I'm On My FITNESS

INSANITY CHALLENGE WORK OUT

Calendar I checked off for 60 days:)

Insanity is an understatement.  I always find myself in situations where I’m all gun ho in the beginning and I dive right in it. But once I’m in,  I’m like WTH was I thinking?!? I can’t do this! This is crazy! No, it's freaking INSANE!…I carry on that way for a while until I'm sick of hearing myself and then somehow I'm able to re-adjust and face what’s in front of me. 

So here I am in front of the TV with Shaun T who has a RIDICULOUS HOT, cut-up body with his gang of fitness friends.  Some of the girls remind me of what my body used to look like, instantly doubt creeps in, "could I ever have that body again?".  I continue further in my depths of fear that I won't be able to commit. I get sick of myself again and finally shake it off and I'm in.  


I learned a lot about myself throughout these 2 months of this INSANITY challenge.  The first, is that my determination knocked down my fears. I was ready for a change and kept that in mind.   I wanted to look and feel better.  Next thought was, I knew I had to developed patience and kindness to myself.  Having my daughter I gained nearly 65lbs people!! Those who know me, will agree I was huge!! Out of shape and overweight.  I nursed her for a year and still I was huge.  I started working out slowly.  Doing Bikram Yoga, (which I love) then hitting the gym.  But the pounds where not melting off as quickly as I wanted.  So it was really hard in the beginning to even do 4 push ups. But I kept thinking, be kind to yourself, have even more patience. it's okay Lily don't beat yourself up about this.    

The first month consists of Plyometic Cardio Circuit,  Cardio Power & Resistance, Cardio Recovery and Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs which were all BANANAS!!!  I found myself sweating and done by the time the warm up was over! Uh! now it's time go IN.  I hit the floor with sprints and push-up and I'm fighting through and then the killer!  Just when your done suffering with the first circuit you think BREAK TIME!...but NOOOO he takes crazy out to the next level which is why this is call appropriately called INSANITY.  I didn't even know my body could do it.  Especially those damn High Jumps! And if it weren't for Shaun T yelling "DIG DEEP!!" I would not!  


As I continued through the first month I found inspiration by watching AKIL and some of the girls.  Akil doesn't have an ounce of fat, he is a lean machine muscle machine, but even he had to take breaks and that excited me. Sounds, crazy but I took great comfortable in seeing him share my pain.  I would always thank him for making me feel better about myself.  The girls Tina and Anna also empowered me by watching them sometimes be stronger than the men in the group.  


In addition, while I was doing the exercises I learned that if I had to do 16 push up and only did 8, those were in perfect form and that was good enough for me.  Knowing this is a process and I'm getting better.  It is extremely important to know your body and it's limits. If you feel weak and lose your form, STOP and then make the necessary adjustments to save yourself from serious injury.  Breathing through it is just as important.  Just when you think you can NOT do another switch kick,  breathe into your body, into your core and make it your main FOCUS. Before you know it, the minute has gone by and it's over! On to the next.  You’ll get the most benefit if you keep this in mind and it's what made me stronger with the time.  

Recovery week, sounds like a nice break and it is easier by not being as intense but you still sweat and feel your muscles BURN.  By the second month I'll admit to being a bit nervous of what was to come.  I thought, damn the first month was tough. It's about to get harder???? I don't want to scare anyone off but you must be mentally prepared for this because it is extreme, intense and I wanted to give up more than a few times.  I found myself having a major attitude before the workout.  But I knew it was another one of my fears trying to block and sabotage my goal.  So with all my attitude I dragged myself in front of the television and went at it.  Max interval circuits, Max interval Plyo, Max Cardio Conditioning & Cardio Abs and finally Max recovery all INSANE but at the end I loved it! 


Now, here is where I went WRONG.   I didn’t follow the diet plan at all.  I looked it over and said, Oh! I eat these things already and never looked back. For the most part, I eat pretty healthy; veggies, proteins, good carbs, fruit. etc., are all in my daily eating lifestyle.  But! so is SUGAR and I LOVE sugar, I crave it.  Especially dark chocolate AND my Cafe Bustelo. I loved my coffee black with organic sugar in the morning.  This sugar addiction is a whole other BLOG! Seriously! I know there are plenty of people out there that absolutely must have sugar, but I will move on and say that during my second month,  I took a gigantic first step towards battling the sugar addiction and quit the coffee for tea.  Damn it! Do I know how to make it harder for myself or what?! I thought what a stupid time to decide to quit Cafe Bustelo.  The headaches were terrible.  But looking back now I'm happy I did.  My mood and energy is more consistent throughout the day. It's also not the first thing I put into my body so I had less cravings too. In any event, I'm aware it's a problem and cutting back.  

I learned that dieting is the hardest part of this whole experience for me.  Food is the fuel that keeps your body going and it’s where I went left.  I know now, it would have been easier to follow a plan then to just leave myself open to temptations.  Of course, I went to the drama park about it. But I bounced back quickly remembering "BE KIND TO YOURSELF" and at the end, I actually gave myself credit that I accomplished such a crazy, insane, never sweat so much in my life challenge. 


Overall, I lost 45lbs since the pregnancy and another 12lbs and a lot inches from this Insanity challenge. All of my clothes fit loose.  I have definition on my shoulders,  triceps are peeking out, my 6 pack is forming and my thighs are super toned.  I haven't seen myself  looked this toned in a couple of years so that makes me extremely happy. I'm proud of my improvements on the FIT TEST and to say that I can do the Max intervals completing the entire routine with taking short breaks just to catch my breathe.  Shaun T got cussed out a few times but I did it.  It was definitely a challenge, this workout is not for the weak minded.  The key is to get all the crap out of your head and just do. 


I'm not done either.  P90X is my next challenge and I can't wait! 


Experience the life you want now!


Visit the site if your ready for a change too. 

www.beachbody.com