5-26-10: “From hell’s heart I stab at thee…For hate’s sake…I spit my last breath at thee!” – Khaaan from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, quoting Captain Ahab from Moby Dick.
Ahhh…it was going to be one of the best workout weeks…EVER! Instead it turned into a pretty gosh-darned good week. I completed workouts four days in a row (Thur-Sun), and finished with a workout on Wednesday for a solid five workouts in seven days. The roadblock came on Monday.
All was quiet on Monday. Too quiet. The storms had settled. The clouds had opened. A ray of sunshine illuminated the seas like never before. Yes. Monday, like so many other days, would be a good day to battle Moby Tree. I moved bravely towards my foe, armed with only a shovel and the spirit of a man who had faced insanity, fallen to the brink of despair, but had never blinked.
I would strike the first blow that day. Energy seething through my veins, and an unshakable will helped me drive the shovel down again and again and again. But, Moby Tree had not survived for so long just to fall before my blade so easily. Every strike, every blow, every effort to uproot the mighty Moby Tree was met with fierce resistance and a quiet resolve. My enemy, mocking me, knew that it held the defensive advantage. I knew this. All he had to do was stay still and he would win. I had to find a way to prevent the monster from playing head games with me. I am in great shape (thanks to the wonders of the Insanity workout and world-renowned dancer, choreographer and fitness guru Shaun T) and need but continue my relentless advance while ignoring Moby Tree’s bizarre brand of psychological torture.
Much time has passed. The monster’s tentacles are fierce. They hold to the seas like a thousand anchors. I thought he had been contained, trapped in a plastic circle prison of doom. Alas, this was not to be. I will never know exactly when, but he had broken through his plastic prison long ago to entrench himself to depths I could barely fathom (though certainly less than a fathom).
It is past the hour and a half mark. The shovel whines and threatens to crack with every effort to displace the beast. I stare at the heavens, swearing that the battle will not be lost by me. Moby Tree will not beat me a second time. Blood filled my eyes and with a horrible vengeance I struck down at the tentacles. No more simple displacement. There would be blood tonight. I struck down again and again. A thousand times I struck down. The creature, originally so stoic, writhed in pain, and clinched with so few remaining tentacles to survival.
My arms, near dead to the world, would not continue. I remembered the powerful mantra from the wise man, Shaun T, “you can do it. Focus and go.” I raised the shovel above my head with both arms and crashed it down with the force of a volcanic eruption. The beast wailed, but would not submit. I brought it up again, slowly, energy dissipating, knowing that I had nothing left for the relentless assault of speed from earlier. I only had energy for a few remaining blows, so they must be mighty blows. The shovel, now an extension of my being, slammed to the earth with the power of a thousand meteors. The beast let out its last gasp, and I collapsed. Despite having killed the beast, I now know that neither of us won that day.
As far as the workout was concerned, I now consistently make it through the warm-up. I do not make it through the power and resistance warm-up, but make it through the regular warm-up every time. Excellent progress. I find myself cursing Shaun T less and less during the warm-up, but still at a moderate level during the actual workout.
During Plyometrics, I feel like I am getting really close to making it through the first half of the workout. So close I can taste it. The second half still has my number, but usually only the last two exercises (ski abs and suicide something or others).
Pure Cardio still has its moments, but I still feel light years away from being able to complete this at the level I feel necessary to move on to month 2. Still getting a great workout from it.
Power and Resistance…my old friend. The warm-up makes me very sore still. This makes the rest of the workout oh so fun. While definitely painful, I do feel I am making great progress towards completing this workout as well. Even the second half of the workout is not out of my future vision sight. The moving pushups at the end are brutal, but I can feel myself catching my breath a little bit during them. The floor sprints that follow sap any and all energy I have left, but it’s certainly all in good fun.
Well…good week. Must maintain at least a 4 workout a week average. Though, the fabled seven workouts in a week is not hopelessly out of range, considering this 5.5 (depending on how you view Moby Tree) workout week.
Showing posts with label Plyometrics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plyometrics. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 135: The Above-Average Four
5-19-10: Four workouts this week. Should have been five, but was thwarted by laziness. That being said, I missed the Wednesday workout, which means I will be starting Thursday with a workout, which is usually a day off. This means I will be starting next week off right. This means that I will be invincible.
The continued best part about the workouts is my progress on the warm-ups. I made it through the warm-up two times this week (not the power and resistance one which is still pure concentrated evil). Now, I should point out that I may be a tiny bit sneaky sometimes. For instance, through the first iteration of the warm-up when I am transitioning from one exercise to the next, it is instantaneous. The last move of one exercise flows perfectly into the first move of the next exercise without delay. In the third iteration I sometimes come to a complete stop so that I can “get into a good starting position for the next exercise”. Now, at most it is a 2-3 second loss of time, so I can live with it, but I do acknowledge that the final battle will involve flawless transitions. My defense to Shaun T is that transitions while going at max speed can be somewhat dangerous. His response typically includes lightning being shot from his eyes or breathing fire or both.
Aside from Sunday, when I had Chinese (I love General Tso’s (alt. Tao’s) chicken. He must have been a great man), my meals for the week were, again, solid. Water intake has also become intriguing. On some days I now have three thermos’s of water. It is a lot of water, but water fixes everything so the more the merrier.
I got my splint off today. I still have to be careful and the doctor recommends putting a splint on for athletic endeavors and sleeping for three weeks. Still, it is good to know that the tendon has healed. Or is still healing. It still looks crooked. I imagine that this will most likely continue to get better in this last three week period, but I failed to ask the doc any questions about it. That seemed like way too many details.
The actual workouts went okay. I definitely feel closer on all of them. Plyometrics I know I’m getting the closest on. I can make it through the first seven minutes with minimal breaks now. It is when the final 9.5 minutes start that more breaks are needed. Whatever the break situation, I am closer. Where I was wondering if I would ever get to the month two DVDs, now I am certain that within 9-14 months I will graduate to “month 2” of the workout. It will almost be too easy.
The continued best part about the workouts is my progress on the warm-ups. I made it through the warm-up two times this week (not the power and resistance one which is still pure concentrated evil). Now, I should point out that I may be a tiny bit sneaky sometimes. For instance, through the first iteration of the warm-up when I am transitioning from one exercise to the next, it is instantaneous. The last move of one exercise flows perfectly into the first move of the next exercise without delay. In the third iteration I sometimes come to a complete stop so that I can “get into a good starting position for the next exercise”. Now, at most it is a 2-3 second loss of time, so I can live with it, but I do acknowledge that the final battle will involve flawless transitions. My defense to Shaun T is that transitions while going at max speed can be somewhat dangerous. His response typically includes lightning being shot from his eyes or breathing fire or both.
Aside from Sunday, when I had Chinese (I love General Tso’s (alt. Tao’s) chicken. He must have been a great man), my meals for the week were, again, solid. Water intake has also become intriguing. On some days I now have three thermos’s of water. It is a lot of water, but water fixes everything so the more the merrier.
I got my splint off today. I still have to be careful and the doctor recommends putting a splint on for athletic endeavors and sleeping for three weeks. Still, it is good to know that the tendon has healed. Or is still healing. It still looks crooked. I imagine that this will most likely continue to get better in this last three week period, but I failed to ask the doc any questions about it. That seemed like way too many details.
The actual workouts went okay. I definitely feel closer on all of them. Plyometrics I know I’m getting the closest on. I can make it through the first seven minutes with minimal breaks now. It is when the final 9.5 minutes start that more breaks are needed. Whatever the break situation, I am closer. Where I was wondering if I would ever get to the month two DVDs, now I am certain that within 9-14 months I will graduate to “month 2” of the workout. It will almost be too easy.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 128: Bad Week, Good Week, Bad Week…Good Week?
5-12-10: Curses. Another bad week of Insanity workouts. Though, I did maintain relatively healthy food consumption. Yes, if I can eat like I did for the past week, I will be healthy…and happy as the meals I make I do enjoy and I do not completely abandon the super-evil yet super-delicious items. Actually, while I have mentioned it before I feel the need to mention again that I have become extremely addicted to Cream of Wheat. I used to always have this as a kid. Then, from when I was about 12 to about 31, I did not have it at all. I gave it a whirl a month or two ago and remembered its magical powers. Cream of Wheat with a gob of peanut butter and a fair amount of honey (or chocolate chips if I have been a good boy). Fantastic. Yes, while initially I was saving this deliciousness for weekend breakfasts, now I struggle to not have it when I get home from work for dinner. Cream of Wheat, I salute you!
I could give excuses why this past week was not great for workouts, but Shaun T hates excuses. He tells me “when an excuse will give you endless endurance and a sculpted body from the gods, use it. Otherwise be silent or I will destroy you for your insolence.” So, in the end I only did three workouts. This is painful. One more workout makes it an okay week, but it didn’t happen. Worse, two of the “no workout” days were Saturday and Sunday. That just can’t happen. Those have to be the automatic days. That could have turned a poor three workout week into a brilliant five workout week. Disaster.
