Day 58: MAX CARDIO CONDITIONING & CARDIO ABS

I actually had a good workout today and am warming to Max Cardio Conditioning. Cardio Abs was fun as always and I actually got all the way through the double leg lifts for the first time. I had a hard time getting going, though. As I've mentioned ad nauseum for the past week or so, my motivation is really dwindling. I'm having a hard time focusing on the workouts (I think Jenn nailed it -- the "novelty" is gone, and without that bad-ass awe about them, they just are daunting). But that wouldn't stop me; I've never had a problem getting myself to work out. The real problem is... My body is really in need of a break. That's the main thing. If I were going by my own signals right now, I'd take a good three days off in a row and nap every afternoon. But I have to push through just a few more days. My knees are cranky and while my upper-body strength feels like it's still improving, my legs just feel tired.

All of the above makes me wonder if it's just a normal physical response to 60 days of this sort of intensity without more than one day off at a time or if I've been doing something wrong.

I'm nervous about Max Interval Circuit tomorrow. Out of all the Insanity workouts, that's the one that just strikes fear in my heart. I just have it once more... I can do it. I'm also scheduled to finish up (minus the fit test) on Sunday, which is Easter. My mom has a big brunch planned that day and I don't know how all that's going to pan out. I would love for that day to be my first day of "freedom" so I can enjoy the big meal, but I don't want to tackle my final workout and then the fit test and measurements right after that. Suggestions, anyone?

I just received Hungry Girl's brand new cookbook in the mail, and I am so excited. You all know how much I love Hungry Girl, and this time she's put out a cookbook with more fresh food and less processed stuff -- it even has a crockpot section and a whole chapter on things to do with broccoli-slaw, which I love. I'm off to dig in.

Day 50: MAX INTERVAL CIRCUIT

This is the day that my finger finally hovered over the "stop" button. But let me back up... I got so into my work this morning that lunchtime finally rolled around and I hadn't worked out yet. I had lunch -- 1 cup of homemade baked beans from Veganomicon over sauteed garlic spinach, and a mini homemade corn muffin. Not a big lunch. I then gave myself another hour before starting. I figured I was set and that the molasses would even give me an extra energy boost. Through most of the first circuit I was flying, better and faster than ever before. Then, instead of gathering steam as usual, as Dr. Seuss would say, my "borfin went schlump." I pictured myself as a cartoon character, with the little squigglies coming out of my ears and "fffffftttt" written above me.

I have never felt worse during an Insanity workout. I could still sense lunch (it was clearly too soon afterward), and I kept having waves where I felt I might pass out. Things would start to white out and I would see little sparklies in the air. I didn't do much of the second circuit and there were a couple of exercises I skipped entirely. I kept going, though, even though my max was just barely moving. I went to shut it off and then noticed only 12 minutes left on the clock. I decided to just go for it even though there was nothing to dig for. I managed to pull off most of the last circuit, and then I had to lie on the floor for awhile. I guess I'm proud of myself for finishing it, but at the same time, I'm starting to count down the days until I'm done. I'm getting effing tired of Insanity. I only have eight hard workouts left.

My physical reaction brings something to mind that I discussed with my doctor last month. I noticed that sometimes when I was close to my max and I stopped for a water break, my hearing would sort of "dull" for a few moments, like there was pressure in my ears or something cutting off my hearing. Has anybody ever noticed this happen? It didn't last long, but it was worrisome. The doctor told me it was likely just a circulation thing and nothing to worry about (even given my history). I really noticed it today but when it was combined with the faintness, I knew it was time to stop and walk around until I felt normal. It makes sense -- when you're digesting, much of your blood and resources goes to your stomach and isn't available to you... not something that can be overlooked with Insanity.

I know this is just a blip and an unfortunate bit of timing, and I have to keep going. Fifty days is a long time, and there's no way I'm going to quit now.

