For SEY83 - Insanity

SEY83 good luck with the last few days!!!

Hi Pepito and SEY83 Well I've had a complete disaster... had a nasty accident over the weekend and suffered a fairly bad head trauma - to the point where I've lost a couple of days' memory... all OK physically (i.e. no broken bones) but I'm having to put Insanity on hold for at least a week - I'd be nuts to even consider attempting one of the workouts in my current state. I'm now in two minds as to whether to just pick up where I left off and continue to the end or to leave it for a month and then restart. I'm trying not to get myself too upset about this but really am so peed off that this has happened. Pepito - competely agree with all SEY83 has said - it is perfect if you have little "me" time but you must be dedicated/committed - the warm up is almost as hard as the rest of the workout! The results even after a couple of weeks are amazing - and that for me has been a huge incentive to keep going. The DVD boxset is expensive - I bought mine from Amazon in the UK - however, I see it as money well spent - it is definitely something I would go back to quite regularly. I'd recommend taking a look at some of the online reviews about Insanity too - head to the Beachbody website and also Amazon - both provide loads of information/comments etc. I am gutted that I cannot finished the programme as planned - as hard as it was I did enjoy the workouts - well maybe not at the time but certainly afterwards - you really feel as if you have achieved something after each session. SEY83 - so pleased you are nearly at the end - fantastic that you managed to work through your injury - have you decided what to do next? Hi Snow White, Sorry to hear about your accident, I hope it wasn't caused by Insanity!? in which case I won't do the program (any excuses, lol :-)). I think you should take a break from the workout, and perhaps re-start the programme once you are fully recovered, IMHO I am to the point where I really need to get myself moving and do something about it rather than complain all the time! Especially if there is a motivation group like this one to get me going! I have watched many videos on youtube, insanity and insane home workout which I have tried a few time and yes it's really hard! I will buy it from Amazon, but not sure which one to go for, there are a few out there: insanity, Px90, insane home workout, which one did you get? what is the exact name of your boxset?

For me, like you, the huge appeal of insanity was being able to train from home plus still train hard. I'm not good at aerobics type workouts where you have to be coordinated. You don't need to be coordinated at all to do Insanity! I work full time and have two children, so I like being able to workout in front of them. They usually come in and out of the room the whole time I am working out - its nice. So how to get it? Unfortunately Insanity is not sold in Dubai so you can either order it online from Amazon or I know people that have been able to download it but I doubt it is legal :( I currently have a massive queue of people in line for my copy once I am done with it! The problem is I don't actually want to give it to anyone as I want to do it again at some stage...lol I'm going to have to keep making excuses not to part with it. I have 5 days left to go...for now I'm happy to see the back of this program but I know that on some odd way I will miss it! From what you have written I definitely think you should give Insanity a go. Let me know how you get on!!

Hi pepito! Well done for even thinking about doing Insanity! The first question i will ask you, is how strong is your willpower? Honestly, this is one very very tough program, and there have been so many days where I have had to force myself to workout, because I just don't want to do it. I'm lucky to be one of those people that refuses to quit something I have started (I even force myself to finish reading books that I hate!) so quitting was not an option for me. But, I can see many people giving up after the first couple of sessions. So firstly, I guess you have to ask yourself if you do have the willpower or not. I'm speaking on behalf of me and Snow White here, so Snow White please object if you disagree! In terms of weight, neither of us have dropped masses of amounts on the scales. I have lost 2.5kgs and I think Snow White is around the same. I think Snow White has dropped at least a dress size. I haven't dropped a dress size, but my body type is such that I need to lose about 10kgs to go from one dress size to another, but my clothes are so much looser on me now. My whole body is toned, I have muscles! My stomach does not hang out anymore, my face anad neck are more defined, etc. The difference is very noticeable so much so that everybody thinks I have lost loads and loads of weight. I 110% guarantee that you will achieve your goal of toning up and at least looking like you have lost 5-6kgs IF you commit to the program as it is intended to run. Basically, you have 4 workouts that you need to do in the first month. They are tough, and when you first start out your body will absolutely ache. But don’t give up if you can’t do some of the moves because eventually you will be able to. I couldn’t do a push up at the start of this and I pulled off two sets of 16 pushups each times three last night (well I collapsed half way through some of them!). The first month workouts are about 40 minutes give and take. You then have a recovery week, where you still do a workout but it’s not as intense. Second month is a whole different story – if you think month one is hard then month 2 is a killer! The workouts now range between 50-60 minutes and the level of intensity just goes up – if you can even imagine that to be possible! So what am I trying to say? Yes the pain is definitely worth it, because the results are incredible for what you can achieve in a two month period. But, you have to committed, you need a whole load of willpower, and you will hate Shaun T!! And Snow White and I promise to cheer you on! Thank you SEY83 for your reply, and honest opinion. My will power has been up and down lately to be honest. I have started so many diets that I quit after a few days! But I know that if I turn that switch on my brain I will not quit. I really want to change the way I look I hate myself at the moment, and as a result I'm not making any efforts on how I dress every day. I am 5ft (1m52) and my weight is 52 kg (114lbs), I used to be 6/8kgs lighter. And just can't accept my new figure and keep punishing myself for looking this heavy! I don't really mind the weight as long as I lose dress sizes, and feel better. Besides gaining muscle will improve my metabolism, and make weight loss easier I believe? After all what is 60 days if it will make me look and feel better. What I really like about the home workout is that I don't need to go out, I am working full time with a toddler to take care of, and no helper/nanny/maid…so this is what I need! Now where can I get the DVD here please?

