INSANITY

I have to tell you about Insanity because it has changed my life!  No, really.  I am changed!  For those of you who don't know, Insanity is a 60 day DVD work out program designed to put you in the best shape of your life.  I am a runner.  I have been running consistently now for 2 years and my goal is to run a half marathon.  I have trained and trained and trained and I always end up injured and defeated before I can achieve my goal.  Several months ago I was looking for something to help me build endurance and strength for long runs.  I accidentally ran into the Beachbody website and found Insanity.  I had never heard of Insanity.  I was astounded at the results that people were getting in just 60 days and I have to admit, I wanted to look as good as they did!  The program promises to help you build lean muscle for strength as well as endurance.  Ace in the hole!!!  A few days later I was at a friend's house playing bunko and I brought up Insanity in a conversation.  I found out that my friend just happened to have Insanity sitting on her media console and she was about to start the program!  I jumped at the opportunity to try it with someone else!  We went gangbusters!!  We were so pumped and excited for the challenge......until the very first day.  March 21, 2011, Day 1 consisted of a fit test--no workout--just a fit test.  Umm, I thought I might die that day.   The fit test consists of 8 exercises.  You have a minute for each exercise to do as many reps as you can.  First of all, I have never done these exercises before in my life.  They were all new and they were all very taxing and you had to do them FAST!  I wasn't pleased with my fit test results, especially when "Tonya, the Machine" (Insanity celebrity cast member) was doing three times the amount of reps I was!  I set some goals that day.  I took my measurements and some before pictures of my body.  I also made a commitment.  I promised myself that I would not quit.  I swore that I would not miss a workout.  I vowed to put my heart and soul into every single day of training to get the body and the results I wanted.  I also chose to follow the nutrition guide that came with the program.


Fast forward to May 22, 2011.  I finished the program and I kept my promises to myself.  I never missed a workout despite any obstacle or schedule derailment.  I wanted to quit several times throughout the 60 days, but Shaun T kept inspiring me to push play.  I threw myself into every workout taking my body to the limit.  It was INSANE!  I have never sweated so much in my life!  The first 30 days were childs play compared to the second 30 days.  The workouts are extremely difficult and crazy, but I got results!  During the 60 day program there are 4 fit tests, one every 15 days.  Here are my test results for all 4 fit tests.  You can see how I improved every 15 days.

One small thrill for me, on my very last fit test I beat Tonya at Power Jumps, Globe Jumps, and Low Plank Oblique!  These results look great on paper, but I know a lot of you really want to see the reveal pictures.  I am hesitant to post them on the WWW.  If you want me to email you or text you my before and after pics just let me know.  I am happy to share my accomplishment with you, just in a more private fashion.  I lost 4 pounds, 1.5 inches off my chest, 2 inches off my waist, 1/4 inch off my thighs, and 1.25 inches off my hips.  The before and after pics speak for themselves.

I went on my very first run yesterday since beginning Insanity.  I ran 3.25 miles in 29 minutes and some change.  It was awesome!  My legs felt so strong.  I took almost 30 seconds off my normal pace for each mile!  It felt great to know that all the hard work and sweat did pay off!

What's next?  I will do another round of Insanity and couple it with running.  After that, I will take a trip to the Asylum which is a 30 day program designed to put you in pro-athlete condition.  Check it out!

Please feel free to ask questions or comment.  I love talking about Insanity and I love inspiring others reach their fitness goals.  I believe God wants us to honor Him with our bodies.  My favorite scripture verse is Philippians 3:14

 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

When I think about this scripture I envision a runner barreling down the track pressing toward the finish line to win the prize.  I see Jesus at the finish line waiting to embrace the runner and bid him well done.  I want to work hard for Jesus.  I want to be the best offering for Him that I can be.  There are many ways that we can worship God.  Sacrificing our flesh is one way and I feel that I am called to this kind of sacrifice in this season.  Hard work yields strength of character.  In the words of Shaun T, "It's get fit or get out people!  I ain't trying to hurt you, just trying to make you better."

The Beginning

I ran across this quote one day months ago and it has become an anthem of mine.

"Christianity isn't about being perfect; it's about having your imperfections made beautiful in Christ." 

It is an anonymous quote, but I think it holds so much truth and deserves some attention.  I have pondered it's words and then let them stew.  Since stumbling upon it, I have experienced the Lord showing me this truth over and over.  I am fully aware that I am imperfect.  No one has to remind me of this fact because I do a fair job of reminding myself on an almost hourly basis.  This is where the Lord is working in me.  In the moment that I recognize my deficiencies, deficits and failures; it is the precise moment where I should release them to the Lord.  I shouldn't dwell or obsess on behalf of my imperfections, for what good comes of that?  Self inflicted bruises and scrapes are just as bad as being beaten by someone else's words or actions toward us.  Our God is so amazing because he can take my tattered, worn out, torn and worthless soul and spin it into the finest silk ever made.  He can take my ashes and make them something beautiful.  Afterall, what have I to give to the Lord?  My life is the equivalent of rags and ashes without Him in it.  There is nothing beautiful about ashes.  In Bible times, when a person was depressed, oppressed, mourning, in agony or difficulty it was custom that they would lay in ashes.  Isn't that how we act sometimes when we feel defeated or less than?  We just lay down in ashes and gloat.  Isaiah 61 says 

¹ “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
      Because the LORD has anointed Me 
      To preach good tidings to the poor; 
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 
      To proclaim liberty to the captives, 
      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 
       ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, 
      And the day of vengeance of our God; 
      To comfort all who mourn, 
       ³ To console those who mourn in Zion, 
      To give them beauty for ashes, 
      The oil of joy for mourning, 
      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 
      That they may be called trees of righteousness, 
      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

This scripture tells us that God will take our difficulties and failures-our "ashes" and turn them into something beautiful, "that HE may be glorified."  I am so thankful for this promise because He knows how truly ugly and ashy I am, yet He fully loves me still.  Sometimes it takes a painful experience to cause beauty to sprout upward.  I believe God knew the mess of ashes I would be after walking through the fire we call life, and he had a plan for my ashes long ago.  I am on a journey to beauty because Christ is transforming me into His image.  This blog is about my struggles and my accomplishments-the things God is making beautiful in me.  I hope you enjoy the content!  Feel free to leave comments and thoughts, prayers and encouragement!