Archive for the '30 Day Shred' Category

Well, today is the day! I finished the 30 Day Shred! Yes!!

Now for some final results:

Inches off tummy: 2 inches!
Inches off thighs: almost 2 inches – off each!

How do I feel?
Awesome!

How do my clothes fit?
Terrible! And, that’s awesome!

None of my jeans fit correctly anymore. I had to ransack my wardrobe and found some capris (do people still wear capris?) that fit, and even they are a little too big. I love having an excuse to buy new clothes, and I think I timed this perfectly with the new season. Yay!

So, what about weight-loss?  I had a net-loss of 2 lbs, which isn’t the “20 lbs. in a month!” they tout.  However, I already did the weight-loss program I wanted to do.  This was separate for me.  I wasn’t using this as a weight-loss tool. I am more focused on toning and building muscle. I am happy with my weight. I wouldn’t be opposed to losing a few more pounds, but my goal was toning. That being said, watching the scales raise during the transition from fat to muscle was frustrating, but it’s gone back down to where it was…and it’s still going down…so I’m happy with that!

So, a big question I toyed with was whether or not I should post pictures. I am thrilled with my results, but if you were to see these photos out of context, you’d be like, “and she wants to wear a two-piece swimsuit eventually, why?”

I mean, the truth is, I’m sensitive. I’m not ashamed of my body, but I prefer to keep it covered.  My clothes hide a lot of indiscretions.

Plus, I’m shy.

Okay, those of you who know me in real life can stop laughing right now.

Seriously. There is no photographic evidence of my skinny-dipping days, and that snorting you’re doing from laughing so hard is so unbecoming.

But, because we’re all naked under our clothes, and I want to show the progress I’ve made, I decided to post pics, but you can only get to them from here: Click on this link if you want to see my progress.

You’ve been warned. I will not be held responsible for nightmares or visual impairment problems that result from viewing these photos.

And, be kind.
Please.
I am a delicate flower.

I’ll wait here while you click over to check them out.

…

…

Please don’t hurt yourself.

…

…

…Okay, are you back?

Quite a change, huh? Those are not photoshopped in any way, as you can see by the sunburn I got yesterday!!

I’m not signing up to model any swimsuits, but I can’t stress enough how impressed I am with the 30 Day Shred.  And, anyone who has done it or is in the middle of it will tell you that the 30 Day Shred is just part of the story.  I made the effort to do it every day.  I summoned my Inner Yoda.  I’m going to try not to hurt myself patting myself on the back. 

So, what’s next?  I’m going to keep on going!  I am starting the 30 Day Shred over!  I can’t wait to see if I can keep up with Natalie all through Level 1 now.  I haven’t decided if I’ll do a couple days at each level, or if I will just mix it up a bit, but I will definitely keep doing this, and my goal is to do 20-minutes a day.

After all, tomorrow is Day 31 of the 30 Day Shred…

And, I can’t wait to post some new “after” photos when the time comes.

Today I finished Day 29 of the 30 Day Shred, which is Day 9 of Level 3! You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

I.
Have.
One.
Day.
Left.

You know when you’re working as hard as you can, and you know you’re almost done, and you hear Jillian say something to the effect of, “These are the last 30 seconds,” and you either give it just a little more or you hang on just a little tighter?

Yeah, it feels like that…only better.

So, now that we’re getting to the end of the “official” routine, my personal trainer (Claire, my 3 yr old) has stepped things up a notch herself.

Imagine my surprise when I went downstairs and saw that she had the room all set up for me! She’d moved the ottoman over, which is no easy task! It’s huge! And, she had my blanket all laid out on the floor (to help with the rugburn issues), and my weights were off to the side where I usually put them.

I already have her somewhat trained in that every morning, she brings me my socks and shoes and exercise clothes, but getting the room ready is a new one.

It’s about time she starts earning her keep.

So, tomorrow is the last day of the 30 Day Shred! But, I have a feeling that it will be the beginning of much more.

So, I got up this morning and went into my office to check my mail and look at my calendar. I flip it over to the new week. My little personal trainer brought me my shoes and socks. I have her trained well!

I’m looking at the calendar and we’re ready to head downstairs, and there it is. I can see it! The little number 30 I wrote on Thursday. I can see it right there. The end of the Shred! Is this week!

You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

Just seeing that little number kept me motivated enough today to get through Day 27 of the 30 Day Shred. I’ve been doing Level 3 for a whole week, now…and my abs are screaming at me. Who knew that Level 3 would be the sneaky spicy salsa of the 30 Day Shred?

You know what I’m talking about. It’s like that salsa that seems really tasty and not too spicy. Until you eat gobs of it on a salty tortilla chips. The alarms start to go off in your head. Your tongue starts to sting, and your eyes start to water. Oh, it’s spicy alright…you just didn’t realize it until you were elbow deep. Don’t get me wrong. You like spicy if you’re prepared for it. Or, maybe you prefer savory over spicy. Either way, you’ve got to deal with the spicy, because there is no turning back.

Blindsided or not, I can’t turn back now. I can see the end. It’s right there. I can see it.

And, I know I can do it. Spicy or not, I can do it.

Day 25 of the 30 Day Shred is complete! You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here! I’ve done five days at Level 3, and it’s not really getting easier. But, it feels great! In fact, I can’t wait to go back and try Level 1 again, just to see how it feels.

Since this is the weekend, today’s post will be short and sweet. I did have the opportunity to be a guest writer at the BornFit blog, so be sure to go check that out!

Click here to check out the post.

It’s often been said that 21 is the magical number when it comes to habits forming. Well, today marks Day 23 of the 30 Day Shred and Day 3 of Level 3! You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

I was going to write about habits on Day 21, but I got all excited about Day 1 of Level 3. Then, I was going to mention it yesterday, but I got all distracted by the rugburn on my elbows. Speaking of which, I used one of Claire’s receiving blankets in the floor portions, and so far, so good!

Anyway, I have a week left! I’ve hit the 21-day habit-forming equation, and then some.

And I dare say, it is a habit.

In fact, we’re planning a trip in May, and I’m already thinking about how to work in a workout routine while I’m gone.

It’s a sickness.
Or, is it a cure?

Either way, it’s officially a habit, and not one I need to break anytime soon.