Frequently Asked Questions - FearlessLeeFit.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started Right

If you are reading this, CONGRATULATIONS! You have decided to take control of your health and fitness, and you are ready to get maximum results!.

How do we get started right and be successful?

STEP 1. Get a Coach and choose a Workout Program

i. Free Coaching

If you’ve already done this, perfect! Move on to STEP 2. If not, be sure you make me your coach. It’s free, doesn’t cost you a dime, and entitles you to be part of teamFEARLESS so that we can help you every step of the way on your journey to reach your fitness goals. Do that by clicking the “JOIN OUR TEAM!” tab in the top navigation (or by clicking here).

iia. Workout Program – Basic Pack

You may be trying to decide which program is for you. There is something for everyone. You can start with something relatively easy like 10 minute trainer or Slim in 6. You can go for an advance/extreme workout like P90X or Insanity. You can go for an absolutely extreme workout program like P90X2 or Asylum. Or you can do something in between like Les Mills Pump, Power 90, Chalean Extreme, or Turbo Fire. Look in the “FITNESS” tab in the top navigation (or by clicking here) to learn all about the different options you have.

For some of you just deciding to commit your time and money to a workout program is all you can handle for now. I totally relate! I was the same way. If that’s you, just pick a program and start there.

iib. Workout Program – Challenge Pack

However, for those of you who like to get all your ducks in a row from the start, there is a way to SAVE MONEY by ordering a bundle that includes your (1) fitness program, (2) your supplements, and (3) a VIP club membership, along with FREE shipping on everything, for a much reduced rate. That is called a “Challenge Pack” — Compare the different options by clicking here.

Regardless of whether you pick a basic or challenge pack, be sure to also read more about how you can cash in on your results with the “Beachbody Challenge”!

STEP 2. Determine the Equipment you’ll need!

If you choose a workout program like Insanity or Turbo Fire, you won’t need anything except a way to play the DVD’s and something to wipe up all the sweat.

With a workout program that involves resistance training (like P90X, Power 90, and Chalean Extreme), you’ll need some dumbbells or resistance bands. For P90X you’ll need also need a pullup bar (or again you can use the bands to substitute). There are also lots of other nice pieces of equipment you might want to add (not necessary but nice to have, which you can look at in the Equipment and Gear section on Beachbody’s website. The gears are grouped by the workout program so you can click on each program on the left and see what all you could get.

STEP 3. Document and Track Everything

You never know if you’ll be in the next infomercial or in the next set of workout videos that come out! I was embarrassed to take my Day 1 pictures because my body was so out of shape and I didn’t want it to be seen! But I followed the instruction and took some anyway. Little did I know how much my body would change, and luckily I had those Day 1 pics as proof. I wish I had taken more 🙂 Be sure you take good pictures (front, side and back), document your progress with photos, and take measurements along the way. In addition to the scale, you’ll also need a DIY fat caliper to measure your body fat %.

STEP 4. Learn Everything you can about Nutrition

Nutrition will contribute to 80% of your success. I’ve seen so many time where people worked out a lot but hardly saw any visible progress. Mainly reason is they didn’t trust the system and pay attention to the diet and nutrition. You don’t want to waste your next 60 or 90 days working your butt off and end up not seeing the results that you wanted. I repeat, dial in on your diet/nutrition as soon as possible so that you won’t be disappointed in the end.

The level of results you get is in DIRECT PROPORTION to the effort you put into the nutrition. Being part of our team, you must pay attention to your nutrition. I’m fanatical about my nutrition. I track every single meal and record my weight changes every single day without fail. As of March 22 2013, I’ve been tracking and dialing in on my diet for 165 days! Go to the “NUTRITION” tab of this site, take the time and read it, and give yourself the best chance at success! I can guarantee that if you’ll follow the nutrition approach I teach here, your results will be off the charts!

