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Fitness and Health Mealtime Monday

Intermittent Fasting Lowdown

My Full Disclosure Policy

Intermittent Fasting has been pivotal in my weight loss

I have a confession I haven’t been 100% forthright in my weight loss journey.  For about ten months I have been intermittent fasting.  When people ask me how I lost 70 lbs, I always say it was through Pray, Eat Well and Exercise. It never occurred to me that Intermittent fasting had something to do with it too but looking back it probably has helped me tremendously.  It wasn’t until I was talking to someone about how I intermittent fast and she said, “Well, De that sounds like your secret formula.” I never thought of it like that because at this point it’s second nature I have been doing it for almost a year now.  

Intermittent Fasting is an eating pattern that alternates through fasting and feasting periods.  Fasting has been practiced since Biblical days and now modern day science can give you a definition of the benefits of this longtime practice.  It is also prevalent in the Fitness and Health Industry, and now there is a resurgence of people fasting other than for Biblical purposes.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are so many benefits to fasting:

  • Reduces inflammation. Inflammation can have some adverse effects on the body. It’s the way your body responds to outside threats like stress, infection, or toxic chemicals. An overreaction can cause your body to “fight” itself which can lead to chronic diseases among other things.  Fasting has been
  • Optimize energy metabolism- your body uses what it has more efficiently during fasting.
  • Bolster brain function.  According to a National Institute of Health Study, “The behavioral responses to Intermittent Fasting are associated with increased synaptic plasticity and increased the production of new neurons from neural stem cells” (Lee et al., 2002). Meaning your brain sends signal better and creates new signals more often.
  • Protects against diabetes, cancers, heart disease there has been studies that intermittent fasting during chemotherapy has helped reduce the toxicity levels in cancer patients and improving they’re well during treatment. (Lee et al., 2012).
  • Protects against neurodegeneration (such as Alzheimer’s). When you are fasting your body will utilize fatty acids for energy; meanwhile, your brain is using ketone, amino acids, and other free fatty acids. Studies show that “a human can survive for 30 or more days in the absence of food.”  It has also been hypothesized that the process of Ketolysis that happens during prolonged fasting has had improved the aging process and had a positive effect on mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Reduces obesity, hypertension, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Fasting has the potential to delay aging 

How I do it?

You’re going to find a lot of different methods.  Everyone has the secret sauce but if you do your research, follow common sense you can fast too.  Three methods of intermittent fasting can be found with lots of different names and variations, but I will give you the fundamentals.

There is the controversial 5:2 Method: Where you eat your calorie regimen for five days but two days consecutively you eat 500-600 calorie.

There is the 16/8 Method:  This method was popularized by Leangains and has been called “Leangains protocol”; You do a 16 hour fast and then an 8-hour feast or eating period.

There is the Eat-Stop-Eat Method: This is when you feast you fast for 24 hours 1-2 times per week.  It’s usually dinner to dinner, so you have overnight, but it’s still hard to withstand from food for 24 hours.

I do a combination of the 12/16/8 method and Eat Stop Eat Method.  It sounds very confusing but like anything, once you’ve been doing it for so long becomes second nature.  I do a 12 hour fast daily; kitchen curfew is 8:30 pm (which is late) and then the I don’t resume eating till after 8:30 am.  On arm days I typically do a 16 hour fast I will do kitchen curfew at 8:30 pm and then begin eating the next day at 12:30p.  On Sunday’s I usually do a stop to eat.  From Saturday dinner time to Sunday dinner time I fast. I’m not going to lie at; first, it was crazy hard, but now I don’t have an appetite until dinner Sunday.  I don’t usually do anything other than Church and nap. It’s a beautiful day to relax, fast and worship.

Why I do it? How

When I fast I feel better and I have more energy. I am not snacking all day, and it’s easier to hit my macros in my 8-12 hour feasting span. I plan fewer meals, and they are more massive and more nutrient dense to get all that I need.  Having lots of small meals has me in the mindset of continually nibbling, and I need to sit and eat meals if not I end up biting more than I intended. It helps to boost my metabolism as well while I am eating for my goals.  I have found it very useful in my weight loss journey and contribute it to my belly fat loss as well.

Should you do it?

