A little about myself
Top of Mt. Si
I live in the beautiful state of Washington, near Seattle. I have been living here mostly all my life, with the exception of a couple years in Oregon (where I was born). I have a great family, a mom and a dad, three older sisters, who are all amazing, much love to you all!! I right now live with a whole bunch of my friends, and it is pretty crazy going from a house dominated by women, to a house where it is all guys. I am 25, I enjoy life very much and the blessings God has placed in my life.
This blog is to give people information on workout that I am doing. I have already done the P90x Workout, I am now doing the Insanity Workout. I hope to give people a fair opinion on my workouts. Even when I am not doing a particular home dvd workout, i will still be posting about the workouts I do at the gym.
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#1 by Dee - May 22nd, 2009 at 13:14
Ok. I’m reading your blog. My daughter and I both want to start this program….and reading your blog has inspired us both to really get serious about the weight loss. I’m 45 and she’s 20.
Think it’ll work for both of us? We both have about 40-60 pounds to lose…
and also, before I order this…..do the weights work better than the bands? If so, what weights will I need so that we can get the maximum benefits? Thanks for sharing this….and for acknowledging the blessings God has given you!
#2 by SCStrat - May 27th, 2009 at 18:24
Hi, I am glad you have taken an interest in my blog. I really do think that this is a great workout and I think it will work for you both. Personally, I feel that the dumbbells work better than the bands, I have tried both and the dumbbells definitely worked better and were less awkward. The dumbbells that Chalene uses are the Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells, they are adjustable and I wish I had them. I just use a normal set of dumbbells they work great. If you decided to go with normal dumbbells, just make sure that you get a wide range of weights so you can continue challenge yourself as you get stronger. If you want, I can get you a few dollar discount at Ultimatefitnessgear.com, it’s not much but it helps, you can either type in “newyears” in the coupon code area, or just mention Steve’s Blog in the notes. I hope you enjoy it, it is definitely more fun when you have a partner.
#3 by Melanie - October 2nd, 2009 at 17:35
Hi,
I’ve just started the Insanity workouts, its been great reading your blog and finding out both what to expect in the upcoming days and to hear about someones elses experience with the program.
I recently finished the Chalene Extreme program and loved it, I got much better results from her program than from P90X and I found it a lot easier to stick to. I plan on doing the extreme program again after Insanity (if I survive insanity!).
Anyway, thanks for the blog – its great motivation!
#4 by SCStrat - October 6th, 2009 at 19:11
I am glad that you like and actually found my blog, that is great to hear!! I have the Chalean Extreme program but I have not done it yet, I think I am going to do after the Insanity workout, do you have any tips for me with Chalean Extreme?
#5 by Cliff P - October 7th, 2009 at 17:48
Hey man, it looks like I started Insanity around the same time you did. Me and a few coworkers decided to get this and we do the workouts right after work everyday downstairs in our gym.
Anyway, I absolutely love the workouts. I’m 30 and had been WAY out of shape. I was just downright obese for pretty much all of my 20s. At work we had a bigger loser challenge that kick started my healthy living. I started on 07/01 and just started out using the jump rope according to the HIIT method. Then I worked kickboxing into it. Anyway, I ended up losing about 35 pounds in 60 days with that alone.
The problem is I found I was starting to plateau and really needed something to challenge me. Insanity seemed to be the answer.
I’m on about Day 12 and I have been impressed with the improvement in fitness and the instant results I’ve been seeing. I can’t believe how slim I’m getting so quickly. Actually, I’ve lost an additional 8 pounds in about 10 days. My body loves this workout I guess. It could be because I’ve been training in intervals ever since I started working out.
With that being said, I read your blog for the day and can totally understand your frustration. But I encourage you to stick with this program. Consider getting a few people together to do it with you if at all possible (it really helps you to push yourself harder). Diet is of the utmost importance. I did the Cardio Power the other day (and that is one that is not too bad to me; in my opinion the plyo circuit is the most difficult) and totally ran out of energy at the end of the workout because that day I had barely eaten.
Burgers and fries will kill what you’re trying to do because of the effects that kind of foot has on your metabolism and energy. If you just keep reminding yourself that you need to eat to fuel your workout, and keep pushing yourself, you’ll get results for sure.
Don’t fall into the scale trap. Instead, pay attention to differences in your physique and how your clothes are fitting etc. With all of this intense training, you’re going to be building more muscle and that can affect your weight you know?
anyway, I look forward to future posts. I’m glad I found this. It’s nice to see others who are doing the same thing you are…
#6 by maxey - October 13th, 2009 at 19:20
Got my insanity program, 1st workout 10/12/09, went ok, but today, what did I get myself into? I can see that over this program for the next 60 days, there is no reason for anyone not to get in the best shape ever. I have committed myself to this, but the meal plan is something I’m going to have to get use to, because of my work schedule, being a truck-driver maybe someone has an ideal.
