Beach body thread 5 (insanity, T25, P90X et al)

[Reastie]

I only went and filled up the last thread without realising .

I hope you find me

My son was told by PT instructor (Army) that stretching before exercise was dangerous, it damages cold muscles. I scoffed. I have history of achilles tendonitis so I know stretching between exercise is exactly what I need to prevent AT and also keep hamstrings loose. Don't need a foam roller for stretches :). Didn't Michael Phelps do like 50 minutes of stretches (including Yoga) every day, to stop himself from being muscle bound?

DH has iliotibial band problems from what I can work out that the foam roller helps with.

Haha at the les mills music love. Sometimes they get it right. I think it used to be better than it is now. Love the music in the DVD Pump Revolution. Cheesy but great.

Lljkk some people do get injured from stretching cold muscles. I'm one of them! On a run I normally do a very slow warmup mile then do a good minute of stretching before the rest of my mile (and a good 5-10 mins after). If I try before my run I invariably hurt myself!

Apparently the evidence for regular stretching isn't very good anyway. So if you want to stretch fine, but there isn't much Measureable benefit. I've taken this advice to heart and never stretch.

I have no idea re that diet reastie. Although given that you've lost 100lbs I'd say you're the expert. The only thing that works for me is calorie counting and eating loads of protein (meat, eggs, fish) to keep me full

Not evidence for regular stretching? That's very interesting, I always thought it was quite integral to the end of workouts.

16k cycle ride this morning, quite hilly. 2 hills I had to push the bike up they were too steep to cycle up . I thought I was doing quite well, building up my cycling so looked up some local cycle clubs to see what a beginners length cycle might be with clubs out of interest and the shortest cycle they seem to do is 20k and describe this as very easy which made me feel a bit rubbish. Still, got to start somewhere and I only do it once a week. --I tell myself I'm slower because I'm on a mountain bike not a fancy road bike all the other bikes seem to overtake me with.

Road bikes make a big difference to speed reastie. I bet if you had one you'd find 20k no problem as they're so much more efficient.

I did my own mini max30 last night. 3 circuits of 4.5mins each with 3 exercises in each. I was ruined after the 3rd circuit and feel stiff today so it must have done something! Thank you to whoever on here suggested that - it's v liberating to think I could make up my own work out. I missed Shaun Ts encouragement/witter though

Stretching - I do it half-heartedly when it is at the end of the workout video but not convinced it makes much difference. I do love T25 stretch but just do not have time to fit it in most weeks and I think you would need to do it regularly for it to make a difference.

Reastie don't get disheartened - I wonder if you joined a cycling club like that, it would push you to more than you think you are capable of? Is there a contact number or something that you could ring and speak to someone about your concerns?

Purple well done on making your own workout I am far too unmotivated to do it without someone literally telling me what to do plus I would just do my favourite easy exercises rather than challenging ones that I need to do

Did Core de Force this morning - I am definitely starting to feel the CDF love Love the format, the moves and the fact there are 3 different workout lengths so you can choose whichever based on how much time you have. It is definitely my fave cardio workout at the moment. The trainers are very personable aswell and Joel is hot They also don't say shite like 'if you can hydrate your body, you can hydrate your life they do plug Shakeology though but it is apparent that they feel really awkward doing it but clearly they are under orders to do it!

T25 is going well, having issues with the secret site at the moment so carrying on as I was with T25 and running.
The foam roller has helped - I think my pain was a bit sciatic (experienced it before, bloody horrible) and it's really made a difference which I'm pleased about
I'm low carbing but feel really bloated this week which is making me feel a bit disheartened even though I know it's bloat and not weight. Sigh. How's everyone else getting on?

Combat ultimate DVD this morning. I tried doing the loud music option after what thermo said about the music being quiet compared to RL classes. Really enjoyed the music level up thanks thermo. Made it a lot easier to punch to the beat when you can always hear the beat!

Hoping for maybe a sneaky run or hiit tomorrow then off on holiday in thurs, but worry not, I have workout gear, dvds, and my iPad packed so will aim for 4 workouts whilst I'm away.

Why I'm glad the foam roller is helping, that's great. Sciatic pain can be awful.

Thermo keep meaning to ask you re cor de force. Are there any combat ish workouts which don't have much (or any) plank work? I'm slowly trying to get myself,f back to full power and I'd really like to try core de force but still can't do plank stuff with my shoulder.

Purple great work making up your own workout, I've done that occasionally but I too like having someone shouting at me for what to do when. My physio wants me to do more of my own workouts so I can tailor them to injuries but I miss following what I'm told to do.