If you are currently underweight or have a history of eating disorders, I would not recommend fasting.  If you want to try another approach at your nutrition and the way you eat I would try it for a week and see if it makes a difference.  Try it longer to have a lasting effect.  It’s really up to you, but I would inform myself before “joining a challenge.” The most adverse side effect of intermittent fasting is hunger.  Other than that it is beneficial unless you have a preexisting condition that prolonged fasting would effect such as diabetes.  With any nutrition program, you should consult your doctor first. Also, intermittent fasting is not going to replace getting prayer, rest, exercise and eating nutrient-dense food.  This is in addition to your existing exercise routine.

Where do you begin?

Begin with a 12 hour fast for at least three days a week and graduate as it gets easier.  Nothing crazy stop eating at a specific time every night and don’t begin again until 12 hours later.  I would also encourage you to drink up your water during this time it will help you with cravings and meet your hydration needs.  It’s that simple. The more complicated it, the less efficiently it is adapted.  You’ll know when you’re ready to try other methods of intermittent fasting.

Some basic considerations:

  • While fasting it is okay to drink, water, coffee, tea, and no sugar beverages.  I like to start my days off with BulletProof coffee which is Organic Coffee, 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil, 1 Scoop of Vital Proteins Collagen and a little Cinnamon or Chai Spice Mix I don’t do Protein Shakes, Meal Supplements or Dairy Products while fasting
  • I thought breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it should not be skipped.  Breakfast is essential, but the positive effects of fasting on your body supersede the impact of well-balanced lunch.
  • Should I take supplements or medications while fasting? Most supplements and medications recommend consuming with a meal because they are fat-soluble. Of course, consult a physician, but you should probably wait until you resume eating to take your supplements and medications.
  • If you workout early in the morning and concerned about fasted workouts they are found.  There has been lots of research on the benefits of a fasted exercise.  I also recommend Branch Chain Amino Acids or BCAAs to drink before or during your workout.
  • I don’t want to lose my muscle gains.  Muscle gains are from proper protein intake.  During your feasting time, you should be making sure you are getting the appropriate amount of protein to nurture muscle growth and prevent loss. There have been studies that intermittent fasting will result in less muscle loss than if you restrict your caloric intake.
  • I don’t want to get Metabolic Damage from fasting and slow down my metabolism.  GRR!  Another lack of research that is going around I’m not sure if it’s to scare women or people don’t check their facts but short term quick boost metabolism.  It’s fasting for long periods of over three days that can cause damage and a suppressed metabolism.

Have you ever intermittent fasted?

 

 

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Babies christian mom Faith & Self Care Fitness Fitness and Health Self self-care Weightloss Journey

5 Habits Mom’s do to derail progress

mistake

I made a delicious, nutritious, and fat loss friendly meal for breakfast. Nothing extravagant Apple Chai (Sugar Free) Oatmeal and Hard boiled Eggs.  Something very simple after an intense workout. Ate my serving, that was measured out and a perfect portion, then I did the unthinkable. A habit that I have had since my lil diva’s started eating table food. I am usually mindful but you know how things go, sometimes you slip back into old habits. So, what did I do that is so heinous? As I am clearing the table, I…..yes, I did it. I scarfed down the leftover food from my littlest diva’s plate. (The horror-insert scared emoji here) I went from being completely satisfied with my meal, portion, and calories being in a healthy range. To the feeling of being stuffed and adding probably a good 100-200 calories extra to my meal, (maybe less) which I can’t totally calculate because I didn’t measure out my child’s leftovers. Now, am I going to totally freak out and do more pushups, jumping jacks, and burpees. Um, no I am way to worn out for that. Thank God there is such a thing as grace. But, I am going to be mindful that these bad habits although innocent is little things that make it harder for me to get to my goal. A healthier, physically fit body. That I work very hard on 30 minutes a day 4 days a week. While doing dishes I was thinking, “I know other mother’s do the same thing but I wonder how many innocent habits do we do that hamper our progress?” I came up with five and I would love for you to add more that I don’t think about and maybe not even aware of that these little nuances exist. Pointing them out will help us to stay focused and not derail our hard efforts. Time and pushups are very valuable things to me and if I can reduce both that is a good thing.

