How to Make Time for Your Daily P90X Workouts
Let me start by saying, if you’re really ready to make a physical transformation and get into tremendous physical condition, you’ll find a way to make time for P90X. Okay, that being said, I realize that most people today follow a schedule that barely leaves time for sleep, much less a workout plan. So, to start, take a hard look at your schedule and figure out where you can squeeze in about an hour a day to complete the P90X program.
P90X is a home workout program. That means you get to save yourself some time by avoiding the commute to the gym. Additionally, you can workout anytime of day and you don’t even have to look good doing it! So, where can you best fit the P90X workout into your overloaded schedule?
Can you get up an hour earlier every morning? Consider setting your alarm 70 minutes earlier than you usually do. This will give you 10 minutes to open your eyes, throw on some workout shoes and put in the P90X DVD. A hard workout like those offered by P90X is usually best done in the morning anyway because it increases your metabolism, which gives you more energy to face your day. Additionally, you won’t have the whole day to make excuses for avoiding your P90X workout that evening.
Okay, so you’re not a morning person and you’d rather be out of shape for the rest of your life than get up early to do P90X. So, would it be possible to do the workout immediately following work? Consider coming home everyday, dropping everything and putting in P90X immediately to complete your workout. If you choose to do P90X immediately following work or school, you’ll need to make it a priority, as this tends to be a busy time in most people’s days. Your family, friends and even your pets will have to agree to give you that hour for P90X before bombarding you with their needs and demands.
No way, you’re too busy right after school or work. Your next consideration will be to fit your P90X workout in at night, after the kids are in bed and the dinner dishes are done. The only problem with scheduling evening as P90X time is that this is usually the time of day when most people want to relax. P90X won’t allow for that. However, if you devote 1 hour of each evening to P90X, you’ll likely find that you begin to look forward to that time throughout your day.
Other things you may consider to free some time for P90X during the week is to do most of your cooking, cleaning and laundry on the weekends. Prepare the weeks meals in advance and freeze them for the week. This can save you at least an hour a day in meal preparation time that can now be devoted to P90X. You may also consider delegating household commitments to your spouse or your kids. Figure out which times of the day you’ll feel the most motivated to do the P90X program. Then, organize your agenda to push some of your weekday chores to the weekend or to someone else altogether. Make P90X a priority and before you know it, you’ll be wondering how you ever got through a day without your P90X workouts to keep you energized!
Some great points there. I am working out early in the morning – while it’s tough getting up so late, it’s the only free time I have being married with 2 children.
Your talk about preparing the meals is very important. It almost turns into a skill in itself. Right now I spend a good 40 minutes each morning preparing my snacks, breakfast and lunch for the day. Once I get the nutrition down, I will most likely know how to cut that time down.
Yes, and if you have snacks that can be frozen you can make a whole bunch of them at once and have enough supply for a week or two.
It can be tricky I’m sure preparing all your meals including dinner, when you have a couple others in the family who may not be keen on eating the P90X way
If that’s the case you may want to consider creating all your own meals ahead of time and freezing those as well which will certainly save you time in the kitchen making different plates for you and the rest of the family (if you handle the cooking).
You could make a dozen turkey burgers at once, you could make a half dozen Lemon-Garlic chickens and freeze them individually. This way you just reach into the fridge and grab your meal, ready to go. It’s like warming up a TV dinner that’s actually good for you, and follows the plan. You could also consider a few timesavers next time you’re at the market. Buy EggBeaters, instead of separating egg whites. Buy precut chicken strips for chicken salad, or stir fry, instead of cutting strips by hand.
It’s all about finding the balance you need to make this work. Yes, you are probably going to have to sacrifice one thing for another but if you can strike a fair compromise, you’ll have your health in the end and what else could you or your loved ones want.
-Matt
staff
I was wanting to know if it is possible to break the workouts apart on the days of the ab ripper program. For example doing the main workout in the morning and the ab ripper at night? How would that effect my results. Thank you!
Brian, you will still get the same results if you decide to leave Ab Ripper X for the evening. The main concern is to make sure you do everything that is required of you for that given day (Don’t skip it!).
On the other hand we would not recommend breaking up Plyometrics for instance, doing half of the workout in the morning and half at night, this would most certainly NOT give you the best results. Because Ab Ripper X is independent you can definitely do it at night—no worries!
-Matt
Staff
I am just getting started with P90X. I am considering doing my routine in the morning, before work. This may seem like a stupid question, but Is it Ok to have the breakfast portion of the nutrition plan when finished with the work out? Or have the recovery drink – or both? The recovery drink is scheduled, according to the nutrition plan, as part of the snack. Should I take the recovery drink with breakfast and skip it with the snack? From what I read its important to have the recovery drink within an hour after working out.
