Beachbody THREAD 2 (Insanity, T25, etc)

[Jacksterbear]

Hi all, I've just realised I maxed out our thread by posting the 1000th post earlier so I thought I should start a new one!

Hoping you all find me here...

Woohoo spooky that's awesome!

Re HIIT/tabata - not sure, but I think HIIT is the more general term for interval training, and tabata specifically refers to the 4 mins circuits where you do 20 secs high intensity / 10 secs low, x8. My app is set up to do 6 lots of those 4 min circuits, with a 1 min breather in between, totalling 30 mins.

Hello from sunny Canada! Welcome to the thread Eleanor!

Fab news on the weight loss spooky. It's really motivating when you can see the effects. I do admire you getting thru a fast day that's not many calories.

I managed a dawn run this am. Ds' early wake time is finally useful. It was great to get out and get some exercise after a few sedentary days. And I confess it was nice to get some peace and quiet away from the kids with my cheesy Taylor swift megamix whilst I ran thru pretty countryside.

Hope you're lurking full steam and you're feeling better

Second fit test today with mixed results - I did crapper on the switch kicks (my body was probably refusing to do them properly after the awful Pure Cardio session on Saturday!) and only managed 56 instead of 65 on the first go. My legs just didn't want to go up!

Slightly better in the next two - 51 power jacks (up from 41) and 97 power knees (up from 79)

I did exactly the same amount of power jumps - 45 - but I think my form was better. 14 globe jumps (up from 12), one less suicide jump (17 instead of 18, I nearly cheated and added one when the time was up!), 31 push up jacks (up from 26).

I'm confused about the low plank obliques - does each side count as one rep or both? I was counting each one and it seemed a bit high compared to the really fit people on the DVD - 74 last time and 68 today, I was concentrating more on form but could have gone faster I think!

Hi all - how is everyone?

Spooky – well done on fasting – it is SO motivating when you get a good couple of days and then a good reading on the scale to keep you going for the next few days. I have never tried it, but currently finding the low carbing thing is working for me.

Yumyum – am doing ok in the heat thanks – it’s nearly 40 degrees here in Rome but have some pretty strong air-con going on in the house! I had 4 kids over for a playdate yesterday (plus 2 of my own) and I had to jump in the paddling pool we all got so hot! Off to France on Friday for a week’s holiday as well, which is going to be scorchio by the looks of things.

Purple – yes Barry’s is uber expensive but honestly, I really rate it. It’s harder than a personal training session really, and more fun, and that’s how I justify the cost! Did you manage one before your holiday? I am going to the London Euston brand on Mon 20th July when I am next over for chemo if you want to come?! 7:10am class…

Sarahlou – post a pic in your slim dress!

Jackster – niced jeans! And you seem to have been nailing lots of work outs. When are you going to join the Insanity crew? I am now friends with FullSteam on FB and she is around but not really exercising – sorting out her house move etc – she promises she will come back eventually! I miss her too – she was my Insanity/P90X hybrid buddy (which I have now reverted back to Insanity from, as the weight was creeping back on post each chemo, and I think the lack of sweat was not helping…)

Eleanor – keep going! Pure Cardio is a bitch when you’re starting out, but by the end of Month 2, you will go back and do it and it will feel super short and breezy, I promise! I love a good Pure Cardio – it’s snappy but punchy. Those switch kicks are a nightmare whenever they happen, in the warm up, in a Month 1 or Month 2 workout – I never really get my legs as high as Tanya either! Need to go and look at my Fit Test results now to see if I beat you (competitive moi?)

Swampy – glad to have you back!

So am almost half way through chemo – I am defo feeling more tired but am determined to keep exercising all the fucking way through this shit! I did a Barry’s on the day of Chemo, took the next day off, did a rubbish work out the day after that (pre wedding in Bristol), no work out the day after that, and then I have worked out every day since (Sat – Tues inclusive). Just did Max Cardio Conditioning which is my cheat work out really, the shortest of the Month 2 work outs. Was going to combine with an ab work out, but have too much work to be getting on with – so much to finish before leaving for France on Sat. Will obviously be taking my work outs with me – might do a couple of country side runs as well, but it might be too hot for that. I was weighed at Chemo on Tuesday and I swear their scales weigh haeavy – they had me at 56kg but the day before at home I was 53.8kg…. am still aiming for 50kg dead for August 4th but not sure if that is realistic now given I have French cheese and meat heaven coming up, as well as weekly chemos and flights from the 20th July – ugh. Am going to make myself do Barry’s on the day of chemo each week at least – once you pay 20 quid there is no backing out at least!

