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Have started P90X but 'bonked' out due to not enough carbs

I'm into my third week of P90X and although I cope well with the activities I've not been able to master my body's dietary requirements. Phase one of the eating plan left me with absolutely no energy whatsoever to the point I've not worked put for the past five days! I have changed to phase two of the eating plan and seem to have my energy back and so starting up where I left off. However I'm wondering whether i should perhaps try phase three of the eating plan which is high in carbohydrate BUT for elite athletes. I'm still very much on the learning curve and hope someone is able to give me a few useful pointers. I'm not gonna give up on p90x as I'm really enjoying the exercise regime more than I've ever enjoyed any other fitness DVD, it's just the diet causing temporary problems. Thanks
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Avatar universal
Hmmm ok I was 316... started working out daily 6 x per week half hr in am and hr in PM. Diet all I did was cut fat to under 20% and calories to no over 1700 per day... some days I am at 11 some 1600 or 1700. One day a week I eat what ever I want. I make sure at least one main meal a week is fish and not more than two are beef. I also eat three "snacks" per day. I use a trainer initially 2x per week and after a month now just once. I find that helps keep me motivated and we change the exercise so I am never bored or plateaued out. So I started in jan and today (9/24) I am at 250. I have done two 5 Ks, one 10K and I have a half marathon coming up (ok I am slow but I still finish)... no secret just work hard, be persistent and forget the fads... but it works!
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Avatar universal
Thanks everyone! All very useful advice which I definitely take into account. Much appreciated...have to say, my beachbody 'insanity' DVDs arrived whilst reading your comments...I'll take that as a sign to get cracking lol x
Helpful - 0
1711789 tn?1361308007
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!

Though I am not familiar with the exact details of the program, it aims at increasing the physical workout gradually with balanced rotational activities; initially starting on low carb high protein diet; while the required calorie intake is always maintained. The last phase consists of intense work-out schedule and hence the calorie requirement rises and needs to be substituted with a high calorie/ carbohydrate intake (athletes diet), to provide the energy. If you are able to keep up with the work out schedule, you may take on the diet as well, since this would be required. However otherwise you may have to limit the carbohydrate intake.
Hope this helps.

Take care!
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Avatar universal
Each  meal should blend protein and fiber-rich complex carbohydrates. "Protein and fiber give you that feeling of satiety and keep you from feeling hungry,
Consistent eating will also keep your protein levels high, helping you build muscle. "Your body can metabolize only so much protein at one time, "Protein is metabolized better when it's divided evenly."
keep the mini meals mini. "It's critical that at the end of the day, the calorie content of your mini meals does not exceed what you would eat in three larger meals,"
With a suggested calorie count in hand, you can mix and match from the list of meals shown here. you can take two items from one meal list—if they're small. Looking to lose? Choose lower-calorie options. Be as flexible as you please. Building muscle? Double up on a couple of the items—have an extra slice of pizza or two containers of yogurt.
                                            Breakfast: 6-8:30 a.m.
Mix protein and quality carbs. "When protein is included in a meal, not only does it help prevent overeating at other times of day, but it also sustains energy levels and improves concentration," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, M.A., R.D., C.D.N., an ADA spokeswoman.
This means choosing a milk-infused latte instead of plain coffee, or a slather of peanut butter along with the jelly on an English muffin. Do not leave home without breakfast this is the foundation for the rest of your day.

1. 110 calories: Latte with reduced-fat milk
2. 140 calories: Skippy brand Squeeze Stick of peanut butter
3. 200 calories: 1 cup reduced-sodium cottage cheese with fresh peaches and cinnamon
4. 200 calories: 1 cup blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries with 6 ounces light yogurt and 1 tablespoon low-fat granola
5. 250 calories: Any-way-you-like-it egg on a whole-grain English muffin with melted cheese
6. 250 calories: Oatmeal made with milk instead of water; add brown sugar, walnuts, and/or any fresh or dried fruit
7. 260 calories: Cold whole-grain cereal, such as Kashi or raisin bran, with reduced-fat milk
8. 300 calories: Peanut butter and jelly on a whole-grain English muffin
9. 300 calories: Scrambled-egg burrito with turkey sausage and salsa
10. 300 calories: Two-egg omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese
                                  
                                Morning Snack: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Planning matters. buy the foods you need—string cheese, granola bars, trail mix, whatever
1. 80 calories: Stick of string cheese
2. 100 calories: Hard-boiled egg with a handful of grape tomatoes
3. 180 calories: Nature Valley granola bar
4. 250 calories: Ready-made reduced-fat smoothie, such as Stonyfield Farm
5. 250 calories: Clif bar
6. 275 calories: 2 or 3 small handfuls of trail mix
7. 290 calories: Kellogg's Nutri-Grain bar with a handful of pistachios or almonds
8. 300 calories: Slice of whole-grain bread topped with peanut butter and banana
9. 300 calories: Small bagel with 2 slices of Muenster cheese, melted
10. 400 calories: Medium-size fruit muffin (best if made with whole-wheat flour)

                                              Lunch: 12-1:30

Be careful! If you've had only a latte, fruit, and some string cheese so far, go ahead and have a big lunch. But if you've already eaten 700 calories (an omelet and a muffin, say), keep lunch light. Whatever you do, eat slowly,  It'll help you feel satisfied and keep you that way.

