I may be crazy but I am almost three weeks into the Insanity workout from Beach Body.... and I am 12 weeks postpartum! If you don't think that is crazy, you have probably never heard of the Insanity workout. It is claimed to be the "hardest workout ever put onto DVD".
I did not plan to start this workout regimen. It just happened. About 10 weeks postpartum I had a very very bad day. I was upset that my postpartum weight loss had completely stalled. There I was ten weeks after my third baby and ten pounds heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. That doesn't sound like alot of weight but from my experience with my last two pregnancies those ten pounds are very sticky and take alot of time and sweat to come off. So I decided I needed to do something dramatic. My husband purchased the Insanity DVDs a few years ago and we both tried to do the "fit test" DVD which basically gives you a way to measure your improvement as you get more fit and progress through the 60 day workout regimen. Well, we did the Fit Test and felt like we were going to puke. So the DVD set got put on the shelf until we would one day be magically fit enough to begin the workout. Well, I pulled it out a couple weeks ago and I actually made it through the Fit Test! It sucked and I was drenched in sweat but I made it through. So I started the program. Guess what! Today, two and a half weeks later, I have lost 4 pounds! I am so happy and so glad I took the plunge to do it.
If you want to try to do this postpartum, I have a few tips....
#1 Go at your own pace
The peeps on the DVD are very fit already. If you are out of shape or have recently had a baby don't feel discouraged that you can only do one rep to their five reps. As long as you are sweating and your heart rate is up you are still working it and you will see results!
#2 Be careful with your joints
Pregnancy hormones cause your joints to loosen and relax. The Insanity workout has many high impact exercises that will cause damage to your joints if your body is not ready. If any of the exercises make your joints (pelvic area, hips, knees) feel pain then it is best to wait until those hormones dissipate a bit more before starting this program. If you injure yourself that will completely derail your fitness goals. I am modifying a few of the higher impact exercises still because I am starting to experience pain in my knees that is different from regular muscle soreness. Injury is the last thing I want right now. Shaun T, the instructor of Insanity, says several times during the program, "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to make you better." You can't get better if you hurt yourself.
#3 Be willing to sacrifice significant time
Each workout is about 50 minutes long and then I am so drenched in sweat that I need to shower pretty much immediately. So my whole workout plus recoup takes a little over an hour of my day. I have three kids, ages 3 and under. That time commitment is a big sacrifice for me and I also have to fit when I workout into my breastfeeding schedule. But so far I am making it work. Sometimes I have to pause the DVD to break up the boys fighting or take someone to the potty but I'm not letting that discourage me from continuing on.
#4 It's okay to not be perfect
I am giving myself permission to be perfectly imperfect with this program. I am 12 weeks postpartum and did I mention I have three babies. The fact that I am attempting to do this at all makes me feel completely bad ass!
I have never been so motivated to workout. I love seeing results so quickly! I will post in a few weeks when I get closer to the end of my 60 days....but right now 18 days in I am so happy about those 4 pounds that are gone and I am looking forward to seeing more pounds come off. My babies deserve a healthy mama.
My crazy adorable view while I work it!
*** I am not a fitness professional. This information is my personal opinion and experience***
I did not plan to start this workout regimen. It just happened. About 10 weeks postpartum I had a very very bad day. I was upset that my postpartum weight loss had completely stalled. There I was ten weeks after my third baby and ten pounds heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. That doesn't sound like alot of weight but from my experience with my last two pregnancies those ten pounds are very sticky and take alot of time and sweat to come off. So I decided I needed to do something dramatic. My husband purchased the Insanity DVDs a few years ago and we both tried to do the "fit test" DVD which basically gives you a way to measure your improvement as you get more fit and progress through the 60 day workout regimen. Well, we did the Fit Test and felt like we were going to puke. So the DVD set got put on the shelf until we would one day be magically fit enough to begin the workout. Well, I pulled it out a couple weeks ago and I actually made it through the Fit Test! It sucked and I was drenched in sweat but I made it through. So I started the program. Guess what! Today, two and a half weeks later, I have lost 4 pounds! I am so happy and so glad I took the plunge to do it.
If you want to try to do this postpartum, I have a few tips....
#1 Go at your own pace
The peeps on the DVD are very fit already. If you are out of shape or have recently had a baby don't feel discouraged that you can only do one rep to their five reps. As long as you are sweating and your heart rate is up you are still working it and you will see results!
#2 Be careful with your joints
Pregnancy hormones cause your joints to loosen and relax. The Insanity workout has many high impact exercises that will cause damage to your joints if your body is not ready. If any of the exercises make your joints (pelvic area, hips, knees) feel pain then it is best to wait until those hormones dissipate a bit more before starting this program. If you injure yourself that will completely derail your fitness goals. I am modifying a few of the higher impact exercises still because I am starting to experience pain in my knees that is different from regular muscle soreness. Injury is the last thing I want right now. Shaun T, the instructor of Insanity, says several times during the program, "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to make you better." You can't get better if you hurt yourself.
#3 Be willing to sacrifice significant time
Each workout is about 50 minutes long and then I am so drenched in sweat that I need to shower pretty much immediately. So my whole workout plus recoup takes a little over an hour of my day. I have three kids, ages 3 and under. That time commitment is a big sacrifice for me and I also have to fit when I workout into my breastfeeding schedule. But so far I am making it work. Sometimes I have to pause the DVD to break up the boys fighting or take someone to the potty but I'm not letting that discourage me from continuing on.
#4 It's okay to not be perfect
I am giving myself permission to be perfectly imperfect with this program. I am 12 weeks postpartum and did I mention I have three babies. The fact that I am attempting to do this at all makes me feel completely bad ass!
I have never been so motivated to workout. I love seeing results so quickly! I will post in a few weeks when I get closer to the end of my 60 days....but right now 18 days in I am so happy about those 4 pounds that are gone and I am looking forward to seeing more pounds come off. My babies deserve a healthy mama.
My crazy adorable view while I work it!
*** I am not a fitness professional. This information is my personal opinion and experience***
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