Day 25: Protect yourself

Last week I was sick. I insisted on pushing through 2 days of insanity that I probably shouldn't have and in the process kind of jacked up one of my knees because I let my form go. I had a mellow weekend and rested really well to heal up a bit and I feel much better already, but the knee injury scared me enough to do something I never though I would do, BUY EXPENSIVE ass workout shoes.

Let me backtrack a bit. I've had the shoes I've been working out in for about 3 years. Pretty much every second of exercise in the past 3 years has been in those shoes. The grips are gone, I was falling all over the place when I play street hockey or dodgeball, but since the soles and canvas were still in tact I didn't think I needed to upgrade. 2 weeks ago I found myself slipping while doing suicides and that is the moment the "new sneakers" thoughts popped into my head. After I jacked my knee I knew it was time to take the plunge. Now my punk instincts were at war with me over this decision. I haven't spent more than $40 on sneakers in probably 12 years I didn't want to buy anything made with shitty labor practices (although that is essentially unavoidable if you buy any new consumer goods these days) and I certainly wasn't going to buy anything that wasn't Vegan. I did some research and found out that I was probably going to have to spend $80 to $120 and that there were a lot of completely synthetic running sneakers. I figure I would rather spend $100 now to prevent long term injuries, then have to worry about those injuries in my almost certain healthcare-less future, especially since, up to this point, insanity hasn't cost me a thing.

So with my decision made, I went to Philadelphia Runner on 36th and Walnut. (http://www.philadelphiarunner.com/) The staff there was super helpful. They had me do a few exercises to see how I was landing on my feet and examined the wear patterns on the sneakers I wore into the store. They explained how my flat feet could use some stability support, but that I seem comfortable and balanced in my stance so putting me in a stability sneaker might confuse my form. We decided it would be best for me to try a cushioned sneaker. They measured my foot and brought out a few pairs of shoes that they thought would work best for me. I ended up getting a $89.99 pair of Asics and couldn't really be happier with my decision. They have a 2 week exchange policy no matter how worn in the shoes are which is also pretty comforting.

If you decide to take the insanity plunge, think about this before working your knee's and ankles in a pair of Van's. Ouch!

fitter test....

1.2.3...

INSANITY!!!

Hey insanitypunx, the bookhouse is back to represent on day 15 for me and jon and day one for leigh ann....FIT TEST...

So....this still sucked when I was doing it, but I was really happy when I compared my numbers to my first fit test...

switch kicks, i went from 67 to 91

power jacks 35 to 45

power knees 50 to 70

power jumps from 16?ish to 28

globe jumps 5 to 12

suicide jumps 14 to 20

push up jacks 20 to 25

low plank obliques 41 to 50

Jon's numbers also mostly improved by a chunk. But he was really fuzzy on his numbers from the first fit test and also said his form was probs incorrect for a few of the exercises the first time.

switch kicks, from 80 to 125!

power jacks held steady at 52

power knees went from 89 to 80, but he was probs doing them correctly this time..

power jumps from 10 to 29!

globe jumps from 6 to 7

suicide jumps from 9 to 17

push up jacks from 15 to 31!

and low planks 56 to 49

Leigh Ann "Zig" decided to get in on this today since we would be doing the fit test, she seemed into it and hopefully we'll have another insanity punk on the roster....

her fit test:

switch kicks: 70

power jacks: 41

power knees : 76

power jumps: 24

globe jumps: 5

suicide jumps: 11

push up jacks: 25

low plank obliques :26

Here are some EXTREMELY FLATTERING pictures of me and jon....

That's it for this time...stoked to finish out the first month....and totally terrified of what those "max" workouts are going to be like...

Fit Test

Fit test results from Athens OH.

	Cait
	Week 1	Week 2
Switch Kicks	100	80
Squat Jacks	40	50
Power Knees	82	100
Power Jumps	26	33
Globe Jumps	6	11
Suicide Jumps	13	19
Push Up Jacks	20	34
Low Plank Obliques	47	60

Getting fit. I agree with jordan about the form. Thats my new focus. Trying to keep solid form and keeping my core tight. Now that I am familiar with all the exercises its easier to focus on the details.

I have not changed my diet at all at this point. I feel like some days I eat more because the work out takes it out of me. I don't really have the time to get to involved with a diet at this point. Perhaps when winter break from school comes ill have more time.

I dont feel like my body is changing that quickly I do feel stronger though so Im assuming the change will come. I do feel like i am going to vom during some of the work outs still. Soreness is pretty much done with though.

Day 16: Fit Test Part 2

Yesterday Allie and I had our second fit test. Here are our numbers and some new pictures.

