Beachbody Thread 3 (Insanity, T25 etc)

[Jacksterbear]

New thread for an (almost) new year, and almost exactly a year since the start of the original thread!

Hello! Please can I join?
Background: I gave birth to my twins last October and lost a considerable amount of fitness during the pregnancy. Well- all my fitness. I had to stop cycling at 20 weeks and basically had to stop moving at all at 30 weeks. So I've been dedicating about 45 minutes a day (morning naptime!) to either cycling on my turbo, yoga or kettlebell routine ever since. My priority has been fitness, but a happy by-product is that I've lost 2.5 stone and reduced body fat by 6%. I've started to get bored of my workouts so I bought Insanity and have done three different ones in the last week. I LOVED it.
Do you all do it every day for 60 days? I'd prefer to get more of a sustainable routine as I'm more interested in long term fitness rather than short term solutions! I was thinking of mixing and matching Insanity maybe 3 times a week and then continuing with my strength and yoga a couple of days as well.
Going to have a read back.

Hi GuyBrush.

I did P90X for 90 days straight a few years ago to get back into fitness and lose the baby weight. I combined it with running and Bikram Yoga. I then went back to work and had to switch to Insanity as the P90X routines were just too long to fit in.

I then did Insanity for about 6 months straight, with 1 or 2 rest days a week, and then had to stop for a spot of chemotherapy/surgery (breast cancer) which all happened on this thread actually, and am now back to Insanity 3 or 4 times a week with marathon training on top (no yoga studio where I live).

The others on here seem to mix and match various routines - P90X3, Insanity Max30, The Shred. I can really recommend running though as well - it's made a huge difference to my fitness, endurance and shape - much more than Insanity on it's own (but then I always say that whatever I am doing - when I mixed P90X with Insanity I said THAT was the best combo...)

Anyway, I am an Insanity addict, so any qs just shout! If you want to get some muscles though, I would recommend doing some P90X at least 3 x a week too.

Off for 12 miles this morning. I was feeling so guilty about my ski trip over indulgence yesterday I did Insanity Max Interval Circuits in the evening, having already done 9 miles in the morning!

Oh and well done on 2.5 stone - that's amazing.

Poppy - your skiing is like my skiing. I'm a 'one run then stop for a coffee' type of a skier. I do love it though. Even when I've been fit I've found it hard on my legs tho so it must have some exercise benefit?

Boobz - sounds like your running is going really well. I remember saying to a colleague when I was mara training 'I don't know why I'm tired. I only ran 10 miles yesterday' and he thought I was a lunatic. I did like feeling that way. Although at the mo i think I'm much fitter than I was then just in a different way.

Welcome guy brush. I did t25 and then max30 and followed the 60 day programmes religiously to lose baby weight. Now I'm at a happy fitness/weight I just do a mix and match but work out 5x per week. I can't handle the idea of hour long work outs so only do insanity when boobz sets me a challenge. The rest of the time I do p90x3 (strength) or insanity max30 (cardio) which are both 30min versions. Works for me.

Fed up at the mo. Have a lingering cold and feel crap. Didn't work out last night as felt ill. Now feel all slovenly and ill. might try isometrix later. Also my shoulder is really sore. I'm worried I'll need to rest it for a while - has anyone got any thoughts on any work outs from t25, max30 or anything really that don't involve press ups, or in/out abs etc?

Hi guybrush, welcome amazing progress so far well done, and congrats on twins!I mix and match (but prob shouldn't as clueless) but sounds like you know what you are doing so prob fine to do that.

Boobz enjoy your 12 miler!

Purple, funnily I am in the same position, feel a bit crap anyway, but mainly sore back, I was trying to lift the 8kg kettlebell from beside the sofa on wed and didn't realise it was wedged in so pulled too hard and hurt my back. It was sort of ok but yesterday eve I hurt it again emptying the dishwasher so having a day off today and I am also up for non strainey exercise next week.

Poppy when someone asks you how you hurt your back make sure you don't confess to it being a dishwasher injury!! At a push you could say it was from one too many pull ups

Did isometrix just now and feel better for it.