Day 45: MAX INTERVAL PLYO

The workout went really well (except those power jumps ... I don't think I'll ever "master" that sequence) today, but I'd feel a lot better about it if I hadn't ruined two days of decent eating last night when my husband showed up at 9:30 pm with a box of chocolates. FEH! I threw the (meager) rest of them out and I'm going to stay on track now if it kills me. Because I have to be accountable here, I don't want to report back to you tomorrow that I did the same thing today.

So glad tomorrow is recovery day, and the two longest and hardest max workouts only appear once each this week. In fact, only one more "hard" workout this week, as the other two are Max Recovery and Core Cardio and Balance. I'm not sure about the reasoning behind that last one, but I'll take it happily.

Day 40: MAX INTERVAL CIRCUIT

Forty days. That looks like a long time. I'm dreading today, so I'm again working on this post before the workout. My diet has been BAD the last few days, everyone. I can't seem to snap out of it. I must have eaten nearly an entire bag of jellybeans last night. It's not going to change today, either, because my mom is making a multi-course Thai dinner for my husband's birthday. Part of it is PMS... I'm one of those people who gets it really bad and whose appetite triples in those few days, so I'm trying to just find a way to indulge intelligently (but failing).

Strangely, I'm still wearing what were before my tightest pair of jeans (a size I have not even been able to put on in well over a year) and not only that, but those jeans are now so relaxed that yesterday I noticed I kept having to pull them up. They may have stretched. I haven't weighed/measured since I last posted my stats, but I doubt I've lost that much. But it's quite possible that the total lunacy of month 2 is helping erase the effects of my recent eating habits. But I don't want to fall back on that. But for today, I know if I can just put my shoes on and get out there, I can probably burn off most of those jellybeans. If only it were so easy! The memory of my horrible day 36 is still pretty fresh in my mind. Off I go...

I lived to tell the tale. I actually did far, far better today. I had a decent night of sleep and no longer have a stomachache, so I'm sure that helped. It felt like the early days of Plyo Cardio Circuit, and I had to rest/modify about that much, which means I've improved a lot. I think the body adjusts to the demands of month 2 quickly. The first time with this one, I crapped out on so many of the exercises, and this time I was even able to get through all the plank punches and floor switch kicks. Maybe that bag of jellybeans gave me lots of energy and improved my performance! Well, it was worth a shot.

I had to "stay after" for extra stretching, but I feel fine now, not trashed like day 36. I only drank 10 ounces of recovery drink today (4 during and 6 after), so we'll see if I can get away with that.

It's a bit uncomfortable to work out with those knee wraps, but they have allowed me to continue without pain. It's been pretty amazing, especially considering what sorry shape my knees were in at the end of month 1. Other than just tiny bits of tenderness once in awhile (usually while running up stairs) I have no joint pain. If you're having trouble with your knees, this is worth considering as it's only for a short time.

Looking ahead, aside from that last week, the first week of month 2 is the hardest. I see that the two middle weeks have Core Cardio and Balance as the sixth day, which will make things much easier. I am officially two-thirds of the way through Insanity!

Day 39: MAX RECOVERY

What the hell is this? I was looking forward to "recovery" today. I'm sore and crabby and have absolutely no energy, and was so relieved I didn't have to do one of the "real" Max workouts today. Should have known better. Who'd have predicted I'd enjoy Max Interval Plyo but find Max Recovery to be completely off the chain?

The muscle-building in this one is really insane. I didn't put my all into it. I couldn't. I'm the pushup queen and I barely did a fraction of all of these. The number/variety of pushup/plank work you do is nuts, and so is the plie work, which goes on forever. I'm probably going to dread this workout. I'm sure if I were using this at a non-Insanity time of life, I would push hard and enjoy it, but my muscles have met their match this week. I'm also right on the cusp of "that time," and I feel pretty lousy. My knees did enjoy the break, though. My shoulder also feels fine. I think that was just a minor blip.