Derail

5 Habits Mom do to derail progress

  1. Eating remaining food off your children’s plate. Let’s start with today’s offender. I try to be mindful of this but being the overseer of our food budget and working hard to provided nutritious meals for my family. When I see perfectly good food on its way to the trash my first instinct is to just eat it. You know the saying, “there are poor children starving in Africa.” My instinct to save the waste is counterproductive to my goal to live a healthier lifestyle. Those little bit of calories can add up, considering you feed your children 3-5 times a day. A great solution is to serve your children less. They can always get more and that way they are not wasting as much food and you are not adding to your daily intake by saving food from the trash.
  2. Not sitting down to eat. Again, most of these are just going to be my confession. Up until recently especially in the morning before school. I would eat on the go and have my children sit at the table for breakfast, lunch and I usually sit down during dinner. But, sometimes I am trying to throw something in my mouth and tackle, chores, phone calls, or something while I have them sitting there quietly (somewhat) eating a meal. This too allows you to make poor food choices, portion control and just add unnecessary stress. Sit down, chill, enjoy the meal you have prepared and take a little time out in your day to talk with your children. Teaching moments of “abc’s” or just to sit for 10-20 minutes. This can help reduce your stress which helps reduce your cortisol so, it’s a triple win; Stress reducer, nourishment and calorie control.
  3. Don’t drink enough water. I am in that weird mom stage, I am either on the go with my two older school age children or I am on alert with a very curious toddler. Regardless, I am not attentive to my own needs most of the time. Somedays, I am just on auto pilot getting through the to-do’s of the day. We are supposed to drink half our weight in ounces of water. If I am conscious I am doing that but that requires lots of fill ups and lots of pit stops, if you know what I am saying. But, proper hydration is key to good nutrition so it is something that must be added to the to-do list until, it becomes a great habit.
  4. Don’t make time to workout. Again, this was a mistake of mine. So, beginning of 2015 I had the best intentions. Gym membership, resolution motivation and a 6 month old baby and two active lil school aged divas. My husband works most of the time so, although I intentionally signed up with a 24-hour gym I never seemed to make it in there at all within 24-hours. I am just hanging on by a prayer after 8 pm when my husband usually comes home during basketball season, so night time workout don’t work. Although, I get up at five in the morning for devotion. The idea of getting up at 4 am to devote and then workout seemed like pure insanity to me. I think it would be safe to say that as a mother we do not always prioritize ourselves in life. That is a mistake. We need to take care of ourselves. Physical inactivity leads to so many things that cause us to poorly do our job. Small things like lack in energy, poor immune system; To big things like stroke, obesity, diabetes and other life threatening ailments. We must be active for at least 150 hours per week according to the American Center for Disease Control, however you break that down in your week. It’s a must! So, not adding your time to devote (I find that essential in self-care and honoring your temple) and exercise is a major no, no to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.

Deuteronomy316

5. Rely on your self.

How do you do better?

The second best thing I ever did for myself was canceled my gym membership, invested in weights and found an awesome workout that could be done in less than 30 minutes.  It has double the benefits of going to the gym, an hour of cardio, or an hour workout DVD. If you have an hour of to devote to working out make sure you schedule it in and pop in that DVD. Whatever you do get your 150 hours a week in any way that you can. With kids, without kids but just honor your temple with intentionally avoiding habits and mistakes that you have become accustomed to. I know that I am doing it and although the journey is not as fast as I like, “if I stop now, I will soon be back where I started, 40 pounds heavier, 56 more inches wider. And when I started, I was desperately wishing I could be where I am now.”

The best thing that I did to help me see my mistakes and have strength to change them was bring my goal to live better and healthier to God.  After trying too long and too hard I gave it to Him and He has helped me overcome so much. Even though old ugly habits will rear there heads. I was able to instantly recognize it and now will make a conscious effort to overcome it.

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will goes ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

I know I am not crossing a river to go into warfare but I am going into battle with my own sinful nature. And the ways that I have become accustomed and where I am trying to do better in my life. So, get out there and honor your temple better.  What mistakes or habits do you have that are derailing you from honoring your temple better?

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Fitness Fitness and Health Mealtime Monday

What’s the deal with Macro Counting?

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

calculating-macros

I have been counting macro’s for a while now about 6 months and it has made a world of difference in my diet.  I also recently just passed my nutrition class at school so that makes me an authority on macro’s, right? Nope, but I am going to let you in on my notes from my personal research.

