30 day shred, day 23 & 24

Time: 10:30am

Weight: +3 lbs

Level: 3 & 2

My husband doesn't have any New Years resolutions, so he says.  But yet, he's eating salad like crazy and has starting running again.  Maybe it's something I call a resolution, but something he calls a "stress relief."  It's nice to come home from work and see that motivation.  My husband, in my opinion, doesn't need to lose weight because he is tall and lean, but I think running (as it is for me) is a great stress reliever and just makes you feel good about yourself.

It's hard, when I'm down, to see him motivate.  He makes a list, sticks to it, and I just think about things that I want to do, but can barely get off the couch, or am too busy to do anything.  

I decided yesterday that it was my New Years Day, a time to start over.  I plodded slowly on the treadmill and then, with my husband, did Level 3 of Jillian Michaels (he did not think it was easy, so that made me feel better!).  I was one step farther yesterday than I was the day before.  Today, I didn't run, but I did Jillian's workout (with a lot of dancing with the kids).  This is my personal goal now, as I have no creditability to have any followers (except mom, she'll always be there cheering me on :) because it was by no means 30 days in a row like I had planned!  

6 more days to go and I can stop feeling guilty about dissing Jillian!

Tomorrow I'm up for a 6 mile run (my first long one in my marathon training), but have decided not to do Jillian these long run days.  Too much for me to handle right now.

30 day shred, day 10

Level: 2

Date: November 24, 2011 (turkey day!)

Time of exercise: 9:30am

Qty (each strength is done twice):

walking pushups:    

squat and row: 
dumbbell row w/

static lunge:      
pendulum lunges w/ 

hammer curl**:  

military press w/

leg extension: 

chair squat w/

v fly lift  :     

weight: +2.5 lbs 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  There was no counting exercises today!  I did my workout with my 3 kids, a niece and a nephew.  There was barely enough room to do anything, but we made it through it!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

30 day shred, day 9

Level: 2

Date: November 23, 2011

Time of exercise: 5:00pm

Qty (each strength is done twice):

walking pushups:     5, 4

squat and row:   17*, 15*

dumbbell row w/

static lunge:        23, 16

pendulum lunges w/ 

hammer curl**:   31, 28

military press w/

leg extension:  16, 10*

chair squat w/

v fly lift  :      23, 5*

weight: +1.5 lbs 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  Just a real quick note today because I'm ready to start my Thanksgiving vacation!   Even though I only did about 1/2 of the plank exercises yesterday, my abs were still sore today! Hopefully I'll be able to see some abs soon.

Even though I've got crummy knees, I'm thankful for my body and all that it can do.  I ran 2 miles before this at a 8:19 per mile pace!  I felt great.

Happy Turkey Day!

30 day shred, day 8 and level 2!

Level: 2  Oh wow....

Date: November 22, 2011

Time of exercise: 6:05am

Qty (each strength is done twice):

walking pushups:     5, 4

squat and row:   27, 19

dumbbell row w/

static lunge:

pendulum lunges w/ 

hammer curl**:

chair squat w/

v fly lift  :

weight: +1.5 lbs 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  You might notice that, after the first two exercises, I don't have any quantities filled in above.  I did do them, but I was flabbergasted on how much harder this level was, that I forgot to count!  If levels were named by how hard they were, this would be level 250!  This is not a step up from level 1, it's a run, a hop, a skip, a spider man swing, and a superman jump over a building away from level 1.  Wow, is all I can say.

This level has a ton of planks in it.  I hate planks.  I've done yoga and pilates a time or two, but have never stuck with it.  Mainly because it is filled with planks.  I am unable to do them!  I blame it on my three kids and the toll they took on my abs (I guess the real reason is that I've never really worked on my abs so I have no foundation).  I'm looking forward to next week when I will think these are easier!  For the walking pushups, I watched twice and I think I went down about 2 inches into the pushup.  Maybe I can make it 3 inches in a few days :)

In addition to all of the moves involving planking, this also has a lot of strength and cardio that may hurt my knees.  I'm going to take it easy the first few times to see if my knees can do it, otherwise I'll start modifying more than just removing the lunges.  The cardio from level 1 I thought was pretty easy.  I thought it was because, cardio wise, I was in shape.  What a slap in the face it was that I had to rest during cardio this level!

