Insanity.....Day 24

Well, its the last day of 2009. Today's workout is Cardio Recovery and this is a blessing because I am working at the restaurant tonight, and since I am the upstairs girl, and its one of the busiest nights of the year, I will be running my butt up and down those stairs a million times.

I did visit the Chiropractor today that I mentioned yesterday, and can I just say OH MY GOD! Now I am a big fan of chiropractic, and had lots of it in the past when I worked with one. But honestly, its probably been 5 or so years since my last adjustment. AND...I have only ever had Activator technique, which is a gentler form of Chiro.

I have been hurting for a while now, and I know its structural. Most annoying has been my right lower sacroiliac region, and my neck and shoulder on the left side that always seems to seize up when I do Cardio Power and Resistance. I told him about my workout program, and he said he was going to beat me up...LOL And I said Bring it!!

It was truly the best adjustment I've ever had. He put a rib back that was out, cracked my neck for times, and pummeled my back in to submission, and I loved every second! I left feeling a foot taller and able to move my neck in ways I forgot it could move. It no longer hurts to look over my left shoulder while driving.

He said a few more visits and I should be good. Can't wait to go back!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Insanity.....Day 23

Day 23 is Plyo Cardio Circuit.

Feeling good today. I get through the warmup just fine (funny how the first two weeks, the warm up just about killed me, and now its fine) Don't get me wrong, I'm still dripping at the end of the warm up, but I don't feel like I'm going to die.

As for the circuit, I get through the first round just fine, including the scissor runs and football drills.

I still struggle with the second circuit, the basketball drills. Though that being said, I can feel that as my core gets stronger, the pressure on my wrists will probably be less, thus making them more bearable. I do my best, my wrists just don't hold up for all the plank drills, so I rest when I need to. But still, I notice I get better each time. Eventually.....

Insanity.....Day 22

Day 22 is Cardio Power and Resistance.

The workout goes great! I feel good and strong and get through just about all intervals with no breaks. Towards the end of the last set, instead of doing moving pushups I just do regular push ups, as I feel the moving push ups are what seem to flare up my neck pain. I'm hoping to see the chiropractor on Thursday to get my neck and back issues straightened out. I've done all I can muscularly, I know the rest is a misalignment issue and I can't massage that away!

Insanity.....Day 21

So today I restart Day 21, which is Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.

I do Pure Cardio in the morning, and it goes well. I am able to make it through the first few minute intervals without any breaks, and then I find myself in that pattern of getting through about 30-40 seconds of each exercise, then taking a small break, and finishing the last 10-20 seconds. This workout is a killer. Damn I HATE suicide drills! LOL

I do Cardio Abs when I get home from work. I'm getting better at all the high jump stuff. I still struggle a tiny bit with the C-sit position stuff, mostly because I have a bad low back and it seems to irritate it, but I get through a lot of it, and when I hurt I just use my hands for a little extra support. I know as my core continues to get stronger, this will get better.

Back on Track!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas day, and I have found myself doing what I swore I wouldn't do! I did work out Wednesday and Thursday, but will not today, and will not have time tomorrow. So I have decided to take the rest of the week off (which really only boils down to missing two workouts) and next week I will restart Week 4. My diet hasn't been that great being the holidays and all, so I figure the workouts this week are just a bonus, and will get back on track with both on Monday.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Insanity.....Day 23

Today is Cardio Power and Resistance.

The workout goes well, and for the first time I am actually able to get through the Tricep series with no breaks.....woohoo! Actually, today is the first time I make it all the way through an Insanity workout without taking any breaks (except for the alotted ones). So its a good workout day!

One thing though, something in this workout hurts my neck every time. The last time I did it (last Friday) I felt the neck pain coming on in the shower, and it bothered me for three days. Was finally better today, and then in the shower, I felt it coming on again. It can't be the Globe Jumps or Power Jumps, I do those in other workouts with no problem. Maybe V pushups or Moving Pushups? I don't know, but I need to figure this out!