Meeting the calorie target is only the high-level. To be successful, we HAVE TO dial in on the macro-nutrients (protein, carb, and fat) ratio. I use myfitnesspal to keep track of what I eat so that I know whether or not I hit the calorie and macros budget. It’s free and has mobile apps for our phones. You can sign up at MyFitnessPal.com, if you don’t already use it. I’ll help you calculate your daily calorie need and your macro ratio. Once you have this information, you can customize your calorie and macros setting on MFP. Here’s the instruction on how to get it setup.

Here are the must-read articles. Please bookmark them if needed:

STEP 5. Plug into the System!

It’s so important to be part of a team when taking this journey. A team will help hold you accountable. A team will keep you motivated. You will become more passionate about your journey as you share it with others. That’s one of the best things about our TEAM — we provide each other with the support, encouragement, and kick in the rear that we all need sometimes.  And be sure to visit our Forum to engage with others. There are several Facebook groups we have for our team depending on what workout program you are doing. Don’ t sit back and fall through the cracks. PLUG IN!!

i. Team Facebook Page

LIKE” our Team Facebook Page and get daily motivational quote and frequent tips/updates from me:
fearlessleefit-facebook
http://facebook.com/FearlessLeeFit

ii. Challenge Group Page

If you’re in the Challenge Group, I’ll setup exclusive Facebook page for just that group so that you can interact with those in the same group. You also have the option of joining our RIPPED XIV (2014) Challenge Group page where hundreds of team members and coaches are already a part of. Please click the “Request to Join” button on the Facebook page and email me so that I can approve your request.
ChallengeGroup
https://www.facebook.com/groups/183795728487608/
(Note: make sure you introduce yourself when you join)

iii. Accountability Support Group Page

Don’t use Facebook? No problem, you can join my Support Group page on Team Beachbody’s website.
support-group

iv. MyFitnessPal

Also, you can add me on MFP to see exactly what Coach Al is eating every day (LOL) and hold yourself accountable to me and the rest of the group. My screen name is “Proton77“.

I also have a Support Group setup on MFP. Please feel free to plug in there – just click here.

 

STEP 6. Be Persistent

These workouts are HARD! Eating right is HARD! Breaking old habits is HARD! You won’t like it at first. You’ll be sore. You’ll be tired. You’ll feel like crap some days. Suck it up and push play! That’s the key! We all go through the same thing. Successful people push through and keep going. Quitters quit. You have to make the commitment that no matter how you feel, you will keep showing up and keep pushing yourself to improve! These articles shed the light on what you will go through and how to have your mind right = “Struggling”, “Just do it Period”, and “How do you feel?”

STEP 7. Set Lofty Goals & Land your spot in the Hall of Fame!

I kept pushing myself every day, and got awesome results. If you’ll do the same, there is no reason you won’t do the same. Your road may look different than mine, but if you are taking steps every day to get yourself closer to your goal, I can guarantee that you will get there! People ask me when I started seeing results, or they get worried if they have ups and downs in their weight loss along the way.

But put all the doubts and fears aside, and set your goals BIG! Then have a single-minded focus on getting to those goals! Be “Fanatical”! And I’ll save you a spot in my website Hall of Fame just for you!

STAY FOCUSED and BE A CHAMPION EVERYDAY!

 

Cheers,
Coach Al

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How do I make you my Beachbody coach?

If you don’t have a coach yet, just CLICK HERE! You will be asked to fill out a short form. Once you do, I will immediately become your coach!

If you already has a Beachbody account but would like to switch to me as your official coach, you can switch by following this simple instruction here.

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How do you benefit from being my coach?

The way I benefit from being your coach is that I earn a commission off of any Beachbody products that you would purchase, whether it be a program, supplement, or equipment. It helps compensate me for the time I spend helping you out and answering your questions! You can purchase all Beachbody products from this site just by clicking on them. Thanks!

With that said, rest assured that I will always give you my honest opinion about what did and didn’t work for me. I won’t try to sell you something I don’t use and believe in for myself. I know that money is hard to come by, and I will make sure that you make the most of your budget.

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I already have a coach, but would like to be coached by you. Can I switch coaches?

