March 25th - Insanity: Day 11 Cardio Recovery.

Alright so I was supposed to be in DC today and not able to do my insanity workout....well think again.  My 8:30am flight was cancelled and AA was supposed to transfer my ticket over to Delta for a 9:30am flight.  Note that I did this before I left the house, I checked the status, noticed the cancellation and called customer service who gave me a conf# and everything.  Well I get to the airport 1 1/2 hours before departure, make my line at Delta and when it's my turn they tell me that AA sent a conf# but NO TICKET #!  Can you believe this people?!?!?  Long story short and 1 1/2 of total wait time for AA cust service over the phone I got a 10pm flight that arrives at midnight.  So there goes one day lost.  At least I was able to push my return by 1 day at no cost...the least they could do >:o[

But anyways, back to the workout.  At least the only advantage was that I was able to squeeze in my Cardio Recovery for this week.  It was good, good stretching, light movements but frequent movements like squats followed by squats with pulses.  I stop and go with those cause my legs really get hurtin' on those.  Other than that I followed pretty well compared to my last time which I was still getting tired.  This time it seemed easier.  So once again I am seeing improvements in my performance. 

I also see a difference in my face and love handles, they seem to be shrinking (the love handles not my face :)) and my face looks thinner.  Don't know if it's just a mental joke on myself but I really do see it AND feel it.  Like I said in one of my other posts, I have a pep in my walk and I feel more flexible, limber and with more energy. 

Now I arrive on Monday at 8pm...will I have the GUTS to get home after 2 1/2 days in DC walking the capital and then do my insanity workout?  God knows, only time will tell.  I'll miss you insanity workout! :(  LOL

Lets GOOOO....to DC!

March 24th - Insanity: Day 10 Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

Oh this plyometric cardio workout is gonna kill me one day....wow it's tiring, I think it follows the pure cardio workout in levels of insanity....I wonder what awaits in month 2!

Anyway, once again I was able to keep up the workout better and longer with better form (always keep an eye on your form).  One thing is for sure, those basketball drills are a kiiiiilleeeerrr!  By the time Shaun takes you into the push ups with running and standing followed by split push ups I can no longer go, I AM EX-HAUS-TED!  I try to push myself but it's literally impossible, I am down for the count in child pose crying for help....I just keep thinking "lets get to the stretches pleeease, the stretches"!!!

Bottom line, I am doing better at the workouts and with better form.  I am pushing myself harder but still need the stamina and muscle buildup to help me get to the end without fatigue.  I feel healthier, I am noticing a slight change in my love handles and face as well as having an extra spring to my step.

Unfortunately I'll be out of town for the next 3 days and no way of doing insanity, I am worried that my body will get used to not doing it and I'll lose the rhythm that I was getting into.  Nothing I can do, I'll just have to continue three days from tomorrow (Friday).

Lets GO!

March 23rd - Insanity: Day 9 Pure Cardio.

So just when you think that you're getting used to the workouts BOOM you get slapped in the face with pure cardio workout once again.  As a reminder this is the one that Shaun T ends up on the floor and says that "this is bananas".

I am doing better as I have for the past few workouts, I am lasting longer (workouts people, come on get your mind of the gutter) and I am fatiguing closer to the end of the workout.

Now time for a shower.

SSSCOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

March 22nd - Insanity: Day 8 Cardio Power & Resistance.

Alright so week two has officially begun and I am ready for more....after 1 day off it seems I forgot how insane the Cardio Power & Resistance is which I did on my 2nd day.  I should get used to it cause they will be re-ocurring for the first month.

I also noticed today  that I was able to perform the workouts much better but still lack the speed that they have (obviously!).  I was tired and out of breath for the last 3 mins and honestly I sat it out until the stretch. I am working harder in the beginning meaning that my stamina is increasing...soon I should be able to do the entire workout!

And I lost one pound already! :)  I know it's a tiny number but it's nice to see a change in the scale for the first week.

March 21st - Insanity: Day 7 OFF!

Today I get to take a breather from the insanity of this workout program.  Not only that but I've been able to stick to it for a week so I am proud of that.

This week will be a short one since I will be out of town Fri-Sun.  Unfortunate, but life gets in the way of these programs.

Today is rest and relaxation!

March 20th - Insanity: Day 6 Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

Alright so this is the 2nd time I do this DVD workout (first time was no day 2) and I gotta say that the first half was easier than the second half.  The reason being that this time I was able to push myself longer with the exercises in the beginning so by the time the other half came along I was spent.

