Insanity advice please!

lts42uk
lts42uk Posts: 162 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! I was wondering if anyone can re-assure me? I'm on Recovery Week and have followed the exercise programme to the letter. I've given every workout my all! For a start my calorie burn seems low compared to others I've seen ie about 280 for the first months workouts and about 180 for Recovery Week. I was fit to start with - I've been doing Bob Harper DVDs for some time! My biggest concern though is that I gained 2lb the second week and have not yet lost it. I didn't want to lose weight, but I certainly don't want to gain it either! I started on 2300 calories an day, as per the nutrition guide, but have now dropped that to 2000, with a 40/40/20 macro split. Also my measurements haven't changed yet either. I'm not losing motivation yet but I am puzzled and a little disappointed!

Replies

  • Diet_Soda
    Diet_Soda Posts: 124 Member
    I don't have any advice for you, but I am on the Recovery Week too. I was burning around 350 the first month, and around 270 with Recovery Week. I am quite nervous over starting next week. My weight has stayed exactly the same, but my measurements did get smaller. I am not looking to lose weight either.
  • lng145
    lng145 Posts: 82 Member
    Your calorie burn seems very low especially for the amount you are consuming. There must be something wrong. Are you pushing all the way through the workouts or are you taking lots of rests? Is your HR getting up and coming back down before you start again? I would look into these things before month 2 starts. I am just starting week 3... I haven't seen any weight loss, but I am getting stronger and notice my endurance getting better. But I am literally drenched in sweat after the workouts... are you? How much water are drinking?
  • lts42uk
    lts42uk Posts: 162 Member
    Your calorie burn seems very low especially for the amount you are consuming. There must be something wrong. Are you pushing all the way through the workouts or are you taking lots of rests? Is your HR getting up and coming back down before you start again? I would look into these things before month 2 starts. I am just starting week 3... I haven't seen any weight loss, but I am getting stronger and notice my endurance getting better. But I am literally drenched in sweat after the workouts... are you? How much water are drinking?

    I drink loads - a large cup during the workout and I drink loads of water during the day - I always have done! I have sweat pouring off me. By week 4 I could keep up with them on the dvd and managed Pure Cardio with no rests at all. With the others I would literally take 5 seconds maybe once or twice - especially Level 2 drills towards the end. I don't know where my heartrate gets up to but normally it's around 145 in the breaks. Recovery dvd I totally keep up with everyone - no breaks! Except when I'm supposed to of course! I am already quite fit - I've been working out 6 days a week for two and a half years and cycle to work every day! Don't get me wrong - Insanity is tough and I love it - I'm just not seeing the results I kinda hoped for!!
  • alikonda
    alikonda Posts: 2,358 Member
    Just figured I'd throw my two cents out there:

    - I did my first round of Insanity this past summer. I lost only 4 pounds in total during the program, but 1-3" off each my chest, waist, and hips. While I got stronger the first month (and lost a couple inches), I didn't see the scale move until month 2.

    - I continued to drop a few more pounds in the weeks following Insanity

    - 2300 or 2000 calories seems like a lot to me - I'm usually ballpark 1800 while doing Insanity (up from 1500-1600). But I also don't know your body/metabolism/etc and I'm only 5'2" =P On a related note, 280 cal seems low for a full workout.

    http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid61732233001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAGFvgpA~,Dme6miR5QNX38rtCpPnP-Yoa3dmOSFuF&bctid=2219282581001 -- That's a webcast with Shaun T where he addresses your concern. It's pretty helpful. =)

    Personally, if it's only 2 pounds and you're way STRONGER than you used to be, I would consider it an overall win!

    Good luck!
  • Apix
    Apix Posts: 31 Member
    I did insanity last fall. The first month I gained 5 lbs, and read that several others had the same issue due to muscle building and water retention because you're working them so hard. After recovery week, during month 2 I lost 11 lbs for a loss of 6 pounds over all and 9 inches. Stick with it, you're halfway there.
  • lts42uk
    lts42uk Posts: 162 Member
    Thank you for all your help! I noticed this morning that my HRM is not picking up my heartrate when my arms are stretched out either touching the floor or to the sides! Either my arms are too long or it's a battery issue :wink: !

    alikonda; I'm 5'8" and weigh 140lb at 43 years old . Thank you for the link - I'll look at it when I'm not at work :happy:

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