This is INSANITY!

[Pete799p]

I use to be in peak physical shape, but I ruptured 3 discs in my lower back when I was 20. After two years of extreme pain and no healing, I found a good neuro surgeon and got the surgery done. Unfortunately, from genetics, all the running I did early on in life, and a pre-existing condition, I'm doomed hahaha. I'm getting back into good shape, but never will be able to squat 280 or bench 225 again. As long as that means I will never black out from standing up and walking 20 feet ever again... I'm okay with that.

If you dont mind me asking how you F-ed your back up. I have been going pretty hard in the weight room lately and my chiropractor recently advised me stop squating and deadlifting due to the risk of injury. I am really having a tough time with that as those are my two favorite exercises. I would rather squat then bench anyday.

 

[BEAR]

I've done Insanity. Man is it an a$$ whoopin!

Usually run a cycle of it during the winter when weather doesn't permit outdoor activities.

Keep with it, make sure you aren't too hard on your joints, and you will see great returns.

P90X is great also and mixes in weights.

 

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[LightHouse]

If you dont mind me asking how you F-ed your back up. I have been going pretty hard in the weight room lately and my chiropractor recently advised me stop squating and deadlifting due to the risk of injury. I am really having a tough time with that as those are my two favorite exercises. I would rather squat then bench anyday.

Here is the deal with this, and remember i am no PhD.

I have a bad hip, so bad in fact that I am not allowed to run or squat unless I want to be in a wheelchair by 45. I don't run anymore or play impact sports, but I do still squat. You want to know what happened when i started squatting everyday... my hip, back and knees which were collateral damage, feel 10x better.

You have to really focus on doing it right with perfect form, and for me i can't be doing 300lb+ squats but i feel as with any body parts, strengthening the muscles around them will typically help everything function better, and in my case cured pain and issues. I'll never move up in that area, but slowly my leg muscles got bigger and more defined at a slow pace. I also didn't want to not do then because a deep squat sends a great CNS alert to everything else in your body, promoting growth and recovery.

Deadlifting is another story since my legs don't line up, but i try to modify and again dont load heavy loads that can break something. It seems to work well also.

 

[andviv]

CNS alert

???? I googled it and could not find anything related to this....

make sure you aren't too hard on your joints

This is what I am struggling with... my knees are killing me right now so I have to go easy on the jumping exercises... which are like half of the plyo and cardio routines.

 

[Yussef]

I wonder how beastly his new Asylum workout will be in comparison?

 

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[andviv]

I wonder how beastly his new Asylum workout will be in comparison?

I am not insane enough to even think about it.... for now.

 

[Yussef]

Hope they allow this link but this is the new one.

Asylum Workout - Insanity Asylum Workout Takes Insanity Workout to the Next Level

 

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[andviv]

Saw the video. Don't want to even think about it for now.

 

[andviv]

So yesterday was another "Plyometrics - Cardio" day.

I did not do as well as in other occasions. I felt tired so I went at a slower pace. Amazing, even this slower pace was faster than a mere week ago.

I tried and stuck with it and did as much as I could, but I did feel tired.

Today, based on the schedule, I am supposed to rest, but because I missed Saturday's video as I was playing soccer, I am off by a day.

Not sure if I will rest today or just do the next session. I am leaning towards taking the break because the following session is Pure Cardio, and that is brutal, and like I said, I was just tired last night.

 

[andviv]

I rested today.

I am actually missing working out today, but I know I needed the break. Almost ready for tomorrow's routine... bring it!

 

[Yussef]

I have no problem with the p90x workouts and will start training for the spartan race so that I am in shape enough to make it through it this summer...but the p90x yoga routine is the most difficult for me. I think many people underestimate the physical and mental strength required to complete a mid level yoga routine.

I can't be the only one. Holding plank position then going straight into upward dog destroys my arms to the point of no return.

 

[andviv]

the p90x yoga routine is the most difficult for me. I think many people underestimate the physical and mental strength required to complete a mid level yoga routine.

It ranks up there with the hardest things that I've ever had to deal with. That thing was tough.

 

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[andviv]

I've pulled my back. I have a lot of pain, but I will keep going.

Funny thing is, I did not pull it while exercising, but the morning after, and doing nothing especial, was simply turning on my chair and boom, it went.

We'll see how it goes during tonight's routine.

For now, ibuprofen and a heat patch should help.