I am excited to get started! Having the nutrition planner is what I have been looking for in a program. I can’t wait to see how P90X enhances my martial arts. Thank you.
Hi Mark,
The meal plan approach in the P90X Nutrition Guide suggests that you have your breakfast first and have the Recovery Drink as your first snack of the day before lunch. This would mean that if you were to do your workout in the morning it would be best to do it after breakfast.
However, if you’re pressed for time in the morning you could definitely tweak the program a bit to work with your schedule. You could go ahead and have your recovery drink right after breakfast to take advantage of that crucial hour block after your workout. From there we would highly recommend that you space out the rest of your meals, one more snack, then dinner, to ensure that you are stimulating your metabolism throughout the day. Good luck with P90X, we’re confident that it will improve your performance in martial arts!
I am on my second week of P90X and LOVING it. I do the workouts mainly pretty late at night (9:00 or 10:00pm). I’m thinking about purchasing the Recovery Drink BUT I’m not sure if it’s ok to drink something like that so late at night. I would be going to sleep within an hour after finishing it. What do you think?
Hi Jan,
Some find that working out that late makes it harder to fall asleep. The recovery formula may actually make it even harder to fall asleep because the P90X Recovery Formula helps to mend and build muscles while regenerating the body’s energy sources and providing added nutrition.
-Erin
Staff
is it best to eat dinner before or after your p90x workout?
-Juan
Staff Reply:
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hi Juan,
You can do your workouts any time of the day. Working out later on in the day can give you an energy boost and may keep you up for a while. Some people find it hard to fall asleep if they workout too late. Also, you want to make sure you are totally digested before you start. You should wait at least 1 hour after eating a meal before working out. Some say it is best to work out earlier in the day, after breakfast, but some of us just aren’t able to workout at that time!
-Erin
Staff
I’m starting P90X next week – can’t wait!! The best time for me to workout is going to be first thing in the morning. That being said, what is best as far as when to eat breakfast?
Workout on an empty stomach and eat breakfast afterwards?
Have a small snack, then workout, then eat breakfast?
Eat breakfast and then workout – I don’t think this is correct?
Thanks
Staff Reply:
February 24th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Hi Dean,
You’ll find that this opinion varies. There are a lot of factors at play, one of those also being your body in particular.
What we find that works well is to have a little something before getting into your workout. Not too much that you feel stuffed and run the risk of cramping up but enough to refuel your body after a night of fasting.
You could do a number of things, but lots of folks like to have half a P90X protein bar and either their morning coffee (black) or a nice glass of water. Here are links to our protein bars:
Berry:
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/p90x-peak-performance-bars.php
Cafe Mocha
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/p90x-peak-performance-bars-cafe-mocha.php
Chocolate Peanut Butter
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/p90x-peak-performance-bars-chocolate-peanut-butter.php
Then shoot for breakfast afterward and eat the other half of your P90X Protein bar for the first snack as it’s suggested in the guide.
Again there are several opinions out there and you really need to determine what works best for you. I have included a link to an article By Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed., for MSN Health & Fitness for more details on the topic:
http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100146039
Along with working out in the morning, it seems your reccommending two things.
One says 70 minutes enough for your eyes to open and get going, but another says have a little something.
I am worried about lifting on an empty stomach but the only time i like to work out is in the morning because otherwise I’ll get lazy. How soon if I eat half a protein bar afterward can I work out. Im worried because I heard you can actually lose muscle if you don’t have food in you.
For someone who NEEDS to work out in the morning, and be at work at 9am with a 30min commute, what should my schedule be like.
Thanks,
Brian
Brian,
Here is a rough breakdown of how I would plan it, but you may need to adjust the time slots for what’s more appropriate for you. Here we go:
Wake up: 6:00am-6:30am
Eat 1/2 Protein Bar: 6:30am
Digest: approx 15 min (or more if get up @ 6)
Work out: 6:45am
Shower: 8am
Out the door: 8:30am
Arrive @ work: 9am
I usually do the work outs at night after the kids are asleep. I was having the Recovery drink after the work out usually around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. I read in the Nutrition plan that it’s best not eat 3 hours before bed as your food will be stored as fat. Would it be better for me not to do the Recovery drink?
By the way, I make my own recovery drink with ff milk, berries, ice, & protein powder. I am 13 days into P90X and haven’t lost any weight…maybe the late night recovery drink is why? I should also note that I am not hungry at all after the work out & could just shower & go to bed with out a drink.
