Making my way to the Asylum. Week 5 Insanity almost done

Yes, I should already be in an asylum, but I am talking about Insanity: The Asylum, the workout that's supposed to make Insanity look like its for wimps. I just need to make it through month 2 of Insanity and I'll be ready to be committed to the Asylum.

This week I'm solo in week 5, the recovery week.  My husband has been working like crazy. Plus he pulled his hamstring a few weeks ago and this is probably a good week for him to let it heal.  Right now the recovery week consists of the same workout, Core Cardio and Balance, each day for 6 days. Its not meant to be as grueling as the other weeks, but its still a good workout.

I was surprised at how sore my abs have been without doing a single crunch.  In the Core Cardio and Balance workout, you do moving planks, side knee raises and push ups, which work the abs nicely.  The hip flexor burners and shoulder burners are also a good way to work the abs, since you keep the abs engaged while doing them.

I'm a little nervous about next week. I know people who say month 2 of Insanity is killer. I will have to dig deep and really bring it.  I will update you on my next Fit Test and keep you posted on my progress in month 2.

Quinoa Salad from Insanity:The Asylum

I never tried quinoa before, I heard a lot of good things about it and decided to pick up a bag last week.  I made a quinoa pilaf and it was pretty tasty.  Quinoa is a whole grain, its high and protein and fiber. The recipe for quinoa salad would be great for the summer. This recipe serves 1, but you could double it for 2.

Here's one of Shaun T's favorites from his brand-new workout program, INSANITY: THE ASYLUM. Healthy and filling, this salad can help get you through your most extreme workouts. Did you know that quinoa contains all the amino acids needed to make a complete protein? It's pretty rare to see that kind of nutrient profile in a single plant-based food.


1/2 cup quinoa

2 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp. turmeric

1 pinch salt

1 lemon wedge

1 lime wedge

1/4 cup sliced cucumber

1 Tbsp. diced onion

1 tsp. grated raw ginger

1 Tbsp. julienned mint

1 Tbsp. chopped pistachio nuts

1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce

Combine quinoa, water or broth, salt, and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until about half the liquid is absorbed and quinoa begins to soften, about 15 minutes. Strain quinoa in a mesh strainer, then place in a bowl. Squeeze lemon and lime over quinoa and place in refrigerator to cool. When cool, toss with remaining ingredients. Makes 1 serving.

Preparation Time: 40 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving, prepared with water)

Calories 383
Protein 14 grams
Fiber 7 grams
Carbs 64 grams
Fat 9 grams
Total Saturated Fat 1 gram

Insanity Week 2 Done! Getting a little closer to the Asylum!

My husband and I just finished week 2 of Insanity! Yay! We start our next Fit Test on Monday and I can't wait to see if there are improvements. I can already see improvements with my husband's form, flexibility and coordination.

We're making our way to the Asylum!! Its recommended that you complete Insanity before moving into the Asylum, so we will be there in the late spring or early summer.

This is what we have to look forward to:



My area of concern is push ups. I was always pretty good at them with P90X, but the fast pace of Insanity's push ups has me feeling weak with these.  I know this will improve, but right now its a little annoying. So I just modify where I have to and go a little slower.

I'm really excited that my husband is doing this with me. He was always a gym guy who wasn't really into change. I spent an entire year gently hinting at the benefits of a home workout routine. But now he's hooked and I guess an Insanic with me.

I will post my Fit Test Results on Monday. Have a great Saturday!!

Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you're doing on your fitness journey.

Insanity: The Asylum - I'm a little nervous...

During the month of February, Beachbody had a contest for their coaches to win an autographed copy of Shaun T's new workout, Insanity: The Asylum.  Well guess what! I won it! Woo hoo! So after over a month of waiting, its due to arrive at my door either today or tomorrow.  And now I'm a little nervous.

I just started loving Insanity. I wasn't a big fan of it last year, but I don;t know what happened this year to make me a true Insanity believer.  Maybe its the fact I needed a challenge, or my husband is doing it with me this time, I'm not sure, could be a combo of things. But before I get too ga-ga over it, I still have to get through a few more weeks of month 1 and then its on to the grueling month 2.  I've heard that's tough!

So, as I wait for the mail person to deliver my Asylum, I am just a little nervous at the thought of starting it. I know I'm being a big baby, but it sounds intense. It is only 30 days, so 4 weeks can't be so bad, can it?

Here's a glimpse of what its looks like:



If you;d like more info on Insanity: The Asylum, send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or visit my website http://fitwithjessica.com/. Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you think it will be!