The only thing that made me giggle and pay attention was that Natalie (the person you watch if you want harder exercises) cheated a couple times and it made me laugh.  Jillian caught her one time.

I got up early this morning to do the exercises and I like that.  I didn't have to worry about it later in the day.  Except for I didn't carve enough time out for blogging about this and I forgot to do it last night!  Hence the 5:30am bog this morning.  Stay tuned for my level 2 trek this afternoon!

30 day shred, day 7!

Holy cow!  It's been a week!

Level: 1

Date: November 21, 2011

Time of exercise: 10:00am

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     18, 14

squat and press:  15*, 7*

dumbbell row:    15  , 15

static lunge w/ 

bicep curl:           26 , 25

chest Y's:            completed all (didn't count these because I knew I could finish them)

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        22, 16

weight: +1.5 lbs 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  I got up with the kids this morning (I usually lay in bed until they start yelling for me on Mondays :) and weighed myself.  I was up 1.5 pounds.  Pretty discouraging!  I decided, instead of throwing the Wii remote at the tv (I weigh myself using the Wii Fit scale), I'd just try harder this week.  When I looked at the overall calories burnt last week, I was a few hundred calories below my goal (I try to burn 2,000 calories a week).  I felt like I was exercising a lot, but I guess it wasn't enough.  So I started off the week with Zumba!  What a fun activity to do with friends.  I made up some moves of my own.  I didn't do any of the lunges (my tiny way of saving my knees).  My arms were tired from Zumba, so I really had to focus on getting the reps in this morning.

I enjoy getting these exercises done in the morning because I feel like I've accomplished something and I don't have to think about it later in the day.

Before shredding today, I did Zumba.

30 day shred, day 6

Level: 1

Date: November 20, 2011

Time of exercise: 8:30pm

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     18, 14

squat and press:  14*, 10*

dumbbell row:    15  , 15

static lunge w/ 

bicep curl:           26 , 25

chest Y's:            completed all (didn't count these because I knew I could finish them)

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        23, 18* 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  Are you noticing my '*'s going down?  I am!!  (The * represent the strength exercises that I wasn't able to do the whole time.)  I wish I could say that I feel stronger and more energized, but I really don't notice much of a difference.  I struggled to do pushups for the whole time, but I knew I was only one away last time, so that pushed me through today.  I was wondering if I could do all of the strengths exercises today, but my form started to go bad in my presses, and I don't want to count those.
Tomorrow will be 7 days of Jillian Michaels, so I'll weigh myself and see if I've shredded anything!  I think I'll do a day or two more of Level 1, but I think I'm ready for something new in Level 2.

I plan on doing this every day (I was only home for 5 hours yesterday, with 3 of those hours sleeping, so I didn't have a minute to put towards this), unless I have another day away, or something comes up. I have training next week in California and I plan on bringing the DVDs and weights (I don't think they weight carry ons).  That's dedication :)

Before shredding today, I got in my long run of 6 miles (59 minutes).  That was at 2:30, so I did wait a long time to do these exercises.  I didn't stretch after the run today, so it was nice to get a second chance to do that.
   

30 day shred, day 5

Level: 1

Date: November 18, 2011

Time of exercise: 2:30pm

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     18*, 14

squat and press:  14, 5*

dumbbell row:    15  , 15

static lunge w/ 

bicep curl:           26 , 25

chest Y's:            completed all (didn't count these because I knew I could finish them)

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        18*, 14* 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't do the lunges.

Notes:  Maybe you've noticed (but probably not), but I completed a full set of pushups!  The first set (I did 18), I didn't realize if I did one more I would have done pushups for the time allotted. But the second set I did pushups the whole time!  I'm pretty proud of myself.  Even just after 5 days, they feel easier.
One thing I forgot to note yesterday, was that the presses (squat and press, minus the squat) without the weights were hard.  I thought that was weird.  I wonder if I'll ever be able to both sets if it's hard without weights?

I enjoy working out earlier in the day, because my evenings can now be filled with wine and good company (hi mom and Rachelle!).  I may be on my 3rd....or 4th glass, so I better cut this short now!

