Tag Archive for '30 Day Shred'

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And less is the goal

Published on Friday, April 3, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 3 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 17, Level 2.

Wow. Day 17 of the 30 Day Shred is done, as is Day 7 of Level 2. You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here! Even after seven days, Level 2 is quite the workout!

Today, I tried to follow Natalie. I wish I could report that I could do it successfully…but she’s brutal! I did find that if I start out following Natalie and have to take it down a notch and follow Anita, that my body feels like I’m getting a break…but it’s really not.

Now, I’ve never had to stop during a routine. I’ve always kept going, even when it’s really hard. But, when I start out following Natalie, my brain is tricked into feeling like I’m taking a break when I switch back to Anita.

Whatever works…right?

So, the challenging news is that even after 17 days, this workout is still kicking my patootie all over the place. The encouraging news is that there’s getting to be less and less patootie to kick.

The routine

Published on Thursday, April 2, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 6 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 16, Level 2.

So, I finished Day 16 of the 30 Day Shred, and Day 6 of Level 2. You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

Today, I tried to follow Natalie and was successful in parts. In other sections, I had to fall back down to Anita’s pace. Tomorrow, I’ll try to follow Natalie again, but I make no promises! How she keeps her composure on camera is beyond me!!

Ha!

I don’t have much more to share about Day 16 or Level 2, so I thought I’d talk a little about the routine that seems to be working for me. I find it best to do this routine in the morning. Claire and I have a rather relaxed schedule, most of the time, and this seems to work for us.

Between 7:30 and 8am, my hubby gets up to get ready for work. Between 8 and 8:30, Claire usually comes into our room. I pull myself out of bed and help Claire figure out what she wants to eat for breakfast. Usually, she’s not ready to eat right away, so we go downstairs to do the Shred. (If she is hungry, she eats while I do the Shred.) By 9 or 9:30, I’m done with the Shred, and we’re back up to the kitchen where we can focus on breakfast – hers and/or mine. I take a daily vitamin that requires I have food in my stomach.

If I take the vitamins without food, I feel icky.
If I eat before I do the Shred, I feel icky.

I don’t like to feel icky, so the math on that isn’t too hard to figure out, huh?

One day last weekend, due to scheduling issues, I actually waited until after lunch to do the Shred, and I survived, but I like doing it in the morning. 1) It gives me more energy to face the day, and B) I like getting it out of the way.

After we eat, I shower and then work on the follow-up post, like this one.

So, there you have it! That’s my routine, and it really seems to be working. What’s yours?

And that’s no joke!

Published on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 9 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 15, Level 2.

Yay! It’s April 1st, and I just finished Day 15 of the 30 Day Shred! Are you sick of hearing about it? I would apologize, but I warned you…and you only have to suffer through 15 more days!

I think I’ve been scaring people with my descriptions of Level 2, so I want to devote this halfway mark to what I like about the 30 Day Shred.

I love the fact that my hips and back are pain-free. Seriously. They haven’t hurt since I started the program. And, the other muscles that did hurt because I started? They no longer hurt, and they’re stronger. It’s a win-win.

I love having a routine. For so long, I sat around thinking about an exercise program. I guess that’s a little misleading. I rarely “sit around” when chasing a preschooler is my main focus, but you know what I mean. I knew I should do something…but what? I hate exercise, so I kept putting it off. Will I ever tone? Will I ever find a way to fit an exercise plan into my day? Now that I have a routine, that worry is off my mind.

I love having energy. I always thought the people who said exercising gave them energy were a little wacky. Who knew that it’s true! I have so much more energy now that I’ve started this routine. I just can’t believe it. Yes, I was back down to where I want to be weight-wise before I started, and I thought that would give me enough energy, but I was wrong. The weight-loss helps, but the exercise is the key.

