The Number 33

Today I write for the number 3!  33 days of doing Shred, 3 inches lost, and enjoying Level 3!

For the first time in a couple weeks, I am really feeling sore in my thighs.  Good news though, that's where I really need to lose!

Pros and Cons

So I've been keeping everyone I know updated on the status of my Shred for the past month and lately I've really been thinking about the pros and cons of this workout.  But before I get into that, I would like to announce that I did all of Level 3 today!  A little bird told me that it was easier than Level 2.  I would agree that in some respects it feels easier because it's not as demanding on a cardiovascular level.

Having said that, Level 3 really zaps the muscles and demands much much more of the body overall - and by demand I mean control.  Particularly the jumping lunges which I am afraid of doing more than a couple of for fear that I will rip up my knee.  Thankfully, gracious Jillian allows for a modification of "regular" lunges.  I was very excited today to see "jumpies" in the 3rd circuit!  She calls them "jumping squats" but I know them as "jumpies" because we often do or refer to them in rowing.  I would say though that putting the arms out instead of down on the squat part is far easier - but who am I to question Ms. Michaels?!

So, back to the overall pros and cons:
                Pros                                               Cons
         It's everyday                                  It's Everyday
         I have lost inches                           I haven't lost weight
       I am really getting strong                I am bulking up a bit
         It's only 20 mins                        There's no excuse not to do it because it's only 20 mins!
       Jillian is down to earth                  Some moves are hard on the knees  
    Did I mention it's only 20 mins!?


So I guess there aren't many cons - just a bit of belly-aching on my part.  I think my favorite pro is that the video is only 20 mins and without this, I'm not sure that I would want to continue! Continuing = results!

On another note - us Novices kicked bootay yesterday at Rocketts Landing Regatta where we won our heat!
     

The Dreaded Level 3 (da da daaaa)!

I sat around all morning and finally got the gumption to do my Shred.  So, in the spirit of getting moving I decided to do Level 3 for the first time today.  What a hard workout - great - but hard.  The workout requires more from your core than all the others, it requires you to do punches and jumping jacks with your weights... wow.  Admittedly I only did circuits 1 and 2 due to a small pain in my shoulder, and the pool date I have in about 5 mins.  But, I expect tomorrow I will try again.

I am rowing in a 1000 meter sprint race tomorrow and don't want to wear myself out - If I've lost around 3 inches in 30 days I suspect that level 3 is going to kick my ass into gear and burn off another 3.

For those of you who haven't yet experienced Level 3, just do it!  You'll be glad you did.

Measurement Check

I wasn't sure at first if I even wanted to take my measurements today.  My husband asked me, "I thought you would wait to do the full 30 days".  I've missed 5 days out of the 30 and although my first instinct is to be too hard on myself, I think I have to look past this and think about all the rowing I've done in addition to this mad workout.

Since I haven't lost any weight, I was reticent to see if I'd lost any inches today for fear that I wouldn't see any results and just throw in the towel.  Well, I can say HOORAY!- I have lost inches in the past 30 days!  I wrote a post in May called Let the Games Begin with my starting measurements but for the sake of ease I'll list them here as well.

Beginning 5/22    Today 5/23   Difference
Thighs -  27"             26"               -1"
Hips -     44"             43.5"            -.5"
Waist -   34"             32.7"            -1.3"
Bust -     36"             36"                -0"
Arms -    13"           12.5"              -.5"

For 30 days, I guess 3.3 inches is pretty good.

Day 29

It's Day 29 and I just can't bring myself to Shred today.  I am wiped from this past week of travelling, visitng and entertaining.  I rowed early this morning so I don't feel completely lazy.

I gained weight again this week - probably due to too much fun this past weekend and not enough water on a daily basis.  So, what do I do?  I had some ice cream after dinner last night, and today I wanted to make mac 'n' cheese for dinner.  So discouraging to get on the scale but then again, what's new.  On the flip side, my upper body is starting to look ripped.  Legs and hips aren't bad either but my clothes still fit the same way.  Why am I so hung up on this scale issue?  Arg. 

Day 28

Did my Shred first thing this morning, but the humidity outside and the thought of rowing practice tonight makes me want to curl up and take a nap.  The idea that exercise gives you energy is not the case this week.  Two more days!

Day 27

Thank goodness for coffee and bacon, for were it not for these amazing things I would not have Shredded today!  Had a tough morning row followed by half an episode of Graham Norton and a Law and Order UK.  I felt like I was ready to Shred.  

There are technically 3 more days of Shred, although I have yet to move on to Level 3.  I just spent the weekend away celebrating a friend's birthday, and today my parents are coming into town.  In light of this coming weekend's regatta Rocketts Landing Sprints and some extra rowing, I've decided not to push into Level 3 until later in the week.