Insanity....Day 22

Day 22 is Pure Cardio, the killer!

The workout goes fairly well, but I realize something. I struggle with insomnia, and sometimes when I can tell I'm not going to sleep well, I take Melatonin. But on those mornings, I have this terrible groggy feeling. So this is one of those mornings, and I feel I would have worked out much harder without the grogginess. So I have thrown them in the trash, no more Melatonin!

I am also supposed to do Cardio Abs today, but I'm working late tonight, so decide to tack it on to tomorrow's workout since it's a day off.

Insanity.....Day 21

Day 21 is Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

I splurged and bought myself some new workout sneakers on Friday. I shouldn't say splurged, my old ones were 10 years old and it was really ridiculous for me to do all this jumping on such old worn shoes.
So I went to a great local company, Maine Running Company in Brunswick. I told the salesman what my requirements were, and after watching me walk, checking out my arches, and having me step on a machine that measures my feet, I finally settled on Brook's Adrenaline GTS 10's
Wow, what a difference a good pair of sneakers makes in the workout! It goes great, I feel like I am jumping on pillows. Thank you Maine Running Company!

Insanity.....Day 20

Day 20 for me is Cardio Recovery day. A nice workout with lots of stretching for my achy musles!!

Insanity.....Day 19

Today is Cardio Power and Resistance.....and also, I have a lot to say. hehehe

First off, I'm tired this morning, and I don't feel like working out. Luckily, I have become to disciplined not to. So I wearily press play. Now here is what I have noticed on days I feel this way. I work out better and harder! It's almost like I have to prove something to myself. So secretly, this insane little part of me almost looks forward to these days where I "just don't feel like working out" because I know I will crush it! Yes, this is how my warped mind works...jealous?

So anyway, as for the workout. For those of you doing Insanity, you know how Shaun T always is talking about keeping your core tight. Well, for 18 days now I have tried my hardest to do this. My core is my problem area (I can thank a 9 1/2 baby and a c-section for that!) No matter how fit the rest of my body gets, my core always feels weak. Even after a round of P90X where you do Abripper three times a week!

I know think Shaun T is a freakin genius! For the first time, I CAN FEEL MY CORE!! Even just standing and doing the deep breathes in and out, I can feel my core!! I know what it feels like now to "tighten your core" and it feels good. And then there are the Power Jumps, my nemesis. Even through P90X I struggle with anything where I have to do a tuck kind of jump (knees to chest in the air) If you have read my blog all along, you know this. But today, I make it through all three rounds of power jumps. Now, I know this would not have been possible if my core were not getting stronger. Thank you, Shaun T.

One other note, I am getting new workout shoes today. Mine are just toast, and I have had them for 10 years. I can't do any of the floor sprints (I workout on hardwood floors) because they slide, so I usually just end up standing and sprinting for these. So I'm sitting down today with a shoe expert to find out the best shoe I can buy to support my workouts!! Woohoo!!!!

Insanity.....Day 18

So as usual, I have to rearrange Insanity's schedule to fit my schedule. So today will be my rest day instead of Insanity's scheduled Sunday rest day. So no workout today......

Insanity.....Day 17

Today is Pure Cardio.

You know how some days you are gearing to go and some days you really have to force yourself. I'm having a force myself kind of day. So though I complete the workout, I don't feel like it was the best I ever did. I think I took more breaks then I normally do during this workout. I'm also REALLY sore in the shoulders and lats, and well, just have a hard time today. But I complete it!

Insanity.....Day 16

Still on a high from my Fit Test results yesterday!

Today is Plyo Cardio Circuit. It goes well til once again, the Basketball drills. All that stuff in Plank position just kills my wrists. I'm wondering, does anyone out there use push up bars for these? Does anyone even read this blog anymore? LOL Advice.......

Insanity.....Day 15 and Second Fit Test

So Day 15 is the second Fit Test. Here is where we see how much you are improving (Shaun T. has you perform this test every two weeks.)

