Big girl doing Insanity? Is it possible?

CandyBryson

So I have lost almost 20 lbs since October 1st have been killing it at the gym doing weight lifting and cardio ( 60 min on the arc trainer) but I am looking for some more core intensive exercises. I am currently at 242 lbs, I tried to do insanity last summer and could hardly even finish the warm up. I think since I have been going to they gym and doing my strength training ans cardio I may be better equipped to try it again. Has any big girls like me gotten through it? What are your thoughts? do you have pictures to share?

FootballMum3Boyz

I really wantg to try it! But dont know if I can handle it yet, I have slowly worked myself up to be able to do what I can now thanks to Bob and Jillian(Biggest Loser DVD) lol *there is success stories for it on youtube, check them out*

jquijas

Having done Insanity I can only tell you that it is just that INSANE! With that being said it is designed for you to do what you can and take breaks when needed. I have seen countless threads on here and on the beachbody website where people in the 300lb range have gone through the entire workout. The mantra of Insanity is to just keep pushing play! Good luck

Q

slimfitnessmoms

Yes. I believe it is possible to do. You need to just modify in the beginning. Don't feel you have to keep up with them in the video.
I would also get a heart rate monitor as this will help you too. I used one while doing Insanity and it kept me from going over my max heart rate and it also told me how many calories I burned with each workout! Good Luck!!

christy_r

It is absolutely possible! I did my first round of Insanity in July, weighing in at 216. I did the program all the way through, only having my Sunday rest day (though I did not follow the diet). I only lost around 6 pounds BUT the toning and definition in my body (and inches lost!) was incredible. Do what you can do, but PUSH YOURSELF. Change will only happen if you work for it. Good luck, and have fun!

Alisha_Joy

Having tried Insanity (and quit) I must agree with PP. Don't feel the need to keep up with the people on the video count for count. Do what YOUR body can do and take rests when needed. I was way to stubborn to follow my own advice and ended up failing miserably with Insanity. This time around, I am going to get a little weight off and then give it another shot but understanding my limits and knowing that just because I don't do every single exercise the same number of times as the instructor does NOT mean I failed.

Like jquijas said, the mantra is "Keep Pressing Play" no matter how hard it gets! Good Luck! I can't wait to hear your SUCCESS STORY!

HeatherHoskins

I am over 300lbs and I made it thru month one. The first day I only did the warm up...but I did it 2 times to get a good calorie burn. The first week I did it every other day because it kicked my butt. By the end of the second week I was completing the whole workouts with little modification. Take extra water breaks but pause the dvd when you do. If you put your mind to it and believe that you can get thru it... you will. The fact that you completed (beat) the workout will get you thru the next one.

nikkinicole88

I have done a few insanity work outs but not the whole program. I did it on days I didn’t hit the gym and it is VERY difficult. Most exercises require a lot of jumping and quick movements which are still hard for me. I have got through a workout but with many breaks because it is just that hard! I look at it this way, the people on the TV doing the work outs with you are barely making it and they are FIT! In my opinion insanity is for those who are fit or close to it but it does not hurt to try just make sure you don't overdo it because one time I almost fainted. But yes the motto is just to keep on pushing! I am hitting the gym now and have not done insanity in a while but I do plan to follow through the entire program once I lose another 20 lbs. (bringing me into the 100 something weight) Nothing is ever impossible, Good Luck!!

emily_bird

Someone showed me a youtube video the other day of a fat woman who had 5 kids and worked full time and she did it and at the time of teh video, was continuing to do it. She did it within her own skill level and the best that she could do .

MaryinBflo

Yes I have done it at 240 lbs and 260 lbs it's possible. YOu have to have some sort of fitness level not someone just starting at fitness but if you have been working out I say go for it.
There are moves you might not be able to do but you do them the best you can! You might not be able to do what he's doing for as long but the goal is to IMPROVE!! If you are eating healthy and doing insanity you will get some awesome results!!!

Good luck if you want any more advice or tips send me a message or add me as a friend.

Mary

klcalliari

I started at 182 for Insanity and i agree with previous posters... it can definately be done with insanity because you can take as many breaks as you want... you just have to remember that you DO NOT need to keep up with them... they're fitness professionals... as long as you're doing what you can and keeping your heart rate up you're still getting a really good burn. After i finished Insanity (and lost 16 lbs) i started TurboFire (also beachbody) and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I'm not a dancer, nor particularly good with timing but i absolutely crave doing these workouts... maybe look into that too.
Add me if you'd like!!

MeDoula

Definitely! Don't try to keep up. Modify when and as needed. You can do it. I'm starting my second round on Saturday!

Animaniac87

"Big Girl" isn't the issue, it's how in shape are you? "Big" people can be quite athletic, but if you're NOT athletic and you haven't been doing any type of cardio or aerobics then I would say no. I tried it when I first started to lose weight and I made it about 8 minutes into the video before I had to quit. I'm now doing other less strenuous workouts trying to build up my endurance.
But ask yourself these kinds of questions then deicde for yourself.
Can you RUN a mile straight?
Can you do 100 jumping jacks without stopping?
Jump rope for 15 minutes straight?

If you can do any or all of these I'd say give it a try, if not then I'd try less intense workouts and build your way up to insanity

desertsparrow

That's how I lost most of my 100lbs a few years ago! Do it, you won't regret it!

MostlyWater

First of all, you need to speak to your dr. Secondly, you go at your own pace and if anything hurts, you listen to your body.