 

[andviv]

I've been working on this but I am feeling the stress on my knees.

There are a lot of jumping exercises (plyometric routines) all over the place and I am feeling the pain in my knees. This has made me slow down a bit and go easier on some exercises, which is not helping.

I am trying to take it easy as to not get injured, but I can tell, it is just not the same.

Will continue doing what I can, but man, this is tough.

 

[andviv]

Keep it up. You inspired me to restart p90x. Halfway through my second week.

Glad to be useful somehow.

Get you some joint support (glucosamine chondroitin) at walmart for like 15 bucks. Great for the knees.

Thanks for the recommendation. I will do that tonight or tomorrow.

 

[ambition21]

Not to be a buzz kill, but you guys would be much better off just getting on a solid lifting routine and watching your nutrition closely. May not be as exciting, but you'll see results MUCH faster and are MUCH less likely to get injured.

I've only been lifting for a year 5x/week and I've gotten some pretty insane results. I also (luckily ) haven't suffered any injuries. Check out leangains.com, seriously changed my life.

 

[andviv]

Not to be a buzz kill, but you guys would be much better off just getting on a solid lifting routine and watching your nutrition closely. May not be as exciting, but you'll see results MUCH faster and are MUCH less likely to get injured.

Thanks for your good wishes.

For now I will stick to this one and see what progress and results I get.

If you noticed, one of my goals is to be able to play my soccer matches so being fit ranks higher than bulking up for now.

I also watch my nutrition, especially after realizing that I need to move and sweat all the crap I eat, so that makes me more conscious about it.

 

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[andviv]

I just came back from vacations. Gained a lot of weight cause I ate like a pig. Will restart my routine probably tomorrow.

 

[andviv]

Robert, that is pretty cool. How do you feel? Do you notice any positive changes? levels of energy? hunger?

I am down with a flu so I have not done anything since coming back from vacations. I know I am going to 'pay' for it when I resume and I will probably just start again from week 1 routine as I stopped now for more than three weeks. I do miss it as I notice the difference.

 

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[andviv]

Working out while shaking off a flu is difficult. Hope you get through it all without a ton of trouble.

Thanks. Taking it easy this week. I won't kid myself... the holidays beat me, lol.

Getting back to it when I get back to my regular schedule.

 

[tchandy]

Not to be a buzz kill, but you guys would be much better off just getting on a solid lifting routine and watching your nutrition closely. May not be as exciting, but you'll see results MUCH faster and are MUCH less likely to get injured.

I've only been lifting for a year 5x/week and I've gotten some pretty insane results. I also (luckily ) haven't suffered any injuries. Check out leangains.com, seriously changed my life.

That's great your on a good routine. I used to do the same and then changed it up every so often from 3 to 5 to 6 days a week lifting. The younger you are, your body responds a lot quicker and recovers just as fast. The older you get, your body changes, slows down for recovery days, more injury prone, etc. My two cents.

 

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[tchandy]

I just completed the first day if Insanity.

OMG this was just the fitness test. I almost puked. Tomorrow will be interesting.

Who else has done it?

I did it this past summer while traveling through five states when I moved and completed it in late August. I may have missed one workout but made up for it with a double workout one day. On a few off days I added the ab workout routine or the P90X ab routine (16 minutes long).

It was brutal the first week and then brutal when week six started (part 2). Also the final weeks of Insanity you just want to quit since it really takes a pounding on your body.

I normally prefer working out at the gym so didn't continue with Insanity. I do pop in a DVD every once in a while.

Keep going.

Tom

 

[andviv]

On a few off days I added the ab workout routine or the P90X ab routine (16 minutes long).

I've done this too. Those are probably the longest 16 minutes of my life, especially when you do that after completing 45 minutes of an Insanity routine. I still can't do some of the abs exercises correctly.

Also the final weeks of Insanity you just want to quit since it really takes a pounding on your body.

You are correct about this. The first week was easier as my body was not that sore. The second week things got nastier as I could barely keep up. I learned my lesson and I try now to go at a slower pace and not even attempt to match the instructor's speed. I am not 20 anymore and I do notice the toll it takes on my body.

I normally prefer working out at the gym so didn't continue with Insanity.

Yesterday I stopped by my gym and canceled my membership. This is the time of the year when the resolutions people fill the place so I won't be there anyway, and I am doing more stuff at home, so paying for it did not make sense anymore.

