My opinion about Insanity: to put it simply, it's a pretty intense 40-50 minute workout per day (that goes on for 2 months) that allows you short breaks in between exercises. Keep in mind you will be SORE SORE SORE after the first couple of days, but that is totally normal. Especially if you haven't been on any type of regular daily workout schedule in a while. I've just finished up my 3rd day on Insanity, and I've come up with some tips that I think might help any of you who are thinking of taking this fitness challenge too.
My Insanity Tips:
First of all, be advised that I am not a doctor, nor health professional! This blog is just a way for me to keep track of my progress and share my personal experiences with my health journey and with the fitness programs that I'm trying out. I just wanted to share what tips & tricks have worked for me, while trying out the INSANITY program..
1. LOTS OF WATER!! I've noticed it really helps to have a big jug of water while on the Insanity program. I have an 8-cup daily JUG that I've purchased at Walmart, and it doesn't just help with my daily workouts, but allow me to get my full 8 cups a day. And it gives me no excuse not to drink more water. Take good sized sips on the breaks, but don't chug too much.. you'll feel full and may feel like throwing up half way through the workout..
2. DO YOUR BEST, FIT TEST: What you have to remember about this part, is that it is exactly that.. just a "test" to see where your current performance level is. Do not be discouraged if you can't do all the workouts, or can't go as fast as anyone in the video, because it's nothing more than a TEST.. which you will realize later that you will be getting better at compared to this first test. Just do the best you can. :)
3. GO AT YOUR OWN PACE: While trying to follow the Insanity workouts, realize that those people are FIT and they are used to these workouts.. you are just starting out so you have to remember that you have to do the workouts AT YOUR OWN PACE.. Shaun T will stress how your "FORM" is more important than trying to catch up to their pace! (Which is ridiculous.. haha) While taking the fitness test, I tried to copy every move they made, and tried to go as fast as they went.. I COULD NOT KEEP UP.. I COULD NOT BREATH!! They were TOO FAST, and strong.. but hey, IT'S OK, you'll get there SOMEDAY, but today you are taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME... I went slow, but tried my best to follow the workouts to a tee.. it's ok, we'll get there someday :)
4. TAKE BREAKS, & BREATH, BREATH, BREATH... The Insanity program will give you breaks, Shaun T will tell you to take a drink of water and check your heart rate & take DEEP BREATHS! During the intense cardio workouts, those people in the video will keep going at their fast pace (because they're pros at this, and they've learned to control their BREATHING).. DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF over your limit, KNOW YOUR LIMIT, and take a break when you need to, to regain your breath.. and ensure that your heart rate slows down before you continue to follow along with them.. and always remember when you feel like passing out, STOP, TAKE DEEP BREATHS, and MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR HEART RATE SLOWER... or you may pass out or throw up!
5. KEEP A TOWEL & TRASH CAN NEAR.. I'm serious, especially on the first two to three days.. I'm not sure if I drank too much water or just not used to workout out that intense without long breaks in between workouts, but half-way into the workouts, I felt like throwing up! It's always better to be safe than sorry, I'm being brutally honest, and sharing my experience.. just a heads up. Also, keep a towel near, you will sweat like no other.
6. CREATE A CALENDAR, & TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME If you've decided to really commit to one of these programs, all I really can say that has helped me is to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME.. Don't stress out over how long this journey will take, just do what you gotta do to make it through each day. I've also set up a calendar especially for my INSANITY workout schedule. I've noticed it has helped so much to keep track to make sure I cross out each day I've completed a workout.
7. EAT RIGHT All I'm going to say about this is that I've been reading up on exercise to diet ratio for losing weight, and found out that losing weight is all about "70 percent diet, and 30 percent exercise." So just keep that in mind while trying any type of workout program. It may not work effectively if you are not changing your eating habits as well. I am not saying go cold turkey on everything unhealthy, but at least make healthier alternatives.. that's a great way to start.. also allow yourself at least 1 day out of the week for a "cheat meal" where you can eat what you want, the key here is to make sure you DO NOT OVER EAT! It's all about portion control, you can have that cake, but how much of it is really the question there. Think small portions, handful. If you train yourself to eat smaller portions, & drink more water.. you will get full faster and train your body to get full with less. You CAN EAT a lot during the day, just be sure to portion your meals throughout the day so you are not eating so much at one sitting. Eating SMALLER PORTIONS throughout the day is the key to a INCREASING METABOLISM to help you lose weight.
8. TAKE YOUR PROTEIN: It's important that while on an intensive workout program such as Insanity, your muscles will tear, so if you feed your body PROTEIN it will help to repair your muscles faster, after these high intensity workouts. My personal favorite protein supplement is GNC's Chocolate flavored protein powder shakes.. you can mix it with either water or milk. I use milk, just for taste preference. :)
Hope this helps, Pauline <3
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