Let the INSANITY begin...

That's right! You heard me! INSANITY!  Yes, I know I tried it before and failed miserably, but this time I'm here to complete it...all 63 Days of it! Nothing is going to stop me this time...well...nothing as long as I have access to my masseuse that is.

Monday was Day 1 - The Fit Test. I woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:30 am and jumped right into it with my husband by my side. We huffed and puffed through the first few moves and then I heard the dry heaving coming from his side of the room and he was out. I kept chugging along wishing this was all a nightmare and that I would wake up in my nice warm bed, but that never happened.  Instead I was left in a puddle of sweat dragging my nutrient deprived body into the shower so I could  face the day. I was shaky, felt like puking and light headed as could be. It all faded away before the first kid headed off to school on the bus and I was left with these numbers which I am proud of and the Lesson of the day: Don't Workout at 5:30am EVER Again!






Day 2 - Plyometric Cardio Circuit: I am quite familiar with this routine since I started it two weeks ago as my introduction to Insanity. I knew what to expect, how hard I would have to push and how sore I would be the next day. What I did expect was that I would puke during the 3rd round of Level 1 drills. Lesson of the day: Wait about 2hours after eating before attempting an INSANITY workout!

Day 3 - Cardio Power and Resistance: Once again Shaun T kicked my ass like it has never been kicked before. I actually tried this workout last week and it is just brutal, especially when you are also finishing up ChaLEAN Extreme while doing INSANITY (I don't recommend it - I am clearly insane). By the end of this workout I looked like I took a shower with my clothes on, my quads and glutes were on FIRE and I desperately needed my Results and Recovery drink! Lesson of the day: Beware of ceiling fans when doing jump training!

I ended Day 3 with a wonderful 2 hour massage and my body is very grateful. Tomorrow is a recovery workout but this is an INSANITY recovery day so I am sure I will be sweating and cursing up a storm.

Now, I don't mean to scare anyone who has never tried Insanity, but I'm not one for sugar coating either. I believe that any results worth achieving come with hard work and dedication. Without those two things, success will not be the end result with this particular program. It takes a lot of determination to puke and then go right back into the workout!

Quickly, I'd like to give a big thank you to my #insanecrew! You guys keep me motivated and I'll need you all for the next 60 days! We will push each other to the next level and wear those t-shirts with pride at the end of this crazy ride.

Here's to 60 more days of puke, sweat and tears! Dig Deep!

The People We Meet Along The Way...

There is a saying "Everything happens for a reason", and I've come to learn that you either love this saying or absolutely hate it, depending on the situation. At the current moment I am not a huge fan of the saying, but I am sure that once I start thinking clearly again things will work out for the best and I will agree with it.

Anyway, I read a quote just now while catching up on Twitter “... the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me.” ~ Scott Adams which made me stop and think about some of the people who have come and gone in my life.

I think the two quotes work hand in hand in a lot of ways. I think people come into your life for a reason, even though you may not realize that reason until long after they are gone. Some people spend many years with you. They share good times and bad times, laughter and tears and are with you when you need them most. Others may only be there for a few months, share a few brief moments, a conversation or two, or maybe just an occasional hello or smile in passing. Regardless, both can be equally as important even though you don't realize it at first.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting many people. All have brought something to the table and taught me a lesson in one way or another. Most of those people don't even know the impact they had on my life because we no longer speak and went our separate ways.

One of those people are responsible for my taking the steps to become the fit person I am today. They have no idea of the strides I have made, the influence they were, or how thankful I am for our chance encounter, and they most likely never will since we no longer speak. I have thought about sending them an e-mail, but always decide it's for the best not to since we chose to go our separate ways for a reason. One day our paths may cross again and if they do, I will be sure thank them, until then, I will be forever grateful in my heart.

Recently, I've noticed that it's the people I've known for the shortest amount of time who have taught me the most valuable lessons about myself. I don't know if subconsciously we seek these people, or if it is fate leading us to them but I am happy I have found each and every one of them. I will cherish them for as long as I have them and most likely even once they are gone, for they have all taught me a lesson along on the way. Even if I haven't realized what that lesson is yet.

A Time For Revenge

Once upon a time, I attempted INSANITY...and I failed miserably.

I knew going in I was  biting off more than I could chew, however, as many of you know I can be very strong willed and thickheaded. I barely finished my last day of P90X and I was already jumping into the INSANITY fit test because everyone else was doing it. (Insert jumping off a bridge joke here)

Surprisingly, I did well on the fit test. The rude awakening came during the first workout....I blocked most of the experience out of my mind but I believe it was Plyo Cardio Circuit. The warm up itself felt like a full workout and Shaun T was absolutely relentless. I tried my best to keep up and by the end of the workout I collapsed in a pool of my own sweat wishing for a bucket to puke in. Thankfully I had my cellphone near me so I was able to Tweet from said pool of sweat about the experience.

The next day was Cardio Power and Resistance. My husband walked by the room and saw me covered in sweat, struggling to keep up and just shook his head at me. By the end of the workout I dragged my sorry self up the stairs and laid in the fetal position in the shower for what felt like eternity. This program was kicking my ass and giving me a reality check. My. Cardio. Sucked.

I made it through the first week of this program wondering why I was doing this....then.....my back decided it couldn't handle any more and I quickly pulled the brakes on INSANITY.

For a week I did nothing but yoga and stretching everyday in hopes of finding relief for my herniated discs. (This is an old injury and not caused by the program) I also took the time to think about things and I while I hated to admit defeat, I knew it was in the best interest of my body to not continue. This bugged me to no end!

Round 2 of P90X started the following week and I did the Classic version so I would have Plyometrics in the routine. Upon completing that round I started ChaLEAN Extreme and walking/running on a semi regular basis.

I know my cardio is still lacking but I have decided to try my hand at INSANITY again starting on September 27th. I feel I am better prepared for it this time (or at least I hope I am) and I will be doing it with @tmgrant7 since we are good at motivating each other and pushing each other to the next level.

Time for me to seek my revenge, Dig Deep and take my fitness goals to the next level!