Insanity Days 7-12!

Ahh, I've neglected the blog!  It's been busy.  Here's what went down.

Monday should have been Day 8, but we were just exhausted and decided to change our schedule around a little bit to have Monday as our day off (which would be more in line with where the program thinks you should have a day off, anyways).  So we sort of had a skip day.

Days 9-11.  We're at the point where we are re-doing some videos now, but it doesn't seem boring or anything like some workout videos.  We haven't started the ab parts yet, so I think they videos will get a little longer next week when we start incorporating that.  For now, it's so nice that the videos are only about 45 min long.

The actual hard core exercise part is even less because you always start with a couple of minutes warm up, stretch and then end with a stretch, so that's about 7-8 minutes.

I am definitely finding it a little easier to do some of the moves, but the video on a whole is still a challenge.  Last night was pure cardio and I got through the whole video without stopping, but still couldn't do some of the moves.  It definitely didn't feel like it was kicking my butt as much as last time though.

I weighed myself on Monday (I figured this will be my weigh-in day) and was at 134.6, so that's 2 pounds since I've started.  I've been eating better, although, not sticking strictly to the Nutrition guide that comes with the program.  I have, though, been really trying to eat small things 3-5 times a day.  I find that if I stick it right in front of my at my office, I'll eat it, so every day, I bring a couple pieces of fruit, some Barbara bars, a protein shake and some nuts and I usually eat it if it's there.

Last night (Thursday) we had to skip, so I'm feeling bad about this week.  It's a hard program to do if you're already tired.  You know you are going to have to work hard and there's no half-assing it, so when I'm tired it's really hard to get going.

Next week will be better!

Insanity day 7- plyometrics and cardio-1 week done!!!

I think the recovery drink is definitely helping because I felt more energetic and ready to work out today. I still have a constant soreness, especially in my arms and back. Today's workout was about 45 minutes long (including warm up and after stretch-- they all start with the same warm up and cool down). It involved circuit intervals of jumping, running in place, suicides, push up drills, cardio squats, and boxing moves. Not too bad, but I still cannot finish this one move called the level one, it's just so intense. One day...

Insanity day 6

Today was pure cardio. I have to admit, I don't know if it was coming back from a day off or just the past 5 days of intense workout catching up with us, but we were slow to start today and felt pretty tired. It's also the worst day to feel tired because pure cardio is just that-- only cardio and no breaks here and there for water. We were dying half way through.
We made it, though. We definitely needed a recovery drink this time. (we use one called Mike's Mix that we bough online and it's pretty tasty. You just mix with any liquid. We usually do a half serving, 1.5 scoop of powder to 1 cup milk or coconut milk. We definitely feel the difference when we use it).

Day 5- Day off and Splurge Day

Okay, I know that these work out vids really want you to follow their diet strictly, but I am going to do something now that I've always done when I've dieted:  the 80/20 plan.  You need to eat well 80% of the time and 20% of the time you can splurge.  (it's probably more like 85/15 for me).

The way I see it, if this is going to be a more lifestyle change, rather than crash diet, it has to be something that I can see myself doing long term.  And every now and then I just need a big pot of melted cheese!  (we're going to have fondue tonight).   I think this actually keeps me on my diet better than if I don't take the time, 1 meal a week, to just eat as though I'm not on a diet.  For one, it makes me feel like I'm not completely sacrificing all that delicious food.   That feeling makes me want to give up.  I do think that we should be able to enjoy delicious, fatty, unhealthy foods, as long as it is in moderation.
Second, I think doing this splurge meal actually makes me crave the better stuff.  When I am eating well, my body doesn't deal well with overly greasy, fatty foods, so this is just the reminder my body needs to think, "woah, that may have tasted well, but it's not so good in here."
I've done this numerous times and don't think that it halts my weight loss as long as I am committed to working out and eating healthy the other 85% of the time.  It also makes me really push on my next day workout because I know I have more calories to work off.  
Plus, I do like to go on date nights, eat out, and be social and I don't like being that friend/girlfriend/co-worker that can't go here or there because they don't have a good diet menu.  I know I have to do this 80% of the time, but for just that one meal, I'm dipping cookies in chocolate, carby bread in cheese and having 2 (maybe even 3!) glasses of wine.
And it doesn't hurt that I took a sneak peak at the scale and have lost 3 pounds!

