I have to admit, I am a sucker for infomercials. I’ll get caught up in them for hours, especially if it’s for cooking or health and fitness products. But it’s always a waste of time because I never actually buy any of these products… that is, until Insanity. I’m not sure what sold me with this one – maybe it was the shocking before and after pictures, the intense workout clips, or the promise of a new body in 60 days. Whatever it was, my $120 purchase was delivered a week later, and boy was I unprepared for what I was about to put my body through.
Insanity is a 60 day total body conditioning program that includes 10 workout DVDs and a nutrition plan. I didn’t really follow the nutrition plan, which probably would have given me even greater results, but I did read it and tried to use the same concepts in my own diet. You don’t need any equipment; all you need is A LOT of water and a towel! The first day was the fit test, and I realized it was going to be a lot harder than I expected. The warm-up alone was hard to get through! In fact, if I hadn’t paid so much money for it I probably would have said ‘screw it’.
For the following 4 weeks, you alternate between 3 DVDs, with one day off a week and one “recovery” day. The recovery workout is still difficult – I promise, you will sweat! Week 5 is the recovery week, which focuses on your core and balance to prepare you for the next four weeks of Max Training. Let me tell you, they are not lying when they say these are the hardest workouts ever put on tape.
This program truly is insane. I thought I was in pretty good shape before starting this program; I usually run 4-5 miles 4 days a week, periodically meet with a personal trainer, etc. But for the first week or two I don’t think I was able to complete a single set. Even still, after the first week I was beginning to notice more definition in my legs. The following week I was seeing it in my arms. I saw amazing results from my 1st fit test to my 2nd, just two weeks later. I have to admit, there were times when I wanted to quit, but I knew from the first week that I would see results if I stuck to this program. By the time month 2 came around, I was down a dress size!
The max workouts were by far the hardest workouts I’ve ever done, but I got through them! Sean T, the instructor and creator of Insanity, really pushes you and helps you get through each exercise. The rest of the team is also very encouraging. Most of the “Insanity team” are professionals or have already been through the program, and even they need to stop for breaks. This really helped me stay with it because I knew I wasn’t the only one in pain!
In the end, I lost a few pounds but more importantly lost inches. My body is in the best shape it’s ever been in, and I have so much more energy. The workouts are challenging, but at the end of each workout I know how hard I worked and felt a real sense of accomplishment! I recommend this program to everyone, and can’t seem to stop talking about it. I don’t think this is a program for beginners, or people with knee or back problems. But if you are ready to push your body to the max, then take the Insanity challenge and see your body change.
For more information or to purchase this program, visit the official site at http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity
