Wk 3, ZERO results, discouraged :( Above heart rate problem?

Hi, I'm on week 3 and have not seen any results. No weight loss, no change in measurements. I'm feeling discouraged and wanting to quit. Anyone else go thru this? I thought I would have at least lost a couple lbs by now and have actually gained 2. I'm wondering if this program is just too intense for the poor shape my body is in and my age. I hadn't worked out in 5+ years. Obviously, I can not keep up the pace as the video but if I need to rest I slow down, work my own pace and but do not stop moving. My target heart rate is 155 (85%) but on days I push myself to keep going I have easily hit heart rates in the 160's, 170's and 180's (which is my max). Could I be going to high and this be the reason I'm not losing weight or seeing any changes? Should I just slow it down even more? I don't want to quit, any suggestions? Help.

Replies

  • jenjones28
    jenjones28 Posts: 66 Member
    Are you tracking calories as well?
  • Yes, I am tracking my calories. It's possible I'm not eating quite as many as the program suggests but I am fairly close.
  • I noticed I was eating too many when I ate what they told me to, I keep my calories at 1200, and eat what I work out :) Good luck. If you're not seeing improvement on how you're doing the workout, or the number of reps you're doing, maybe just start out with some cardio stuff to burn fat and get your heart used to working? Your heart rate is the same as mine, I hover around 155 the whole time, which is what you want. There are spikes to 180 occasionally, but when I started I was hitting 200! Good luck and if you need more advice I'll be glad to help!
  • SharYoung... Thanks! I took the 2nd fitness test on Tuesday (a day late) and I did see some improvement so I'm assuming it is at least working in improving my stamina and hopefully health. So are you seeing results? How long have you been doing Insanity?
  • idriven7
    idriven7 Posts: 24
    Hi, I'm on week 3 and have not seen any results. No weight loss, no change in measurements. I'm feeling discouraged and wanting to quit. Anyone else go thru this? I thought I would have at least lost a couple lbs by now and have actually gained 2. I'm wondering if this program is just too intense for the poor shape my body is in and my age. I hadn't worked out in 5+ years. Obviously, I can not keep up the pace as the video but if I need to rest I slow down, work my own pace and but do not stop moving. My target heart rate is 155 (85%) but on days I push myself to keep going I have easily hit heart rates in the 160's, 170's and 180's (which is my max). Could I be going to high and this be the reason I'm not losing weight or seeing any changes? Should I just slow it down even more? I don't want to quit, any suggestions? Help.

    I'm halfway through my 3rd week. And I haven't had weight loss either. I lost 2lbs in the first week, but I know that was based purely on nutrition. Other than that, I've lost some inches here and there but nothing astonishing. I'm hoping that the second month will be the turning point and the weight/fat will run away.

    I really need to get a HRM though, i've been using the MFP "high impact, aerobics" to track my workouts (don't know how accurate it is)

    Did you use the formula to calculate your daily calorie needs? you can always adjust it in MFP according to insanity guide.

    GOOD LUCK AND STICK WITH IT!
  • jeolds
    jeolds Posts: 104 Member
    I'm on the 5th week and have only really lost about 10 lbs. overall. The noticeable difference it 2 inches off my gut, my thighs and calves are now starting to show definition and my moobs are pretty much gone. The fat that was at the top of my abs is gone now and I'm starting to see that depression that runs down the center of somebody that has a six pack. I'm not there yet, but it is starting to be noticeable.

    Stick with it.
  • tonybalony01
    tonybalony01 Posts: 613 Member
    The first time I went through Insanity, I actually gained almost 5 lbs the first month; and that was with watching and being careful what I ate. It wasn't until month 2 that I really started seeing the weight drop off and the inches shrink.
    I think it's just your body rebelling and complaining because it's not used to exercising. I know my body and mind were constantly fighting with each other until my body finally surrendered and started co-operating.
    Just keep going. It'll get better.
    As far as your heart rate goes, try to keep it below that 90% threshold. If you see it creeping up there, slow down or take a break to get it closer to your target.
    Good luck and DIG DEEPER! :glasses:
  • rogerbosch
    rogerbosch Posts: 343 Member
    I dare to say that Insanity is not a weight loss program. It makes you fitter and more agile though, and helps you lose calories - but so does any other fitness program. The art is to combine it with the right amount of calories, not too many, but certainly not too few. Just keep a slight deficit and do not over-exercise.

