Insanely Grateful {to the Max}

I have been a sappy mess today! It's the same feeling I had after my first half marathon and after I completed the Dopey Challenge. It's that sense that I completed something that at one point in time I thought was impossible. 

The changes in my body are subtle compared to the changes to my mind and to my spirit. When I finished Dopey in January 2014, I was burned out! I had done something that few other people could say that had done and my body didn't want to do it again. I was depressed and I didn't know what I was going to do. I couldn't continue running crazy amounts of miles for crazy amounts of hours per week. My family needed my time and I felt guilty giving that time to myself. Beachbody and Shaun T literally saved me! That sound dramatic even to me but it is so true. I had never done an at home program (except for my treadmill 😬) and I had never consistently cross trained. I had gotten a challenge pack with FocusT25 and it sat in that box for at least six months until that day when I just didn't want to run anymore but I needed to do something. I'm giving you a little of my backstory so please bear with me. 

FocusT25 gave me results that I had never seen before and muscles in my legs that I didn't even know I needed to help me run faster. It also showed me that there was another way. 

Fast forward to the release of Insanity Max:30. The name insanity scared the crap out of me! I had seen the original version and my mind said "oh no - NOT ME!" but this was a shorter version right? It was only 30 minutes and I was "allowed" to take breaks. I had learned focus and now I needed to gain my power. So, I ordered it and couldn't wait to get started. 

From Day 1, Shaun tells you that he believes in you and that you CAN do it and somewhere around day 10 you start believing that you just might be able to do this! You keep pushing play, you drink your Shakeology, and you SEE your body transforming. I told a friend of mine that I was extremely glad that I had the photos to see my transformation because that stupid scale DID NOT MOVE and for the first time in my life it doesn't matter. That number that I used to define myself by for so long, it's just that- a number. That number doesn't show how many push-ups I can do or how I am able to do tuck jumps, it doesn't show the confidence I have gained or the joy I have for sharing my story of hope with others. That number means nothing! 

I was able to finish month 1 feeling on top of the world and then I pushed play on month 2! To say that I felt a bit defeated can't even express my feelings enough. The entire time Shaun was beating my body down though he was lifting my spirit up. He kept telling me that I could do it and you know what... I DID! I might have "maxed out" but that was the whole point right? Learning to see your limits and trying to overcome them. 

I will probably never meet Shaun but I want to be him for someone. I want to be able to help people believe that even if it's hard, they can get through. He didn't just give me a six pack (which I won't be giving back) but he gave me peace. He gave me strength and the courage to step out of hiding in the background. I couldn't say thank you enough to him because as cheesy as it sounds, my life isn't the same anymore.

I think that we all are trying to live as best as we can and for those 30 minutes every day, I could just be me- Jama, not a mom or a wife, I could be the athlete that I always knew I could be but that I never knew I was.

If you are scared to fail... don't be. You will fail, it's a guarantee but through the failure you will see who you we always meant to be! So thank you Shaun for showing me who I could become and for always believing in me- even though we may never meet you have changed me and I am eternally grateful! 

What a difference 6 weeks can make

That girl in week 1, she had no idea how much she would GROW. She looks scared- ha! She was scared. She wanted to see changes so badly and she wanted to be able to be a good example to as many people as she could be. 

That girl in week 4, she thought she was doing awesome. She had seen some results, she had stuck to the plan, and was pretty proud of herself.

The girl in week 6, she has been humbled. She has experienced some freaking HARD workouts. She has faced her fear of group exercise classes. She has learned that she is more than a number on a scale. She can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 2 more weeks and she will be an Insanity Max:30 graduate!!! She CAN push through and Max Out! She KNOWS that things she never thought she wanted are possible. 

When I started doing Beachbody programs (T25 to be exact), I wanted to be able to tone up a little bit, and I did. Max:30 has taken my toning to an entirely new level. It has taken it to a level that I didn't even know I wanted. I didn't know that finding abs would push me to want to see what other muscles were there. I didn't know that I could actually enjoy (gasp!) push ups! I didn't know I was capable of some of these things.

I am not posting this to make anyone feel badly. I am posting and sharing myself like this because I want you to see the possibilities. If you want to be a runner, go outside and run (even if it's just 100 yards) you have to start somewhere. If you want to learn about nutrition, start researching!!! All the answers you need are available- all you have to do is find the one that you are looking for.

