Good morning, Y'alllll!!
Pure Cardio is done for the first time. I was a bit nervous about starting this workout, and was glad/alarmed when Shaun said he was nervous, too!!! But I got through it just fine, with much fewer breaks than I thought I'd need. Mostly I found that I just needed a couple of big breaths as a transition between moves, for the Level 2 exercises. Oh, I was taking lots of breaks during the leap frog hops and the push up jacks. Those were the hardest for me. I should probably work on my speed; I'm probably not as fast in many of the moves as Shaun would like.
I thought it was funny that by the end of the workout all the men had their shirts off, except one guy in the back. He must have a nasty scar or something
.
Overall, I had fun with this workout. It's intense, for sure. But it's over in the blink of an eye. I don't feel like I've been dragged through the mud, then deep fried. I feel quite energized. I've just finished my morning smoothie, then I'm going to go back to the basement and do STS Back (disc 15). The back work takes a lot of cardio power, so I'm taking some time to replenish.
Brenda - For the last year I've been teaching a total body resistance training class, similar to Cathe's Power Hour. I've also been teaching spin. I sub for a lot of different things: general cardio, step, core, kickboxing, whatever they need me to do. I'm just starting to teach AquaFit classes, as well. Come September I'll be doing a cardio&strength circuit class, instead of the resistance training one. I also do personal training from out of my house. It's fun stuff! Arthritic hip be damned! My key focus right now is on trying to stick to the Insanity rotation without overtraining myself with the instructing. It's unfortunate that your Y closed
. Ours is thriving beyond belief. It's a fabulous facility, and busy as anything.
Elena - Oh no!! Don't tell me there's another MIC in my life!
I thought I was done with that for a while! I used to do Cathe's MIC a lot; I'm quite tired of it now (not to say that I find it easy!). So, in his version, does Shaun simply add on another couple of circuits, or is the structure of the workout completely different from the Month 1 workouts?
Jennifer - Ooooh, when children make remarks like that, you must tell them to join you!! See how high THEY can jump LOL! I have 2 DDs, and they don't presume to tell me how to workout anymore....
Excellent job, pushing through to the end! You did your best, today, and that's all anyone is asking you to do. Consistency is more important than perfection.
Colleen - Of course you have a hard time doing push ups when you're winded....they're a hugely cardiovascular move! Push ups are an all-around delight: cardio, resistance, and core, in one sweet package. Pull ups are their vertical cousin. The very first workout in the P90X program is called Chest & Back, and it's 50mins of push up & pull up circuits, with a few dumbell exercises for the back thrown in for good measure. Tony calls it the "mothah" of all P90X workouts, and it's dynamite. I hated it the first time I did P90X, but grew to love it, as I got stronger with subsequent rounds. It burns lots of calories, and you're sweaty and winded when you're done. P90X is really focused on muscle hypertrophy. There are 3 cardio workouts, but even the most intense (PlyoX) is not as intense as any of the Insanity workouts. It's a fabulous workout, though. P90X is really a self-contained program: weights, cardio, and stretching all included. STS is (so far) just weights. Insanity is primarily cardio. If I was to combine P90X and Insanity, it would be to do P90X upper body weight workouts (there are 2 per week) on alternate days to Insanity workouts. I would leave the P90X cardio for a strictly P90X rotation. P90X has a delicious workout called XStretch, which is 60mins of non-aggressive, deep stretching. I love, love, love it, and would recommend using it with whatever program you might be doing. P90X also has a very powerful 90min yoga workout. I think most people don't do it because it's so tough, and so long. But if you stick with it, once a week, for the whole program, it gives GREAT results for your overall strength and flexibility. I'm currently using STS Meso2 weight work in addition to doing the Insanity rotation. M2 is designed nicely so that you can do it one part/day if you want, and that's what I'm doing. I spend 15-25mins per body part/day. This week I did M2 Legs, Disc 14, and have decided that it was more than I needed. I'll let Insanity, my cycle classes, and the total body resistance class I teach once a week, take care of my legs for now. This is all general information. Is there something more specific about any of the programs that you want to know? I love them all; STS and P90X both did wonderful things to my general fitness levels, and muscle development. I love Tony Horton's personality, and find him very motivating. The most motivational phrase I've heard came from him: "Just do your best....and forget the rest." That's my motto now. And yes, I DID have it put on a tank top! LOL!!! I'm truly going to get one that says "How ya doin' y'allllll?" And I would love a Cathe tank that says "Accelerate!".
Becky - I'm sorry you were feeling so poorly this morning
. Did the walk/run help you feel any better?
Okay, I think the smoothie has settled, and I've made a fresh cup of tea, so I'm going to go to Back now. I'm just doing my best with this, today....
Cheers!
Sandra
