Anyone else starting a Beachbody workout programme? (T25, insanity etc)

[yumyumpoppycat]

Ok so my Focus T25 box has arrived today! Costs a lot but it has 11 25 minute work outs and some stretchy exercise band things. Idea is that because I have spent a lot I will have to knuckle down and see it through for the next 2 months.

I will probably try it over the weekend and start properly on mon. I am 3 stone overweight so this is going to be a mega challenge! Has anyone else recently started something similar or a new workout dvd and want to help motivate each other?

Yes, unfortunately the diet is the thing that makes the real difference to body shape, even if the work outs are making you fitter.

Newbie - I'm afraid I don't have another diet but I think that link - my DH bought some US american cup measuring things back from a business trip and we use those. It IS fiddly, but after about a month of weighing and measuring, you can do it by eye. 1 block of protein is an oz of meat, so if you are a small female, which I am, I am on the 2 block plan which is 5 meals a day, all with 2 blocks of protein, 2 blocks of fat and 2 blocks of carb at every meal. So breakfast is 2 eggs (the protein) on 1 piece of toast (2 blocks of carb) with butter on the toast (2 blocks of fat). Lunch is 2 oz of chicken (2 blocks of protein) on salad with some carrots and broccoli (2 blocks of carb) with olive oil dressing (2 blocks of fat) etc etc.

Basically I always make sure I have protein, carb and fat for every meal, and the protein and carb is never bigger than the size of my fist. They do look like tiny portions to begin with (they are compared to what I used to eat before I started the diet!) but your stomach does get used to it, and you do get to eat 5 times a day!

Just went for a run today instead of an Insanity work out and had an asthma attack 3km in. Really need the effects of stopping smoking last week to kick in as I always seem to struggle with my asthma when running (but don't when I do Insanity - not sure why...)

Sorry - typo in the first sentence - I meant I think that link does have some weights and measures in there like oz?

I need to stop making excuses and clean up my eating. I eat relatively well but do have bad habits and I tend not to have rules around cheat days. I can cheat for 2-4 days in a row with no true remorse or call conviction never to do it again.

Boobz my starting position is very similar to you day 1 photo. I would be chuffed if I could look like your day 90 photo after Max 30.

I stopped running during this Insanity phase. I was too knackered. I plan to start again next week as I have some races coming up in the next 3 months.

10 years ago all of this would have been so easy. Never had any problems dropping a few pounds.

I like the idea of the zone diet. I may modify it and use it as a principle for eating. I like the way you described it in your last post Boobz.

Any conviction, not call conviction.

Did you take a break after Insanity? I am wondering whether I should take a week off before moving to Max 30.

Gosh Boobz, Asthma attacks can be scary so hope you're ok.

Thanks so much for your help with the zone diet information. I've been following, or at least was following the low carb boot camp, but found that I need more carbs but was finding but difficult to get the balance right, so am hoping that this system will allow me to have more carbs and will also help me learn about portion sizes.

Really hope you're okay and thanks again.

Boobz, possibly it could be the effects of running outside in the morning, was it cold? I tried jogging a few years ago and was fine spring summer but gave it up in the winter as my chest felt really tight when running... unfortunately I didn't get back to it the next spring. Possibly running in the evening might help, or taking walking breaks? I don't have asthma but my brother has been hospitalised with it as a child and my dad and sister have it too, hope giving up smoking helps... well done on that again btw, esp still exercising etc

Talking of diet I am hflc (ish) at the mo and really struggled with tbc. Maybe it was in my head I don't know.

Hope diet works newrule and newbie.