So in 6 days I did notice a difference on the way that I was performing the workouts and my stamina was a bit higher.  You still workout a lot of your legs with jumps and squats so those still burn but not as much.  I am also not as sore, muscles getting used the pain?

I still sweat like a mad man but it feels good once you reach the end.

Tomorrow is my day off!!!

March 19th - Insanity: Day 5 Pure Cardio.

THIS ONE IS I-N-S-A-N-E-!

Oh my goodness, even Shaun said towards the end of the video "this shit is bananas" while he laid face up on the floor after finishing push up jacks (which I couldn't do).

This one is the toughest one yet, even the people in the video were dropping like flies.

I truly have a new found respect for athletes, from football and basketball drills to mountain climbers and snow skiers....he makes you go through various cardio exercises from each.

There's a lot of let work involved and I can still feel the burn, I hope that by the end of week two my legs are stronger (probably it's wishfull thinking).

I also ended up getting myself a pair of crosstraining shoes.  Went to a champion store and asked for crosstraining shoes, I ended up getting a pair of nike and I immediately felt the difference on the outside of my feet which is where I am getting the pain. the other nike I was using are running shoes and I just found out the painful way that cross training shoes are better for lateral movements which you do plenty of with INSANITY.  You get more support on the outside of your feet.  So my feet were better but sore from the past 4 days, I might need a massage to get rid of the crampy pain.

So that's all for now.  I sweat like a pig in sauna and I am ready for my day 6 and cant wait for day off on monday!!!

Lets go!

March 18th - Insanity: Day 4 Cardio Recovery.

What a pleasant change from 2 totally insane workouts.  Still lots of squating with holds and pulses.  My legs are really hurting, specially my thighs.  One thing is for sure, your legs should be like rocks by the end of the 60 days.  There are also various balacing yoga poses and I need some more balance.  But once I lose some of that extra fat and gain more strength I will not have balancing problems.

Overall I feel good, I feel excited about the program and I have found some extra bit of energy so far through out the day at work.

Feels good to feel insane.

Lets go...

The morning after day 3...

So I am even more physically exhausted this morning that the morning before.  I definitely have to get some more sleep and hit the bed ealier. My body is more sore but manageable.  Today is Cardio Recovery which had me thinking, great something slower to recover, maybe some extra stretching....but this is how they describe this dvd:

"Don't get your hopes up- this isn't the recovery you're expecting.  But it should help your body and muscles prepare for more INSANITY"

Well isn't that reassuring?!?!

March 17th - Insanity: Day 3 Cardio Power & Resistance.

Alright I just finished day 3 and it is still tough.  I was able to power through most of the excersises but had to stop for a breather and go at my own pace.  Every time you start a new set you're supposed to get faster but I know I am not at that level yet, I rather do them in correct form and learn how to control my body than to try to rush like them in the video.

In regards to the soreness, about 5 minutes into what he calls the warm-up (I call it the brutal warm-up) I forgot about the soreness, I know that tomorrow morning I'll more than likely wake up sore like I did today but with time my muscles will get used to the insanity!

Now for my protein shake.  And for dinner some grilled tilapia a salad with a light dressing and water.

Lets goooo!!!

The morning after Day 2...

Last night after the day 2 workout I felt fine, no pain - no nothing.  But this morning I woke up sore all over.  It's like I had worked out every part of my body with weight training, incredible.  From my calves to my shoulders and biceps. I truly didnt expect to wake up like this.  This just means that it's working and that I am doing something right.  I am afraid of todays workout since I'm so sore that I wonder if I'll make it past the warm up.

March 16th - Insanity: Day 2 Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

Day 2 was just as painful as day one, but no pain no gain, right?  Well I hate that saying....pain sucks.

Shaun takes you through a quick warm up and then BAM in your face jumping around like an insane maniac, I see why they call it Insanity cause that's the word you will use to describe the workouts.  I dont remember exactly the order of the workouts but it started with the warm up (which was already getting to me) followed jog in place, jumping jacks, suicide drills, heisman, 123's, squating and God knows what else.  You do 3 sets and each time you're supposed to do them faster bam-bam-bam and then you get a 30 second water and towel dry yourself cause you're sweating like a pig break.  Then he starts again with a different drill.  My legs were burning from the fit test the day before and jumping or raising one leg at time seemed useless, I was sweating and breathing heavy, could barely say a word and my heart rate was at a constant 180bpm.  My sitting heart rate as I type this is 78bpm...WOW!

I did stop along the way, I couldnt keep up but I know that as time progresses I will be able to keep up.  I will get better, this is just the beginning....