Day 3 tomorrow.
#7 by SCStrat - October 14th, 2009 at 18:19
The first week was the toughest, at least with soreness, after awhile your body will adapt and the soreness will not be much of a factor. The workouts will still be tough. Keep up the good work! Hopefully you can find a way to stick to a healthy diet, that would be tough being a truck driver.
#8 by SCStrat - October 14th, 2009 at 18:23
Wow that is amazing! Way to get your life back into shape, that is very inspiring! Thank you for the support and for the advice on eating food, I definitely want to fuel my body the right way. Good luck with your Insanoty workout.
#9 by maxey - October 14th, 2009 at 19:36
Day 3 went pretty good but the soreness is tough, but got thru it, any suggestions on keeping up with a diet?
Day 4 tomorrow, and committed!!!
#10 by SCStrat - October 14th, 2009 at 23:15
Great job on getting through the first three days, I hope you enjoy your recovery workout. Not to burst your bubble, but it is still kind of difficult. With the diet, I just went out and bought the essentials. Non-fat milk, whole wheat bread, Kashi Cereal, some lean meats, oatmeal. Breakfast is pretty easy to make, I try to buy stuff that is easy to make, like turkey sandwiches and burger, veggie burgers. None of my meals are huge, so it does not take that long to prepare. For snacks I always keep some mixed nuts around, and some fruits. When ever I get a sweet tooth, the fruit saves me. Hope that helps
#11 by maxey - October 15th, 2009 at 20:20
Day 4 recovery, worked the lower half it was to stretch u out from the first 3 days, but it was a workout for the lower half of the body, but it felt good, but not long enough work for me , so I did 30 min of weight lifting and 6 min of Ab circle pro. I do all the foods u talk about, I just don’t know how to get out my stag position of not losing the weight for 2 months, started in Nov. lost 40lbs thru July, I have not lost any weight since then, I have not gained any either, so with the new program of Insanity I hope this will kick start a new era for me.Thanks for your comments, I need all the help I can get.
Day 5 tomorrow (one day at a time)
#12 by maxey - October 16th, 2009 at 20:24
day 5 puer cardio , did pretty good , some same routines, but i’m hanging in there.I’m siking myself up doing it this way as if anyone was working out with me. Thanks unknown workout buddy.
Day 6 tomorrow.
#13 by DKJ - October 20th, 2009 at 11:55
SCStrat…you sent me here to see your fit test results…I’ve looked all over…is it archived and not on one of your main pages?
Not to deter from your following, but I am starting a blog for my Insanity workout, mainly because I’ve only found one blog for Insanity written by a female and she was a Beachbody coach.
SCStrat, maybe you can visit my blog and give me some motivation, you do an excellent job of responding to everyone who posts.
If you want to check it out…djinsanity.blogspot.com
#14 by DKJ - October 20th, 2009 at 12:00
Okay, I finally found one of your fit test results…on your switch kicks, you say 110. Does that mean you actually did 220 kicks (because he says two kicks equals 1 rep) or did you do 55 reps?
I think your results are great. I’ve been following a few other posts as well, you seem to be falling in line with theirs.
Keep up the great progress!
#15 by SCStrat - October 20th, 2009 at 17:50
Whoops! I never realized that Shaun T said that 2 kicks count as 1. In that case I only did 55 switch kicks. I’m sorry it ook you song long to find my fit test results, maybe I can poast them in a spot that is easier to find. I hope you enjoy your insanity workout.
#16 by SCStrat - October 20th, 2009 at 17:51
I will definitely check out your blog!
#17 by Raquel - October 26th, 2009 at 19:38
Love your blog. Was wondering though (since I’ve never seen the whole Chalean Extreme infomercial) do you know if that’s for beginners or more intermediate exercisers. I’m looking for something more challenging and can’t decide between Chalean and Insanity. I’m a runner and have been doing DVD’s with plyometrics/interval training, so I consider myself intermediate and don’t need a beginner workout, even if it’s just in the first phase. Any input you have would be appreciated. Keep up the good work(out)!
#18 by SCStrat - October 27th, 2009 at 18:59
Hi Raquel,
I am glad you have enjoyed my blog, both Chalean Extreme and the Insanity workout are for people who are more advanced exercisers. They are both very tough workouts, but Chalean Extreme requires Dumbbells or Resistance bands, the Insanity workout is all interval training that only uses body weight. I feel like the Insanity workout has been better. Chalean extreme kind of has lame warm ups, but once you get into the dumbbell lifting its great. If you are a intermediate exerciser than either one of these workouts will be great for you and challenging. To me, Chalean extreme was annoying to watch, and Shaun T’s Insanity has not been annoying at all.
