I’ve met so many people who’ve bought P90X, tried it for a week, and then decided it’s too hard. I’ve met people who’ve bought P90X and not even tried it at all. This is very sad because they have a program that, if you just try it and stick with it, will transform your body and change your life. Actually, it won’t take that long to change your life if you let it. Of course that’s the key. You have to have an open mind. Tell yourself, “Yes, I can do this,” instead of “No, I can’t. P90X is too hard.” Jeremy Yost is one of the many success stories featured on the Team Beachbody website. He went from 370 pounds to 190 pounds in a year doing P90X. Is P90X too hard for Jeremy Yost? No! If he could reach his goals, then so can you!!
Here is a list of a few things to keep in mind when you do this program:
#1 Is P90X too hard? Not if you follow the program and listen to Tony.
You can use P90X for a long time. It will take you a while to work up to the level of the people in the videos, especially Tony, so do what you can but keep coming back for more. He tells you – consistently – to set a goal on each exercise and try to reach it. Write down what you were able to do each time and soon you will see the number of reps and amount of weight you can do increase. He tells you to take breaks. Take them. Take a drink. If it takes you longer to complete an exercise, then pause the video so you can catch up. Tony tells you that if you can’t do 25 push-ups right out of the bag, then don’t, just do 2 or 3 or whatever YOU can. When I first started the program I could only do 3-5 standard push-ups, and forget about all of those other types: wide, military, diamond. Each week I noticed that I could do more than the previous week, and by the end of the program I was able to do at least 20 of each type of push-up, except the one arm push-ups. Is P90X too hard? Not if you listen to Tony! He knows what he’s talking about. Just do as much as YOU can. That’s all. It can’t get any simpler than that!
#2 Is P90X too hard? Not if you modify, modify, modify.
P90X is not too hard when you learn to modify. That way you have something to work up to, and that’s the point. The jump-knee-tuck is an exercise in which you jump in the air and bring your knees up to your hands which are out in front of you and parallel to the floor. I have watched Dom do them easily so many times in the video, but I still can’t really do them because I feel like my butt is just weighing me down. However, I keep trying and am sure that one day I will be bouncing up and down with as little apparent effort as him! I certainly can’t do one arm push-ups, so instead I do some standard or wide push-ups. Tony says to modify throughout the program. “Do your best, and forget the rest”. That’s his motto. So, if you can’t jump, then just raise up on your toes – that’s a modification. If you can’t do a deep lunge, just do a shallow one. You’ll get better over time, and that’s the whole idea.
By doing all of the exercises, even if you have to modify them, you’ll be challenging your muscles so they won’t know what’s coming next. Does this sound familiar? That’s the muscle confusion part. That’s how you get faster results. That’s how you avoid hitting plateaus. That’s how you avoid injury.
#3 Is P90X too hard? Not if you follow the nutrition guide.
Most of us aren’t experts when it comes to nutrition. So it’s important to follow the nutrition guide that Beachbody has tested and researched for us. These workouts will burn a lot of calories, and you need the energy to get through them. The P90X nutrition guide has three phases: the Fat Shredder, the Energy Booster, and the Endurance Maximizer. Here’s what they’re intended to do:
1. The Fat Shredder phase is for people who want to lose weight and quickly lower their body fat percentage. This phase includes a high amount of protein. As you become fit from using P90X, you will want to move to the Energy Booster phase.
2. The Energy Booster phase is for people who are already pretty fit. This is a more balanced phase with equal portions of proteins and carbs. It is a healthy plan that you can continue for the long term.
3. The Endurance Maximizer phase is geared more towards athletes who are really pushing themselves to their limits. This phase is high in complex carbs. Is P90X too hard? NO, whatever your ability – there is a phase for you. The level of gusto with which you attack this program will determine which phase you’ll be in.
If you’re going to work hard to get fit, you must learn to eat right. Exercise is only half of the equation; the other half is nutrition. It is a lifestyle choice. Becoming and staying fit means that you must make exercising and eating whole foods a habit so that you can be as active as you want throughout the rest of your life. Muscles need proper nutrition both for the workout and the recovery, which will give you quicker and better results. These nutrition plans are designed to increase your metabolic rate so that you’ll burn the maximum amount of fat even at rest. They are also nutrient dense, which means that you’re striving to eat as many whole foods as possible. Your body is actually happier when it gets high-quality, nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. The more whole foods you incorporate into your diet the better you will feel, the better you will look, and most importantly your body will thank you. Just give it a try and see if you notice any differences. I certainly did!
#4 Is P90X too hard? NO! You can do this!
Stop telling yourself that it’s too hard and tell yourself, “I’m going to do this!” As long as you modify when needed, there will be no stopping you. P90X tends to grow on you. Tony is a very encouraging, motivating, and funny guy. It’s hard to explain what drives a person to continue these workouts every day. You’ve got to experience it for yourself. You don’t think you’re going to be able to continue day after day, but you feel the changes before you see them physically. It motivates you and gets you excited to get up every day and push play. It makes you not want to miss one day, because you want to see what is going to happen next. Is P90X too hard? It is too hard to master in a week, or even a month. P90X is hard. It’s supposed to be hard. If it was easy you wouldn’t see any results. You’d feel nothing and get nowhere. This program is challenging, but not so challenging that you can’t do it, since you can modify the exercises to your ability. So get outside of your comfort zone and get some results – in only 90 days!
#5 Take Pictures and measurements.
It is very difficult to notice changes from day to day, but with P90X results are measured by the week. The best way for your results to stand out is to take pictures. Measure your shoulder, chest, waist and hips. Do this every week and you’ll see your outside transformation. More importantly, you’ll feel the changes on the inside. Your energy will increase, and your overall health will improve.
So, if you have this program hidden somewhere in a closet or buried in the DVD case, BUST IT OUT, and take it for a spin. You’ll enjoy the fact that all you have to do is follow the plan. You don’t have to worry about what muscle group you’re working or when to do it, that’s already set up for you. That was one of my favorite parts! It is up to YOU to look and feel better. Is P90X too hard? Not if you out there and Bring It!!