Hi! I need some help trying to figure out my workout and meal times. I work third shift, so I’m having trouble figuring this out. Here is my schedule:
Leave for work: 5:30 pm
Work 6:30 pm – 3:00 am
Sleep 3:30 am -9:00 am
HELP!?!?!?!?!?!?
Staff Reply:
March 18th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Hello Thomas,
The program really works around your schedule. You are still working the same amount of hours a day like most people, only the hours you work are shifted to later that day. So if you were working a 9 to 5 and normally you would get up at 7 to workout and have enough time afterwards to eat and get dressed, then just apply that same time system to your time frame.
Get up at 3:30 pm and start your day then. Or if your the type that works out after work, start your workout around 3:30 and hit the bed around 5 am. Keep in mind that it’s hard for most people to go to sleep after a great workout, so maybe the beginning of your day would be better.
-Nate
Hello,
I have some difficulties in figuring out the workouts. For example, When to do them ( from the above i kind of think that i should do them early in the morning, eat a little bit of food, then workout), and secondly is If to divide them up or do them all at once.
For example, For Monday, it tells me to do ,Chest and Back,ab ripperX——Chest and Back,ab ripper X —— Chest and Back, ab ripper X—–Then Yoga.
So am i supposed to do these workouts after each other? so i do chest and Back 3 times? and then Yoga at night or something?
Please help me thank you!
xx
And BTW, im 15 years old…16 in Spet. =)
Staff Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hello Bob,
Here is a complete schedule for your P90X workout.
PHASE 1:
Weeks 1-3:
Day 1 – Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Plyometrics
Day 3 – Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
Week 4:
Day 1 – Yoga X
Day 2 – Core Synergistics
Day 3 – Kenpo X
Day 4 – X Stretch
Day 5 – Core Synergistics
Day 6 – Yoga X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
PHASE 2:
Weeks 5-7
Day 1 – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Plyometrics
Day 3 – Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
Week 8
Day 1 – Yoga X
Day 2 – Core Synergistics
Day 3 – Kenpo X
Day 4 – X Stretch
Day 5 – Core Synergistics
Day 6 – Yoga X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
PHASE 3:
Weeks 9, 11
Day 1 – Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Plyometrics
Day 3 – Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
Week 10, 12
Day 1 – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Plyometrics
Day 3 – Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
Week 13
Day 1 – Yoga X
Day 2 – Core Synergistics
Day 3 – Kenpo X
Day 4 – X Stretch
Day 5 – Core Synergistics
Day 6 – Yoga X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
You shouldn’t be doing chest and back three times a week, so take note on that one. Yoga should also be 1 night a week. This schedule should help you out some. As far as when you should do the workouts, your instinct is right when you said to eat a little bit of food and then workout. That is perfect.
So enjoy your workouts and keep us posted on your progress.
-Russell
Hi, my name is Josh, I play red Soccer and Hockey and i was wondering if the p90x is right for me. Also, after reading above, im really confused on how i’m supposed to work out. Is it everyday or is it 3x a week ? and how long is each workout ?
Thanks a lot
Josh
Staff Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hi Josh,
The P90X is actually great for athletes. It improves strength, agility, speed, and stamina just to name a few things. The workouts are scheduled out for you as outlined in the fitness guide. They are not just done in order, 1-12. You will be working out for about an hour a day, 6-7 days a week.
-Mike
and btw im 13 turning 14 in june (next month)
Staff Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hey, as long as your parents approve, this program really has no age limitations. Just make sure you are doing the exercises correctly to avoid injury.
When is it a good time to take the supplement Creatine and the Protein shake each day?
Staff Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hi Johnnie,
After your workouts would be the best time to take skeletal muscle recovery supplements like creatine. A protein shake, if you are drinking that apart from the creatine, would be good after a workout or as a snack in between meals.
-Erin
A quick question. Is it ok to have a banana and water before the work out? Here is my schedule:
Wake up- 6:30- 7:00
Banana and a glass of water(or milk)- 7:10
Workout: 7:30
Shower: 8:45-9:00
Breakfast and recovery drink: 9:10
Please let me know if I am doing it correct?
3 days down 87 to go
Good luck to all P90X’ers out there!
GO P90X GO!
I workout around 9-9:30 PM every night, so I’m drinking my protein shake around 10:30. I’m usually asleep within an hour of drinking my shake. Is that not conducive to shedding fat?