    I finished Insanity and in the first two weeks of my second round I got bored, my body had gotten used to the exercises and I actually was gaining weight. Now I've stopped, doing an easier Les Mills allowing myself some weight loss again.
  • SOOZIE429
    SOOZIE429 Posts: 638 Member
    How many calories are you actually netting? How many calories are you burning? Make sure you are eating enough. You want to be netting at least 1500. If you don't eat enough your body is going to hold onto everything.
  • Thanks everyone! I have been watching what I eat/counting calories. The program actually calculated me to eat around 1900 calories, which I felt was WAY too much. I tried staying around 1600 -1700. This week I cut down to around 1200 cuz I'm still not seeing any change. I wouldn't care if I wasn't losing any weight so long as I was losing inches but I'm not. I'm still keeping with it and hopefully will see some results soon.
  • Thanks everyone! I have been watching what I eat/counting calories. The program actually calculated me to eat around 1900 calories, which I felt was WAY too much. I tried staying around 1600 -1700. This week I cut down to around 1200 cuz I'm still not seeing any change. I wouldn't care if I wasn't losing any weight so long as I was losing inches but I'm not. I'm still keeping with it and hopefully will see some results soon.

    I thought that was too much also. I went the whole first month on 1200 and didn't drop a lbs. I started the second month on 1700-1800 and have lost 5lbs. You're eating too little.
  • It's only week 3-It takes the body around 6 weeks to start to see results-The calorie thing is dicey,If you're small like me, you are not gonna eat as much as a big person, your size plays an important part( I mean height-wise.) I know the nutrition plan does have me at almost 1700, myfitnesspal.com has me at 1200, -it's trial and error, you just need to eat clean,listen to your body,and if your hungry, eat! You can adjust as you go along,also stay hydrated with lots of water- I started seeing results as soon as I hit month 2!
    Please stick with it!! Results will happen,just keep pushihng play and working hard!Hope this helps!:smile:
  • Sambo004
    Sambo004 Posts: 549 Member
    I am on week 5 and haven't lost a pound or cm. Sigh. I worked out my cals and for my height and weight I am eating exactly what they prescribe. My endurance has improved and I am determined to finish it, but I too am feeling disappointed. Just hoping that that magic 6th week I'll start seeing some difference. Just a few cm's at least....
  • annabella5188
    annabella5188 Posts: 7 Member
    I started week 3 today and I've gained 6 pounds. I travel 2 weeks out of each month so eating suffers... When I took my Day 15 fit test today though I was pretty darned happy! I'm still trying to quit smoking (down to 3/day), Insanity has helped bring that way down and put the kibash on it pretty much! Tomorrow is a new day to quit!

    My trainer that I'm doing Insanity with tells me to not worry about the 6 pounds so I'm trying not to worry, I am stronger, my lungs are getting better and better!

    I started tracking my calories and water intake today because I think that's a big part of my problem! Again, on the road working so its all take out and no where near enough water. We'll see how I do now that I'm tracking.

    Just keep pushing play! Don't be discouraged. How was your fit test?? Here's my records. No where near what I want but if I can get even one more rep each time I take the test I will be happy, it means I'm stronger than the last time!

    Move Fit Test 1 (Day 1) Fit Test 2 (Day 15)
    1. Switch Kicks 33 36
    2. Power Jacks 33 35
    3. Power Knees 72 94
    4. Power Jumps 16 20
    5. Globe Jumps 4 7
    6. Suicide Jumps 12 14
    7. Push-Up Jacks 12 16
    8. Low Plank Oblique 22 32
  • heyitsadam
    heyitsadam Posts: 70 Member
    Maybe the program is telling you that you're gorgeous just the way you are ;)
  • DONT GIVE UP!!! I am on my last week of insanity and I know exactly how you feel. Working your butt off and wanting to see some results from it. Keep going though, you will see some amazing results after about 6 weeks. I too started out not eating enough and had to increase my cal intake. I got to the point of not even stepping on the scale because it was too discouraging. I go off on how I feel and the way my clothes fit. I also took before pics and my 30 day pics (which are on my profile). Cant wait to take my 60 day pics to see the difference. Dont give up. I have seen amazing results with sticking to it.
  • fchampag
    fchampag Posts: 4 Member
    The nutrition guide states never go under 1300 cal. So maybe you can increase your food intake. I'm having the same problem as you. I'm on week 3 as well and I gained 2 lbs so far. But I'm going to finish the program because I hate quitting. I heard month 2's exercises are pretty hard and maybe I'll notice changes/results then. Just keep going, and even if you don't lose too much weight, you'll be stronger then when you first started.

