Round 5: Day 83: Insanity: Fit Test

The time has finally come during this Round to see whether I've shown any improvements in Insanity, by doing the Fit Test again. I've only done this test once, at the beginning of the Round, and although I was fairly certain that I've improved in my overall fitness, I was still somewhat apprehensive about taking the Fit Test. I wasn't worried about actually being able to do the various exercises, as they're all exercises incorporated into the Insanity workouts; rather, it was whether I'd show reasonable measurable improvement.

As always, it seems as though I worry needlessly. My first test, Switch Kicks, I actually decreased in number, but only by a few. That may be because when I first took the test, I wasn't executing the exercise quite correctly. Alternatively, this test is just a killer. At any rate, I'm not going to get worked up over a decrease of about 1%. All other exercises saw improvements, specifically in Power Jumps and in Push-Up Jacks. Numbers are summarized below:

Exercise               Fit Test 1     Fit Test 2

Switch Kicks           126          123

Power Jacks            47            51

Power Knees           90            100

Power Jumps           31            48

Globe Jumps            7             11

Suicide Jumps         17            19

Push-Up Jacks         25            35

Low Plank Oblique    60            68*

(*The Low Plank Oblique numbers are total knees to shoulder moves. Today I did 34 each side, for a total of 68.)

Overall, I'm pleased with the improvements. I'll continue doing Insanity twice a week for the next Round, and measure my progress again at the end of the next Round. There doesn't seem to be much sense in doing the Fit Test again in a couple of weeks, when I can really push myself with a regular Insanity workout.

This ends Week 12. It was a great week, and a nice end to an intense round. I'll take next week as a Recovery Week, re-evaluate my goals and objectives, and create a new hybrid schedule for Round 6, which should begin in a week or two.

Round 5: Day 82: Just Arms

My son threw down the gauntlet yesterday, advising me in no uncertain terms that he was distinctly unimpressed by my arms. He's 15 years old, and has been spending some time recently lifting weights and doing pushups. I suppose that my exercise regimen and body transformation have not gone unnoticed by him, and he is starting to catch on to the benefits of eating clean and exercising regularly. He typically walks around the house, flexing his arms, and inquiring whether we have tickets to the gun show, or, flexing, he points out the way to the beach. Typical teenager, I suppose. I was one too, once.

Spurred on by his comment, I put extra effort into today's Just Arms workout, motivated to build a little golden nugget on top of my biceps. Prior to the workout, I scanned my information sheet, and made notes to increase the weights on all exercises where I was previously capable of doing 12 reps. What resulted was one of the most intense arm workouts I've ever experienced. I had to pause the DVD several times just to catch my breath and recover. Following the workout, I had tremendous difficulty lifting my arms to wash my face. I'm sure I'll feel some delayed muscle soreness over the next few days.

It feels as though this Round is already over. I only have the Insanity Fit Test to do tomorrow to wrap up Week 12, then a Recovery Week, prior to commencing the next Round. Next week, I'll evaluate whether I met this Round's goals, establish new goals, and adjust the workout schedule accordingly. Where does the time go?

Round 5: Day 81: Yoga

An aside: I rather dislike the last serving from the bottom of a yogurt container. The texture of the yogurt seems to be much thicker and gelatinous, regardless of how much stirring and blending you do. On the other hand, there's nothing like the first serving from a freshly opened yogurt container. Smooth, creamy, well blended, refreshing, and extra tasty. Just my thoughts following this morning's breakfast.

But prior to that, I engaged in a little yoga. My body has pretty much recovered from last week's tweak, although I still feel a little stiffness in my lower back on the left side. It's noticeable when I bend over at the waist at the start of the workout, also during split leg hamstring stretches with the left leg in front, and again during seated hamstring stretches with the left leg forward. I'm definitely starting to improve in my flexibility in that area, but it's not yet where I was a few weeks ago. Patience and continued stretching will have me back to normal in a few more weeks, I suspect.

In that vein, today's workout was Patience Yoga. Since Tony is largely silent during the workout (uncharacteristically so) I found that I was behind in the motions several times throughout the DVD, and accidentally held a pose for longer than Tony. No matter. There's no panic in yoga. Only the rhythmic motion of your body and deep breathing.

Namaste.

Round 5: Day 80: Diamond Delts

Today's workout was difficult. My shoulders were a little sore from Sunday's 30-15 massacre, so pike presses weren't particularly welcome during the workout. I had serious mental issues to overcome, as my head wasn't really into the workout from the start. I recalled during one of the P90X workouts that Tony said that you quit way before you should because your mind tells you to stop, and that you're capable of doing more if you tune out your head and work towards the number you want to achieve. That's good advice, but easier said than done.

Looking back in my workout log sheet, I saw that at the end of Round 4, I didn't do my typical bonus round. I didn't want this Round to end that way so, even though I was pretty tired by the time the DVD ended, I soldiered on with my self-imposed bonus round (actually, 2 rounds of each) consisting of pike presses (legs raised up on a couch), military press, and side press. The repetition of the bonus round was tough, but it's those last few reps that break you down and build you up. Besides, in addition to building muscle, it builds character. At least until you drop the weight on your face.

My shoulders have come a long way during this Round. I'm lifting heavier than ever before, and my left side has caught up with my right side in terms of endurance and capability. Only when I'm nearing the end of my lifting ability does my left arm start to flag a little. There's still an opportunity for improvement, but I'm pleased with the gains made thus far.

Next time, I'll be looking to increase the weights a bit, decrease the reps a bit, and build up again from there.

Round 5: Day 79: Insanity: Pure Cardio

Back to the asylum for a little Insanity. Like yesterday's workout, I'd have to say that (so far) Pure Cardio is my favourite Insanity workout, for the simple reason that it's the only Insanity workout I can complete without pausing the DVD. It's not hard to please me, just make a workout easy enough for me to do it.

That's not to say that this workout is easy. I still find the frog jumps burn my quads, and the final two exercises (suicide jumps and push-up jacks) drain what strength was left in your body. At the end of the workout, I'm a quivering mass of formless jelly. I can't even pat myself on the back for the job well done.

Then, following a shower, I hop on my bike and ride down to the office. It's a good thing the ride is all downhill (the story of my life).

Again, like yesterday, I suffered no ill effects from this workout. My lower back held up admirably, exhibiting no pain or discomfort whatsoever, and I had sufficient energy to really push myself throughout the workout. A splendid time was had by all.

I'm looking forward to the Fit Test on Friday, to monitor this Round's progress.

Round 5: Day 78: 30-15

Back in the saddle again. With renewed energy, I attacked 30-15 (one of my favourite workouts) and managed to squeeze out some extra reps during the chataranga pushups at the end. Any issues related to my lower back have completely disappeared. There was no pain, tweaking or anxiety at all. It appears that the week's rest and stretch have paid off.

I love doing this workout. Even though I've done it a number of times, I still find Tony to be hilarious and I love his relaxed attitude throughout. I also like it because I'm pretty good at the exercises. I still have to find some additional strength at the end of the workout to bump the chataranga pushups up to 30 (currently sitting at 26 each round) but I think at this point that's a mental, rather than a physical, issue.

It's a great start to Week 12.