Yes, you can make the coach switch, and here is how to do so: you simply have to send a one line email to [email protected] telling them that you want Al Lee, FearlessLeeFit # 210240 at [email protected] to be your coach.

Make sure to include your FULL NAME and email address and to copy me on the email so I can follow up.

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Why should I make you my coach?

As your coach, I will be here to help motivate and support you through your own fitness journey! Through my own transformation, I have become passionate about what a great program P90X, Insanity and other Beachbody programs are, and I am excited to help others transform their bodies and get passionate about it too!

What I Offer

FITNESS + NUTRITION + SUPPORT = YOUR SUCCESS

  • I’ll help you set the right calorie goal
  • I’ll suggest and determine the right foods to eat for the best results
  • I promote a sustainable lifestyle change, not a short-term diet
  • I’ll recommend the supplements that work best so you don’t have to experiment from scratch
  • I’m your accountability partner to guide you through and keep you motivated
  • Additional team-based support on FacebookTwitter, and exclusive/closed challenge group pages on Facebook.

If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected].

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Why should I consider becoming a coach?

As I went through my first round of P90X, becoming a coach was the last thing on my mind. However, my coach pointed out that I should consider being a coach to save money on my own purchases (I was on Shakeology Home Direct, so by becoming a coach I would actually save money each month). I still didn’t know if I wanted to dive into coaching until I neared the end of my P90X journey and started to develop a true passion for how amazing this program works. All my friends were asking me what kind of workout I was doing, so I found myself talking about P90X and Insanity all the time. Then, when they see my transformation, I was literally bombarded with questions about what worked/didn’t work for me, and I saw the opportunity to really help others catch my passion for P90XInsanity and other Beachbody programs. Plus, by becoming a coach, I am now accountable to keep pushing play, keep getting more RIPPED, and keep setting a good example for my players. I can’t get lazy when I’ve got all of you looking up to me!! If you are passionate about P90X and Insanity, want to help others with the program, and are willing to be accountable as a coach to keep BRINGING IT, then I encourage you to consider coaching.

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How much does it cost to become a coach?

There is an initial $39.95 fee and then a monthly charge of $15.95 for your back office. The back office is a website that Beachbody provides for you that keeps track of your sales, team sales, customers, commissions, as well as some training, sales tools, and much more. The fee also covers 3 free customer-facing websites that Beachbody will maintain for you.

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How much time do I have to dedicate in order to be a coach?

The amount of time you spend is completely up to you. It just depends on what kind of coach you want to be. You can be a coach simply for the purpose of saving money on your own products (for example, if you currently use Shakeology, the amount you save on your Shakeology purchase each month is more than the monthly fee to be a coach, so you’ll already be ahead!). Or, if you want to make the investment of time to turn your coaching into a great part-time (or even full time) business, Beachbody is the perfect way to do that. You are a product of the system, and your own results are a walking, talking advertisement that will bring people to you! Plus, you are backed by Beachbody’s multi-million dollar advertising budget.

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What are some of the benefits of becoming an Independent Beachbody Coach?

Some of the benefits of becoming an Independent Beachbody Coach include:

  • You have the opportunity to help others get into shape and live a healthier lifestyle.
  • You receive 25% off all Beachbody products.
  • You have built in accountability to keep BRINGING IT since you are leading others! Talk about motivation. As your coach, I know that I have to lead by example!
  • You get your own personalized website/store.
  • You are not responsible for shipping or inventory.
  • You have unlimited income potential.
  • You are a personal business owner.
  • You have the opportunity to purchase the Showcase Package.

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What is the Showcase Package?

This is a great way to get a whole collection of popular Beachbody workout programs for one low cost. For just $199, you can purchase a collection of Beachbody workout programs that normally costs over $400!

The programs included are Turbo Jam, Power 90, Slim in 6, Yoga Booty Ballet, Hip Hop Abs, and P90X. You will also receive a set of B-Lines Resistance Bands and a YBB Squishy Ball. (As a note of comparison: the retail price of P90X is $119.85 plus S&H, and for just $80 more, you can have 5 more programs!)

