8 mile run today! My hip flexors/ lower abs were talkin' to me from Max Interval Circuit y'day! I can definitely see how the Insanity workouts strength the lower body. It's made me a more efficient runner, for sure!!!!

I'm going to do some tweaking to this last week's schedule. I'll be out of town Fri- Sun, so I might take the final Fit Test on Monday. Not sure yet. I'm going to my Personal Training certification class/ test!!! Then I'll be *certified*!!!

Woohoo! Page 2 of Insanity!!

Oh man, my hip flexors have been talking to me all day!

Good luck on your test! I already know you'll do a fantastic job!

XStretch for me today. One more week!

Hey guys, I've been reading the Insanity forums here and on Beachbody's website but just never posted. I liked month 1 even though it kicked my butt and I was tired a lot of the time - felt like a zombie the first week, but I liked the workouts themselves. I just finished week 1 of month 2 and I have to say I do NOT like the Max workouts. It's not because they're longer, it's just the content. I find I have a hard time breathing in the pushup position which you seem to be in a lot in the max workouts, so I'm gasping for breath but my heart rate isn't getting as high as it should. I'm also yawning a lot so apparently my body needs oxygen and isn't getting it. I guess I feel like the workouts don't flow as well as month 1. Today was Max Plyo and I stopped not even halfway through and went for a run instead. I really want to finish out the program but the thought of three more weeks of this makes me want to scream. It might be different if I were seeing results, but I'm not. No weight loss, no measurement changes, my clothes fit the same. I think my calves might look a little more defined but that's about it. I was seeing a little tiny bit of ab definition in week 2 but that went away. And yes, my eating is on track. I'm supposed to be eating 1500 calories a day according to the nutrition guide and I hit that most of the time. No fast food or junk. My plan for after Insanity was to start my first round of P90X subbing in Insanity workouts for the cardio days, but now I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and start it now. Or should I try to do as many Max workouts as I can ( I can sort of tolerate MIC and need to do MCC again because the only time I did it I was so exhausted I can barely remember it) and sub in some month 1 workouts+running for the next three weeks? (I kinda miss Pure Cardio!) I'm eager to get back to weights but I really wanted to give Insanity the full 60 days, so I'm torn. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

My first thought is that you may need to up your calories or your carbs. These workouts require a lot of good clean fuel. How are your goals set up here in MFP? I have mine set at 50% carbs / 30% protein / 20% fat. 1500 may be too low for you. Try increasing it by 100-200 and see how you feel.

Are you getting enough sleep? The Month 2 workouts are tough, but I've never been so tired that I don't remember the workout.

For push-ups, make sure you inhale on the way down & exhale back up.

Last question, are you just beginning to exercise and chose Insanity, or have you been exercising for a while? Remember, this is not a beginner's program. I've done P90X four times, and Insanity gave me a swift kick in Month 1.

Hi Sandy,
My percentages are set the same as yours - I don't have a problem getting carbs but I have to pay attention and really try to get enough protein. I've been working out for more than 20 years, started running when I was 11 and I'm 34 now. I've run a marathon and several half-marathons and other races. I started lifting weights when I was 19 and have done that along with running or other cardio ever since, so I'm in decent shape. Sleep is sometimes a problem during the week, but if I'm really tired and have time I take a nap after work and before I work out. The first week of Insanity I had a very hard time sleeping but it's gotten better. As far as the pushups go, I can breathe okay doing actual pushups, but being in that position to do ski abs, sprints, etc. becomes a problem when I'm on the floor longer, which you are in the max workouts. I'm not sure how to explain it. I don't know, I guess I'll try to stick with it another week at least and see how it goes. Maybe I'll skip Max Plyo since I really don't like it and do Pure Cardio or run instead. Thanks for the response, I'll check in later!
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

I'd say you need to increase your calories. Insanity is a major metabolism booster, so you're probably burning through 1500 pretty quickly. I eat 2800-3000, and I only weigh 123. I'm like a furnace!

Try to increase it to 1800 by upping it 100-200 every few days. You'll probably find that your weight will drop and your energy will increase.

Keep us posted!

I agree with Sandy of course! Great advice! It is hard when you do the ski abs/ pushups/ outside abs, etc in a row. Just go w/ what Shaun T. says and take a break if you need to! You'll still be getting a great workout and there's no problem w/ taking a break in there!

I'm also a runner and I don't burn as many cals w/ the Insanity workouts as I do w/ a run just because my cardio endurance is really efficient. But I've seen changes in my body from Insanity that I don't see when I'm just running.

I've also had to up my cal intake. I can't eat as much as Sandy (I wish!) but I'm up to at least 2,000 a day now. (more on long run days) And I'm still losing weight/ inches.

If you need to, sub in another workout. I've subbed in running for some of the Insanity so if you like Pure Cardio better than go for it!

Jess

I guess I never posted y'day!! Well, I did the Max Sports Interval training y'day. It was my first time doing that workout, and I really liked it! Fun going through football, basketball, running, gymnastic drills! Sundays are usually my days off, but I just felt the need to do something.

Off for Plyo Max now!

Max Conditioning today with a 40 min run after. It was amazing!!

I have to teach class tonight, so it will be a good workout day!

Good Morning!