Hi pepito! Well done for even thinking about doing Insanity! The first question i will ask you, is how strong is your willpower? Honestly, this is one very very tough program, and there have been so many days where I have had to force myself to workout, because I just don't want to do it. I'm lucky to be one of those people that refuses to quit something I have started (I even force myself to finish reading books that I hate!) so quitting was not an option for me. But, I can see many people giving up after the first couple of sessions. So firstly, I guess you have to ask yourself if you do have the willpower or not. I'm speaking on behalf of me and Snow White here, so Snow White please object if you disagree! In terms of weight, neither of us have dropped masses of amounts on the scales. I have lost 2.5kgs and I think Snow White is around the same. I think Snow White has dropped at least a dress size. I haven't dropped a dress size, but my body type is such that I need to lose about 10kgs to go from one dress size to another, but my clothes are so much looser on me now. My whole body is toned, I have muscles! My stomach does not hang out anymore, my face anad neck are more defined, etc. The difference is very noticeable so much so that everybody thinks I have lost loads and loads of weight. I 110% guarantee that you will achieve your goal of toning up and at least looking like you have lost 5-6kgs IF you commit to the program as it is intended to run. Basically, you have 4 workouts that you need to do in the first month. They are tough, and when you first start out your body will absolutely ache. But don’t give up if you can’t do some of the moves because eventually you will be able to. I couldn’t do a push up at the start of this and I pulled off two sets of 16 pushups each times three last night (well I collapsed half way through some of them!). The first month workouts are about 40 minutes give and take. You then have a recovery week, where you still do a workout but it’s not as intense. Second month is a whole different story – if you think month one is hard then month 2 is a killer! The workouts now range between 50-60 minutes and the level of intensity just goes up – if you can even imagine that to be possible! So what am I trying to say? Yes the pain is definitely worth it, because the results are incredible for what you can achieve in a two month period. But, you have to committed, you need a whole load of willpower, and you will hate Shaun T!! And Snow White and I promise to cheer you on!

Hi Snow White and SEY83, I am planning on starting this program asap and need your help with the following questions: -How good is this program? How much weight, or how many dress sizes have you lost? How do you feel? would you recommend it? it seems really hard, but is it worth it? I need to lose 5/6 Kg, and tone up hardly (3 years on and I still have the jelly belly from pregnancy :-( ) -is the DVD available to buy / rent here in Dubai? - How long is each workout? I am a full time working mum, without a nanny/helper, so time is very precious -which workout would you recommend; the PX90, Insanity, or insane homeworkout? Thank you in advance

300 - 400 calories??!! That's it??!?!? Noooo!!! I refuse to believe that! I read on some fitness forum somewhere that a girl was burning 900 calories on her HRM for MIC. I read others around 600-700. I know it depends on the person and how hard you push. To be honest I don't really think these things are incredibly accurate, but at least you now have some indication. Plus we can actually see the results in our clothes and weight (kind of!). You are right that the workouts seem to get easier, I just hate the length of them. So I guess that will definitely rule at P90X for me. Yesterday I had cardio and abs and felt nauseus during and after - I have not felt nauseus during a workout since week 1! Charlean Extreme did look appealing to me, haha she just seems incredibly irritating! I think my next step will be Jillian, but like you I don't want to do a 6 days a week intense program for a while. Plus next time I decide to do something like this I will not plan it when I have masses of family over and a huge party in the middle! The lack of sleep has been killing me, I'm actually proud of myself for not quitting. I think the JM Full Body Revolution is cardio and weights, the huge appeal of it is that it's only 30 minutes per session. I think my friend is going to give me her box set after she is done. She's probably just over half way through it and has lost a few kilos, but she has also been watching her diet. For now...bring on next Friday!!!