I love seeing the results. When I was in Weight Watchers, I was shocked at the transformation my body went through after losing 40 pounds. The transformation in itself was motivation enough to help me maintain it. But, it took a while for the mental image of myself to catch up with the image in the mirror. I was never unhappy at my former size, and on the inside I still felt the same. I was taken aback when people started treating me differently. They were all positive changes, but so shocking. That’s how I feel now that I’m seeing results with this program. “Are you sure you can see a difference?” is a question my husband is so tired of hearing me ask. But, he’s used to it. He was the calm voice of reason and support on my weight-loss journey. Soon, my brain will catch up with my eyes, and I’ll stop asking for reassurance. Plus, seeing the results is so motivating to work through the tough parts!

I love this feeling of accomplishment. I said I would do something, and I’m doing it. And, it’s not something that’s easy. Some days it’s hard. Some days are easier than others. But, I love the feeling of accomplishment.

I love setting a good example for my daughter. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or torturous or something other people do. It can be fun, challenging, and something we do.

I love the community that I’ve found while doing this project. There are so many people working toward the same goal, and each of us is made stronger by the experience of the others. We’re all feeding off of this common bond, and it’s awesome. Go Shredheads! You can do it! And, to those of you who have stuck by me through this…even just by reading my follow-ups, thank you!!

So…do I grumble about the Shred? At times. Is it an exhausting challenge? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. And, that’s no joke!

My own personal trainer

Published on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 8 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 14, Level 2.

Today I completed Day 14 of the 30 Day Shred, and Day 4 of Level 2! You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

It’s still a challenge. Today, I tried to follow Natalie for some moves and nearly died, so I went back to following Anita. There’s no shame in that, right? I didn’t think so. (For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, Anita does the moves designed for the newbies in the bunch, and Natalie does harder versions of the moves.)

As you may know, Jillian tells you on the Jillian Michaels – 30 Day ShredDVD that she will be your own personal trainer. And, she is…for 20 minutes. I, on the other hand, have a little personal trainer that follows me around all day, and now she’s started insisting that we “play Shred.”

Yes, Claire loves pretending that she is Jillian and I am, well, me. Her impression of Jillian is uncanny. She has nearly the whole Level 1 dialogue and most of Level 2 dialogue memorized.

Here is a typical “play session” when we “play Shred.”

“Okay! It’s time to do the 30 Day Shred, Momma!”

“Yay! That sounds great!” (Momma, the actress, says enthusiastically. It’s her best performance of the day…)

“Go into a soft knee… (And this is where she shows me what that is.) Now, squat and press! And, squat and press! Good! Squat and press! Squat and press! Good! No stopping! Now, let’s do Dumbo Ropes. (Dumbo Ropes!? This makes me laugh every time. Jillian really says, “Dumbbell Rows,” but I like Claire’s version better.) “…and PULL! and PULL! and PULL! Good! Now, let’s do jumping jacks. Ready? Hit it! Four more. And three and two and one…and let’s do Dumbo Ropes again. And, PULL! And, PULL! And, PULL! And right back…Jumping Jacks! You’re well on your way to being shredded!”

I only wish I were kidding.

Still…how funny!

Today, during the real workout, at one point, I didn’t think I could go on, so I yelled out loud. It was a primal, guttural yell that was pure sound and no words.

“You can do it, Momma!” I heard in response.

So, I did.

Lucky Number 13

Published on Monday, March 30, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 3 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 13, Level 2.

Day 13 is done! That means, I’ve done Day 3 of Level 2! I was still exhausted at the end of the workout, but I have yet to be sore. Can that be right? I’ll just assume it is and carry on.

I’m really glad that I’m not in pain, like I was with Level 1. I don’t particularly like pain, and I generally do things to avoid it. Still…pain or not, I’m completely spent by the end of Level 2. Just like Level 1 did at the beginning, it seems way longer than 20 minutes.

But, after I’ve survived the workout and get on with the rest of my day, I’m amazed at how much energy I have. I know that people have always said that exercising gave them energy, and I always kinda thought they were crazy. Now, I realize they were right. Who knew?

I can’t believe I’m almost halfway done with the 30 Day Shred…and I’m feeling better than I ever imagined was possible!

So, have you started it? Are you going to? What do you think? Let me know!

Walk the plank

Published on Sunday, March 29, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 3 Comments Tags: 30 Day Shred, Day 12, Level 2.