Day 4- Cardio Recovery

Apparently, Cardio Recovery in my mind is something completely different than what it actually is.   I thought it would be a light cardio video, but it has no cardio at all.  Fancy that. 

What Cardio Recovery really is is recovering from cardio.  Instead of cardio, you do strength exercises not very different from planks, squats and yoga strengthening.  Again, I could only do about 80% of the video, but I feel like my legs and butt definitely got a work out today and I welcomed the break from the intense cardio. 

We're taking our day off on Fridays (tomorrow), so I'm looking forward to Day 5 on Saturday!

Day 3

I am already noticing that my body is feeling tighter and stronger.  I was incredibly sore all day today.

Today's exercise was Cardio Power and Resistance and involved a lot of push-up style workouts, jumping,  hurdles (running in place then jumping).  Like yesterday, we did 2 circuits, 3 times each.  Each time he pushes you to give more and more.

I definitely couldn't do everything, but I am still feeling stronger.  At the end of the 3rd rep of the second circuit though, my arms feel like jello!

I also ate way better today and discovered an amazing handy drink.  It's Dole Shakers and you just stick it in your freezer, then add juice and shake and you have a smoothie!  I added 1 scoop of protein powder.  Today I had a banana, orange, handful of nuts, and Amy's organic veggie Lasagna for a total of 1200 calories and felt much better when I was working out.  I also had a recovery drink after the workout. 

Looking forward to a Cardio Recovery day tomorrow!

Insanity Workout Calender

In case anyone is wondering, this is the Insanity Workout Calender.  The first month videos are around 40 min long and the second month around an hour.  

Insanity Day 2

Day 2 is actually day 1 of actually working out.  It's the Plyometric and Cardio Circuit Day.  Basically, you warm up for 7-10 minutes, then do a series of circuit training and repeat it 2 times.  Do another series, repeat 2 times and you're done.

Even though it only lasts 41 minutes, I'm tired and my muscles feel tired after the workout.  There is definitely some stuff I can't do yet, but unlike P90X, I feel like I actually will be able to do these things at some point, I just have to build up the strength and endurance. 

A word about the nutrition guide.  I will try to follow as closely as I can, but I just can't bring myself to eat the same things every day.  I'll try to keep track of what I eat and how many calories it is here.  One of my goals during the program is to eat more often during the day to keep my metabolism steady. 

What I ate:
Fortune cookie - 50 (?)
whole grain crackers - 90
string cheese             - 100
coffee and cream      - 25
garlic lemon green beans  - 75
gourmet ramen          - 400
total= 740 (I know, I need more, it was a busy day at work)

Insanity- Day 1

Yesterday was my first day of the Insanity workout program.   I chose insanity because I had already done P90x (well, my own version, which I like to call P30X since I quit at 30 days).  I liked that program, but it seemed more focused on building muscle and less about losing weight and getting lean muscle, which is what I'm looking for.  Also, I just cannot devote 1 1/2 hours to working out a day with my work schedule right now.  So, I asked around (aka, put a post on facebook) and people recommended Insanity.   Let's see how it goes!

Stats on starting the program:
Day: February 6, 2011 (exactly 3 months before my first wedding dress fitting on May 6)
Weight: 136
Goal weight: 125-130 (I've always been more of a measurements person than weight)

Day 1 was the "Fit Test" where Shaun T. makes you do a series of exercises for 1 minute and you repeat this test weekly to see your improvement. 

I failed pretty miserably at some of these.  I'll post my stats later. 

The only negative I can see so far is that all the jumping around is pretty loud and there's a lot of jumping and running.  If you live above neighbors, like we do, and can't work out until after 9pm, like we do, this could be a problem. 

I was sore the next day, just from the Fit Test.  So far, so good.