Insanity Week 3 & 4

Day 15 - The 2nd Fitness Test - 12th August 2013

Today I have been really looking forward to the 2nd fitness test - I know I have improved in just two weeks and couldn't wait to compare my results to Day 1. So here they are:

I'm glad I have improved in every exercise (even by 1 in some cases!) I have to admit, I was shattered by the end of it!

The next fitness test is on Day 36 - hopefully we will see some big differences by then!

Day 16 - 13th August 2013

I was tempted to pass on Insanity today - I'm feeling under the weather and my nose has been running like a tap! Hopefully it will pass quickly.

Today was Cardio Circuit. I quite enjoy this one, until the level 1 drills. The drills are tough and I can't keep up with the DVD (yet!) I will maybe come back and add a you tube clip - so you can see the madness!

Basically towards the end of the workout you repeat the following:
stand up
get down (into press up position)
four press ups
run 8 steps (whilst in press up position)
jump to a crouch
then jump up
then repeat

arrrrggggh! However, I have improved since the first time I did this routine - feel stronger and don't think it will be long until I can keep up with the DVD.

I've taken another set of photos - and can start to see a physical difference after 13 days.  :)
I will have to get to the "body fat scale" in town and get a print out of my weight and body fat % - and compare these results on a regular basis.

Day 17 - 43 days to go!

This blog is not even 7 days old and is quickly heading towards 100 visitors (from all  around the world!) - please feel free to comment/leave some feedback. 

My cold continues and I have been suffering all day. Day 17 should have been two workouts "Pure Cardio" & "Cardio Abs", I had to dig deep to get through Pure Cardio, then decided it is probably best to leave it at that. So once I'm back to full health - I owe Shaun T one "Cardio Abs" workout! 

The madness continues in Pure Cardio with "Level 2 Drills" - similar to yesterday but with more reps. Again the challenge is to keep up with everyone on the DVD - once I can - I know my fitness will have come a long way! Tomorrow is "Cardio Recovery" - in short - stretching that makes your muscles burn!

Day 18 - 42 days to go

Feeling better and today was "Cardio Recovery". It's quite surprising how much holding squats/lunges can burn! It takes some real focus to hold some of the moves for the full amount of time. Hopefully these will get easier!

After the first 4 days of Insanity I had lost 4lbs. After 18 days I am back to my start weight - but my body has started to change shape and I am fitter (see fitness test results).

According to a friend of a friend she put 5lbs on after 3 weeks and then the weight just dropped off (loss of 2 stones in total). Perhaps I am on the verge of some hard earned weight loss!

Day 19 - 16th August 2013 - Premier League Eve

"Cardio Power & Resistance"

Lots of cardio and jumping involved - the "Power Jumps" are great to start with, but soon sap your energy. Globe jumps and  vertical jumps soon set my calves on fire!

The workout also features tri-cep dips - when i first started i thought it was just me, but I could hardly do any! I'm getting better at them now, but no way near the form of those on the DVD.

I quite enjoy the running hurdles (basically running on the spot and jumping when Shaun T says). I've also got a lot lot stronger in the moving press ups!

Not long until the next rest day!

Day 20 - 1/3 complete! - 17th August 2013

Almost back to full health and was ready for a good workout! "Plyometric Cardio Circuit"

This workout will make you collapse on the floor gasping for air and dripping in sweat. A good mixture of quick cardio, basketball jumps, stretches and level 1 drills (press ups with a difference). I'm really starting to enjoy Insanity now and I'm glad to say the aches of the first few days are long gone!

I haven't been out running since I started Insanity - so I'm keen to see what the difference will be....

On a side note: It's the return of the premier league and match of the day! wahoo!

Day 21 - Rest Day

ahhhhhhhhhh (well earned!)

Day 22 - 19th August 2013

I'm away with work today on a training course, but I have brought Insanity to do with me in the hotel. I feel sorry for the people below me! During the course I had to present the challenges and choices in my lift to date. I covered that working in IT isn't great for my health and so have started Insanity (don't mean to be a preacher!) Quite a few people in the class were interested and keen to know more! Someone was staying in the same hotel so I suggested he came round and tried it out.

Sure enough we made as much space as we could in the hotel room (the maids might wonder what on earth has been going on!) and we worked through the exercise of the day - Pure Cardio.

It's a shame I couldn't have involved everyone, but it was good fun and I was keen to see what my colleague thought, especially as he had previously been in the Army. After a good workout - his first words were "that was insane!" ha ha - yes it is! He even said it is tougher than Army training.

Day 23 - 20th August 2013

Unfortunately I've had to pass on Insanity today due to getting back late. A 4 hour drive after a full day of IT/career training :( Hopefully a few others from the training course will give it a go and let me know how they get on, or check out my blog! Looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow.

Day 24 - 21st August 2013 

After quite a long day at work, I'll be honest - I was tempted to pass on Insanity. But that's not the spirit to have! So shorts on, press play.
"Plyometric Cardio Circuit" - Quite a nice warm up to get you in the mood - jogging/jumping jacks/side moves/butt kicks/high knees and the enjoyable mummy kicks!

The stretches in the middle of this session provide a nice chance to prepare for the challenge ahead! My flexibility is improving and I am able to go into stretches further than before - its great to see and feel the difference.

I then pushed myself quite hard for the final section of the workout. I have really progressed in the level 1 drills and my girlfriend even commented on how well I did. It has only been 24 days and the difference to my fitness in these exercises is quite remarkable, I'm really impressed and that is why I am keen to continue and see what the final results will be. (I still collapsed on the floor - but this workout pushes you to the limit!) Brilliant!

Day 25 - 22nd August 2013 - 35 days to go!

"Cardio Recovery" again today. Lots of deep stretches that set your muscles on fire! I still cant hold them for the full amount of time, I end up dancing around the room trying to shake off the burn! If anything this workout requires mental strength!

When I first started the workout I lost 4lbs or 5lbs in the first week. I then put it on again. (Must be muscle,lol) However this week I have started to drop a few lbs again. It will be interesting to see what the scales say tomorrow.

Day 26 - 23rd August 2013

We decided to move Sunday's rest day to today!

Day 27 - 24th August 2013

 "Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs" is a really good workout. Lots of cardio, jumps and level 2 drills!
After the main workout we then did "Cardio Abs". These are my favourite Insanity workouts so far. We had a sneak peek of what is to come in month 2 - and it looks crazy! But I'm looking forward to it - I can keep up with most of programme now and feel quite strong, it will be great to pushed to the limit again in new routines!

Day 28 - 25th August 2013

"Plyometric Cardio Circuit" is one of the most demanding workouts so far. Again, back to the basketball jumps, ski jumps and level 1 drills. Althought I am feeling stronger in these, they soon sap the energy from you! The end result will be you dripping in sweat, in a ball on the floor! Next week we start a new phase of the workout. As of yet, I don't know what to expect...