Starting any new nutrition plan can be difficult. Depending on what you are used to eating, it can take a period of adjustment. The good thing about the P90X nutrition plan is it doesn’t ask you to do anything bad for your health. There are no severe restrictions on calories and the only lack of variety stems from your lack of imagination! By urging a healthy plan high in protein and limited carbohydrates, the P90X nutritional plan will burn fat and kick your metabolism into overdrive. If you are not accustomed to a diet plan like this, however, you may need some help in coming up with healthy meal and snack ideas. Planning ahead is key. By making sure your refrigerator is stocked with fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins you make it much easier to make healthy choices that line up with your ultimate goal. When grocery shopping, be sure to stick to the outside aisles as much as possible. This is where you will find the good whole foods that are so important in the P90X nutrition plan. 

Starting new can leave you with little idea of what to munch on. When hunger hits, you want to be sure you have some ideas ready to go so your spur of the moment decision will be a good one. Always remember fruit and fresh vegetables are a good choice and add the following to your list of potential snacks:

+ Deviled eggs (only use half a yolk per egg to reduce the fat)         

+ Low fat spinach dip with veggies

+ Apple slices with cheese

+ Low fat yogurt with berries sugar free jello made with fruit

+ Beef or turkey jerky         

+ Low-fat string cheese

+ Lettuce wraps (iceberg lettuce wrapped with low fat cold cuts)

+ Almonds

+ Turkey Pepperoni

Meal times can be hectic. Depending on your daily schedule you may not have time to cook a full meal every night. Most modern day adults need quick healthy meals in order to avoid the lure of fast food. 

Omelets are an excellent source of lean protein and a quick one pan meal. To decrease the fat use all egg whites or simply halve the amount of yolks you use. You can easily trick yourself by adding only one yolk to a 3 egg white omelet. Throw in mushrooms, peppers, lean sausage or chicken breast pieces, or whatever healthy ingredients you have on hand. Top with low fat cheese or salsa, and dinner is served. Another option is keeping grilled chicken breast strips on hand. You can buy these already cooked in your grocery store, or grill a few breasts, slice lengthwise and store for future use. Chicken breast strips go great in stir fry, low-carb wraps, or mixed in with your veggie of choice. To add some variety liven the chicken up with lemon pepper, Cajun spices, Asian seasonings, or salsa. The same holds true for grilled lean cuts of beef or pork tenderloin.

The best way to prevent straying from the P90X nutrition plan is to have what you need on hand. When your kitchen is stocked, your excuses go out the window. By being prepared and keeping good meal and snack ideas close, you are more likely to maintain your motivation and see the results you want with P90X and the P90X nutrition plan.

The P90X Nutrition Plan is one of the tools that will help you make it through the P90X training program. How to eat healthy is also something that you need to do for the rest of your life. The truth is, eating healthy is not as bad as it might sound. And, the P90X Nutrition Plan is like a road map that tells you exactly how to get to where you want to go. It’s like having your very own nutrition counselor. The key to better nutrition and diet is not cutting out every food you love forever, it’s eating realistically—not skimping on any one food group but choosing which protein, carbohydrates, and fat to eat when. It’s about learning to eat healthy.

Healthy eating is actually a balanced approach that doesn’t swing from one end of the spectrum to another. Instead of never having a steak again, you’ll learn how to choose which cut of steak is better for you. The P90X Nutrition plan recommends leaner cuts of beef, poultry, pork and lamb, egg whites, low-fat milks and cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates like multigrain breads and whole wheat pastas, and a variety of snacks and condiments.

When you first start your 90 days of the P90X training program, you will also begin what is called Phase 1 or the Fat Shredder portion of the nutrition plan. The first phase will have you eating foods higher in protein so that you can start to lose fat and build muscle. If you want, you can get a body fat tester to help determine your percentage of body fat.

Phase 2 or the Energy Booster portion of the P90X nutrition plan is a more balanced mixture of carbohydrates and proteins with low fat. This is a phase you can stay in for as long as you want, and really it is the best way of how to eat healthy for life. Food is fuel and this mix of foods will give you just the right amount of energy to workout and live day to day.

The P90X nutrition plan next takes you to the Endurance Maximizer phase. This is the athletic diet you need to eat if you are really pushing yourself in your workouts or your chosen sport. It’s a higher carbohydrate diet needed for energy and endurance. It includes the kind of food selections that runners or cyclists need when they push themselves to go long distances. It’s when you’ve earned the right to eat all the pasta you want without anybody telling you to lay off the carbs.

