P90X Tips 2

Of course I am! Glad to hear you’re going to join him! It works and having a workout buddy really helps! In fact, I’m cutting for my competition, so Jennifer and I started the phase 1 diet just today!

I love the adjustable sets…well, I’ve never used them, but I drool over them. Looking over the reviews seems to make them look iffy though. Weider (the manufacturer) is know for making cheap quality, but inexpensive equipment. I wouldn’t say don’t buy Weider, just be aware of what you’re buying. I also checked reviews at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Adjustable-Weights-12%252e5-lbs%252e/dp/B000VT5C2G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1235418831&sr=8-1. They’re not good either.

It may just be better to go to a Target and buy some Reebok Neoprene Dumbbells. Jennifer mostly used 8’s and 10’s. She did get up to 16’s for curls, but she also tends to have a lot of upper body strength for a woman (I knowz cuz I wrassles with them on occasion). I know she also had 5’s. So a 3, 5, 8, and 10 set might work very well for you.

Jennifer can’t swallow pills very well and has an addiction to chocolate. So, the only vitamin she’ll take is Viactiv: http://www.viactiv.com/products/index.jhtml?id=viactiv/products/multivitamin.inc
However, I have my doubts about it. Eve is a well regarded one and is 3 pills, so it can be spread out over the day.http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/eve.html I would compare your daily to it. That should give you an idea of how you should be dosing it. I would also research any of the additional substances that may be in Eve but not in your daily vitamin and decide if you think you would benefit from them. You shouldn’t have to double up the Omega-3 nor the MSM/Chondroitin/Glucosamine. I also went to a Henry’s for the first time last week – that place is vitamin city! They also stock a lot of the NOW brand products – which I’m a fan of. 

I have tasted the mini Muscle Milk Light protein bars. They are tasty. I also like their chocolate Ready To Drink (RTD) protein shake. It’s probably my favorite RTD. As for protein bars, I try to find those that keep the same ratio between Fat, Carbs, and Protein as the phase I’m in, that way I’m either helping to make my diet easier or at least keeping my diet neutral. The nutrition guide should help you determine appropriate levels for you personally. Also with Muscle Milk be careful of calories. Their original product line was VERY high in calories – the line was designed for hard gainers – skinny guys who struggle to add muscle. However, they’re starting to generalize their line for the bulk of us – those who have a hard time keeping fat off. Those should be fine.

Allergic to soy?! What kind of Asian are you?  That does make it tough, most commercial bars have soy to up their protein levels. However, non-soy bars do exist, soy is believed to increase estrogen levels, so most body builders avoid it like the plague.  I personally try to avoid high fructose corn syrup in bars, which can be tricky to find as well. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that matches what you’re looking for. First decide what levels of carbs, protein, and calories are appropriate for you, then go looking for bars that match and taste/texture test them. 

Creatine dosing advice varies. P90X will not tell you how much to use. Here is a good discussion on female dosing of creatine:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=5695441 That page seems to suggest 2 grams per day. The most convenient way I have found to take Creatine is chews. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/chews.html They include carbs so you don’t have mix power with juice or take pills with juice (insulin is needed to deliver the creatine to your muscles). Again, watch for stomach discomfort and bloating – women seem to be more sensitive. If you do experience bloating, know it’s just water weight that will disappear as soon as your creatine levels normalize.

I’ve downloaded some of the spreadsheets via torrents, found others online, purchased another through ebay. Let me see if I can post them here.