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

Reastie! Actually Jillian is always going on about how inflexible she is which I think is why she hands over that part. She seems less bossy in these workouts. Did the cardio one today and it was pretty good but apparently not supposed to bring us to the red line but I was defo properly puffed out.

Groin strain sounds painful, fingers crossed its back to normal quickly.

Purple how are you feeling - I guess it was your body's way of telling you to have a rest???

reastie well done on your run 13.5k is a fantastic achievement. I really wish I enjoyed running but, other than a 2-year period where I was running regularly and got up to 10 miles, I have now reverted back to absolutely hating it again

Well Operation Winter Skirts has not got off to the best of starts Started ok with Speed 2.0 on Monday and Upper Fix on Tuesday...Wednesday ended with a 3-course meal (it was a special occasion in my defence), Thursday and Friday were a complete write-off due to some personal stuff that me and DH had to deal with that left us with no time or inclination to exercise and also meant that we may have hit the chocolate and wine . So yesterday, we did a double of Dirty 30 and Pilates Fix and today's plan is a 40 minute Core de Force workout and the stretch workout from Shift Shop to try and get us back on track!

Tomorrow is a new week and hopefully can keep on schedule

I've had a further look into the 80-day obsession programme - it appears that some of the workouts are up to an hour in length which might make it a bit tricky to fit in - not sure how flexible it would be if you have only got 30 minutes available to exercise but the programme requires you to do a 60-minute workout. All will be revealed in January I guess.

Roman you always sound so enthusiastic - it's really motivating for me to hear that! I love the way you and your DH exercise together. My DH regards my DVDs with suspicion and awe.

Hope you're feeling less sore today reastie.

Am less achy now. Was definitely my body telling me I needed a break. I ignored it after I last posted and did 2 more workouts though and made it worse. Ended up skipping cross fit on sat as felt exhausted and still pretty tired this am. I toughed up and did max interval circuits though and was glad I worked out but can't say I really enjoyed it at the time.

Have decided I'm not really enjoying insanity mth 2. Work outs are just toooooo long and some of the moves seem to make my back really stiff and sore. Am going to do another week and see how I feel at the end of it. I don't like to give up but equally I'm not in training for the olympics so it isn't a bit deal if I stop one program and move onto another I guess - I just feel a bit pathetic if I end up stopping half way through something.

Sorry for the big moan. I need to buck up!!

Purple well done for keeping going with it for so long! I have seen some reviews say Max30 is harder than Insanity so I think you can just move on to something else, it should be fun. Infact I think shaun T would agree.

Sounds like a full on week Roman but I am seriously impressed with your 4 workout catch up! How was shift shop?

Prob not exercising today, was a bit stiff in me knees yest after Jillianing.

purple not sure it is enthusiasm, more like blind optimism There is a reason why I am a size 16 despite lots of exercise but I always think each time I 'start' afresh will be the time that I can get to a size 12

I managed the 4 workouts (the Shift shop one was a 20-minute stretch so not really a workout!) and am only aching a bit in my quads which I think is a result Every time I do a CDF workout, I realise just how much I love them!! To be fair to DH, he did all the workouts with minimal grumbling - he has his 'fave' ones (about 5!) that he would happily do over and over again and only 1 of the 4 were ones that he would choose to do - the other 3 were way out of his comfort zone.

Shift Shop - I have tried 3 of the workouts. The stretch one (which is a really good stretch workout that is 10 minutes shorter than the T25 one and the presenter is refreshingly honest about his lack of flexibility and desire to stretch), the core one (which is a really good core workout to tag onto another workout) and then a 35-minute Strength one which is lots of compound moves with weights (think Dirty 30-esque). I have watched some of the speed ones (full-on cardio) but they do not appeal to me at all. The presenter is really good though - explains everything very clearly and has a really nice manner about him.

Sounds promising re shift shop Roman (although a very weird name!). Well done your dh too!

I am back off it {wails in despair} fingers crossed for tomorrow. In theory I could exercise now but I don't feel like the whole palava of washing my hair etc dc are having a sleepover and I am putting my feet up, having pasta bake a glass of wine and watching TS2 with dp.

Shift shop is a really weird name. Makes me think of shopping for shift dresses! Is it a bb thing/on secret site thermo as I'm not that aware of it.

Btw thermo the main thing is you do keep going and starting afresh. I bet you're a lot fitter than tons of people who visually are slimmer but aren't as healthy in lifestyle.

Purple fwiw I love insanity month one but I really didn't enjoy the month two workouts and haven't done them that much as they just go on and on and on and it's hard to maintain proper form on that kind of workout for a full hour. I don't blame you if you switch to something else but I get the frustration at finishing something half way through as I like to finish what I start off doing even if it's not great for me.

