Friday, February 8, 2013

Insanity Update

A little more than two months ago, I wrote about beginning the Insanity Workout program.  Starting with a Fitness Test, the program got progressively harder each week. Every other week was another Fitness Test, presumably to track my progress. 

I can't remember all the details of my workouts, but I will say this: I was very dutiful about the quality and quantity of my meals during the first week, sticking with 2,300 calories per day and eating five times, and avoiding heavy carbs, sugary treats, and slamming down lots of water every day.  During the program, however, I found I had to moderate my portions, and most of the time I was under 2,000 calories per day.  I also wasn't a Nazi about sweets, which probably hampered some of my weight loss.  After four weeks I had lost only four pounds.  I was extremely tired, frequently sore, and had some slight knee pain.

The fifth week of the program is Recovery Week, and during that week I was supposed to do six days of "Core, Cardio and Balance," but I was so wiped out, and I took off three days during that week before resuming.  This recovery workout was very difficult, but at least it wasn't all bouncing off the floor and throwing my body up and down.  The impact on my knees was minimal. 

Week 6 began the second half of the program, at which the workouts increased in time and intensity.  After the first day, however, my left knee was simply killing me, and I had to take another two days off.  I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to finish the program, but I latched onto the idea of doing as much low impact as possible, of turning the high-impact exercises into low-impact ones. For example, if the exercise had me leaping off the floor, I simply went up to my toes and back down again, avoiding the slam on my knees.  If I had to do a Leap of Death, I skipped it!  Luckily there were no moves that required me to twist or pivot on my feet, so that avoided other types of injury.  After a week or so of this, my knees fully recovered, and by Weeks 8 and 9, I was fine.  All in all, I missed seven full workout days, so I added Week 10 to add back in what I'd missed.

As far as nutrition goes, I pretty much abandoned the total discipline with the meals.  I got conscientious about what I ate, but I didn't eat five meals a day religiously.  I ate much smaller portions, and didn't feel hungry ever.  I also took two supplements in addition to a multi-vitamin every day: Glucosamine/Chondroitin complex, and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA).  CLA is supposed to promote the building of lean muscle mass and burn fat.  I took it about 11 years ago when Lisa was pregnant with Max, but I can't remember if there was a benefit, but this time I noticed some accelerated slimming down after I took it.

By the end of the 10 week period, I'd lost just over 12 pounds, about halfway to my goal.  I had lost at least two inches off my waist.  My pants didn't fit me anymore.  I saw much less gut in front of me, although my spare tire was going to take a lot longer to be tamed.  I'm noticing definition in my abs -- I have a two-pack (so far)!  My legs are a lot more defined.  My stamina is greater than it was.  People who know me have told me they noticed slimming down from my face down my neck, and down to my torso. 

I also feel better than I've ever felt, and I'm sure I've added years to my life.  It was great to have Lisa join me on the journey.  She says she doesn't see any change in her appearance, but I do.  I think some after pictures might convince her.  In any event, she looks more beautiful to me than ever.

I was supposed to join a gym and work out for two months, but I dropped the ball on that and I never got around to it.  Instead, however, I've started the program all over again this week.  I've done three workouts so far this week, and I definitely feel better doing them than I did during Week 1.

When I reach my goal weight of 175 (10 pounds to go), I'll post up before and after pictures to go along with the posts.  Until then, Insanity all the way!