Bollocks. I've got a really yucky cold today and I can feel it heading into my chest. Guess I'll have to take a proper break for a few days.
Boobz, you sound like some sort of superhero.
I would love to run in that I really admire runners and can see the huge benefits. Two problems though- dh works long LONG hours so I'm basically in charge of three small humans 24 hours. That's just an excuse though. If really wanted to, I know I could make time. Brings me to my second problem- I hate running. I just find it really miserable. Cycling is my favourite outdoor activity and once babies are big enough for my trailer, I hope to get out a bit more.
I think I'll just alternate kettlebell and insanity for a couple of weeks and see how I get on. Once my virus fucks off, that is.

Aww hope you feel better Guy. Kettlebells sounds like a good option to mix in with Insanity, do you use a dvd? I have a beginner Paul Katami workout and its one of my favourite workout dvds because the 2 main workouts are reasonably gentle and short but feels like it is doing something.

Purple well done on Iso, hopefully I will do it tomorrow.

Hope you feel better soon guy brush. I can't run for the same reason as you. It's just a lot easier to work out at home whilst watching the kids. I did optimistically buy a turbo trainer for my bike to use when I was pregnant. It is now gathering dust in the garage having never been used so I think we can safely say cycling is not my sport!
I've just re-read your post tho - are your twins 3 or 4 mths old, you've lost 2.5stone and you're doing insanity??? Bloody good work!

Did cvx tonight. No weights as I want to give my shoulder a break. Felt really hard. I thought it should have been easier frankly. Will do no weights and substitute for all press up moves for a week and hope my shoulder feels better. Horrific thought - is this my age catching up with me?!

Trio metrics tonight. Am following my plan of no work outs with press ups etc to rest my shoulder so that leaves me with legs and cardio work outs. Unfortunate consequence is that now my legs are knackered from toooooo many squats etc. Might struggle on the stairs tomorrow!

Hi, still not started P90x3!!! It's sitting on the coffee table making me feel guilty. I HAVE been doing T25 though, had a day off on Saturday as had given blood on Friday eve but other than that I have been doing Abs, Total Body Circuit, Upper and Lower. Actually burst into tears at the end of TBC yesterday. I think I need to feel a bit more confident before tackling P90X3. I mean, I can barely hold a plank, let alone do a push up.

Guy I know what you mean about running. I like the idea of it but ultimately I hate it. How's your cold? I was basically ill all through January and only just starting to feel human again. Hope you and Purple are better now!

Caitlin honestly TBC is REALLY hard, we all moan about that one! I promise you from what I can remember of TBC a couple of the 90X3 workouts are easier than it! The only disadvantage with p90x3 is that the modifications are not always modifiyey enough so you just have to do what you can.

Well done you and Purple for all your workouts. I have done zero this week so far Back on it tomorrow though as back much less niggley today. What T25 workouts have you got coming up, we could do a T25 challenge then add in MMX for a taster maybe on Friday - its kind of kickboxy, gets hard towards the end but mainly good fun?

Hope you're on the mend Guybrush.

Thanks poppycat. I am on my period but honestly, actual sobbing here on Monday after TBC! I think I am going to do Lower Focus today and maybe some weights. I am up for MMX on Friday....

OK cool I will do lower focus today and MMX friday too! I wish my period would come as due on now!

Caitlin and Guybrush - I know what you mean about just not getting on with a certain type of exercise - I just don't like cycling, as much as DH would like me to, so I just don't even try/pretend. I really do love running at the moment - I have got that point now where it is almost meditative.

My 12 miles on Sat were good and strong. I am now up in the Dolomites for a family ski trip and finding the time to exercise is hard, but managed to squeeze a 4 mile run in whilst the kids had their lesson this morning - it was fast too, at sub-5 minute KMs. DH has just gone out for his run now (kids watching telly, knackered from their lesson) and then we are doing Ab Ripper together and then taking the kids swimming. Tomorrow is supposed to be langlaufing instead of my normal 9 mile run, but not sure logistics and kids will allow as we have to have a lesson/hire stuff etc., so probably an Insanity tomorrow and then I plan to do the next long run on Saturday. I think it will take me somewhere between 2.30 and 2.40 to do 18 miles, and this is a beautiful place to do it - amazing scenery and weather, although a little cold (it was about 2 degrees on my run today, although in the sunshine). I have to fit the 18 miler in this week as am going straight from skiing to the US for a 4 day conference and I just can't squeeze nearly 3 hours in pre or post conference schedule (but am defo going to fit in 1 or 2 Tribeca Barry sessions in - the hotel is right opposite!)

And then March is head down proper proper training to get as fit as humanly possible for marathon on the 10th April - I feel like these skiing holidays/conferences are getting in the way of my exercising (and healthy eating.... tartiflette anyone?)

