The End of Insanity
Hey everyone! How’s your Indian Food Wednesday going?
Holler to Bree, who enjoyed Indian Chicken and Lentils in honor of this special day 🙂
(This is her photo)
I happy to say that it’s the end of the car insanity. I’ve been running around like a chicken for the past 3 days, old car is gone, new car is here, insurance is taken care of, car registration is in the process (I have until the end of June), and all is right in the world.
For those of you who have asked what kind of car I bought, here are two hints:
1)
(Source)
2)
(Source)
(Random trivia: A German Shepherd bit me when I was 3 years old and tried to hug my babysitter’s dog- his fang went right through my cheek. I’m still kind of afraid of German Shepherds.)
I still need to name my new car baby! 🙂
The week also marked the end of my Insanity workouts, which I’m actually pretty sad about. I joked on Twitter that you might be able to find me curled up in a ball with scratch marks all over my body from Insanity withdrawals. It’s *that* addicting, and *that* awesome of a workout.
You can read my Week 1 Insanity Re-cap *here*
Final thoughts:
– I’m going to go ahead and repeat myself by saying this workout is NOT for beginners, or anyone with pervious injuries. You have to be extremely careful while following this program- both of my friends Jeni and Ashley, who did the program with me, suffered injuries at some point during the program. I was fortunate to have no issues.
– It’s a lot of jumping, bounding, sprinting, toning and sweating! During Insanity, I sweat almost as much as I do during a Bikram yoga class.. except for the fact that the room isn’t heated. Crazy!
-This program leaned me out, but I also started to lose some muscle in the first month. The second month, I added in my weight training and it was an excellent balance. Even though the DVDs can be followed on their own, I recommend supplementing with weight training, which not everyone will have time for as the DVDs are 40 minutes – 1 hr. I’ll update this page with my change in bodyfat percent after I get in the bod pod again.
-This program dramatically increased my strength and endurance. I’ve never been able to crank out full pushups the way I do now, and last night when I ran, it felt great even though I hadn’t stepped on the treadmill in 3 months.
–Shaun T. is awesome. For real. He’s an excellent motivator, and during the 10 weeks of DVDs, I didn’t get sick of him… and all.
It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes, too 😉
-My review of all of the DVDs in the set:
- Dig Deeper & Fit Test: (30 minutes) This workout is done at the beginning middle and end of the program, to compare how your endurance has increased with time. It’s a great way to track your workout progress –each time, my numbers were significantly higher- and even though it’s short, it’s a full workout in itself. You have one minute to do as many of one exercise as you can (globe jumps, push-ups, etc) and you write down your numbers each time you do this workout.
- Plyometric Cardio Circuit: (40 minutes) This was one of my favorites. Lots of jumping and lower body work- loved the basketball drills at the end.
- Cardio Power & Resistance: (40 minutes) This utilizes a lot of power movements, jumping and squatting with upper body emphasis. Loved it!!
- Cardio Recovery & Max Recovery: (80 minutes) This are supposed to be *recovery* workouts, but they’re still workouts and will still make you sweat like a monkey and curse at the TV. It’s just a little slower paced.
- Pure Cardio & Abs: (40 minutes) This is the standard warm up and stretch, followed by full out, solid cardio with no breaks. At first, I thought this workout was impossible, but by the end, I could complete the DVD without taking any breaks.
- Cardio Abs: (20 minutes) At first I hated this DVD (because you do it AFTER Pure Cardio, which is a beast in itself), but loved it by the end. Jumping using tight abs, mat work and floor work- loved the new ab workouts and NO crunches!
- Core Cardio & Balance: (40 minutes) I did this workout for my recovery week in the Bahamas with the pilot. It still got our heart rates up, but wasn’t as jump-y, so our bodies could recover and get ready for month 2.
- Max Interval Circuit: (60 minutes) The hardest workout I’ve ever done in my life, hands down. Very intense- at the end I felt like I had nothing left. Probably my favorite.
