Insanity- The Transformation

Took 60 days

 Stats: Lost 7 lbs, 10.75 inches, and I'm at 19% body fat. 

I've attempted Insanity 3 times and the 4th time stuck. The difference was not just deciding to do it however, committing to it. DECIDE COMMIT SUCCEED. The first attempts were difficult. I felt extremely sick whenever I'd try to complete them. I could never get passed day 3. I just couldn't understand how anyone could ever put themselves through that. I HATED feeling sick. It was awful. I then decided to try and start running again. I used to run all the time prior to giving birth to my first son. It was awesome! I was in the best shape of my life! The downfall, INJURIES. I started out running too hard, too fast. I ended up getting what is called ITB. It felt like the tendons along the outer sides of my knees were on fire. I couldn't bend my legs because it hurt so bad. One night after running I remember that I had to drag my leg behind me to get from my parking spot into our apartment. PLUS we were on the upper level. YIKES! I went to the doctor and she couldn't figure out what was wrong however told me to cross train (Elliptical, Stationary Biking) and that I was overtraining. That I needed to stop, or not go so long or so hard. I thought BORING. How am I ever going to give up running? The runner's high? Well it happened. I stopped running. It would hurt just to run across the lawn or for a min. I couldn't even run 5 min straight. After 5 years I can say that I can run 20 min straight! YEP! No pain along my IT band. NOW I WARMUP- walk briskly for 5 min, then start running, run for a certain amount of time and then walk again, repeat the running and walking, COOL DOWN for 5 min and then STRETCH. I wish I would have know how important it was to warm up, start slow, cool down and most importantly stretch back then. It would have saved me so much pain. My life saver this time around was research. I stumbled across Couch to 5k and started the program. I am still on week 6 to this day but that is because I do not want to injure myself. I still have some pain in my knees but it is not the IT band, it is my joints. Running has helped with Insanity tremendously. I no longer feel sick when I do a workout and I can keep up without feeling as winded. Insanity is hard. It isn't easy, but it gets easier. If you have more questions in regards to Insanity, or making me your personal coach message me on FB or comment below. I look forward to chatting with you!

My Fit Tests

Switch Kicks   100 121  116  125  126

Power Jacks   48  55  52  61  61

Power Knees   91  97  105  110  116

Power Jumps   30  31  36  40  55

Globe Jumps   9  10  10  12  11

Suicide Jumps   16  16  19  22  24

Push-up Jacks   22  27  23  34  34

Low Plank Oblique   50  52  60  64  74

Week 1: July 16- 23
Already down 3 lbs.

Week 2: July 24-31
Down 1 lb.
I've noticed I've leaned out a lot and I can hold a quad stretch without stumbling all over the place. This is a tough program though!

Week 3: August 1- 7
Whoo excited to say that I've finished week 3! Only one more week and this 30 day challenge is over (I give myself 30 day challenges for goals) and I'll be on to the second half of this 60 day challenge! Only 42 days left! I'm noticing my legs and glutes are stronger and I can actually feel the muscle when I'm doing an exercise. Starting to see the top 2 abs poke out also.

Week 4: August 9- 16
I've made it! I finished Month one of Insanity! I cannot express how exciting that is for me because I've attempted this program many times. I was beginning to feel burned out this week. If there was a 5th week of these same workouts I'd be really struggling to keep going. Glad to be onto Recovery week!

Week 5: August 21- 28
Recovery week is not easy! It's just as tough! On day 3 of this week I noticed my Hammy! I haven't seen my Hamstrings for awhile. If they were there I didn't notice them. Push-ups in full form are becoming easier also. Keeping up with the full minute workouts (taking very little breaks). I've also incorporated more resistance training in this week. Doing that 3 days a week. Took progress photos also and I'm ecstatic! I can't believe how much change there is in only a month! Down 4 lbs.

     

Week 6: August 29- Sept 5
Just finished the Fit Test. Really pushed myself and some numbers went up, some down. That's ok though. I took measurements and I've lost 7 inches, 3.5 from the waist. Down 5 lbs. I'm down from my second pre-pregnancy weight (135 lbs.) also so I'm pretty excited. There for awhile I couldn't drop passed my second pre-preg weight (135 lbs.) to get to my first (125 lbs.). 

Week 7: Sept 8-17
Finished week 2 of month 2. I was so nervous for month 2 thinking I was going to die. Well it's tough but I'm loving it. I'm not experiencing any problems. I thought I'd injure myself for sure with this program but I'm so happy how everything is going. On to week 3!

Week 8: Sept 18-23
Have been eating really clean this week (0-1 cheat meals a week) and I hope to continue for awhile. I was eating out more (2-3 cheats a week) because my husband deployed this last Friday and we just tried to enjoy ourselves before he left for 7 months. Weighed myself this morning and hit 129 lbs. Haven't seen the 120's for awhile. SUPER EXCITED. Just did the Fit test again. Pushed myself to the limit! Numbers above! Let's get this done!