And then once Toughest is over, I think I will revert from my running/Insanity schedule back to P90X original, as I have been promising myself for about 8 months now, to proper muscles before returning to the UK in mid August.

How is the shoulder Purple? And back Yumyum?

Where is Jackster? And Sarahlou?

Oh God, tartiflette!! I wish you hadn't mentioned that! Admire your commitment Boobz, I never manage to do any exercise away from home. I've stopped packing trainers these days because they just sit there in the suitcase reproaching me.

Poppy cat - I have done Lower, although I couldn't hold the static lunges. Never could. Would be nice to think I could eventually though! You?

I don't even know what tartiflette is! Sounds absolutley amazing Boobz, love it that you exercise with your dp.

Caitilin lower focus done {fist bumps} ooooh those lunges narrow, wide, pulse hold - I still have to stand for a mini second during the pulse!

Damn - I'm so jealous - was totally going to do lower focus to join you girls tonight. Then work all got in the way and so I won't be home until 9.30 which might be a bit late. And even worse was a very stressful day and I ended up just stress eating cake . Double whammy of badness. Actually really feel like a work out to burn off a bit of adrenaline..... Will have to wait until tomorrow now.

Boobz - good work getting the runs in - it must be pretty hilly there too? I bet it's beautiful. I'm jealous (particularly of the tartiflette!)

Caitlin - like poppy said - tbc is bad. Hardest of t25 I think. It's because of all of the press ups and burpees. Don't worry tho - in a few weeks you'll be a press up/burpee machine!!

Thanks for the encouragement ladies. Still feeling a bit shit about how unfit I am! I hadn't realised how much strength and fitness I had lost and it's pretty shaming. I KNOW I can do it, because I have done it before, it's just going to be a longer road than I thought rather than picking up where I left off. I'm just so tired! Will have to watch what I am eating and try to get more sleep somehow.

Lots going on here at the moment because we're supposed to be moving house in a few weeks. The good thing is that the previous owners had been using the garage as a gym so it's properly insulated etc. so we should be able to do the same, which would be awesome.

Are any of you (other than the mighty Boobz with her marathons!) working towards a particular goal? I try to keep Linda Hamilton doing pull ups in her cell in Terminator 2 in mind! Couldn't give a monkeys how I look really, it's an added bonus that when you're fit you tend to have good skin and hair and all the rest of it. I just want to FEEL strong.

Purple did you enjoy the cake though?

No real goal for me Caitlin - just like being fit. Although might now make being Linda Hamilton doing pull ups my goal!

Did lower focus tonight. Holy thigh burner. Lunge squat progression - argh. Also really needed a work out tonight. Long stressful day and really needed to burn off some energy! Feel great now.

OK - if I say something I've got to do it - so posting now that I am either going to do Insanity or Max:30 on Saturday, and I'm counting on you lot to hold me to that!

My exercise has completely gone to pot the last couple of weeks - first it was my time of month. Then I got a kitten. She's a really sweet snuggly kitten and I was too busy snuggling to exercise. Then I caught a cold and felt too crappy to exercise. I still have the cold but starting to feel a bit better now.

So - before all my hard work is undone I need to crack on and do something! I can't tomorrrow due to work, but I have no excuse on Saturday. Kitten is settling in nicely, time of month has passed and I'm bound to feel better by then.

I think I need some sort of plan as I seem to work better that way!

I will hold you to it Eleanor!

Did my 18 miles in the Dolomites yesterday, in -1 degrees C! Took me 2hrs 31 mins so am well chuffed. Burned over 2000 Kcals apparently!

Bloody hell boobz - that's fast! Bodes well for the mara.
Eleanor - shall we do the same max30 tomorrow? Take your pick. My plan was cardio challenge but don't mind really.
Did agility x tonight. Couldn't be faffed with the whole marking with tape nonsense so just went free form. Also both kids were running around underneath my feet the whole time. They're lucky they didn't get squashed under my squat jumps!

Ran out of time to work out yesterday so did a t25 double today. Mth 2 cardio and then ab intervals. Omg. I will probably not laugh without pain for a while. Why oh why do I always think t25 is a soft option because it's only 25mins?!!
Can't work out again until weds because of work and that might be no bad thing

Hope everyone has had a good weekend

I think I am going to do a week of t25 next week purple ... actually a bit scared now! well done on double