Spooky that's what my dc think about tanya too! DD has decided I want to look 'fat thin' not 'thin thin' like the other girls on the dvd

Well done sleepyjean and everyone else ...keep going

I have asthma too Boobz and it doesn't kick up during insanity although I have it quite mildly in that my inhalers go out of date before id even get them finished. Hope you aren't feeling too shitty

Oh thanks everyone - it wasn't a full on attack where you feel like you are dying, just big enough to have to stop all movement, clutch my knees, pump my inhaler about 5 times, wheeze like a dog and then walk home! I'm not even sure what the definition is of a proper attack... the worst that ever happened to me was on last year's ski holiday... I ran back to the apartment to get my gloves (whilst wearing ski boots etc) so that i wouldn't miss the bus to the slopes, and by the time I got there I literally couldn't breathe and I started to panic massively as I couldn't find the sodding inhaler and DH wasn't with me. I found it after about 90 seconds of scrabbling around the bedroom, but honestly thought I was going to die!

Maybe it was the cold air, but I really think it's the smoking - when I had stopped smoking previously for 18 months (pregnant and breast feeding etc), I started running again and could run for miles and miles! So hopefully it will get better.

I haven't taken a break Newrule (except for my slovenly skiing week!)... I have decided to do another month of Insanity (the second month vids) and then start Max Insanity 30 straight away after that (no rest week) so prob April 1st... I want to get my fitness amazing before starting them as they look hardcore, and my week off skiing has set me back a bit I think... DH will also start with me and he wants another month of normal Insanity first.

Newbie - hope the Zone works for you! My Day 1 to Day 90 photos above were strict Zone (only had 2 days off for Xmas and New Year I think!) and lost 13kg in total, so it does work!

Well done all on workouts.

Had a sneak at month two insanity boobz. IT'S ONLY FOR A BLOODY HOUR lol. Monday, please don't come round too fast

I know jem - the first time you do one, you look at the clock after the 5 min stretchy bit and see you still have 45 mins to go and wince!

But it does get easier after about 2 weeks of it. Good luck!

I'm so glad I found this thread, loving reading all your catch ups. You are all very inspiring. I am only two weeks into Insanity and already I am terrified about month 2 - eeek.

I get coughing fits after a hard run but never after other strenuous exercise. Don't know much about asthma but should you keep an inhaler with you on your runs just in case?

I do Newrule, but the last couple of runs the inhaler has relieved it a bit, but not enough to keep running - I've had to walk home!

I try to keep my pace at 5 min/km so maybe if I slowed up it would help...

Welcome Daisy! I too have loved this thread - my friends on FB couldn't care less about my Insanity updates and even DH is bored of me talking about body fat % and Shaun T quotes, so it's good to find some like minded people. And I find writing down on here the workouts I am supposed to do that day make sure I actually do them after it's in black and white!

How are you finding Insanity? Have you done any other BB work outs?

Easier after 2 weeks!!!! AUDIBLE MOANY/GROANY NOISE lol

Hi again Boobz. Hope you're feeling a bit better this evening.

Can I ask, how did you prepare for the zone? I'm notoriously bad a just getting started on things so just wondered if you have any tips. Once I get going I'll be fine.

I am desperate to lose weight but find it very Hard going and weight loss is often very slow.

Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions.
Xxx

Btw, your day 1-90 transformation is amazing! Mind you, I'd have been very happy to look like you do at day 1 at some point in the future. I'm so in awe of your and others dedication to keeping going, day in day out. You're all truly inspirational.

Was the weight loss slow of did it come off quite quickly?

Sorry for all the questions.

Hello all
There are so many people on this thread. It's great!
Did my last ever upper focus this am

Found it quite easy but I suspect that's because my weights are not heavy enough.
Last week of beta starts tomorrow. I can't believe it. I thought I'd never get this far given how hard the first week was. Thanks to everyone on this thread for the support!
Re diets I have just calorie counted and I was shocked at how big my portions were vs how big they should be. It took a week or so to get used to it but now I'm rarely hungry.
Had a bad few days here as ds has been up 4+ times each night. IVe been craving sugar as I'm tired but have mostly resisted as I dont want the disappointment of a weigh in where I've not lost weight.
Well done to all of you on your work outs. Enjoy your Friday night!

