Final Fit Test! El Fin!

I know you've all (my millions of readers) been dying to know if and when we finished our challenge. We finally did it: we finished the Insanity challenge! Right after Sunday's post, husband came home and I chose chillin' in comfies over the fit test. Then yesterday after we DID complete the fit test together I was unable to blog it fresh for you as I experienced our habitual computer problems (overheating, dying, shutting down.) So here I am, back today to give you the run down.

For the final fit test someone had the bright idea of going one at a time while the other acted as the official rep counter. This approach definitely proved motivating - someone watching and counting, cheering you on to beat last test's numbers, raising the pressure. After 6 days a week of Shaun T's Insanity workouts, for 9 weeks.....

THE RESULTS ARE IN:
1. Better endurance, strength, balance and overall fitness level.
2. Higher repetitions in all fit test categories each week. Great improvement from the first to last test.
3. Some weight loss.
4. More muscle definition.
Note: Weight loss and muscle definition were not as dramatic as thought results would be, but better than when we began.
Healthy diet and slip-ups also played a role in amount of weight loss and muscle definition as well. We haven't seen Insane results but we also were not totally insane about our diets nor did we use any supplements.

We both pushed our absolute hardest in yesterday's fit test. We both collapsed to the floor when the time was up. We're both sore today. And we both don't know what we're going to do next. I'll tell you what though, I think the odds are pretty good that we'll do it all over again later this year. In the meantime, probably some combination of different exercises each week to keep it fresh and challenge/work the muscles differently to avoid plateauing.

Parting Words: 
I would highly recommend this workout but you have to have or make the time to commit yourself not only to the dvds each day but to a healthy lifestyle. If you aren't taking as good of care of your body one week vs another or over the weekends, you'll definitely see and feel the affects.

"DiG DeeP!"

Wrapping Up the Week...

Sooo the remainder of the week played out as follows....

Thursday, check. It was Core Balance or something or other and a lighter day. Husband wanted to do it on fast forward though and not do all of it because the basketball games were starting. Well I said boo to that, argued my case for our last week, and won. I mean honestly what do you miss in the first 10 minutes of a basketball game anyways??

Friday, check - I got up suuuuper early to fit it in before work. It was awful getting less sleep of course but did feel pretty amazing as I went in to work and even more amazing when I came home and was all ready to go straight to the bar for the March Madness games (husband got home earlier and did the workout.) Yes, if you're living under a rock, the NCAA March Madness is upon us full force. I have lost my husband in some way every day since it began. There was no date night Friday like we usually do so I adopted the 'if you can't beat 'em join 'em' attitude and happily went to the bar, bracket in hand. I tried to go healthy on the dinner but had a salad for lunch in anticipation of beer and bar food that night. I tell you what, I really didn't want to cheat and think the amount and selections that were consumed were as good a compromise I could have achieved without being crazy.

Saturday, last work out, check! I had an early morning hair appt., which was fabulous, and was raring to go when I got home, but my husband and his friend were still in bed. Ok, whoa, let me re-phrase and clarify! My husband was up in our bed and one of his good (male) friends was asleep on our couch in the basement where he had stayed after drinking and watching bball out in the 'burbs the night before.

So, anyways, I had to wait for the use of my 'gym' as husband was bailing on me for his man plans. Once the basement was all mine, my spandex wearing ass cranked out the last workout and was pretty pleased with myself. Oh yeah, I started wearing spandex shorts this past week haha. Felt very fit and athletic. However, the end of the workout was sort of anti-climatic. I mean, during the workout I couldn't wait for it to be done and I tried to use it as extra motivation knowing it was the last time I HAD to do them. But then once I was done it was sort of like, ok now what?? Maybe it would've been different if husband had done it with me? I don't know. He was heading out to watch basketball at a diaper party as I was finishing up.

Today is Sunday, my last official day-the final fit test. I had it all planned out, of course. I was going to get up, fit test and be showered and ready for my lunch date at 1, followed by pedicures. Well, that did not happen friends. I had a good bit of wine last night and a dinner that consisted of a variety of snacks like Girl Scout cookies, Sun Chips, and Sweedish Fish to name a few. Yep, it was a girly wine and movie night and it was awesome but clearly my stomach didn't think so this morning. No biggie, I thought, I have all day. Well, upon returning home from my lunch and pedicure date I was extremely relaxed with adorable feet and wasn't feeling it. I thought maybe I'll wait and do it when husband catches up and finishes Insanity tomorrow or Tuesday. I should have taken advantage of the fact that basketball isn't holding the tv I need captive but...instead I tried to look up Big Love episodes to catch up, without success.

Maybe I can't let it go, don't want to finish because then what? What do I do next? I really liked having a routine that told me what to do and when and the challenge of completing the program, being accountable, checking each day off. I don't plan to stick to 6 days a week at that level of intensity but I need to come up with something! Hmmmm.....I don't want to go back to the gym. I don't want to run on a treadmill or do an elliptical machine! I need to think on this....Stay tuned.

Green In the Face Maybe

No green beer but maybe green faces? Felt sick during today's workout, knew I should have protested the lunch venue with co-workers but husband was too though so guess I can't blame the food. Really thought one of us was going to throw up in the middle of the workout today. Maybe a physical reaction to the mental awareness that we were working out instead of out celebrating St. Patrick's Day on a patio somewhere in the beautiful Spring weather?? I don't know. We'll go with the lunch choices.