Macro’s?

According to my textbook Visualizing Nutrition Everyday Choices, macros are “Carbohydrates, lipids (aka fats. Proteins, and water.” I am not including alcohol although it is a macro it is not a nutrient required to live. It does contain calories which is why it is a macro but let’s try to keep it out of our count.  These are all considered macronutrients and what we need in large amounts. There are also micronutrients which are vitamins and minerals and we only need a little that is why they are micro. 

 So, when someone is counting macro’s they are measuring their Carbohydrate, Fat, and Protein.

carbohydrates

 Let’s tackle that monster first!  Should I eat them? Shouldn’t I? Please do eat Carbs. The purpose of Carbohydrates are to fuel our bodies with energy.  They are stored in the liver, brain, blood and muscles as glycogen.  You can get carbohydrates from: Starches, sugars and fiber.

 You can get carbohydrates from:

  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Oatmeal
  • Steel Cut Oats
  • Sweet Potatoes/Yams
  • Brown Rice
  • White Rice
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • Ezekiel bread
  • Cream Of Wheat
  • Cream of Rice

You can also get them from processed foods and drinks but since you’re trying to make healthier choices stick to Whole foods.

 How much is enough?

We all are different, Thank God.  It can range from zero-700 grams per day.  The daily recommendation 130 grams of carb per day. If you are counting macro’s I would go to a macro calculator. When taking into account your macro numbers there is usually activity level, body weight, body fat percentages and goals.

A range that I saw consistently was .5-2 grams per pound of lean body mass.  Lean body mass everything (including organs, blood, bones, muscle and skin) that is not body fat.

 Body-Fat = Lean Body Mass

The Lean Body Mass Formula:

Body Weight- (Body Weight x Body Fat Percentage) = Lean Body Mass

Or you can use an automatic calculator.

Before we go back to Macro’s, Lean Body Mass is a good thing to know.  It will help you to track changes that you have in your Body Fat versus whether the scale decides to behave or not it can give you a more accurate idea of weight loss! It also helps to make sure you are just losing your fat and not muscle too!

Protein assist you in building muscles if consumed correctly it can also prevent muscle loss if you have a calorie deficit.  Protein has also been linked to controlling appetite and helps keep you full longer better than fats and carbohydrates do.  Another thing about protein is that it requires a lot more energy to digest than other macro nutrients.  It has been said that protein is a good example of effective calorie burning gram for gram.  That is why a lot of high-protein diets have been associated with better fat loss.

You can get your protein from both vegetables and/or animal sources:

  • Egg
  • Skinless Chicken Breast or Cutlets
  • Lean Turkey
  • Top Round
  • Steak Filet Mignon
  • Fish
  • Beef
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Pork Tenderloin
  • Wild Sea Bass Wild Swordfish

Vegetable Sources:

  • Chia
  • Hemp Seed
  • Soy
  • Seitan
  • Quinoa

How much is enough?

Again, this is all dependent on YOU! Your weight, body fat percentage and goals need to be accounted.

A consistent range that I found was .5 grams-2 grams per pound of lean body mass.

According to Authority Nutrition, “The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. This amounts to: 56 grams per day for the average sedentary man. 46 grams per day for the average sedentary woman.”

Example:

You weigh 140 lbs. and you are at 25% body fat, your lean body mass will be

140 – (140*25%) = 140-32.50 = 107.5 is your Lean body Mass what is left AFTER the body fat.

108 x .5 g of protein = 54 grams of protein. If you planned on consuming .5 grams of protein per day for your goals. That is why with macro’s-goals matters!

 fats

Fat?

Despite the low-fat nonsense you see in the store. Fat can be good! Say what? Yep, we absolutely need fat to survive it helps us with vitamin absorption, hormones and their regulation, keeps our brain functioning properly among some of the things which are pretty important.

How much is enough?

Always asking this question, huh? Well we all know too much is too much but how much is enough? Good question but guess what that depends on? Yep, you got it your body wright, body fat percentage and your goals.

A consistent range is 15-45% or .35-.7 grams per pound of lean body mass. That can be calculated just like the protein.

Although, a lot of people give that range. According to Health.gov, you should strive for “a total fat intake of no more than 30 percent of calories, as recommended in previous editions of the Guidelines”

You can get good sources of fat and poor just like any other macro nutrient.