	Jordan		Allie
	Week 1	Week 2	Week 1	Week 2
Switch Kicks	98	136	100	115
Squat Jacks	52	56	47	60
Power Knees	64	97	44	108
Power Jumps	34	39	32	45
Globe Jumps	10	12	10	12
Suicide Jumps	15	16	11	11
Push Up Jacks	21	22	25	30
Low Plank Obliques	43	44	40	74

2 weeks in and as you can see we have both made huge improvements. This isn't necessarily the best thing though and the reason for that is form... FORM! I know that I am no where near as fit or strong as the people in the videos. When my numbers are crushing theirs, I think it's time to reevaluate my approach to those exercises.

Today, for the first time ever, I watched certain sections of the videos to see the proper form without trying to do the exercises. Then I went through the exercises I thought I need work on and did them slowly until I was doing them right. I expect to see the numbers in the switch kicks, power knees, low plank obliques and squat jacks go down quite a bit next test.

Another note on form... If you have week ankles or knees DO NOT do the insanity work out until you feel comfortable that you are preforming ALL of the jumping exercises correctly. I don't want anyone to get hurt.

Hey Ya'll

Happy Halloween

insanity is a full time job...

Hey everyone....Lemme first say, i'm stoked to join the insanity punx blog. It had been years since I've paid attention to fitness in any serious way outside of recreational activities like bike riding/capture the flag/swimmin etc. So I was initially interested when folks started talking a lot about insanity this summer, and when jordan and allie started this round 2 of the program I really wanted to get on board...So this monday my housemate jon and I got to it...

I vomed after the fitness test....while I guess I considered myself relatively fit-ish, Insanity immediately taught me that while I might not have been OUT of shape....i definitely wasn't IN shape either.

so here are the fit test results... I had trouble keeping count honestly and had to guestimate a couple of the results. A big issue with me and insanity is getting form right the first time going through these exercises and still keeping the pace. I suppose that that part of it will just get easier as the videos repeat and the moves become familiar.

switch kicks: 67?

squat jacks: 35

power knees: 50

power jumps: 16?

globe jumps: 5

suicide jumps: 14

low plank obliques: 41

Jon has to email me his results or I would post them, but I will post these sweet pics that we took before our day 2 workout:

Today is day 6....I'm sort of dreading getting back to the plyometric stuff...That has been the biggest pain. I do not have strong legs, and the first couple days of insanity had me hobbling around...stairs were seriously an issue...day 3 sucked, but I started to feel like I was adjusting, the first recovery workout was GREAT. like...can't stress enough how great that felt.

I feel like I am totally ok with signing up to HURT for an hour a day for most of my week...my big problem has been the time between workouts. feeling stiff and trudging through the day can be tough. I can only hope that this part of it gets easier. I was happy yesterday with pure cardio..I actually wish I had pushed a bit more, because this is my first time with the videos I was sort of expecting a break and an other round, and while i WAS exhausted at the end, I also thought there was going to be like short water breaks and then more pain like the other days...

But i guess I have that to look forward to this evening with the plyometrics again tonight.

Day 9: A Historical Moment

Well, it has happened. After about 6 months of trying to get into shape, losing around 35 pounds in the process, I have visible abs! (granted I had to shave my forest of stomach hair to see the definition.) This is a huge accomplishment for a kid who used to come home, mix a bag of chocolate chips and a jar of peanut butt in a saucepan, melt them together into the aptly name "Fat Kid Stew," and call it dinner. Watch out Australian beach dwellers! Here's hoping for a 6-pack by my New Years hang at Manly Beach!

Side note for the day. I really find that taking my time getting up, eating a quick breakfast of about a cup of oatmeal mixed with 1/4 cup walnuts and a scoop of protein powder and going for a walk to get a coffee enables me to push myself a lot harder than on days when I just get up, eat something quick take a 20 minute digestion period and go for it. Luckily my job these days gives me the time or these luxurious mornings. If you have the time, take it before getting Insane.

A State of the Union

Wow! I can't believe how this blog has gotten people excited about getting fit. Since I started this 8 days ago several friends have started either doing the Insanity workout or have told me they have started something else because they don't feel ready yet. Other cities watch out, Philly punks are getting huge! I invited a few of the new Insane Punx to start writing in this blog, so look for new posts by some first timers. If you are just starting and want to contribute get in touch.

Allie and I have also had some people stopping by to join our workouts. Stefan came on Friday and will probably be joining us for the rest of the week, along with Joe Fox who started today. I don't know how we are gonna fit 4 people in that tiny room, but we'll make it happen.

Also, my friend Ramsey just started her own workout blog about the Crossfit training she is doing Chicago. Check it out here:
Ramsey Gets Big