Insanitiquing

I didn't really lose my insanity, don't worry- I just went back to my usual style of working out. I stuck with Insanity for a month and a half, and let me tell you, those last two weeks were torture. The short length of the Month 1 workouts was what was so redeeming to me about them- I could suffer through anything for half an hour. The Month 2 workouts were just as intense but nearly twice as long. It would have been one thing to do them a couple times a week, but every day?

Anyway, the reason I quit wasn't just boredom or suffering. The reason was that for how hard I was working, I wasn't seeing any changes that I liked.

Positive results:

• Slightly increased cardio stamina- mine was already excellent
• Increased physical and mental abilities to withstand physical torture
• Increased ability to do many pushups fast
• Other advanced workouts now seem easy in comparison

I'm sorry, but for the death-defying workouts I was doing every freakin' day, results that would have been acceptable cause for continuing the rotation would have included dropping significant body fat, dropping a clothes size/noticeable inches, improving my strength (see below), suddenly developing 8-pack abs, being able to speak a new foreign language, etc. Yes, diet is always a factor, but my diet did not change throughout the rotation- if Insanity were anything special in comparison to the other workouts I do, I should have been able to see changes. All I know is that I worked harder than I ever have before, and all I was left with was a lot of sweaty towels and a sense of accomplishment for working through something painful.

And then there were also the negative results:

• Lost muscle mass- I lost inches on my arms, not because of decreased body fat, but because I lost muscle mass despite doing supplemental strength training
• Lost strength- I couldn't do as many pushups as before
• Dread for my workouts due to repetitiveness and difficulty
• Having to do multiple workouts per day in order to fit in strength training

Overall, would I recommend the program? Well, I adore the workouts as standalones (yes, even the Month 2 workouts that I'm complaining about above, because who doesn't need a little pain in his or her workouts every once in a while), so hardcore, advanced at-home exercisers will find the system worthwhile. That said, I think following the rotation as-is is a big waste of time. There may be some rotation freaks out there who experience spiritual fulfillment and physical ecstasy from crossing off workouts on a pre-printed calendar, but for the rest of us general fitness folks, doing 5-6 HiiT workouts a week for months is just overkill.

I think a shortened rotation would improve cardiovascular stamina, and I also think that integrating these workouts a few times a week would also improve fitness. There might also be something in a full Insanity rotation for performance-oriented athletes. But for those of us whose main objective is general fitness, a balanced strength and cardio rotation offers better, more consistent results with less repetition- and pain.

Bottom line: As my stamina improves, I've been adding on some new strength training routines, particularly some from the P90X series. Only a few more Month 1 workouts before I start Month 2!

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Bottom line: I spent a few more grueling Insanity days and added in a couple extra barre workouts. I discuss some of my results today.

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Bottom line: Traveling with Insanity was a success, I passed my two-week milestone, and I feel recommitted to Insanity as I continue through Month I.

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Bottom line:  Believe it or not, I'm still sore from the barre workouts the other day, and I was not feeling Insanity today. I pushed through and did it anyway. On one hand, my speed and endurance are improving, but on the other, these improvements counteract what should be a lessening of the difficulty because I simply push myself harder.

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Bottom line: Two seemingly innocent barre workouts that I did this morning affected my Insanity performance this evening. I'm still not feeling the love for Pure Cardio and may replace it with one of the second month Insanity routines, since I don't want to do sustained cardio right now.

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Bottom line: Despite not feeling it today, I conquered this workout yet again and have seen some improvement already. I supplemented with extra upper body work and am considering adding a barre training workout or two to my weekly routine.

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Bottom line:  After some more weight training yesterday, I'm back to Insanity, and I felt that this workout is already a little easier for me. I still feel guilty about working out for only 45 minutes a day, though! I've done some reading about HiiT training that is compelling me to stick with it.

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Bottom line: I plunged right into Pure Cardio today after my day off and reached record heart rates from pushing myself. So far, this is my least favorite of the Insanity workouts because there are no breaks. I added extra upper body training at the end.

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