Snow White I officially hate Insanity! Lol I'm so over it now...I cannot wait to be finished. Having said that I do think I will go back to it at some point in the future (definitely month 1!) but for now I seriously need a break! 9 workouts to go!! Lol @ your comment about Zumba...unfortunately I'm pretty much the same, I cannot keep up with dance classes, I'm completely uncoordinated in that sense - I can't even keep up with the 1-2-3 heismans (how do they go so fast?!?!!). I just feel Iike I need something light hearted and fun after the intensity of Insanity. I'm very tempted by the hip hop abs CD, it looks like so much fun! Jillian Michaels definitely appeals to me. How does it measure in terms of intensity compared to Insanity? I have a friend doing the full body revolution (I think it's called that) and I'm not sure that it is as tough as Insanity. So do you think i would be taking a step backwards doing it after Insanity? I guess anything is a step backwards after Insanity... I will definitely go and explore the HRMs this weekend. How many calories have you been burning per session? Is it anywhere near the alleged 1,000 calories per session? My gut tells me it's very far off that number.

Hi Snow White! I'm still here, but things have gotten a little crazy for me at the moment. This weekend has been a whirlwind of events, between the party, dinners, lunches, and a whole load of family and friends reunited I pretty much need a holiday!!! The engagement party was fantastic, such a good night. Unfortunately as a result I have kind of fell off the Insanity wagon :-( Actually it's not that bad, I have managed to do everyday of week 2, but yesterday I had an additional rest day (so two in a row). Honestly, I'm exhausted both physically and mentally! We have been sleeping at 5am for the last three days and have then been running around at full speed, so yesterdaya I couldn't for the life of me sum up the willpower to workout. Plus my neck still isn't at 100% so I figured I'd would rather have two workouts than do a halfass attempt at working out yesterday...I do feel guilty though :( So I start week 3 today, and honestly I can't wait to finish now! I hate MIC which is what I have tonight - it's the three rounds of three sets each. It's funny how we all have different workouts we prefer and hate - Max Cardio is actually my favourite out of month 2! I doubt I'm going to do the fit test tonight (or at least not combined with MIC) , I'm just going to do the last fit test at the very end of the program and see how much I have progressed in month 2 from start to finish. I have to admit that being injured took away some of the joy I feel doing the workouts. I have a slipped disk in my back and know what that pain is like so I'm trying to avoid it at all cost (luckily Insanity hasn't irritated my back again at all which is what I orginally feared). I feel the strain on my neck during a lot of the pushups and jumps and it stops me giving that extra push. I'm definitely not going to repeat Insanity anytime soon, but like you, I do want to find something else to do. I'm thinking about Zumba which I have heard so much about! i can see myself doing the odd Insanity workout two or three times a week, but I will pick and choose what I want to do depending on how I feel - i also don't want this hard work to go to waste!!! You have to tell me the results of the HRM. I think I should get one myself - which one did you get for how much if you don't mind me asking?

I found a dress!! It's gorgeous and I can't wait to wear it! At least now I will look somewhat better wearing it than 6 weeks ago :D I don't really have a specific target in mind - at least not a weight one. I just wanted to fit better in my clothes and be able to buy new clothes and look good in them! I would love to lose about 10kgs, but with the way our bodies are transforming in terms of muscle building and fat going, I don't think having a weight target in mind is reasonable anymore. Yeah I definitely don't wobble anymore! Lol my boobs have also shrunk, but I'm not complaining about this at all! I think, although don't hold me to this, that most of the moves in Max Cardio you have seen before, or if you haven't they're not that bad. I think there are only two or three pushup type exercises. I think the hardest are push up abs, kind of like the low plank obliques, but you have to do pushups at the same time. Honestly I found this a walk in the park next to MIC and MIP!

I had MIP last night as well. Actually it's much better when you do it knowing the moves, rather than dicovering them for the first time. I remember the first time I did it I was very conscious that there were about ten different types of pushups but this time it was a lot easier. Having said that I still took a gazillion breaks - but then I look at the guys on screen and so do they! I prefer MIP to MIC though, simply because I like that the last round is just a few one minute exercises rather than 3 sets. I feel MIC is too repetitive in that respect. I did a lot better on the level 3 drills, although for each set I can do 16 pushups, then 16 runs but then I need to break before going into the next 16, so I end up doing about 9 or 10 pushups on the last set...I'm hoping I will eventually get there! The squat pushups and the power pushups I find difficult though. With the squat pushups I dont have the strength in my triceps to pull myself back up in one move, and with the power pushups I cant go from plank and jump onto my flat feet, I end up on my toes with bent knees! I figure though whatever I'm doing is better than nothing. I know what you mean about sweating. I actually dont sweat at all generally, in the gym I sweat underarms, neck, and thaats pretty much it. Now I'm sweating everywhere, although I still don't drip, but for me this is huge amounts of sweat! My brother told me he spent half the workout mopping up the floor! My back is a lot better, i was worried about plyo due to the huge amounts of jumps and pushups, but I feel better than I did 2 days ago, so I'm happy. I'm currently getting loads of compliments to say I look a lot better and people keep asking me how much weight I have lost. In reality I have only lost 2kgs, but I look like I have lost more. How is your body changing? You have Cardio tonight right? I actually find cardio the easiest in month 2. It's similar in format to month 1, in that you don't do sets. It's 29 minutes of one minute exercises, but, you take breaks between moves whilst Shaun T shows you what to do so it actually isn't as bad as month 1 with 16 straight minutes. I'm thinking the rest of week 2 actually isn't bad for me. I have max recovery tonight, then cardio and finally I do the core conditioning from recovery week. Probably a good thing as I have my brother's engagement party on Thursday and a million family members have descended on us! Have you got the normal box set or the deluxe edition? I think with the deluxe edition you can switch a couple of the workouts. i just have the normal edition.