Who knew Jillian was a pirate? Walk the plank and meet your doom, all ye who dare pass! Aaargh.

Okay, enough with the pirate accent. I just got done with Day 12 of the 30 Day Shred, which is also Day 2 of Level 2. So, forgive me for being a bit delirious. But, seriously? I was going to name this post “Death by plank” and then changed my mind. I guess I should clarify. It’s not the plank that is going to kill me, it’s the things she does to us while we’re in the plank position.

Now that the rest of you have run screaming, I’ll admit that I’m being a tad dramatic.

What is the plank? I kept hearing this phrase and pictured a flat board and then got scared of the implications of what that could mean if Jillian is involved.

What does it look like? It’s kinda like the beginning of a pushup move, in that you’re up on both arms. Your arms aren’t out as wide as they are for a pushup, though. You don’t have to drop lower and push yourself up, so it’s not a pushup. Sweet! That’s my least favorite part of a pushup. So, it should be easy, right?

Right.

I can hold a plank like nobody’s business…it’s when she starts instructing us to do other things in conjunction with it that I start losing grasp of reality.

I won’t lie. The last circuit of moves makes me feel like a washrag that has been wrung out…quite literally…while in the plank position. When you get to Level 2 (if you haven’t already), you’ll see what I mean.

But, Jillian has yet to lead me astray, so I do what she tells me to do. Again, I collapsed at the end, but I am pretty proud of myself for not collapsing before we were finished. I know that it will be good for me in the long run.

So, face walking the plank and abandon all hope? No. But, I do hope to abandon some of this flab.

I am a machine.

Published on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 8 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 11, Level 2.

That is my new mantra.

…because “I’m not gonna die,” puts the wrong kind of energy out into the Universe.

Machines don’t cry. Machines don’t feel pain. Machines don’t need to breathe. All three of those things are issues for me in Level 2. Yep, I just finished Day 11 of the 30 Day Shred, and Day 11 is also Day 1 of Level 2.

I don’t mean to scare you, because it wasn’t really scary…as much as it was exciting to see what they could possibly do to us in the next level.

If you haven’t done any of the Shred, don’t look at Level 2. It’s the same reason I’m plugging my ears and singing, “la la la la” when people talk about Level 3. I’m somewhat curious, but I don’t really want to know. I did 10 days of Level 1, so I was ready for Level 2. If you’re on Level 1, focus on Level 1. Don’t let Level 2 scare you…it’s totally doable.

…in an I-totally-collapsed-at-the-end-in-a-pile-of-noodles way.

But, I’m a machine. So, I didn’t cry. I didn’t feel any pain. I found a way to breathe.

I never thought I’d enjoy this…but I’m starting to prove myself wrong. As many times as I muttered various things throughout the workout, I love the results. I have more energy than I have in years. I have muscle tone. I can do pushups.

So, what do I think of Level 2? Jillian kicked my patootie all over the place. HOLY. CHAO. You know it’s a good workout when Jillian’s face gets red and she laughs. Seriously. She even admitted out-loud to being crazy.

That being said, there are interesting moves. Some of them are a bit complex (or they just seemed that way because I’d never seen them before), so I’m looking forward to perfecting them in the days to come. Unlike Level 1, some of these moves actually involve some coordination. So, I can only imagine how much of a noodle I’ll be at the end of a workout where I actually do all of the repetitions rather than use the first couple to figure out what in the world they’re doing.

But, I didn’t die.
I didn’t cry.
I didn’t collapse until the very end.

…because I am a machine.

Floating off the ground

Published on Friday, March 27, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 11 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 10, Level 1.

Well…I did it! I finished Level 1! Day 10 of the 30 Day Shred is done! Tomorrow, I’ll get to discover all of what Level 2 has to offer. I’ve heard mixed reactions to Level 2, so I’m curious about what is in store.

Before I leave Level 1 behind, I want to share some of my favorite lines from the dialogue. There is a setting where you can turn off the talking and just do the music, but I like listening to Jillian. She keeps me going and keeps me motivated, and I’ve done the workout so many times that I know where I am in the space-time continuum when I hear certain phrases she says.

