For anyone who doesn’t know, P90X is the hot new extreme home workout. It is a box containing 12 different exercise DVDs, a guide and a nutrition booklet. The P90X workouts are based on a relatively new theory called muscle confusion. The variety of workouts in the P90x continually challenge different muscle groups, so the muscles don’t get bored. This approach keeps your muscle interested, on edge, and stimulates muscle growth.

Like many people who made New Years resolutions to get fit, I started P90X on January 1. Here are 10 tips to get you through the first few weeks of P90X and learn to enjoy doing your workouts!

1. Check your ego at the door

You will find many of the moves difficult, but don’t give up. Persevere and you will get better!

2. Learn to love Tony Horton

He is the creator of P90X. At first, I found him really annoying because he is so positive and so fit. As you enter each workout and improve, you will begin to accept your mantra! I even admitted that I had fallen a bit in love …

3. Wear a tank top to stay inspired

I am not kidding. For the first few weeks, I wore baggy T-shirts. As soon as I put on a tight shirt, I could see my muscles. It made all the hard work seem worth it.

4. Don’t press pause when you don’t understand a movement

Don’t press pause if you can’t make a move. You will end up spending hours on a DVD and will probably get frustrated and give up. Go ahead, it will get better every time you make the DVD. Long time to perfect your form.

5. Start light

I’m serious when I say that I started with weights of 2.5 pounds. Even though the people on the DVD use 20-50 pound weights, you can and should use whatever weight is best for you. Every little bit will make a difference.

6. Do the best you can, it won’t always be pretty

You can fall off, lose your balance, and generally look silly most of the time. Don’t worry, have fun and just think, at least you’re not sitting on the couch, eating a 500 calorie bag of potato chips!

7. Try on your bathing suit regularly.

You need motivation. Definitely put on your bathing suit regularly to get inspired to stick with the P90X. After a few weeks, you will notice a difference.

8. Tell a friend about the P90X

Ask a friend to do the show too. It’s fun talking to someone about Tony Horton and all the crazy moves. It’s also great to fantasize about their soon-to-be beach bodies together!

9. Take Aleve, if your muscles are pounding.

Honestly, no pain, no gain. I wake up every day after P90X feeling a different set of stiff muscles. I take a aleve every now and then to relieve the pleasant but killer muscle pain!

10. Celebrate your improvement

You will get better. Every time you repeat a DVD, it will get easier. Enjoy the small improvements. Also, I have found that many of the same muscle groups are worked on each DVD, just in different ways. As it improves on DVD it will help you on all other DVDs on P90x

I hope these tips help and encourage you to stick with the P90X!