So the week consisted of Plyro, Pure Cardio/Cardio Abs, and Plyro. I hate not getting a Power and Resistance workout in. Possibly the most painful of the workouts (other than Recovery…I have to start throwing in a Recovery at some point), there is the obvious benefit of getting stronger for the other workouts or future attempts at the Power workout. Still, this just means that Power will be the first workout done next week.
I made it through the warm-up again. I now seem to be able to get through the warm-up once a week. Not there yet, but soooooo much closer now. Before I used to breakdown and cry during every warm-up. Now I’ve found that I can continue doing the workout while crying. Much more efficient.
Pure Cardio was an interesting beast this time. At the five minute mark I had nothing left. I’ve said that before, but this time it was brutal. I believe I must have malfunctioned and had to reboot. All I know is that it was the worst last five minutes I’ve ever had during this workout. He gives a warning during Pure Cardio at about the five minute mark. “Mountain Climbers” are coming. They came and I was defenseless.
Luckily stretching gave me time to recover and I was able to push through the Abs portion. I feel it might have been fatigue/diet related that caused this tomfoolery. A poor sleep and limited calories the night before which the morning shake could not offset.
The Plyometrics workouts went all right. Still wiped when it comes time to do the “Ski Abs” and “In and Outs” (both high plank drills that follow a push-up drill). I think there is going to be a slight delay in conquering these drills. I think my arms need to get stronger. The problem is that by the time I reach any arms related exercise in any of the workouts, I’m already exhausted, so the cardio aspect sometimes stops me before the arm pain does. Plus the legs hurt in those last two drills as well. Huh. They managed to pick two very brutal last exercises for the workout, focusing on every area that, by that time, should be too sore too continue. Shaun T is an evil genius. To combat this, I think I may need to work on some “extra credit” workout assignments. Simple exercises, such as simply doing a bunch of push-ups twelve hours after the last workout and before the next one. Still, this is tricky. One, it isn’t cardio, which is not the Insanity Workout way. Two, this is not a Shaun T sanctioned workout. He may get angry. I may need to scrap this idea.
I need to get back to consistently doing five workouts a week. It all comes down to the weekend. Two workouts must be done over the weekend or the world is doomed. The fate of the world rests in my hands…can I hold off Shaun T from unleashing Armageddon just a little bit longer?
I could give excuses why this past week was not great for workouts, but Shaun T hates excuses. He tells me “when an excuse will give you endless endurance and a sculpted body from the gods, use it. Otherwise be silent or I will destroy you for your insolence.” So, in the end I only did three workouts. This is painful. One more workout makes it an okay week, but it didn’t happen. Worse, two of the “no workout” days were Saturday and Sunday. That just can’t happen. Those have to be the automatic days. That could have turned a poor three workout week into a brilliant five workout week. Disaster.
So the week consisted of Plyro, Pure Cardio/Cardio Abs, and Plyro. I hate not getting a Power and Resistance workout in. Possibly the most painful of the workouts (other than Recovery…I have to start throwing in a Recovery at some point), there is the obvious benefit of getting stronger for the other workouts or future attempts at the Power workout. Still, this just means that Power will be the first workout done next week.
I made it through the warm-up again. I now seem to be able to get through the warm-up once a week. Not there yet, but soooooo much closer now. Before I used to breakdown and cry during every warm-up. Now I’ve found that I can continue doing the workout while crying. Much more efficient.
Pure Cardio was an interesting beast this time. At the five minute mark I had nothing left. I’ve said that before, but this time it was brutal. I believe I must have malfunctioned and had to reboot. All I know is that it was the worst last five minutes I’ve ever had during this workout. He gives a warning during Pure Cardio at about the five minute mark. “Mountain Climbers” are coming. They came and I was defenseless.
Luckily stretching gave me time to recover and I was able to push through the Abs portion. I feel it might have been fatigue/diet related that caused this tomfoolery. A poor sleep and limited calories the night before which the morning shake could not offset.
The Plyometrics workouts went all right. Still wiped when it comes time to do the “Ski Abs” and “In and Outs” (both high plank drills that follow a push-up drill). I think there is going to be a slight delay in conquering these drills. I think my arms need to get stronger. The problem is that by the time I reach any arms related exercise in any of the workouts, I’m already exhausted, so the cardio aspect sometimes stops me before the arm pain does. Plus the legs hurt in those last two drills as well. Huh. They managed to pick two very brutal last exercises for the workout, focusing on every area that, by that time, should be too sore too continue. Shaun T is an evil genius. To combat this, I think I may need to work on some “extra credit” workout assignments. Simple exercises, such as simply doing a bunch of push-ups twelve hours after the last workout and before the next one. Still, this is tricky. One, it isn’t cardio, which is not the Insanity Workout way. Two, this is not a Shaun T sanctioned workout. He may get angry. I may need to scrap this idea.
I need to get back to consistently doing five workouts a week. It all comes down to the weekend. Two workouts must be done over the weekend or the world is doomed. The fate of the world rests in my hands…can I hold off Shaun T from unleashing Armageddon just a little bit longer?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 121: Shaun T’s Web
5-5-10: Weeks ago I had befriended a spider in my basement. His name was Shaun T. In his fun little way he would leave me encouraging messages like “Amazing Pig” or “Super Pig”. Ahhh…that Shaun T. What a kidder. One day, I noticed he went missing. That is the way of the spider. Death is part of life (even if death in this case is a brutal search and destroy mission by my sister). Thankfully, a new spider has taken his place. I call him Shaun T Jr.
This was a phenomenal week for the Insanity workout. Five workouts completed (2 Plyometrics, 2 Power and Resistance, 1 Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs). Yes, five. This is back to the original standard that Shaun T demands (though, still without the Recovery workout). This includes a Tuesday night workout followed by a Wednesday morning workout, even with only 5 hours of sleep.
Nutritionally, I am back. I had one pop and one piece of cake on Saturday for Rich’s b-day party, but other than that I was solid. Cream of Wheat with peanut butter and honey (or chocolate chips, which are oddly not much different calorie wise than honey) has become one of my favorite meals. Another favorite is Turkey burgers made on the George Foreman Grill with Garlic and Chili powder, topped with cheese and BBQ sauce and served on these hamburger bun/pita hybrid thingies. Fascinating bread advances they’ve made over the years.
My mallet finger has not recovered. I believe I reinjured it when helping my brother move some stuff a couple of weeks back. Since I’ve declared myself a doctor, I tested the mobility and it had not improved. I have pushed my second opinion doctor’s appointment back to two weeks from now. It is still annoying.
The temperature change has made for interesting workouts. I thought I sweat a lot before. Yikes. The gallons of sweat all over the floor are a good reminder to drink lots of water the rest of the day. Yes, days go much better when I am able to double my water intake in the day after a workout. Water is very, very important. It cures just about everything. I WOULD be a great doctor.
But, I know you are all really curious how the workouts went. I mean, it has been a while since I’ve done five workouts in a week. Did I overdo it? Hell no! In fact, in a bizarre, unfathomable, confusing twist, this morning, following the yesterday night workout and limited sleep, was the second time I was able to make it through the warm-up. By the end I do not remember ever being so exhausted. And afterwards, throughout the day, I definitely felt very sore. It is good to be sore. I have not felt this sore in a while. My muscles most certainly can now hurt people good.
This follows one of my best Power and Resistance workouts to date from yesterday. Nearly made it through the first two iterations of the Power and Resistance warm-up, and definitely felt improvement throughout the rest of the exercises. I really pushed a lot harder than usual these past two days. Keeping the form…yes the form is essential. I can definitely see how injuries could occur if you tried to push through with bad form. Too many crazy movements could hurt the back and knees. Know your limits. But, yes, I’d have to say that these past two workouts were the best ones yet. I have them right where I want them.
Certain exercises still make me wonder. For instance, moving pushups. I get what they do, but I always think and hope that, while increasing strength, these, and exercises like this one, should be a nice cardio break. Unfortunately, the whole idea of the program is insanity, so even these strength-building exercises are to be done at the maximum hellish pace you can handle. Egads.
I apologize for that last week. This site is not the reason for my dedication, just a means to express it. I have to continually stay focused outside of this blog-world. Depending on readership to motivate yourself to workout and stay healthy is a poor way of doing things. You have to do it for yourself. It shan’t happen again. Completely unacceptable. I just have to focus and go. Look in his eyes and go. Insanity all the way!!!
This was a phenomenal week for the Insanity workout. Five workouts completed (2 Plyometrics, 2 Power and Resistance, 1 Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs). Yes, five. This is back to the original standard that Shaun T demands (though, still without the Recovery workout). This includes a Tuesday night workout followed by a Wednesday morning workout, even with only 5 hours of sleep.
Nutritionally, I am back. I had one pop and one piece of cake on Saturday for Rich’s b-day party, but other than that I was solid. Cream of Wheat with peanut butter and honey (or chocolate chips, which are oddly not much different calorie wise than honey) has become one of my favorite meals. Another favorite is Turkey burgers made on the George Foreman Grill with Garlic and Chili powder, topped with cheese and BBQ sauce and served on these hamburger bun/pita hybrid thingies. Fascinating bread advances they’ve made over the years.