2 more weeks and then I will be starting a new program, I will be committing to the 21 day fix Extreme program for 3 weeks and most likely I will then start another round of Insanity Max. If you are wanting some direction...ask me!!! I want to help you start your journey. It won't be the exact same as mine but it will be an adventure that I would love to go on with you :)

Max Out- Month 2

Week 5 of Insanity Max:30 is in the books and I have to say, it may have been the hardest week of workouts that I have EVER done. They are completely doable, but your mind can't win!!!! You must not give up. Shaun T talks about how he is scared in some of the workouts.. DON'T LET HIM GET INTO YOUR HEAD!!!!
One of the things I really liked about Month 2, is that it isn't just a harder Month 1. There are new moves (that I had never done before), there are CRAZY push up sequences, and through every since move, if you perform them with purpose you are sculpting those abs!
In Max Out Cardio, you have to move quick but you also have to pay attention. A lot of the time in month one, I just focused on what I was doing and never looked up. This isn't the case for month 2. I had to focus on and watch the moves because I had never done them.

Max Out Power should just be called Beat Down Day! By far the HARDEST workout I have EVER done. The moves are 45 seconds on 15 seconds off unlike month one 20 seconds and 10 seconds. Shaun says, "Now you have found the power - you have to let your power take over - not an option to not max out- now you let the power from within take over'" and it's so true! I wanted to actually turn off the workout and give up and I have never felt that way before. It pushes your most and mind to the limit and then gives you a little shove over into feeling a bit defeated. You have to go down to be able to get back up though right??

Max Sweat Intervals helps you redeem yourself after Max Out Power. So, after being beat down, you will do Max Sweat and feel like you can conquer the world. Don't get me wrong, you are going to max out, and much sooner than you did during month one. Don't hold back and don't be afraid. I was feeling very humbled after Max Power but as I went through Max Sweat, my confidence in the fact that I COULD do this came back in full force. I was also super sore by this workout and I was feeling muscles I didn't even know existed!

Max Strength would have to be the exact opposite of how I felt during max power. By the end you and the floor will be best friends because it should just be called make them do push ups. I have never done so many variations of push ups and up until I started T25 almost a year ago, I had never even done one push up! I modify them but I am strong enough (from month one) to push myself through. I can visibly see a difference in my arms and that is all due to my BFF the push up.

By Friday, you are ready for the week to be done. You are sore and tired but then it's time for Friday Night Fight Round 2. Out of month one, Friday fight was my favorite one, so it wasn't a huge surprise that it is my favorite in Month 2 either. I like knowing I only have to do that exercise one time and being able to give it everything I have. Shaun says, "It's about going beyond your max! You will max out but because you got this far - you know how to go more! Pull it together and you fight!! Do what you need to do to get through." He has a way of pushing you to go just a little bit farther than you really thought you could go.

Week 5 was mentally challenging. You have started to master month one and feel really confident and then you fail (a lot). I am so happy that I can do it in my home where no one can see my uncoordinated movements and my near face plants. I'm really starting to see more definition in my abs (hallelujah). I've never had abs before, so being able to see some has been a highlight for me. I used to be afraid of gaining muscle, but the truth is, I would rather be strong with some muscles than weak. My shoulders and arms are definitely getting defined (thank you push ups) and I think the exercises this week are really helping to define my inner thighs (at least that is what hurts the most). The soreness is worth being comfortable in my skin and knowing that no matter what he throws at me, I can push though it.

Are you curious yet??? I will have round 2 of Insanity Max:30 starting February 9. Join me, you will not regret it!

Humbled- Max Out Power

You think you know... You think you push.. And then you find out what pushing really is! I am humbled, that's the only way to describe how I feel a after today's max out power. I have never once contemplated quiting. Not when running for 4+ hours but after 7 minutes of this workout, I seriously contemplated turning it off. I was tired from the previous day, and around minute 7 my legs were about ready to give out on me! I was so proud of myself last week for getting to 30 minutes and I couldn't get past 7!

