Insanity

If you look closely, my shirt is pretty drenched.

Evidence of more hard work from Insanity.

So this Wednesday I decided to start a workout regimen called Insanity. We've all heard of how intense it is, and let's just say... that it truly lives up to its name. Hearing the word insanity doesn't sound like much to people sometimes. But when you're in the midst of the workout and intensely pushing your body's limits, one can't help but think that all this crazy exercise is truly unreasonable, inconceivable, impossible, and basically: insane.

However, the truth is that it is possible! It's all a mind game, really.

Now, don't get me wrong. Have I been able to thoroughly complete all the different exercises on each DVD and keep up with Shaun T. and his buddies? I humbly and boldly say: no. Nonetheless, have I been sweating like mad and been moving my body consistently? I proudly say, yes.

The biggest question is: have I noticed any changes in my body? Even though it has only been five workouts that I've done, the answer is yes!!! I can already see the definition of my quads come along, my thighs are already shrinking, my posture is better, I feel more energy, and my waist is a little more defined.

Before I continue though, let me give a disclaimer: this workout DVD is not for the faint of heart. It's also definitely not for the athletes that only like to bulk up, not for athletes that don't like to do intense drills, and not for folks that don't like to workout several muscle groups at the one time. Not to mention, if one over-exerts themselves too much, he/she can easily burn out or get injured. I'm sure if I pushed my body even further than I did this week, I could have easily done either. Therefore, because Insanity isn't just for anybody, I knew that starting this workout DVD can easily lead me to chucking it out of my sight and into a corner to build up dust.

So it was very important for me to find reasons to stay motivated in order to complete all 60 days of the workout. Here are some of my simple tips/reasons/motivations:

My first motivation is to take it day by day. My mind can play games with itself if I begin to think of (and essentially dread) a total 60 days of torture. So instead of dreading the next day's workout or dreading how intense the last 30 days will be (with the max workout DVDs), I just tell myself to focus on today's workout only. It's not as burdensome or seem as huge of a task, and I actually feel like I can accomplish it. After I finish a workout, I feel so proud of myself for simply sweating and getting through it. I also like to take pictures of the drenched t-shirts that I wore during the workout. It's just evidence of fat melting away. Woo!

Another huge motivation is, (obviously) the wedding season. There are a ton of weddings coming up. I don't want to outshine any bride, but I want to at least feel comfortable in a dress. (Also, it sounds narcissistic, but I also basically want to show off my fiancé  my engagement ring, and a toned body to all of my family and friends!)

Which leads me to my third motivation: my own wedding. The wedding isn't coming until two years from now--it may seem like a lot of time, but to me it isn't when it comes to a wedding! In order to have a decent dress, it needs to be ordered at least a year from the wedding date. So if I am getting married in, say August 2015, I need to have my wedding body by August 2014. It is now September 2013, and I therefore have a year to shape up this body, get it measured, and keep it at its measured size throughout the days leading up to the wedding. With two years from the wedding, I know I will have enough time to lose weight, get toned, trial and error to keep my body at a consistent weight/size, and so on. (I know, I put a lot of thought into this.)

If I haven't bored you out with my reasons yet, here's the last and biggest one for me: my health. In the past year since I've transitioned from different job hours, lived with my roommates, and dated my fiancé (then boyfriend)--I've picked up some nasty habits. I've begun to eat more unnatural and processed foods, I've eaten more fast food and drunk more pop, I've eaten bigger portions, I've also picked up my fiance's habit of eating man-food (friend chicken wings, take-out, comfort food, etc.). Now let me tell you--I have gained weight! It's terrible because I have not felt comfortable in my skin for almost a year now, and I truly loathe it. From gaining all the weight that I did, I started noticing that I didn't like the pictures I took of myself. That was a big sign. From the visible difference of my body, I was also reminded of my family's known health history of diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. When I usually feel uncomfortable, I eventually decide it's time to shape up. However seeing pictures of my rounder face brought in a reality check that I never got before. It wasn't just about feeling comfortable and shaping up. It was also about my long-term health and all that I am at risk for. In the past, I used to keep my body at something I was comfortable or used to. However, this time I don't want to just be comfortable! I want to look and feel fantastic. In the past, I never pushed myself beyond a normal or decent body type because I was afraid of something new and different. However, these fears cannot prevent me from being at risk! So I decided to start Insanity because I want to essentially be a healthy person and prevent any disease if possible!!!

Now, throughout these next two months, I am hoping to document my journey for myself and anyone else who wants to read it. You may not get an update everyday, but you will see me vent, complain, be excited, be thrilled, and most of all: you will see me get into the best shape of my life! Keep me in your prayers and cheer me on please! It's going to be an interesting ride. :)