    Good luck!
  • metimemum
    metimemum Posts: 27 Member
    I am week 9 now and I felt the same. Didn't lose much after 2 weeks... All I can say is wait till you get go month 2... the workouts are really tough and my body didn't really transform until then.
  • JuliePleasant
    JuliePleasant Posts: 72 Member
    I am on the 4 th week. I am so disappointed. I am trying my best, trying to dig deeper. I am still struggling to attempt to keep up. I hope to see something soon. Great advice. :-)
  • u are forgetting that in the workout u burn up to 1000 calories so if u eat 1200 calories a day then u getting 200 calories a day which has a huge strain on your weight loss it can even lead to weight gain
  • Thanks everyone! I have been watching what I eat/counting calories. The program actually calculated me to eat around 1900 calories, which I felt was WAY too much. I tried staying around 1600 -1700. This week I cut down to around 1200 cuz I'm still not seeing any change. I wouldn't care if I wasn't losing any weight so long as I was losing inches but I'm not. I'm still keeping with it and hopefully will see some results soon.


    u are forgetting that in the workout u burn up to 1000 calories so if u eat 1200 calories a day then u getting 200 calories a day which has a huge strain on your weight loss it can even lead to weight gain
  • curlybiker
    curlybiker Posts: 3 Member
    I am on the recovery week, have also had no visible results and have gained weight. Discouraged like quite a few other people on here but stil going to stick it out and try and finish. I'm hoping the comments that month two really starts to make a difference. I do feel that I am stronger, but that the weight is just sticking with me. Anyone who finishes all 60 days though should give themselves a pat on the back!
  • I am on my third week and I have lost 10lbs. But to be honest the only reason why I feel like I have lost that much is because I do insanity everyday and I also have yoga and run a couple of laps around the park when my husband get's off work. I don't personally see much difference in my body, but my husband say's he see's my waist a lot slimmer as well as my thighs. I'm hoping to see bigger results in the second month, but man oh man is Insanity kicking my butt!
  • I didn't lose any weight till the recovery week and then it started falling off
  • jhc7324
    jhc7324 Posts: 200 Member
    I'm starting week 3 (fit test tonight) and haven't lost any weight but I definitely feel a difference in my body. My legs, which were never really a concern of mine feel like rocks when I flex them. I didn't have a lot of fat there to begin with but there must have been enough because it's different now.

    I'm also noticing a faint definition in my abs in the mirror. Its not huge, and I'm never quite sure if I'm just imagining it or not, but since that's where most of my excess weight is, it's a little nice to think something is happening there even if it might just be my imagination.

    My thinking is that it has only been 2 weeks. I don't look different, but I sure feel different. I feel stronger and way more fit than I have in a long time. If this program has made me feel this much different in such a short time, I'm pretty excited to see what'll happen by the end, even if I don't end up with a six-pack.
  • janiemckinney
    janiemckinney Posts: 1 Member
    I just started month 2 this week (thought day 1 of month 2 was going to kill me - it didn't - I'm still here Shaun T!!). I have also been discouraged by the scale. At first I gained 4 lbs. and it took another 2 weeks to come back down. I'm still seesawing up and down a little which is discouraging. I think I probably wasn't eating enough either but boy is that counter-intuitive to the brainwashing I've had my whole life. MFP has me needing 1200 calories a day and Elite Nutrition at 1900. This week, I've finally decided to compromise and see if I can get around 1500 and if I need to increase to 1700-1900 or so I will.

    Now, the good things are that I've lost about 6" in my waist, 7-1/2 in my stomach and 2 in my hips. I can see my midsection just melting away. All of my pants are becoming too big for me and the muffin top is gone. I'm seeing definition in my arms - thought that was gone forever! So, my weight is only down 2 lbs from where I started, but I'm coming up on that magical 6 week mark next week and can't wait for those pounds to melt away. Also, at the end of week 4 my teenagers and co-workers started to notice.

    Good luck and hang with it! I'm determined to make it to the end and will probably cycle through again.
  • charelg
    charelg Posts: 599 Member
    I'm on week four now, and haven't lost weight just yet, I struggle with snacking, but have cut back. I do see an improvement in my abs and feel slimmer, so I'm thinking the weight will start to come down. I believe this workout will work, just try something different with your diet and have patience, good luck!
  • rezn8
    rezn8 Posts: 263 Member
    I experienced the same results in my first 3 weeks. Gained 2-3 lbs. but get stronger. I actually started seeing the weight drop around week 5 which is the recovery week. Then the last 4 weeks I lost about 12-14lbs. I wouldn't change a thing though. I followed it with a P90x/Insanity hybrid workout and now i'm into my 2nd week of Insanity round 2. I have lost 5" off my waist/pants size. You can find me on team beachbody as SWREZn8 if you need a dedicated coach.
  • MeDoula
    MeDoula Posts: 233 Member
    I gained weight during Insanity and wasn't following the cal recommendation all the way. During the first month, I was starving my body, during the second month, I ate closer to the recommended amount (1800). My energy increased and I started seeing results in my clothes/measuring tape and photos.

    Remember that your body also retains water when you work out hard. I'm pretty sure that my results would have been better with the recommended intake.