Lastly, GOOD FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cailinlowe

im about to start insanity next week, on the 26th. I weigh 174 lbs. im a little nervous about it, but super pumped.

chelle_fri

I'm on day 11 right now and I weigh 173. The first few days really sucked. But after wading through it and just going along at my snail's pace, I've come to find that it isn't that hard to finish a dvd. Am I going as fast as Tanya? F-no! She's a beast, but I am keeping up with that dorky dude in the back :bigsmile: So go ahead and try it, don't worry about speed. Just focus on good form.

preslyann50

I started it when I was 175. I got injured with a fractured foot from it. I also had disk surgery but it might not been because of that. I think it's possible for anyone to start it and finish it. I would just caution and really listen to your body and make sure to always have your core engaged especially during the burpees and such. (sorry for any spelling errors lol)

EDIT* Since I got injured I switched my work out and lost 10 lbs but did gain back during my surgery and then lost another 10 when I got the ok to work out. I would hesitate to start with insanity and maybe work up to it after like previous poster said, you know you can at least keep up with easy/imd intensity work outs.

MissAnjy

It's possible, yes. Just modify things that you find extremely difficult. Just keep working towards it.

nancybuss

I haven't done Insanity (YET) but I know the $100,000 beachbody winner last year was over 400 pounds when he started either Insanity or P90X. Then he started a Fit Club and said the looks on people's faces when they would walk in and see 'him' and he was going to 'lead' the class. He did it! He also said he could barely do the warm-up at first. I would think each day you would get a bit better.

Be sure to do before/after pics! Send them to beachbody. They have Daily $500 winners out there.

Good luck

soumbos

You can get through it if you have determination!

MeDoula

I started it when I was 175. I got injured with a fractured foot from it. I also had disk surgery but it might not been because of that. I think it's possible for anyone to start it and finish it. I would just caution and really listen to your body and make sure to always have your core engaged especially during the burpees and such. (sorry for any spelling errors lol)

EDIT* Since I got injured I switched my work out and lost 10 lbs but did gain back during my surgery and then lost another 10 when I got the ok to work out. I would hesitate to start with insanity and maybe work up to it after like previous poster said, you know you can at least keep up with easy/imd intensity work outs.

Yikes how did you do THAT?

saraann4

wow, the responses to this actually surprised me. I would have thought people would have said "No, wait". I had been wondering the same thing. I was waiting until I lost another 20-30lbs to try it out and I'm at 197lbs right now. So woohoo! I will be buying it!

slimfitnessmoms

Totally can!!!! Just have to modify.. My husband is starting it with me and he will have to modify. It will be my 2nd round.
Check out my YouTube video results
It's totally worth a try!
http://youtu.be/rRCPVSOrfJI
Message me for any other questions! Good luck!

_jkr

I've tried Insanity and it really is insane! BUT it is doable.
You can take breaks in the middle of sets (other than the timed breaks) to breathe and drink water but it's sort of an honesty system, make sure you're not cheating yourself. If you can still push, you should push! If you believe you can be that honest, then I say go for it. It's pretty easy to see results from that (:

CandyBryson

That's the problem I had, I was not that honest I was feeling a little tired and so I just stopped, But I am going to try again soon. It's really hard to do when you are jumping around and doing everything and the pictures on the wall are shaking because I am on the 1st floor and there is a basement underneath me. BUT I have been working really hard at the gym and lifting weights. I am getting the basement remolded so i am excited to do it down there. I gained a little over Christmas but was able to loose it back already and I am at 23 lbs lost so I think I might try again when I hit an even 200 lbs. I feel pretty fit, I can definitely run a mile, and jump rope, and all that stuff.

ANewBetterManda

Hi Candy, today i just finished INSANITY...very tough but i pushed through! u can do it too

tricelive

Take classes at the gym. I am currently 230 and I take every class they offer, and do very well in each of them. I can hang with the best of them. And even when you can't the instructors show you moderations. Classes give your body the shock it needs......to keep weight loss on-going.:flowerforyou:

AABru

I weigh 188 and am in my second week of Insanity..trying to get rid of the extra cookies I ate over the holidays. It's hard. But in order to get something you've not had you have to do something you've not done...good luck.

sarita_714

So I weigh 264 and do Insanity. It kicks my butt every time, but I keep digging deeper! I stop when I need to an monitor my heart rate to make sure it is safe! You can do anything you put your mind to! Try it

narwhalpr

Yes, it is possible. As long as you don't lose your form which is important, you can go to your own pace and even modify the workout moves a bit.

This is how I see it, priorities:

1. Safety first! - Don't compromise your body just because you feel "you need to keep up with the crew."

2. Don't compromise form: Like Shaun T. says, it is worth more to do an exercise with the correct form than doing the exercise with the incorrect form/posture. (You will hurt yourself and will not work the muscles that are intended to be working.)

3. Speed: If you feel you can speed up the exercise, but still be safe and keep the form, then go ahead and do it. Otherwise, go to your own pace and make sure 1 and 2 are taking care of.

The whole workout helps you increase your fitness level, not just lose weight and tone you. The calories you burns doing the workouts depend on so many factors, so I bought a Heart Rate Monitor (Polar FT4 specifically) to have an accurate reading on my calories burned.

I started Insanity weighing 230, now I am down to 224.4 (just started my Month 2 of the program). I do very well and combined the program with weight training at the gym.