1. 175 calories: Canned tuna with balsamic vinegar on whole-grain crackers or bread
2. 300 calories: 3 corn-tortilla flautas stuffed with refried beans and dipped in salsa
3. 350 calories: Half an avocado, sliced, or ½ cup prepared guacamole with tomato and onion in a whole-grain pita
4. 375 calories: Baked potato with chopped broccoli and a slice of American cheese, melted
5. 400 calories: Seafood salad in a whole-grain pita with diced tomato, cucumber, and onion
6. 400 calories: 3 or 4 slices of bacon, reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, thin apple slices, and peanut butter on toasted whole-grain bread
7. 400 calories: ½ cup hummus with roasted vegetables
8. 400 calories: Small ham-, turkey-, or roast-beef-and-Swiss wrap with vegetables and mustard, in a whole-wheat tortilla
9. 400 calories: Fresh mozzarella and tomato slices on a bed of greens, with balsamic vinaigrette and extra-virgin olive oil
10. 450 calories: Six pierogi with salsa or reduced-fat sour cream

                                     Afternoon Snack: 2:30-3:30
Steer clear of the candy ."You could eat four small chocolates for 100 calories," says Geise, "or you could eat a cup of yogurt." The chocolate gives you hardly any protein; the yogurt delivers 8 grams.

1. 160 calories: Reduced-fat Cheddar melted on apple halves
2. 175 calories: 5 Laughing Cow cheese wedges
3. 200 calories: ½ cup baba ghanoush (roasted-eggplant dip) with vegetables
4. 210 calories: Half a container of Cracker Jack
5. 250 calories: 1 cup reduced-fat yogurt
6. 250 calories: Small handful of chopped pecans over a cup of fruit salad
7. 260 calories: Apple, pear, or banana smeared with peanut butter
8. 300 calories: Cup of chickpeas with a dash of cumin and fresh mint
9. 340 calories: 2 ounces roasted nuts
10. 350 calories: 1 cup each fat-free milk and frozen yogurt blended with a spoonful of peanut butter

                                          Dinner: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
this isn't dinner as you used to know it. At first, reining in meal sizes will seem strange. But portion control can make or break the plan. "This is crucial, whether you're looking to control weight, manage blood sugar, or maintain energy levels," says Tallmadge. And remember you'll be eating again in 2 hours.

1. 200 calories: 2 cups mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen) with ½ cup marinara sauce and some grated Parmesan cheese
2. 275 calories: 3 or 4 large handfuls of greens sautéed in olive oil with a handful of walnuts and ½ cup raisins
3. 300 calories: 6-piece sushi meal with a cup of miso soup
4. 325 calories: Buffalo burger topped with coleslaw, onion, and tomato
5. 350 calories: Quesadilla made with a small corn or whole-wheat tortilla, cheese, beans, shredded chicken or lean ground beef, onion, and jalapenos, and dipped in salsa
6. 400 calories: Slice of pizza topped with cheese and ground beef or ham
7. 400 calories: Turkey London broil cut into strips, sautéed with onion, red and orange bell pepper, and teriyaki sauce
8. 450 calories: Small plateful of nachos—baked tortilla chips, shredded reduced-fat cheese, refried beans, and salsa (plus some corn or black beans, if you want)
9. 500 calories: Lentil, minestrone, or tomato soup with a grilled-cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread
10. 550 calories: 1 cup pasta tossed with browned ground turkey breast, black olives, diced onion, a drizzle of olive oil, and 1 ½ tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

                                        Evening Snack: 8:30-10 p.m.
Feeling as if this was the longest day of your life? Maybe your calorie count is too low. Adjust it by adding more sensible foods to your plan. Or try choosing higher-fiber foods; they're digested slowly, so they'll help you feel fuller longer.

1. 150 calories: 5 cups Jolly Time light microwave popcorn sprinkled with hot sauce and/or 1 tablespoon Romano cheese
2. 150 calories: 1 cup rice pudding
3. 150 calories: 6 or 7 strawberries dipped in yogurt and drizzled with chocolate sauce
4. 150 calories: 1 cup cocoa made with skim milk
5. 175 calories: Sliced sweet potato (with skin), tossed in olive oil and baked
6. 175 calories: 1 cup skim ricotta cheese sweetened with Splenda, vanilla flavoring, and a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
7. 175 calories: Seltzer with 2 scoops frozen yogurt, a handful of berries, and a shot of flavoring syrup, such as strawberry or cherry
8. 200 calories: Root-beer float with 2 scoops frozen vanilla yogurt
9. 200 calories: 2 handfuls olives
10. 275 calories: 2-ounce Snickers bar

Helpful - 0
1754632 tn?1312374615
I am not familiar with the program's diets, but I do know from experience and from friends' experiences that cutting your carb intake is sooooo hard and strange at first.  Your body is so used to having them for easy energy, it takes a few days for it to figure out that it is going to have to start using fat for energy, which is a less readily available energy source.  Your body really has to work to get that fat burning.... which is the whole trick.  After a few days, your body gets used to it and you stop craving the carbs.  You would be surprised how you don't even look at carbs the same way anymore!  You can even pass up potato chips.  I read an article about alcohol in a diet.  It faulted alcohol for being even easier to burn than carbs, so your body stores all your food and burns the alcohol instead, hence the "beer belly".  Alcohol, as well as other high carb foods also make you crave more alcohol and high carb foods- a terrible cycle to fall into either way.  Back to the point that our bodies are lazy and want to burn the easiest form of energy possible.  SO... if you can stick to it for 3-7 days, you will feel a noticeable change in your body.  If you have to have carbs, do the healthy kind, but really give it a try, just for a couple of weeks.  It is a great jump start for any diet and you will feel your belly seem instantly less bloated and feel less hungry and munchy all of the time.  Eat lots of fiber to stay full.  Good luck!
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