I've decided to give the Insanity workout a go

Engine No.9

Problem is I'm about 10stone overweight. I've spoken to the doctor and she's given the ok. I stopped smoking about 3 months ago so I hope my lungs are in good enough shape at this stage to be able to take on some cardio.

I've got the DVDs off a friend of a friend who did it and swears by it, only there's no nutritional information or advice with them. My friend says basically just keep the good fats like omega3 & 6 high and cut out all saturated fats. Carbs should be kept to a minimum and if you do have to eat em, keep em complex like Brown rice n bread, wholegrain pasta and cereals and also keep sugars to a minimum.

2 questions then, 1) should a guy my weight (about 23 stone) even consider this workout and 2) is the nutritional advice I've been given accurate and is there anything else you can add???

Much appreciated.

Danny_Lennon

pajopearl wrote: »

My friend says basically just keep the good fats like omega3 & 6 high and cut out all saturated fats.

Don't exclude saturated fats. Eat plenty of animal fat, coconut oil, butter.

pajopearl wrote: »

wholegrain pasta and cereals .

NO!

pajopearl wrote: »

2 questions then, 1) should a guy my weight (about 23 stone) even consider this workout and 2) is the nutritional advice I've been given accurate and is there anything else you can add???

Much appreciated.

1) There are much better. Guys here will advise.

2) Not really. Basics are covered in the nutrition stickies here so probably best to read through that before going through details. Basically meat, fish, eggs, veg, fruit, nuts, seeds are all good. Processed foods are not. Higher carbs on workout days, peri-workout.

Have a read through the stickies and then come back with more specific questions.

Frank Bullitt

Pardon my ignorance, what is the Insanity Workout?

Doug Cartel

That workout is billed as something for people who are already in good shape and need that last bit if effort to get absolutely shredded.

It's just not the right thing for you right now. The main thing you need to do is get your diet sorted, that is going to have a much bigger effect than any exercise regime. Then you need to start exercising - starting at a reasonable pace and gradually stepping it up.

Doug Cartel

Gintonious wrote: »

Pardon my ignorance, what is the Insanity Workout?

It's the sequel to P90x. http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/insanity.do

atilladehun

I did it for a while, I'm 11st and 5'10", so fairly light. I was doing it for increased endurance. Loved the energy from it. Having a video at home was great. I found it very hard to do a whole video through but I had to stop as it was making my ankles sore.

Doing Convict conditioning inspired body weight exercises and ankles are beginning to feel better.

I'd say do it but just be careful, maybe mix in a variety of things that would put less pressure on your joints?

calfmuscle

For you right now this will be too hard. Why not try something easier like a couch to 5k program? As another poster said diet is very important. Keep it simple to begin with, weigh everything so you know exactly what you are eating. You could download an app or go to a weight loss group to make it easier for you.

If you start with a simple diet and exercise regime the weight will fall off easily. Then as it becomes tougher in the last stage read up on the more technical aspects of diet and exercise.

daithi1970

Take care of the diet first before embarking on some faddy exercise regime..calorie deficit maintenance (ie maintaining a constant deficit between calorie intake and calorie burn- there is more info in the stickies at the top of the forum) and portion control are much more important for weight loss when your'e starting out,,if you want to exercise, try a simpler and safer exercise regime like couch to 5k, which builds up very gradually from the start.

best of luck

daithi

Rubber_Soul

calfmuscle wrote: »

For you right now this will be too hard. Why not try something easier like a couch to 5k program?

At 23 stone running would wreck you. I think sorting out the diet as a priority and possibly adding some walking or maybe low impact exercise like cycling would be far better.

daithi1970

the c2 5k programme involves mostly walking for a few weeks before any real running starts..it would be a good idea to lose some of the weight by dietary means first though-I read somewhere that 80% of weight loss stems from diet rather than exercise- and c25k would be a much safer bet than insanity , if you really wanted to get some exercise.

daithi

Rubber_Soul

daithi1970 wrote: »

the c2 5k programme involves mostly walking for a few weeks before any real running starts..it would be a good idea to lose some of the weight by dietary means first though-I read somewhere that 80% of weight loss stems from diet rather than exercise- and c25k would be a much safer bet than insanity , if you really wanted to get some exercise.

daithi

Aye I know what it involves, I tried it myself when I weighed 20+ stone and it wrecked me. I found cycling much easier on the knees.

calfmuscle

StarshipPooper wrote: »

Aye I know what it involves, I tried it myself when I weighed 20+ stone and it wrecked me. I found cycling much easier on the knees.

