Insanity: Max Interval Circuit

I finally made it to month 2 of Insanity & the first day was definitely as hard as I thought it would be. Max Interval Circuit is 59 minutes long. It begins with a warm-up, like the first month & even it seems harder. There are 3 rounds as usual, but the last round is shorter.

Here are the exercises:

Jog
Jumping Jacks w/ Arms Up
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Jump Rope S-S
High Knees holding Arms Out
Switch Kicks
Hit the Floor
S-S Floor Hops

After the warm up, you get a 5 min. stretch with a 30 sec. break & then you move onto the main workout.

1st set of exercises (3 rounds):

Pedal/Power Lunges (Sprint in place, 4 alternating lunges, repeat)
Ski Abs /Push up Jacks/In & Out Abs /Oblique pushups
Power Strike (Lunge left, 2 punches down, lunge right, 2 punches down)
Frog Jumps

Bonus minute of Football Runs/ Cross Jacks after the 3rd round.

Here's the 2nd set of exercises (3 rounds)

Hook Jumps (4 hook punches high, 4 hook punches low, 4 high jumps. Then you switch sides)
High Knees w/ Twist
High-Low Jab with Squat
Floor Switch Kicks

Bonus minute of 1-2-3 Jab Across

Last set of exercises (3 rounds):

Side Suicide Jumps (suicide jump to the side)
Squat Hooks (squat & hook punch at the same time, alternate sides)
Full Body Drill. (drop to the plank position, run in place 8 times, walking push ups, then 8 wide knee & up)
Plank Punches (in plank, punch right side at head level & then switch sides, keep alternating)
Finally, you do your cool down & that's it!

Month 2 is definitely harder than the first month. I took a whole bunch of breaks and I still burned over 800 calories. I knew immediately after I was done that I would be sore the next day & guess what, I am! I can't wait to see what my results will be after this month. Today I'm doing Max Interval Plyo. I'm sure it will be intense! I'll let you know...

INSANITY: OFF TO WEEK #3

I finished up my 2nd week of Insanity with Power Cardio & Resistance on Saturday.  I'm getting used to the workouts & improving my endurance, but it was still a tough workout.  On Sunday, I did Cardio Abs & Pure Cardio.  This was the first time I did the abs workout.  It was a good ab workout, but I had problems doing all of the moves.  Quite a few of them are on the floor in the "c" position, which puts a lot of pressure on my tailbone.  I plan on adding extra padding & seeing if that helps the next time.  The workout is just over 16 minutes long, but added to the pure cardio workout, in my opinion, makes things more difficult.  I immediately did pure cardio after the abs workout.  It seemed pretty hard this time.  I was definitely ready for the workout to be over.  Even though I don't enjoy this workout, I feel fantastic when I'm done!  So, 2 weeks down & on to the Fit test.

Today was my 2nd fit test & here are my results:

Switch Kicks: 52/60

Power Jacks: 50/60

Power Knees: 76/86

Power Jumps: 31/43

Globe Jumps: 11/13

Suicide Jumps: 10/16

Push Up Jacks: 12/20

Low Plank Obliques: 56/70

The fit test definitely seemed easier this time.  Probably because you get a minute break after each minute of the test and I'm so used to all of the other cardio.  I'm very happy with my results and I can't wait to see how much they improve by Day 30.  I am definitely loving Insanity! :)

INSANITY DAYS 10-11: MY LEGS ARE DONE!

Wednesday's workout was Day 10 of my Insanity journey and another round of plyo cardio.  I was able to push myself really hard, but it definitely wasn't any easier.  By the end of the workout, my quads were so tight & sore that I could barely do any of the ski abs or in and out abs.  Needless to say, I got a great workout!  I woke up this morning feel leaner & I actually dropped a pound, so things are looking good.

Tonight was Day 11 and I did cardio recovery.  The parts of the workout where I was actually stretching were great, but all of the lunges and squats were killer!  My quads were burning from all of the pulses and holds!  I was definitely glad when that part was over.  Before today, this was my favorite workout.  Now, I'm not so sure. :)  Besides my legs being sore, my body is feeling great and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's workout.  Power Cardio & Resistance here I come! :)

INSANITY DAYS 6-9: IS IT GETTING EASIER?

I finished up my first week of Insanity with Plyo cardio on Sunday. The warm up was definitely easier to get through because my endurance has increased & I could do more reps on the exercises, but it is still hard. As you get more endurance, you can push yourself even harder, which means the workout will still be tough.