- Max Interval Plyo: (55 minutes) Tons of jumping, lunges, speed work and HOLY PUSHUPS. You do every type of pushup under the sun and by the end, by shoulders and chest were on fire.
- Max Cardio Conditioning & Abs: (50 minutes) Awesome endurance training. I liked that we didn’t repeat any of the same movements in circuits, just constantly changed things up. Loved.
So there ya have it 😀
Insanity was an incredible experience and even though I’m giving my body a lil rest right now, there is a potential that I’ll be repeating the program in the fall. We will see what happens… my life is like a crazy roller coaster at the moment (whose isn’t though, right?) and so many things will change depending on how other things *work out*.
Speaking of working out… it’s cardio time up in herrre. I’m going to read The Help on the stairclimber and get ready for girl’s night.
Have a lovely evening <3
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: Can you work out at home, or do you have to go to the gym? Before I moved to Valdizzy, I *had* to workout at the gym and it was SO difficult to motivate myself once we moved here and I noticed the lack of yoga and fitness classes. Have you ever completed a DVD workout program? What’s your fave? I’ve heard great things about P90X and would like to try that sometime, too 😀
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interesting review! i can’t wait to see the bod pod results soon! i really prefer to go to the gym, but since we’re poor i stick with the home workouts for now…besides, the outdoors has all i really need to do it all 🙂
Hey Gina! Thanks for the great recap! Quick question, how much room do you feel like you need to do the insanity workouts? I’m an NYC girl and have a TINY living room. Just curious if I’ll have enough space. Thanks!!
you don’t need very much room at all!
just started insanity today 🙂 thanks for the review, i hope i like it as much as you did!
I haven’t ever done any DVD workouts! My roommates always end up being guys and I don’t think I could take the laughter that would undoubtly ensue when they came home/downstairs to see me flailing around in front of the TV :(.
I’ve heard so many great things about Insanity, I might give it a go this winter. Although, this is a huuuuge engagement!
Good job on doing it all! 🙂
I really enjoy the gym but I am known to do some yoga in the comforts of my living room… my lab does yoga with me… er, just licks my face while I’m in shivasana. either way, I’ve never done a DVD work out series before, maybe after marathon training I’d like to try one 🙂
I always had to go to the gym to work out until I moved to LA and now I mostly run outside or go to yoga class (I suppose this counts as the gym). Occasionally I will do a little workout at home but I’m not super motivated.
You would probably love P90X. Its super intense, which you seem to love. One of my friends who is a marathoner and is hiking Kilamonjaro at the end of the summer did P90X for a long time and it was even challanging for him. I’ve never done a video but I think I may try a Jillian Shread at some point.
Lovely review! 🙂 And so awesome that you were able to see changes in your fitness level – which was already high! I would definitely love to try Insanity at some point, but I really struggle with at-home workouts; I prefer the gym, classes or running outside.
I have bought Insanity and plan on attempting it this week – I was thinking of taking days off from it and doing weights and yoga in between in stead of the 6 day workout – what do you think of that? I love working out with weights, but need more cardio in my routine. I have done the 3 months of Chalean Extreme – also by beach body – I like it a lot!
Congrats on the new car!
i think that would totally work
I work out at home most of the time. Busy college student = no time to get to the gym!
Hey Gina! 🙂 I used to workout at home all the time! I was working two jobs to pay the bills and didn’t have time to go to the gym or even have the money for a membership. Now I enjoy a mix of both. Getting to see people at the gym or Bikram class, or doing some stuff at home.
I did P90X for a couple years, repeating the program every 3 months (when it was completed). Loved it!!! My arms were super strong and defined and I don’t have naturally upper bod strength. I would definitely consider doing that one again!
I have never actually been a gym member. I went to the gym in college and have done a few free trial memberships but there are not any gyms close to me with classes:( So my workouts are all either at home, outdoors, or at the yoga studio.