My mallet finger has not recovered. I believe I reinjured it when helping my brother move some stuff a couple of weeks back. Since I’ve declared myself a doctor, I tested the mobility and it had not improved. I have pushed my second opinion doctor’s appointment back to two weeks from now. It is still annoying.
The temperature change has made for interesting workouts. I thought I sweat a lot before. Yikes. The gallons of sweat all over the floor are a good reminder to drink lots of water the rest of the day. Yes, days go much better when I am able to double my water intake in the day after a workout. Water is very, very important. It cures just about everything. I WOULD be a great doctor.
But, I know you are all really curious how the workouts went. I mean, it has been a while since I’ve done five workouts in a week. Did I overdo it? Hell no! In fact, in a bizarre, unfathomable, confusing twist, this morning, following the yesterday night workout and limited sleep, was the second time I was able to make it through the warm-up. By the end I do not remember ever being so exhausted. And afterwards, throughout the day, I definitely felt very sore. It is good to be sore. I have not felt this sore in a while. My muscles most certainly can now hurt people good.
This follows one of my best Power and Resistance workouts to date from yesterday. Nearly made it through the first two iterations of the Power and Resistance warm-up, and definitely felt improvement throughout the rest of the exercises. I really pushed a lot harder than usual these past two days. Keeping the form…yes the form is essential. I can definitely see how injuries could occur if you tried to push through with bad form. Too many crazy movements could hurt the back and knees. Know your limits. But, yes, I’d have to say that these past two workouts were the best ones yet. I have them right where I want them.
Certain exercises still make me wonder. For instance, moving pushups. I get what they do, but I always think and hope that, while increasing strength, these, and exercises like this one, should be a nice cardio break. Unfortunately, the whole idea of the program is insanity, so even these strength-building exercises are to be done at the maximum hellish pace you can handle. Egads.
I apologize for that last week. This site is not the reason for my dedication, just a means to express it. I have to continually stay focused outside of this blog-world. Depending on readership to motivate yourself to workout and stay healthy is a poor way of doing things. You have to do it for yourself. It shan’t happen again. Completely unacceptable. I just have to focus and go. Look in his eyes and go. Insanity all the way!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 114: Pizza:Insanity Ratio Got Out Of Control
4-29-10: Bad week…bad week for Insanity. Bad week for eating. Bad, bad, bad. But…not terrible.
I did three workouts in that week long period. I want to be more in the 5-6 range, but really I hope to never drop below 4. In that respect, the week was definitely below average. Partial laziness and too many deadlines and timed events did me in. When there is nothing scheduled at work or home, things are much easier. When there are many friendly gatherings (every day from last Thursday to Sunday), coupled with work meetings, things get to be trickier. Still, no excuses. I need to re-find my resolve. And I believe that starts with eating.
So, I had way too much pop/pizza/Doritos/cookies/Chinese over the past week. Way, way too much. I find that working out and eating form a symbiotic relationship for me. Neglecting one adversely affects the motivation of the other. However, forming discipline around one also tends to prompt a desire for discipline for the other. Thus, I have eaten well Monday thru today and have worked out twice in that time period. The focus on diet (no going out for lunch this week) has helped me focus on the workout as well. The pop will be eliminated from the party atmosphere once again. Sometimes it just seems right to have a Coke when sitting around with friends. Somehow the talking must make my mouth dry so I must drink more. Large quantities of water are drunk, but pop sneaks in there as well. Clearly my only recourse is to stop talking to people.
Weight has magically remained constant throughout this past week. While that is good news, I should also use it as motivation. What would have happened if I HAD worked out and ate better this past week. I would be slamming. I am not slamming…and it is all my fault.
Probably only one more week left for the splint on the mallet finger. Though, I may test it out tonight. If Dr. Dave thinks it looks good tonight, I can probably cancel that last doctor’s appointment and de-smellify the finger. Man it smells BAD.
The exterminator came the other day, just to spray. My spider friend, Shaun T, was an unfortunate casualty. I was warned that there might be collateral damage. To get the ants, the spiders would have to be killed as well. Sad really. The spiders had done quite a good job on the ants…just not quite good enough.
How did the workouts go? Well, I did one of each. All three of them have things in common. I find myself completely exhausted by the end. The mental motivation of the last iteration never is quite enough to offset the physical fatigue. Still, I felt I had my best Power and Resistance workout today. Exhaustion and spitting sweat. I felt good as I started right after mowing the lawn after work and still managed not to blaspheme. Definitely too sore at certain parts to continue. Soon. Soon, I will get over that hump. There is going to be that point where my reduction in weight, increase in strength and endurance pass each other, where my weight is no longer sufficient to provide an impossible challenge, resulting in increased reps and an even more intense cardio.
The Pure Cardio and Plyometrics each were neither extraordinary or abysmal. Still falling somewhere in the third iteration of the warm-up. Still working on the 10 second rule. Many times I have pushed it to the five second rule. However, near the end, it becomes the 15 second rule and the breaks come more frequently.
Well, that’s all I have for today. Good luck all! You can do it!
I did three workouts in that week long period. I want to be more in the 5-6 range, but really I hope to never drop below 4. In that respect, the week was definitely below average. Partial laziness and too many deadlines and timed events did me in. When there is nothing scheduled at work or home, things are much easier. When there are many friendly gatherings (every day from last Thursday to Sunday), coupled with work meetings, things get to be trickier. Still, no excuses. I need to re-find my resolve. And I believe that starts with eating.
So, I had way too much pop/pizza/Doritos/cookies/Chinese over the past week. Way, way too much. I find that working out and eating form a symbiotic relationship for me. Neglecting one adversely affects the motivation of the other. However, forming discipline around one also tends to prompt a desire for discipline for the other. Thus, I have eaten well Monday thru today and have worked out twice in that time period. The focus on diet (no going out for lunch this week) has helped me focus on the workout as well. The pop will be eliminated from the party atmosphere once again. Sometimes it just seems right to have a Coke when sitting around with friends. Somehow the talking must make my mouth dry so I must drink more. Large quantities of water are drunk, but pop sneaks in there as well. Clearly my only recourse is to stop talking to people.
Weight has magically remained constant throughout this past week. While that is good news, I should also use it as motivation. What would have happened if I HAD worked out and ate better this past week. I would be slamming. I am not slamming…and it is all my fault.
Probably only one more week left for the splint on the mallet finger. Though, I may test it out tonight. If Dr. Dave thinks it looks good tonight, I can probably cancel that last doctor’s appointment and de-smellify the finger. Man it smells BAD.
The exterminator came the other day, just to spray. My spider friend, Shaun T, was an unfortunate casualty. I was warned that there might be collateral damage. To get the ants, the spiders would have to be killed as well. Sad really. The spiders had done quite a good job on the ants…just not quite good enough.
How did the workouts go? Well, I did one of each. All three of them have things in common. I find myself completely exhausted by the end. The mental motivation of the last iteration never is quite enough to offset the physical fatigue. Still, I felt I had my best Power and Resistance workout today. Exhaustion and spitting sweat. I felt good as I started right after mowing the lawn after work and still managed not to blaspheme. Definitely too sore at certain parts to continue. Soon. Soon, I will get over that hump. There is going to be that point where my reduction in weight, increase in strength and endurance pass each other, where my weight is no longer sufficient to provide an impossible challenge, resulting in increased reps and an even more intense cardio.
The Pure Cardio and Plyometrics each were neither extraordinary or abysmal. Still falling somewhere in the third iteration of the warm-up. Still working on the 10 second rule. Many times I have pushed it to the five second rule. However, near the end, it becomes the 15 second rule and the breaks come more frequently.
Well, that’s all I have for today. Good luck all! You can do it!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 107: You Better Not Cry. You Better Not Pout. Shaun T Is Watching.
4-21-10: Shaun T has many spies and they present themselves in unsuspected ways at unsuspected times in unsuspected locations. For instance, this past weekend I was in Kalamazoo helping my brother move (still Kalamazoo). We went to Red Robins for linner (or dunch). I was going to order myself a chocolate shake when one of Shaun T’s minions lashed out with uncontrollable fury and demanded that I stop. It was my sister. She has been converted to the dark side and Shaun T is the Emperor. Blood is thicker than water, sure, but I guess it is not thicker than chocolate. No shake was ordered. A temporary moment of weakness, thwarted by a minion. Shaun T is always watching.
From the dawn of time (3.5 months ago), Shaun T has slept 23 hours a day. He wakes for one hour to wreak havoc upon the Earth, before going back into hibernation. This one hour causes pain to all who see him. I was lucky enough to see him four times this past week. With one day of moving, this turned out to be a good week. Unfortunately, while he is always watching and has minions everywhere, I may or may not have been able to still have about two bags of Doritos, 12 pieces of pizza, 2 Cokes and 2 Pepsis. While this certainly was not one of my better weeks for eating, it sure was delicious. On a positive note, my weight remained constant. It is much like the good ole days where I could eat whatever I wanted, SO LONG AS I exercised regularly. I have never been so regular (insert fiber joke here). Still right at 210, with about a 35 waist. The year end goal was originally about 195 and 32, so I’m at a very good pace right now, even with the joys of evil eating. I just need the workouts to be maintained.