Hi Newbie - thanks for the kind words on my transformation... that's why I tell everyone to take the photos even if you feel silly, as they are sooo motivating to keep going. I should also say though, I was doing Bikram yoga 3 x a week as well when I was in the photos (I was a SAHM + nanny at the time so had lots of time off to do lots of exercise - living in Kenya) and I think the yoga really helped with making the muscles stretch and look leaner. I have got quite punchy thighs at the moment (all those jumps/squats!) but no yoga to stretch them out so I think I look more boxy this time around, IYSWIM. No time for Bikram now though, unforch.

Anyway, re diet... no I didn't do anything to prepare specifically but this is what helped:

• DH did/does it with me (this really helped as he had to cut down his portion amount as well, and that made me feel better! And obviously we cooked together so made it easier)
• Never skipped the 2 snacks - you NEED them given the reduction in carbs/total amount of food going in
• Filled up on green veg (the "favourable" carbs on the list - you can eat loads of it within your 2 block portions, and will fill you up)
• Do it religously for the first month - if you don't cheat, not even once, the weight will fall off you and that is super motivating to keep going into month 2 and 3 (I first did it alongside P90X which is 90 days vs Insanity which is only 60)
• target trousers! Try them on once a week and see the zip get closer to the top!
• This may not work for you, but I drink gallons of tea. Whenever I am really hungry but meal/snack is still a while away, I drink tea to try and ignore it

Once you realise how little your body actually needs vs. what we have conditioned ourselves to eat, you will be amazed. And the Zone diet is designed for Cross Fitters who do daily hardcore exercise, so it's supposed to fuel you, not just keep you going!

Good luck.

You're brilliant Boobz, thank you so much. I will definitely give it a go as other than lots of weight I have nothing to lose. I will report back on how it's going, once I actually get going.

You're whole shape looks great so not sure what you mean about your thighs. You've obviously worked hard at the diet and exercise so you must be so proud of yourself. Great that your DH joins you on the plan. I must admit that watching someone else eat all the things you're having to avoid is quite hard,

Gosh you've travelled a fair bit. Kenya and now Rome. Wow! I was born in east Africa but have no memory of it, Rome is an amazing city, apart from the crazy drivers and motorcyclists and all their beeping is crazy mad but amazing nonetheless.

Thanks again, really really appreciate your advice.

Xxx

Thanks for the welcome Boobz, I am loving insanity but scared at the same time if that makes any sense, I have got to do pure cardio plus cardio abs this morn, so even more so, but I do love that you get so immersed the time really goes fast. Never done any other BB stuff, but once I've got comfortable with Inanity I will def get more, though that might take a few rounds - my suicide jumps are nothing like Tanya's- grr!
Just read Newbie's comments and I echo them - is really helping to have someone who's gone through the programme who looks amazing. I am so far from that it is laughable but I feel so much better even after two weeks, so I will just keep going and see where it takes me.

My Day 180 photo above shows the thighs - too square and boxy for me - would like leaner ones like in the Day 90 photo underneath it!

Yes, DH works for the FCO so have been to Sudan, Kenya and Rome (and London) so far. Back to London next July. I work in advertising and have been lucky enough to be able to work at post, keeping me sane with 3 kids under 6! It's the littlest one's 3rd birthday party today so am going to have to be VERY strong not to eat the cake DH will bake for him (I don't bake...)

Hope your work outs went ok Daisy! Just did Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio abs myself this morning - feeling good now!

Hope everyone has a good rest day tomorrow.

Did Max Sports Training yesterday. Really liked it.

Boobz, you are an inspiration. I haven't seen your day 180 photo but I am sure you look fantastic.

Keep going everyone.

Day 180 photo on the 3rd Feb, above.

I like Max Sports training too - except those bronco jumps!

You look great!

Totally off topic Boobz but I just saw your average mumsnetter yes and nos, I am a year older than you but I do have grey... boo!

No exercise yet today but walked about 2 miles with the kids might try and fit one in later or do a double tomorrow.