week 6 strong. I feel great. The workouts have gotten much more tolerable and I have lost a total of 14 pounds. I can see alittle definition in my arms and shoulders. I don't quite look like the guys on the commercials but I am definitely thinner, leaner and a few people at work are wondering if I'm losing weight because I'm ill.

I am unfortunately taking a week off the program to go camping in the mountains tonight and will be back next Saturday. I'm going to try and watch my diet and find some cardio activity to do. I just hope to have the motivation to resume things when I get back.

Stay strong guys. I'll be week behind when I come back but I'll still post on this thread.

Chuck

Just finished week 6. Had to do X Stretch as my glutes are sore from legs/back. Feel great! My weekly weigh in was another loss! So far 10lbs gone (213-203) & 1 pant size down. Had to buy new pants as I got tired of using a belt on a size 38.

JB, Yea its hard when you have to go to a party. On the last invite, I ate beforehand and pretended to eat at the party LOL.. there was absolutely NOTHING healthy there, but then again whats are party without wings, burgers, chips/dips!!

Chuck, awesome job on the weight loss! Ive noticed those guys on the commercial start out way leaner than I did so I expect the results to be "not typical". Im sure if I started this with a low body fat or have had previous training before, Ill be ripped too. However I am losing weight and slowly building muscle. Im happy with the results and maybe in round 2 for me, ill start to look like those other guys.

Robert

Robert, sounds like you are kicking butt! I bet it was cool to go buy some new clothes. I still have my skinny clothes...so it is a bit easier on the wallet. Ha!

Chuck, enjoy your vacation. I have a similar dilemma coming in two weeks. Source of some serious stress! You will figure it out. No worries.

Knocked out arms and back today. Felt great. I still am struggling with unassisted pullups. I am definitely getting stronger and my assisted pullups have rocketed up by almost 20 reps. Not sure what the issue is...might be a mental problem. I attempted wide grip unassisted and was able to almost complete one...I still feel it was an accomplishment. Getting ready to go out for a run...the weather is nice and I am itching to burn some calories. Another bbq tonight. I am going to try Robert's method of fake eating. I might be able to pull it off. I am on the road again and the diet will suffer. Bought some lean cuisine meals to at least try and eat okay.

Hooah!

Just finished about a 3.25 mile run...give or take a bit...burned about 600 calories while staying at 80% HR....pretty slow and mellow run. Felt great! Followed up with ARX and another 150 or so calories. Not too shabby. ARX wasn't my most spirited but I completed about 320 or so reps. The first three sets max out my hip flexors and I have to break in the middle. I am getting better about gutting them out. Pulse ups are still a bit of a challenge....maison twists I have nailed...no problems there. Periodically I can taste my lunch afterwards, but that is about it.

JB

Hey all, I started on June 11th and recently found this forum while googling something. I've been reading along and you all are doing great! I'm new to the fitness thing... 34 years old and haven't been in shape since high school. I'm finishing up week 6 now, and so far I've lost 9 lbs, 2 inches on my beer belly, 1 inch on my chest (deflating the "moobs" ) and gained a half inch on my arms.

I'll start posting with you all to keep myself motivated! Keep fighting the good fight!