Insanity-how much weight did you loose?

271-Starting weight
I lost 15lbs

I lost about 22 pounds when I did Insanity last summer. I weighed about 240 when I started...and finished just under 220.

HOWEVER, I also finished with some pretty intense knee tendonitis in both knees. It got worse as I kept jumping up and down, day after day, doing these workouts. I went on to do 3 weeks of T25 after Insanity...and while T25 is not as intense, my knee pain just kept increasing. Finally, I had to stop exercising altogether. I got discouraged, began eating poorly again, and gained back the 22 pounds plus another 8 pounds by the end of the year.

Insanity is not a well put together program when considering the real potential for damage to your knees and lower back (particularly if you're quite a bit overweight). Yes, you will burn a ton of calories, but its not worth it. Fat loss is mostly from nutrition intake. You can really do any form of exercise as long as you're pushing yourself to some degree...and pushing yourself does not mean doing inherently stupid exercise programs that put undo impact on your knees day after day.

I strongly recommend reading this article which is an objective comparison for the original P90X, Insanity and Rushfit. As you will see, Insanity got a considerably lower score than the other two...and it downright failed in the sub-categories relating to the injury risk. By the way, I've done P90X3 and Rushfit this year and love both programs. While both include some plyo work (once per week...and much more controlled), neither have the same injury risk as Insanity. http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/1443/

Here's a quote from that article link I provided. In the category of "overall program safety -- reducing the risk of injury", P90X and Rushfit each received a 9 (out of a possible 10). Insanity received a 4 with this note "High plyometric volume, lack of biomechanical coaching and knowledge, lack of understanding of energy pathways (i.e., appropriate work-to-recovery ratios) mean this program increases the risk of excessive fatigue, compromised technique, muscle soreness and possible injury"

In the category of "program design and progression", P90X and Rushfit each received an 8 (out of 10). Insanity received a 4 with this note "Little clarity or evidence of science in exercise selection or program design. Utilizes numerous exercises, but many exercises are indistinguishable from each other."

Personally, I like Shaun T's energy and I think T25 is a great program....but, with respect to his coaching cues in Insanity, the program received another 4 with this note: "Lack of foundational science knowledge (physiology and kinesiology) evident in coaching cues; regularly overlooks biomechanical mistakes. Incorrect identification of muscle function (e.g, role of core, stretching hip flexors)."