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Do I have to have a great transformation to be a coach?

No! You have to have a passion for helping others and the desire to succeed. The earlier you start, the better. Having a great transformation is just the icing on the cake, because my coaching business has literally exploded due to the response to my transformation. Let that keep you motivated as you go through the program (Tell yourself that you can literally turn your results into a profitable business! That might give you the extra incentive to Bring It!!)

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What if I’m not very knowledgeable about fitness?

You don’t have to be a fitness expert to be a coach. I wasn’t when I first started. I’ve done a lot of research over the past year and a half to learn as much as I could about fitness. The best time to start is NOW!

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Will I get the proper training?

Beachbody has an excellent training program called the Game Plan, which you will need to understand when you sign up to coach.

Our team has also created our own step-by-step training program to provide you the knowledge to be a successful coach. We cannot be successful without first helping you to be successful.

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How do I sign up to be a Beachbody Club Member?

To get a Beachbody Club Membership, just Click Here!

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What are the benefits of being a Club Member?

Benefits of the Club Membership:

  • 10% discount on fitness programs, gear, and supplements.
  • Full access to Beachbody TV, including exclusive Trainer Tips, Healthy Eating Tips, Style Tips, and Lifestyle Tips.
  • VIP access to our celebrity Trainers. Watch their videos, ask them questions, and read their motivational articles.
  • Chat live with your favorite Trainers in the exclusive VIP Chatroom.
  • Personalized meal plans and delicious recipes that make it easy to lose weight.
  • Your own personal blog to journal your progress and share your ideas and opinions.
  • Access to fitness articles and tips to help you maximize your workouts.
  • Access to nutrition articles and tips to make healthy eating simple and satisfying.
  • Access to new recipes and the recipe archives.
  • Access to WOWY SuperGym, where you can schedule your workouts, track your progress, and be eligible to win cash and prizes up to $1,000 a day.
  • Your own personal Coach to link you to all the support, tools, and motivation you need to reach your goals.
  • Access to the Cooldown Chatroom, to chat live with other Team Beachbody members after your workout.
  • Your personal Message Center to get and receive messages, workout invitations, and Buddy requests.
  • Helpful fitness tools to get the most out of every workout.
  • Workout Buddies to keep you motivated and inspired.
  • Beachbody News Network videos for all the latest Team Beachbody headlines.
  • Access to the Message Boards.
  • Weekly newsletters and access to the newsletter archives.

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How much does it cost to be a Club Member?

It’s just $2.99 per week, billed $38.87 each quarter. You will also receive a free gift valued at $20.00!

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Can you create a Meal Plan for me?

No, I will not create Meal Plans for individuals. I highly recommend that you purchase the Club Membership, which will create meal plans for you. It’s cheap at only $2.99 per week (billed $38.87 per quarter).

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It’s hard to eat healthy during work. What can I do to stay committed with the diet?

Not being able to eat healthy during work is a common problem. I HIGHLY recommend Shakeology, which has become the most popular Beachbody product as of recently! I have been drinking Shakeology every morning and have seen excellent results from it. I absolutely LOVE it. To learn more about Shakeology, click here.

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How important is the diet?

The diet is the most important part of the program and what ultimately determines how great of results you get! Commit yourself to both the diet and the workouts and you will reach your goals. Diet and nutrition is at least contributing 80% to the success of your transformation. So without dialing in on your diet, you will likely be disappointed with your result.

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Did you follow the Nutrition Guide?

I followed the Nutrition Guide as closely as possible, but there were some foods that I didn’t like, so I would substitute them with one’s that were very similar in nutritional value. It’s very important to get in the proper Protein/Carb/Fat % every day. It should be 50/30/20 during Phase 1, 40/40/20 during Phase 2, and 30/50/20 during Phase 3. Those are just % of total calories. You can keep track of everything by posting what you eat every day into free tool like   www.myfitnesspal.com (learn how to get it set up here). Also, the Club Membership creates specific meal plans for you, and is something that I highly recommend.