Day 26

Feeling too blah to Shred today.

Day 25

I can't believe that it's already Day 25.  Admittedly, I took about 3 days rest throughout this whole thing, so really I have 8 more days of Shred - but with the idea of keeping this up in July, I'm not too bothered about the few days I missed.

Last night for the first time in a long time, I gorged myself on the deliciousness that is "The Melting Pot".  Aside from the chocolate fondue and dessert dippers, the meal was pretty healthy!  However, feeling like a piggy was enough to get me to do my Shred this morning.

Day 24

Got up this morning after a night of 4 pints and late bedtime to do my Shred.  I am so proud of my best friend who decided to support me by joining in the fun!  It's not easy beginning with Level 2, but she got in there and got sweaty!  I myself am currently dripping sweat and feeling good that I even did anything this morning - I have the sweet high of coffee to thank for that.  

Tonight will be a gluttonous meal at the Melting Pot and most likely more pints... load up on water, keep the ibuprofen close and bring it on Jillian!

Day 23

Day 23.  Almost to the finish line!  A friend asked me today if I had done Level 3 yet.  No.  Today I could barely keep up with Level 2!  Today will be spent in the car, maybe my muscles will have a bit of a rest.  Level 3 will have to wait till another day.

Day 22

I had a practice to make up so I hauled myself out of bed at 5am and got to a morning rowing practice.  My day is going to be a bit full so I decided to just come home and "get Shred over with".  It's amazing how limber I am after I row - the only problem being how tired or energized I am.  This morning I had surprisingly some energy left!  Getting this done so the rest of the day is mine is a good feeling!

Another random thought... I'd like to thank everyone who has been so supportive!  I think this blog has been a great way to hold myself accountable.  Plus, it's good to tell people about what you're doing to get support from all angles!  So, thank you - it means a lot that you read and comment!

Day 21

I forgot to write yesterday (Day 21).  Did my Shred around lunchtime so I could crash after rowing.  Level 2 is definitely getting easier.  I can do more reps and I have more stamina during the "plank thrusts", "plank jacks", and the twisty plank thingys for the abs.

Day 20

Rowing was shorter than usual but was way more intense tonight.  I am sore in my arms, legs, abdomen, back... hell, what doesn't hurt right now?!  So, I don't feel in the slightest bit guilty for skipping Shred tonight.  My body is telling me to rest.

Tomorrow is a new day and rest will energize me to finish up these last 10 days!

Day 19

Waited until 8:30pm to do my Shred.  I had resigned myself to being lazy and taking the day off when I got a push from out of nowhere!  Did it and felt better for it.  Tomorrow marks the end of our 2-week Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet.  What does that mean?  It just means that we can begin slowly adding in certain complex carbs, eating fruit, and treating ourselves to alcoholic beverages again.

Someone asked me how I was doing with the Shred last night, I told her that I felt ripped - hardly the case, but I do feel great!

Day 18

I forgot to write yesterday (Sat.)... waited until 5pm to do my Shred - was a very good workout.  My shoulder is already better provided that I don't ask too much of it.  I bought a new swimsuit this weekend and feeling much much better about myself!  Thank you Jillian!

12 more days to Shred!

Day 17

The past couple of days I have been having some pain and discomfort from the muscles on my left shoulder blade.  I think the muscle is a tad inflammed and that it's putting some pressure on a nerve.  So, to remedy this, I've been icing it and taking some anti-inflammatory meds.  

Needless to say it impeded upon today's Shred.  Workout 2's planks, push-ups, dumbbell rows don't exactly help if you have a shoulder issue.  I did 2 circuits and had to stop.  Hopefully, my "remedies" will quickly fix the problem and I can finish this 30 days without too much of a struggle.

Day 16

Here I am, on the floor again, sweating like a maniac!  When I have the energy to actually give my all, I can see why this 30-Shred can work.  I am wondering however how people who don't exercise already get through this!  I know some who have this video and all are no stranger to moderate exercise and/or lead active lives and they are not boasting that it's easy.  I myself row for about 1.5 hours 4 times a week - and I struggle.

To be honest, I'm not sure that Level 2 will ever become "easy" enough to just move to Level 3.  It may be hard but as Jillian says "I get results.  I get results because I push you."  I think I have reserved the last 5 days for the Level 3 push, then I can take a couple days to get my body back together.  30 day Shred will stay a part of my summer routine, and I can't wait until the end of this 30 days to take my measurements (check out "Let the Games Begin" post for my starting measurements)!  I know I have slimmed down at least a little.

