Insanity: Max 30 Journey Day 15 - Cardio Challenge

During the course of two months, I'd like to take you into my journey as I strive to retain a healthy lifestyle through a healthy balanced nutrition program and Beachbody trainer extraordinaire -- and Men's Health cover man -- Shaun T's brand new workout regimen Insanity Max 30.

Day 15: Cardio Challenge

Back to the fitness test of Insanity: Max 30. This week, my short-term goal is to get a full week of morning workouts in. I found my days are considerably shorter if I get back home after work and spend the first hour (welcome home hellos; get dressed; workout; shower; get dressed) with my workout commitments then there is only a short window of time to spend with the whole family before prepping the child for bed, etc.

Needless to say, it's something that I felt needed to be done and I'm dedicated to get through the week -- and then aim for a permanent morning workout routine -- waking up around 5:20 a.m. and fighting Shaun T tooth and nail before maxing out.

If Monday was any indication of how it would go, I'm going to be happy with the change. I got through the Cardio Challenge workout with ease before getting to the first round of moves. I actually made it through the first round -- barely -- but got an additional 30 seconds of break time (who would have thought 30 seconds could be so long and fruitful to my body's recovery?!) before attempting to push through the second wave of moves.

Once again, a plank move got the best of me. It was plank jacks out and in, up and back. I'm starting to think my mind is saying the floor is so close, I should take a knee. Next time I have a plank move in a workout, I am going to do my best to think I am on two planks of wood and the only thing beneath me is a 1,000-foot drop. Maybe that will help.

Great news though. Getting to those plank jacks pushed my Max Out Time to 11:23 -- that's a four minute and 13 second spike from a week ago. I definitely got immensely stronger this week. Again, that break helped so much.

My Weep Time was toward the end of the routine. I was pushing through and just before my second to last wave of moves was out, I had to give a nice loud grunt (not too loud, since everyone was still sleeping). It felt great. Again, it was in a plank move. My time clocked in at 25:52.

My Shakeology was much needed at the end of the workout. Definitely replenished all shaky muscles after that romp.

More good news. Today was weigh day. After another week of total focus on workout and nutrition (less one cheat meal), I shred another 4.4 pounds to drop under 215, 214.8 to be exact. In total, I'm down 10.8 pounds and looks like inches off my waist. Great motivation to keep pushing through one day at a time. Next up: Tabata Strength.

Recap

Workout:               Cardio Challenge

Max Out Time:       11:23 (4:13 improvement from Week 2)

Weep Time:           25:52 (8:58 improvement from Week 2)

Weekly Weigh-in:   214.8 (Loss of 4.4 pounds)

Monthly Photo:       Stay tuned for Day 30 of the journey