Insanity Workout

Did it - all a bit of a rush though as I had to get off to work etc etc.

As I had gone "ALL GUNS" in the fit test, I was lacking in energy for the full workout. I didn't go max, mearly followed along at my own pace, no real explosive stuff. Even so, I still had a sweat on and drunk loads of water. I am aching in the same places so clearly I worked them but perhaps not to the max. Recovery drink downed quickly and shoot off to work.

Welcome to BLL above, you have started on journey of discovery! Keep us all posted as to your development and indeed, your improvement.

Still on the injury bench here I'm afraid - I've hardly been able to walk since Friday let alone do anything else! I'm not done yet though, just think I need to recover and take it a bit easier on the next session.

Pure Cardio & Abs

This was actually one of my better workouts, which I am guessing is due to having a large helping of pasta salad about 2 1/2 hours before training.

I felt like I was able to push that bit harder than normal, which helped motivate me to carry on even when my chest felt it was going to explode at one point near the end.

Abs

Hmmmm not so enjoyable... thought I had died and gone to hell at one point. I could barely get the oxygen into my lungs and my midsection felt as though someone was stabbing me with a small knife.

 All I could think about was for this to be over and Shaun T's suggestion on holding onto your thighs to rest seemed like a good idea, but I just couldn't lift my body into the natual position, so along comes my version which involves laying on your back looking up at the ceiling whilst your body struggles to make sense of why anyone would be as stupid as to actually do this!!! Followed seconds later by getting back into position to carry on with the pain.

Still its over and I'm ready to the next round of insanity.....

AKnight - welcome to you. Please please please don't lose heart. Please also, don't panic about month 2, as you will improve so much more in the time remaining that you will be just right, physically, to embark on it. Like me - I suspect that you will be stunned at what is required, but when it comes down to it, you'll manage. Just remember how you felt when you did the first few days of month 1. As for your upper body strength - work to your own pace and keep good form. You will find that your strength will improve. Hang in there. Listen to ST - he actually says, "you don't have to go as fast as us - just go at your own pace, keep good form and rest when you need to". As for the ABS work - IMHO I suggest that it's best to do the workout directly after the main workout - you're hot and sweaty already and your mussels are warmed up already. With regards to your lower back ache - it could be one of a number of things. 1) like me - I didn't get the "c sit" possition correct and that hurt me in my lower back, 2) You have an inherent lower back issue which will perhaps get better when your ABS and back mussels get stronger, 3) Could be that doing the twists in the ABS exercises does what ST says it will do - i.e. work the obliques. Whatever the reason - listen to your body - you know when the hurt is real. Could I suggest that you practice the "c sit", practice some of the movements too, on a soft surface. If the problem persists, seek physio assessment.

Tangol - You crack me up! Your "blunt and honest" opinion is what we are all thinking and feeling. You are making ground too I suspect. Getting ready for the madness they call month 2.

Max Interval Plyo (M2W7D2)

Hi all. Good to see updates from BLL and ED.

Today (after some roof repair work) I engaged in the above cardio session. My 13 yr old son joined me too - so I had to dig deep and look gooood! Unfortunately the disc jumped a little in the warm ups, but we made up for it. Entered the session with energy and good form. Soon brought the sweat out. Felt better in the "power push ups" and the "level 3 drills" that I have done before. All in all, the horror of this session has worn off, and I am now used to it (as we all become after regular exposure).

I have ONLY 4 days left !!!! till I stop and REST before my 3 Peaks Challange on the 29th. I will actually be doing a 10k after nights on Sunday morning but that is a rest day. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel people - come with me - follow!

Hey - just thought - you guys will actually COMPLETE the course whereas I wont - owing to me not doing the last week. I can only console myself insomuch that I will be doing the 3 Peaks. Does it compare? Is it comprable? Mmm. Given also that I will be downing a fair few beers at the conclusion. Might it mean that I will HAVE to start it all over again?

Here's the results from my second fitness test. Generally i'm a little disappointed and a bit frustrated as it's a bit of a mixed bag of results. Some results are less than last time, some are more but not by a huge margin. My lower back did struggle but I think in all the exercises my form was better - so pros and cons there.

Switch Kicks 99 (1st - 107)

Power Jacks 54 (1st - 55)

Power Knees 90 (1st - 97)

Power Jumps 38 (1st - 35)

Globe Jumps 11 (1st - 9)

Suicide Jumps 16 (1st - 15)

Push Up Jacks 23 (1st - 15)

Low Plank Oblique 45 (1st - 41)

Hey Ali K - don't be too hard on yourself - YOU HAVE IMPROVED. Perhaps this time round your FORM was better and therefore the effort was more and hence there was a minimal drop in numbers. Your stamina, cardio fitness has improved. Look at the results again - you've improved in all but two (and those two are only a few away!). The improvemet in "power jumps", "push up jacks" and "low plank" is great, but what knocks me sideways is your "globe jumps" - This is one bitch of an exercise. It looks easy, but my word, it's a killer - an all over body worker, and you SMASHED another 2 (i.e. 8 jumps) out of it. It's hard carrying an injury - imagine what you will do next time round when injury free? Get some treatment on the troublesome area - ibuprofen, massage. Again - don't be too hard on yourself. I suspect that ALL OF US (owing to the fact that we are all on this forum) are of similar personality types and we are prone to being our own worst judge. Give yourself a break, take strength from your INSANITY buddies.

Hello y'all - It was Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio Abs today.

MaxCardioCond - I was feeling great today and put real effort into this session. I had a slight lower back ache and also a rear left knee pain (went after 10 mins). Steady warm up and into a whole session without breaks (take rest as you need 'em policy). HR went up good, max 176. I have decided that of all the exercises that we do I hate the most the "side2side floor hops" - these just kill my quads and I am getting frustrated that I just don't seem to be able to get over this pain whilst doing the exercise - no one on the DVD looks like they are in pain! I was much stronger in the "level 3 drills" and "power knees" - bringing on a big sweat. I dread to think what the neighbours thought I was up to what will all the strange uncontrolled outburst of sounds I was emiting.

Cardio ABS - these always cause me that hot lava pain in the abs (Derr - that's what they're spossed to do!) however, as I have the "c sit" position mastered, I am managing to last longer each time - but never for as long as ST wants us to on the DVD. I love the warm down on this as it realy hits the spot.

BLL - Don't you just hate it when day sleep evades you when on nights. I find that I get bouts of insomnia and I just have to power on through, keeping to the regime, and then getting quality rest when the body permits. Green Tea with honey, cloves, cardamon and a cinnamon stick helps make me drowsy. I have found also, that with all this exercise, I am drinking less alcohol but much more water.