So, guess who is THRILLED!! I purposely put my numbers from the first week away, didn't memorize them, and haven't even glanced at them in two weeks. I wanted to go in to this with no idea what my first set of numbers were so that instead of me just trying to beat a number it would be a true test of my improvement. My numbers are all up except for on two exercises, where they are exactly the same. Here are the results along with the improvement from two weeks ago

Switch Kicks: 62 (up 4)
Power Jacks: 55 (up 5)
Power Knees: 89 (the same)
Power Jumps: 24 (up 4)
Globe Jumps: 10 (up 2)
Suicide Jumps: 14 (the same)
Push Up Jacks: 20 (up 8!!)
Low Plank Oblique: 56 (up 14!!)

So imagine my delight when I finish and sit down to compare the results!! I'm so pumped.

Today also consisted of Cardio Abs (a makeup workout) Killer workout, Abs on fire! Since I haven't done this one yet, here is the blurb

Cardio Abs: Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs.

Insanity.....Day 14

So finally, a day off from working! Today is Pure Cardio, then I need to either add the Cardio Recovery and Cardio Ab workout to today, or wait til tomorrow (another day off from work and all that is scheduled is the Fit Test)

I do Pure Cardio in the morning, and it goes great. Even though I'm so tired from a long work week, it wakes me up and makes me feel energized, while managing to swiftly kick my butt at the same time. One thing is clear though. I NEED new workout shoes. I don't know why I have been so stubborn about spending the money. I have worked damn hard, I know I deserve it. My current Nike Airs are about 10 years old and totally falling apart. My knees hurt every day from all this Plyo stuff. I have put some feelers out there about this being what I want for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed!

So after a long day filled with a visit with the Grandparents, a ride on the Candy Cane Train, and dinner out with friends, I don't get home til late and decide tomorrow will be the day for Cardio Recovery and Cardio Abs (along with the Fit Test which I can't wait to do!!)

Insanity.....Day 13

Day 13 for me is Cardio Power and Resistance. The workout goes well, considering I am exhausted from working so much. It's amazing (still) to me how much working out actually helps me with the tiredness.
I love Shaun T.!!

Insanity.....Day 12

Day 12 should be Cardio Recovery. However, again I am forced to switch around my week. So today will be another rest day (well, if you count working a 12 hour day a rest day) and I will either double up the workout on Sunday, or since Monday is just the fit test, I will add it that day. I'm doing three 12 hour days in a row, so we will see how I feel once Sunday rolls around.....

Insanity.....Day 11

So today will be Plyo Cardio Circuit. It was interesting, because our TV shit the bed yesterday, so I am forced to do the workout in the computer room. This is interesting for several reasons. First, its smaller. Second, With lots of windows and a sunshiny day, its much warmer! And third...it has carpet where I usually work out on hardwood. That should be a good thing.

The workout goes well. I really struggle in the Basketball drills, because my wrists start to kill with all the Plank stuff. I'm wondering if it might be better to do these intervals with push up bars. Thoughts?? Suggestions??

Otherwise, as usual, I'm dripping sweat like a fountain at the end (made even worse by the small hot room! Still loving Insanity!!

Insanity.....Day 10

So today should be Plyo Cardio Circuit, but several things happen, I won't bore you with the details. I decide to make this my rest day of the week instead of Saturday.

Insanity.....Day 9

Day 9 is Pure Cardio. Any workout were the instructor starts telling you during the stretch that he is nervous about the workout is one hell of a workout!!

I feel like it goes better than the first time I did it. I think I am able to do most of the exercises longer than the first time. And I actually get through the first few minutes of the 15 minute nonstop cardio circuit without any breaks. Then my pattern for now seems to be for each minute interval, I can finish 30-40 seconds, take a few second break (and sometimes a swig of water) and then finish the last 10-20 seconds. I figure this is not too bad for my second week in to the program.



And in to double digits tomorrow!