Loving all your work ladies! BRING IT

Did day 3 of T25 today. I can't do planks :weep: other than that my thighs hurt.

Foodwise I am logging what I eat on mfp and generally staying under my calories. Have gorged on licorice today tho. Mind you it doesn't hang around in my body for long iyswim so not too bad.

Hi everyone, I'll catch up properly later on my computer (I hate not acknowledging everyone but I find it really difficult on my phone!) but I just wanted to pop on to say that I had to workout on my iPad last night so I found Max 30 Friday Fight Club. OMG!!! I maxed out at 7 minutes!!! lol, I started out thinking this is easy but it soon went downhill. I was a sweaty mess by the end but I enjoyed it. I think it is the next challenge for me. So my question to you guys is, is it all as hard as that or harder?! And it felt like the perfect compromise for me time wise rather than insanity - is it? Would you say difficulty wise it is somewhere between t25 and insanity?

Catch you all later

Hi all
Welcome aboard Eleanor!!

Boobz well done on Barrys bootcamp, glad you are doing so well - your determination is amazing- you are a one off!!

very fast 5:2 results spooky

Sarah I think I will prob end up doing the reverse and go back to t25 for a while. My knees seemed better so I did workout 1 on mon and went straight back to sore again after. I suspect if I can lose a bit more weight first I will be in a better position to do insanity max 30. Have been decorating instead of exercising again the rest of the week.

Swampy keep trying with planks you will get there, possibly you haven't got the position quite right? Instructor the other week told me to make sure to spread fingers apart and really press finger tips down into mat. I think you can modify on knees and then build up to full plank. I couldn't do them at one point, not quite sure how I got to the point where I can do them I just realised that I could some tips here www.pelvicexercises.com.au/plank-exercise/

Evening - I faced the dreaded Pure Cardio again tonight, and actually enjoyed it
It's 2 degrees cooler in the house today and it seems to have made all the difference! Cardio Abs too, my legs do NOT go into some of the positions they're meant to in that C Sit position!

Boobz you are an inspiration (off to look up Barry' Bootcamp)

Sarah I've been eying up Max 30 for when I finish Insanity (getting a bit ahead of myself there!) - the shorter sessions appeal, and I've tried a couple of T25 workouts before and felt like they didn't get me sweaty enough.

yumyum I still can't quite believe the results of the 5:2 diet - am sure it is going to slow down

Hi everyone else

boobz you truly are an inspiration!

Evening all, just popping in quickly to say I did Insanity cardio power and resistance today - the easiest of the insanities but still bloody hard! Off to bed now but will check in properly tomorrow.

Ooh - before I forget - it's 6mths tomorrow since the start of the original thread - happy half anniversary you awesome amazing inspirational people!

Hello!
I can't help logging in even when on hols. I just like to see what everyone is up to!

Sarah - you picked a hard max30 to do. Friday fight round 2 is harder but still find round 1 v hard even after c3mths of max 30. 7mins max out is great!
I think max 30 is as hard as insanity but only if you push hard. I find insanity a bit slow but the workouts are longer so you get a good work out. Max 30 on the other hand is v intense but shorter. It doesn't have all of the stretching etc which is included in the insanity work outs which I like. I did insanity pure cardio today and the actual work out time seemed to be c30mins with 10mins of stretching etc which I found a bit frustrating and I skipped all of it and just did the actual work out. You're all right tho - it is a tough one!
Eleanor - hang in there with the planks. I bet you'll get better really quickly. I did loads of press ups today no problem having found even doing 2 impossible when I started. I find it amazing to see how far I've come.

I can't believe it's 6mths since the thread started. It feels like yesterday!! Thanks to all you girls for keeping it going - it has been great getting to know you all and has been a big part of me keeping going with the exercise - I don't want to let the side down by just wimping out!
Right - off for a glass of wine and some ice cream. I deserve it after doing all of those stupid press up jacks this am.

Oops. I meant swampy re the planks!

"I find insanity a bit slow".

Then you aren't doing it right ;)

Ha ha boobz. All I mean is that the stretching mid workout and the long warm up/cool downs make it feel slow. The work outs themselves are HARD! Was super stiff this am after pure cardio.

Interesting - I think the warm up is just as fast/hard as the main work out. I always skip cool down as I usually then stick on the ab work out..