Sounds like you're doing really well Reastie and well done for prepping for hols, I'm afraid I lounged like a human slug [think I've become one] and ate EVERYTHING while I was away but it was only four days so I'm motivated to get back on it now especially since the pain is a lot better.
I'm going to try the louder music as well, that's a really good tip. When I was doing 30 day shred I used to mute Jillian and play my own music once I got to know the routine and found that so much easier...

Reastie glad the tip about the music worked. Unfortunately I use the secret site so there is no option to increase the music - if I turn the TV volume up, the contrast between the coaches speaking and the music stays the same but I just have Dan and Rach shouting at me

Core de force - I don't know them all that well yet to be able to refer to them by name but the majority of them do not have any plank work in them so you will be absolutely fine. Avoid Dynamic strength and whatever the specific core one is (can't remember what it is called). All the others follow this format:

3 minute rounds which consist of 60 secs of combat work (various combos of punches, kicks, knees etc at your own pace), 30 secs 'cardio spike' (high knee runs, squat jumps, lunges, high jumps etc) then you repeat both then the bell rings and you get a short break. The number of rounds in each workout depends on the length of the workout so the 25 minute ones have 6 rounds, the 40 minute ones have 9 rounds and the 50 minute ones have 12 rounds (these ones are really hard!)

So, a couple of them have cardio spikes that are plank-based (ground to fighter stance which is basically a burpee but you come into a fighter stance at the top and also alternating spiderman lunges - these are the only 2 I can think of and I have done most of the workouts I think). Most of the cardio spikes are not plank-based and I would say that those that are, you can just substitute any form of high intensity cardio move that you want to do instead - you don't have to do what they do. As long as you do 30 seconds of a cardio move, then you would still get the same workout - it is just to make your heart rate increase.

Just try one of the shorter ones and see what you think I bet you will be converted like I have been

Did Rip'T up this morning and then Clubbercise tonight - holiday is 2 weeks and I have not lost as much weight as I hoped but I am still better than I would have been had I not done anything

Re Dan and Rach, I read in the les mills onstructor group (gate crasher! ) that in the instructor video for Combat release 72, there's an awkward bit after track 8 where Rachel goes to high five Dan and he blanks her completely. I also watched their most recent FB live video chat and a couple of times when he was waffling she was giving this bitchy 'eyes glazed over, staring into middle distance, fuck he's a boring cunt' look.

I'm fascinated by their dynamic. It seems they can fake it for the cameras at least but God knows how they put the releases together if it's really not a bed of roses.

You can still find online his old blog (stay with the fight) whereally especially gusginger about his pride watching his beautiful wife in the boxing ring.

What happened? I HAVE TO KNOW!!!

Ahem....

Did Shaun 4.0 yesterday. Was easier the second time. I don't think it's that bad, but I do normal star jumps and not those spastic rave dancing jumping jacks. What if the kids saw.

Gusginger? That's not even a word, phone! I meant GUSHING WITH PRIDE.

I always thought Dan and rach still got along, you're spoiling the illusion!

Thanks for the info thermo. Did speed mma core de force this morning. The one on the secret site didn't have any music which was really weird. I kind of enjoyed it but with these things it always takes me a few goes before I get the moves really well so I can put full effort in iykwim. I missed how it went to the music track like it does in combat but I'm sure I'll get used to it. The time went really quickly and the format was good. Annoyingly it played up an injury but that's only because I did combat yesterday so I shouldn't have done another similar workout so soon.

I assume Les Mills must be paying them well for them both to still be working together there - particularly if there is some animosity between them!

Reastie glad you enjoyed CdF . I can't even remember if the workouts have music on them - I assume not then as I get them from the secret site so it must be the same as you. Trust me, as a total Combat junkie, you do get used to the lack of music on Cdf (as above, I don't even notice whether it is there or not). Hope your injury recovers quickly - maybe try one of the longer ones next week instead of a combat one and see what you think.

Pilates fix this morning - definitely getting easier than it used to be. I don't even groan at the plank hold followed by the bonus plank hold anymore

Have been back on max30 for the last couple of days . It's good to be back with Shaun. Shoulders killing me though so I guess I lost a bit of strength. I've really noticed the difference in my appetite - running made me starving but appetite back to normal now I'm back on the DVDs.

Purple Max 30 is the hardest DVD programme out there, I think. Well done! I avoid it because it wears me out and I work out in the morning usually. You're spot on about appetite re: running vs shaun.

That's great re the planks Roman!

