I finally gave in and joined the insane....and become vain

If you're a home fitness fanatic you've probably heard of Shaun T and Insanity. The fitness program runs for 63 days and is touted to be the hardest home workout DVD there is out there. 

I have been unwilling to try it. First because it has a reputation to be hard on the knees. I was also reluctant because I did not want to get discouraged if it was too difficult to do. I am also asthmatic and even though I don't let that get in the way of fitness, I was not too sure about this level of interval training. 

My Day 1 (Fitness Test) Stats were as follows:

Switch kicks - 115
Power Jacks - 55
Power Knees - 100
Power Jumps - 30
Globe jumps - 9
Suicide Jumps - 18
Push up jacks - 20
Low Plank Obliques - 56


For those unfamiliar with the program, day 1 has a fitness test of which stats are used as a base line to measure progress in the coming weeks. If I do keep to the program, the figures above should be much better in two months time and I should become a certified bad ass. 

Today was day 3 week 1 and I can say so far so good. The intervals are challenging but just when I was about to give up, there was always a water break on the horizon. Shaun T did his homework on warm up, stretch and cool down. The only other fitness program with as thorough a warm up in my limited experience is Rush Fit.  I was able to add a proper kettle bell workout after yesterday's Plyometrics Cardio Circuit and today I managed to do half of Bob Harper's Pure Burn Super Strength workout after the Cardio Power and Resistance. 

Part of the reason I added a bit of a workout is, I am used to working out for an hour. The entire Insanity workout took about 40 minutes. Secondly, I will miss my weights. Insanity is great for those who do not want to invest in home equipment, the only weight you need is your own body. However, I do enjoy weight training and recently invested in not so cheap kettle bells as well as diversifying my dumbbell collection. I will not feel right about letting these gather dust for two months. I don't know if I can keep it up. My arms are pretty sore. But I won't shy away from the challenge. 

:-) Robert saw me doing the insanity workout yesterday and commented later on in the day that my workouts stopped being about health a long time ago and are now about vanity. Robert if you're reading this, you're right. I am more confident looking good, no apologies for wanting to look better ;-) Those little black dresses have to look good you know. 

Don't be fooled. You will sweat, and you will sweat lots. In my opinion, Insanity is definitely not for beginners, and because there isn't much in the form of alternative movements you can do, if you have knee problems, this is not for you. It IS challenging, but it IS do-able. 

I didn't take a "before" photo because my diet is not optimum and I have a feeling even with all my workouts, all I am doing is damage control. I have written about this before, I just haven't changed it much. 

If I do keep with this program, I will definitely keep you updated on progress and/or lack of it.


Have an active week!