On Monday (Day 8), I did cardio power & resistance, which is my 2nd favorite workout. I felt like I was getting stronger & definitely able to do more reps & keep up better with the group. It definitely pushes you to use your upper body strength!

 On Tuesday (Day 9), I did Pure cardio, which is still my least favorite of the workouts. I do great through the warm-up and stretching, but the 15 minutes of straight cardio intervals are killer. I love how Shaun T says, "is anyone else as nervous as I am?" You know it is going to be rough! :) I still have to take a bunch of breaks and my calves were really burning last night. I made it through and felt great afterwards, but boy is that a workout! :)

 If you are thinking of doing Insanity, I definitely recommend getting the P90X results & recovery drink. It really helps to keep me from getting too sore or tired and it is such a treat after your workout! Also, you just need to know your limits. I take breaks when I need to take them and then I jump back in and give it all I can. That's what I love about this workout! You are pushing your own limits and truly seeing what your body can do! Today is Day 10 and I feel like I am looking leaner already! I just know the results are going to be great! I will be doing Plyo Cardio later tonight.

Until then...

INSANITY DAY #5- PURE CARDIO

On Saturday, I did Insanity's Pure Cardio.  It is only 38 minutes long, but it is in my opinion, the hardest workout so far.  It starts out with your typical Insanity warm up of over 10 minutes, which includes 3 rounds of these exercises:

Jog

Jumping jacks

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Butt Kicks

High Knees

Mummy Kicks

By the time I'm done with these, I am definitely ready for a break.  I'm breathing hard & sweating, but after only 5 days, I have already improved my cardiovascular endurance.  The warm up is becoming easier.  Then, like the workouts, you get about 6 minutes of stretching.  I'm always dripping sweat at this point. :)

Now, you start the main part of the workout, which only lasts a little over 15 minutes, but you don't get anymore breaks.  Here are the exercises:

 Suicide (side to side touching the floor)

 Switch kicks

 Wide football sprints

 Stance Jacks

 Pedal (two lunges, then sprint, followed by 2 more lunges, etc)

 Hooks and Jump rope (8 hook punches, several high jumps, 8 punches etc)

 Power jacks (like jumping jacks, but you go deep in a wide lunge)

 Level 2 drills (8 push ups followed by 8 run lunges, repeat)

 Frog Jumps

 Power Knees

 Mountain Climbers

 Ski Down (jump side to side as if skiing)

 Scissor Runs

 Suicide Jumps (squat down, jump back to a push up, stand up again)

 Push up jacks

Fifteen minutes might not seem like very much time, but with these exercises, it seemed like forever.  It was definitely the most intense workout & I had to take a bunch of breaks to get through it, but I made it.  I can definitely say I'm glad that this workout only happens once a week, but I know it will really help to improve my endurance.  Insanity is definitely a hard program, but I have been feeling fanastic every time I complete a workout.  My stomach is already looking flatter, my endurance is improving, and I have more energy.  It has definitely been worth the effort!

INSANITY DAY #4- CARDIO RECOVERY

On Thursday, I did Insanity's Cardio Recovery.  It's around 33 minutes with no cardio at all.  It was great to have all of the stretching because my body was really sore.  I thought this would be a break and an easy workout, but it wasn't quite what I thought it would be.  You do a lot of stretching, but you also do strengtheners as well, which include squats & pulsing squats as well as lunges & pulsing lunges.  My quads were pretty sore after this.  Regardless of being a recovery day, I still got a good workout.  That's Insanity for you! :)  I would have to say that this one is my favorite! :)

Day #5 is Pure Cardio & it looks like it is going to be challenging, but here I come.

INSANITY DAY #3- CARDIO POWER & RESISTANCE

I definitely didn't feel like getting out of bed this morning to go workout, but I am lucky enough to have my husband working out with me.  So, he convinced me to get going and we did it. :)  Cardio power & resistance started out like plyo cardio with a nice hardcore warm-up of 3 rounds of 3 min. & 30 sec.  So, the 9 minutes I talked about yesterday is wrong. Then, you get a 6 minute stretch break, which I love, but at this point I have tons of sweat dripping down my face. :)  Now, you are ready to workout!

Here are the first set of exercises.  You do 3 rounds with a 30 second water break after each round & then you do a couple of bonus moves at the end.

*Power Jumps- with your knees wide, you lower into a squat, then jump straight up. Bring your knees in high in the center, and touch your hands.

*Belt Kicks- You squat then you kick with one leg and then squat again and kick with the other leg.