Any exercise at that weight is going to be hard on the joints. However it will have positive effect cardiovascularly and on insulin resistance. There will also be a positive mental aspect to exercise that will be a positive reinforcement of the will power required to lose weight.

Cycling as you said is a now impact exercise. But its great to have goal to work towards like competing in a fun run/cycle.

Rubber_Soul

calfmuscle wrote: »

Any exercise at that weight is going to be hard on the joints. However it will have positive effect cardiovascularly and on insulin resistance. There will also be a positive mental aspect to exercise that will be a positive reinforcement of the will power required to lose weight.

Cycling as you said is a now impact exercise. But its great to have goal to work towards like competing in a fun run/cycle.

Yes, but running is particularly hard on them. Any exercise will produce positive results, and you can still have a goal to work towards without the need for running which you can add later when the op has lost some weight.

dahat

I have been near enough 23 stone and got down to a current 15 st.

My advice,stay away from this workout and running till you correct your diet,high impact at your current weight could do untold damage to your load bearing joints.

Try a Rower in any Gym,Cycling and the X-Trainer,all good for shifting pounds at your current weight

siblers

Insanity is a pretty ferocious workout, you'll be doing loads of core work and cardio work, its pretty intense even if you are pretty good shape. You'd be bettr off sorting your diet and calorie intake and doing some stuff on exercise bike etc. Doing Insanity would be a bit too extreme.

strandroad

It's a high impact workout with killer cardio, a lot of jumps etc. At your weight you'll ruin your knees, hips and back. Much better to start with cycling or yoga to kick off weight loss.

Engine No.9

Many thanks for all your advice guys. Will probabavly give the insanity yoke a miss now. That couch2 5K thing sounds like it might be a goer. I've heard of it before so will research it and see how it goes.

pah

I've done the couch to 5k. Started in January and now running 5k comfortably around 28mins twice a week and stretched my 3rd run to 8k+, not concentrating on time for this.

I was 94kg, now about 85 and want to be in around 75kg.
Picked up the insanity program on adverts new and unopened. Had a look at it today and going to start Monday.

Thing is it's a 6 day a week program and I'd like to keep up the running. Could I alternate every second day? I've done this before with gym/running. Just wondering would it impact the effectiveness of the program only doing it at half the rate it's supposed to be done at?

pah

Op, friend of mine lost 7 St in little over a year. Mostly running, cycling and squash. He ran the half Marathon in killarney last month. Puts me to shame but also inspires. Think insanity might be too much too soon as others have mentioned.

I've done the couch to 5k. Started in January and now running 5k comfortably around 28mins twice a week and stretched my 3rd run to 8k+, not concentrating on time for this.

I was 94kg, now about 85 and want to be in around 75kg.
Picked up the insanity program on adverts new and unopened. Had a look at it today and going to start Monday.

Thing is it's a 6 day a week program and I'd like to keep up the running. Could I alternate every second day? I've done this before with gym/running. Just wondering would it impact the effectiveness of the program only doing it at half the rate it's supposed to be done at?

Sorry op if I'm hijacking a bit.

Dravokivich

pah wrote: »

Just wondering would it impact the effectiveness of the program only doing it at half the rate it's supposed to be done at?

Sorry op if I'm hijacking a bit.

Think you'll just end up taking twice as long. The workouts are meant to be organised so you are targeting alternate muscles groups every day anyway (IIRC). Don't think pushing a rest day onto yourself between that will do much harm in it over all.

jennyjo

Anyone have free downloads of the Insanity Workout The package of 10 dvds on Amazon are coming out very dear!I have tried to get it free online and all I'm finding is dodgy sites linked to mobile phone subscriptions!
Help would be appreciated really want to do this programme!:)

The Davestator

jennyjo wrote: »

Anyone have free downloads of the Insanity Workout The package of 10 dvds on Amazon are coming out very dear!I have tried to get it free online and all I'm finding is dodgy sites linked to mobile phone subscriptions!
Help would be appreciated really want to do this programme!:)

done deal have them for around 60 euro i think. €130 in argos

pah

The Davestator wrote: »

done deal have them for around 60 euro i think. €130 in argos

Got mine on adverts, €50. Going to start on Monday but thinking of doing 3 a week in sequence with a few runs instead of 6 days in a row.