You don’t have to figure out how to do anything but follow a step-by -step nutrition plan. Every amount of food from each food group is already assigned its number of calories and you just mix and match to get the right food groups and portion sizes. As with most healthy diets, you’ll learn that it is better to eat six small meals each day than two large ones.

Once you start following the P90X nutrition plan through its various phases you will find that you are building a foundation of knowledge about how to eat healthy for the rest of your life. Diets that eliminate food groups simply are not going to work, nor is trying to lose weight and keep it off without exercise. The P90X is a total body training program that took over a year to develop and so far it has helped over two million people meet their health and exercise goals.

If you’re looking for a great new fitness program and you’re wondering, “Does P90X work, really?”, wonder no more. The answer is an absolute yes; however, as with any fitness plan, you have to commit to the program, set realistic goals and follow the nutrition plan that’s  provided with the P90X workout plan. The following FAQ’s will give you more insight to the question; does P90X work?

Does P90X work to burn fat quickly?

Yes, P90X does work to burn fat quickly – If you stick to the P90X nutrition plan, as well as the exercise plan, you’ll see a noticeable reduction in your body fat percentage well before the 90 day program is over. Those people who throw themselves into the exercise program and ignore the diet will not see such impressive results. 

How does P90X work to burn fat?

The P90X program is designed around muscle confusion. It provides workouts that target all areas of fitness. The variety provided in this program keeps you from hitting the weight loss plateau, which generally occurs after the first month of training, when your body becomes accustomed to your workout plan and results become less noticeable.  P90X also increases lean muscle mass and it’s been proven that each pound of muscle in a person’s body burns more than 10 calories a day while at rest. Throw in a proper nutrition plan, and you’ll become a fat burning machine!  However, if you decide to only perform the workouts you enjoy the most, or you choose not to follow the nutrition plan, you won’t get the results you were hoping for when you purchased the P90X program.

Does P90X work for all ability levels?

P90X can work to help people of all ability levels achieve higher standards of fitness. Of course, if you’re new to fitness, you will need to modify some of the exercise programs to make them suitable to your abilities. If you’re already in great shape, you’ll likely train with increased intensity to get maximum results from the workouts provided. Regardless of your level of fitness, you’ll get better results from any program if you set realistic, achievable goals. One of the biggest pitfalls in following a program like this is having unattainable expectations, which may lead to burnout and ultimately, failure to complete the program.   

Does P90X work to improve athletic abilities?

Actually, P90X is tremendously helpful to athletes who are seeking an edge. P90X’s unique program of weights, cardio, stretching and plyometric training provides athletes with all of the elements necessary to excel in sports. Strength, flexibility, agility and endurance are all highly valued athletic skills that are developed using P90X. Again, to ensure that athletes get the best results possible from the P90X program, they need to fully commit to the program for at least 90 days. Those who don’t commit; those who pick and choose which parts of the program they want to a follow typically don’t get the results they want to see. Please see the following article for more details on How Power 90X (P90X) Can Make You a Better Athlete

So, to answer the general question, “does P90X work for everyone?”  The answer is no, it doesn’t. P90X only works for those people who are dedicated to the entire program, who set achievable goals for themselves and who follow a healthy nutrition plan while following the P90X workout program. The better question to ask here is, “can P90X work for everyone?”  Absolutely – as long as you are medically able to perform moderate exercise, P90X can be the path to achieving all of your fitness goals.   

The P90X nutrition guide that’s included with the system does offer many options to choose from with regard to meal preparation. We recommend sticking to fish, lean meats, poultry (white meat with skin removed) as well as egg whites to gain the proper protein needed while limiting fat and carbs.

P90X nutrition recommendations for fish:
Fish containing low-moderate levels of mercury, and high-moderate beneficial Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content

- Anchovies
- Atlantic mackerel
- Catfish
- Cod
- Canned light tuna
- Haddock
- Herring
- Mahi mahi
- Pollock
- Salmon
- Sardine
- Shad
- Shrimp
- Trout
- Whitefish
- Tuna, light, canned in water

P90X nutrition recommendations for meat:
Choose lean meat containing less than 3g of fat per 1 oz. Generally, the leanest cuts of meat contain “round” or “loin” in their name. Below are some recommendations.

