Insanity Month 2-No results?

victoriafunes13

So I just started the second week in month 2 of Insanity, and I havent really seen any results. In fact, it seems that my tummy looks flabbier than I did before starting the program, and my clothes dont seem to be fitting any better or any worse, which is quite disheartening, even though I have heard most people say that they noticed the biggest change in their bodies in month 2 because the workouts are much harder and more rigorous. I dont want to have a negative mentality and question why Im putting my body through this hellish workout when Im not seeing any major results(Ive been able to stay away from thinking like that- I dont want to lose hope!), but Ive made a few mistakes that are making me question whether or not I can lose the fat I have lingering around my body.

First of all, I made the seemingly crucial mistake of not taking any body measurements before I started the workout. From what Ive read, the measurements are what speak the most truth about the changes occurring in my body from doing an intense workout such as Insanity. But I guess I relied to heavily on the way I would start to feel my clothes fitting. Problem is, I dont feel them fitting any different.

Secondly, I weighed myself this morning and was pretty horrified at what I saw (Yes, I put on quite a few pounds) With that, though, I hadnt weight myself in quite while because I had heard time after time that I should not go by what the scale says because "muscle weighs more than fat", and with Insanity, I would put on muscle. I have noticed my shoulders get way more toned, as well as my back and legs, but would that be enough to put on the 9-ish pounds that I did?

I know that I am not really tracking much of anything right now to expect to see results, but starting to day I measured myself and will continue to do so until the end of Insanity, as well keep an extremely close eye on following my daily metabolic intake requirement. My main question(s) is/are: Is it too early in month 2 to expect to see the results most people have in the second month? I know people saw weight gain in the beginning of Insanity because their muscles were not used to the extreme workout and were retaining water, but Ive been doing Insanity for a month and a week now. Is it possible that my muscles are retaining water because of the new level of intensity in month two is tearing at my muscles and that be the case as to why I saw an increase on the scale? If not, then what could it possibly be then?

I have a clean diet and try to follow the meal plan as close as possible, so I dont THINK it is my diet. I may be wrong though. I could really use any sort of help/motivation/emotional support/ a shoulder to cry on about this situation because pushing myself through this workout and not seeing major results is starting to get to me. I am still going to "press play everyday"- or whatever the saying is- because, not only do I enjoy it, but because I want to push through all of these negatives and hopefully prove them wrong, as well as maintain a healthy lifestyle.

So_Much_Fab

It could be for any number of reasons. Here are some possibilities:

One: Are you eating at a reasonable calorie deficit? Either follow MFP's guidelines and eat back your exercise calories or educate yourself with TDEE -15 to 20% here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974889-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

Two: Are you weighing/measuring/tracking you food? If not, you have no way to measure how many calories you're consuming.

Three: Are you consuming too much sodium? It can make you retain water and mimic weight gain. Vigorous exercise can also make your muscles retain water (as you mentioned).

Four: Maybe you haven't "wooshed" yet! http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html

Five: Are you drinking enough H20?

Live4theLift

The most common problem i see with HIIT is are you giving 100%? i know it sounds dumb but if an exercise on insanity lasts for 3 minutes are you pacing yourself to last those 3 minutes or are you exerting yourself from giving it all in the first 2?

victoriafunes13

The most common problem i see with HIIT is are you giving 100%? i know it sounds dumb but if an exercise on insanity lasts for 3 minutes are you pacing yourself to last those 3 minutes or are you exerting yourself from giving it all in the first 2?

Because the workout does 3 intervals of the same set of workouts, and then another 3 intervals of a different set and so on, I usually pace myself in the first interval and then give it my all in the second and third. So yeah, I pretty much am exerting myself towards the end of the three minutes from giving it my all in the first two

DanIsACyclingFool

You said you are 1 month and 1 week in. That means if you discount the rest week that you are 1 week into the advanced workouts, which are very hard. You will have to adjust all over again, you will be sore and swollen in all new ways, and you won't be able to give your all until you get past that. My biggest changes were the first 3 weeks, but many people report the 2nd month being the real tranformation maker. So don't quit now!

Insanity is a cardio conditioning program...not a weight loss program. I lost barely 10lbs on insanity the first time although my composition changes looked like much more. I've done insanity a second time and half of a third time so far and lost about 10 more. That is not to say that people don't lose weight on it. I know someone who only did month 1 and lost 30lbs, and he had much less to lose than I did.

Because it's a cardio program your biggest gains will be in your athletic performance. So the best question to ask yourself is how are you fit tests?

TheRealParisLove

If you want to remake your body, it has to start with food. 10+ servings of vegetables a day should be your target (1/2 cup steamed carrots is hardly any food at all, and still it is one serving). Also, are you getting enough protein? For an intense work out like Insanity, you should be aiming for at least 100 grams a day. Ideal is 1-2 grams of protein for each pound of lean body mass.

I hope this helps and you start seeing results soon.