Fit Test Day 15 #insanity

So today was the day to find out how my fitness has improved since the last fit test.
I was optimistic heading into the test as I felt that I was more 'prepared' for what lay ahead. However during the test I found that I was completing the exercises more efficiently or in a much better fashion than last time.

Here are my results

              

I am pleased with my results I improved on each exercise bar globe suicide jumps but I really think my form was much better this time. Well that's my reasoning anyway, of course I would have preferred to get a better score for all the exercises. I will just have to dig deeper as Shaun T says.

    

Week 2 round up #insanity

     

                      

      

Yippee week 2. Done.

As I type my legs ache, my arms are sore, my abs feel like they have done a few rounds with Mike Tyson.

But, I feel great.

I feel fitter and healthier than ever before.

I have more energyand can slowly see my body changing.

My calorie totals aren't as good this week but I have noticed that my heart rate monitor had been registering lower. Hopefully that means I am getting fitter so perhaps I need to 'dig deeper' and push harder during workouts.

I am so pleased that over the last 2 weeks I have spent  over 7 and a half hours exercising. This simply would not have happened pre insanity. 

I decided to take my measurements at the beginning and retake them each two weeks.

So here they are:

                    

I am really pleased with my measurements. I have noticed my stomach has been looking slimmer but

thought I may have been imagining it so I am over the moon to see I wasn't. I would have been happy witha couple of centimetres but to take 7cm off my hips and 7cm from my stomach I am really pleased. We don't own any scales as I don't believe in weighing myself and don't want to get caught up in how much weight I have or haven't lost. Plus it's not something I would want either of my children to see. I would much rather they see exercise and healthy food choices over scales.

Overall I am really pleased with my progress. Easter is in a week so surely that means I can have an Easter egg!

     

Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs Day 13 #insanity

                      

Well I was apprehensive about today's workouts as there were two separate ones.

I completed these workouts back to back.

For me it was the best way as it got them done and I don't have time to faff doing them at different times of the day. It's hard enough to squeeze one workout in.

Well hard but possible. I am really making an effort to make time.

The pure cardio part was intense as ever.

It always unnerves me when Shaun T says that he is nervous about what is to come!!

I have decided one of my favourite moves are the football sprints. I also quite like the suicide jumps now too. More so because I couldn't do them at all to start and can do some now.

After pure cardio finished I moved straight onto the cardio abs section. 

This was tough, I could really feel my abs burn.

I liked the c-position that you are instructed to do the exercises from it makes a change from endless sit ups.

At some points the burn in my abs really was tough and took me back to my labour breathing.

That helped me complete the exercises. I could do all but the last one. I found it impossible to keep the c-position and lift both legs up and down and extend them straight without touching the floor. Hopefully I will see an improvement here in coming weeks.

And so we reach the end of another week. I am so pleased I have completed week two. I will take my measurements again tomorrow and am hoping to see a difference. I am so pleased to be sticking at insanity and hope to reap the benefits soon.

Cardio Power and Resistance day 12 #insanity

Back at it today even though I am still feeling pretty ropey.
Today has been busy.
My house needed a thorough deep clean as things tend to pile up during the school term.
So I deep cleaned upstairs, we also took my eldest swimming and met the in-laws for dinner.

Nestled in our busy Saturday I found time for today's workout whilst my youngest had her morning nap and my husband agreed to be 'on call' for her.

Today was Cardio Power and Resistance.
I quite like this workout as I find it goes really quickly.
I also like a lot of the moves such as touch the floor, straight jumps and the log jumps too.
They are not easy but I quite like them as  they don't seem to feature as much on the other discs so far.

My progress today was seen through the push-ups. I am finding I can do more each time.
Hopefully this means I am getting stronger and not just a case of my mind.
The one move I do have trouble with is the moving push-ups so I currently just do push-ups but will keep trying.

I am a little apprehensive for tomorrow's workouts as there are two of them. I hope as the workouts get longer I can still fit them into my day.
It's already quite tight as it is.
Particularly as I have to fit the around my childrens schedules. My plan is to fit one it not both in first thing in the morning. We shall see.

Cardio Recovery Day 11 #insanity

I am a failure.
I didn't complete today.
I feel bad about it but thought of all the days to miss this was the one.
I was shattered after work, it is the end of term and I have a throat I infection.
My downfall was finally sitting down, I just couldn't get back up.
Instead I watched my husband do his whilst I snuggled on the sofa.
Back at it for day 12 though.