Week 9: Sept 24- Oct 3
FINALLY finished this beast! I feel so many things, good, empowered, strong and proud of myself. This was mentally challenging as much physically. My overall stats: Lost 7 lbs, 10.75 inches, and I'm at 19% body fat. Numbers were hard to beat on the last and final Fit Test.

Insanity- The Program

What is Insanity?

Well it's INSANE.

The hardest workout program ever put on DVD.

It's a 60 day CARDIO-based total-body conditioning program. Comes with a schedule that is all laid out for you. You just follow the calendar and PUSH play.

Month one:

5 workouts about 30 min a day. Including a slightly easier Cardio Recovery once a week. Let me tell you I looked forward to Cardio Recovery day!

Then a whole week just for RECOVERY. Called Recovery Week 

Month two:

4 workouts about 45- 60 min a day. The workouts get a little more intense. Max Recovery is the equivalent to Cardio Recovery during this phase. 

When I first saw the infomercial for this I was thinking dang, that is insane looking. But I wanted to try it. I like challenges and I wanted change so I ordered it. This program is tough. I'm not going to lie. It took MANY attempts to complete it but I told myself if I completed it I could get Focus T25. I really wanted Focus T25. :] This program is perfect for people who like challenges, people who have been active and may be stuck on a plateau (broke me right out of mine), advanced fitness level types, Crazies who just want to try it, cardio lovers, other Beachbody program graduates, and athletes or extreme athletes like rock climbers and snowboarders. 

The workouts:

Fit Test

Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Cardio Power and Resistance

Cardio Recovery

Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs

Core Cardio and Balance

Max Interval Circuit

Max Interval Plyo

Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio Abs

Max Recovery

The trainers name is Shaun T. He's the most caring and genuine trainer I've seen yet. He's so motivating and friendly. No equipment necessary with this program. 

PROS:

60 day program

See and feel results within a week

Workout in the comfort of your own home

Shaun T is encouraging. I love his style. He works out with you (along with the 12 other group members) but it's not fake. He's not smiling the Joker smile the whole time. He doesn't sit there and talk about how fabulous he is like Jillian Michaels does. The group can't even finish the exercises entirely so you feel like you're not alone.

The workouts during month 1 are under an hour

No equipment needed. Just body weight

Warm up and stretches

You sweat hardcore just during the fit test and warmup 

CONS:

Hard on the knees. Lots of jumping, Plyo exercises

Here are some results:

If you have more questions in regards to Insanity, or making me your personal coach message me on FB or comment below. I look forward to chatting with you!

My Story and My Journey

Here's my story from the beginning. I've always been active. As a child I played outside every chance I could get. From sun up to sun down. I remember my mom always having to call us in just to eat. One of my favorites in Elementary was of course recess AND P.E. I remember trying to out run boys or run faster than them. I always played Tether Ball, Four Square, on the bar (wrapping our sweaters around the bar and flipping over it), tag, and basketball. I was even in Jr Jazz and Soccer for a little bit.

In Jr. High I believe a fitness class was required but not 100% sure anymore. Anyway I had gym class in 7,8, and 9th grade. I tried out for Soccer in 7th grade and didn't make it. I was so sad. I even tried out for Volleyball and didn't make that either. I wasn't very good at sports but I never gave up on basketball. I also started dance class. I also remember lifting some of my step-fathers weights sometimes here and there in our backyard. So weird I know! In 9th grade I remember my calves being extremely big to the point that I could cup them in my hands. Kind of gross but I wish I had them now. Everyone always talked about my legs and I was so shy and extremely self conscious so I was always embarrassed. I remember trying out for Cheer and Dance Co. too. Never made either of those.

In 10th grade I had dance and gym class also and I remember boys always freaking out about my muscles. I didn't even realize I had triceps until a boy in one of my classes pointed them out. He was shocked to say the least. I would participate in pushups competitions against boys and I always did a ton. I remember struggling with running a mile(I have asthma) and feeling really upset at myself but I always made the required time for my age. Still, I couldn't figure out how to run as fast as the boys. Eventually 12th grade rolled around and I decided to do dance AND a weight lifting class. This was the first time I had signed up for what I thought was a class for boys. Little did I know that lifting is what gives us our shape. I ended up being about to do pull-ups, incline sit-ups, leg press, and maxed out at 110 lbs on the chest press. I even had my teacher spot me because I was so afraid the girls would drop the bar on me if I couldn't handle it. Needless to say, I was shocked at the things I could do.

