Hey everyone, I'm officially starting the program on Monday. If anyone else is starting the program then, post in this thread and we can help each other!

I've always been a good natural athlete, but just general laziness and terrible eating habits have always held me back. Now it's getting to the point where I'm starting to feel a decline in athletic performance. I really want to tap my potential and see what I could do on the basketball court if I took care of my body. I want to see the look on my girlfriend's face when I finally break through this wall of not being able to eat right and workout consistently.

My biggest weakness is diet. I might not be in the best of shape, but when I workout, I put in a true 110% effort. But immediately after, I'm tempted to grab a mountain dew! I know what the right things are to eat, and I always feel better when I do, but I need to plan better and I need a support system to keep me from my tendency of crashing & burning (aka running to taco bell @ midnight or later because I didn't eat enough earlier in the day).

My pre-p90x measurements & pictures will be up this weekend, maybe tomorrow.

I'm really excited to BRING IT!

Patrick

I will also be startin gon that day as well

Good Luck on your journey and welcome to the forum.

Sweet! My wife and I are starting Monday as well. We will each have a blog but will check this one out as well. We'll have pics and measurements up tomorrow!

Just signed up on here last night and I am also starting tomorrow. Spent some time today configuring my living room with a mat + weight bench and the few dumbbells I have (25 & 35). I also have some smaller dumbbells that I will plan to use as well (5-10 i believe..they are fiances). I also grilled up about 3 lbs of chicken I will plan to eat throughout the week for lunchs at work mostly (salads or wraps and stuff like that).

This will be an interesting journey for me because I am very out of shape. I am starting at about 335 lbs and haven't really worked out seriously in a few years (used to lift + cardo...more recently just cardio). I will be taking it a little easy at first to see how it goes. I watched a little bit of Chest and Back today to kind of see what it's like. I am worried about how I will do using these resistance bands to simulate the pull ups. I figured out that I can anchor them around my eliptical and it seems to be a good setup, but I won't know until tomorrow.

Anyways, good luck to everyone and I will be posting on here periodically!

well guys/gals, tomorrow is coming up quickly! We went to big 5 today and picked up some resistance bands for the wife, a pull up bar, a set of adjustable dumbbell bars since I already have some weight plates I can use, yoga mats, push up stands, and some workout shoes and shorts.

As for your worries with pull up with bands, there is a door attachment that goes on the band for the pull ups. It's kinda like a ball built into a strap that you put over the door then shut it so it stays there.

We'll have our pics up tomorrow since we don't have any Internet at home (i'm on my phone now). We start tomorrow at 4AM! I'll keep everybody updated! Good luck to all!!!

I was expecting the P90x resistance bands to have this sort of door attachment, but no luck. I am guessing I have to buy this seperately.

Here are my measurements guys, I'll get some proper pics done soon enough. I'm planning to start at 9AM tomorrow morning, and I'll let you know ASAP how it goes!

Chest - 45 inches
Waist - 39 inches
Hips - 44 inches
Calves - 16 inches
Biceps - 14 inches
upper thigh - 25 inches
mid thigh - 20 inches
wrist - 7.5 inches
forearm - 11 inches
Current BMI - 27.3 (224 pounds)
Goal BMI - 23.8 (195 pounds)
Current BF% - 21%
Goal BF% - 13%

ok, i'll chime in here. I'm also starting tomorrow, the 29th, but I've been on my own journey for about 2 months. Down to 184lbs from 210. I figure I have about 12-14 more lbs of fat to lose, all in my stomache.

The Navy body fat calculator says I'm at 21%, and I believe it. It's just ALL in my stomache. (beer i guess)

I used to work out, lift weights, run, study body building, you name it! It just sorta slipped away from me. I got married, got lazy and haven't been happy ever since. I go on kicks where I'll get back in shape, or at least attempt to, but I NEVER EVER follow any type of diet.