I guess this is sort of a yoga-ish routine, although I don't like his variations and especially all the repetitive back rounding when coming to standing. I think for many this could be injurious -- much better to lift with a flat back and lead with the chest as we do in yoga. As far as deep muscle work goes, this was fantastic (in theory). As far as yoga goes, while it's nice to see him introduce side angle and side plank and some other postures, it's not very comprehensive and a lot of the movements felt weird or awkward. I doubt many people will agree with me, however. I do really love the standing ab work. But I felt distracted and all I could think was:

"THERE IS LEFTOVER PIZZA IN THE REFRIGERATOR."

Day 31: CORE CARDIO AND BALANCE

I love this routine. I did this complete workout again today and wore a knee support with an open patella on my left knee for the cardio. I had no problems this way. I took it off for the hip flexor burner and shoulder work, because all of the balancing on one leg and the bending/extending strengthen the knee joint. The hip flexor burners were difficult today but I made it through all the shoulder work without stopping for the first time.

But I'm still very wary. Without the brace, I find my knee feels slightly unstable (maybe I'm hypersensitive?), and occasionally if I'm walking and I hyperextend my knee, I feel a little shooting twinge. I don't know what to think of this, but I'm preparing myself for the worst. I fear I may have a slight ACL strain, and I wonder if I'm being irresponsible by considering continuing. It's workable now, but I wonder if it's been weakened and could end up tearing if I do.

Day 28: REST DAY

$%$&*#! My knees are suddenly not happy. I notice it when using the stairs, and when driving my car this morning, one of my knees was popping just a bit. I guess I jinxed myself by writing what I did yesterday, although I'm still amazed it took this long. Tiny bits of twinginess have surfaced throughout the last month, but they've always gone away after a day or so. This is a little bit worse, although I'm still hoping a rest day will improve it. I bought some glucosamine chondroitin for joints, but then found out it would interact with my anticoagulant medication, so that's a no-go. This may all require some modifying of the recovery week (i.e. in favor of yoga for runners and that sort of thing), but I'm still hoping it won't be necessary.

For today, bring on the sloth.

Day 12: CARDIO POWER AND RESISTANCE

Man, I loathe Tanya. I want to sucker-punch her, with all of those goofy facial expressions. None of the other participants bug me in the least but her. But it motivates me, you know? I have to beat Tanya, 'cause she sucks.

Last night found me alone on the couch with a box of Cap'n Crunch, and I'm sorry to report that there were indecent acts, and not just in the second or third degree.

Regardless, morning came and so did the death train that is Cardio Power and Resistance. Well, this one hasn't gotten any easier and I'm sure last night didn't help. I did fairly well, though; about like last time. The warmups are luckily starting to feel like warmups. My power jumps have gotten a little higher and faster, which is good. The globe jumps also aren't as intimidating. The walking pushups are about the point where I start to lose it, though, and I find my buns creeping up in the air during the floor sprints. I'm probably "getting mine," because I'm forever walking around to my yoga students during class and telling them to lower their buns and engage their uddiyana bandha (In Shaun-speak, engage the core) while in plank position.

I have some delicious cabbage kofta waiting for me as soon as I can down the rest of this recovery drink and take a shower. I have found myself gloriously alone all day on a Saturday, as the rest of the family is skiing. And now that I've served my time for the day, I'm a free woman. By the way, cabbage kofta: Baked dumplings made of shredded cabbage, besan [chickpea flour], fresh cilantro, oil, and spices simmered in a tomato-based creamy curry sauce. I love the cooking videos on Manjula's Kitchen (Indian vegetarian).

A little scared of month 2

I previewed the month 2 workouts today and I'm quaking in my boots. First, I didn't realize how much longer they are. When Shaun says "about 45 minutes," what he means is 60. They look incredibly hard, and in searching the Web for other Insanity blogs, I notice there is a serious lack of bloggers who have actually made it that far. On the plus side, some of the exercises look a lot more fun. These routines do get a little repetitive. As long as my joints are OK, I'll see it through. I imagine by the end of month 1, you're ready for these, but I'm intimidated to find out that what I'm doing is basically the beginner's version of Insanity and is just preparing you physically for the real Insanity that is month 2.