I did something crazy this morning. No…make that insane.

Just did Insanity for the first time. That was the hardest workout I think I have done in my life.

October 12, 2011 8:33 am via HootSuiteReplyRetweetFavorite

@TinaFFF

Tina Reale

Sometimes I like to exaggerate things. Play things up a little bit to entertain myself. Well, I did not exaggerate a single word in that tweet.

I have actually had the Insanity program in my hands for a few months, but always felt too intimidated to give the workouts a shot. I knew I wanted to try them, but always got too scared when push came to shove.

I don’t know what hit me this morning, but I popped the DVD in and picked the Pure Cardio workout. 40 minutes didn’t sound too bad. It didn’t have any crazy words like Max or Circuit in there, which I knew could mean trouble. That 40 minutes was no joke!

source

I was dripping sweat by the end of the warm-up. Not a good sign. When Shaun T paused to stretch a bit after the warm-up to prepare for the madness to come, I laughed. It was one of those laugh or cry moments.

The next 20-25 minutes owned me. Drill after drill after drill after drill. Burpees. High knees. Push-ups. Tuck jumps. And too many things I don’t even remember the names of because all I could hear was my own heavy breathing.

#huffpuff #iwanttodie

At the end, I parked my booty on the floor and stared at the screen in disbelief. Then Peter came downstairs and his eyes lit up at me trying unsuccessfully to catch  my breath and wipe sweat out of my eyes simultaneously.

He gets pleasure from my pain. He even sits and laughs with a big goofy grin as I go through the torture of ice baths after my long runs. Evil. <—Peter

I didn’t care though. My huffing and puffing turned into the biggest smile. I felt accomplished. I put aside fear and went for something I knew would challenge me. I didn’t half-ass the workout, because I knew I would only get out of it what I put into it.

I put a lot into it. It hurt. I thought I would hurl out my heart at some points. I had to pause and catch my breath a few times. But I pushed the limits. And I can’t wait to do it again next week. Yea. Next week. I loved it, but I’m not insane enough to do that madness every day!

• What is the hardest workout you have ever done? Or what is the last way you challenged yourself (fitness wise or otherwise)?

Let’s all show a little honesty here. Particularly you early morning exercisers. I’m talking to YOU! Do you really have boundless energy to knock out fantastic workouts in the wee hours of the morning? Do you really? I can tell if you lie. *stare down*

Okay, I believe you…but I know I’m not one of y’all to have early am energy! My weekly workout schedule I organized has me completing a DVD workout at home on Fridays. I much prefer doing my workouts without the worry of roundhouse kicking my daughter or watching my 5 month’s old eyes bug out at the television. So that means I must wake at the butt-crack of dawn to complete my workout before those little eyes awaken. I usually get up at the butt-crack of dawn regardless, but like to ease into my mornings. Feeling a fire in my tush and abs via Physique 57 then jabbing my little heart out with 20 minutes of Turbo Jam I do not classify as easing into my morning.

But I did it. And it felt good to get it out of the way and on with my day. I’ll just need some extra joe in my life on Friday mornings.

Isn’t joe handsome???? We rendezvous every morning and its glorious. Ahem.

Now for that serious dilemma. You should know that when tired, I also tend to exaggerate. I can’t help that all reason leaves me. I also can’t help that I deem dessert a very, very, very important issue. Very. Serious dilemma = what dessert to make and bring to our little shindig get-together with our friends this Sunday?

Typically for the 4th I like to do a traditional fruit sugar cookie cake -

Oh thank goodness my photography has improved. Still not stellar, but better at least!

Buuuutttt….Oreo truffles sound so good to me right now.

They are pretty much one of my favorite desserts, but I fear making them in the heat. I don’t know if they would hold up well. I have only made them during the holiday season, hence the peppermint in the photo.

Peter begs me to make Jess’ triple layer cookies & cream bars again.

So good! But I just brought these to one of our pot lucks. I prefer trying and bringing  new things. New things like Chelsey’s cheesecake bites.

image courtesy of the gorgeous lady herself

Yet I have a feeling a dessert made of cashews and dates would not go over entirely well. Plus, I’m in the mood for sweet that makes your teeth hurt myself. It’s a good pain. Just like lunges and eyebrow waxing.

Yes. I have a serious dilemma on my hands. Because not only does fatigue make me exaggerate…it also make me want to eat them all. 😉

• What sweet treat would you choose? either one here or another you love
• Of Possible Interest: I was the featured mommy today over at mommy blogger Valencia’s site!