My roommate and I just started the plan yesterday. We are doing the Level 1 nutrition along with the classic p90x exercise routines. We both agree that we are eating way more than we are used to in every meal. Is it a good idea to cut the portions in meals?

I think the food is great and all but I notice a lot of men do the P90X and clearly men's metabolisms differ substantially. Now, I know the meals are high in protein for a reason but I guess I'm more concerned about the effects of all this food on my progress in building muscle and losing fat.

Thoughts?

I would follow the plan as recommended unless said otherwise.

I am on level one as well - when I did my calculations it reccommended level 2, but I know there's no way I can eat that many calories and lose weight.

1800 calories a day when you're working out hard core is pretty good. Even for a woman, who typically requires less calories than a man. P90X motto is to eat more eat clean. Think about it - if you're intaking a lot of clean, good foods, you're actually doing good for your body. You have to provide your body with enough energy to "bring it" during the workouts. Your body also needs nutrients to help your muscles repair post-rip. (The proteins help with repair, carbs for energy)

My only tiff with the diet is that I don't think it includes enough raw vegetables.

If you're sticking to the diet exactly and after 2-3 weeks you still haven't lost weight, maybe you will need to make some alterations, but I would defeinitely talk to your doctor first. You should never eat below 1200 calories, or else you'll go into starvation mode which is unaffective and unhealthy. But I'd give it a chance before you go off course.

And don't be discouraged when you don't see visible results on the scale or in the mirror right away. From most of the reports I've read, people generally start seeing results towards the end of phase II or even into phase III--especially women.

Greenapple, just wondering how you have been doing so far? Does anyone else have answers to this question, because I am doubtful myself how a diet plan can work for both men and women, I have always thought men should have a higher intake.....I am starting on monday but have never eaten so many cals....bit nervous!

If you can't find the answer to your question here, you could always try asking at the beachbody.com forums. Maybe you'll have better luck there. As for me personally, I'm not following the P90X diet, I have been making my own. It depends on your goals. If you're aiming at losing weight, maintaining weight or building muscle mass really.

Just as stated above, I would not change your diet plan unless you are directed to by a doctor or a nutritionist.

Reason being is that if you modify your diet, you run the risk of getting fat or skinny actually. You got to balance your protein, vitamins, and carbs.

You need the carbs to produce glucose. Insulin is what helps the transfer your supplements,vitamins, protein, and such to your cells. Without carbohydrates, your body will produce a product called glucagon instead of glucose. Which produces it by taking away protein from your muscles. However, you eat to much and it will be stored in the form of fat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucagon

You need protein for your muscle repair obviously. And your vitamins for various functions in your body. And do not forget the pyramid, that really does help alot.
http://www.mypyramid.gov

Hope this helps!

Thanks that is helpful!