Beef
- Flank steak
- Sirloin tip
- Eye of Round
- Top Round
- Tenderloin

Poultry
- Chicken
- Cornish Hen
- Turkey

Pork
- Center loin
- Tenderloin

Lamb
- Chops
- Leg Roast
- Tenderloin Shank

The P90X Nutrition Guide and these tips are provided for general informational purposes only and not as professional medical or counseling advice. Please consult with your medical doctor before starting any exercise / nutrition program.

The P90X diet provides you with the right combination of foods so that your body has the energy it needs during the program. It’s broken down into 3 phases.
While P90X is a 90 day workout you may decide to alter your choice and timing of the phases for what works best for you.

Phase 1: Fat Shredder

This stage of the P90X diet focuses on a high protein, and is designed to rapidly reduce your body fat percentage. As this happens your available energy should also decrease. So, you shouldn’t extend this phase unless you aim to drop more fat, and if you feel like your energy level is enough to push hard during your daily workouts. If you already have low body fat and looking to gain more energy you should consider shortening the length of this phase. To determine your body fat currently, and during the program you may want consider purchasing our Body Fat Tester.

Phase 2: Energy Booster

This phase of the P90X diet is a more balanced mix of carbohydrates and protein with a lower amount of fat to achieve additional energy for performance. If you’re feeling energized, and making progress you are free to continue this phase for as long as you like.

Phase 3: Endurance Maximizer

Is an athletic diet An athletic diet of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and lower fat with the emphasis on more carbohydrates. It should only be initiated if you are seriously pushing your body. This stage must be earned. On the flip side some people hesitate to ever enter into this phase in fear of gaining weight from the additional carbs. Surprisingly they find that once they try this phase of the P90X diet they end up with even more energy allowing them to really “Bring it!”.

The 3 phases of the P90X diet are flexible and aim reduce fat, provide energy and give you long term success.

The P90X diet offers 3 different approaches for each of the 3 phases of the nutrition plan. This provides you with the ability to choose which approach works best for you. Feel free to choose one approach for the entire system or alternate based on your lifestyle.

Approach 1: “The Portion Approach”

This P90X diet approach is for those who don’t have a lot of time or the patience to prepare a meal that requires more than a few steps. If you don’t like to cook this is the approach for you.

Approach 2: “The Meal Plan Approach”

This P90X diet approach takes the guess work out of your daily food preparation. The included P90X Nutrition Guide provides you with daily meal plans, and a variety of delicious and healthy recipes.

Approach 3: “The Quick Option Approach”

We all get busy from time to time, some of us more than others. This P90X diet approach offers some quick food options that require minimal to no effort at all. You might be a busy person but you MUST EAT TO SUCCED WITH P90X. If you battle with your schedule the Quick Option Approach may be your best solution.

The P90X Nutrition Guide has detailed info on each approach and is the key to eating healthy and providing your body with the proper nutrition you need over the next 90 days.

P90X Lean is for those who want more cardio and a slightly less intensive program. Make no mistake, this is the real deal and no picnic!

The P90X workouts are approximately 1hr (1 DVD) each day, 6 days a week, with the 7th day being a day or rest or optionally X Stretch. Please see the breakdown below. Feel free to preview the video descriptions of each workout on the P90X product page here:

P90X Extreme Home Fitness System
http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/p90x-products/p90x.php

P90X LEAN PHASE 1:

Your aim should be to finish each workout and perfect each movement, as opposed to focusing on weight or resistance.

Weeks 1-3:
Day 1 - Core Synergistics
Day 2 - Cardio X
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 - Cardio X
Day 6 - Yoga X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

P90X LEAN PHASE 2:

Your body should have adapted quite well by this phase, and it will be time to start upping the weight you use for each exercise. Shoot for 12-20 reps and be at or near failure at the end of each set.

Weeks 5-7
Day 1 - Core Synergistics
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, 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 - Cardio X
Day 6 - Yoga X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

P90X LEAN PHASE 3:

“No pain, no gain” is what this phase is all about. At this stage you should be ready to give it all you got! This is the time to push it to exhaustion on each exercise. Drop the reps a little and try to fail at 10-12 reps with more weight. It’s time to put the X in “extreme”

Weeks 9, 11
Day 1 - Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 - Core Synergistics
Day 6 - Kenpo X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

Week 10, 12
Day 1 - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 - Core Synergistics
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 - Cardio X
Day 6 - Yoga X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch