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!

Woot, Woot, Making it Fun!

Tonight, while doing the Max Recovery, I started asking my husband where he wanted to go out to dinner tomorrow, what he wanted to do afterwards, just talking it up while trying to stretch and hold various muscle burning positions. We were doing the exercise side by side, something we started last week during the recovery week and something which has proven to make the workouts more entertaining, less intense and more motivational all at the same time.

Whether making goofy faces at one another, exaggerating our motions in a theatrical way, or messing with one other, it makes us lighten up, laugh and pass the time more quickly. Ok, editorial comment from the hubby looking over my shoulder: he claims it's just me that does these things; he is working very hard and is very serious. Excuse me, so sorry. However I do seem to recall someone poking at me or staring me down, causing me to lose my balance on a number of occasions. Or making huge goofy eyes (or something funnier I can't describe well) that caused me to giggle so much I couldn't breathe and do the exercise all at the same time.

Doing the workouts along side one another vs him behind the couch and me in front also provides more motivation as you see the other person sticking with it when you want to (or do) stop instead of pushing through until the allotted rest/break times.

This shared activity also gives me someone to make commentary to about the Insanity crew. After watching some of the same people on the dvds 6 days a week for over a month now, I've taken to noticing, and commenting, on all sorts of things. From their outfits to their facial expressions to their performances. Or posing questions like, "how lazy would you feel if you were one of these camera men? I mean just standing there while these people are sweating and busting their asses." Earlier in the week, I said, "I'm going to pretend I'm Tonya and see if I can do these high knees better." I made a face and moved my body differently. You know what? I feel like it worked. Then today, I exclaimed, "Tonya's engaged!" noticing for the first time what looked to be a diamond ring on her left ring finger. I was so excited. I feel like I know her, sort of, ok not really but I watch her working out a lot. She's like Shaun T's main chick. She does the fit tests with us too and I either feel better or worse comparing my numbers to her's.

Lastly, I've begun to notice and take great pleasure in Shaun T calling out members of the Insanity crew. What I mean is he will call someone by name and say that they need to get lower or move this way or do it different or push harder. You'd know it if you heard it. He calls them out and I like to then comment, "oooh he called you out so-and-so!" no matter how strenuous of an exercise we're in the middle of.

Also, ok the 'lastly' was a fake-out, I like to imitate people who look silly ie) creeper jogging guy. I'm doing it right now but you can't see. I think it's hysterical. Husband calls me a creeper. I've brought cheap comedy into our workouts and, as always, I amuse myself quite a bit.

As you can see, it's just so much more motivational and fun to do the Insanity challenge together while still working our butts off. I highly recommend. =)

Max Intensity

Was intimidating to see what awaited us in the Max Insanity workout today but I'm happy to report we made it through and did pretty well for the first go on it. The time went by faster than I thought it would too. Learning the new moves, I typically think they're easier than they are or are supposed to be because I'm still trying to do them properly and thus not getting as much out of them as I'm sure I will next week. Also I have to say that it does help motivate and push me through when I see members of the crew on the dvd struggling here and there, haha. My husband would probably say I'm being a hater but it's just nice to see that it isn't just us. Idol's live tonight, LOST is on and we are not moving from the couch!

Fit Test 3 / Start Week 6

Wow. I don't how or why they expect you to do a new, longer, more intense workout after the fit test. We didn't go conservative on the fit test with the Insanity workout in mind but rather pushed to beat our numbers from the last fit test.

Overall we saw improvements or at least matched numbers but we both have an exercise or two that poses more challenging for us than the others. The fit test in and of itself took it out of us. It's hard to come back harder, longer, after a weekend let alone after "recovery" week.

The new moves and time and intensity required for this next week is already intimidating and kicking our butt. Hopefully we make it through the week! Need some serious refueling by means of good old fashioned healthy eating, no supplements or recovery formulas here. Sorry Shaun T!

Recovery Week

We made it through the first half of the Insanity Challenge better than I thought we would, ok better than I thought I would. Shhh. The Recovery Week workout is still bringing a sweat but definitely nothing compared to the usual routines, which, I think are about to get the intensity pumped up on next week....

I thought we'd both been watching our calories, "refueling" properly, and working hard....but I think I gained a few pounds or am the same as when I began. What the heck is that about?! Guessing I'm gaining some muscle - probably upper body - where I was lacking before? I don't know but it was not a good start to my day when I stepped on the scale. Granted I don't NEED to lose any weight but I do have a goal in mind. I know I'm probably stronger and we're both getting in better shape but you know us ladies....we always want more. Never satisfied. I'm not noticing any major changes but we'll see in the end. Perhaps gradual....

Renewed sense of dedication. Time for a healthy dinner but there will not be smoothies in this house as I was deeply hurt and offended when my husband would not drink the smoothie that I made last night. He has been the only smoothie maker since we made our thrilling blender purchase from BBB. The story involves berry stains on sweatshirts and a bent blade on the blender, both of which I maintain were not my fault!

Weak End to Week 4

Catching up on some posts as our computer was "infected!" and beyond use for the past week off and on - fun, I know.

So with the end of the Insanity week 4, I finally had my ankle and foot looked at by a friend who happens to be a podiatrist. I know, you would think if you have your own personal podiatrist in your midst they would be the first person you call upon injury. My mistake. Anyways, turns out it's most likely a tendon or ligament that I've hurt pretty badly but standard protocol of ice, rest and exercises to do. I couldn't really promise I'd take it easy as we're in the middle of this challenge but trying do everything else right when not working out (ie. ice, wraps, rest.)

Saturday was to be the last work out of week 4 but instead it was the first day we didn't do the scheduled workout! It was upsetting but would've been hard to squeeze it in...I know excuses, excuses but we had an out of town wedding and I, intelligent as always, scheduled a last minute hair color for that morning. Always trying to do too much, I made the decision not to get up at the butt crack on a Saturday in order to complete the workout. My husband, in solidarity (or laziness) also skipped the workout.

Then we went on to eat, drink, and dance it up. Needless to say my body, and ankle, were not loving me come Sunday.

I Did It!

I know you were all on the edge of your seats just waiting to know if I did in fact get up at the crack to do the Insanity workout less than 12 hours after Tuesday's.....Well, I did. I got up around 5:15am, got to it and got to work in record time - left ridiculously early due to yesterday's record breaking long commute, thank you winter weather.

It was tempting to slack off a bit without my oh so disciplined hubby there with me but I think I did a pretty good job all things considered (ankle, early time, blah, blah excuses.)

Tomorrow is cardio recovery and then we are allllmost done w/ week 4, amazing.

Week 4...?

Yes! We are underway with week 4 ladies and gentlemen. This week foresees a few challenges but we've been doing the routine long enough now that skipping a day is not an option. However, of course, the challenges are more for me: 1.) ankle pain flaring up mid-exercise (been hurting the whole 4 weeks but soft brace has been preventing pain during actual exercise until this point) and 2.) drinks and concert w/ the girls Wednesday night - this means I will work out tomorrow after work and then get up extra early for work to do the routine Wednesday morning with not much "rest" time for my body in between that and Tuesday night's regime.

Wish me luck!

Oh and let me tell you how happy we were that the SuperBowl was on an "off" day (Sunday of course) as we definitely ate horribly and loved every second of it! haHA

End Week 3

Ohmygosh, today was really hard. First of all I didn't want to do it but wanted to get it done and over with for the day. My quads were hurting early on into the warm up and I just wasn't feeling up to the challenge today. BUT we did it and made it through. My husband better than I - or so it sounded since he was behind me. I on the other hand felt like I stopped a lot more than I usually do and it was such a painful challenge to keep going. I think I must have pulled a muscle the other day so that would hurt during some moves and then my ankle really wasn't taking too kindly to the basketball drills, going in and out and up and down and blah and blah.

I also didn't know that I could sweat that much. Don't get me wrong, I always sweat a healthy amount during a workout but Insanity has inspired new levels of sweat to drip out of both my husband and I - it's not just me.

We've still been watching our calories and doing pretty well with that - even checked the calories online before treating ourselves to some Chipotle last night. I didn't think we would be able to have it but was surprised by how the calories added up  (or rather didn't) in our usual orders. Now of course this didn't take into account the generous worker who was excited to see us in the midst of a snow storm this weekend. Whatever, we felt justified and damnit that food tasted good.

Week 3 done and done! Time to shower and look forward to the wine I've been saving for tonight (part of the watching the calories is alcohol too, stinks huh!)

Week 3 Underway

Once again sweating through the warm-up. Had some troubles but overall good, tired, nothing new to report really. Icing the ankle which is still a little hurt but holding up well. Have told some people about our workout challenge....might start spreading the word. Still a long road ahead though.

LOST is new today!

Fitness Test #2

Forgot to blog after our second fit test yesterday BUT it went well, felt a little easier and we improved on almost all of exercises. I felt like we needed to keep working out as it was nothing compared to the Insanity workouts we're getting used to on a regular basis. Note: My husband said I must not have pushed hard enough in my fit tests,  ha.

Fit test #2 felt good. Excited to see the improvements in another few weeks.