The Busy Mom Who Took on Insanity: Max 30

My experience with Insanity: Max 30 really feels a bit like the story “The Little Engine That Could.” Mostly because I had to tell myself “I think I can, I think I can.” And when I told myself that, I could. And I did. But I had plenty of days where I was the Little Engine that didn’t want to.

4 minutes. That’s when I maxed out on the first day. And then I modified the modifier and did make it through the 30 minutes, but it wasn’t pretty. Days 2 & 3 improved, but then came Friday Fight. That was the HARDEST workout I’ve done, besides Asylum. Even though I dreaded every, single workout, I always felt great when it was over.

During the first 2 weeks I only missed 1 workout. I gave myself permission to have a day off because I was listening to my body. Took an unscheduled day off because I was SORE and there were sick kids and doctor appointments. But, sometimes I think it is okay to grant yourself a little grace.

There were definitely days when I was counting down the minutes to when it was going to be over. Sweat intervals was hard and uncomfortable. I know how thrilling the results can be when I can embrace getting uncomfortable, so I’m trying.

Week 3 the Little Engine hardly even made it onto the tracks. I missed more workouts than I did. That week could have easily completely derailed me. But, I knew I had to get back at it. Week 4 I was back in the grove.

I definitely leaned on the support of others to encourage me through this. The nutrition side of the program I wasn’t really doing until 2 weeks in. However, despite my spotty track record, I am seeing results.

This is one of the programs that, after I committed to doing it, I thought to myself, “What did I just do?” I still don’t want to do the workouts, even though I KNOW how great I feel when I’m done. Going through this experience really brings home the keys to fitness success, that I know & talk about all the time, but really, really have lived them with this particular program:

• You probably won’t succeed if you do it alone – so many times I got up and pushed play because someone else had inspired or motivated me. If I hadn’t shared my goals and
• Schedule workouts – putting workout time on my calendar makes it harder to find excuses not to do it. Now, I didn’t always workout at my scheduled time, but having it in my calendar helped me to make it a mental priority.
• Stick to it – It would have been really easy to just throw in the towel after the awful Week 3, but I didn’t.
• Eat right to fuel your body – Workouts were far easier to get through when I had properly fueled my body. I was dragging even more than usual on the days when I wasn’t making good food choices

I’m still struggling through it, but “I know I can” do it.

If you want to witness the whole red-faced, sweaty mess you can view my almost-daily videos on Facebook.