Plyometric Cardio Circuits Day 10 #insanity

Basket ball squats, throws, drills or whatever that are called are the name of the game here.
I despise them.
Followed by power squats I found that my thighs really took a battering today.
What amazes me about insanity is I feel different aspects of the DVD are harder or easier than the first or second time.
I think I said this last time about the Plyomettic Cardio circuit but so far it is my least favourite.
I am noticing a difference though.
It helps the way insanity is organised that you repeat workouts so you have a direct comparison with what you achieved the prior time.
For example my first time with the plyometric cardio circuit I found the level one drills far exceeded my upper body strength and could barely do the push-ups.
My second time I felt able to do a modified version and this time I could near enough do them though I couldn't manage all of the reps.

It's fair to say after this workout we both (my husband is completing this too) ended up looking a real sight for sore eyes.

Pure Cardio Day 9 #insanity

Today was pure cardio.
I have completed this workout once before, but that didn't make it easier.
I made it through the warm up just.
I was desperate for a break just before we got ready to stretch.
I must admit I am finding it really hard to eat completely clean.
It's so tricky but I really think I am doing well with the exercise alone since I has e not completed any formal exercise for over 4 years.

Wow, that does sound bad.
I managed to complete more suicide jumps today. Yesssss.
In addition I have found that my upper body strength is increasing as I can now complete a few push ups.
Though I still can't managed the moving push ups featured in day 9.
I modify this move to regular push ups.
I am looking forward to Monday when I will take measurements again as currently I am finding it hard to see the results.

Cardio Power Resistance Day 8 #insanity

Well I failed miserably yesterday to fit my workout in. 

I know excuses are weak but I just couldn't find a minute.

The kids woke early and I wasn't in a state to workout before they woke as both had woken during the night. We had a bush day out and about and then I worked until 10.30. By which time my youngest had woken and was miserable with her teeth. 

Anyway back on the ball today and I will just write off Sunday's rest day for this week.

It was quite a release to exercise today as I actually quite missed it yesterday, well the feel good after feeling more than the actual workout.

It was great after 6 hours talking to parents at parents consultations too, a definite stress buster.

                        

     

So today was Cardio Power and Resistance.

I managed to complete today's warm up. Just.

Today's routine e involves a lot of upper body strength to complete some of the exercises.

I was much better at completing the various styles of push-ups and although I had to take short breaks managed to complete more than last week which was pleasing. 

Following the workout I can also feel a slight tingle in my arms which wasn't present last week probably because I couldn't do many if any last week.

I also felt more comfortable with today's globe jumps. I know last week I found them really hard especially when jumping backwards. 

By the end of today's workout I was sweating buckets and ended the session on the floor, always a good sign.

I like the intensity though.

It  keeps me motivated as I know my body is working hand. 

I hope I start seeing results soon.

Week 1 round up

                   

Wow! I did it.
I can't believe I finished week 1.
I feel such a sense of achievement.

I feel so much better in myself.

Exercise is. A fantastic mood lifter.

So far I have managed to stay motivated to push that play button but I think it helps my husband is also doing the workouts.

You can't beat a bit of healthy competition can you.

I think I am starting to feel a difference in my body although not necessarily see that much of a difference yet.

I am also loving my Polar watch.

It has been amazing to see how many calories I have burned each workout. 

Numbers work for me.

       

I would thoroughly recommend a heart rate watch if you are thinking of undertaking the Insanity workout.

Or any other exercise really. 

I don't think I could workout without mine now.
I have decided I will take my measurements each fortnight when I do the fit test.
Hopefully that way I will see bigger jumps.

So far so good.

I am pleased I have completed week one and am excited for the rest.

Plyometric Cardio Circuits day 6 #insanity

So me meet again plyometric cardio!!

 Today's workout was the same as day 2.

I did this on my Sunday as we were so busy on Saturday we didn't have a spare minute.

I have decided it is my least favourite of all the ones I have completed sofar. 

I completed the warm up completely but struggled with the stretches today. 

One of the hip extenders I found really tricky.

As this is the same as day 2 I was aware of what to expect.

However what I wasn't prepared for was how my body would react to the exercises. 

It was completely different the first time. 

Today the basket ball throws were near impossible.

Also the level 1 drills I found horrendous last time were more doable this time.

When I say doable I mean I completed proper push ups a couple of times compared to adapted knee push ups. During the last few exercises my children joined in which was great.

I like that they see mummy keeping fit and healthy and hope that they are inspired for the future.

Although this workout is intense and horrid todo I love the benefits.

It is one where I see most results in terms of calories burned.

Pure Cardio Day 5 #insanity

Wow! Just wow.
This was intense.
Not sure why I was so surprised really.
I am sure every day is going to be hard.
It didn't start off as well as I had hoped as I had a stitch during the warm up.
I carried on through it but I think I could have given the warm up 'more' without the stitch.
Towards the end of the warm up even Shaun T mentions being nervous about what is to come.
It fair to say that filled me with dread.

