How many days do you stay on track?

[MSgherzi]

When you're eating right on P90X and following the nutritional plan, how many days, out of a 30 day month, would you say you cheat and how many days do you actually follow the eating plan exactly?

I'm just trying to get a rough figure so I know that if I go a couple of days here and there off of the nutrition from P90X when I start in April, I won't feel too bad (hopefully!).

[scourtney7]

I would say that I follow the plan nutritionally most meals most days a week. It gets easier to follow the longer you do it, so for me I have been following it for the past year and it is pretty simple. The first time through the program and nutrition plan I adhered nearly 90%, I really went all out with planning and the results were phenomenal! I would advise you to plan your meals out in advance by the week so that you do not have to fool with planning and thinking about things during the busy times of the week. I found that when I didn't plan and things got busy it was very easy to let the voice in my head steer me off course by thinking that one meal would not matter here and there but during the first round of p90x these things do matter. You will see results in direct proportion to the effort you put into working the program and staying on course. I always tell my friends that the program will work you if you work it!

As far as working out and staying on course during a typical month of my first 90 days, I would say that I missed workouts here and there, maybe between two and four a month at the most. It is such a fantastic program that I found myself wanting to do it and becoming almost addicted to following the schedule and seeing those coveted results when I looked in the mirror daily. So after the first few weeks, I don't believe that you will be having to talk yourself into working out anymore. P90X is amazing and Tony is very motivating! As he always says, "Do your best...and forget the rest." I think this is the very best advice that could be given to anyone just starting out with P90X.

Shannon

[Dave]

Tough to disagree with Shannon. I follow the 80/20 rule pretty much. That's 80% good clean fuel and 20% not so much. That 20% can jump up to 40% in a hurry so you have to keep an eye on that. Tony follows the 90/10 plan and I'll probably do that when we get back from the Hawaii trip and I'm in the last month of training for the triathlon. My body is going to require that and it is just a short period of time. The tighter you can get it the better, but you have to live your life.

[diane]

I am glad to hear that it is ok to give yourself a little flexibility. I find it a lot harder to eat 'clean' on the weekends or in the evenings, but I am trying to do my best. I have started planning out the week and that is helping, along with keeping the food scale out on my countertop.
But I still get the 'cravings' to eat snacks like pretzels when my kids and I are watching movies or need something salty and crunchy. Any suggestions on how to keep clear of the snacking?

[scourtney7]

Diane I still have cravings too, all the time. In fact, I am having some now. I need to be crawling into bed but I am thinking about food. My weakness is Tostitos and Salsa. Love them! Usually instead of eating these by the handful, I either measure out one serving and eat it or I drink some whey and almond milk (soy milk or skim milk, whatever your preference). I have found that whey really helps curb my cravings and tides me over until the mornings when I can have my Shakeology!!!

shannon

[diane]

Thank Shannon for the tip! I will definitely try that the next time the pretzel bag comes out of the pantry.

diane

[scourtney7]

You are welcome Diane. It wasn't much help for a salt craving I know.

[tridexandy]

I love salty too, could really care less about sugary... when the family has sunday movie nights i pop some popcorn. i use a whirlypopper (no/minute amount of oil), or a pot & lid, extra virgin olive oil, and if I'm really craving salt/flavor, I'll add a tablespoon of brewers yeast sprinkled on the top. the popcorn really fills me up :)

snacking on cuties (satusumas) works for me too. you have to peel them and section them, and the burst of flavor and smell of citrus makes me want to stay on track with my nutrition plan.

[FitRunner]

Tridexandy - I can sit down and eat a bowl of satsumas while watching TV for a long time! I love those things. When I was a kid we used to have a lot of citrus fruits around for Christmas and inevitably there would be a bowl of satsumas or clementines and a box of truffles someone gave us around for family movie time. Yum yum yum.

[tridexandy]

@fitrunner - oh, me too! and they were usually right next to walnuts and almonds and hazelnuts, in the shell, with the nutcracker ready and waiting. not a bad idea, come to think of it :)

[mlbarclay]

I'm a non-stop, on the bus girl. I even gave up drinking for the first couple months. I let my guard down when drinking, and all of a sudden I'm eating doritos, and waking up feeling guilty. I would say the best results come from the combination of the nutrition and exercise, and if you want the best, you have to take them both into consideration.

[FitRunner]

Tridexandy - Some years we had that too :D Nut shells and satsuma peelings everywhere in the end. That's funny.

[chrisiclow]

I am a salt person to and I find it really hard to not add salt to all my foods..like tuna any ideas when eating tuna fish to replace the salt & ff mayo? Also what is satsumas and brewers yeast? Trying to get as prepared as possiable before monday when I start heading to store on Sunday and going to try to get my food ready for the week any suggestions on things you could make and would stay good for the week as far as lunches and snacks? Ive always eaten small meals through the day im a grab a handful here or there however my true weakness as you said Diane is munching on my kids snacks as well as drinking wine....in the evening while the craziness goes on trying to get the kids homework, baths, listening to them whine about hating dinner and trying to get to bed! I think that has been my biggest weight gaining issue...any suggestions?

[CyberFitnessGuru]

I cheat once a week.

I do it so I have something to look forward to for the other 6 days of the week.

Keeps me focused. :D