Day 5: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

It has been a number of days since I did an Insanity workout but that doesn't mean I haven't been working out at all. Let's see, on Thursday and Friday I did cardio but that was just jogging. I jogged/walked about 5 miles a day burning about 700 calories each day. That is not too bad - that is about the amount of calories I burn with Insanity too so it is a good substitute. On the weekend I took a break. Then on Monday I went weight lifting (my first day and I am still sore today).

Yesterday was the day. I started working on the Plyo Cardio Circuit from Insanity. I was able to do the first round and a half of Insanity without a problem but I was not focused at all. After 20 minutes I decided to go jogging instead. It was a great idea. I ended up jogging / walking about 3.5 miles and I think I probably burned just as much as doing the full Insanity workout.

So far I think Insanity has changed my life. I can jog longer for sure and I feel more fit. I am going to continue mixing it up but the basics to my workout these next 60 days is basically working out 5-6 times a week, having a mix of Insanity, jogging, and weight lifting. Hopefully this works out.

Day 2 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit (Round 2)

I completed the Plyometric Cardio Circuit last week but forgot to write about it. I was actually sick but still made myself do the workout. It was actually pretty tough and in the end I skipped a lot of it. However, I felt like crap again getting tired really fast. It could have been the cold I had or it just was because I was out of shape. Who knows?

Day 27 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Workout Time: 40 minutes
Calories Burned: < 400

More improvement! I feel like the warmup is mostly do-able. I haven't been able to complete the 10 minute workout yet, but I think if i keep working at it I will be able to do so.  Maybe the 2nd time around.

Today is my last "intensive" workout from phase 1. Next week is a week full of "Core Cardio & Balance" before the more intensive phase 2. I am probably going to miss these days :S.

My calories for today were estimated as I stopped the heart rate monitor watch by accident and it stopped tracking calories.

Here is a clip from MarkGetsFit. He has finished insanity but I didn't see before and after pics - too bad.

Day 24 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

I was watching Jason's workout clip and I must say he really does give 100% in his workouts. After watching this, I feel I don't workout as hard as he does. It could also be he is much fitter than I am. Either way, I should always try to give it my all to have maximum results. Once I get my heart rate monitor watch there will be no more excuses because I will know exactly what will be my limit.

Also, I was interrupted a few times during my workout today which kind of made me lose my concentration. Baaaaad!!!! But, I shouldn't be making excuses.

This is my second to last Plyo Cardio Circuit for Phase 1. I have maybe 3-4 workouts before the recovery week of Insanity :D.

Here is a youtube clip from Jason Croxford 04345 for the Plyo Cardio Circuit workout:

Day 20 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

This is one of the workouts you end up loving. I don't know how many times I have done this video, but I do know that every time I finish the video I feel great about the workout. Maybe it is because I take my own breaks or it doesn't tire me as much.

At the moment I can pretty much complete more than 50% of the 10 minute warmup + exercise before the first stretch is done.

The only problem I have been experiencing the past few days would be exhausted calves. My calves are sore every day and they bother me when I workout. My feet also bother me but It does get a little better everyday. I hope this is strength being build.

I was also re-considering a heart rate monitor. I think it might help me push myself to the limit and not cheat myself. I'll do some more research before I decide on one.

In youtube I found this video from juliefit. She is soooo goooood!! It makes my workouts look bad.

Day 16 of 63: Plyo Cardio Circuit & Unhealthy Eating

Another day of Plyometric Cardio Circuit. Today I certainly know I tried harder. I think this might have been the first time I actually did the knee jogs/kicks properly. I used to life them up barefuly, but I paid attention and Shaun T. says you should lift them to your hip level. Try it out! It certainly makes a difference.

Regardless, I worked pretty hard but I still couldn't keep up.

Here are the pictures from my workout today. Still not toned and I still don't have the 6-pack I want.

Pigging out:
Today I was at another dinner party and I definitely overate. I probably ate over 1000 calories with a ton of carbs and fat. What did I eat? Pizza, salad (with salad dressing), chicken, Chinese dumplings, oranges, berries, and cake. I definitely don't feel too healthy right now. My heart was also pumpling a little faster than normal probably from all the fat I ate. I could probably go online and calculate my intake, but I won't. Tomorrow is another day and I will have a good diet for the rest of the week.

Day 10 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

I started to wonder, "When will I ever be able to complete one of these workouts non-stop?" And truth be told, I don't think I will be able to, at least not within the next 6 months. Why? You can see all of the people in the Insanity class are super fit and they can't go through the entire workout without taking breaks. Myself, I am somewhat fit and don't think I will be at their fitness level for some time.

Workout Summary: Overall, I still noticed minor improvements since the last time I did this routine. It is still tough, and I still need to take breaks. And, I still want to give up when there is 10 minutes left of workout :S. I think my body is getting stronger - my feet, legs, and calves specially.

Today I decided to post a picture of myself post-workout. I'd be a lot sweatier but I was wearing a t-shirt which absorbed a lot of my sweat. And yes, physically, I have not changed - I still have a belly and I might have even gained some weight!!!

Day 6 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit (2nd time around)

Today the cycle of exercises restarts so I was scheduled to do the Plyometric Cardio Circuit again for the second time this week.

Here are my observations:
1) I almost completed the first set of the warm-up without taking a break
2) I was still out of breath, but I wasn't feeling as bad as the first time I did it
3) I still could not finish the entire workout without taking extra breaks
4) I was definitely sweaty and tired by the end of the workout
5) I kind of cheated at the end by skipping the last 3 minutes :S and fast-forwarding to the stretch.

Hurray! I finished a week of Insanity!

On a side note - remember eating properly is half the battle - eat well and you will feel 100% better. At least I do.

Day 2 of 63: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

OH BOY!!!

This is the first real workout as the first one was a fitness test. I am totally worn out.

It was totally insane. To start off there was a warm-up which I don't consider a warm-up. It was more like a mini workout :P. After that it just kept going and going, fast and faster. I couldn't keep up. Overall, I probably did 50% or less of the entire video.

However, I did like the variations he was doing. He would do a circuit a few times and then change the circuit. There were about 3 different circuits. Hopefully I'll get better next time around.

Here is a youtube video from iSeeFitPeoplecom (she did a lot better than I did):