Tag Archive for '#shredheads'

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It’s officially a habit, and then some.

Published on Thursday, April 9, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 6 Comments Tags: , , , .

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.

Rugburn in places I’d never expect

Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 4 Comments Tags: , , , .

My elbows! Why…what were you thinking?! ;)

Today I completed Day 22 of the 30 Day Shred and Day 2 of Level 3. You can read more about my 30-Day Shred Adventures by clicking here!

In Level 2, one of my shredhead sisters asked me if I was getting rugburn on my hands, and I told her I wasn’t. The carpet we have downstairs was being kind to my hands, and it wasn’t an issue for me.

So, then, I start Level 3, and Jillian has us incorporate our elbows into the mix, and guess what’s happening to them? Rugburn. Ouch! I’m not sure what I’m going to do for the next 8 days of this level! Maybe I’ll bring one of Claire’s blankets downstairs to soften the blow during that part of the routine?

My knees are getting a little rugburn action, too. (Well, Hello, Anonymous Googlers! Welcome to something you didn’t expect when you typed that search phrase into your browser…) ;) But, all I have to do is suck it up and follow Natalie for that to stop. But, there is no way around the elbow predicament I’ve gotten myself into.

Am I the only one that has this issue? Am I doing something wrong? I’m not dragging them or slamming them down. Yesterday they weren’t so bad, but they were killing me today!

Anyway, besides the little rugburn issue, how is Level 3 going? Wow. It is tough! But, I’m persevering. Today, I’m definitely feeling it in my legs and abs. I’m glad she reminds us to breathe during the scissor abs part, because I totally forget and nearly pass out.

And, unfortunately, there is no room in the 20 minute workout to account for that. ;)

Jillian saves the hardest for last

Published on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 7 Comments Tags: , , , .

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.

I gargled my heart for 10 days. What’s next?

Published on Monday, April 6, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 4 Comments Tags: , , , .

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

I did it! I made it to the end of Level 2! Today marked the completion of Day 20 of the 30 Day Shred. I have 10 days left, and tomorrow I start Level 3. What little gems will Level 3 hold?

As one of the commenters mentioned before, in Level 2, Jillian says she wants you “gargling your heart” by the time you’re done. What a picture that is. Oddly enough, it’s not far from the truth. :)

At the end of today’s workout, I was tempted to preview Level 3, but I decided against it. I want to be surprised tomorrow.

I’ve got 10 days left! I’ve made it this far; I know I can make it to the end. Bring it on, Jillian! ;)

What? I’m in shape. Round IS a shape.

Published on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 in 30 Day Shred. 10 Comments Tags: , , .

Who am I kidding?  The things that used to be round are a bit droopy these days.

I’ve been told I “hide it well,” but that doesn’t change the fact that I need to tone.  It is what it is, but that doesn’t mean it has to be that way forever.

I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers.  I can’t say enough good things about the program.  Almost seven years ago, I lost 40 lbs. with them and kept it off. I got pregnant and had my baby 3 years ago.  I bounced back pretty easily after that.  Relatively.  I’m within walking distance to my “goal weight,” so that’s not really an issue for me…but I need to tone.  I’ve known for a while that I needed to get back into an exercise routine, but I’ve just not done it.

Then, I kept hearing about this 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels:

You know who she is…she’s one of the trainers on the Biggest Loser.  I’ve always marveled at her results, even if I don’t appreciate her aggressive tenacity.

Maybe this is what I need?

Twenty minutes a day for 30 days.  I handled 37 hours of labor. I can handle 20 minutes a day.  Right?  Right!  Right?

Here is where I summon my Inner Yoda.  (Do or do not; there is no try.)  I will not try, because try does not exist.  I will do, because I’ve been doing not for long enough.  ;)

I know it will be hard.  I know I’ll be sore.  The part of me that will be crying and shaking her tiny fist at me tomorrow (if she can work up the energy, that is!) knows that I need to do this.

So, last week, I quickly ordered the DVD before I had a chance to change my mind.  It came today.  Tomorrow morning (or later today), I’ll take some “before photos” that will more than likely never see the light of the Internet, but I’ll be able to compare them to the ones I take after I embark on this journey…just to show myself that I could do it.

Longtime readers, fear not!  I’m not going to turn my website into a fitness site, but I will be talking about my 30-Day Shred.  I have to.  I need to.  To keep going, I’ll need the outlet.  Some days will be like business as usual around here, and some days may be focused only on The Shred.

What will I be shredding?  Hopefully this flab, and not my dignity.
…but I guess you’ll have to stick around and find out.  ;)