Insanity - Week 4

I'm just about through the first phase of Shaun T's Insanity. It is everything it is hyped to be, so far. It REALLY works great. If you follow the nutrition guide and do the work outs, you will get amazing results in a short time frame.

The workouts are very extreme. However, your body and your ability to handle the moves and the speed of them does improve dramatically. You adapt and your lung capacity gets stronger. The difference in my Fit Test scores from Week 1 to Week 3 was amazing. Each workout, I find I'm going longer without having to take a break. The workouts really are that difficult.

We all sometimes need a kick in the pants when exercising. We need to be pushed to that maximum level where you think you have nothing more to give. Shaun T. is a tremendous instructor and inspires you to really push yourself past that mental hurdle.

I find I prefer Insanity to P90X. The workouts are more efficient, tougher, and the nutrition guide is easier than P90X. I did it, but it's hard eating 1 carbohydrate and 4 vegetables a day like I had to do in Phase I of P90X.

In terms of bodily appearance, I've seen the most results in my stomach. I had put on about 6 lbs. in December, but those are long gone. Insanity attacks stomach fat and I'm currently flirting with a six pack. After two weeks of Insanity, you will see new lines in your abs. I'm very pleased with the results, thus far.

The hardest workout of the ones I have done is Pure Cardio. Particularly on the days when you are supposed to do Cardio Abs, as well. This day should be renamed, "Pure Torture", due to the difficulty of the routine. Pure Cardio is relentless. There aren't any intervals in the Pure Cardio DVD, you just do your best to keep up with the routine and take the breaks when you need them. When finished, you then get to suffer the indignity of doing Cardio Abs, which will leave you begging for mercy.

The best part about Insanity is the workouts really do fly by. There were many days doing P90X, where the Yoga X or Legs/Back/Ab Ripper X dragged on. When doing an Insanity workout, you're so busy trying to keep up, you lose track of the clock and next thing you know there's only 8 minutes left in the DVD.

I'm not even halfway through it, and I can't recommend Insanity enough. If you're looking for a SERIOUS fitness challenge, Insanity is the way to go. Be forewarned, you are not in as good a shape as you think you are!