Tuesday, January 27, 2009

January 30 Day Shred

I met my goal of doing the 30 Day Shred every single day of January (I started Dec 29). This is big for me since I usually hate any form of exercise and never manage to stick with any exercise program for more than a few days. I did not manage to "lose up to 20 lbs" as the box claims, but I did not follow Jillian Michael's diet plan and I did not have 20 lbs to lose. I actually gained a few pounds, but I lost 3.5 inches of belly pudge, 1.5 inches off my hips and my arms muscles are much more toned. Other added bonuses- better sleep, less alcohol craving, less severe pms, and more energy. I am going to continue the 30 Day Shred, cycling through the 3 levels. I am enjoying all these exercise benefits, so I am setting a February/March goal as well. I am starting the Couch to 5K Running Plan tomorrow. This will be a little harder to stay with because I will have to get up and out before my husband goes to work so the kids won't be left home alone. I am usually the last one out of bed so that makes it double hard. I may have also said in the past that "I am not running anywhere unless someone is chasing me with a knife." I feel so much stronger after just 30 days of the Shred, I have a bit more confidence that I can stick with exercise even though it is hard. We will see how long the running lasts...

Here are my daily thoughts on the 30 Day Shred.

Day1: Level 1-I had to catch my breath at the 13 minute mark. I am so out of shape.

Day2: The pain... but I made it through the whole workout!

Day3: Still hurting and hobbling around like a little ol' lady, but it was a tiny bit easier today and the family joined me.

Day4: The hobble has turned into more of a limp, and I hate pushups.

Day5: Only a bit of pain in my elbows now and pushups are not helping.

Day6: Slowly noticing upper body getting stronger.

Day7: I took a 40 minute walk following my workout today- that is a big stretch from post-workout Day1 when I felt like vomiting by the end. Yay me!

Day8: I was feeling a bit sluggish and icky and really did not feel up to exercise. I powered through it anyway and felt better after I was done!

Day9: Today I was able to do 20 girly pushups! From 2 to 20 in just 9 days, I really am getting stronger.

Day10: I have lost 1 3/4" from my waist and 2" from my "mama pooch" (the area right below the belly button) in just 10 days! I have also lost 2 1/2 lbs. without changing my diet.

Day11: Today was pretty easy, I think it is time to move to Level 2...

Day12: I started Level 2 today and it kicked my ass!

Day13: Level 2 is no joke. Those plank moves are a killer!

Day14: I tried to justify not exercising today (poor sleep the past two days, sluggish feelings, PMS, slightly sore muscles) and even thought about slipping back to Level 1, but I sucked it up, quit making excuses and just laced up my shoes and got to it. Now the third day of Level 2 is over, I have more energy, am wide awake and super proud of myself.

Day15: Half way to my goal! This is the third day going on less than 5 hours of sleep at night- I am really starting to feel the fatigue during my workout.

Day16: Plank moves are still super hard near the end.

Day17: Not too hard, but not easy by any stretch of the imagination!

Day18: Last night I had such stabbing knee pain (could be the change in weather) I slept with a heating pad on. This morning it felt better, but I did not want to risk injury so I did Level 1. Afterwards, I felt almost back to normal.

Day19: The knee was better today so I went back to Level 2. After taking it easy yesterday, today was easier as well. I am actually starting to look forward to exercising daily and I feel much better during the day. I have noticed that alcohol cravings are falling by the wayside as well.

Day20: Today I kicked Level 2's ass! One more day then it is on to Level 3.

Day21: I am ready for Level 3 tomorrow.

Day22: I was so not ready for Level 3! It is much, much harder than Level 2. Ouch.

Day23: The upper body was feeling the burn from yesterday. My knees can't take the "explosive jumps" so I think I need to go back to Level 2 and work my way into Level 3 a bit later.

Day24: Oh no! Level 2 and 3 are no longer On Demand! At least Level 1 was still on there, so I upped my weights from 3 to 5 lbs and did all the advanced moves. Going to buy the DVD tonight.

Day25: Sore again today (I guess it was those heavier weights). I decided to go back to Level 2 and do it for a bit longer. Level 3 is just too hard right now.

Day26: Level 2 again today, still a bit stiff, but I made it through!

Day27: Level 2 and feeling great!

Day28: My body was sluggish during Level 2 today. Only 2days to go before I meet my goal, so there was no way I was going to quit this close to the end.

Day29: Still feeling a bit sluggish, but I tied on the shoes and powered through Level 2. Only 1 day left!

Day30: Success! Exercise didn't kill me after all!

3 comments:

Lara said...

This is soooo great! I am an exercise fanatic so I am so excited for you. Exercise keeps me sane. It is the only way - besides knitting. I need both.

You may have gained weight but it is muscle....but you still lost fat as you have found by loosing inches.

I can't wait to hear how your 5k training goes. That is such an accomplishment!

Shannon said...

Woohoo! Congrats! Coming from someone whom excercise may very well kill..WOOT! I swear kickboxing dude was in for me last night. But you have inspired me, and I may just sign up for twice a week in the next session! Anyways, I look forward to hearing more as you progress.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! You really stuck to it. You must be so proud of yourself. Plus, you proved that even though you gained weight, you lost inches through muscle. Yay, Amanda!