 

[JSY]

Not to be a buzz kill, but you guys would be much better off just getting on a solid lifting routine and watching your nutrition closely. May not be as exciting, but you'll see results MUCH faster and are MUCH less likely to get injured.

I've only been lifting for a year 5x/week and I've gotten some pretty insane results. I also (luckily ) haven't suffered any injuries. Check out leangains.com, seriously changed my life.

I think you would be surprised just how big of a transformation P90X can create. I've gained 15lbs+ while dropping BF% in a little less than 5months. Also take a look at wayne wyatt's original 90day transformation. It's pretty crazy how much strength can be gained in 90days considering it consists of about 70% body weight exercises. And I totally agree about nutrition. I've been following the lean gains protocol for a little over a month and I really like it.

I don't dispute that a well designed lifting routine is more effective than P90X at adding mass. But P90X is kind of built on the goal of gaining functional fitness which is why there is lots of synergistic exercises and not much spot training. Many people including myself like it because we don't have to travel back and forth from the gym everyday, pay a monthly fee, find / build a routine that fits our goals, and teach ourselves about nutrition (although learning more and more about nutrition is key and I really enjoy it, but the point is that all of Beachbody's programs come with a nutrition guide so that people at least have a great starting place and some basic knowledge). I know a another pro of P90X, Insanity, etc is being able to exercise in private that way there isn't any pressure. You can learn the correct movements and not be afraid the mess up.

 

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[nzerinto]

Is P90x and Insanity mostly for people who are (somewhat) fit, or can any level of fitness do it? I keep hearing about it, and it sounds like a great challenge to do (well, apart from the bit about feeling like puking), except I'm about as fit as a doorknob right now...

 

[andviv]

or can any level of fitness do it?

When I started I was over 25% body fat, more than 15 pounds over the ideal weight (I don't agree with that 'ideal weight' thing, but hey, that is where I started).
I was trying to catch up my breath after taking the stairs.
I started playing soccer again and had to ask for a sub 7 minutes into the match cause I was out of breath.

So, all in all, I started from a bad shape.

My biggest mistake?

Tried to go hard from the beginning.

If I were to start again, I would still do the whole thing but will work at a more reasonable pace.

See, by going all out from the get go I got tired too quickly and my body took a beating.

You can start slower and week after week you will improve. The best part was, in my case, I noticed the change by the end of week 1.

Of course I am not a physician, don't play one on TV, and did not sleep in a make-me-starter hotel last night, so maybe it is time to have a checkup with your doctor anyway, no?

 

[JSY]

Is P90x and Insanity mostly for people who are (somewhat) fit, or can any level of fitness do it? I keep hearing about it, and it sounds like a great challenge to do (well, apart from the bit about feeling like puking), except I'm about as fit as a doorknob right now...

The original idea for the program (P90X) was indeed for people who were already moderately fit. However people have defied this over and over again. Richard Neil began doing P90X at 426lbs and 18 months later he was at 184lbs. The reason really unfit people can succeed with P90X is because there are modifications for nearly every single exercise that are less challenging but still make sure that you are working hard.

If you feel like P90X still might be too intense or you don't have enough time every day to commit to doing it there are lots of alternatives. There is 10 minute trainer (kind of self explanatory, just a 10 minute circuit routine every day), Power Half Hour (30mins), Power 90 (the precursor to P90X, quite similar but just less intense).

I totally agree with andviv in that you have to start at a reasonable intensity level, you really don't want to kill yourself on day 1.

If this is something you would really like to commit to I'd be glad to help you out along the way. Feel free to contact me through PM or email: josh@lastingmotivation.com

 

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[deepestblue]

Cool. On the topic of fitness I had the mild revelation today to type into the big G, "youtube exercise routines"

 

[nzerinto]

If this is something you would really like to commit to I'd be glad to help you out along the way. Feel free to contact me through PM or email: josh@lastingmotivation.com

Thanks, may take you up on the offer, although wont be anytime soon, need to clear other commitments first.

 

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[andviv]

Yesterday I skipped the Insanity routine (was short on time) so I did a kettle bell routine instead. It was shorter and made me sweat. I worked out with a 20 lbs bell and followed a 'simple' routine, and I can tell you, I am sore big time in places where I did not know there was a chance to feel pain.

Tonight will go easy on the Insanity routine as my soccer match tomorrow is at noon on Saturday instead of at night as usual.