This time it's different though. Something in me just snapped and I've been on a diet for the past 2 months. I'm also an AVID runner, and that, mixed with the diet, the weight has been pouring off. I love to run. I can't describe the high I get when I run 3 or 4 miles and still have enough in the tank for another mile or so. It's just...i can't describe it.

But therein lies my path to p90x. I pushed myself too hard in the past 2 months, and went from 2 miles to 4 mile runs in less than a week, which developed shin splints for me. ugh, I can't think of anything more painful than shin splints, especially directly AFTER your run. I'm so stubborn, I just kept pushing through the pain, but i finally admitted defeat. I just can't do it. There's nothing that can really be done for shin splints except rest and healing. At least 2 or 3 weeks.

Now I know ALOT about building muscle, and have some of my own routines that are AWESOME, but the problem is, they're all like '12 reps here, 2 minute rest there, another 8 reps over here' etc etc. Nothing designed to burn fat, or keep my heart rate up.

I'm too worried that if I take 3 weeks off from running, I wont pick it back up again, and I'll fall right back into my old ways, so I need a workout routine that will keep me panting and keep the weight coming off and the body cutting up. I just can't do any type of serious jumping or impact. No jumping rope etc. I'm a little worried about the plyometrics, but meh, whattaya gonna do? Can't win em all

P90x seems to be the only program that will not only destroy fat (and my heart rate) but also rip and build muscle.

I'm thinking I'll do the doubles program, or at the very least, classic and then a run afterward. Doing doubles AND running is not only retarded, but would probably burn me out in like 1 day. I'll have to see how I feel after phase 1, and decide then.

I want to add a slight disclaimer here. Now I really dont want to come off like a know-it-all, and if I do, i'm terribly sorry, because its not my goal, but I might not be as loyal, or dedicated to p90x as everyone else here. Not because it's not great, but because I truly do know alot about bodybuilding etc, and have some routines of my own that build my body up in very short amounts of time. The only reason I'm varying from my own schedule, is simply because of the devastating shin splints that have stolen away my ability to run.
I still need to lose weight and also continue to build up my body, but I'm not the "aerobics" type, and aint about to follow a 1980s Jane Fonda video or whatever. I need a program that will keep me shedding and shredding, if that makes sense.

I dont plan on quitting before the 90 days or anything, but if I get the ability to run again, and feel I'm better off with my own routines, I probably will go for it, unless people here want me to finish it for some reason.
Now I doubt I have the ability to motivate anyone, but if that happens to be the case, and somehow, in the near future, people are wanting me to finish the program, to someone help them finish theirs, I will absolutely stick with it. I know how motivational other people can be.

so...shed and shred. I like that. Thanks for reading.

ps, I might upload before pics. Still a little self conscious.

Okay, so I finished my chest & back workout. I still have to do ab ripper x. I'm going to do it this evening. I would've gone straight through but I almost certainly would've puked my guts out!!

I was also thinking that it may be beneficial to split them up to keep the metabolism revved up throughout the day.

I got thoroughly kicked today. I am miserably weak! The first thing I learned today was that I need to make sure I get a little more sleep. I only got about 6 1/2 hours and I could definitely feel that halfway through. I also immediately felt my body searching for energy that I haven't been giving it by feeding it junk all the time. I'm determined to eat well so I don't embarass myself again.

I do have a problem with my right shoulder that I'm in the process of getting fixed. The workout doesn't agitate it but the problem did occassionally prevent me from doing as many push-ups as I could if it were 100%. All I can do it push through. No excuses.

I'll probably do ab ripper x around 6pm today and I'll let you know how my everything else went then!

Go for it guys!

I am also starting today, I will work out tonight at work and see how it goes. Good luck to everyone starting today and will look forward to some result photo's in the weeks to come.

i will also start tonight. probably around 10 or 11pm pst

I wanted to give you guys some feedback on day 1 for me. I did Chest & Back + Ab Ripper this morning. A few observations / notes:

- I definitely felt like I was going to puke about 2/3 through. I think this was partly a result of the hard workout, but also a result of drinking huge amounts of water throughout the whole workout.