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I have been following the diet and workouts to a tee, but have not lost any weight (or even gained weight). Am I doing something wrong?

You have to remember that you are both burning fat and building muscle at the same time. You can’t base your results from what you see on the scale. Instead, you need to pay attention to the amount of inches lost, body fat % lost, and what you see in the mirror.

To measure your body fat % easily without having to visit the doctors or hospitals, you could get a body fat caliper from Beachbody. Here’s the link.

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I just started P90X. Do you have any good advice?

The best advice that I can give is to commit yourself to the Nutrition Guide! I tell all the people that I coach that your results are going to come from about 80% diet and 20% workouts. However, this does not mean you can slack on the workouts, because you still have to build muscle and burn calories to increase your metabolism, get stronger, and lose body fat.

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Is it OK to wake up in the morning and work out, or should I eat beforehand?

It is not necessary to eat anything before you workout, especially if you are doing it in the morning and crunched on time. The last thing you want to happen is cramp up because you ate something and didn’t give it enough time to digest. However, if you do have time to eat, like an hour, then eat a small simple carbohydrate like an apple. This will give you more energy during your workout. The most important time to eat would be AFTER your workout when the body demands simple (easy-to-absorb) carbohydrates and protein for recovery. You have about an hour span after your workout to eat or take your Recovery Formula.

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I’m a woman and worried about getting too muscular with P90X. Should I be worried?

The answer is NO! Many women have followed the P90X Classic version, which is a balance of both cardio and resistance workouts, and don’t get muscular at all! They just lost a lot of body fat and got very toned. Also, women don’t have anywhere close to the testosterone levels that men do, which makes it much harder for them build muscle. If you focus on 12-15 reps, you will be fine!

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Is it OK to drink coffee?

There is nothing wrong with having a cup or two of coffee throughout the day. Caffeine actually speeds up the metabolism, and has been known to have positive affects on your workouts as well. Just about all the pre-workout supplements that you see on the market today have caffeine in them! I don’t take pre-workout supplement but I do take Purple Wraath BCAA amino acids during the workout.

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I am having trouble reaching my protein mark for the day. What snacks can I add to increase my protein?

I always recommend beef jerky (get the low sodium one if you can find them), low-fat cottage cheese, whey protein powder, and protein shakes. You can learn more about the protein supplements I use and recommend here.

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Is it OK to have a cheat day or cheat meal?

If you are going to “cheat” at all, I recommend it being only a cheat meal, not a cheat day, and make sure you only do it every so often, preferably just once or twice a month. If you have a cheat meal or cheat day every week, it will slow your results and you will become discouraged. It takes a lot of self-discipline to eat 100% clean, but with sacrifice comes great rewards.

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Can I stay on the P90X Fat Shredder diet for longer than the first phase?

Yes! If you want to lose body fat and weight quicker, stick with the P90X Fat Shredder Phase as long as you want and as long as you don’t have any kidney problem. I followed the Fat Shredder diet for pretty much my entire first rounds of P90X and Insanity workout. However, if you hit a plateau while on the Fat Shredder diet, then move to the next phase.

The 3 P90X Nutritional Phases do not have to coincide the 3 workout months. The “phases” simply mean the phases of one’s physical need based on their goal.

Per the p90x nutrition guide:

This plan is designed to change right along with your 3-phase workout demands, providing the right combination of foods to satisfy your body’s energy needs every step of the way.

While P90X is designed as a 90-day program, you might choose to alter your choice or timing of one or more of the plans. You can follow any phase at any time based on your nutritional level. These are general guidelines recommended here.

The selection of the different phases depending on your GOALS and one can switch to the different phases at ANY time.

If your goal is to:

“Strengthen muscle and shed excess body fat” – 50/30/20

“Maintain Phase 1 changes with additional energy for midstream performance” – 40/40/20

“Support peak physical performance and satisfaction over the long term” – 20/60/20

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How much water should I drink throughout the day?