In these moments you really start to question your ability to push through. I looked at my computer and was so happy when he finally said it was time for push-ups. Me, I was so happy to sit down and do push-ups. These workouts are meant to test your strength and you will! No matter what I will NOT give up. I absolutely LOVE the ab segment! When I first started doing at home workouts, we would get to the ab portion and they would say tighten your abs and I would think " what are they talking about, I don't have any". You do though, even if they are buried right now, they are in there just waiting for you to do the work to set them free!!

It takes WORK!

I know you don't want to hear that because it requires action and time but if you really want to see some changes you have to do some work. I'm not telling you to go to the gym every day and spend 3 hours lifting weights and then another hour running on the treadmill, because who really has time to do all that? I sure don't. But if you consistently put in the time DAILY... Your body and your mind will start to change. Changing the way you think is way harder than changing the way your body handles the stress you place upon it. Muscle matters and I never truly understood that before. I just thought that if I was thin enough then I would look ok. I have to say that once I started to gain muscle (not weight!) that my mindset towards myself began to change. Bring on tomorrow because I survived today!

Progress

When you make changes in your life and you  continue to make them even though you may not be able to see them... They are there. Last summer, I decided to commit to finishing every Beachbody program that I started... I did 2 rounds of Focus T25, I did the 21 day fix and then I was stuck. I love Shaun T, his energy makes me want to MOVE, so when Insanity Max:30 was announced I was excited (nervous, but excited). I had seen my husband do Insanity and knew that it was just a bit too intense for me.
Max 30 came, I started and it was HARD! Every single day from the first time I pushed play was hard. I worked out through Christmas, I worked out through traveling, I worked out 30 minutes a day. When you see yourself every day, you don't see the small changes. You just do the work. Was my nutrition on point- NO! I wasn't ready then to portion it out (which is highly important because nutri to run for HOURS with no results, although when you are running for that long you "feel" like you should be eating all the food as a reward which isn't the case either. I digress...
I was feeling blue about having to not attend the Goofy Challenge and I decided to go get my hair done... Always a spirit lifter right? I knew that I would have to put on my jeans (I never wear them!). I go to a salon where it's really not acceptable to arrive in your gym clothes and I was nervous to put my jeans on. I knew that I have gained some muscle and I was so scared that they were going to be tight... And they weren't. 
NOT EVEN CLOSE!
My jeans were loose and not just a little. I didn't see the change but the change is apparent by those crazy jeans. The amazing thing is that the scale has not moved. You know I have issues with the scale and I dread getting on them... If it's too low then I worry that I am getting too extreme, if it's too high I want to just punish myself and limit my food and it lies... It really does.

But the jeans,thy don't lie!

I am constantly shocked that my body can do the things I am forcing it to do. That my waistline is more toned and defined after 30 DAYS (which I never would have thought possible after 3 kids!) That I am stronger and leaner than I ever have been without hurting myself in the process!
Change is happening but maybe you are just too close to the situation to see it!
I am proud of the hard work I have put in over the last 30 days. I begin the month 2 workouts on Monday (and yes I am nervous!) but I know I will make it through, I will give it my all and if I can do it... So can YOU!

Tabata- WHAT?!?!?!

Tabata... What the heck is that??? Well,   "Tabata training is one of the most popular forms of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It consists of eight rounds of ultra-high-intensity exercises in a specific 20-seconds-on, 10-seconds-off interval."

Shaun T brings it in Tabata power! I knew going into the workout today that I was going to "max out" sooner and I was totally ok with knowing my limits and then pushing them. With that being said - I love the modifier version! I love seeing Danielle working hard and breathing hard and knowing it is OK to modify.

Tabata power reminded me a little bit like T24 Rip't Circuit but elevated if course.

It takes you through intense cycles for specific body parts.

You start out with a cardio hitt where some of the moves really are insane! I know that I will be able to do them to the max by the end of month one but it is a lot of jumping. Then you move on to the push-up portion (back,chest, and arms). You all know how much I LOVE push-ups (NOT) but I did feel strong getting through this section.

Next is a leg hitt and my legs were screaming at me! This is the part of my body that I really want to see improvements on during the next 60 days and I know that I will:)

My favorite hitt was the abdominals one! I LOVED the moves and this mommy is definitely getting some ABS for Christmas!

Lastly, you focus on your triceps and I WAS SHAKING for a long time after I was finished with this workout. I definitely pushed myself super hard today.