- Pushups are hard. I was dying in part 2 and definitely should have paced myself a little better in the first half. For those who haven't done it yet, try and pace yourself. Don't get burnt out like I did.

- Ab Ripper was clearly not designed for larger people. My belly was actually impeding me from doing some of the exercises (obviously this is why I am doing the program), but I am going to try and modify it slightly to still get a workout in on the exercises I have trouble with.

- I don't know how I can possibly cram in tons of water + the recovery drink + a breakfast with lots of protein (I am level 3 on nutrition) on a daily basis without getting sick. I think I am going to try and use the eating plan as a guideline more than a bible and stick to it as best I can. I will certainly only eat foods that am I allowed, but I think I will reduce some of the portions to a more reasonable level.

Just some observations and thoughts so far. Would love to hear what other people think after day 1.

Ok, my review of day 1. I liked Chest + Arms. good mix of exercises, kept my heart rate up, which is what i need. Overall, it was pretty good. Nothing really spectacular. I'm surprised how they stress pacing yourself in the first round, so you can match what you did in the second. Why not push to failure in the first, and then push to failure again? If i do 20 in the first, I should NOT be able to do 20 again. I shouldn't even be able to get to 15, if i was really pushing in the first..but whatever. They're smarter than me.

Ab Ripper X.... yyyyah... I'm severely disappointed in it. Not because it's not intense as all hell, because it is, but the exercises are so advanced, and almost ALL of them induce the hip flexors at a level I've never felt before. Your hip flexors are going to give out LONG before your abs are, and that just adds so much extra tension and intensity that in no way helps you shred or rip or destroy or whatever the hell your abs.
They spent NO time teaching the exercises to begin, which is both a good and a bad thing. The first time I do it, i want an explanation but there after, I dont need it, so I wont complain too much. I was so severely confused and perplexed at 90% of the exercises and frustrated with my hip flexors pulsating through my skin, that I wasn't able to even give 50% of an effort towards my abs. Perhaps next time, when my hip flexors are strong enough to keep up, maybe the routine will shine more. Personally, I have an ab routine of 26 exercises, each with 15-20 reps that DESTROYS my abs for days and days. I guess i'm not "X" enough.

On a lighter note, I was impressed with the fact that so many of the ab ripper exercises were so foreign and new, so maybe next time, i wont be so frustrated with it. I'm still an emotional wreck. It was tough to burn through chest + arms and then see tony and 3 new turds be all fresh and ready to "ab rip" it up. jerks.

thats all. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Plyometrics = hard!

I was basically pausing to breath a lot cause I was sucking wind, but I stayed with a lot of the stuff for the most part. Whenever I had a challenge, I would try and do either jumping jacks or just jump in place. Good luck with this one everybody!

I finished plyometrics about an hour ago, and WOW! What a rough hour. I learned my lesson from day 1 and learned to check my ego and press the damn pause button. I was determined to get through the entire workout. It's 58 minutes, but it probably took me about an hour and 10 to finish it. What a beast, I haven't sweated like that since I can remember.

Also learned, (which Tony kindly tells you once you already started the workout) do NOT eat ANYTHING before this. I had a banana with some peanut butter for fuel...BAD idea. I didn't throw up, but I was close a couple times.

Hell of a workout, really tough, but a lot of fun. I just pounded a protein shake and I feel GREAT!

Day 2 in the books!

Plyometrics? More like plyoShutUpAndDieSweatingWuss. I've been through some workouts, but that was truly killer. The intensity wasn't really the problem for me, it was the relentless attack on my legs. I couldn't even squat halfway down after only a few minutes in the routine. By the 3rd round, I was barely able to get through 5 or 10 of the reps for each exercise. I still had enough stamina to continue, but my legs were wobbling like a new born deer on a frozen lake. My kids and wife were laughing at me. That was NO JOKE. Definitely raises my overall feeling about p90x.

