I'm actually wrapping up my second week in the Classic program, so it's day 14, but I've actually been at P90X for 29 days now. Why the discrepancy in days? Well, it's because I started out doing the Lean program until my husband started making fun of the Lean program as being for pansies and challenged me to really BRING IT. Not to be outdone by him, I switched over two weeks ago and I'm not counting the days I was on the Lean program. And since starting the Classic program I can only say...ouch! The P90X fitness guide says that all the programs are equally intensive, but the Classic program is definitely tougher. (There's also the Doubles program, but lets not go there because it's not for mentally sane people).
I think if you're starting P90X and you presumably have not been the "athletic" type, it's a good idea to start with the Lean program. Perhaps complete the first phase including the recovery week, then consider switching over to the Classic. Trust me, it'll kick your ass as well. The only difference between the two programs is that the Lean is a toned down version of the Classic program, i.e., there is less weight training and the cardio workouts are also less intensive. However, the Lean program will help prepare your unsuspecting body for the pounding it's going to receive in the Classic program. In particular, the demon-of-all workouts, plyometrics, which will appear like a lot of carefree jumping but your quads will seize up the next day, and Chest & Back, which will leave your upper body incapacitated for a few days. (I couldn't even dress myself afterwards when I did Chest & Back for the first time!)
In sum, if you're starting out and haven't worked out before, start with the Lean program and then consider switching to the Classic after the first phase. Otherwise, go with the Classic program as you'll see results faster, i.e., growth in muscle definition and weight loss. I suspect they call it the Lean program because the overall effect is less, both in calorie burn and lean muscle gain.
Well, you may exclaim, "I don't want any muscle, I just want to be thin and gorgeous". And I would say, "Don't judge muscles too quickly." Building lean muscle is beneficial on many counts, which I'm not going to go in-depth in this post, perhaps another. But in short, muscles uses up more calories and increases your metabolism, hence it'll be easier for you to burn that nasty fat, which we all know is the true enemy in your life, and second, who doesn't want to look like her? (You can be sure she does a lot of weight training, if you don't believe me check out Jamie Eason's workout program.)
Oxygen Cover Girl
Jamie Eason
If you're still looking at me with suspicion and think that pumping iron will make you end up looking like a female Arnold Schwarzenegger, you should read why women can't bulk up. In fact, you can find countless articles (I did) that show that it is very difficult for women to "bulk" up, i.e., look like Heman in a dress. Hardcore professional female body-builders such as Ms. Olympia, Iris Klye, achieve their herculean results by eating a load of calories, muscle-growing hormones and supplements and training like a madman (or madwoman).
Ms. Olympia 2012
Iris Kyle
In short, it's extremely difficult for women to bulk up and unless you plan to eat cheese burgers everyday and dope on steroids, I wouldn't be concerned at all. I'm certainly no longer concerned, instead I'm looking forward to achieving the ultimate bikini-body like the models featured on Oxygen.
However, one concern I do have about weight-training is actually "beefing" up, which happens when you've built up some lean muscle mass but failed to lose the fat. You end up looking very "husky" (you know what I mean) because now you have fat ON TOP of muscles, whereas before you only had fat. But, ultimately the real enemy is fat not the muscles. So to achieve the Oxygen-Cover-Girl look you have to reduce your percent body fat. That is the only way to reveal the lean, sleek muscles underneath that you've worked so hard to build, otherwise you'll just end up looking lumpier and manly!
To lower your percent body fat there is really only healthy dieting and exercise. Starvation is pointless and will backfire because we're biological creatures born to eat, sooner or later you'll crack and binge on pizza and Krispy Kreme, which you'll wash down with double-thick milkshake, and then where will you be? Just fatter! Trust me, do it right and commit to the right mindset, which means eating correctly, eating healthy and living well, and it will pay you dividends for the rest of your life.
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