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I've been an active triathlete for the past 3 years. 4 years ago I lost 65 lbs and have been active ever since. But I still have 15-20 lbs I'd like to get rid of and need to seriously build some muscle to get stronger and be a better triathlete. So I decided to do P90X on my off season. I'm 11 days in and I feel like I'm losing ground. I still am no where close to doing a pull up without a chair and I'm worried I'm not doing enough cardio because I was training up to 2 1/2 hours a day either swimming, biking, or running a month ago. My goal is to break the plateau I've been stuck in for over a year, and I need advice to see if P90X will do that. I'm following the eating program, and aside from it being higher protein it isn't very different from how I normally eat. So after all that explanation, My question is, do I need to still be running, spinning, and swimming along with this program?

Agreed with Bazooka. I think it's a good idea to supplement your resistance days with cardio, although you'll want to make sure you increase your calories to account for the extra activity. Being the athlete that you are, I'm sure you're already well-versed in that.

As for your pull-ups, girl don't beat yourself up! 11 days into the program is by no means long enough into it to gauge your progress. Think about when you started training for the triathalons- how long was it before you started seeing some improvements? Probably a couple of months, right? (at least that's how long it would take my slow poke butt!)

Ease up on yourself a little. Keep setting goals each week and strive to meed and exceed them. Two months from now, you'll look back and smile at all the progress you've made.

Best of luck,
Kim

Thanks for the advice, I haven't really understood about the calorie increase, and as I was overweight for so long, it freaks me out to eat more. But I'm following the level II diet and so I hope I see the results. I'll compare the extra cardio levels and see if it's enough. Thanks again.

You bet, anytime. I'm not fantastic, but I have learned a few things and have increased my mile speed by 2 1/2 min in the past few years. So I guess that's progress.

Hi Sherri,
I had a set back last week. When I started phase 2 and got to Wednesday my back and biceps disk was bad, and I'd tweaked my back during the core synergenics banana-boat fast switch. I did that disk on Thanksgiving and then ran 4 miles on gravel the next morning. Both of which didn't help my back. So when the disk was bad I thought I'd just move to the Yoga as it always makes me feel better, but whatever was loose, slipped all the way out and so after a trip to the chiropractor and a few days off, I then got a serious sinus cold. But I'm back on track this week. I'm just going to repeat last week with my new disk and take 97 days instead of 90. I still am not losing any more weight. I have to admit, I've cut the calories back because adding them didn't seem to work after that initial week and I stayed on it for over a month. I still have more protein, but not quite as big of portions and I'm eating more fruits and veggies as that's what my body craves. I'm starting to see changes in my arms and legs, and I feel them in my core. But I had 4 very big babies, (my first son was 10lbs and is 6'3" now) and so maybe P90X can't get rid of my pouch like other testimonials have said. I know I have a six pack, it's just in the cooler. I'm going to keep bringing it, and see what happens during the other two phases and I've quit stressing out too much about the other cardio. I spin a few days a week, and run a bit. But this is my off season, so I'll just relax and see where this program takes me. I truly want to lose some body fat, not just for aesthetic reasons, but because I would like to be around 20 or less and I'm sitting at 25%. But I'm not sure how else to do it. If running 35 miles a week, swimming three days, and biking over a hundred a week doesn't burn it off, what will?
Thanks for the interest.

Angela

Angela:

I have a couple of suggestions.

You have to realize that what you're doing as an endurance athlete is pretty much the opposite of resistance training, and so it will build a different kind of muscle. In the long run, it should help your Tri training from a strength standpoint.

When doing pullups, I suggest putting a small box (i use a milk crate) BEHIND your feet and resting your toes on them. I think it lets you control your assistance better. Just make sure your pullup bar is secure to eliminate any possibility of a face plant.

When you lift, use challenging weights.

If you're using running for supplemental cardio, think about adding some sprint training instead of just miles. You can either run them as stand alones, (8 to 10 all out 220's) or mix them in on a regular run. Just make sure when you run them, that they're flat out sprints.

Kim,

I'm doing better and back on track.

Thanks for reminding me how unfair the guy advantage is, sorry guys but you suck. I told my husband the other day that he makes me sick because he looks great and he doesn't even try. Me, on the other hand, have to work my ass off and it seems to take forever. And now I have to find a way to do two round of this to get where I need to be? Ok, but I start training in February so I'm going to have to find a way to do both.

Yikes.

I am seeing results in my arms and legs. So I guess I should be happy. Tony's infomercial is just too good, it makes you think 90 days is all you need. Sorry I guess I'm being negative, I have a bit of holiday-induced-stress-blues. But I didn't miss a workout this week and I feel great. Sore where I should be and stronger everyday.

Angela

You might be doing way too much (burning out). Give the 90X program time, to me it was a transformation. After 11 days you are only 8% into the program. I struggle with pullups and i have completed the whole program. Have you tried the bands. I go to the bands after i can't do pullups anymore, and that practice has increased what I can do on the bar. Sounds like you are super-active physically and you might be starving your body. I am going to do another round on P90X and follow the nutrition guide in phase 2 and I know thats all i will need to do. I ditched the gym and did this at home and I got great results. Tony is right, mix it all up and you get results.