Blah. The warm-up is still blah. Since fully completing it the one time, I have yet to make it through a second time. I know right were the problem is. The third iteration of the Heisman. This is my wall. If I can make it over this wall, I will be able to force myself to make it through the last two minutes of the warm-up without breaking. Not easily. I will be gasping for air and be sore as a monkey, but knowing that there is only two minutes left will be just motivation enough to risk collapsing in death to make it through (thank goodness I do not have a heart rate monitor as this would surely only discourage me from trying to push through). So where am I? Either at the start of the Heisman or halfway through. Sometimes with 10 seconds left of the Heisman I say “screw it” and take a break. Oh yes. I am close. Yet, so far away. And, as usual, the warm-up for the power and resistance is overly brutal and I haven’t even made it over the moat yet to have a chance at getting over the wall. Another month perhaps? Plenty of time. No rush. Hopefully I will be ready for month 2 at the six month mark. :)
A quick note about Cardio Abs. I mentioned last time that Shaun T fails to congratulate us at the end of this workout. This is not true. He does give an “awesome job” at the end of the workout, but before the final stretching. It is that kind of encouragement that helps me get through. I still haven’t added this to any of the other workouts other than Pure Cardio. This is due to being completely exhausted after every workout (including Pure Cardio) and not feeling like doing after any of them. I only do it after Pure Cardio because Shaun T demands it on the schedule. To add it to other workouts would require a good deal of masochism that I may not have in me…YET!
I have found some extra internal motivation deep down within of late. While I can not define what it is, I do know I have been getting up early the past few days. Getting up early is the key piece of being able to do a workout every day. I just have to be mindful to not let the weekends completely mess me up (though, this past weekend I did have a 6:30 AM bedtime on one of the days…Gears of War 2 is a fun game and supersedes (apparently) sleep.
I find my attitude during Pure Cardio to be a problem. Since it is 15 exercises long and I have, by now, memorized the order with which each exercise comes, I have learned to dread each upcoming exercise moments before we switch to them. I need to convince myself to be “happy” about the upcoming exercises to be able to push through. I cannot be thinking “oh man…stance jacks are next…I should just give up” (stance jacks are exercise three). Yes, a better attitude during the workouts as opposed to the usual “I am in pain, kill me, kill Shaun T, kill someone, please let there be a power shortage” mentality might be just what the doctor ordered. Feigned excitement will be a theme for the upcoming week.
I find that Power and Resistance workout and, specifically, many of the exercises designed to rupture the quads, are not as bad anymore. Let me be perfectly clear. They are bad. They are painful. I still need many breaks for many of them. Still…they are not AS bad as they used to be. This is encouraging. I will use this thought as part of the “feigned excitement” theme this week.
Good ole Plyometrics Cardio Circuit workout. What can I say? I enjoy parts of it. At times I feel I will make it through the whole workout. At other times I wonder if I will ever make it through the whole workout. I feel a little more effort and I have it. I feel that the body is angry and refuses to push through. Stupid body. It’s interesting. I typically have energy to complete the last two minutes of the workout, which is Shaun T’s most violent part of all the workouts (jabs, uppercuts, “the attack”). The problem is that I have this energy because my last attempt at the last two exercises of the last iteration of the second set of exercises is, how you say, not the best. The last two exercises are Ski Abs and In and Outs. I seem to mishear him every time, thinking he says “Sleep Abs” and “Sleep and Sleep”. I probably get 10 seconds out of a possible 30 for each of these exercises. Thus, the energy to finish strong. So, I finish strong…but I was cheating. I am such a cheater.
Well, good luck all and good Insanity!
From the dawn of time (3.5 months ago), Shaun T has slept 23 hours a day. He wakes for one hour to wreak havoc upon the Earth, before going back into hibernation. This one hour causes pain to all who see him. I was lucky enough to see him four times this past week. With one day of moving, this turned out to be a good week. Unfortunately, while he is always watching and has minions everywhere, I may or may not have been able to still have about two bags of Doritos, 12 pieces of pizza, 2 Cokes and 2 Pepsis. While this certainly was not one of my better weeks for eating, it sure was delicious. On a positive note, my weight remained constant. It is much like the good ole days where I could eat whatever I wanted, SO LONG AS I exercised regularly. I have never been so regular (insert fiber joke here). Still right at 210, with about a 35 waist. The year end goal was originally about 195 and 32, so I’m at a very good pace right now, even with the joys of evil eating. I just need the workouts to be maintained.
Blah. The warm-up is still blah. Since fully completing it the one time, I have yet to make it through a second time. I know right were the problem is. The third iteration of the Heisman. This is my wall. If I can make it over this wall, I will be able to force myself to make it through the last two minutes of the warm-up without breaking. Not easily. I will be gasping for air and be sore as a monkey, but knowing that there is only two minutes left will be just motivation enough to risk collapsing in death to make it through (thank goodness I do not have a heart rate monitor as this would surely only discourage me from trying to push through). So where am I? Either at the start of the Heisman or halfway through. Sometimes with 10 seconds left of the Heisman I say “screw it” and take a break. Oh yes. I am close. Yet, so far away. And, as usual, the warm-up for the power and resistance is overly brutal and I haven’t even made it over the moat yet to have a chance at getting over the wall. Another month perhaps? Plenty of time. No rush. Hopefully I will be ready for month 2 at the six month mark. :)
A quick note about Cardio Abs. I mentioned last time that Shaun T fails to congratulate us at the end of this workout. This is not true. He does give an “awesome job” at the end of the workout, but before the final stretching. It is that kind of encouragement that helps me get through. I still haven’t added this to any of the other workouts other than Pure Cardio. This is due to being completely exhausted after every workout (including Pure Cardio) and not feeling like doing after any of them. I only do it after Pure Cardio because Shaun T demands it on the schedule. To add it to other workouts would require a good deal of masochism that I may not have in me…YET!
I have found some extra internal motivation deep down within of late. While I can not define what it is, I do know I have been getting up early the past few days. Getting up early is the key piece of being able to do a workout every day. I just have to be mindful to not let the weekends completely mess me up (though, this past weekend I did have a 6:30 AM bedtime on one of the days…Gears of War 2 is a fun game and supersedes (apparently) sleep.
I find my attitude during Pure Cardio to be a problem. Since it is 15 exercises long and I have, by now, memorized the order with which each exercise comes, I have learned to dread each upcoming exercise moments before we switch to them. I need to convince myself to be “happy” about the upcoming exercises to be able to push through. I cannot be thinking “oh man…stance jacks are next…I should just give up” (stance jacks are exercise three). Yes, a better attitude during the workouts as opposed to the usual “I am in pain, kill me, kill Shaun T, kill someone, please let there be a power shortage” mentality might be just what the doctor ordered. Feigned excitement will be a theme for the upcoming week.
I find that Power and Resistance workout and, specifically, many of the exercises designed to rupture the quads, are not as bad anymore. Let me be perfectly clear. They are bad. They are painful. I still need many breaks for many of them. Still…they are not AS bad as they used to be. This is encouraging. I will use this thought as part of the “feigned excitement” theme this week.
Good ole Plyometrics Cardio Circuit workout. What can I say? I enjoy parts of it. At times I feel I will make it through the whole workout. At other times I wonder if I will ever make it through the whole workout. I feel a little more effort and I have it. I feel that the body is angry and refuses to push through. Stupid body. It’s interesting. I typically have energy to complete the last two minutes of the workout, which is Shaun T’s most violent part of all the workouts (jabs, uppercuts, “the attack”). The problem is that I have this energy because my last attempt at the last two exercises of the last iteration of the second set of exercises is, how you say, not the best. The last two exercises are Ski Abs and In and Outs. I seem to mishear him every time, thinking he says “Sleep Abs” and “Sleep and Sleep”. I probably get 10 seconds out of a possible 30 for each of these exercises. Thus, the energy to finish strong. So, I finish strong…but I was cheating. I am such a cheater.
Well, good luck all and good Insanity!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 100: P3 – Pure, Power, Plyo
4-14-10: This was inevitable. Writing a daily blog about the same workout program every day for 100, 200, 300 days starts to become a daunting task. The blogs just start sounding the same, without any constructive new updates. Almost as if trying to fulfill and obligation as quickly as possible. If they do sound clever, I probably spent more time than I wanted to write it. To that end, I will probably now try to limit myself to writing two times a week. I fell that this will offer sufficient balance between finding something creative to say, without beating my head against the desk. Also, since I find the writing and people reading to be another good source of motivation, twice a week should allow for that motivation to be maintained. I apologize to the millions of diehard readers who long for my daily post.
I also feel that it is important to explain why you have not seen me writing about the “Fitness Test”, which, according to the schedule, should be performed once every two weeks. The answer to this is simple. I do not need it to demonstrate my progress. How do I know that I’m progressing? I look better. I feel better. I have more energy, better endurance. I’m down 20-25 pounds. Everything is going according to plan. Since I know that I am progressing, why waste a day on the weakest of the workouts? So that I can have numerical data showing that I can do 2 extra globe jumps now? Don’t get me wrong. I love numerical data, and not being able to make an optimal graph across time will certainly depress me in the future. I just need the other workouts more. Now, if I get back to the time where I was consistently doing the workout every day? Yes, using one day on a fitness test will come back into play. This time will come again. I just need to get my work days back in order.
