Every few months I try to change-up what I’m doing for my workout program/schedule.  To prevent plateau, its important not to fall into a rut and to add something different to your weekly workouts so your muscles don’t get too used to what you’re doing day after day, become lazy, and not produce the results you’re hoping for.  By changing up your routine, you are able to produce muscle confusion, which prevents plateaus and helps your muscles get stronger faster.  Thus, helping you achieve the fitness goals you’re striving for quicker.

One of the many reasons I love BeachBody workout programs is because the fitness instructors and trainers who design these programs work this principle into their workout schedules.  Through the workout programs I have enjoyed by Shaun T., muscle confusion is used to help produce quicker results and prevent plateaus.  He is able to do this by changing the focus on how you train each muscle from workout to workout leading to desirable results.

The two BeachBody programs I have particularly enjoyed are both created by Shaun T. – Insanity and Focus T25. Here is a brief description of both:

Insanity is a 60-day cardio based program that includes 10 workout DVDs that involve high intensity aerobic and anaerobic interval training.  Most of the workouts follow the same basic training: high intensity exercises for 3 minutes, followed by 30 seconds of rest.  Along with using these products, I sell them.  Part of the reason for this is because I love their products so much.  I wrote about this in a blog post called Why I Love Beachbody Products.  To learn more about Insanity or to order go to

http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/Insanity?referringRepId=257827

Focus T25 is a slightly easier, lower impact version of Insanity that has been condensed into 25 minute workouts. That’s part of the reason I love it so much.  It’s easy to fit into my day, and I still get a great workout.  This is an intense total body training program that pushes your body to the limits.  In this program Shaun T. has put an hours workout into just 25 minutes by eliminating breaks and making it high intensity and Focused for the entire time.  To learn more about Focus T25 or to order go to:

http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/T25Base?referringRepId=257827

I did both of these programs and loved them.  Insanity is a 60 day program and Focus T25 is a 10 week program. Both of them include two workout schedules.  The first 4-5 weeks build your foundation before leading you into the last 4-5 weeks which really pick up the intensity.  Doing workout programs like these is a great way for me to switch up my usual routine of running and strength training.  However, being the running enthusiast that I am, I always start to miss running.  When I try to run with the programs its tough to maintain because of the additional time and my body starts to get worn down.

Lately, I’ve really been enjoying a hybrid schedule I’ve put together that allows me to run while still getting the benefits from the Insanity and T25 workouts that have made me fall in love with these programs.  It’s important for me to be able to still do these workouts along with running because of the strength they have helped me build, particularly in my core.  For the first time in my life, I have abdominal muscles, and I give all the credit to these two programs.  I also have more definition in my arms and legs than I ever have.  Combining these programs with a running schedule that allows me to still run four times a week has been a perfect fit for me.

Below I will list the outline of the program that I would recommend following.  Under that I will tell you what specific Insanity and T25 programs I do on those days and what distances I have been running.

The T25, Insanity, & Running Hybrid Program

Monday: Run

Tuesday: Insanity DVD of your choice

Wednesday: Pick a T25 or Insanity DVD of your choice

Thursday: Run

Friday: Rest Day – I always do the T25 Stretch DVD on this day.  Love how it makes my legs feel.

Saturday: Run – I try to make this a longer run than the other ones throughout the week.

Sunday: Run and do either T25’s Ab Intervals or Dynamic Core

This schedule has been great because all days except for one involve just one workout and it still allows me to take one rest day.  I like doing the Stretch video from T25 on this day because it feels so good and I need to work on my flexibility.  I also think it loosens up my legs for my longer run on Saturday mornings.  Obviously, you could tweak this to fit your schedule.  Maybe you want your rest day and/or double-up day on a different day of the week. Sometimes if I have time on Thursday, I’ll do the Ab Intervals or Dynamic Core on that day along with my run so all I have to do is run on Sunday.

Below are the specific distances and workouts I do on each day.

Debbie’s Schedule

Monday: Run 5-6 miles

Tuesday: Insanity’s Plyometric Cardio Circuit

Wednesday: T25’s Total Body Circuit

Thursday: Run 5-6 miles

Friday: T25 Stretch

Saturday: Run 7-8 miles

Sunday: T25’s Ab Intervals or Dynamic Core and Run 4-5 miles

Hope you give this workout program a try and enjoy it as much as I have.  If you have never tried BeachBody products and would like to, feel free to check out my website at  

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/fitnfabfoody

or email me at fitnfabfoody@gmail.com

Together, we can do this!