INSANITY!

Hello all!

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I've been so busy as I've started the Insanity beach body Workout by Shaun T.
If you don't know what Insanity is then you really should watch this trailer:

I'm now onto my third week. Yesterday I took my second fit test and was happily surprised by the results. With the ten DVDs you get a nutrition plan to help you build muscle, now apart from it being meat focused (I could easily veganise it as it lets you substitute items for tofu/soy milk etc) I don't really want to transform into muscle machine. I just want to lose weight/tone up and gain a bit of muscle. Therefore I'm sticking with Slimming World.
I must point out though that in no way have I followed SW religiously. I've been a bit relaxed if I'm honest as I've still enjoyed cocktails and cake.
Here are my fit test one and two results.

Switch Kicks - Fit test 1 - 122. Fit test 2 - 124. 2 better.
Power Jacks - Fit test 1 - 56. Fit test 2 - 55. 1 worse (lol).
Power Knees - Fit test 1 - 70. Fit test 2 - 87. 17 better.
Power Jumps - Fit test 1 - 27. Fit test 2 - 34. 7 better.
Globe Jumps - Fit test 1 - 10. Fit test 2 - 10. Stayed the same.
Suicide Jumps - Fit test 1 - 13. Fit test 2 - 13. Stayed the same.
Push-up Jacks - Fit test 1 - 10. Fit test 2 - 17. 7 better.
Low Plank Oblique - Fit test 1 - 25. Fit test 2 - 42. 17 better.

Total improvement = 49.

Inch loss
Arms L/R: 0.5/1
Chest: 1
Waist: 1
Stomach: 1
Hips + Bum: stayed the same.
Top of thigh L/R: 1/1.5
2 inches above knee L/R: same/1
Calf L/R: 0.5/0.5

Total inch loss: 9 inches.

I'm really happy by this. When I first bought the DVDs I thought I would tone up a bit and improve my fitness a little but knew I'd never look like the people in the video unless I do it about 10 times as I started pretty unfit. However I can really see in myself how much my fitness has come on. My form has got a lot better, I'm a lot more flexible and I feel a lot better. I still sweat like a beast and get out of breath and generally feel like dying but its all in a good way and I feel SO much better once I've done my work out for the day. It really does put you in a good mood!

Apart from the dramatic results in a short period of time (this is a 60 day programme) the thing that sets these workout DVDs apart from others is without a doubt Shaun T. He is the most canny man ever. He really helps to motivate you, hes not annoying AT all and he's human. Usually the workout DVDs I've tried have been either celebrities or dancers who look perfect, don't break a sweat and get every move right. You won't find that with insanity. Workout along side Shaun are regular people who have completed their first round of insanity. The are always sweaty, always out of breath and often take breaks outside the "rest period". This to me is great as it makes you feel better if you can't do the whole thing without stopping.....as neither can the people on the screen. Even Shaun T is covered in sweat and often takes his top off (not a bad thing at all). 

I can't recommend this workout enough. Seriously, if you want to get fit, tone up, lose weight and have fun while working hard DO INSANITY!

I've got to point out though that it's not for the faint hearted. You need to be committed. It's every day Monday-Saturday (Sunday is your day off) for 9 weeks. Thursday is a bit easier as you just do about 25 minutes of stretches and yoga to let your body recover, but the rest of the time its INTENSE. The name "Insanity" really suits this workout as you sort of have to be a little crazy to be able to do this. You need to "dig deeper" (Shaun tells us this a lot) but if you want it badly enough then you can do it.

During the warning at the beginning of the DVDs it tells you to consult your doctor, which I think you should if you're new to regular exercise. I didn't bother as I've changed GPs a lot with uni etc and I know my body better than them. Also I've been doing boot camp regularly for about 8 months now. 

The warning also recommends this DVD isn't for you if you have knee and/or back troubles. I had a back operation when I was 17 due to a slipped disk. Now I'm not going to say this is for everyone, and maybe I'm jinxing myself by saying this but I've been fine. Obviously your muscles get tired and sore but I've not had any major problems. Then again I have been building up my fitness levels for a while before doing this DVD. I think as long as you're not the most unfit person ever you should be able to do this, but it will be HARD. 

Apparently you can burn up to 1,000 calories in the workout which isn't really surprising as you literally "work out in a pool of your own sweat".

Anyways, I will stop boring you with my insanity review now and leave you with the only "fitness" related necklace I have.

Haha. x