As for getting my work days back in order, being that today was 100, I managed to get out of bed at 5:40. Just need to do this another 10 or so times in a row to make it a habit again. To celebrate Day 100, I decided to rejoice with Shaun T and do the Pure Cardio/Cardio Ab combo. It was very festive. I was sweating and dying. Shaun T was laughing and screaming. Good times were had by all.
I am consistently making it to the third iteration of the warm-up for Pure Cardio and Plyo. Getting better in the Power, but have not as yet made as significant a leap. To really make it through, I have to start doing the workout every day again. Maybe today will be a sufficient springboard to get back into it. Though I worry about the 9:30 start time for the Red Wings tonight. This could be a tricky fish.
I feel I am getting better at all of the actual workouts. Still have to be careful with some of the wacky motions because of the stupid Mallet finger (three weeks perhaps?), but definitely not being thwarted by them. One odd thing I’ve noticed is that Shaun T does not say “Good job” at the end of Cardio Abs. It makes me very sad. Like I have disappointed him. To try to make him happy, I passed on free sundaes today at work. My explanation to all was that “Shaun T was always watching.” I’m sure everyone knew what I meant.
I also feel that it is important to explain why you have not seen me writing about the “Fitness Test”, which, according to the schedule, should be performed once every two weeks. The answer to this is simple. I do not need it to demonstrate my progress. How do I know that I’m progressing? I look better. I feel better. I have more energy, better endurance. I’m down 20-25 pounds. Everything is going according to plan. Since I know that I am progressing, why waste a day on the weakest of the workouts? So that I can have numerical data showing that I can do 2 extra globe jumps now? Don’t get me wrong. I love numerical data, and not being able to make an optimal graph across time will certainly depress me in the future. I just need the other workouts more. Now, if I get back to the time where I was consistently doing the workout every day? Yes, using one day on a fitness test will come back into play. This time will come again. I just need to get my work days back in order.
As for getting my work days back in order, being that today was 100, I managed to get out of bed at 5:40. Just need to do this another 10 or so times in a row to make it a habit again. To celebrate Day 100, I decided to rejoice with Shaun T and do the Pure Cardio/Cardio Ab combo. It was very festive. I was sweating and dying. Shaun T was laughing and screaming. Good times were had by all.
I am consistently making it to the third iteration of the warm-up for Pure Cardio and Plyo. Getting better in the Power, but have not as yet made as significant a leap. To really make it through, I have to start doing the workout every day again. Maybe today will be a sufficient springboard to get back into it. Though I worry about the 9:30 start time for the Red Wings tonight. This could be a tricky fish.
I feel I am getting better at all of the actual workouts. Still have to be careful with some of the wacky motions because of the stupid Mallet finger (three weeks perhaps?), but definitely not being thwarted by them. One odd thing I’ve noticed is that Shaun T does not say “Good job” at the end of Cardio Abs. It makes me very sad. Like I have disappointed him. To try to make him happy, I passed on free sundaes today at work. My explanation to all was that “Shaun T was always watching.” I’m sure everyone knew what I meant.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Insanity Workout Days 86-92: I’m BACK! 90 Day Recap
3-31-10 to 4-6-10: The Story so far…
Cardio Wars V: Shaun T Strikes Back
So…like bad things were happening in the galaxy and stuff. And there was this guy who wanted to do good things and stuff. And there was this weird breathing guy named Shaun T who liked evil things, but also maybe there was this good part in him deep down.
My goal this year (and for future years as well) was to get into better shape, primarily cardio wise, and to eat better. Eating better has been easier than expected. Of course I have plenty of days where the evil Shaun T would not approve, but this is tempered by the rest of those weeks where many of those pesky obstacles of the past like junk food, pop, sweets, and microwave meals are now avoided. One bad eating day a week will certainly be offset by the six primarily good ones. Well…it has to anyway because there will probably be one bad eating day a week for the foreseeable future. Though, always cloudy the future is.
As far as getting into better shape, the tool I have primarily used is the “Insanity Workout” created by Fitness Guru and world renowned dance choreographer Shaun T. Until this past week it was a rarity to go more than one day off in a row from this program. Now I sense some of you panicking. “Dave? Did you miss more than one day in a row? DAVE? How many days did you miss??? DAVE, WHAT HAS SHAUN T DONE TO YOU???!!!” No, dear readers, nothing terrifying has happened (though Shaun T did set fire to my house, but I thought that to be a mild retaliation and, honestly, only borderline insane). Simply, the Insanity workout, though my primary form of exercise, is actually secondary to any other, more fun, form.
For instance, last Wednesday night, I played, mallet finger and all (the adversity!!!), in my 30+ basketball championship game (we won…yeeha!). If I had been able to consistently play basketball after work every day, I would have never started Insanity. Since I know that I find other things to do after work, morning exercise became more important, and a DVD home workout became even more logical. That being said, if an opportunity arises to do something else instead of Insanity, I will jump all over the chance.
Last Thursday I went to Lansing for my friend Sarz’s annual 30-90 hour birthday party. I played a bunch of Frisbee with him the first night out. Plenty of sprinting involved in our version of street Frisbee. Shaun T watch me play and he was okay with it.
On Friday, we played Ultimate Frisbee, which is, essentially, Frisbee Cardio or Insanity Frisbee. The workout that Shaun T does not include in his box set. About two hours of crazy sprinting, cutting, jumping, and a little dancing. I was exhausted. And sore. Any time you can mix those two ingredients together, Shaun T is pleased.
I also learned how much the stretching that Shaun T forces upon me twice every workout helps keep one from getting sore. Correct. I did not stretch at all for either day of Frisbee. This put me in no condition (regardless of the time constraints that made a workout impossible anyway) to do a fun workout on Saturday or Sunday. Perfect time to try the not stretching, when I couldn’t do the workout anyway. I agree (finally) that stretching is very, very important.
Monday I started up again with a nice Plyometrics workout. Did not make it entirely through the warm-up, but felt stronger in the later part of the workout. Definitely exhausted from the weekend and still a bit sore. It felt good to see Shaun T again. I had missed him.
Today, I took another day off. I feel like this was a wise move. An attempt to get a little more sleep before jumping back in head first on Wednesday.
Food-wise, this was not a Shaun T approved weekend. Three cokes, pizza, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for one meal, Entemann’s donuts, a couple cookies and Doritos for another meal, Mongolian BBQ, Reese’s Pieces for another meal, more cookies, more Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a caramel egg, and finally some pasta and cream of wheat to try offsetting everything. An awesome weekend of eating…though Shaun T weeps.
That being said, I still find myself a little bit down weight-wise from a week before last Friday despite all of this tomfoolery. Still feeling good. Still feeling active. I’m back. INSANITY ALL THE WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Cardio Wars V: Shaun T Strikes Back
So…like bad things were happening in the galaxy and stuff. And there was this guy who wanted to do good things and stuff. And there was this weird breathing guy named Shaun T who liked evil things, but also maybe there was this good part in him deep down.
My goal this year (and for future years as well) was to get into better shape, primarily cardio wise, and to eat better. Eating better has been easier than expected. Of course I have plenty of days where the evil Shaun T would not approve, but this is tempered by the rest of those weeks where many of those pesky obstacles of the past like junk food, pop, sweets, and microwave meals are now avoided. One bad eating day a week will certainly be offset by the six primarily good ones. Well…it has to anyway because there will probably be one bad eating day a week for the foreseeable future. Though, always cloudy the future is.
As far as getting into better shape, the tool I have primarily used is the “Insanity Workout” created by Fitness Guru and world renowned dance choreographer Shaun T. Until this past week it was a rarity to go more than one day off in a row from this program. Now I sense some of you panicking. “Dave? Did you miss more than one day in a row? DAVE? How many days did you miss??? DAVE, WHAT HAS SHAUN T DONE TO YOU???!!!” No, dear readers, nothing terrifying has happened (though Shaun T did set fire to my house, but I thought that to be a mild retaliation and, honestly, only borderline insane). Simply, the Insanity workout, though my primary form of exercise, is actually secondary to any other, more fun, form.
For instance, last Wednesday night, I played, mallet finger and all (the adversity!!!), in my 30+ basketball championship game (we won…yeeha!). If I had been able to consistently play basketball after work every day, I would have never started Insanity. Since I know that I find other things to do after work, morning exercise became more important, and a DVD home workout became even more logical. That being said, if an opportunity arises to do something else instead of Insanity, I will jump all over the chance.
Last Thursday I went to Lansing for my friend Sarz’s annual 30-90 hour birthday party. I played a bunch of Frisbee with him the first night out. Plenty of sprinting involved in our version of street Frisbee. Shaun T watch me play and he was okay with it.
On Friday, we played Ultimate Frisbee, which is, essentially, Frisbee Cardio or Insanity Frisbee. The workout that Shaun T does not include in his box set. About two hours of crazy sprinting, cutting, jumping, and a little dancing. I was exhausted. And sore. Any time you can mix those two ingredients together, Shaun T is pleased.