My suggestion:

  • Olive Oil
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Fish Oil
  • Almond Butter/
  • Cashew Butter
  • Almonds
  • Pecans
  • Walnuts
  • Cashews
  • Natural Peanut Butter
  • Avocados

What does all this mean?

When someone is counting their macro’s they are tracking the Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats they eat in a day versus calories. Now each macro nutrient has caloric value but we’re not going to get into that.

macroscalorievalue

When counting your macros as long as you focus on the grams of macro nutrients and use an amount according to your goals. With the information from a nutrition label instead of counting calories you can create your Macros:

counting-macros-from-a-nutrition-label

For Example:

This is an example of how although you are counting macro’s it still equals your calories. Why? Calories are the amount of energy food gives you. Macronutrients are where the calories come from they are the nutrients that give you energy.

Is there any other things that need to be counted when calculating macro’s? No!

NOT:

·         Saturated Fat

·         Cholesterol

·         Sodium

·         Dietary Fibers

·         Sugars

·         Added Sugars

·         All the Vitamins, Calcium, Iron and Potassium are Micro nutrients so, not these either.

What do I do if it doesn’t have a label?

Google it! My Fitness Pal it, get a really educated idea of the macros in your apple, chicken breast, or baked potato.  Gift of modern day technology. You can track everything on My Fitness Pal if you like.  I just wanted to break it down so you understand what the macro’s look like and are coming from.

countingmacronutrients

Still concerned? Or, Ready to try?

For those who are still concern I will address a few issues I had at first!

This seems complicated why not just track my calories? Macro tracking or counting helps you make sure that the weight that your losing is not the muscle you have worked so hard to gain, you aren’t having hormonal issues because you’re consuming adequate amounts of fat, you performance won’t suffer because although you are reducing calories do you know if you’re getting the adequate amount of carbohydrates to fuel your workout?

You can remain counting calories but if you’re looking to improve your health and maintain your muscle definition and work to your bodies best ability because it is fueled with the adequate macro nutrients for today. It’ s really up to you I say at least give it a try!

 

Do you use macro’s? Have you heard of counting macro’s ?

References
Grosvenor, Mary B. Visualizing Nutrition Everyday Choices. 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley Visualizing, 2012. Print.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocument sRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?Rec ordID=10490 http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2004/DietaryReference-Intakes-Water-Potassium-Sodium-Chloride-andSulfate.aspx

 

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Faith Journey Fitness Fitness and Health Honor My Temple Prayer Challenge

Happy 1 Year Anniversary

1 Year Anniversary.

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”-Anonymous

It has officially been 365 days! Today, one year ago I woke up, and I had enough! Enough excuses, enough regret, enough neglect, enough believing the lies of the enemy.  I woke up, and I said I must change now! The week before I had dabbled in a fitness routine.  It felt great but today last year I wanted to do more than just dabble. I wanted to commit. I wanted to commit to a healthy lifestyle.  Now, if you have been following me along the last year, you know that this is not my first weight loss journey. So, what was so different this time around? I did it before so what’s the big deal.  All the times before I was seeking weight loss for vanity reasons. I wanted to be a Size X, I wanted to look like so and so, I want people to see me as blah, blah, blah and honestly WHO CARES!

Who I was

I look back on the empty person I was, and I am so grateful for God’s redemption. This journey has been so much more; this has been the results of an ongoing relationship with God. That is the celebration today. I didn’t do this by myself I did this with God. There were so many days I prayed to him for His help through this journey, His self-control, His provision and His unconditional love. This was a daily intentional relationship with God to Honor My Temple. It has grown my faith in Him so much. It has defeated my anxiety, bouts of depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I have never felt so fulfilled in my life.

Finding Purpose

The other thing that has changed this past year is my purpose.  For the last thirteen years, I have been searching, lost in this world, grasping at anything but the only thing that could fulfill me.  I have tried to overcome with bad habits, smoking, drinking, partying, over training, under eating, overeating, negative self-talk, negative to other people, selfish ambition.  Not one of those fruits has been of the Spirit.  It wasn’t until Jesus found me in a broken place, a rock bottom, despair and anguish were my friend that He picked me up, brushed me off and kissed me and then began this year of healing.  This journey has been my inside matching my outside as I yearn to know, grow and glorify Him.