Groin touch wood is all better. Did hc22 cardio 1 and 21 df abs 10'minute blast yesterday as short on time. Out for the day today so no workout but am hoping to come back early enough tomorrow for a legs workout as want to do two more workouts before the week end.

My physio said my outlook on exercise worried her. I know the thread has mentioned physios are very over cautious and to take what they say with a pinch of salt but mine is very good with trying to get me working out again and has worked with international athletes etc so isn't against lots of exercise and those who have done it at extremes (not that I'm extreme obv). I said I always want to do better and do more and I'm never doing it good enough or hard enough or long enough etc. I'm never fully happy with my workout schedule as I always want to be able to do more, either in time or my physical capabilities. I look at dreya or tony or whoever and I would love to be able to do what they do and the fact I'm no where near that makes me feel that I'll never achieve where I want to be. Thinking about it I know that's completely unrealistic but, you know, I would like to do a proper plyo push up and a one handed burpee or lift heavy with pump. But, I'm like this with everything in my life. I have low self esteem so I'm always telling me I'm not quite good/pretty/happy/thin/popular/interesting etc as I'd like and I'd like to be better and do better and striving for perfection (which I know will never happen, and if you knew me you'd know I'm just so imperfect!). I wonder if you guys always feel like you need to do more with workouts or if this is just a symptom of my low self esteem and I should be genuinely happy to do four workouts a week even if I don't really push myself because four a week will mean I must have some fitness.... hmm, sorry, this is dull I know and rather disorganised writing .

Shift shop is on the secret site - it was the new programme they launched about 2 months ago. It is a 3-week programme and from what I can gather involves one 25-minute cardio and one weights workout that you do all week (with a core and stretch workout thrown in at some point). The second week is the same format but the workouts increase to 40-minute workouts and then the third week is 55-minute workouts. Each week, you are supposed to make the 'shift' to take it up a notch all total bullshit American fitness speak if you ask me! I don't feel it is the best programme they have launched and not sure how it really differs from Shaun T/Autumn ones. Just a new face doing the same old stuff At least Core de Force was completely novel as was Country Heat

reastie from a complete armchair psychologist perspective, it does seem as if your attitude to exercise might be linked to your self-esteem issues. I look at the people on the workouts doing ridiculous stuff like one-arm push ups, every different variety of burpees involved in the burpee-hell that is Speed 3.0 without even breaking sweat and every other crazy move that goes on and just laugh! I think you are aiming too high too fast - start with small goals of what to achieve (for example, my aim is to be able to do just 1 full push up where I can go right down to the ground and to be able to do a full 60-seconds of burpees in 21df cardio fix). Once I achieve these, my goals will become something else (for example, do 5 full push ups etc) and so on. Maybe one day I will be able to complete the burpee-hell that is Speed 3.0 but that is so far in the future, that I don't even think about it. Do you think that Shaun T and Autumn were able to do what they do first time they tried? Think about what you can do now that you couldn't do 12 months ago and see how far you have come in that time and be very proud of yourself Then set some small, achievable goals for the next month/2 months and one day, you will be able to do those moves that seem impossible now but it won't be tomorrow or even next week/month - make your peace with that and enjoy what you can do - don't keep pushing yourself, accept it will happen in time and maybe just do 4/5 workouts a week and enjoy the rest days aswell.

Sorry that is a bit preachy but hopefully you understand the sentiment behind it

Yumy hope you enjoyed your pasta bake and wine I love a good pasta bake particularly crusty cheese on top but never seem to make them for some reason going to do one this weekend now

I'm off it too
Have been feeling really under the weather generally so having a few days break. Can't decide re tonight. Need to wash hair (so need to work out) but still not feeling 100%. Maybe will do a recovery workout or something.

What is TS2 poppy?

Massive cross post and didn't see reastie or romans posts.

Agree re achievable goals - works for me. And maybe also setting Minimum and max workout numbers per week - for me it's 4-5. And never more. I get you on the slightly unhealthy attitude to exercise though. I worry about mine sometimes. I get very anxious if I can't fit it in or miss sessions (like now as I'm ill) and I know that's weird. I am super competitive and always want to be the best at everything which is a very positive driving force but also quite negative when I feel I'm not good enough. This different to the reasons you can be hard on yourself but the result is the same. I

Oops pressed post too quickly....
Bottom line - a bit of obsession/focus/drive to do something is really good but it can tip into something negative which is what I think you and I worry about. We do also need to think about the bigger picture - exercise is just one thing that we all do and being balanced is important - missing a workout to do something else positive is fine. Missing a workout to just sit around and then feel guilty just makes things worse.