Your review makes me want to try a dvd fitness program to change things up but my history with workout dvds is not great.
I need a kick in the booty–might have to think about investing in Insanity. Girl, that you stay sane with all the drama and roller coaster twists and turns is commendable. Good luck!
Hmm…..so I’m guessing some type of VW? I drive a Jetta! Beep beep honk honk
nope 🙂
jettas are super cute though!
hmph, I was going to say VW too…the obvious choice to go with German Chocolate Cake!
We recently moved to our first house and I was able to make one of the rooms my home gym. My bosses graciously gave me a Treadclimber and I have some weights, resistance bands, and a mat. I’ve been utilizing what I have to do your Summer Shape Up workout and I love it!
Hmmm…..It seems that you got a German car. Whatever it is, good call!
I just got done working out with Crunch Fat Burning Pilates DVD as well as Zumba on DVD. I also tried Jillian’s Yoga Meltdown DVD for the first time today.. that one was intense, haha.
I do have a quick question for you, though, Gina, if you don’t mind answering.
What shoes do you wear for Zumba? That is to say, which shoes do you think are best for Zumba?
Thanks!
i usually wear asics for everything- the ones i’m using right now are here: http://fitnessista.com/2010/04/in-the-muffin-mood/
daggum it, now i’m curious about the car;-). i can’t even begin to think of a car based on the two clues you gave. nonetheless, congrats on the new car! you’re such an inspiration.
You rock for being able to do an entire insantiy workout without taking a break! I’ve had to slowly ease into it, just doing it 2-3 times a week because I seriously want to die and never do it again when I finish, but a few days later, I forget the pain and do another dvd! ha! If you can do insanity, you’ll have no problems with P90X! I was doing that for awhile but you get NO cardio in it (even kempo and cardio x aren’t great cardio work outs like insanity), so I kinda slowed down with that and mixed in some cardio. My fiance does a mix of p90x and insanity and loves that!
So it’s a German car, and German chocolate cake is the best kind, so I am gonna go big and guess a BMW, best kind of German car in my opinion. Insanity sounds crazy, though I am tempted to try it, except that I live in an appartment buiilding with thin floors and I am not sure how the people downstairs would feel about all the jumping.
😉
I’m jealous! You can’t beat German engineering 😀
I’m awful about working out at home. I’ve lived in an apartment for the last 3 years with someone always living below me (although now I *finally* have a top floor apt which is heavenly). Anyway, having someone below means I can’t really jump or lunge on the floor or anything else thumpy.
I also am most motivated when I’m at the gym or in a class. I’m competitive, so having someone nearby for me to compete against (whether they know it or not) always helps. 😀
i totally agree- i love competing with other gym goers 🙂
I start Month 2 next week….already scared and getting sweat towels ready for for Max Interval Circuit!
I am much more motivated at the gym… I get distracted pretty easily at home!
Same as above – I get so distracted at home. Plus I like to have others around looking like fools with me while doing dance steps and burpees!
Hey Gina! This is so random, and I didnt really know where to place my comment..but I was wondering if you have any smoothie recipes! I got a lot of Jay Robb protein packets to sample and I simply dont know how to make a good smoothie out of them! Im wondering if I should use 1 cup water? 1 banana? 1 cup skim milk?
i want to use the chocolate protein packet first, but I dont know what to add to make it good! Thanks 🙂
yes there are a TON under the cookbook tab at the top 🙂 vegetarian and vegan—> breakfast and smoothies
Ahh thank you! this was perfect 🙂
I love the chlorella tablets. Renegade health show is a great place to start your research.
I did not lose muscles insanity/tabata style training, quite the opposite!
But that could be due to the fact that around the time I started last year Insanity, l started doing back to back 30 day no sugar challenges, eating ultra clean. It all comes back to the food for me! =)
I am doing P90X now and I really like it!
