Insanity Completed! Results (pics) and advice

Today I am very happy to announce I completed day 63 of Insanity! For me this was a huge accomplishment, as I've never been much of a workout fiend, especially when it comes to cardio. In January I weighed myself and looked in the mirror and saw I was going down a very bad path.

My weight was near a record high at 222, I was tired all the time, and I ate horribly. I then looked at my wife and she was doing zumba, eating well, and was at the same weight as she was in college. I was 47 lbs heavier than when I entered college. We have 2 kids 6 and 2 and I simply didn't want to be that dad who always watched his kids play while my was on a bench staring at my iphone. I felt that I had come to a crossroads and it was time to either get in shape or keep spiraling downward.

So on January 13th, I started Insanity. I didn't take measurements for the first month, I simply took one picture and jumped into the program. Here I am on day 1:


after:



I started at 222 and today I am 207.4 lbs. My first goal is 190, so I still have some ways to go. I feel good about ~15 lbs in 9 weeks. I took measurements starting month 2 and here is the change in the last 30 days:
Neck: -0.5"
Chest: -2"
Waist: -0.5"
Abs (handles): -2"
Thigh: -0.75"
Bicep: -0.25"

Overall I know I'm down over a pant size (maybe 2). My shirts fit better, I FEEL a LOT better. My endurance is through the roof compared to the start.

Here are my fit test results from day 1 to now:
1. Switch Kicks (2 per count): 43 - 86
2. Power Jacks: 38 - 61
3. Power Knees: 61-109
4. Power Jumps: 21-57
5. Globe Jumps: 5-10
6. Suicide Jumps: 4-18
7. Push Up Jacks: 13-36
8. Low Plank Oblique: 16-64
Pretty dramatic results, as I read those I'm pretty damn amazed and proud.

This program has done a lot more than just make me healthier, I feel a lot more confident, happier, and energetic. In short, I'm hooked!

Some advice to those doing insanity now or going to do it. First, find your motivation and commit to the program. You can not complete this program by thinking "oh I need to do something I guess insanity sounds ok..." Think hard about WHY you want to be healthy, what being healthy will do for you, and then know you WILL get your butt kicked for 63 days to obtain this. Anytime I thought about not hitting play thinking back to why I started always helped me push through. This is not easy, but it's awesome.

Do not obsess about the scale! It happened to me and I see people post about not dropping weight early on. Your body does things when starting a new intense program, like retain water like crazy. Know that working out like this for 6 days a week for 2 months will definitely get you results. Don't be like me and not measure early on! I wish I did from day 1. Find a strong community here on MFP to support you. I would not have made it through this program without the encouragement of people here doing the program. Which brings me to:

Thank you to: All MFP friends who helped me along here, notably: joehempel, nking404, micky7890, michellewelch2, matt_c, ghostridermav, silvnfree, safetyqueen, (sorry if I missed anyone - several others have helpful too!)

Next up: I will take on Insanity Asylum with joehempel and nking404! Oh hell lol!