I also learned how much the stretching that Shaun T forces upon me twice every workout helps keep one from getting sore. Correct. I did not stretch at all for either day of Frisbee. This put me in no condition (regardless of the time constraints that made a workout impossible anyway) to do a fun workout on Saturday or Sunday. Perfect time to try the not stretching, when I couldn’t do the workout anyway. I agree (finally) that stretching is very, very important.
Monday I started up again with a nice Plyometrics workout. Did not make it entirely through the warm-up, but felt stronger in the later part of the workout. Definitely exhausted from the weekend and still a bit sore. It felt good to see Shaun T again. I had missed him.
Today, I took another day off. I feel like this was a wise move. An attempt to get a little more sleep before jumping back in head first on Wednesday.
Food-wise, this was not a Shaun T approved weekend. Three cokes, pizza, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for one meal, Entemann’s donuts, a couple cookies and Doritos for another meal, Mongolian BBQ, Reese’s Pieces for another meal, more cookies, more Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a caramel egg, and finally some pasta and cream of wheat to try offsetting everything. An awesome weekend of eating…though Shaun T weeps.
That being said, I still find myself a little bit down weight-wise from a week before last Friday despite all of this tomfoolery. Still feeling good. Still feeling active. I’m back. INSANITY ALL THE WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 83: Hello To You Mr. Plyo. Hello Mr. Metrics. Metrics, Meet Plyo. Plyo. Metrics.
3-28-10: Yes, I do like the ten second rule. It gives me mid-workout motivation. It also manages my breaks to reasonable times. I never feel great when jumping back into the workout after breaks, so why delay the inevitable.
The warm-up was reasonable. Not as far as the previous two times of this variation, but I also felt I pushed harder in certain areas. By Day…200, I should have the warm-up down no problem.
The ten second rule caused much pain in the actual workout. Yet, it got me back in quicker doing the miserable exercises. I feel I am at a 70% complete clip for the first cycle of exercises. Probably at 50% for the second three iteration cycle of exercises. Next Plyometrics I will push for an 80%, 60% breakdown.
Ahh…tomorrow is Recovery. Odds on me actually doing it this week?
The warm-up was reasonable. Not as far as the previous two times of this variation, but I also felt I pushed harder in certain areas. By Day…200, I should have the warm-up down no problem.
The ten second rule caused much pain in the actual workout. Yet, it got me back in quicker doing the miserable exercises. I feel I am at a 70% complete clip for the first cycle of exercises. Probably at 50% for the second three iteration cycle of exercises. Next Plyometrics I will push for an 80%, 60% breakdown.
Ahh…tomorrow is Recovery. Odds on me actually doing it this week?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 79: There Are Not Many Good Bad Puns For “Plyometrics”
3-24-10: Wow. I was close on the warm-up today. Real close. First break at the 8m 20s mark. This included the sprinting, the hyper jumping jacks, and 2/3 of the super-Heisman. Even weirder is that I felt like I had a chance today. During the second iteration I was not mentally begging for death or cursing Shaun T. I was thinking that the second round wasn’t going to get me this time. I missed less than half a minute overall. Definitely a good day, and I can only conclude that the additional food had a positive impact.
I even had some energy left today for the workout. Not too shabby. Some of the squat exercises I had to stop due more to muscle pain than cardio weakness. This is definitely improvement as usually I’m stopping for both reasons…at the same time…all the time.
Nothing much else to report. I was lucky to be able to get up early enough to do it as I stayed up quite late beating a video game last night (no choice…I could tell I was getting close…it was demanding that I beat it…hmm…much like Shaun T demands I continue the Insanity program. …yes, if you want me to do something, your best bet is to put it into some sort of video format). I now feel I have a good chance of actually doing the recovery workout tomorrow morning. What could possibly go wrong?
I even had some energy left today for the workout. Not too shabby. Some of the squat exercises I had to stop due more to muscle pain than cardio weakness. This is definitely improvement as usually I’m stopping for both reasons…at the same time…all the time.
Nothing much else to report. I was lucky to be able to get up early enough to do it as I stayed up quite late beating a video game last night (no choice…I could tell I was getting close…it was demanding that I beat it…hmm…much like Shaun T demands I continue the Insanity program. …yes, if you want me to do something, your best bet is to put it into some sort of video format). I now feel I have a good chance of actually doing the recovery workout tomorrow morning. What could possibly go wrong?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 75: The Good, The Bad, and the Plyometrics
3-20-10: Wow. Still sore from the Recovery workout. But, not sore enough to prevent a good ole-fashioned run at Plyometrics! The battle was fought and we’ll call it a draw. I mean, the DVD nor myself died, so I guess there was no true winner.
That’s not to say that there were not attempts on my life during the workout. Squats took a pretty good shot. Hell, so did the Ski Abs. Only my ability to turn the player off when it was done and run away saved me.
It was a good warm-up once again. I find myself going much faster during the third iteration, even if that means I need to take breaks. I feel that I sprint and butt kick faster than anyone on the DVD. I also am far more conscious of lifting my knees above my hips during the high knees…never sacrifice form. If I can just transition from the sprinting to the jumping jacks and the jumping jacks to the Heisman a little better. I feel like I use up my energy meter on the sprinting, so that when jumping jacks start, my body is demanding a break. It will come. It will come.
I feel my meal schedules have been a bit off during the weekends of late. Either running out for bigger meals here and there, or waking up so late that my first meal starts at noon, making the process of fitting four more meals in difficult. In the end, I feel I am missing calories. I also feel that this reflects in my overall energy level and the workout process. I must start eating more and more consistently during my days away from work.
That’s not to say that there were not attempts on my life during the workout. Squats took a pretty good shot. Hell, so did the Ski Abs. Only my ability to turn the player off when it was done and run away saved me.
It was a good warm-up once again. I find myself going much faster during the third iteration, even if that means I need to take breaks. I feel that I sprint and butt kick faster than anyone on the DVD. I also am far more conscious of lifting my knees above my hips during the high knees…never sacrifice form. If I can just transition from the sprinting to the jumping jacks and the jumping jacks to the Heisman a little better. I feel like I use up my energy meter on the sprinting, so that when jumping jacks start, my body is demanding a break. It will come. It will come.
I feel my meal schedules have been a bit off during the weekends of late. Either running out for bigger meals here and there, or waking up so late that my first meal starts at noon, making the process of fitting four more meals in difficult. In the end, I feel I am missing calories. I also feel that this reflects in my overall energy level and the workout process. I must start eating more and more consistently during my days away from work.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 72: I Showed Shaun T My Pinky, I Told Him It Hurt, He Screamed PLYOMETRICS In Response. This Seems To Be His Answer To Everythin
3-17-10: Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! I woke up at an excellent time this morning and was able to complete a workout before work. FANtastic. I mean, this happened yesterday too, but today was the second day in a row and I got up a lot earlier. Getting back into good habits.
I do not believe Shaun T is Irish. Or, if he is, he celebrates by causing pain. I guess we all celebrate differently. I asked him if he believed in Leprechauns. He responded by saying that tomorrow, which should be a day off, will instead be filled with Cardio Abs (in response to my insolence for missing it previously in the week), and Cardio Recovery (in response to my insolence for missing this a few weeks in a row now). I have a meeting at 8:00 AM tomorrow. I suppose Shaun T comes first and I’ll have to keep in mind never to mention Leprechauns to him again.
The workout today was all right. Definitely felt a little tired from yesterday, but also did quite well. The actual workout was not terrible. Oddly, the worst part came during the second iteration of the second circuit where I was supposed to be doing the “basketball” exercise, but instead felt like watching.
I went to the Doctor today and he gave me a much better splint (with several replacements) for the Mallet finger. The good news is that it is not nearly as annoying or bulky as the first splint was. The bad news is that his prognosis is 6-8 weeks, then another 3 weeks of nighttime splint wearing to be sure. No breaks and no surgery, so that is good and the new splint has much better mobility. For instance, I can use my pinky to type now, which I could not with the other one. Definitely less of a hindrance. Thankfully, it is my left hand…so…say…playing Frisbee/throwing the football (and catching it one handed)/Playing most variations of “destructo”/going on Meijer runs can still be handled safely.
I do not believe Shaun T is Irish. Or, if he is, he celebrates by causing pain. I guess we all celebrate differently. I asked him if he believed in Leprechauns. He responded by saying that tomorrow, which should be a day off, will instead be filled with Cardio Abs (in response to my insolence for missing it previously in the week), and Cardio Recovery (in response to my insolence for missing this a few weeks in a row now). I have a meeting at 8:00 AM tomorrow. I suppose Shaun T comes first and I’ll have to keep in mind never to mention Leprechauns to him again.
The workout today was all right. Definitely felt a little tired from yesterday, but also did quite well. The actual workout was not terrible. Oddly, the worst part came during the second iteration of the second circuit where I was supposed to be doing the “basketball” exercise, but instead felt like watching.