Secondly, I make my own recovery drink by using two scoops of whey protein powder, half a banana, 4 oz of fat free milk, 6 oz water, and ice. Is this an acceptable recovery drink conducive to shedding fat and building muscle (especially when drinking it within an hour of going to sleep)?
Staff Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hey Andrew,
I keep seeing you all over the blog! I just answered your question in the “High Protein Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss” article.
-Mike
My wife and I did P90X last summer with phenomenal results. One of the best things about it is that I feel armed now for any kind of exercise, whether at home or at the gym. I’m kind of doing my own version of P90X now and trying to muster up the motivation to do it again full steam. I remember that there was a computer disc that came in the package that I actually never got around to using because I think it might have gotten thrown away by accident. Is there any way to get my hands on another copy of this disc. Thanks for the assistance and the killer workout!
Staff Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Hi Adam,
If you are referring to that online support disc, they are not distributing them anymore. Sorry!
-Mike
Im just starting p90X and am struggling with breakfast. Im a level 3 and the omelette i just made could feed an entire family. Not to mention that egg whites give me the willies. I would love to do just a simple shake or protein drink every morning but it seems in the meal plan they like to switch things up loading up more on carbs during cardio days etc.. Is there a good substitute for the many egg breakfasts in the plan?
Hey Jesse,
If you don’t want to eat a ton of egg whites for breakfast, feel free to sub in a shake an maybe a carb or two on cardio days. If you make an adjustment here and there, it’s not the end of the world and certainly not the end of your nutrition.
-Mike
Will there be a big difference in results if you do P90X a few hours before dinner, and doing it a few hours after dinner ?
I’m currently doing it at around 4pm ~ 5pm and i eat dinner at around 7 ~ 8.
I know you said that you can do it at any time of the day, but I was just wondering if there’s a difference in those two. Thanks.
Staff Reply:
July 29th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hello Justin,
There shouldn’t be a huge difference wether you work out before or after dinner. For me, I like to workout an hour or two before eating a meal to get my metabolism going. Otherwise, if I work out after a meal, I feel like I’m just burning off what I just ate. It’s more important to get the workout in when you can. We all live hectic lives and don’t seem have as much time for fitness anymore.
-Mike
I need a little help in figuring out when to take all the different supplements at the correct time. I have protien power, creatine power, the recovery drink, and a multivitamin I am suppose to take twice a day (not together). I am just starting to do P90x again after two months off (moving and an injury kept me out) and want to get ultimate results!
I need a little help in figuring out when to take all the different supplements. I have protien power, creatine power, the recovery drink, and a multivitamin I am suppose to take twice a day (not together). I am just starting to do P90x again after two months off (moving and an injury kept me out) and want to get ultimate results!
Staff Reply:
August 5th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Hello Thomas,
You don’t need to take all of those supplements. Keep taking the multivitamin as indicated on the label, but taking the creatine, recovery drink, and whey might too much. The recovery drink already contains whey protein and creatine. Have a recovery drink after your workout, and if you want get another supplement in, you could have a protein shake for a morning or evening snack. Try not to over do it.
-Mike
Hi! I`m 25 5`7 and 160 lbs. I just started P90 yesterday, and I have a few questions.
I`ve been in kickboxing for years but I found that cardio was/has not been causing me to shed the desired amount of fat I wanted/needed. I`m wondering if using the standard p90x classic will cause me to shred fat and tone up more/quicker/faster than the P90x lean? I`m assuming my body is used the cardio and it has peaked.
I also am wondering, if I was to divide my 60 min workouts that 1 or 2 days a week require me to workout in the mornings, if it is ok for me to divide 30 mins in the am, and 30 mins at night? I normally work out evenings, and have been for years. Working out in the morning (about 20 mins after I wake up) gives me headaches, makes me feel ill, etc for hours after the workout is done. ..This is why I wonder about dividing them in half on the days I need to work out in the morning.
And lastly. Is it ok to have a cheat day in terms of eating and drinking 1 day a week, as long as I am working out every day? Would that really be so bad in terms of my results?
Please help!
Thanks a ton!
I was just starting week 4 of P90X Lean when I came down with the swine flu. I have now missed 5 days of workouts, hoping to feel well enough tomorrow to start back up again, at least with X Stretch. I was wondering what impact missing these days is going to have and how I should adjust. Should I start where I left off or continue on as if they hadn’t been missed?
Also, I was wondering if there is any impact on switching which workouts are done each day. I already attend yoga classes every Tuesday and Thursday so have been switching my workouts around so that a P90X stretch or yoga workout lands on each of those days (I’ve not been taking any rest days).
Thanks for your input!
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