Day 57 : Max Interval Plyo & Yoga

This is the last week! I can't believe it's almost over. Had a great workout this morning -- puddles of sweat even though it's raining & a bit chilly here this morning. Okay, it's 63*, but that's chilly for here.

Jennifer: Jess gave you some excellent advice. The people on the video take breaks; there's no reason you can't!

Jess: I LOVE Max Interval Sports Training! That one will definitely stay in future rotations. Have you sent in a video to Shaun T. yet?

Time to hit the shower! I'll be back later!

I'll try upping calories a bit and see if that helps. It's hard for me to eat all those calories with clean foods, I've already had to resort to Balance or Zone bars to help out. I get full quickly so I can't eat a ton all at once, and sometimes I just plain get tired of eating, strange as that may sound. Considering I was food-obsessed for many years, it's very strange to me. But I will try - I have to get groceries today anyway so I'm trying to think of more stuff to get. It's a rest day for me so I'm just going to run errands after work and maybe go for a short walk since the weather is supposed to be nice. I do take breaks during the workouts but I try really hard to keep up with their speed. I've started running in place at times when I just can't do anymore of what they're doing but still feel like I can do something. I almost smacked my boyfriend the other day when he came down to watch for a few minutes and said "you aren't going as fast as they are". Grrrr! He keeps saying he's going to do a workout with me but hasn't yet.

Back to work, have a great day everyone!
Jennifer

Hey Jennifer,

I'm a big fan of Greek yogurt. It has more calories & almost double the protein of regular yogurt. I like to mix a cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt with Muscle Milk. It's like ice cream. I also like apples or bananas with almond butter, and there's always fresh fruit, cottage cheese, cheese sticks, putting a little bit more meat on your sandwich, etc.

Are you using a recovery drink? If you haven't tried Beachbody's Results & Recovery Formula, you should; it's really good! You could also use non-fat chocolate milk, or 8 oz apple juice mixed with a couple of tablespoons vanilla protein powder.

All these little things can add up and keep your energy levels on the rise. The timing of nutrients is also critical. I have an article on my other computer. I'll post it later this afternoon.

Sounds like your boyfriend is a tad scared of Insanity! I actually had someone tell me that the exercises didn't look that hard. Yeah, by themselves, they aren't. But string them along one right after the other, and you're in for a butt kicking!

Funny, I just had some Greek yogurt! I usually don't buy it because it's expensive - normally I get the Dannon plain nonfat and strain it to make it thick like Greek yogurt. I need to start putting it into my protein shakes since more than half a scoop of protein powder at a time gives me tummy issues. I use Accelerade as a recovery drink, can't say I love it but if it helps... I'm all about the fruit and cottage cheese - had to bring cheese sticks to work since if they're at home my boyfriend will eat them all. I always try to have a combo of protein, carbs and fat at each meal and snack. Do you use the liquid Muscle Milk or the powder? I was thinking the liquid might be easier to blend into things.

Yeah, I made him go running with me when we first started dating a few years ago - 3 miles kicked his butt hard! It was a great workout for me because he's a foot taller so I had to run faster to keep up. He goes biking once or twice a week but that's about it - he's self-employed and works a lot of hours so doesn't have that much time. But I've gotten him to eat healthier than he used to so at least that's something.

I use Muscle Milk powder. A couple scoops of Cookies 'n Creme in Greek yogurt . . . mmmmmmm. I use vanilla in my oatmeal and Shakeology.

Speaking of, have you tried Shakeology? I use Greenberry and mix it with one cup of almond milk, one banana, one scoop vanilla Muscle Milk, and one cup frozen fruit (frozen mangoes are so good).

No, haven't tried Shakeology. If they made it in trial size or sample packets I would, but I can't spend that much $$$ on something I don't know if I'll like. I thought I heard they were going to do trial sizes so we'll see. I got some chocolate milk, I should be able to drink a glass of that before I leave for work and then I eat breakfast at work, so that's a little extra. Just need to keep working on it!

No workout looks too hard when you're just watching it

sandy- Thanks for helping me find the new thread....I was lost

On track with my workouts...I can't believe it's the last week. I'm really looking forward to my second round of P90X, of course I'm going sub in some Insanity workouts on Cardio days!!! I don't want to lose the endurance I've built up.

So true!!

You're welcome!

The last week it is!

Day 58 - Max Cardio Conditioning, Insane Abs, & Yoga

That's a mighty long workout! I really need a shower & breakfast now.

You go girl!!!

I did a 5.25 mile run this morning. Times keep getting faster, I know my cardio endurance is up from Insanity!! Feel grrrrreat!!!

What do you guys eat before doing INSANITY? It looks like you guys workout in the morning -as do I. I haven't found the "right combination" yet to effectively fuel my workouts. If I eat a full breakfast it slows me down. But sometimes I wonder if I ate more if it would help me out. Any suggestions?

Just a banana for me. It's the perfect amount, around 100 cals w/ the carb to get me through the workout. Then afterwards I refuel w/ my usual morning oatmeal w/ protein powder & cottage cheese (carb and protein!).

Good luck! I can't seem to do it in a totally empty tummy.

I have a banana too. It digests quickly and doesn't give my tummy any trouble. I eat one, wait about 20-30 min and then start the workout.

Afterwards, I have the Recovery Drink, a weight gaining protein shake, and usually Proatmeal.