Thanks for the review on Insanity! I really am looking to try it!!! I need a new workout to do, Im in a workout rut!
Congrats on the new car!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmm German I am led to believe, I would say BMW because you are classy and hot and so are BMW’s!
hahah why thank you 😉
I’ve tried some of the P90X workouts (plyo, ab ripper, kenpo, cardio x), and I have to say they’re good for a switch-up but I’m always left feeling like I should do more–as in, I found it challenging but I didn’t find myself with nothing left at the end of the video. It might just be my own mentality though because they are some decent workouts. From what you’ve described of Insanity, P90X seems like a toned down version. Plyo is a lot of jumping, squats, etc. so I feel like you might enjoy that one since you liked the plyo cardio of Insanity.
xo
good to know- thank you!
I have a Mini… is that your new car?
no, but mini’s are awesome!
last week is my last weekof it, and I really feel lost as to where to go from here…I lvoe teh workouts so much and they really are addicting…I feel like no cardio workout will be as good as Insanity’s and I read that some people just start the whoel program over…I think that I def want to keep it and supplement it, but I do miss my weight training and that will def be brought back into the mix!!!
Have you tried the upper body weight training DVD? mine came with it (I think it was some deluxe edition) but it was pretty good! mix of cardio and upper body weights which I will def use beyond the program
Ohhh its a german made car…BM DUB ?!?!
no i haven’t tried the upper body lifting video! maybe i’ll do it this week 🙂
Hey Gina! Just wondering where you can buy Insanity…Did you get it online or at a fitness store or something? I’m from Toronto. Thanks!
will amazon ship to canada?? or beachbody.com?
Beachbody.com ships worldwide!! hehe yay! Thanks! 🙂 I just might give this a whirl…
I’m guessing… an Audi? That’s what I currently drive, and after having owned MB and BMW, I can say that nothin’ beats an Audi if you’re going German. 😉
I’m in LOVE with P90x (or maybe I’m in love w/Tony Horton.. I’m not sure which) and I definitely recommend it. You can’t beat the eye candy in the DVDs, either. It keeps me “crushing play,” as they say!! Well, that and the great results.
Oooooo, I like Tony Horton too – glad I’m not the only one 😉
My husband is doing the P90X workout right now, and sometimes I’ll workout with him and sometimes I do my own thing, but it’s a seriously awesome workout!
Hey Sweets!
I know what your car is!! A Beamerrr!! I just ordered one too – I get it July 4 – we must compare details 🙂 hehehe xoxoxo
As you know, I completed P90x and loved it! Thanks for your Insanity review…I’m really considering it.
I mostly work out in the gym or run/walk in my neighborhood. I don’t have a workout space at home.
I was first intro’d to exercise via high school track and cross country, and then running on my own. I just HAD to workout OUTSIDE. The gym was too boring for me.
Later, after I was living for awhile on the east coast (instead of Cali), I discovered that I started to hardly ever exercise, because I was so dependent on the weather, not to mention once I was working and it was dark outside after work for half the year. I learned that I needed to be flexible and join a gym so that weather or time would not keep me inactive.
Hi Gina…. have fun with your beemer!!! They are the best cars! My fiance actually just bought a bmw 328xi about six weeks ago too – you will love how it drives! Best of luck!
And thank you for your fabulous review on Insanity! I appreciate it. 🙂
I have to go to the gym to get in a good workout. I don’t have enough equipment at home! And going to the gym definitely keeps me motivated. 😀
I love going to the gym but I also really enjoy doing at home workout dvds as well!! I plan on getting the Insanity workout DVD’s for my volleyball offseason!
