I am midway through my third cycle of Insanity. A friend of mine had it, and gave it to me in frustration. Background: I am 6’1”, and when I started Insanity I weighed 179 lbs. I also smoked around 1/2 pack a day. I had never run more than 1 mile and a hlaf at a time, and that was 15 years ago in the Navy. I quit smoking when I started(I’m one of those idiots who just liked to smoke, not addicted) because the workouts hurt, and I wasn’t interested in hurting any more than necessary. I have lost a total of 12 lbs, and I have recently completed 2 5K races with 24 min times. I don’t have a sculpted body yet,(largely because I eat okay, but don’t follow the food plan)but the definition is getting there. Insanity is the best thing that I hate to do.
Also, it is folly to try to keep up with Shawn T. His whole program is based on “do what you can do”. As you build up muscle and cardio strength, you will do more, and still be exhausted. The workouts should really never get easier, because you are supposed to be pushing yourself each time. If you watch some of the people in his videos, they take breaks and can’t do all he is doing. That makes me feel good about what I can and can’t do.