*Hit the Floor- You do side to side lunges swinging your arms up and then down and touching the floor on each side.

*V Push Ups- You’re in a push up position, but you bring your feet in closer to your arms, forming a “V” with your butt in the air. Lower your head towards the floor and push up.
   
Next you do these exercises for 3 rounds, with a 30 second water break after each round, plus another bonus move at the end.
 
*Hurdle Jumps- You run in place, and then jump to side. Then run in place again & jump to the other side.

*Globe Jumps- You have a wide stance, and you jump right, back, left, and then front & then repeat.

*Moving Push Ups- You move to the side & then push up and then move to the other side & push up again.

*Floor Sprints- You get into plank or push up position & move your feet in a sprint (similar to mountain climber but you don't pull your legs in as far).

Then you do your cool down for about 4 minutes.  The whole workout takes about 39 minutes.

I liked this workout better than the plyometric cardio circuit.  I was sweating really good & got another fantastic workout from it.  There was a nice change in moves with more breaks, so maybe that made it a little better for me. :)  I did struggle with the push-ups, but I'm hoping Insanity will help me to improve that.  Tomorrow's workout is Cardio Recovery, which I'm looking forward to the stretching, but I have heard it really isn't much of a recovery at all.  I'll let you know! :)

INSANITY DAY #2- PLYO CARDIO

This morning I completed my 2nd day of Insanity with the workout plyometric cardio circuit.  It is just over 41 minutes long.  Shaun T. doesn't waste any time and gets you started right away with a 9 minute warm-up.  I don't mean the kind of warm-up where you take it easy & stretch.  I mean, you are literally breathing hard, moving fast, and sweating & you are definitely warmed up by the time it is over.  Then, you do about 6 minutes of stretching, which feels great after the warm up.  Next, you start into the cardio circuits, which include squat jumps, ski jumps, basketball drills, football drills, ski abs, mountain climbers, etc.  The list could go on and on for a while. :) It is definitely an intense workout that had me breathing hard, dripping sweat, and taking numerous breaks.

After only completing 2 days of the program, I am already sore all over.  I know it is going to get me in incredible shape as long as I stick with it.  It is designed to work your whole body, improve your cardiovascular endurance, and increase your strength.  I can't wait to see what my results will be!

Tomorrow's workout is cardio power & resistance.  So, until then...

INSANITY DAY #1- FIT TEST

I officially started the workout program Insanity today!  The first workout is the fit test.  You do 8 different exercises for one minute each to see how many you can do.

Here are the exercises:

1. SWITCH KICKS

2. POWER JACKS

3. POWER KNEES

4. POWER JUMPS
 
5. GLOBE JUMPS

6. SUICIDE JUMPS

7. PUSH-UP JACKS

8. LOW PLANK OBLIQUE
 
The whole thing takes 25 minutes, including a warm up and cool down.  While it sounds easy enough, I was sweating and breathing hard by the time each minute was done.  I pushed myself as hard as I could go and for most of the exercises, I had to take a break & then jump back in.  By the time the fit test was over, I definitely felt like I had had a good workout.  I'm actually feeling sore tonight, so I can only imagine what I will feel like by Sunday. :)
 
Tomorrow's workout is plyometric cardio circuit.  It is approximately 40 minutes long & as the names states all plyometric cardio.  I will definitely be needing my P90X recovery drink after that one.  I guess I'm a glutton for punishment because I can't wait to try it! 
 
Stay tuned...

Motivation: Where are you?

Many people think that that if they wait long enough, motivation will just come.  The fact is, it doesn't work that way.  If you aren't motivated today, then you probably won't be motivated tomorrow either.  This is especially true when it comes to exercise.  If you want to start a workout routine & stick with it, you will have to make it a priority.

Here are a few tips for making exercise a part of your life:

1. So, how do you I find the motivation?  Pretend.  If you act like you want to do something & then just do it, you will start to become motivated and your workouts will become a habit.  You will start to feel worse on the days that you don't do it & that will really motivate you to stick with your routine.

2. Schedule a time for your workout & stick with it.  It should be just as important to your day as anything else on your list. 

3. Find something you enjoy.  If you don't like what you are doing, you will quit.  Make it something that you look forward to doing, instead of something you dread.  There is definitely something for everyone, you just need to find what works for you!


"Some day" doesn't exist, never has, and never will. There is no "some day". There's only today. When tomorrow comes, it will be another today; so will the next day. They all will. There is never anything but today." ~Jeff Olson