Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Insanity Update

This week I started my final week of Insanity, Month 1. I am so excited that I am on my way to Month 2. Of course I can't move on to Month 2 without my "rest" week. Insanity splits up the two months with a 1 week recovery. During that week you do Core Cardio and Balance. I am anxious to try this workout. It may be that I'm anxious to try it just to do something new : )

I have really noticed an improvement over these last, almost four weeks. When I started the program the Level 1 and Level 2 drills seemed impossible to finish. I am happy to say that I can complete all of the drills. In Plyometric Cardio Circuit there is a series of core work/ shoulder work exercises that I never thought I would be able to complete. This week I have this workout twice and today I almost completed all of the exercises. I hope that by the last time I do this workout on Friday, I can complete it without rests. It's a lofty goal but one I hope to accomplish. The true test will be my Fit Test which I will do in a week and a half.

For those of you wanting to get to brass tax, I have NOT lost any weight. Why? Who knows! I have sweat more in this past month than I have in a long time. I will say that I am a lot more hungry and am eating enough to pick up the deficit that is caused by the intense workouts. Should I make a calorie deficit? Another good question. At this moment in time I am focusing on switching out fat for muscle and less on the number on the scale. I am always struggling with the scale and have decided that as much as I want it to say 130, it may never happen again. 138 may just be my number. I have made it a habit now to write down how I am feeling before I get on the scale and after I get on it. This practice has really helped me differentiate between what my body really feels like and what my brain makes it think it feels like. Try it!

I have an appointment at my doctors office on August 6th. They will take my body mass numbers again and see if my fat to muscle ratio has improved. To me, that is the true test. Stay tuned and see if Insanity has helped those stubborn numbers improve!

I'll be breaking down Core Cardio & Balance next week.

Thanks as always for reading! I want to here your stories too. Share, share!!!

Nicole

10 comments:

fitncrafty said...

Nicole, I am SO happy to hear about your progress! I am finding the few insanity DVD's I have done to be very challenging. I agree, more sweat, great intervals... and definitely doing exercises I would have never dreamed of doing. I can't do those walking push ups, but I can do push ups on my toes... a great improvement for me. I will get there.
Some of the arm stuff is amazing and even the cardio recovery although not raising my heart rate, difficult all the same! I haven't done the program to it's extent, because I love to run outside and go to the gym too.. but I plan on doing them all on my home days and when the winter hits and my runs decrease, I hope to do the whole program.
thank you for your motivation, I was afraid to try any of these DVD's and they have been sitting next to the TV for months. They are getting used and are definitely of benefit!!
You go girl! I can't wait to hear of your fat/muscle check. I think you are going to be pleased! I agree with you with the scale, we can feel great and then get on and it ruins the day. I have been weighing less and happy to see my clothes feeling bigger.
Sorry I just wrote a whole blog post here... I should do this on my own blog!!
Have a great day!!

TheFitnessFreak said...

Thanks Carrie : ) I'm glad you're dusting them off and using them. Getting better at push ups is always a good thing, isn't it? Have a great week!

Nicole

Pure2raw Twins said...

Yay for getting through month 1. The recovery week is less intense. Some of the drills are hard to do, but I liked the challenge. I would just do want I could. Great job with it though. My sister and I did not lose any weight on the program either.

Good luck with your tests coming up, I hope you get the answers you are looking for :)

TheFitnessFreak said...

Thanks Pure2Raw! I'm glad I'm not the only one that didn't lose. I think my Raw lifestyle has helped my body determine it's ideal weight even if it's not the number I chose : )

Nicole

Mindy said...

a fellow hashimotos gal I totally understand the frustration with numbers, and i know you know this, but I'll emphasize it again. you have to be choosy which numbers you let effect you. You're right that its fat loss that counts, but as you know- sometimes our thyroid has other ideas- despite perfect workouts, and even calorie restriction. I'm glad you're focusing on how you feel before the scale. focus also on other very important and not as emphasized numbers- how much faster you can run, resting heart rate, cholesterol, how many mnore reps you can do, and even if its just how many days have i been mentally been in control of myself- finishing one month of insanity deserves a HUGE round of kudos! so congrats! I'm totally proud of you!!!!

TheFitnessFreak said...

Thanks Mindy : ) Yep, so many improvements to focus on instead of the few negatives. Thanks for the reminder!!

Nicole

Kelly said...

Congrats making it through month 1. Enjoy the recovery week and take full advantage! Because month 2 gets INTENSE!!
I understand frustration with the numbers. My numbers haven't changed much lately, but after a couple week with some TurboFire HIIT workouts, I am shaving off time on my runs! I'll take it! :)
Have a great day!

Mo said...

Wow, you have made awesome improvements. Impressive! You make me want to get Insanity. I currently have P90X and don't do it as a program, just a supplement to my cardio. I am impressed with the DVD set and would definitely buy other Beach Body workouts. In fact, let me know if you want to sell yours when you finish.

shannonmarie said...

Have you thought about taking a break, getting some rest, and focusing on relieving stress? After listening to Brendan speak the other day, I realized that sometimes that is what needs to be done to make any more gains.

TheFitnessFreak said...

You really should get it Mo, it's great! As for parting with my beloved copy, never : ) I have so many Beachbody programs that I lend them out to my family while I'm doing another one and when I'm finished with that one we trade back. Fun!

Shannonmarie, I have been seriously thinking the same thing because of the video series Brendan did. I know my body perceives exercise as stress but I just keep plugging away hoping that will change. I don't think it's going to though. I will take a yoga week between Insanity and Turbo Fire though : )

Nicole

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