I hope this helped, neither of these workouts are for beginners.
#19 by Susan - October 28th, 2009 at 16:04
Hi all – I saw the Preview of the Insnity WOrkout last night. I am very intrested, as it looks that you actually do see results. I haven’t been working out for a year, is this still a do-able program for a “beginner”?
#20 by DKJ - October 30th, 2009 at 13:37
Susan,
This isn’t my website, but I was thinking maybe I could provide a little insight.
Insanity is a high energy, high impact workout. I think there is a potential to modify it enough for a beginner, but you won’t get the same results that you see on the infomercial.
I’d definitely reccomend starting out with a different work out and work up to this.
Good luck in whatever decision you make.
#21 by Thompson - November 15th, 2009 at 08:20
I’m starting this workout so that I can max out my Military APFT, (Army Physical Fitness Test). My only problem is that I don’t know just how intense it is because I have yet to start it. I’m scared to start because of a medical condition that affects my heart and lungs… Which sucks because I spent about two hundred dollars on this thing!! And I really need to know if it was worth it.
#22 by SCStrat - November 16th, 2009 at 21:29
You really need to see a doctor about it. It is a tough workout, but your doctor will know best if this workout is good for you.
#23 by Leora - December 21st, 2009 at 22:24
hi, my name is Leora. I am a obestity women weighing 276 lbs, 57 years young. I have arthris in my knees. I paid for a pair of shape up sneakers by sketchers and they are doing what they suppose to do for me. I, also paid for a personal trainer at $95 per month for bootcamp excerises and kickboxing. Still my main concern was the knees and my arthris. Can this insanity workout be adjusted for my weight, arthris, and knees
#24 by Leora - December 21st, 2009 at 22:26
hi, my name is Leora. I am a obestity women weighing 276 lbs, 57 years young. I have arthris in my knees. I paid for a pair of shape up sneakers by sketchers and they are doing what they suppose to do for me. I, also paid for a personal trainer at $95 per month for bootcamp excerises and kickboxing. Still my main concern was the knees and my arthris. Can this insanity workout be adjusted for my weight, arthris, and knees?
#25 by anna - December 25th, 2009 at 11:35
Hey, Thanks for the blog, i ordered p90x, and insanity, Gonna d them in that order, if i can find a spot to do it….im inthe army deployed to iraq right now, and im gonna have to make do with what i have;) But you definitely gave me some insight on insanity so thank you!!
Ill keep you posted if youd like!
xo
anna
#26 by Monica - December 29th, 2009 at 08:30
Thanks for blogging I love researching a product fully before I purchase. I was wondering if I could talk you into listing the exercises in the workouts as I can’t really get the DVD’s yet but would like to get started now. If I knew what to do I could mimic it and be ready to go past the warm-up when I actually get the DVD’s. Thank you.
#27 by Ben - December 30th, 2009 at 13:55
SCStrat,
Diggin the blog duder! nice work. I’ve got a couple questions. I race Motocross and my biggest problem is I have a bad left knee ..strained my MCL. It’s not torn so I can still do decent workouts on it I just can’t do them for very long. with that being said, I’m in great shape i’m just maybe looking for something that will seperate me from the pack. how long are the cardio workouts? cardio is my weak point. i can’t ride a bicycle and swimming is too difficult as well (movement my knee does). surgery is planned for feb next year. gonna have a scope done on it. with my knee not being torn I really don’t want to push it and make it any worse than it already is..if that makes sense.
thanks again,
Ben
#28 by Raymond - January 4th, 2010 at 23:33
Hi my name is Raymond. I started the insanity program in October and I was doing it religously and after 90 days, I lost 15lbs and got six packs on my abs. its a great workout program. I highly recommend it. Good job Shawn T. and the Insanity Team
#29 by Preetam - February 7th, 2010 at 05:38
Hi,
I was watching all the insanity commercials and though I found it interesting, was concerned about safety. Your inputs that it is not for beginners and that since it is extreme, its better to check with your doctor; are very helpful.
The 10 minute trainer seems like a good package – saves time and sounds like it can be used by a beginner.
Do you have any inputs about the 10 minute trainer program?
#30 by SCStrat - February 8th, 2010 at 20:04
I have done a few of the 10 minute trainer workouts, and they are great! They are prefect for people with difficult schedules. The 10 minute trainer is not as extreme as the Insanity workout or P90x, but if you have any health issues it is still smart to check with your physician.