So - lots of random thoughts from me. But I do really get how you feel

I have a similar but different problem Reastie because I think low self esteem probably stops me from having the drive to push myself as far as I can. 1 armed pushups are fantasy territory for me. I would like to borrow a bit of your drive but totally agree with Purple and Roman that realistic targets are a good idea. I am glad your Physio is looking out for you

The dvds show elite types I think. Probably athletes and possibly in their 20s quite often. Classes can actually be reassuring, I have been to a few hardcore style classes and 1 armed pushups weren't even mentioned actually nearly all the women were doing pushups on their knees and even then form ranged hugely. I was on my knees but getting approving nods rather than corrections - at home I prob would have been beating myself up for not being in full pushups.

Jillian again - I like her in Bodyshred - the 1st workout is hard but not horrendous!

Roman all that kind of kick boxing core de force type stuff is my fave too.

Purple - I hope you are feeling better Sorry I was to lazy to even type properly yesterday - TS2 Train spotting 2. It was ok, funnyish but made me feel old!! I remember reading Trainspotting in my first year at uni - can't believe that was almost 20 years ago!

Thank you. It makes me feel a bit better in a weird way that I'm too hard on myself, maybe I'm not as bad as I think. The little targets are rubbish for me ATM though as I'm not making any progress with all my drafted injuries. Actually, I lie, I'm making progress with running, and I love setting myself targets with that. A couple of years ago it felt a bit challenge to run 4 k without stopping for a break, now I can do nearly 14! Purple, you're right as in a way challenging yourself and being hard on yourself can be a good trait to get results in some aspects of your life, but it can make other aspects difficult (I try to be so perfect I even print my own Christmas wrapping paper and labels. I make so much work for myself, it spans across everything I do). Thermo I need to start laughing at the super fit ones and not see it as my goal!

Well, i did beast today. I think it was my first ever beast workout, I may have done one once a year ago but I don't really remember it. I did lower it was so funny, the guy in it is hilarious (I don't think he means to be which makes it sort of more funny). They are so huge! And great lingo like talking abut chicken legs and quadzillas! Dd and I were laughing at how seriously they were taking the whole weights thing, they are massive aren't they?! I did the workout without weights (as even holding weights pulls on my shoulder and elbow) apart from seated calf raises and felt like a decentish workout even without weights. When they dropped numbers for each set I just kept up with max set numbers to make it more worthwhile. In a weird way I found him more motivating that autumn. It was a very basic but probably very effective if you're lifting heavy workout.

Am a teacher and gcse results out tomorrow so feeling very very anxious .

Purple have a day off and see how you feel tomorrow. I know it's tough to skip a workout but it's better in the long run with getting better. Or if you have to do something do a stretch DVD so you get a bit of flexibility and don't feel like you've totally given up iykwim.

Thermo I love the crusty cheese bit on top of pasta bake too, it's the best bit! Speaking of cheese, I took dd out for a pizza for lunch today, hoping to limit damage by asking for my usual pizza with no added oil and less cheese (I don't know how much difference it makes but it make some feel better I'm trying to be healthier).

Good luck tomorrow Reastie {bites fingernails in sympathy} my bro teaches secondary too maybe I should check in on him tomorrow - never occurred to me - am clearly a bad sister. If you are going to start laughing at the crazier dvd bits then Sagi is a good trainer to start with - he is literally in love with his dumbells 'hey guys I missed you' he says with total sincerity and devotion to his weights in one of the hammer and chisel workouts. He is like Arnie but more so!

Hope the gcse results were good for everyone. Ah it takes me back to when I did mine......

You've made me really want to try some body beast. It sounds hilarious. I love the idea of quadzillas and dumbbell kissing. It might make a pleasant change from Shaun t shouting 'hydrate your life! Dig deep! '

I didn't workout last night. Am (barely) back on it today. Did max recovery which was some stretching (much needed, my back is creaking like a rusty gate) with a lot of squats/lunges etc and now my legs are jelly. Was a v easy workout but felt hard so think I'm not quite back to normal.

I've decided I'm not going to finish insanity. Am going to do a random week of stuff from the secret site. To inspire me could you post your fave secret site workouts and I'll give them a go - especially body beast but bear in mind I only have hand weights not a barbell so that might stop me doing some of them. Ooh I'm all excited now!

And whoever said it's a reality check when you go to a class with normal people vs seeing the girls on these work outs - you're so right. It is their ability to do all the press ups etc which is so incredible and an almost unattainable goal for me and 99.99999% of the population.

Oooh Purple - ultimate Beachbody week!