Hi Snow White! Your results are amazing!!! Well done you! I know exactly what you mean about some just staying the same, that happened with me, but I guess they were the exercises that you can only get so much better at. The pushup type exercises, like you, I'm thrilled about my improvement considering I could only do about one at the start of this! How did you find month 2?? You had MIC right? I hate that one, because you have to repeat three sets of three rounds...it's so long! Haha only good thing about it is that Tania is not there...lol I don't know why she irritates me?! Probably because she is always smiling!! My neck has improved I am very very happy to say. So much so that I restarted training on Saturday. All in all I missed one plyo session. I took four days off but one was my rest day, and I have picked up at the start of week two so I only have missed one session. Having said that I am trying to take it easier (if that's possible!) so as not to injure myself again. I did MIC last night, and the good news is that in general it feels easier than when I did it the first time around (although I still collapse in a heap on the floor after doing the full body drills and plank punches - lots of breaks!). I have to say I miss month one still!! Honestly don't know what Shaun T is thinking with these exercises...plus I have a theory that he himself could not get through a full hour of Insanity!!! xxx

I know I've done the right thing by stopping, I'm just really upset about it! Actually that's probably a good sign as it shows that deep down I actually am really enjoying this program - I feel like a lost soul after work not knowing what to do with myself! I'm glad that I feel better today because surely that means I am recovering, but yeah I might go and get it checked out if I don't make huge progress. I think doing the fit test on the same day as your last recovery workout is a great idea...I honestly don't know what Shaun T was thinking by putting it on the same day as your first month 2 workout. i know that the fit test is short, but its probably then one video where you push yourself the hardest because you want to prove to yourself that you are improving...I'm usually exhausted by the end of it. I'll bet you're now reaping the true benefits of recovery week, I remember I found the first couple of days hard (probably because in my mind I was expecting a week of stretching!) but then towards the end I felt my body actually had "recovered". Having said that, I think the shoulder plies at the end might have been a contributing factor to how my back is now feeling - I would force myself to keep my hands up even though I felt like I was going to dislocate my arms, and the place between your arms where it burns the most is exactly where you back/neck is hurting me now. Then add to that the pushups, jumps and 8 hours at my desk on the computer each day... Looking forward to month 2 is the right attitude. Haha I remember the amount of times I swore at Shaun T when I watched him show us how to do the month 2 exercises, but then when you do the workouts the second time around it isn't quite as bad because you have seen/tried the moves before. i can only imagine that by the end of the month they will get easier, but even the fitness professional at the back are close to passing out at some stages!

Just about...altho officially on a break from Insanity :( Absolutely gutted mind. I've badly injured my lower neck/upper back I'm just hoping it's not a serious injury because I'm pretty sure it's not muscular. There are so many push-ups and jumps in month 2 that I think the high impact has taken it's toll on me. I've been in pain for the last week I would say, but i was training through and progressively getting worse, so I decided on Tuesday I would skip that day's workout (especially since it was plyo which is the worst for push-ups and jumps) and then Wednesday is my usual rest day anyways. I was hoping to get back into it today, but I think I'm going to give it one more day off. The good news is that I do feel a lot better today. I don't want to quit!!! I feel like a failure :( I will try my hardest to complete the program though. How are you doing on recovery week? I actually really enjoyed that workout towards the end of the week.

Another update...I did Max Recovery yesterday. I didn't really like it. Probably my least favourite workout of the lot. Lol first of all Shaun T is in leggings! Lol secondly I felt like it was ballet training! Ok I'm being harsh, but this wasn't really one for me, I have never been a fan of yoga type exercise, and whilst this isn't yoga there is a lot of slow stretches. The shift has definitely moved from lower body to upper body in month 2. Again there is lots of plank work and push ups in the Max Recovery workout. I was working until exhaustion, but I still can't do 16 straight pushups! Lol I might be bias about this one because my kids were running around like crazy and trying to interrupt me even though I was in my room.