Insanity.....Day 8

Woke up today feeling really good. I was nervous that my calves would be dead from two workouts yesterday, but not at all. So today was Plyo Cardio Circuit. Man this is a killer workout!

Has anyone noticed that during the stretch, he has you lift your leg on the right side and do the 10 pulses, but then doesn't do it on the left side? Wonder why they didn't fix that before they released it??

Anyway, kicks my butt yet again. I do however get through the intense warmup with absolutely no breaks. I struggle a bit in the second cardio series (the one with the basketball drills) because it kills my wrists. But I'm sure as my core gets stronger, I will be able to use more strength from there and less strain on my wrists.

Man on man! INSANE!!

Insanity.....Day 6 and 7

So yesterday (Saturday) should have been Pure Cardio. However, due to an insane work schedule, I did not have time to do it. So instead, I decide to double up the workouts today to make up for it.
So I start the morning with Pure Cardio.

Pure Cardio (45 Mins): Skip the intervals—this nonstop cardio workout is all extreme.

Mother of God! I thought I would die. Another insane crazy warm up (let me tell you, Shaun T.'s warm ups are unlike any warm up I have EVER done before!) Then some stretching, then pretty much 15 different exercises, each a minute long, with no breaks in between (that is, except for the breaks I had to take to get through it!) I was dead after, and actually had to go to Child's pose and just breathe (more like pant) for a bit after. I didn't feel too bad about this, because most of the people in the video were doing the same thing. INSANE!!

Watched the Pats get crushed, then as soon as the game was over, did my second workout. For today, it should have been Plyo Cardio Circuit, but I decide to do that one tomorrow, and do tomorrow's workout today, which was Cardio Power and Resistance. I still have trouble with the high jumps, but already they seem a little better.

Let me just say, doing two Insanity workouts in one day is....well....insane. I'm dog tired and off to bed. I know I will sleep well tonight, and I have a day off and a massage to look forward to tomorrow. Thank Heaven, because I can already feel the pain in my calves!

Insanity.....Day 5

Day 5 is Cardio Recovery.

Cardio Recovery: Shaun goes easier on you once a week so you're ready for the next round.

Can I just say THANK GOD for this day!! I really needed it. I still can barely move my legs, and feel similar to when I started P90X. So this workout is more about deep deep stretching and holding, which to be honest is not easy and though I am not POURING sweat at the end like usual, its more than a glisten for sure. But it felt really good to stretch out my poor tired legs that much. Tomorrow is Pure Cardio, I'm scared. But ready!

Insanity....Day 4

I woke up today and honestly, could barely move my legs. My calves hurt like they have never hurt before, and going up and down the stairs was HELL! But I know from P90X that once I get warmed up, I will be fine and get through it.

So today is Cardio Power and Resistance: Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and power moves (45 mins)

Man! Even Shaun T's warm up's are killer. I'm dripping sweat by the time we get to the stretching! As for the cardio circuits, I am able to keep up with them for the most part, but I struggle with the power jumps (same struggle I had with P90X tuck jumps, I seem to have a mental block about jumping up and bringing my knees to my chest). But I do my best. Globe Jumps just about kill me. And the push ups!! I know think Shaun T is trying to kill me.

So day 4 is done, and still loving it!

Insanity.....Day 3

Finally! I get to start. So today is Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyo and sweat-inducing cardio. (40 minutes)

Holy Hanna! I'm not sure I have ever sweat this much! And yes, at one point I thought I could puke. But I did it. Even the warm up is killer! Toward the end, I do take a couple of breaks (just a few seconds each) But overall, I feel great about the workout and am excited to keep going. I also find it EXTREMELY satisfying to check of the days on the calendar that comes with the program! I'm such a dork.

Insanity....Day 2

Well, I was so excited to start Day 2, and then I turned on the TV and it wouldn't work! So yeah, T.V. broken, its the only one in the house, and hubby is at work so no prayer of fixing it or getting another at this point.

So, I decide this will have be be my rest day for the week, BUMMER!