On a side note, many of the exercises towards the end are NOT shin splint friendly. I had to modify some to the point of almost just sitting down through them. The "Hot Feet" or Hot legs or whatever it was hot nearly crippled me after only 2 or 3, then I switched to...well..sitting on the couch

Hey guys and gals,

I also started on the 29th and saw this forum-- thought I'd join in

A little about me: 21 going on 22, recent college graduate about to go off to medical school, rowed on the men's crew team for a freshman year in college, got into very good shape ability wise (running, exercising) but not looks-wise. I did some weight lifting this past year and have some guns and back muscles ("back guns"?) to show for it,
but I have a big belly-tire problem My ethnicity has a lot of bellies, and I'm hoping to break the cycle for myself, and for my future family. Plus, though I like my biceps/triceps size, they have a bit of fat coating that keeps them from showing off their strength. Pictures to come.

I am about 175 at 5'6", looking to get into the 150's. I think I'll have to double on the cardio in Phase 2, I'm just hoping I find time as medical school begins this August!!!!

My experiences thus far:

Day 1: Chest and Back

I was not able to keep up with those guys, but I did my best and tried to do half the reps that they did. I gave it 100% (maybe 97%) effort, but did not pause and just finished it. Drank a lot of water, but I did not feel sick so hopefully it was a good amount. Was sore the next day, felt great, was eager for Plyo the next day.

Day 2: Plyometrics

OH MY GOD. I'm writing this the next morning from bed... I can barely move around. I whooped my ass last night in plyo, but I got through the whole thing. I definitely hit the pause button when I felt my pulse beating waaaaay too fast, but for no more than 20-30 seconds. Definitely put the X in P90X!!

I definitely feel the burn from those days of rowing crew coming back, though this time I feel even more sore, and I can take the credit. Woke up early on my own for the first time this summer!!! Now to get a busy day's worth of errands and hobbies done. I think I should walk for a bit on the treadmill to help with the soreness.

I'm glad there's a forum, keep posting, I'll post and read too! Hang in there homies! Day 3 on its way!!!!!

Well day 3 is in the books!

I found this workout to be very challenging. Not nearly as physically exhausting as the others, but man, I got a hell of a pump from this workout. I will admit I only did the first exercise of the bonus round before I stopped, but my arms were about to fall off and I felt great. Didn't feel much guilt about stopping, I'll get it next week.

I personally chose to skip ab ripper x today because of two reasons. 1) my abs are still in complete agony. and 2) I'm not sure I really agree with working the abs 3 times a week with only a days rest in between. I'm going to stick with Monday & Friday for Abs and see how that goes.

I had a really good eating day as well. I'm really rolling along!

Yoga X tomorrow...should be interesting.

Keep pressing play everyone!

Good job everyone...another day in the books.

I enjoyed the arms workout today, but I must admit I was probably slacking off a bit using 5 lb weights for a lot of it just to get a handle on the form. My arms don't feel nearly as bad as my legs after the plyometrics, so I'm thinking I didn't push myself enough, but hell there's many more to come. I am having a tough time with the ab ripper x simply because I'm so out of shape. I did however throw in some crunches while they were doing stuff that I couldn't quite do, so I don't feel too bad about it. I will keep trying it each day we are supposed to do it with the hope that I'll eventually improve.

I'm also having a tough time with the eating to some degree. I can't quite stomach sucking down this much food. I have also worked in a second carb simply because I really burned myself out of chicken + salad for lunch and have hit subway twice in a row for a low fat sub. I know this isn't ideal, but I don't think it's the worst thing. What do you guys think about the eating? Are you all following it to a t?

Would be curious to hear how everyone else is doing with that.

Not really looking forward to Yoga X tomorrow due to the horror stories I have heard about it from other P90Xers, but hopefully it will be fun