That was the last time for that DVD which was definitely helpful in the motivation department. You know it's a hard one when Shaun T's crew is laying immobile on the ground at the end, ha.

Three more workout days. Then final fit test on Sunday!

Winey Ice Cream

So, it was one of those weeks where work is crazy busy and by the time I make it home I am spent, drained, pooped; all I want to do is drink wine and eat ice cream. Alas, I did not do either. Stuck with the program, did the workouts and I tell you what, by the time I'm showered and able to relax I don't even WANT ice cream or wine anymore. Thank goodness for endorphins making people happy. I mean, don't get me wrong I'm still pooped and maybe, most likely, more drained and have no desire to think or do anything BUT I also don't want to screw up the whole being healthy routine.

Thursday did bring with it a much needed/long over due girly wine night (post recovery workout.) Don't let anyone tell you you can't drink your dinner. As long as there's cheese and crackers in plenty, you're good.

I even woke up early Friday to squeeze in as much of the workout as I could before a long day of work, happy hour, going away party and last but not least - out of town visitors.

These were not just any out of town visitors but my brother and sister-in-law and our adorable little nephew. Saturday afternoon we were joined by my mother-in-law too! Needless to say we ended up skipping the workout and having a cheat day yesterday, which was thoroughly enjoyable. However today I was relieved when we traded days and did the workout to make up for yesterday. My brother-in-law even joined us! He wanted to see what this Insanity deal was all about and lucky him it was a rough one haha. My sister-in-law and nephew sat lovingly on the floor and supervised, on hand in case there were any casualties. Luckily, everyone made it out sweaty and alive. May be time for some more cookies though...It is the weekend still and we do have visitors...Yikes, one more week to go of Insanity and then I think I need a new program or modified Insanity to keep me rolling. Definitely a big fan of discipline during the week and free day weekends!

(ok, I just reread this post and reflected on the week and I guess it's been a bad week as far as slipping on the healthy food routine, whatev) 

Sick Week 7

Where to start? Well, this week was more challenging given that we both came down with your typical nasty winter cold. Tuesday was rough, hardest one ever given the fact it was hard to breathe and physically exercise. Let me tell you something: if you aren't sure if you're sick or not, attempting the Insanity workout is a sure fire way to find out. Miserable, just miserable. Stopped a lot, fought tears, but made it through. Wednesday I was going to do the workout in the am since I had a dinner date with a ladyfriend after work but had to make an executive decision and take the day off. When I woke up feeling worse I knew it was the right call. Hubby stuck to the routine though and did it by himself. Thursday was the Max Recovery day so I eased back into it and last night kicked our butts once again.

"Bloomin Onion!"
"Steak, ah, garlic mashed, ahhh, wine!"

That's how I got through last night's workout. Yes, I was calling out my dinner order to get me through and you know what? It helped. When we were burning and trying not to stop, husband said, "if you want wine with dinner you have to do it until they stop". Oh man, I  mean I know if I want to have wine I'll damn well have wine but it's comments like these that really do help push through and work harder when otherwise you might not think you can. You CAN, it's just hard.

Today was my turn to work out alone as I'm feeling better. Still have a cold of course but he was hurting and made his own executive decision to sit out.

Annnnd that wraps up week 7 folks. Fit test Monday followed by a workout - insane idea if you ask me. Only two more weeks to go!

PS3 Outage!

Apparently there was a huge PS3 outage today and owners were warned not to turn their consoles on until problem was fixed, for 24 hrs., etc. Who knows! Regardless, we couldn't use it and of course this is what we use as our dvd player in the basement, aka to do our Insanity. Ah!

Have no fear, we did the warm-up as best we could (3 sets) by memory and then did as many other moves by memory for about the time of one of the Max workouts. Put the tv on some music channels and threw in a little freestyle as well, haha. We busted it as good as we could on our own and have to say I think we did it justice, especially for a Monday! Week 7 is underway...

Insanity Is Fitting: End Week 6

First off, wow this seriously is insanity. I mean working out 6 days a week and sticking to it is hard enough but when you're doing this level of exercise, Insanity is quite fitting. Against all odds, we completed the first week of the second half, the MAX workouts, beginning of the end. I got late from work last night due another snowy day, roads messy, drivers acting like idiots. Our bodies were feeling rough going into the workout and all we wanted was to go to Outback Steakhouse and kick off our weekend. The last thing we felt like doing was the workout which would delay the start to our Friday night. BUT, we did it and I think it was the hardest one yet. After it was over bodies were laying on the ground - on the dvd and in our basement.

Here are were a  few highlights:

"Where is Tonya!? She must be wedding planning" - Yes, strangely enough she was NOT in the workout last night and I was shocked and saddened.

"Yeah, Punch the baby!"  - Me trying motivate us while doing a modified punch at the ground and trying to invoke the 'KISS the baby' phrase. Misused it and clearly said the wrong thing sounding like an abusive woman.

"F**K frog jumps" -Husband clearly excited for that exercise. We each have a few we loath. Apparently this is on his short list.

We were beyond exhausting, starving, and felt like someone beat the crap out of us but braved the snowy roads for our steaks. Turned around halfway there and tried the new Olive Garden by us instead. Then stumbled home and didn't move for a long time. I know, we're are so crazy and exciting it makes you jealous.

Woke up this am and did not, did not want to do the workout but husband was ready to go so had to do with him as I knew there was no way I'd do it later alone. The warm-up was really hard to get into but got better and over the hump, finishing strong.

Cannot wait to indulge in some much deserved vino later!