I'm just back from hols and have eaten rubbish the whole time - snacking/sweets/puddings/chips - the lot! I think it was good for me to relax on the exercise and diet - I was really anxious when I found I had no wifi so couldn't do my normal work outs - it was a bit weird and made me feel that I'd got a bit obsessive so good to break the cycle. I looking forwards to going back to eating my normal food and doing normal work outs again though. I did 4x max30 in 4 days so am a bit sore today. Ordered Insanity so will probably start that next week for a change.

Hope you're all well

Hello,

Greetings from my holiday :) . Arrived on Thursday and Friday did tf hiit 20 and then yesterday did an 8k run. Rest day today and possibly tomorrow too but hoping for another couple of workouts if I can before returning.

Eating a bit more than usual here but nothing obscenely unhealthy. We got chip shop chips yesterday and I only ate three of dhs which I felt was incredibly restrained!

Purple well done for the max workouts and enjoy insanity. It's probably my favourite set of all time from bb. You'll be back on it super quick so try not to feel down about the holiday blow out.

Interesting about appetite as I actually find the opposite! I tend to eat pretty normally, only a little more if I do an epic run (epic run for me may be different to others though! My calorie burn would be about 8-900cals) but insanity regular has always made me really hungry. Hmm, my bodd has always been topsy turvy!

Hello all
Wondering whether to get T25 or Insanity
Having recently joined a gym and gone from zero exercise to two classes back to back a day (spinning plus various cardio), I'm loving how much better I feel... once finished. Lol
I'm not fit and I'm v weak in my upper body but I'm doing my best.

Which should I go for: INSANITY or T25?

Wow no time, sounds like you're doing amazingly. How often are you double classing? Only you don't want to overdo it like me and end out with multiple injuries! I'm actually wondering if something like p90x or p90x3 or pump would be good as you could just do the weights workouts alternating with cardio at the gym. Insanity and t25 are still quite cardio heavy (someone may correct me with t25 as it's been a while since I've done the upper or lower) and if you're doing double cardio classes at the gym already it may be better to focus on just toning at home. For the p90x and p90x3 you'll need from memory either a resistance band or pull up bar and pump needs a barbell (although you could probably do it just with weights. I have a normal barbell, not a special les mills one). I really love and rate pump.

Well done on the holiday workouts and chip avoidance reastie. Did my post hol weigh in and put on 1.5kg so not as bad as I was expecting

No time - id go for t25 as there is a weights element to it - insanity is just cardio which is great but you miss out on the strength stuff. Also the insanity work outs are long so might be easier to get into the home DVD habit with something shorter. Mentally I find it tough knowing I've got an hours workout ahead of me.

Having said all that I'm starting insanity tonight. Have done all the workouts before and did the mth 2 programme but never done the whole thing. Reastie don't judge me, but I'm planning to skip the stretch sections if I need to to make the workouts shorter

Aaah thx. I should e said, now that my DCs are on holiday, I can't get to a gym at all and may just stop exercising and revert to binging on sugar & putting all the weight on just before my holiday . So I'd like to keep up the weight loss (still about a stone to go) and keep improving my cardio.

I was enjoying the odd Body Pump class but don't want to do weights as the main thing. I have absolutely zero strength in my upper body. Can barely do a single press up even on my knees.

Ahh, ok no time if no gym workouts at all then I agree with purple, t25 would be a great option. Just to throw it in there if time is a big issue 22 minutes hard corps is worth considering as well.

Purple I'm just envious that you can skip the stretch and still be fine whereas I never skip stretching yet I'm the injured one .

Welcome no time - one thing with T25 is that in month 2 weights are added but the workouts overall are not harder - some are possibly easier

Reastie have a great holiday

Well done Roman on Pilates victory

Good luck with Insanity Purple and good idea re stretching {slaps own wrist}

I have been on a total bender healthy eating and exercise wise. I think my body has been trying to gain back weight and succeded to the tune of almost a stone gah! I am taking back control though. Have just started reading the Obesity Code and so far it is making a lot of sense, I am just so reluctant to go low carb again though {bummer face}

Anyway no cake so far this morning which is an improvement and I had a go at max out insanity because of Purple's comment about it not making her hungrier. I did Max out Cardio, couldn't finish it, and was totally confused about why it was so hard but have just realised I started with the month 2 cardio disk by mistake - so very relieved!

Keep going everyone - read in the obesity code book exercise wont make you lose weight but it is good for you and should be a regular basic health activity like brushing your teeth!

Thanks for the welcome and advice Reastie & Yumi. There is only £10 difference between T25 and Insanity so I'm
wondering whether it's more worthwhile to buy Insanity? What's the main difference? One set comes with the ark stretchy rope with handles. But that's pretty cheap to add on. I have bought hand weights from TK Maxx (and a few other unrelated things including a picnic hamper), while I was there! Lol