At least 10 – 12 (8oz) cups per day. If you are taking supplements like creatine, you will need even more water.

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I just don’t have enough energy to complete my workouts. What should I do?

When you don’t have enough energy, it means you are not taking in enough carbohydrates during the day. One thing you can do is eat a simple carb, like half an apple or a slice or 2 of whole wheat bread with almond butter, about an hour before you workout. This should increase your blood sugar level in time for the workout, therefore giving you more energy.

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I’ve lost my Nutrition Guide. Do you know where I can get another one?

If you purchased P90X through a Beachbody Coach or through the main Beachbody site, then you should be able to contact Beachbody Customer Service and get a new one. However, if you purchased the program through a 3rd party, then you won’t be able to get a new one.

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The Nutrition Guide wants me to take in 3,000 calories per day, but I think this is too much! Should I force myself to eat this many?

No! It’s never good to feel stuffed after you eat. Remember, you lose body fat and weight by burning more calories than you take in. However, eating too little could cause your body to go into starvation mode, in which the body holds on to fat and doesn’t let you burn it during the workouts. You have to find that happy medium to where you feel comfortable after every meal. Here’s an article I wrote about how to calculate your calorie need for the day.

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Is it OK to use artificial sweetener?

I don’t recommend using any artificial sweetener. Though it’s zero calorie, it could mess with how your body regulate blood sugar. It’s better to stick with real sugar or cane sugar if you really need to sweeten your coffee but make sure you track it in free tool like myfitnesspal.com so that you don’t go over your calorie/sugar budget.

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Is it OK to drink alcohol while doing P90X, INSANITY or other workouts?

Of course it’s ok to have a drink every once in a while! It’s important that you don’t over-do-it though. Drinks that are “healthier” for you are Coors light, Bud Light, and Miller Lite. Remember though, alcohol has a lot of calories and can add up very quickly! I would recommend to not drink during your first go through of any routine until you hit your desired results. That is what I had to do because the alcohol kept me from getting the results I wanted.

Here’s an article I wrote about working out and alcohol.

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Is supplement needed when I do the Beachbody workouts?

**Before you try any supplements, it’s important that you check with your doctor first**

I strongly believe that the foundation to achieving health and fitness goes is through nutrition. In my opinion results come from 80% diet and 20% intense workout. That being said, Supplements are the icing on the cake. They should only be used after you have gotten a firm grip on your caloric intake and diet ratios.

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What supplements do you take?

Supplements that I use and recommend are ShakeologyP90X Recovery Formula, whey protein, protein shake, and protein bars especially when you’re always on the run. I use Purple Wraath (BCAA’s) but I don’t consider it as a must-have. I use Shakeology as a meal replacement for breakfast and occasionally as a post workout recovery drink. Take the whey protein once or twice a day: once in the morning and after my workout. I take the Recovery Formula directly following the workout when I really pushed it during the workout. Click here to see the supplements that I use and recommend.

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What is Shakeology?

Shakeology is probably the most popular supplement that Beachbody has to offer, and it can act as a meal replacement if you are looking to cut body fat, or as a snack in addition to your normal meals if you are looking to gain mass. Of all Beachbody supplements available, this is the only one I can’t live without, and I highly recommend this product to anyone who asks. Since starting it during my Insanity workout, I haven’t gone a day without it! You can learn more about Shakeology by clicking here.

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What is the Recovery Formula?

As you know, when you workout you are tearing your muscles. Immediately after you’re done with your training for the day, those muscles you used go into “recovery” mode and start rebuilding. In order to rebuild properly, they need protein and carbohydrates to carry that protein. They “feed” your muscles and allow them to make a better recovery and get stronger! It’s good to take this after both cardio and resistance workouts. To know whether or not your body needs the Recovery Formula, ask yourself the following 2 questions:

1) Do I feel sore and tight for most of the day following my workout?

2) Do I feel wiped out and out of energy later in the day following my workout?

