Insanity... thoughts and input wanted! :)

I LOVE insanity, but it wasn't love at first sight!! I have stopped and re-started the program several times this year due to fatigue, frustration and injury. If you are just starting with insanity, here are some tips I learned the hard way:

1-NOT OPTIONAL: Get a heart rate monitor. I noticed once I got a heart rate monitor that I wasn't working safely in my zone. It explains why I was constantly throwing up and injuring myself

2-Don't keep up with the people on the DVD. Unless you're an athlete, then you should keep up with them. Those people on the DVD are conditioned athletes and are working at their high level of conditioning. Do YOUR highest level.

3-TAKE BREAKS. You need to make sure your heart rate doesn't shoot dangerously high.

4-If you're just starting insanity, modify the calendar at first. Shaun T has you working out 6 days a week. This level may be too hard. I was injured 3 times before I realized the most I could personally work at this level is 4 days a week.

5-Do what you can. When I first started out, I couldn't finish the whole dvd, so I bargained with myself. I told myself to do a whole circuit, then the next week 2 two circuits. Now, I'm able to get through the whole dvd.

Insanity, once you figure out how to make it work for you, is amazing. You will see yourself being able to do more. Be patient with yourself and approach it as a process of constant improvement. My self-esteem shot through the roof when I finally finished my first month. I got sick halfway through month 2 and one of my new year's resolutions is to finally conquer the whole sixty days.

The first month workouts range from 30-45 minutes. Month 2 workouts are a full hour of craziness. The workout calendar has you working 6 days a week. I personally think that is too much and would suggest 4-5 workouts a week. Message me if you want!

I'm on week 2 of Insanity and I'm already addicted. The workouts were tough at first, but now that I'm learning the moves, they're not as bad anymore. I'm already seeing small changes, so I'm excited to see what it will be like after 60 days!

ETA: It is extremely hard on the knees due to alot of jumping, so if your knees are bad, this wouldn't be a good program for you. Also, you must have 6 days per week (30-45 minutes at a time) to devote

Hey there! I did the first month of Insanity, and it was definitely insane. You notice a change by the 2nd week. I was so exhausted and could barely stay awake at first. I realized I didn't increase my food intake. After I did that, it became easier. Then, I was trying to keep up with the video and ended up straining my hamstring. It's still sore so I stopped. Ha It was nice to notice my stamina increased a lot when I ran. It is worth it to try it for at least a month. Those who can continue it, I give kudos!

Ive been doing insanity for 21 days, never missed a day and done it to schedule, I made sure I was in better shape than when I would have started losing weight and never started till I felt comfortable with the program expectations of 6 days a week.

I say go for it, push yourself, safely. I still have to stop for moments when it gets a little too much, but don't just STOP and turn it off, get your breath back for 5-10 secs and keep going, only do this right at the end, and they are getting fewer and far between.

The people in the DVD have their T-shirts, they have been there and done these before, you are not going to be up to their level.

Anyone in anyshape can do it, its all about dedication. You have to make the time, and get up early (for the morning programmes).

I personally feel better for doing it in the mornings, there will be a few days here and there that you miss, but dont double up, just pick it up the next day.

Get a recovery formulae drink, very important.

Im thinking of coming off a 2lb deficit at the moment, as Im starting to be tired in the mornings, but thats good as I know im dipping into fat reserves! As your body is slow, ive noticed massive changes, and dont regret it for a second.

You will only get out of it as much as you can put in.

Before I started I did 4 months of pressups, achieving 100 consecutive, and then did free weights and lateral lifts... shoulders and arms are good, and plenty of mileage walking at 4mph twice a day...

You cannot come into this from the couch... you could IMO do yourself serious damage.

Finished both months two weeks ago without missing a workout. The second month is rough. The workouts are about an hour. The key to the whole program is doing each move CORRECTLY. Go as fast as you can while maintaining the form. Each move is done for a reason. If your just flopping around like a dead fish, don't bother. Your waisting your time. And commit. You have to do them all as the program indicates. For a reason. I was sceptical at first as well, but, it is a good program if used as it was designed.

Stick with it! It works!! I actually like it better then I liked P90x maybe cause its less time consuming..

I am currently only 7th week and I love it. I did P90X and P90X2 before Insanity. I was very fit before starting. I really depends on your goals and fitness level. It is a lot of cardio and definitely has some high impact moves. It is just you and your body and determination. It is not easy but it will certainly change your body and fitness. Beachbody has lots of programs that can meet you where you are physically and help you meet your goals. This program has long periods of cardio with no rest. So it really depends as I said before on your goals and fitness level.

I've done 3 full rounds and love it!! It's hard...not going to lie. I got great results the first time and then my eating was not the best during the 2nd and 3rd round so I maintained my weight. I lost more inches then lbs. Good luck!!

bump

Now I know its just DVDs. So would having a gym membership be kind of a waste?

I'm getting quicker results off Insanity and Jillian Michael's than I ever did at the gym.

Currently done 1st week of insanity, I started it a while back but only finished the first month so this time goin for the 60 days. Two weeks before I started I did an insanity workout every other day just to get back into it as I wasn't really exersizing before, so I would definatley prepare for it, can't go from couch to insanity, makes it a bit easier to handle. Honestly tho the first month each workout is under 40m its so doable, 10mins of that is stretching. So really only 30 min intensity. Beats doing 1.5h of random workout at the gym. Its already been thought out. Gives great results! I def recommend it. I dont think 6x a week is alot, tho i suggest working out in the morning u tend to have more energy off coarse depending on your schedule. Anyway good luck!

Its over rated but the drugs are good!!! Jack Nicholson did it very well in one flew over the cuckoos nest but nobody topped Brad Pitt in 12 monkeys... just sayin....