I USED to be a gym rat, even did all my running primarily on the treadmill. Now, after some years, I really dislike being stuck inside a gym (even though some classes can be a ton of fun, I like Spinning, Core Pilates and sometimes Zumba, depending on the instructor). I do a ca. 20 minute high intensity interval workout (like crossfit) inside my house about 6 days a week. I love short burts of workouts better over lengthy cardio sessions now, although I will always keep running (just a bit shorter distances now). I put together a lot of my own workouts which I love doin as well.
can you maybe give me advice on where to buy Insanity? (I am europe, Holland to be specific).
love your site keep it up 🙂
sabine
will amazon ship to europe or no?? also check out beachbody.com
Thank you so much for the review. I’m thinking about asking for Insanity for my birthday, I’m just not sure it is worth the price tag you know?
I used to ONLY work out at home, but my friends convinced me to join a gym for their outdoor pool (for our kids to use). I hesitated at first because I worked out at home, but once I started going to the gym and found a deep love for group exercise classes, I hate working out at home. I run outside, but otherwise, I find the gym much more motivating.
So jealous about the car…. 🙂
Workouts…. I mix it up- gym, home, and outside. I get bored VERY easily, lol! Weather is often a motivating factor as well. Spring-Summer-Fall I either run or bike outside, as I want to make the most of the nice weather before winter arrives and I go into hibernation. Winters, or any day that it is raining out, I’ll either hit the treadmill at the gym, or take a Body Pump or Body Flow class. I throw the random pilates and yoga class in there too. All year round I do strength training at home- mainly Jillian Michaels, tho am thinking of switching it up to P90X. Only drawback is I never quite get on a schedule or know what I am doing from one day to the next…
I think you would really enjoy P90x because its both cardio and lifting. All you need is dumbells or the band and a pull up bar (I prefer dumbells). I use to be a serious gym rat, and would have the worst day if I didn’t make it there. I just can’t do it anymore- the closest gym is 20 min away, and working night shift doesn’t help either with trying to get in a workout. I think short but high intensity workouts are the best. I use to run miles on end too and miss that from time to time. Buttt I always find myself to look and feel best when I lift a lot and do short bursts of cardio. Plus all that muscle helps burn off the extra calories! Anywho, variety is key and I’ll stop babling now 🙂
love your “babling” 🙂
good to know- i’m excited to try p90x sometime in the future!
I finished P90X a little over a week ago, and just started Insanity this week! Even though I’ve only done the first three workouts, I have to say I am loving it! I go through stages of loving cardio more and then loving weights more, but I think I am going to miss the weights! I have the delue version with the upper body circuit, and I may supplement a couple days a week with weights. I don’t want to lose my “glamour muscles” that I worked so hard for in P90X!
Shaun T is way hotter than Tony. 😉
yes, shaun t is WAY hotter 🙂
Can I welcome you to the audi family?? I see you purchased German! Very good choice! You will never go back!
I love the BeachBody Workouts! I should try it.
xxoo
I love Physique 57 DVDs. You can go to their website to check them out- awesome stuff!
I love working out at home. I’ve belonged to gyms in the past, and I do like working out at gyms and doing classes, but I am able to stick to a workout program much better at home – I think because there is less room for excuses 😉 I love The Firm, 10 Minute Solutions and Jillian Michaels DVDs!
I am also a huge Insanity fan, and am in the midst of my recovery week. I was wondering more specifically why you decided to not continue with it – I’m kind of nervous for how intense my next month will be, and also don’t really want to damage my body anymore (my knees aren’t great) – do you think I won’t be able to continue on? Or was your decision purely because you wanted to do other things?
my decision was purely because i want to do something else, that i need to rest up a little for
otherwise, i’d be repeating the program because it was that awesome
be careful with your knees!
It’s great to read about each of the dvds. Thanks! I just started doing a few insanity workouts and really like them. I’m going to start the p90x program with my husband shortly and we plan to go through the entire 12 week program… Something i’ve never done. I’m super excited because I LOVE those workouts.
BMW sub or sedan?
sedan 🙂
Finished P90X in March and Insanity a few days ago. Loved them both. Just ordered TurboFire but this time will not be following the program so strictly because I will be training for my first half marathon.