1 Year Anniversary

The Last Year’s Reflection

In this last year, I have learned how to do fitness better. This journey has done so much for me and my life more than weight loss. It has improved my dependence on God, strengthened my marriage, help me find my calling and ignited a passion for teaching others how to honor their temple. It has been an incredible journey. I have had an amazing network of women and men who have cheered me on, cheered me up, prayed for me, and inspired me. I have met other peoples who like me want to teach others how to Honor their temple and glorify God!

I have been called to go to school AGAIN and get my degree in Fitness Exercise Science and an NASM certification so that I can be in the trenches walking with others and teaching them how to honor their temple with God. I created this blog “FaithFueled™” before I even knew what it means the name came to me in a dream. Here I am a year later with a precise definition.

This is the beginning of a new journey now. Can you imagine where I will be in a year, and my husband has joined me in my next Fitness Goal it’s going to be a BIG ONE? I plan on showing others the FaithFueled™ Lifestyle, which is God First! Witness through fitness; glorifying God through living a healthy lifestyle fueled by faith.

1 Year Anniversary

So, I say “Start now, a year ago you would be glad you did!” What got you started on your journey? Whether it be career, projects, weight loss whatever what got you started?

Do you want to join the FaithFueled™ Lifestyle? It’s Free!  Join us! www.FaithFueledLife.com 

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Fitness and Health Workout Wednesday

Yep, it’s Insanity?

Workout WednesdayInsanity

Recently I decided to try an Insanity Class. I am sure that you have seen the infomercials. A high-intensity cardio workout that is supposed to get you results. Also, the name alone is something to either be very cautious of or curious. I chose curiously; now I am not a BeachBody representative or distributor. They did not pay me nor do I get any commission from this post but I am exploring different forms of exercise on my weight loss journey and having a lot of fun trying new things. I was invited by a friend of mine to try this class. I went for three reasons:

1) I’ve been in another plateau for the last few months. (So annoying)

2) I was curious I wanted to see why some people just love to put their body through an insane amount of cardio for 45 minutes. I do not like cardio, but I need it to boost my metabolism and get this stubborn weight off. So, why not make it fun too and have some fun with my friend.

3) It was free. Yep, the first class, was free so what did I have to lose other than a few calories.

Before Insanity
So, I did it. I went, and it was, insane! (Yep pun intended) We started off with a warmup and instantly my body went into sweat mode. Not sure if the heat was up but those short 3-5 minutes which felt like 30-50 got me revved up. Then we would do five different moves that worked different areas for three sets. For example, one set would be five plyometric moves that we do for 30 seconds each; take a break for about 1 minute then another two lays down the same. At the end of the third set, we do something called a “power move,” which was some crazy hard (at least for me) move that we do for a minute. Take another break and then move onto something like Agility moves, or Strength, Core and Abs. These mini circuits lasted for about 45 minutes ending with a cool down and for me lots of praise thanking God that I didn’t throw up or pass out. Yes, you do the same thing repeatedly expecting different results. In this case, the result is a lot of huffing, puffing and sweat.

I’ve been working out for over ten months now, regularly and I’ve never felt so out of shape. It was challenging for me, and I burned 376 calories in my first class, which was a bummer because in my 20 minutes of strength training I usually burn about 355 calories. I felt like I put myself through a whole lot of work and even more sweat for nothing. Another thing about cardio is that it only burns calories while you’re doing it but Strength training continues for 24-48 hours after the 20-minute workout (at least for HIIT). Despite all of these downers, I would totally add this to my workout routine, why?

AfterInsanity

It was fun; I know that sounds sadistic, but it was. It was fun hanging out with other like-minded women and making crazy moves to some intense music and at the end being proud and thanking God that I made it through. Also, it switches things up for me. Strength training is great but despite what people say you need to do cardio to lean out and slim down. Why not, have fun while doing it. Working on plyometrics and agility is also a great well-rounded workout to add to strength training. Now, I don’t plan on becoming a cardio queen. I still prefer lifting heavy stuff, but I think I will continue to add some new cardio classes, moves to my weekly routine. Have you tried Insanity? Did you like it? Do you want to try?

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