I received a question from a customer of mine about some concerns she was having after her first 5 weeks of P90X. Below is our email conversation we had on Facebook and the questions and concerns she was facing. I hope this helps.
Heaven D:
Hi! So wanted to let you know that I am in week 5 of P90X… I thought I was doing pretty well until I stepped on scale and noticed a 5lb weight gain!!! PLEASE tell me this is normal. My husband and I are really trying hard to do it 6 days a week and we eat pretty well. I would at least expect to lose something. On a positive note I do feel like I have toned a bit…. Any advise on the weight gain!!???
Thanks! 
Joe P:
Awesome!!! What about inches? Did you take measurements? How is your energy level?
It is not uncommon for woman to maintain or even gain weight in their first 30 days of P90X. Woman have more hormones than men and that also includes water weight etc. in the first month mass tends to shift and move on woman before weight loss starts to occur. This means you will see inches lost in places like hips and waist and maybe gained in others like shoulders and arms.
I spoke with Tony Horton about this on the beach one day and he said he wished he could have called p90 for men and p120 for woman because it takes that extra 30 days to really hit their goals.
Bottomline: stick with it. Keep pushing play. Keep checking in with me and asking question. And continue to eat well and follow the nutrition guide the best that you can.
One more question, what are the weights you are using? What is the heaviest you use? Are you struggling on reps 12 or 15 or can you do more?
Joe
Heaven D:
I definitely can tell I have list inches in my thighs and hips…haven’t taken measurements but can tell my clothes. I keep reading that its normal and that in the second month you really start seeing results which keeps me “hitting play!” Plus it actually fun to do with my husband and I can see how much I am improving week to week…now I am getting a bit competitive with him during certain dvds lol. I am using 5 to 10 lbs and probably should start upping the weights …what do you think?
Joe P:
Yes. Don’t be afraid of heavier weight. You won’t bulk up, in fact you’ll lean down and get more toned. 15, 20 and 25 lbs for some exercises especially ones like lawnmowers. Should just be able to squeeze out that last rep. Here’s a tip from Tony himself:
So rep 12 or 15, depending on your goal, you should struggle a little but be able to perform the movement without compromising good form. If you form suffers, the weight is too heavy or if you can’t hit the target rep # you set for yourself, the weight is probably too heavy. If you get to rep 15 and you can still do more, do more. Than you’ll know it’s time to go u 2.5 or 5 lbs until you find that weight that is right for you.
Heaven D:
Thanks! I will keep you posted.