If you answered “Yes” to either of these, the Recovery Formula will do wonders for you. Remember, though, it’s 200 calories, so you’ll have to factor that into your totals for the day. If you are trying to keep the calories low (like I was), you can try ½ scoop and see if that does the trick.

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Should I take the Recovery Formula after cardio workouts?

Yes, you should take the Recovery Formula after every intense workout, especially workout programs like P90X, INSANITY, Asylum Vol 1 & 2! The only one I wouldn’t take it after is P90X X Stretch or any easy workouts 🙂

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Should I take the Recovery Formula after I work out if it’s late at night?

Even if you work out late and go to bed shortly afterwards, you still need to take the Recovery Formula (If your answer is YES to these criteria)!

1) Do I feel sore and tight for the day following my workout?

2) Do I feel wiped out and out of energy the day following my workout?

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Should I take creatine?

I don’t use it. It’s naturally occurring in our bodies, and facilitates muscle building and recovery. There has been a significant amount of research on creatine. I encourage you to google it and study it for yourself before deciding to use it.

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What do you think about the P90X Protein Bars?

This isn’t a Beachbody approved answer, but I prefer Pure Protein bars (from Costco). The main reason is that they are the lowest in sugar of any that I’ve tried, and keeping my sugar intake as low as possible is my goal. With that said, I must say that the P90X Protein Bars are very good! They contain a lot of protein (18 grams), which helps with your protein requirements, as well as a good amount of carbohydrates (37 grams), which help you keep your energy level up throughout the day. If you are on a Phase 3 nutrition plan, the P90X bars are perfect. If you are on the Fat Shredder plan, get the Pure Protein bars like I use. All protein bars are a little pricey, but they are the perfect snack to give you a boost of protein and fill you up on the go.

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Will whey protein make me fat?

Not at all! Whey protein is very important for muscle retention or building, and the best protein that you can consume!

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Should I take a pre-workout before every workout, or just the resistance workouts?

I personally don’t take pre-workout but if you think you need additional energy for the workout, you should take it. It will help with your endurance during cardio workouts, and help you maximize your pumps during the resistance workouts. Some pre-workouts have creatine in them, you will have to cycle off of it (2 months on, 1 month off) unless you use one that doesn’t have creatine in it like the Energy and Endurance pre-workout formula.

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What supplements should I take to gain mass?

You can actually use all of the supplements that I listed in this FAQ category (and here) to gain mass. Remember, gaining mass has a lot to do with your diet and proper timing of supplements!

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What is P90X?

P90X is a 90-day home fitness program that will get you into excellent shape if you commit to both the diet and workouts! It’s the program that took me from a flabby 187 to a totally cut 165 in just 90 days! You can learn more about P90X by clicking here.

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Should I do Insanity before P90X?

Insanity is a very intense program and is usually taken on by people who have already completed P90X and looking to lose that last bit of fat. Insanity only involves body weight for resistance, and is mostly cardio based. I didn’t start Insanity until after one round of P90X. However, my wife and sister-in-law started off with Insanity and they liked it!

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What programs have you used?

I’ve used P90X and Insanity.

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I don’t really enjoy the P90X Yoga workout. Can I substitute it with something else?

Yoga is very beneficial, and I recommend that you complete the workout. It increases balance, core strength, and flexibility. It’s an important workout if you’re looking to take your fitness to the next level. If you think it’s too long, you could try P90X2 Yoga which is shorter in length but just as effective!

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Is it OK to do Ab Ripper X later in the evening instead of right after my workout?

You can do this if you really have to, but I don’t recommend it. By doing it right after your workout, you won’t have to worry about warming up or stretching again.

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I’m struggling with Ab Ripper X. Do you have any tips?

With ARX, make sure you complete all the reps, even if it means you have to pause 20 times! It will get easier and easier each week. Also, it’s important that you make sure you are using proper form for all the exercises. I actually did ARX before my regular workout because I felt that I had more energy at that point to really bring it and complete all the reps!

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I just finished P90X, now what should I do?

You have many options:

(1) You could do another round of P90X.

