Insanity Workout Nutrition Guide: Part 1 Review
Today I want to share my review of the Insanity Workout Nutrition guide/plan with you. The basic concept behind the nutrition plan is very simple, which will hopefully agree with anyone who chooses to take on the Insanity workout program. Not only is it simple, but I think that users will find it that it really works.
The Insanity Workout Nutrition guide is broken down into Month One and Month Two (Insanity is a 2 month/60 day program). The guide encourages 5 meals a day, which would have you eating a meal every 2 1/2 – 3 hours. There is a section for each meal of the day. Within each meal section there are 10 choices/recipes to choose from. This is a total of 50 recipes provided in the guide.
Month #1: Each meal consists of approximately 300 calories, but there are directions as to how one might modify to increase their caloric intake to 400 or 500 calories per meal. This of course is subject to each individual’s daily calorie need. These modifications are referred to as “food blocks” in the nutritional guide. The “food blocks” are measured in 100 or 200 calorie increments, and can be used for snacks as well. So if you need 400 calories per meal. Add a food block. etc.
Month #2: Eat more! Your body’s metabolism has been ramped up and will burn more calories than before due to the insane workouts you’ve been doing. Also, the workouts are more intense during Month 2, so your body will need even more fuel to function. An easy fix for this increase in calories is to add 1-3 of the 100 calories complex carbohydrates that are found on page 59 of the guidebook. It also helps you to find out what your particular daily caloric needs are. You can find the formula in the guidebook, or go see our previous article “How to Get in Shape”. This article will help you determine the daily calories you need, even if you don’t have the Insanity Nutrition Guide.
Also, the Insanity nutrition guide provides nutrition fundamentals for beginners. The meaning and examples of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. They also include an extensive list of food substitutions that are broken down in the following categories: dairy, protein, breads/starches, fruits, and vegetables. A copy of Michi’s Ladder is also included. And, last but not least, a small nutrition trouble shooting section that gives answers to questions like: “What if I feel hungry” and “What if I’m not losing weight.” Overall, this is a great nutritional guide, and really could be used for just healthy eating.
This review will take part in 2 sections, the next and last section I will provide some examples of the recipes found in the nutritional guide. I hope that you have enjoyed this small, but hopefully informative review of the Insanity Workout Nutrition guide. Part 2 of this review will be available next week. 
Be sure to check out all of our Insanity Reviews.
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August 14th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Hi Robert,
Just wanted to say thank you for the reviews. I’m 47 years old and wondered if I could do Insanity given all I was hearing. I bought it the first day it was available and started the workouts the same time as you and have been reading your reviews. Your reviews are spot on not only in describing the physical aspects but also the mental part. Good job.
One other thing others may find helpful… I travel a lot for work and I like P90X because I can at least take bands and do the workouts in my hotel room. Just pop the DVD’s in my laptop and get after it. Insanity also does not require a alot of space and there are no weights or bands so this routine is also great for people who want to stay in shape when they travel and not disrupt their routine. I went on a trip to China last week and had no problems doing the workouts. The hard part travelling is the diet….
Tomorrow is the last workout of the first four weeks of the program for me (Plyo). Next week should be interesting. Then into the second round…. I’m getting nervous and at the same time looking forward to it. Ha.
Respectfully,
Jim
August 14th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Thanks Jim. I took a week off for vacation, so you are actually ahead of me now.
So true about the work out space. I have a 6′ x 8′ section that I use for Insanity, and it works great. So you are absolutely correct. No weights, no bands, no equipment….. Just a small workout area. Glad you enjoy the reviews!
August 14th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Oh my. If you don’t hear from me in two weeks assume I did not survive.
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. And you’ll find next week to be easier because you know the routines. For me though I found my form was even better which resulted in working out even more strenously. Which in turn left me as much or more worn out and happily sore.
By the way… The arches of my flat feet were absolutely killing me the first week. In a good way. I can say I’ve never done anything that even made my arches sore. I’m on carpet with good shoes like you and still sore.
Love it!!
Take care,
Jim
August 18th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
[...] we’ve covered the basics of the Insanity Elite Nutrition guide in my Part 1 Review, now let’s take a look at the good stuff: the recipes! There are 50 total recipes available [...]
August 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hi Robert, just wanted to say thanks for the reviews. They are spot on! And it’s good to be able to relate to what you are going through.
I’m currently on week 3, day 3 tonight (I think I’m at the same part you are??)
Still have 2 weeks to go and I’m already anxious about month 2. Will you be review the max portions as well?
August 19th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the compliments on the reviews. Please pass them on and share them with others.
I think we are on the same day, very cool. Yea, month 2 gets harder. Like month 1 wasn’t. lol. We’ll make it. I’m reviewing all the workouts including the max. Thanks again,
January 31st, 2010 at 2:57 am
Great blog. I find myself reading a lot here. Keep up the good work!
February 4th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Hey,
I am currentyl in Iraq and a group of us has just started the Insanity challenge! We are on day 4, and I’m already feeling pretty good. Us, soldiers can tend to gain weight on these deployments and i have fallen guilty of it my self. I’m hoping to see outstanding results by the end of this challenge! We are all keeping count of our calorie intake and everything. I will send a before and after pic, so I can get my shirt! lol
Great Work outs so far!
Respectfully,
SPC T’Liza Monique Garcia
February 4th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Excellent! Good luck! As a former Vet from Desert Storm, I’m always willing to help the military any way I can! Let me know how/if I can ever help. Stay safe, Robert
February 6th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Thanks, will do! Right now, we’re all just hangin in there! Today we completed day 6 of the program… Thank God tomorrows the rest day! lol
February 10th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I just started phase 2 and lookout!! Your quick workout just became 1 hour!! That’s something they didn’t mention on the infomercial. Darn! Just as I had gotten used to mind over matter and telling myself, “It’s just a 40 minute workout” they went and changed it up!.
Also, am I the only person who’s weight has stayed exactly the same? I could really use a good 15-20 lbs off and find it difficult to believe it’s new muscle? Is it because I’m female? My body looks and feels different after 5 weeks of Insanity, but the scale says something different, I’m afraid.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Stacy, Don’t give up! How is your diet and nutrition? Are you following the nutrition manual carefully? It should help you figure up your daily caloric intake. Then use a free tool similar to myfitnesspal.com to help you keep track. Sometimes people eat more than they think, or are not eating enough. Double check your numbers and try tracking calories if not already, and see if that helps. Feel free to contact me at robert@extremely-fit.com, happy to help.