Hmm, Hammer Power if it's on there is very different, and I think it's mainly standing with weights rather than needing a bench - I don't think this is the one where Sagi makes out with his weights sadly

Purple I nominate Dirty Dozen, Cardio Fix Extreme and ABC Extreme (all Autumn) and Pyramid (T25) - hard to pick just one

Reastie hope the GCSE results were good and your pupils are pleased You never think about it from the teacher's point of view do you?

Doing Cardio Fix Extreme tonight which is probably one of the toughest ones on my schedule (sorry Purple - I chose it to challenge you )

OMG, I had erased the 'hydrate your life' comment from my mind that seriously has to go down as the worst comment on any workout video EVER!!

Ooh excellent. Will try all of those. I remember cardio fix extreme. That one is hard!

Did anyone read the article today saying that 40pc of Middle Aged people (that's me ) do not even walk for 10mins per day? I realised to my horror my life is so sedentary that is me!!! Thank goodness for workout DVDs. And also made me think of you being so hard on yourself reastie despite doing loads of exercise when so many people are so incredibly inactive.

Purple I think of you as super fit, I can't believe your lifestyle is sedantry except for the dvds! I heard that study too, it's shocking isn't it. Makes me feel better about myself at least (although I'm not quite middle aged or at least I tell myself that anyway).

No workout today. Was awake every hour last night waiting for 6 am when I can check my students' results online and made me shattered and had headache from feeling dehydrated all day. Have drunk lots and desperate to squeeze in some kind of workout tomorrow though then off on holiday st the week end. Have packed workout gear and combat, hc22, tf, 21df and p90x3 so I have lots of choice on holiday .

Purple I really like the pump workouts, you could do it with hand weights but not quite the same. What's the shaun t dance one called again? Oh yeah, cize. It's not very demanding but if you like a routine it's good. Ohh and t25 speed 3, I like that one.

Thermo how did cardio go?

purple I saw that on the news and have to say that I am inactive apart from my workouts I do walk the DC to and from school but only 1 day a week as I work the other 4. I actually enjoy walking but just have nowhere to walk or any time to do so!

reastie have a good holiday and don't beat yourself up if you don't feel like working out some days

Cardio Fix Extreme was hard she barely gives you any breaks in it unlike her normal workouts! Didn't modify as much as I expected to so I'll take that as a 'win'

Reastie have a wonderful hol - lots of good dvd options there!

Roman well done re modifiying - it s brilliant when you realise you are able to do new things.

Purple I am seriously tempted to buy a fitbit - next time theres an amazon black Friday type thing on I might treat myself, apparently they send you reminders to get up and the newer ones can monitor heart rate for workouts.

I did bodyshred workout 2 - pretty tough but I am happy I did workout as nearly didn't. My kids are back now hooray!

Yumy be wary of the fitbits that monitor heart rates from the wrist. I had one of those and it was ridiculously inaccurate. I ended out having my hr monitor strap around my chest and fit bit at the same time to compare and chest strap would be on, say 130 and Fitbit would be 92. It gave wildly inaccurate workout results because of this. I did a fair bit of research at the time and discovered this is a thing that they just aren't as accurate in the wrist, even the Apple Watch things. I now have a polar watch which links to a chest strap when I wear it and is really accurate and no complaints. It also has gps for my running and cycling and a pedometer for steps. Look at different options depending on what you want it for.

Well, for a laugh I thought I'd do body beast cardio today as my workout. No workout yesterday and today I'm still feeling a bit weak, think I may be coming down with a cold, which is typical the day before we go on holiday! It wasn't a great workout for me as some moves involved using weights and others positions I can't do with my arms due to injury, but I modified and changed moves where I needed to and managed to get a good amount of sweat. I didn't expect it to be a great cardio workout though given the size of the men and it wasn't imo. Not much speed or agility and felt like lots of squats and lunges even with a bit of plyo thrown in it I'd still say even tony beats beast cardio.

Discovered a les mills combat class ten minutes from our holiday home on Sunday morning so if I'm not still under the weather might see if I can join in as I've never done a rl combat class and think I'd like it. Not sure if dd and dh want to fritter away time whilst I'm there though as they would be carless.

Did pyramid today as part of my beachbody thread challenge! Really enjoyed it. Was so nice to do something different and not involving constant plyo. Might try the hammer one tomorrow if it's on the secret site

Poppy I can see my steps from my phone. It's prob not very accurate but doesn't need to be really as I don't count that as my exercise. For whoever it was who was surprised at my sedentaryness - I have an office type job and I drive to/from. My average walking distance in a day is 200m! on my days off I'm a lot more active thank goodness.