After you have completed all the HITT's separately, the ingenious Shaun T has you do one more from each - like and Ultimate Tabata set!

Carl said it best when he said "The point is, this mix of Tabata and Intervals will push you right from the start. So even if you can only go at the MAX for the first minute, and then you need to dial it back just to make it through the workout- YOU WILL GET BETTER RESULTS than good old steady- state aerobics."

When you push yourself, even if it is just for one minute out of every five, you WILL see better results because results come from your INTENSITY! You can have an hour workout at 75%intensity and get better results from a 25 minute workout with 85% intensity.

Tomorrow is Speed Intervals and I am nervous and excited at the same time!

 Bring it on Shaun! Bring it ON!

MAXED????

What do you do when you have already worked out and the Insanity Max:30 box shows up????

You drink some E&E (only my second time drinking it) and push play- OF COURSE!

I was nervous. I have done Insanity one time just last week to prove to myself I could make it through (I did :)) and I consider myself in decent shape with good cardio endurance, and still I was nervous.

I turned on the DVD and the intro almost made me burst into tears! Shaun T is talking to the people in the video and he says: I want you to inspire one person!

That is my goal- to inspire one person to try something they normally wouldn't. To push themselves one step out of their comfort zone and see what they are truly capable of. Had I continued to be "just a runner" I would be missing out on SO MUCH!! Not that just running is a bad thing because it isn't but I had gotten complacent and even though I LOVE running, I needed something MORE! I needed to be able to see results and challenge myself. I want to be proud of myself every time I look in the mirror and I want by hubs and kids to be proud of me too!

So...I pushed play and it was INTENSE but in a good way. The warm up was quicker than T25 and definitely got me WARM. Apparently the workouts are set  up like the traditional Insanity workouts where there are 3-4 exercises repeated 3 times with increased intensity and speed each time. The first set of exercises came up and I though ok...this isn't that bad, I am doing pretty good and feeling good, let me just say though that this is a cardio challenge dvd and I am strong in cardio. As we approached the 10 minute mark, I couldn't believe that I was still doing as well as I was! I hadn't maxed out yet and I was feeling rather proud of myself.

And then...I maxed out at 12:43!

Now, when I say that was my max out time, that was the time where my intensity dropped and I needed to take a moment and catch my breath. It does not mean that I stopped and turned off the computer...that isn't what this program is about at all. It means that I gave it my all and I had to take a second, recover, and jump back in. I knew that this was going to happen going into the program, so when I did, I didn't have the normal feelings that I would have heaped on myself.

Feelings like failure and disappointment. Instead of feeling those things, I felt proud that I had made it as long as I did and with 59 more days to go, I know that my time will improve and I WILL get to the 30 minute max out time by the end of the 60 days.

It's going to be a wild ride and I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me.

Have you wanted to try something you have never done before? I would love for you to join me on this Insane journey :)

Are you ready to GO TO THE MAX???

Today is the day!!! Max:30 day!!! You are probably like why does she keep talking about this???

Well... It's because I know that EVERYONE can benefit from it!! If you are a tried and true fitness junkie like me or you have never exercised a day in your life, this program WILL WORK for you!! A key for me in an exercise program is RESULTS and you WILL get a years worth of results in 60 DAYS!!
In 30 days people will be making those "resolutions" to lose weight {again}. They will go out and join gyms that they will never go to because they are embarrassed and intimidated to work out in front of others! I have been there!!!!
Why not get the jump on those "resolutions" today and you will be 30 days ahead of everyone else??
I know what your next question is... How much?? Well that question is relative to what you want. The base package with just your DVD's and nutrition plan is 119.85 BUT why wouldn't you want to include your superfood nutrition... Your secret weapon SHAKEOLOGY!!!!
A challenge pack means you get your Shakeology AND your Insanity Max:30 for 180!!!
How much does a year at the gym cost again????
You have the opportunity to get a TOP of the LINE exercise program AND your Shakeology for less than 60 days at the gym!!
It's time to make YOU a priority!!! Message me at runcrazykyle@yahoo.com or click HERE to order TODAY!! I will have a challenge group exclusively for Max:30 so that you will have support and encouragement throughout your journey!