I went to the Doctor today and he gave me a much better splint (with several replacements) for the Mallet finger. The good news is that it is not nearly as annoying or bulky as the first splint was. The bad news is that his prognosis is 6-8 weeks, then another 3 weeks of nighttime splint wearing to be sure. No breaks and no surgery, so that is good and the new splint has much better mobility. For instance, I can use my pinky to type now, which I could not with the other one. Definitely less of a hindrance. Thankfully, it is my left hand…so…say…playing Frisbee/throwing the football (and catching it one handed)/Playing most variations of “destructo”/going on Meijer runs can still be handled safely.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 61: Plyometrics IV: A New Hope
3-6-10: A quick footnote on the Fit Test. While doing the test, I did not feel like I had done a great job. However, when inputting the numbers, there was actually substantial improvement. In fact, there were only two exercises I decreased and not by much. The first and last exercises showed substantial improvement.
Second, the new weigh-in has me at 220, so I am officially down 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. Everything is going according to plan so far.
So...there was also a workout today...Plyometrics. This was not as good as the last Plyometrics workout. For some reason, I found myself gasping for air a lot more than usual. I definitely got some good cardio in, but I failed to take another step forward in my goal (which is becoming long-term) to make it to "month 2". Take the good with the bad I suppose. I am feeling more and more comfortable doing some exercises over others. They still all burn me out pretty good, but there is definitely an odd level of comfort for a few of them. Definitely felt good to get back on track with a solid Saturday workout.
Second, the new weigh-in has me at 220, so I am officially down 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. Everything is going according to plan so far.
So...there was also a workout today...Plyometrics. This was not as good as the last Plyometrics workout. For some reason, I found myself gasping for air a lot more than usual. I definitely got some good cardio in, but I failed to take another step forward in my goal (which is becoming long-term) to make it to "month 2". Take the good with the bad I suppose. I am feeling more and more comfortable doing some exercises over others. They still all burn me out pretty good, but there is definitely an odd level of comfort for a few of them. Definitely felt good to get back on track with a solid Saturday workout.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 57: Do or Do Not, There is No Ply (Plyometrics)
3-2-10: Excellent progress on the warm-up today. I made it over the eight minute mark before breaking and even that break was short. Really, the main part I lost time was the last exercise of the third iteration (mummy kicks). Still, this was the warm-up needed to demonstrate progress internally to finally see myself getting over the warm-up hump.
I was worried about the workout. It typically works out that the more effort given and the farther I get through in the warm-up, the less energy I have for the remainder. Not today however. Today, I was able to push through further in the workout than usual. I was able to make it through certain exercises without a break. I got a little hung up with the power squats and the ski downs. Later I would have minimal energy for the ski abs and…that exercise that follows that one. Those two were probably the weakest of the exercises.
Overall, a day of noticeable progress. This is almost TOO easy.
I was worried about the workout. It typically works out that the more effort given and the farther I get through in the warm-up, the less energy I have for the remainder. Not today however. Today, I was able to push through further in the workout than usual. I was able to make it through certain exercises without a break. I got a little hung up with the power squats and the ski downs. Later I would have minimal energy for the ski abs and…that exercise that follows that one. Those two were probably the weakest of the exercises.
Overall, a day of noticeable progress. This is almost TOO easy.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 52: I OWN Plyometrics! And Other Painful DVDs. I Bought A Whole Set
2-25-10: A crazy couple of days coming up. This workout needed to be done in the morning because I was going to Kalamazoo after work.
Since I am a careful planner, I also had to pack in the morning. With all that being said, I still managed to get to work at a somewhat decent time (not an embarrassingly bad time anyway).
The workout was all right. I made it to the third iteration of the warm-up before dying. I took precious few seconds off this time. Probably the best I’ve done at the warm-up. Somewhere near the end of the jumping jacks and the end of the Heisman I needed a little break.
I am taking my Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs DVD to Kalamazoo with me to do tomorrow…no matter what! Well…unless we are doing something really fun and I do not have time for it.
Since I am a careful planner, I also had to pack in the morning. With all that being said, I still managed to get to work at a somewhat decent time (not an embarrassingly bad time anyway).
The workout was all right. I made it to the third iteration of the warm-up before dying. I took precious few seconds off this time. Probably the best I’ve done at the warm-up. Somewhere near the end of the jumping jacks and the end of the Heisman I needed a little break.
I am taking my Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs DVD to Kalamazoo with me to do tomorrow…no matter what! Well…unless we are doing something really fun and I do not have time for it.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 47: Plyometrics Shmylometrics
2-20-10: Definitely sore from the fit test, I delayed the workout till about 2:00 PM. The workout…was there. It definitely wore me out and I was definitely sweating like an overly hydrated monkey playing basketball in a sauna.
While not beating the warm-up (still close), I do feel I was able to get farther along in certain aspects of the actual workout. Like the breaks he gave. I feel like I was able to take them all successfully. But seriously, while not making it through entirely, I did not end up in a huddled crying lumpy mass in the center of the basement floor. It was more a cringy zombie walk to the shower.
Thankfully, due to the intense sweating, it starts to get damned cold staying still. Getting to the shower is also a remedy to avoid in-house hypothermia.
Later in the day, my lower back was hurting a bit, with the upper left half of the back still tweaked. The soreness is spreading. Clearly I need to push harder tomorrow.
While not beating the warm-up (still close), I do feel I was able to get farther along in certain aspects of the actual workout. Like the breaks he gave. I feel like I was able to take them all successfully. But seriously, while not making it through entirely, I did not end up in a huddled crying lumpy mass in the center of the basement floor. It was more a cringy zombie walk to the shower.
Thankfully, due to the intense sweating, it starts to get damned cold staying still. Getting to the shower is also a remedy to avoid in-house hypothermia.
Later in the day, my lower back was hurting a bit, with the upper left half of the back still tweaked. The soreness is spreading. Clearly I need to push harder tomorrow.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 41: And a Special Valentine’s Day Gift From Shaun T…Pain…I Saw This Coming (Plyometric Cardio Circuit Round 11)
2-14-10: Well, yesterday I was well-rested for my morning workout. Today, I was not. Since I stayed up till 4:00 with my brother playing a wonderful little board game called Agricola (All of the excitement of being a farmer in the comfort of your own home. Hmm…no it really is a lot of fun). Since it was a hang out with the family day, I still needed to get up somewhat early to do the workout before running out with them for lunch.
Thus, I was sleepy when doing the workout. Though, not horribly sore, nor muscle fatigued. Actually felt good and pushed hard in many areas of the wonderful Plyometrics routine today. Still close on the warm-up. If I just held back a little bit on a few of the exercises in the third iteration, I could do it. But this is not the Shaun T way. I know that I would be cheating if I did it that way. And, more importantly, Shaun T would know. And Shaun T would not look kindly upon it. Still, really close. A few seconds of jumping jacks, a few seconds of the Heisman, and maybe 10 seconds of the Mummy Kicks. And the 1-2-3 Heisman was not as fast as it needs to be.
I also pushed a little harder than normal at the actual workout. The Ski Downs still get me, but even those aren’t quite as bad. The Ski Abs and the subsequent drill are my new objectives. It is nearing the end of the workout so doing a lot of plank position crazy leg jumping to the left, right and sprints is brutal. That being said, definitely felt improvement this time around and definitely a good workout.
Thus, I was sleepy when doing the workout. Though, not horribly sore, nor muscle fatigued. Actually felt good and pushed hard in many areas of the wonderful Plyometrics routine today. Still close on the warm-up. If I just held back a little bit on a few of the exercises in the third iteration, I could do it. But this is not the Shaun T way. I know that I would be cheating if I did it that way. And, more importantly, Shaun T would know. And Shaun T would not look kindly upon it. Still, really close. A few seconds of jumping jacks, a few seconds of the Heisman, and maybe 10 seconds of the Mummy Kicks. And the 1-2-3 Heisman was not as fast as it needs to be.
I also pushed a little harder than normal at the actual workout. The Ski Downs still get me, but even those aren’t quite as bad. The Ski Abs and the subsequent drill are my new objectives. It is nearing the end of the workout so doing a lot of plank position crazy leg jumping to the left, right and sprints is brutal. That being said, definitely felt improvement this time around and definitely a good workout.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 37: David v. Plyometrics v. Mom’s Brownies
2-10-10: Over the past several years, I’ve started making my own brownies on occasion. I’d have to say they are quite good and somewhat addicting. My Mom is still the master, however, and the only reason I can fathom is that she must put crack cocaine (the stuff) into her brownie mix. I mentioned a couple of posts ago that the Superbowl leftovers were going to be the biggest challenge of the Insanity program. With the brownies leading the way, I can say that I have never been more right. Yesterday, when I got home I had a couple of Sun Chips, which, as far as evil chips go, aren’t the worst junk food you can eat. Then I had a brownie. Then I had a couple of Doritos. Then I had a brownie. Then I sat and thought for a bit. I was nearly approaching the point of no return. Could I resist and have some semblance of a normal meal, or would I fall victim to the violent hooks and uppercuts that the brownies were throwing. Then I had a brownie (body blow). Then I had a brownie (cut bleeding profusely above eye). Then I had a brownie…and it’s all over! Dave doesn’t know WHERE he is at! The ref is trying to stop the fight, but the brownies want another piece of Dave. Dave stumbles back to the corner…where Cheetos hit him over the head with a chair while the brownies were cunningly distracting the ref. Totally unnecessary.
