INITIAL REVIEW: Near end of Week 2 and the program has changed me physically already (I am doing Insanity coupled with a weight-lifting routine). It is extremely hard - although I can now complete the warm-ups without stopping, I still can't keep pace with the people on the DVD and have to stop very, very frequently and can't even complete some of the moves more than 2 or 3 times. Actually, there are some moves that I can't even do once without stopping the DVD to catch my breath. I realize I haven't even gotten to the hard part (Week 6 onwards). I am, however, now very inspired to change other things in my life. Knowing that you have to wake up to do an insanely difficult exercise routine every day catalyzes a lot of changes - ranging from what you are willing to eat, how much sleep you need, how many beers you'll have - and how often you'll weigh yourself! Already lost one belt notch and have gotten gasps at change in physique. Will provide more updates. If this program wasn't so hard, it wouldn't be so inspiring. Can you imagine the importance of proving to yourself you can do something you didn't think was possible? That's what I'm going for. This wouldn't work if it was called "Kinda Tough" instead of "Insanity."
UPDATE: Halfway through Week 4. Super inspiring and exciting to be doing this program. Can now get through the warmups almost at the pace of the people on the DVD (during warm up only!) - this is a huge improvement over when I first started, but I still need to stop DVD during the rest of the workout to catch my breath (usually 5-6 times per DVD for 60-90 seconds each). Still there has been progress! Can't believe I wrote in my first update above that "can't even complete some of the moves more than 2 or 3 times" - that's not the case at all anymore. I can do all the moves, albeit much more slowly than the people on the video. Emergence of a six pack starting - or I can at least see where that six pack will be! Resting heart rate has dropped significantly to levels that are considered very athletic for my age group. Although I'm getting more fit, the program feels harder than ever - probably because I was so far from keeping up with the pace during the first few weeks that I wasn't even close to doing the real workout (and still am not). Core muscles developing in a way they have never done before. Please note I am pairing Insanity with lifting (upper body) 2-3 times/week - pretty easy to do because I don't feel these muscles are drained too much by the workout. That may be, in part, because I can't do good enough push ups during Insanity - I just can't keep up aerobically - so my upper body doesn't get the full workout of the people on the DVD. I had been supplementing Insanity with other lower body workouts (weights, running, elliptical) - had to eliminate all of those because leg muscles simply could not recover fast enough. I also throw in yoga 1-2x a week on top of Insanity. The intensity of exercise program is leading to all sorts of other diet/lifestyle changes - simply don't have the same cravings for pasta or pizza or carbs anymore. Actually holding off on meeting some people that I haven't seen for a few weeks so that I can get to the end of the program and see their reactions to my new physique. Have lost about 1.5 belt notches since starting (I began Insanity with a normal BMI so was not expecting to lose a lot of belt notches). Feel much more confident. These workouts are way harder than training for the half marathon. By the way, the women on the DVD seem to outperform the men (e.g., speed, number of reps/exercise), so this is not just a program for the guys :-)
UPDATE: Just started week 6, month 2. Let me just say I had no idea how hard this was going to get in month 2! In month 1, I could workout 4-6 times a week in the evenings after doing Insanity in the AM - its not that I was finding Insanity easy (I could still barely keep up) but I was recovering quickly. Month 1 is what I expected and would have made me happy if it just ended there because it's a serious accomplishment in its own right. Month 2 is completely different. I've never done a workout this hard. I can't believe I got through two days of it. I'm back to stopping the DVD 10-15 times per workout for additional rests. I feel like I need to seriously focus on pre-workout hydration and diet to get through each session. That said, I definitely feel like i'm on route to being in best shape of my life. Note: don't skip recovery week - you'll need it!
UPDATE: Just started week 7, day 1. Recovered enough to start to add my weights and occassional run back into my workout. Only stopped DVD twice on Max Cardio today (which, granted is much easier for me than Max Pylo or Max Cicuit) - but wow! Never thought I would get here! I think for once someone on the DVD took a rest before me!! That said, pre-workout nutrition (and nutrition overall) has become critical. Need to eat and pre-hydrate with Gatorade 45-60 min ahead of workout - no more water or Poweade Zero. Overall I feel 10x better than before, more confident, calmer, higher energy, requiring less sleep, and less coffee. Imagine I've lost about 10 lbs of fat and have gained 15lbs of muscle (I'm not trying to lose weight and am lifting 2x a week in addition to Insanity). I now actively crave this workout. What is most "Insane" about all this? How much I have changed!
UPDATE: Week 8, day 5. First workout without stopping the DVD (Max Circuit)!
UPDATE: Just finished the program today. Feel amazing. Can't believe I've done this. Biggest accomplishment I've had in a while. Didn't stop DVD once in the past week. Just narrowly missed beating Chris on my last Fit Test, although my final scores now beat Tania and Chris's starting scores (which means I'm in better shape than Super Athlete Tania and Chris the Marathoner were when they started Insanity - not bad!). Overall, this has been a wild ride and a great experience. I'm stronger than I've been in a very long time, I have core muscles that I've never had before (I can do the incline sit up bench at the gym at its steepest height *with* a 35 lbs plate now, no problem), and I'm more aerobically fit than I've been since my early 20's. For instance, I have run 7 miles on my Insanity "rest days." My resting heart rate is down about 20 beats per minute and my blood pressure is down 15 points to low/normal. I was on the thin side to begin with, but I've still lost one notch on my belt. I now read exercises that are recommended in men's magazines (like "jump rope for 15 seconds and rest for 45) and they sound like an utter joke. I guess the only thing I'm worried about is what I should do next! Probably Insanity again or Asylum! Thank you, Shaun T. This was awesome. Kinda saved my life.
UPDATE: Started Insanity from the beginning again, immediately after finishing the whole program. Month 1 work outs are now pretty easy for me. There are still moments when I stop to catch my breath for 3-8 seconds during Level 1/2/3 drills or Ski Abs, but that's it. The rest I just power through and mostly keep up with the team on TV and very often beat many of them. So now I've been doing Insanity in one form or another for 11 weeks. I was just told by a friend whom I haven't seen in a few months that I, literally, look 10 years younger. I've tried to convince several friends to try Insanity and may succeed in a case or two. They really need it! Probably best thing is that my dad has seen my before/after photos and transformation and is now motivated to start this own exercise routine (Thank God!). Other people now claim that I have a six pack, so I guess I can say I do!
| Manufacturer | Beachbody Inc., |
|---|---|
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 10.16 x 9.53 x 4.57 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.67 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7.09 x 9.45 x 2.36 inches |
| Item Weight | 16 ounces |
| Brand Name | Beachbody |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Warranty Description | 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE WHICH HAS PASSED. |
| Model Name | FBA_SANDVD2118 |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Plastic |
| Suggested Users | Women, Men, Youth, Unisex Adult |
| Number of Items | 13 |
| Part Number | FBA_SANDVD2118 |
| Included Components | DVD |
| Size | Small |
