Wow. Day one of Level 3 is done! Today marks Day 21 of the 30 Day Shred. You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!
I was a little nervous about what Jillian would do to me in Level 3, so I asked people for advice. The shredheads who have gone before me answered my plea with “pace yourself at the beginning,” and warnings of the end being really hard.
Dude.
They weren’t messing around, and neither is Jillian!
I’m glad they warned me.
I paced myself and made it through the entire workout without collapsing. Until the very end. But, that’s okay, because you need to be on the floor to do the stretches anyway. Right? Right.
In the middle of this workout, Jillian reminds us to think about why we’re doing this.
Well, I’m a results kinda person, and I took measurements before I started today, since it’s the beginning of a new level, and this is why I’m doing this.
Since I’ve started, I’ve lost an inch and a half off each thigh. I’ve lost almost two inches off my tummy. My weight has stabilized, and although muscle weighs more than fat, I’ve started losing weight. I’m down two pounds from last week. (Keep in mind, I’m not doing this to lose weight…that’s just an added perk. I’m doing this to tone.)
And toned?
I’m toned!
Not fully, but definitely almost there!
I have defined arm muscles. I have defined leg muscles. I have abs! I don’t know that I’ve ever had defined abs. I still have a lot of work to do, but the photos I took today are amazing to me. I’m still shy, so I’m not showing photos yet. It’s okay. Trust me.
None of my jeans fit. Even my jeans that were starting to get too big when I started are now too big with the belt I use.
Oh, darn!
So, while I was huffing and puffing and sweating to death, Jillian’s question started ringing in my ears. Why am I doing this?
This is why I’m doing this. I am excited about the results. I’m excited about a program that takes every ounce of energy in my body, but replaces it with more energy than I’ve ever had. I’m doing this because I don’t want my clothes to fit anymore. I want to be healthy.
I want to do this to show my daughter that even a non-exercise person can be an exercise person.
I won’t lie; Level 3 is hard. There’s a reason why it’s at the end. There’s a reason why we do what we do in Level 1 and Level 2 first.
Everything we’ve done has led up to this point, and I’m so happy to be here.