Yeah. I got owned, and I’d have to say in round one. I do like my junk food. That being said, since I had 5 brownies yesterday and another 4 today and I started with over 20 and there are about 7 left (I know the math doesn’t work…leave me alone!), I at least won’t be tempted for too much longer. By demolishing these brownies so quickly, I will only have broken Shaun T’s little meal plan for 3 or 4 days. All too easy. So, if you ever need to get me off this program in a hurry, brownies. That’s the key. So, I think I’ve proven to myself (yet again) that I have little self-control when it comes to delicious snacks residing in my house. All this talk about brownies, makes me want to go eat a brownie. Crack cocaine man.
I did okie dokie at the workout this morning. Of the 10.5 minute warm-up, I participated in at least 9.5 minutes of it, including the hyper third iteration. Oddly, of all things, it is the mummy kicks that are getting me. Not an overly difficult exercise, but a break is needed after high knees and that means cutting mummy kicks a little short. Mummy kicks require moving the legs in a scissor-ish motion. Put the right foot forward while staying on your left foot’s toes, then bounce off the left foot’s toes so that the left foot is forward and the right foot is back (still on toes). Keep repeating. While this is going on, keep the arms straight ahead, above the shoulders, and bring them together in front of you. First put the right arm above the left arm, then separate, then the left arm above the right arm and separate. Keep repeating. Put it altogether and you look like a somewhat idiotic mummy.
The stretching wasn’t terrible, and the workout had its moments, but nothing terribly exciting to report.
Basketball was cancelled today, so I did my Insanity Snow-Shoveling exercises. I could only hear Shaun T screaming “Stop lifting with your back! Lift with the Core! THE COOOOOOOOORRRRRREEEEE!!!!” I definitely deserve a brownie for that.
Yeah. I got owned, and I’d have to say in round one. I do like my junk food. That being said, since I had 5 brownies yesterday and another 4 today and I started with over 20 and there are about 7 left (I know the math doesn’t work…leave me alone!), I at least won’t be tempted for too much longer. By demolishing these brownies so quickly, I will only have broken Shaun T’s little meal plan for 3 or 4 days. All too easy. So, if you ever need to get me off this program in a hurry, brownies. That’s the key. So, I think I’ve proven to myself (yet again) that I have little self-control when it comes to delicious snacks residing in my house. All this talk about brownies, makes me want to go eat a brownie. Crack cocaine man.
I did okie dokie at the workout this morning. Of the 10.5 minute warm-up, I participated in at least 9.5 minutes of it, including the hyper third iteration. Oddly, of all things, it is the mummy kicks that are getting me. Not an overly difficult exercise, but a break is needed after high knees and that means cutting mummy kicks a little short. Mummy kicks require moving the legs in a scissor-ish motion. Put the right foot forward while staying on your left foot’s toes, then bounce off the left foot’s toes so that the left foot is forward and the right foot is back (still on toes). Keep repeating. While this is going on, keep the arms straight ahead, above the shoulders, and bring them together in front of you. First put the right arm above the left arm, then separate, then the left arm above the right arm and separate. Keep repeating. Put it altogether and you look like a somewhat idiotic mummy.
The stretching wasn’t terrible, and the workout had its moments, but nothing terribly exciting to report.
Basketball was cancelled today, so I did my Insanity Snow-Shoveling exercises. I could only hear Shaun T screaming “Stop lifting with your back! Lift with the Core! THE COOOOOOOOORRRRRREEEEE!!!!” I definitely deserve a brownie for that.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 33: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Plyometrics
2-6-10: Heh. I can be a sneaky monkey. Without work to pressure me, it sometimes takes me a little bit too long to get going with the workouts on the weekends. It is dangerous knowing that I have all day to do them. Yet, I do not want to get off schedule. Sneaky monkeys.
Anyway, I believe I did the workout at around noon. Could have been a worse start time, but could have been better too. While I still can not make it through much of Shaun T’s gauntlet of doom, I am at least starting to have this bizarre mental picture in my mind where making it through the gauntlet of doom might actually be possible in some sort of alternate universe (one with less gravity would be helpful).
Aside from this mental state of being, there really was not much substantial improvement to report. Getting stronger in the warm-up, but still need breaks. No longer crying during the stretching, but still stopping a few of the holds a bit early. The power squats still mess me up for the rest of the workout, but I do still enjoy the suicide exercise and can typically force myself through most of the allotted time for those ones (plus if I push hard through those, then I need to take a break during the start of the next exercise…which are the power squats…it’s strategic exercising).
Anyway, I believe I did the workout at around noon. Could have been a worse start time, but could have been better too. While I still can not make it through much of Shaun T’s gauntlet of doom, I am at least starting to have this bizarre mental picture in my mind where making it through the gauntlet of doom might actually be possible in some sort of alternate universe (one with less gravity would be helpful).
Aside from this mental state of being, there really was not much substantial improvement to report. Getting stronger in the warm-up, but still need breaks. No longer crying during the stretching, but still stopping a few of the holds a bit early. The power squats still mess me up for the rest of the workout, but I do still enjoy the suicide exercise and can typically force myself through most of the allotted time for those ones (plus if I push hard through those, then I need to take a break during the start of the next exercise…which are the power squats…it’s strategic exercising).
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Insanity Workout Day 29: Plyometrics Never Die
2-2-10: Since I was nearing the 30 day mark of this Insanity project, I figured I would finish looking at the materials provided within. One, there is a "Dig Deeper" dvd that I suppose it will tell you how to stay in proper form for the exercises. I imagine there will be a lot of discussion about the core. I will have to review that at some point, maybe on my day off.
Two, there is a disclaimer saying two things. The first talks about blah, blah, blah, go see your physician before starting, blah, blah, blah (ok, probably not a bad idea...still blah-ish). The second suggests that this workout is not for "beginners". Fascinating. There are two ways to take that. I am going to take the bastard approach and, seeing as anyone starting the Insanity workout is a beginner at it, NO ONE should be doing this. Take that Shaun T. How do you like that flexing of your vocab choices?
The workout today was good. Not the greatest. Needed to take a break nearing the end of the second iteration of the warm-up, but pushed through much better in the third iteration. I feel I did well in the first three rounds, the power squats still killing, and the ski downs leaving not much pain to the imagination. When the basketball drill started, I was beat. Effort for the remainder was sporadic, but I never gave up and never surrendered. Shaun T does give a "helpful" tip during the warm-up. When he gets tired, what he likes to do is take a deep breath. Really? I'm dying here and that's what you've got for me? I mean, that is a great idea. In between my violent gasps for air, I will take a deep breath. Good thinking. I hate Shaun T.
I am postponing my day off for a day, so I still have to figure out which workout to do tomorrow. A friend (Sarz) recently gave some important advice about making body awareness. Meaning, that while Shaun T demands a certain schedule, each person is at a different level and may not respond as well to intense workouts on the quads every day. So, an important addition to the workout schedule will be to focus on how I am feeling at the start of each day. If my arms and legs are sore and it's hard to walk, then pushing through a workout wouldn't make sense. Taking an extra day off here or there is not the end of the world. That being said, I have to say for the past week or so, I have not really been terribly sore in the mornings, just tired. I do understand the importance of this advice and must remember to not blindly follow Shaun T.
Two, there is a disclaimer saying two things. The first talks about blah, blah, blah, go see your physician before starting, blah, blah, blah (ok, probably not a bad idea...still blah-ish). The second suggests that this workout is not for "beginners". Fascinating. There are two ways to take that. I am going to take the bastard approach and, seeing as anyone starting the Insanity workout is a beginner at it, NO ONE should be doing this. Take that Shaun T. How do you like that flexing of your vocab choices?
The workout today was good. Not the greatest. Needed to take a break nearing the end of the second iteration of the warm-up, but pushed through much better in the third iteration. I feel I did well in the first three rounds, the power squats still killing, and the ski downs leaving not much pain to the imagination. When the basketball drill started, I was beat. Effort for the remainder was sporadic, but I never gave up and never surrendered. Shaun T does give a "helpful" tip during the warm-up. When he gets tired, what he likes to do is take a deep breath. Really? I'm dying here and that's what you've got for me? I mean, that is a great idea. In between my violent gasps for air, I will take a deep breath. Good thinking. I hate Shaun T.
I am postponing my day off for a day, so I still have to figure out which workout to do tomorrow. A friend (Sarz) recently gave some important advice about making body awareness. Meaning, that while Shaun T demands a certain schedule, each person is at a different level and may not respond as well to intense workouts on the quads every day. So, an important addition to the workout schedule will be to focus on how I am feeling at the start of each day. If my arms and legs are sore and it's hard to walk, then pushing through a workout wouldn't make sense. Taking an extra day off here or there is not the end of the world. That being said, I have to say for the past week or so, I have not really been terribly sore in the mornings, just tired. I do understand the importance of this advice and must remember to not blindly follow Shaun T.
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