I graduated high school and was so excited to be an adult that all I wanted to do was work. I didn't work out and if I did it wasn't ever structured or consistent. A couple years went by (20 yrs old) and that started to catch up to me. I only gained maybe 10-15 lbs. Not sure exactly so I dropped the weight easy. Again I got comfortable (about 21) and stopped eating well and didn't think I needed to workout. I gained was about 140 lbs and for a 5'3 person that's overweight. I started going to the gym just to pass time and I dropped 20 lbs in 3 months. I weighed prob 123-ish. I never weighed myself. Just if I went to the doctor or something. I would go to the gym 4 days a week and start off with running 20 mins each day I went. Then attended a resistance training class. I was in the best shape of my life! I was so ripped and firm. I couldn't believe it. Well that all changed when I found out I was pregnant. I was so sick everyday that it was tough to even make it to work. I started off thin but quickly gained weight. On the days I felt well I'd eat sweets and I craved soda.  I had two jobs and my second job I was an Assistant Manager at a gas station. -_- Yea, that's the mecca of unhealthy food!! Eating veggies made me so sick so I just did what I could. I would try to walk at the gym at my condo sometimes but nothing major. Eventually I started working out again and lost all the baby weight in 2-3 months. Yes, that fast because I was in great shape BEFORE I got pregnant. I was in my normal BMI but I wanted to look how I did just before becoming pregnant and I was working on it when I got pregnant with my second child. Same thing, I got super sick at first but luckily this time it went away quickly but I succumbed to every craving everyday I had one. WHAT?! Yes, I was THAT girl that gave myself excuses to eat whatever whenever. I just felt like I'd lose the weight quickly again and just enjoy the pregnancy. Well this baby messed up my tailbone so I couldn't do a decent workout for a YEAR. YEP! A year. I couldn't even sit for long periods of time. Fast forward another 6 months and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of how I looked. I didn't realize being a Stay at Home Mom was as inactive as it is. I was used to moving a lot with working 2 jobs and physical jobs at that. I also would try to make a recipe each week that I'd find on Pinterest and we all know what recipes are on Pinterest. -_- This is where I knew I needed to make changes because I was the definition of skinny fat. I lost the baby weight but having no muscle tone, energy, bad eating habits, little sleep started to add up. I realized no matter what I ate I'd gain weight. I'd lose a couple pounds just to add them again. Every day. This year I made it my resolution to change my life. Not just be fit but to eat better as well. I've learned so much from following people on Facebook, Instagram and research.

Here are some of the changes I've made to get from Jan 2013 to this moment, today. Most of these changes have been consistent from July 2013 to now.
-I don't make the recipes I see on Pinterest
-I try to drink a gallon (128 oz) of water a day. Before I would barely drink 24-64 oz. I'm always peeing!
-I'd drink soda but only socially. Whenever my family would be eating out at a restaurant or a fast food joint. Now I just drink water. Even when we're at restaurants or fast food joints, I'll ask for a water cup.
-I don't drink alcohol (stopped that after having children)
-If I drink anything besides water it's tea, almond milk, or fat-free milk
-I only drink almond milk in my protein shakes
-I drink a protein shake 30 min after my workouts. I also count it as a meal or a snack.
-I only drink milk if I eat cereal but I don't eat cereal everyday like I used to, only occasionally. I no longer eat the sugary kind.
-I eat 4-6 small meals a day.
-I use MyFitnessPal app. It's opened my eyes to how many calories are in foods and how fast they can easily add up. It's a pain at first to add things in but it keeps track of your frequent items so it's super easy or you could simply scan the item.
-I am mindful of serving sizes and stick to them.
-I try to keep my meals between 200-350 calories
-For snacks I keep them to 100-200 calories
-For breakfast I eat eggs, oatmeal, a piece of toast, fruit, or oat bran (like oatmeal)
-I try to incorporate protein (chicken, turkey, turkey burger, protein bars/powders, tuna and eggs), carbs (rice, fruits, veggies, whole wheat), and HEALTHY fats (avocado, nuts, nut butters, cheese, and olive oil) into each meal.
-I will add veggies anyway I can (cucumber or carrots as a snack- no dipping sauce, onions to burgers, peppers to sauces or eggs, or as a side at dinner- broccoli, asparagus, or sweet potatoes.)
-If I can substitute bread for something than I will because they tend to be high in calories. Instead of a tuna sandwich you could use cucumbers as the bread. Or you can have ground turkey tacos with lettuce wraps instead of tortillas. The veggies are lower in calories so you can eat more of those and they fill you up!
-I don't cut out carbs. I eat bread, oats, fruits, veggies, tortillas, rice, etc. They just don't fill me as much.
- I don't eat WHITE carbs like white rice, white bread, white sugar.
-I don't eat sweets hardly at all
-If I'm craving cookies I'll eat graham crackers, or dark chocolate
-I have 1-2 cheat meals a week
-A cheat meal isn't always a fast food joint. I have a black bean quesadilla, veggie pizza, ground turkey burger tacos with our own seasoning, strawberries with dark chocolate syrup, frozen yogurt instead of ice cream (tastes just like ice cream), protein pancakes with sugar free syrup, etc.
-If we do go out to a restaurant sometimes the hubs and I will split and appetizer AND the entree.
-My favorite snacks are apples w/ PB2 AND granola, and protein shakes WITH FROZEN strawberries.
-My favorite cheats are quesadillas, frozen yogurt, or pancakes.