Tag Archive for 'Level 2'

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

There is just something about the 30 Day Shred that makes me sweat. But, I guess it’s a good thing that I’m so damp, or I’d burst into flames. You’d think that after 19 days of the 30 Day Shred, and Day 9 of Level 2 that I’d feel like it was getting easier. It’s not. But, that’s not a bad thing.

There is one part in the Level 2 that makes my arms burn. It’s in the third rotation when we get to the “military press and leg extensions” or whatever Jillian calls it. Every time we get to that part, I tell myself I need to remember the exact phrasing, but then I use all of my energy to not collapse and as soon as we move on to the next torturous pose, the name is gone.

I can do the first part of the circuit with no problems. I can focus right through the tingling in my arms. Then we do the chair squat with arms raised in a V thing (I dare you to not get Jeremy by Pearl Jam stuck in your head!!). That move is okay, but the tingling becomes more intense. Then, we go straight into the military press thing again, and that’s when my arms and shoulders start to sting so badly that I usually grunt out loud. By the time we get back to the chair press and V move, the names of both of the positions have fled the flames that have started licking at the sides of my head.

And, yes. I’m still doing this on purpose.

One more day of Level 2, and it’s on to Level 3!

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.

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!

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!

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

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.

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