What is Insanity?

So several of you have asked me recently 'What is Insanity?'. Well, besides INSANE and AMAZING, it is high intensity MAX interval training. This description is straight from the website:   "The Insanity workout might just be the hardest fitness program ever put on DVD. Your personal trainer Shaun T. will push you past your limits with 10 Insanity workout discs packed with plyometric drills on top of nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance, and ab and core training moves. No equipment or weights needed. Just the will to get the hardest body you've ever had.....you perform long bursts of maximum-intensity exercises with short periods of rest. Each Insanity workout keeps you constantly challenged as you alternate between aerobic and anaerobic intervals performed at your MAX. The result: burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour and get the most insane body in 60 days."

And Insane it is! Each workout is between 30 and 55 minutes long. They each start with a dynamic warm-up that you do 3 times through, each time increasing your intensity and speed. I promise it will have you sweating and your heart racing before you even start the workout! The warm-up is followed by a 30 second water break, then on to some very important stretching. Trust me, by this point, you are already tired and sweating. Next, you start the workout. Shaun will take you through a workout circuit 3 times through, each time increasing your intensity and speed. You get a 30 second water break in between each circuit, but you are encouraged to take a many breaks as you need. Don't overdo it and watch your heart rate. After you complete your workout, you end with more stretching. It is very important not to skip the before and after stretching. EVER.

This workout is for dedicated people. It is not easy and you will be sore, very sore, the first week. There will be times that you feel like you cannot continue. For me, when I get to that point, it is at the same time that Shaun tells me not to quit or to 'Dig deeper!'. I just try to get better each time I do the workout, and I do. You will hate it and Shaun (lol) the first week, but if you stick with it, you will see results. After that, you are hooked and can't imagine not doing it. Honestly, I love it so much I can see myself doing it the rest of my active life. Seriously. 

As much as I love this workout, I don't feel it is going to be for everyone. Please remember to talk to your doctor before starting any workout routine. Some other things that I like to do are yoga, running and Zumba. All of these are great for you and burn calories. 

My advice is don't set yourself up for failure. Find something that you enjoy. If you enjoy it, you will do it! Easy as that :-) I must be insane because I cannot imagine my life without Insanity. Find that workout that you love and get movin'! 

I cannot wait to share with you all my before and after pictures once I complete the 60 day challenge!! 

This week was the end of Week 2 of Insanity so that means I had to take another Fit Test. With Insanity, you will take a Fit Test on day 1 to use to measure your fitness progress. Shaun takes you through a quick warm-up and then 8 different exercises at 1 minute each. You count how many you can do in that time and write it down. You repeat the Fit Test every 2 weeks to see how much you have improved. This is another great tool to see your progress. Especially since week 2 of a strict diet and workout routine is usually the hardest. You see great results after the first week, but the second is usually stalled or much less. Don't worry! Keep going and you will see further results. My week 2 was no different. But I am going to keep at it! I know that despite no additional loss this week, I have continued to improve based on my Fit Test results. 

Here are my Fit Test numbers from Day 1:

1. Switch Kicks - 61
2. Power Jacks - 27
3. Power Knees - 52
4. Power Jumps - 15
5. Globe Jumps - 6
6. Suicide Jumps - Couldn't even do 1! I was already so worn out.
7. Push-up Jacks - 20
8. Low Plank Oblique - 33

Now, here are my Fit Test numbers after the end of Week 2. As you can see, I have improved in all areas! I felt better and more able to do them this time. Gosh, I couldn't even do a single Suicide Jump last time and look at me now!!

1. Switch Kicks - 67
2. Power Jacks - 34
3. Power Knees - 75
4. Power Jumps - 19
5. Globe Jumps - 7 (only 1 extra but these are hard!)
6. Suicide Jumps - 10 (woo hoo!)
7. Push-up Jacks - 27
8. Low Plank Oblique - 40

Just seeing my improvement on the Fit Test shows me that this program is working. I feel better, I look better, my clothes fit better, and I can get through the workouts now with fewer breaks and I can do them with more intensity. I love it and I know you will too :-)