Day 15

Well, I had every intention of getting up and doing my halfway point Shred workout on Day 15, but I was way too relaxed and the rest felt good!  Skipped Day 15, but back on the wagon for Day 16.

Day 14

I got up this morning, had my coffee, did a couple things around the flat, and did my Shred for the day.  Today I decided to change it up a little.  I put my TV on mute, put on Cut//Copy and turned the stereo volume up.  Motivation hasn't been my strong point lately, so the music helped me to forget about the workout and just do it!

I realized last night that today marked the exact 1-week mark from when I began Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet.  It's been a bit rough, but I think I'm finally getting used to eating this way! Yay!  No more weak, giddy feeling!  Anyway, back to the important thing...  So I weighed myself on Friday just randomly, and this morning I had lost .8 lbs from Friday!  I imagine I've lost at least a pound this week!  Wooo hoooo!!

Now to keep on this track until I get to my goal weight - I need to lose 15 pounds more...

Day 13

Did Shred half-assed today - I finished circuit 2 and decided I just couldn't do any more.  Today marked the beginning of my summer holidays and so I felt a bit anxious that I didn't have a schedule to follow today.  No schedule = laziness.  This is going to work way better if I just get Shred done early morning, then rest at the pool!  Otherwise I put it off until later evening, then I'm done.

Almost halfway through!

Day 12

Sunday is usually quiet and lazy... not too much of a motivator for working out, but when the workout is 20 mins.  I can hardly complain.  The lack of sugar, baked goods and simple carbs in my system has been affecting me the past couple of days - a little giddy.  This tells me I'm on the right track of clearing this crap out of my system ;+)

I'm done with Jillian for today - off to the movies now!

Day 11

Again I had a very hard rowing practice, so when I got home I literally forced myself to do Level 2.  I can't say I had 100% to give, but I did as much as my body could do.  Now, for my rant...

I'm a third of the way done with this Shred and up until this point I have been focused, energized and excited.  When though, do I begin to look as good as I feel?!!!  I put on a pair of capri pants today (with wide leg might I add) that have been too tight around the belly, and I'm dying to get into them.  I thought perhaps they might feel at least slightly looser... I was WRONG!  I still look fat in them!  So, you're probably thinking, "Ash, it's only the beginning, give it time" but hey, when I feel like I'm working my arse off (literally) I want to see that!  I'm tired of feeling great about myself then having moments like this - I'm turning 30 on July 5th and really want to begin a new decade fit and lighter.

So, today I am feeling a little down.  In reality, I know that if I'm consistent and continue to push hard, I will eventually see results.  It just can't come soon enough!

Day 10

My plans to double up on my workout today fell through because of a headache this afternoon.  I got one in though!  I can't help but feel a little disappointed in myself that I missed Sunday and last night, but then I have to remember that I am also rowing 4x a week (which has been quite hard this season!).  I have been doing some kind of physical activity everyday since I got this video, so I suppose there is much to be said about that!

I saw a neighbor this afternoon while walking my dog and she asked how things were going then commented on how she thought I had lost "a lot" of weight!  I suppose since last summer I have lost weight and defintately toned up, but I haven't lost any weight in a few months.  Weighed in today and not much change.  To get my body with the program, I've been cutting out all baked goods, sweets, alcohol and bad carbs.  I am actually trying not to eat carbs at all, but sometimes I feel that my body needs it.  The South Beach Diet is easy to follow and I've had good results with it before.

I love this!  Thanks to the South Beach Diet Cookbook...Phase 1 too!
1 cup Very Vanilla Soy Milk
3/4 cup plain yogurt
6 oz. Firm Silken Tofu
1/4 cup dry-roasted almonds

Put it all in a blender and mix!  Enjoy!

Day 9

After sitting in traffic for almost 20 mins on my home from rowing I made the decision to forgo my workout.  Nevermind the extreme hunger I worked up!  I decided to exercise tomorrow morning when I wake up, then again tomorrow afternoon/evening.  Tomorrow morning is weigh-day - let's see if there are any positive results!

Day 8

I had a particularly stressful afternoon so when I came home from work I put my all into Level 2 of my shred workout.  The plank exercises from this workout really work my abs and outer thighs.  I flat-out refuse to do the double jump rope move in this workout... Jillian waits until Circuit 2 to pull this out of her hat of torture, but due to my weak knees and improper "jumping surface" I've decided to just fast forward through that part for now.  What to do in it's place?  maybe "jumpies" - those are great for a nice butt and thighs!

Week one is done!  Abs feel tighter, but no major results yet.  I have cut back food and caloric intake, hopefully that will jump start my metabolism and help to melt this weight away.