But I'm very glad of the stretch!

Currently stuck in car I the way to France with 3 moaning children. This is going to be a looooong journey!

My new sports bra that actually fits arrived yesterday - I was a bit disappointed it was only Cardio Recovery day so I did a few Heismans and high knees to check it was working!

I've just tested it out properly with Cardio Power and Resistance - it's easier with less bounce going on where it's not meant to be

I also think the warm up is as hard as the main workout (more so as you don't get breaks), it can get a bit repetitive though, I like the one in Power and Resistance as it has some different moves in and I prefer variety.

Eleanor it can get distracting when things aren't firmly strapped in place

I have done three kettlebell workouts this week, the first two were a bit easy so might need to go heavier, but the abs one I did today was quite good, was doing situps holding a kettlebell

Hey everyone,

Have been crap at logging on recently, so much house stuff to do and not enough hours in the day. Only exercised x 3 last week and I can feel the difference already! I have a 7 week countdown to my holiday starting today and I want to look and feel good so I am back on it! Ordered a shed load of bikinis last night to try on/motivate me. Back to MFP and planning on doing T25 x 5 Monday - Friday and a run at weekends. Would ideally like to lose 1lb a week until hols. Will post before and after pics! Gotta do this; I was slimmer (although not necessarily fitter!) in January when body was fully covered 24/7!

Boobz, you are amazing as ever. I found the warm up of Pure Cardio knackering! But I know what Purple means about it feeling slow, or maybe slow is the wrong word, I just find it too long compared to T25! Enjoy France and wine and cheese! Long car journeys are the worst but that's why iPads were invented .

Yumyum - situps with kettlebells! Respect! I can just about do a proper sit up but I think kettlebells would firmly anchor me to the ground.

Eleanor - welcome . Glad you are all safely strapped in now! I don't have that problem but I always wish for bigger boobs when Shaun T is exhorting me to get my chest to the floor during push-ups!

Purple - thanks for the heads up re Max 30. I am glad it was one of the harder ones. I was shattered! But I am definitely thinking of getting it come pay day. Hope you are still enjoying Canada.

Catch you all later.

Morning everyone it is quiet round here!

Didn't manage to exercise over the weekend so have done a double today - core cardio and combat upper body blow out. It was OK but if I want to do upper body, Ript Up is much better.

On fast day today and I am hungry!! But determined to stay motivated as I can see the results already

Sarah I have just under 7 weeks hiday countdown now - would love to lose a stone but I know that is unrealistic

Spooky, hang on in there, it sounds like you are doing brilliantly on 5:2! Am tempted myself but failed spectacularly last time I tried! I think 2lbs a week is hard core but doable! I always think if you aim high, anything that you achieve along the way is great, especially as you are combining it with exercise so you will be toning.

Thanks Sarah I am now drinking my raspberry shake for lunch which has made me feel a bit better. I am then going to wrap up DS1's birthday presents and then have a nap to pass some time - I find keeping busy helps

Realistically I know I can't lose too much weight as I have all my holiday clothes and can't afford to replace them (particularly as a lot of them are Boden ) but I just want them to look a lot better. However, my aim is to get to a size 12 so this is (hopefully) the last holiday I wear them on - this losing weight lark is mucho expensive!

Staying busy is a good strategy (or napping )! What do you eat on a typical fast day? If you don't mind me asking.

Of course I don't mind you asking. I don't eat breakfast - just drink water and cups of tea till lunchtime. I then have a shake (I am using tescos ultra slim ones) at 12 which is 200ish calories. I then have a small bag of popcorn (80 cals) around 4ish and then either another shake/bowl of rice krispies/2 weetabix in the evening and then I normally go to bed early to stop the hunger pangs. Tbh, fast days are not much fun but worth the flexibility to eat a bit more on the other 5 days!

Well done Spooky 5:2 is hard, fingers crossed it gets you to the size 12!

I stayed up till 4.00 last night baking and decorating and eating 100 biscuits for a work thing so no exercise today

Yumyum - sounds like a lot of hard work , I am sure you deserved the odd biscuit!

Spooky - yes it does sound hard but as you say you can then be a bit more relaxed on other days, I can see the attraction.

Well I am only on day two MFP and I am really struggling, I am just so blooming hungry! Not sleeping well at the moment so that is probably linked. Run yesterday, rest day today, workouts planned for the rest of the week. Can't wait for my bikinis to arrive for a dose of motivation!