(2) You can move to the next level by purchasing P90X2InsanityP90X One-on-OneChalean ExtremeInsanity Asylum, or see more here,

(3) You can combine P90X Classic with other programs like P90X Plus, One on One, or Insanity.

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I just finished Round 1 of P90X. How long should I wait before jumping into Round 2?

I recommend waiting at least a week or two in order to let your muscles completely heal. However, if you feel it’s necessary to work out during that “rest week,” then add in a light resistance day and/or a few cardio days as well.

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Should I take pictures of and track my progress?

Yes! It’s important that you take all the necessary photos, preferably on Day 1, Day 30, Day 60, and Day 90. Here are the proper poses: front with hands down, front with hands on hips, front flex, back with hands down, back with hands on hips, back flex, side with hands down.

You should also be tracking your weights as well as measurements for your neck, arms, chest, waist, hips and thighs.

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What version of P90X should I do?

There are 3 versions: Classic, Lean, and Doubles. I recommend the Classic version for anyone who is looking to put on some mass and lose body fat. This version is very popular among the men, but many women enjoy it as well. The Lean version focuses mostly on cardio, and is popular among the women. Doubles is for all the crazy people who can’t get enough exercise! It involves doing an extra cardio workout on resistance days.

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Should I do Doubles in P90X?

Doubles is very demanding on the body, and it’s very important that you take in the proper pre and post workout nutrition. If you feel like your body can handle the extra workload, and you are wanting to shed a bit more body fat, give it a try. Or, you can do what I did – substitute Insanity cardio routines for the P90X cardio, which will definitely up the intensity factor!

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I’m a woman, will I gain mass with P90X?

This is a common worry that most women have. There is no need to worry because men develop muscle much easier than women. Women who go through the P90X Classic version get toned, lose body fat, and get great results.

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I’m having a hard time staying motivated. Can you help?

Whenever you’re struggling with anything, make sure you send me an email so I can guide you back on track: [email protected]. You can also follow my Facebook page and Twitter for daily dose of motivations!

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In P90X, how many reps should I do?

If you’re looking to get toned, then focus on 12-15 reps, and if you’re looking to gain mass, 8-10 or 6-8 reps is best.

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What equipment will I need with P90X or P90X2?

You will need the P90X Chin-Up Bar, and either resistance bands or dumbbells. I have a package deal available on this site, which includes the P90X DVD’s, Nutrition Guide, Fitness Guide, P90X Pull-Up Bar, one month’s supply of the Recovery Formula, and 3 resistance bands. Click here to learn more about the P90X Peak Results Package.

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Will I need any equipment with Insanity?

Nada! All the resistance workouts are done with body weight.

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Do you recommend any other equipment?

I highly recommend the P90X PowerStands and Yoga Mat. The PowerStands, or push-up bars, allow for a greater range of motion, and something I use every time I do push-ups. The Yoga Mat is excellent because it gives you some padding and doesn’t allow you to slip.

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I can’t afford dumbbells, do you know of any good resistance bands?

Resistance bands are a cheaper alternative to dumbbells and they are excellent and very durable! You can learn more about them by clicking here.

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What’s the most accurate way to measure body fat %?

Measuring body fat is relatively easy and most of us do it at home. I use a body fat caliper to measure my body fat. It’s also known as the skin-fold method. While it’s not as accurate as the underwater or near-infrared methods which is normally available at the hospitals or sports medicine facilities, it’s definitely more accurate than the biometrical impedance measurement that we sometimes see as part of the modern scales and workout machines at the gym. If measured properly, the margin of error is very low. I use the one from beachbody and it costs a lot less than going to the doctor’s office or hospital 🙂

I normally take a measurement on my waist – between the naval and the hip. It comes with an easy-to-follow instruction so anyone can do it. You can get one pretty cheap from beachbody, you can find out more by clicking here.

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Should I use a weighted vest for push-ups/pull-ups if they get too easy for me?

I don’t use either but if you want to build mass faster, you could consider them.

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