lskarp wrote:

QUOTE:
I have been thinking about this post and here is my take on it.

A lot will depend on your entering fitness level. Steph, did you do a Body Fat analysis?? If not, you can get a scale at target for like $20-25 that will do it. Or get calipers for like $15 at the health food store.

If you have not worked out before like this, even Lean will pack on some muscle weight pretty fast. Probably canceling any fat loss on the scale. If you want to lose straight fat, then cardio is the way to go. But it is short term loss as when you stop, you will gain it back. The idea with P90 in the lean course is to put on SOME muscle that will raise your Base Metabolic Rate. So you will burn more just sitting around. You will also get some tone.

Do a body fat analysis. You will be surprised at the progress. I can tell you, in classic, the scale is not really moving for me, but the %%% are in teh right direction for sure.

AS of this morning we are on week 3 phase I.
I did not do the fat analysis but I have seen a difference in my hips/thighs already. Stay off the scales. I see and feel a difference in certain areas. Keep bringing it and you will see

P90X ADDICT wrote:
[quote]vantree wrote:

QUOTE:
Are there any females who have completed all 3 phases of the P90X? Or at least the first 2 phases? And if so, what were your results? I'm going into my 3rd week of phase 1 doing the Lean version. I've been following the nutrition plan and have completed the first two weeks of the workouts. I'm Level 1 with an 1,800 calorie intake. I weigh 145, I'm trying to loose 20 pounds, and so far I'm not seeing any results either on the scale or in my clothing. I'm actually quite frustrated with the program. I'm 5'3'' so I have fat to lose. I've had two kids within the last 3 years, and my pre-pregnancy weight was 120-125, so my goal isn't unrealistic. I don't know if I should keep going with the program, cut-down my caloric intake or what? The first phase is called "Fat Shredder" I would think that I'd see some results by now being that I'm going into week 3 of this phase. Please someone let me know what you think.

I am on week 4, Phase I of the classic version. I am a level I consuming around 1,800 calories per day. I lost 2-3 lbs in the first week but haven't lost any weight since. I can see and feel slight changes in my body, but not a lot at this point. I am definitely stronger than when I started though. I did a lot of running, biking, and tae-bo before this, ate really healthy, and was in pretty good shape. So this could be why I haven't seen major changes. I carry most of my excess fat in my stomach area and it seems to be a hard place to tone up. So hopefully Phase II will take care of that. It seems that it takes women a bit longer to see results if you don't start out with a lot of weight to lose.

Hi. I am on week 6 day 1 of the classic version. I have definitely seen results so far. I am 5'7 and started out at 145. My goals are to lose fat and get toned (probably every females' goalsAs of day 28 (I'm on 36 now) I had only lost about 3lbs but I had lost 5 inches. And my pictures (which I am still trying to post) show results. I am a level I also and usually get around 1800 calories. Some days it's less but then other days it's around 1900.

Not that you need extra workouts with this program, but I do some extra cardio sometimes. I had been working out at a gym for 5 or 6 years before this and I was used to doing cardio at least 4 times a week. So 2 or 3 times a week I do an extra 30-45 minutes of running, walking or the eliptical.

I was really frustrated at first too but I decided to keep going and now I am soooo happy that I did. For me, the change in nutrition has been the most important factor. I always exercised a lot and ate somewhat healthy but not like this! So before this, I was just maintaining weight. I wasn't overweight, but I want that perfect bikini body...we'll see

Good luck...keep bringing it and stick to the nutrition plan...it'll happen!!

Wow! Thank you all so much for the responses! So the bottom line for me is to keep going. I asked my husband if I was being too impatient, so I probably was. It's very inspiring to hear all of your personal stories. Thanks again!

Hi everyone,

I am on day 2, and I have to say following the plan has been a bit tough! I have been trying to organize myself accordingly for all of my meals, something I am not used to.

I guess my biggest fears were eating 1800 cals a day with only a few days out of the week of cardio. (I am doing the classic program) I am wondering if I should switch to lean if I want to see the fat come off?

If you're in it to loose weight you should go the Lean route, because the Classic route, although, depending on your body type, you might not bulk up but there is no escaping getting toned if not super toned, just because of the work you put into it which is the reason why you can be dieting and do P90X you just won't survive.

another thing to consider is that although the classic program calls for 2 days of cardio the resistance days will make you burn about 600 calories so it's not like you're just moving from machine to machine going to your routine at the gym.