March 15th - Insanity: Day 1 Fit Test

***IMPORTANT NOTE: I AM POSTING THIS AFTER I FINISHED MY DAY 5: GET A PAIR OF CROSS TRAINING SHOES. THESE SHOES ARE FOR LATERAL MOVEMENT.  I WAS USING RUNNING SHOES AND HAD HORRIBLE PAIN ON THE OUTSIDE PART OF MY SHOE SINCE THEY LACK SUPPORT***

So day 1 is the Fitness Test to see how well you stack up.  Well, I was beat, spent, exhausted halfway through the 8 exercises that Shaun T (trainer) makes you go through.  They are:

| Switch Kicks | Power Jacks | Power Knees | Power Jumps | Globe Jumps | Suicide Jumps | Push-Up Jacks | Low Plank Oblique |

found the following images off google image search:

Yeah I know, they look easy, but when you're out of shape with mid section weight and a back surgery almost a year ago they are tougher than you think.  My legs were killing me by the time I got to the globe jumps.  The suicide jumps were out of the question because I felt discomfort in my lower back and the push up jacks....well they're push ups and everyone hates push ups.  I dont have my numbers but when I get home I'll post my results.  Hope that by the next fit test that I will beat my own numbers.

Bottom line, I did it and I completed what I could....and I sweat like a pig!

Day 2 coming up....

Am I up for the 60 day challenge?

Most of us have seen those p90x and Insanity workout DVD commercials on the 'teevee'.  Well I've decided to give it a try.  I have chosen the Insanity workout.  Why you ask?  Well maybe because it's only a 60 day workout instead of a 90 day workout and I am looking for faster results, or maybe the marketing scheme of Insanity hooked me in.  I honestly dont have a preference, I just happened to go with Insanity.  And no, I am not getting paid by the Insanity team, trainers, website, developers, producers, etc...  This is all on my own.

I am starting this blog as a way to motivate myself to stick with the workout by blogging about my progress and success and if at the end I see a great difference I might just post pics of the pre fatty me and the post Insane me.

I also started the workout program on a Tuesday, it would be preferable on a monday since it's a 6 day workout, so I am going to be working out on Sat & Sun with my day off being on Mon.  It's only 40-45 min workout so who cares if it goes into the weekend, right?  I should be fine and it will probably keep me from trying to splurge on the weekends which are the two worst days for anyone trying to get fit.

Also, not only did I start on a Tues but decided to start the blog on a Thurs, two days after my first workout.  So the first two workout posts days will be off until I catch up on thurs.  I will try my best to update each day, else...just follow with the days on the blog subject.

There is also a nutrition guide which honestly I am not following.  Why? Cause I dont like most of the stuff there and I dont have all the time in the world to have 5 meals a day ready.  So i'll grab a fiber bar as snack or some trail mix, I am drinking lots of water and making better meal decisions.  So I cant vouch for the workout and nutrition to work best together, I am here for the workout and just using sensible smart eating habbits.  The only thing I am taking in the morning and post workout is a whey protein shake.  I dont have one to recommend since I am not here to sell anything but just go to a health store and pick one you like.  The other thing I want to take is a multi vitamin which I have yet to purchase.

So here we go....day 1 ahead....

Who am I?

Time now for a short story.

I am 32 (soon 33) 6" tall and I am about 40 lbs overweight (214lb's now), most of it likes to hang out in the love handle section.  In early February 2010 I got serious about losing the weight and I found Mens Health bellyoff program (it's free, check it out at menshealth.com).  I lost 20 lbs by following the workouts and eating healthier/smarter in about three months.  I was truly motivated and excited, seeing the difference in my body, feeling better with more energy.  Then I had to stop in April.  Two herniated discs that I had been living with for the past 11 years of my life said "enough".  I was out in constant pain.  Long story short, I ended up getting surgery in July 15th to remove 80% of each of the herniated discs.  Luckily I had an excellent surgeon and everything went well.  I say I am 98% pain free, and I am at peace with that number since before surgery the pain was constant.

I obviously couldnt work out or strain my back and I started losing what I call my healthy appetite, instead of 2 slices of pizza I was eating 4, instead of 1 can of coke a week I was buying the 2 litter bottles and not even bothering with the diet version which I used as a splurge during my first stint at working out.  I was going to the fast food restaurants more often....I just let go knowing that all that hard work that I went through was going to be for nothing if I stayed at this pace.  So now I am 6 lbs less than what I originally was back in Feb 2010 (220lb's) and I've decided to kick it into gear again.  I have to lose the weight for my own health, appearance and as additional motivation to look good for my girlfriend.

And this is where the Insanity workout program comes into play....