Almost Day 30 Update and Questions

[Gregg]

Hey... where did our April P90X thread go? Anywho... I havent posted for a couple weeks but I thought I would give you guys an update.

I am almost finished with the first recovery week in P90X. I love AND hate core synergistics. It is tough but fun. I have not missed a day and I am staying on the diet plan like crazy. I will update you guys with my stats on Day 30, which is later this week, but let me say... WOW. I was a small dude and only wanted to lose about 8 to 10 lbs total and im almost there already. Nothing fits anymore. I have even had to adjust the chest strap on my cardio monitor twice!! My 30 waist jeans are loose. I look so much better. I will post my before and afters here later this week. And this is just Day 30!!!

For those who are trying to find motivation.... please please please, if you pick P90X or Insanity you owe it to yourself to stick with it... the results are nothing short of incredible.

Question that is more nutrition based. I have probably lost about 8 lbs total in the first month and I only wanted to lose 10 total. Admittedly, I am running a calorie deficit because I wanted to lose the fat quickly and then add lean muscle at a regular pace. I switched over to phase 2 of the diet a week early since I lost so much weight and im a little guy. My two main questions are: 1. Was it ok to switch over to phase 2 a week early? and 2. Can you build muscle running a small calorie deficit? It appears as though you can because I can see my arms and abs and chest are slightly bigger, but not huge by any stretch.

Thanks guys and FOR THE LOVE OF PETE KEEP PUSHING PLAY!!!

[FitRunner]

Hey Gregg!

Not sure about your first question, but my impression is that there isn't a real hard and fast rule about when you "should" switch. However, the second question I can answer - YES, you can certainly build muscle running a calorie deficit. I did, you have, and so have many others. There's probably a limit to just how much muscle you can build with a deficit, but I think that's a problem only if you want to be a bodybuilder as opposed to generally in excellent shape and muscle tone.

Glad to hear things are going well!

Teresa

[scourtney7]

Congratulations Gregg!! 8 lbs in the first month of P90X. wow this program never ceases to amaze me, no i take that back. the dedicated people who did this amazing program amaze me!!! I would encourage you to add in some calories so that you are not running a deficit. You can build lean muscle while running a deficit but you must be careful bc the first thing to go when the body needs fuel is muscle. I didn't believe this when both my nutritionist and personal trainer told me it but I have experienced it several times. I take a few days off and bam the scale says I have lost weight which equals lost muscle for me. It is just fine to move into phase two of the nutrition plan early. the phases of the nutrition are not designed to be hard and fast rules, and since you are losing weight so rapidly you probably need to add in some extra carbs and healthy fats which are limited during phase one. Keep pressing play!!!! I am so stoked to read your results. WOWWWWW!!!

Shannon