As a cast member in the Insanity workout DVDs, I had the privilege of working closely with Shaun T as he personally taught us how to DIG DEEPER while doing INSANITY.
I want to pass along these 5 FREE INSANITY WORKOUT TIPS to you to ensure you get the maximum results you want!
1. GET YOUR MIND RIGHT
Before the first bead of sweat ever drops from you body, you must prepare your mind for your next 60 days. You need to decide right now that you are in this for the full two months. It doesn’t seem like a long time, but you would be shocked the number of people I talk to who quit in the first week.
Things to wrap your head around before starting INSANITY:
You WILL work hard. Probably harder than you ever have before in your life.
This is NOT a quick fix! You aren’t going to look like Shaun T by Day 3.
The scale is not how to judge your progress! Performance & Energy will be your guides.
2. FORM IS KING
I have heard Shaun T say this over and over again: FORM OVER SPEED! Insanity is a rare workout. There isn’t a slow intro to let your body warm up. It comes out of the gate fast and furiously. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and adrenaline Shaun T gives off. You feel like you need to keep up with everyone in the DVD. Let me let you in on a little secret. Most of the people in that video had 60 days to train with Shaun T in preparation to shoot the DVDs. If that group of fitness professionals needed 60 days to be ready, don’t feel bad when you aren’t at their level on day one.
If you are really serious about performing at your max and avoiding injury then WATCH the workout before you do it. That way you can see the progressions and pay close attention to Shaun T’s form. Let’s face it; once the workout starts, we are so busy trying to keep up that exercise form is the first thing to be compromised. And when you compromise form- BAM – that is when you get injured and can’t workout at all. No one wants that, do they?
3. PACE YOURSELF
Even though you may think otherwise, Shaun T cannot see you through your TV screen. He is not going to jump through the screen and yell at you if your pace is half of the Insanity cast members. In fact, on the many occasions I have had the privilege of training in person with Shaun T, I have seen him tell people to slow down. Your body will actually get BETTER RESULTS at a slower pace if you master perfect form!
When you go faster than you should, you leave yourself open for injuries, discouragement, frustration, and getting light headed. No one wants that!
4. FUEL YOUR BODY PROPERLY
Yes, there is a Nutrition Guide that comes with your Insanity DVDs! It amazes me how many people want to just jump into the workouts without paying any attention to how to eat during INSANITY.
You probably bought INSANITY because you wanted to look like the success stories on the infomercial or to have abs like Shaun T. Well let me let you in on a little secret: They didn’t get bodies like that eating whatever they wanted to.
Or even worse – many people are not eating enough! There was as much time and effort put into the nutrition guide as there was in creating the workouts.
It’s only 60 days! Don’t you want to give yourself the best chance to get the ultimate results from your investment?
Some people are surprised how much food they are asked to eat, but keep this in mind: You are training like an athlete, so you have to fuel your body like an athlete. INSANITY is not a program to be done without the proper fuel.
In addition to the food guide there are 2 things I use DAILY during my INSANITY Workouts:
Shakeology – It truly is the healthiest meal of the day. It also makes a fantastic pre-workout meal. I drink mine 1st thing in the morning, and do my INSANITY workout about an hour later.
Results and Recovery Formula – Originally designed to be used by people doing P90X, the results and recovery formula was my lifesaver while filming the DVDS. The orange bottles you see everyone drinking from in the Insanity Workout DVDs are filled with Results and Recovery Formula. Put 1 scoop in your water during your workout, and take 1 scoop post workout to replenish lost nutrients and prevent soreness.
5. FIND AN ACCOUNTABILTY PARTNER
The number 5 INSANITY WORKOUT FREE TIP probably should have been #1. Too many people try to jump into this routine by themselves without any support or encouragement. Doing INSANITY is a huge life changer. (It’s not like adding an evening walk around the block to your routine)
What happens when you hit the first roadblock? What do you do when you skip a day? What is the best way to find motivation on the days you don’t feel like working out? Are there options that can be substitutes for what is in the nutrition guide if I have allergies or food sensitivities?
Wouldn’t it be much easier to work with someone that knows the answers to all these questions? I have always attributed my amazing results to the fact that I have always had someone to be accountable to. They would pat me on the back or kick me in the butt – depending on what I needed that day. I have always been very thankful for the different ‘coaches’ I have had in my life.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to tackle INSANITY alone!
Congratulations on taking a huge step to improve your health and fitness. Your life will be completely changed if you follow these simple INSANITY WORKOUT TIPS.
Jimmy Hays Nelson Beachbody Coach is a self-proclaimed 'former fat guy'.Through his transformation journey he lost 100 pounds, started his own business, was featured in the Shaun T workout series INSANITY, and has been seen multiple times on QVC with his buddy Tony Horton promoting P90X.
He founded NELSONGY FITNESS with his wife Kelly to reach out to give hope and support to those that are dissatisfied with their current situation. Whether you are lacking physically, emotionally, financially, or nutritionally we are here to help you see REAL RESULTS!