I can't say for myself, but there is a user on here that posted his day 1 - day 30 pics in the pics section who was doing the classic version and he dropped what looks like a lot of weight and toned up at the same thing. If you follow the fat shredder guide as closely as possible you should trim fat.

P.s. - The person's username is Fish. I recommend checking out his pics to see if that kind of weight loss is what you're looking for.

Hi,

I highly recommend to eat no less than 1800 calories a day. If you put your body in too much of a calorie deficit than you will slow down your metabolism and your body will hold on to any fat that you already have or consume.

Im speaking from experience. I ate less than 1500 calories a day and exercised 5 days a week for a couple of years and yes I got fairly thin but as soon as I stopped doing that I gained 20 lbs! Eating such few calories also seriously messed up my digestive system and other things in my body. I was moody eating such few calories, had constant dizzy spells and cravings. I gained 15 lbs since february and I eat fairly clean, this is because I had some health problems and was unable to exercise at the same intensity for the past few months. I slowed down my metabolism and regret how I have treated my body

I am seeing a dietician and slowly have been increasing my caloric intake and feel SO MUCH BETTER. I also started doing p90x again

If you do not eat enough, you will eventually crash and not be able to complete the program. Please treat yourself well and you will surpass your goals!!

D

Cheergirl wrote:

QUOTE:
Hi,

I highly recommend to eat no less than 1800 calories a day. If you put your body in too much of a calorie deficit than you will slow down your metabolism and your body will hold on to any fat that you already have or consume.

Im speaking from experience. I ate less than 1500 calories a day and exercised 5 days a week for a couple of years and yes I got fairly thin but as soon as I stopped doing that I gained 20 lbs! Eating such few calories also seriously messed up my digestive system and other things in my body. I was moody eating such few calories, had constant dizzy spells and cravings. I gained 15 lbs since february and I eat fairly clean, this is because I had some health problems and was unable to exercise at the same intensity for the past few months. I slowed down my metabolism and regret how I have treated my body

I am seeing a dietician and slowly have been increasing my caloric intake and feel SO MUCH BETTER. I also started doing p90x again :)

If you do not eat enough, you will eventually crash and not be able to complete the program. Please treat yourself well and you will surpass your goals!!

D

That is a great story followed by some good advice!

If you do not eat enough calories, yes your body will go into shock. I like to think of it as a "sponge mode". Once you are in the sponge mode you ring out the fat by exercising. But as soon as you eat some, you it absorb it really fast. Then it takes longer to ring it out back to what it was.

By eating right and exercise the sponge becomes smaller because it knows it does not need to preserve anything because it is getting the intake it needs. Then after while it is really small! But start eating bad and starving yourself it will grow back!

Thanks guys that is helpful info. Day 3 now I am trying to work my way up to 1800. Yesterday I ate 1600. The funny part is that now it isn't really about the worry of getting chubby eating that much, it is more about the fact that since I am eating way more protein than I normally do, I am having trouble eating so much because I am so full! (Not such a bad prob to have though, lol)And also, it is amazing how little calories you consume when you eat healthy. I never ate tons of junk but I have to admit I was a processed food queen. I noticed yesterday when I did my plyo workout I had more energy than when I normally do aerobics....and that was just from 2 days of eating better!

Do most women do the lean program or the classic? Just curious. I may stick with the classic and maybe throw in an extra cardio session.

Another question: there was mention that each training session burns around 600. I am not sure if that is so true for me....I don't work-out with super-heavy weights, like for the shoulder and bicep workout I am only using 5, 8, and 10 pounds. So I am not sure if I am really burning all those cals like the guys that are lifting huge?

Great question... you will see many and many different opinions out there. One study said this, one study said that. It's just all over the place. In theory, yes you will burn just as many. Some say you will burn more and vise versa.

But the current poll says you will actually burn more because of continued repetition.

Just curious, but with the extra protein you're eating are you also taking in more carbs?

Well, I am trying to stick with the diet plan, level 1, so in terms of carbs, I am getting them from veggies, dairy, fruit and once a day I have a serving of carbs, so whole grain bread or maybe rice for dinner. So far I think I am ok, I tend to get really shaky if I haven't eaten enough carbs, normally I can't get through a workout, so I think I am alright there?

Yeah sounds alright. I was just worried that with the extra protein intake you were also overdoing the carbs and that would defeat the whole purpose of the Phase 1 nutrition plan. All is well though

Ok great thanks. The weirdest thing is that I am not missing all of the pasta, sandwiches, toast, etc that I used to eat. I pretty much ate bread or pasta at every meal.