Here are three of my favorite quotes:

The first is when she’s talking about how people think they aren’t strong enough to work out. They’ve been told to “just take the stairs” and how that’s a “false message of lethargy that is not doing you any favors. You are capable of working out.”

A false message of lethargy? I love it!

Another quote that strikes me as funny is when she’s giving us pointers on doing the ab moves. “Eyes are up…chin off chest…armpit to your knee… The neck is not invited to this party. This is all abs.”

For some reason, every time, I picture a neck at an abs party, and if I could actually giggle at that point in the workout, I would.

And, when I hear this, I know I’m almost done:

“Last 30 seconds. I want you floating off the ground right now, ‘cause you are strong. This is easy for you. Nothin’ you can’t do.”

…and honestly? I get chills during that last line. I push past the exhaustion and the roadblocks in my head. I totally believe her. There is nothing I can’t do.

Who knew I’d get so much out of this workout?

Maybe I am an exercise person

Published on Thursday, March 26, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 4 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 9, Level 1.

So, I just got done with Day 9 of the 30 Day Shred!

Last night, I had the opportunity to meet up with some other bloggers in the area. (More on that later!) The organizer of the event had compiled a list of interesting things about all of us (that she had gleaned from our blogs), and as an icebreaker, we got to mingle and figure out which one belonged to which blogger.

Imagine my surprise at seeing #18 on the list: Just completed Week One as a Shredhead and is already seeing results (as is her daughter). Ask her to flex.

Ha!

I’ve never thought of myself as an “exercise person,” but as one of the ladies pointed out…maybe I am now. So, a lot of the evening was spent getting to know these women in real life, talking about our various things on the list, and flexing my arm muscles.

And, I was such a big talker about how I don’t even hurt anymore! And I’ve not been sick all season, so I don’t need to worry about missing any days! And, I’m not superstitious, and I don’t believe in jinxes! (Knock on wood.)

But, after standing around for a couple hours last night, guess whose body was in so much pain by the time she got home? And, guess whose head filled up with goo before the night was over?

Hmpf.

But, you know what? I couldn’t bring myself to miss out on Day 9. I took a long bath last night in Epsom salts and took some cold meds, and today, I pulled myself out of bed and did the 20-minutes of Day 9. I don’t know if you’re supposed to work out when you’re “sick” and I’m not sure if I’ll consult Dr. Google about it today or not. But, I feel great.

Maybe I am an exercise person, after all.

Is there lots of paper involved?

Published on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 2 Comments Tags: #shredheads, 30 Day Shred, Day 8, Level 1.

Day 8 of the 30 Day Shred is complete!

I’ve had some people ask just what this shredding thing is. Yes, I need to work on shredding the papers in my office, but this isn’t what that is. This is a workout routine.

So many others had mentioned it, and I was curious. I did some searching and found it on Amazon.

This is the one I’m doing:

Along with Jillian, there are two other ladies to follow. Anita does modified versions of some of the moves for the newbies in the bunch, and Natalie does the harder versions of the moves for those crazy people who want a little more. Some moves don’t have modified versions, but that’s to be expected.

Most of the time, I follow Anita. Every once in a while, I see if I can do it the way Natalie does it. Even when I’m done with the 30-days, it’s good to see I won’t get completely bored with this routine.

There are three levels, and each one is broken down into a 20 minute workout.

Each workout is broken down into three sets. Each set has the following:
3 minutes strength
2 minutes cardio
1 minute abs

Each set is done three times. (3-2-1, repeat.) There are different moves in each set. Personally, I hate the first interval. (This one has the dreaded pushups and the squat & press. I do them, but I don’t like them. I am getting better at pushups, but I still don’t like them.) I actually really like the second one. The third one is nice because it means I’m almost done!

(There is a brief warm-up and cool-down, and they make up the remaining 2-minutes of the 20 minute total.)

So, Day 8 of the 30 Day Shred is done. I have two more days at Level 1 and then I get to discover all Level 2 has to offer.

Now that my “shredding” is done for the day, I should get to my other shredding duties. I’ve let the papers pile up, and it’s time to get that under control. Just call me Fawn.