As part of BACVOL-Life I have been trying to focus more on my health.  I, like many, have my ups and downs.  I have been looking for an exercise routine, besides salsa dancing, that could get me working and that I could do at home without a bunch of extra tools.  While on vacation recently I saw infomercials for both P90X and Insanity.  Both looked intriguing but I wasn't sure which was best.  A very fit male friend of mine said he had done both and suggested I get insanity because it was more cardio based.  Well, I recently borrowed the Insanity CD from another friend who gave me both CDs 1 and 2.  Insanity CD 1 included a test that you are supposed to complete every other week (I think) and Insanity CD 2 was the cardio session. I watched these CDs and although inspired I immediate got scared. I was afraid I would get discouraged part of the way through because many of his background exercisers weren't smiling and having a great time as you see in most videos, 10 mins in many were bending over (in the middle of the exercise) as though they were about to throw up! I figure for him to show that on the CD that it was reality and that this CD was no joke! That being said, the overall method Sean T uses seems to make a lot of sense...you give high intensity cardio for 3 mins and rest for 30 secs. (The normal method is you do moderate exercise for 3 mins and do high intensity for 30 secs). Each time you go back after the break/rest period the exercise changes. Although the exercises being performed aren't hard, it's the sheer intensity level that shocks your system.

Sooooo, after watching these CDs and giving myself a reality check...I decided to do another video that Sean T has called Hip Hop Abs to work up to the Insanity level. I know that exercising requires motivation and drive and I am one that if discouraged won't do it...but if I do something that I can handle and it either begins getting too easy or I start seeing results I add more and more to it...so my hope is that I will work up to the insanity level of exercise.

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Now, I am one of those that hates/detests/can't stand doing sit ups...and it really shows since that part of my body is the area that needs the most work. I was really drawn to the Hip Hop Abs video because you don't have to get on the ground and you are still working those muscles. It is a lot of isolation using dance moves so it works other areas since you are standing up and doing cardio in the process. I was able to order the CD from ebay for approximately $14.00 and it came in about two weeks from China. I'll have to keep you posted regarding how well I do, but I can tell you it definitely affected some of my muscles since I felt pain the next day and all I did was the intro session, which was about 20 mins and about 10 mins of the cardio section, which is 45 mins. The part I did was fun and it wasn't too hard to follow.  I could definitely see how it could help my abs and my problem areas.  Now, some of the things Sean says on the CD was a little corny or dated, but who cares...the music was cool and he gave great instruction.

Wish me luck! I would love to hear from anyone else who has used these CDs by Sean T.  Share what you are doing to stay healthy, get healthy or just get started...no more excuses people...for those of you who know what the "Freshman 15" is/was don't try to use that as your excuse now, because most of you aren't in college anymore.  #realtalk.

Lets Move!!!!  Come on, fill your Healthy Bucket today!

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