The pure cardio section lasts around 15 minutes without a break.
A few choice words ran through my head.
However the workout really did fly by.
I threw myself into it my only destraction  being my husband who kept catching the light fitting whilst jumping around.
I couldn't speak during the workout it was that intense and had to jump straight in the shower I was that sweaty. Ugh.
Back to healthy eating for my dinner tonight curtesy of my husband.
Hopefully I start seeing some more results soon.
 I think my abs are there just hidden under my mum tum.
Roll on the last work out of the week tomorrow.

Cardio Recovery Day 4 #insanity

Posting a day late but I promise I did this yesterday.
Wow today was so needed.
It was like a walk in the park.
Having been so busy with work and not feeling 100% I am glad I had the recovery session.
After feeling achey and sore the last three days began this session surprisingly acheless.
This session was full of lots of stretches some that really did burn.
I found myself making lots of strange noises.
Some I just couldn't hold for the given time particularly those near the end.
It turns out ballet isn't for me as I found the plié stretch awful to do.
My clean eating fell by the way side today.
Well for tea anyway.
I  had pizza, oops.

Have I noticed any changes since starting insanity 4 days ago?
Yes, my mood is lifted.
My tummy seems to be flattening, maybe wishful thinking.
My thighs seem tighter.
I haven't taken any measurements since the first day.
Perhaps I will get the tape measure out again next Monday.

After today I am not looking forward to day 5.
I think this may be the calm before the storm.
I am excited to get hardcore again though.

Cardio Power and Resistance Day 3 #insanity

Day 3

Cardio Power and Resistance.
That is the name of the game today.
This morning I felt so alive, awake and full of energy.
A mean feat when you have a 1 year old who still doesn't sleep through.
I am amazed I am already feeling the benefits.
It's only my third day.
I can't wait to see what next week and month bring.

I won't lie today's workout could very easily not have happened.
But I just had to press play.
I ache from the previous day's.
No doubt I will ache even more tomorrow.
I managed the warm up without stopping.
Go me!!
I persevered with to workout.
I kept my focus and powered through.
Sat on the floor in a heap Shaun announced it was the last exercise.
What!!!
How did that happen.
It went so quickly.
Too quickly.
Time flies when you are working your arse off.

I have eaten clean today too.
I even made my own raspberry protein smoothie.
The husband also made me almond rice with salmon and salad.
Eek this is good.
I can't   Wait to see some physical result.

Plyometric Cardio Day 2 #Insanity

Today is the second day.
I was quite surprised how little stiffness I have felt since yesterday.
I must work harder today.
I love to google and research, so have done plenty regarding the insanity workout.
I have noticed that lots of people have the Polar FT4 watch.
So I treated myself.
I love the pink, I love the watch.
I will stick at this long enough so not to waste my money, I WILL.


How did the second day go?


Well is was the Plyometric Cardio.
No me neither, no idea what it actually means.
However it was hard.
Unbelievably hard.
The worst were the Level 1 drills.
They are level 1 too!!!
Heck the name implies there are more levels!!
I was on the floor in a heap for the most part at LEVEL 1!!
But it was good.
I have missed this sense of achievement and satisfaction.
I like it.
Its addictive.

Its early days but I think this work out DVD it different to the others.
It is really intense.
It pushed me.
Plus the kids had an afternoon nap so I fitted it in the before the evening slump.
And I tried my new watch.
475 calories in under 50  minutes.
I like stats so I think we will get on nicely.


I am eager for day 3.
I am beginning to ache all over now.
I can really feel muscles I haven't felt before as cliché as it sounds.

Here we go!!!

I am a mum.
To two beautiful children.
I am on a mission.
To be the best I can.
To have the best body I can.
To feel healthy, fit and rejuvenated.


My plan is the Insanity work out.

My before pictures.

Sorry they are not very professional.
Reality is I am a busy working mum and am going to have to squeeze my workouts in.
Taking photos was wasting precious nap time that I could be working out.



Day1


Today is the start of my first fit test.
Here goes nothing or everything as it turns out.
It was hard so much harder than I thought.
I donned my workout clothes which have seldom seen the light of day in the last 4 YEARS!!!




My results

Switch Kicks 44

Power Jacks 39



Power knees 66




Power Jumps 27




Globe Jumps 8




Suicide Jumps 13




Push up Jumps 10




Low Plank Oblique 17






I was pooped after the test.
Clearly I really really do need to get much fitter.
Personally I found the globe jumps the hardest.
They are horrible and technically 4 jumps per rep too!
I did this work out shoe less.
Big mistake .
I was slipping all over during the low plank.




Best thing is.
I did day 1.
Yipeee.