I did it. I completed the Insanity workout program. If you’re only interested in my Insanity results, scooch on below, because right now I’m simply reveling in the fact that I finished it. If I wasn’t so tired right now, I’d be jumping up and down in excitement at meeting my goal. Collapsed in a chair soaking up my success feels pretty darn good though.

Crossing off each workout on the Insanity schedule helped. Somehow.

It’s been nine weeks since I started Insanity, and my review of it is a thumbs up. But you’ve got to be realistic with yourself and your abilities.

1. If you have trouble with your joints, use caution with this workout program. It involves a lot of plyometrics. In the last two weeks I had to modify some of the jumps because my knees were shredding into tiny little pieces.
2. To do Insanity every day, you need to be a mover and shaker already. I don’t think this is an appropriate program for someone who is just starting to exercise, and it isn’t marketed as such.
3. Insanity takes time. The second month of workouts were an hour.
4. You’ll get as much out of it as you put into it. That goes for any workout program.
5. Watch what you eat. I didn’t pay special attention to my diet while I was doing Insanity, and I didn’t use any of the shakes or supplements suggested. I think I would have had even better results if I would have been more strict with my eating habits.
6. Do what you can. Push yourself, yes, but don’t beat yourself up if you can’t do 3 minute intervals with 30 second rests for 45 minutes straight. I certainly couldn’t, and even the group of people on the DVD took water breaks and rests.
7. The first four days of the second month of workouts killed me. I was in a major slump and mentally I was on the verge of breaking down from the strain. Fitness requires a lot more mental strength than many people realize. It really took me by surprise, because I nailed the first month. The intensity skyrockets in the second month, and I really struggled with them in the beginning. Work through it, and you’ll hit your stride.
8. If you are competitive, this is a good workout program. If you want something that is intense, this is a good workout program. It takes time and it’s not cheap, but even if you only half dedicate yourself to the fitness regimen you will get in better shape.

Insanity Results
I don’t have a before and after shot. I didn’t think to take one at the beginning, and it just feels a little awkward to me. I don’t have six-pack abs either, but the difference between Day 1 and Day 60? Huge. I think. Why am I not more sure? Because my numbers – yes, those numbers that women pay so much attention to – aren’t great. In fact, my scale says I’ve gained three pounds.

And that’s okay with me. When I started Insanity, I didn’t need to lose weight. I was thin when I started, but I was out of shape. Remember, the whole reason I decided to try Insanity was so I could get prepared for Project Half Marathon.

There are two things I’m particularly proud of as I look back on these nine weeks of Insanity. First, I skipped one workout. I’m still a little miffed that I skipped it, but out of nine weeks? I remember slaughtering the workout I did the next day so the rest is exactly what I’d needed.

Second, my numbers. Not those numbers I mentioned above, but my fit test numbers. Every two weeks, the Insanity workout program uses a fit test of eight different exercises to test the progress you’ve made. You do as many repetitions as you can in one minute for each exercise with a short recovery break between each minute-long exercise.

My numbers don’t lie, and I’m kinda awfully dang proud of ‘em.

The 8 exercises in the Insanity Fit Test.

Side-by-Side Comparison
Exercise: Day 1 Fit Test/Day 60 Fit Test:

• Switch Kicks (2 kicks=1 rep): 45(90)/69.5(139)
• Power Jacks: 45/64
• Power Knees: 75/117
• Power Jumps: 28/75
• Globe Jumps: 6/12
• Suicide Jumps: 13/25
• Push-up Jacks: 18/27
• Low Plank Obliques: 31/69

I was collapsed on the floor in a puddle of sweat on my Day 1 Fit Test, and I was in the exact same shape today for my Day 60 Fit Test. The better my cardiovascular system worked, the more I could do and the harder I pushed.

Insanity works. It’s a good program (though hard) and I would recommend buying Insanity if you’re serious about getting toned and fit.

What’s next?
I’m excited and a little relieved to be done with Insanity. I like the structure of the workout, but I don’t want to be tied to an indoor workout program through the long days of summer. I love the outdoors and can’t imagine coming home to spend my evenings doing a television workout in my living room.

Now I channel my inner Forrest Gump and start running. I have 10 weeks to implement my Project Half Marathon plan. Thus far that plan includes…running. Seems like a good start, right?