One last thing.  I am leaving for Chicago for all day tomorrow.  I won't be back until after 11pm, so I know I'm not going to get a workout in (Meredith, please don't cry!).  I don't plan on having day 6 without exercise, so my day 6 will be on Sunday.  Stay tuned until then (and thanks for reading :)

30 day shred, day 4

1. I'm so tired
2. I ate McDonalds and now I feel sluggish
3. I think I'm getting a headache
4. I can barely keep my eyes open
5. I started my period
6. Just a quick nap first
7. I'm already in my pjs
8. I'm still a little sore
9. The kids are still up

Level:  1

Weights: none today

Date: November 17, 2011

Time of exercise: 8:30pm 

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     15*, 10*

squat and press:  -, -

dumbbell row:    -,-

static lunge w/ 

bicep curl**:       -, -

chest Y's:            -

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        -, - 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't be doing the lunges

Notes:  Above are all of the excuses that went through my head after dinner.  So what did I do?  I went upstairs and reluctantly put on my sports bra (tho I was still wearing my pajamas, "You're shredding in your pajamas?" asked my husband).  I can rest later. (though this decision looks easy here, it was a hard one to come by!  I didn't want to become a failure on day 4)

I don't think I have ever worked out 4 days in a row, so I shouldn't have been surprised when my mind was like "What?!?!"  But now that it's done, I'm glad I did it.  Guess what I would have been doing instead of exercising?  Sitting on the couch with the rest of my children's halloween candy I'm sure.  There may be more silver lining in this daily exercise than I thought!

Like I mentioned yesterday, I decided not to use weights today.  I'm not nearly as sore today as I had been, so a nice, lightweight workout was what I needed.

30 day shred, day 3

OUCH!!  It's been a long time since I've been sore.

Level:  1

Weights: 4 lbs

Date: November 16, 2011 (Happy Birthday Eli!)

Time of exercise: 7:50pm 

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     10*, 9*

squat and press:  8*, 5*

dumbbell row:    15  , 15

static lung w/ 

bicep curl**:       26 , 25

chest Y's:            completed all (didn't count these because I knew I could finish them)

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        15*, 5* 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I won't be doing the lunges

Notes:  First of all, working out last night at 9:30 was not a good idea.  I looked at the clock the last time at 12:19am.  So, of course, 6:20 came too early this morning.  I could also feel my chest being sore while lying in bed.  There will definitely be an early bed time tonight!

Picture a tube top with cap sleeves on it.  That is where I'm sore.  I barely made it past the warm up today!  Jillian says "If you feel like you are doing to die, follow Anita."  I followed Anita the whole session.  I think tomorrow I may do it without any weights to give my muscles a little rest.  I love feeling my abs sore though!  I'm kind of considering taking a before and after picture of my mid section to see if I can tell a difference.  I'm scared I'll be disappointed if I don't see any results though. 

Unfortunately, I could feel more pain in my knees, so I took out all the lunges.  I need to find a way to work my butt now.  Any suggestions?

Before shredding today, I had to get in a weekly run (I usually try for 3 times a week to run).  I ran 4 miles in 36:34, ate dinner, helped put the kids to bed, and then started the shred. 

Thank you all for following me!  I wouldn't have done this workout today if it wasn't for you! So THANK YOU!

30 day shred, day 2

Day 2:  A little sore in my pecs. Guess even  a few pushups count!  Decided to let my stomach rest after dinner by watching Glee and then shredding afterwards. When I told my husband about this, he says "That should be easy."  Easy never crossed my mind!

Let's get this official!  Here's my template for the next 30 days.

Level: (Jillian has three levels) 1

Date: November 15, 2011

Time of exercise: 9:30pm - this was way to late, cuz now I'm wide awake; started running at 9pm

(there's probably some way to put a table in here, but I can't find it real quick right now)

Qty (each strength is done twice):

pushups: (girl)     15*, 13*

squat and press:  15*, 10*

dumbbell row:    15  , 15

static lung w/ 

bicep curl:           26 , 25

chest Y's:            completed all (didn't count these because I knew I could finish them)

anterior raises w/

static lunge**:        15*, 10* 

* - didn't complete the strength for the whole time allotted 

** - due to my bad, crackling knees, I can't do the lunge.  This is the exercise that was the straw that broke the camels back, but in this case, the lunge that broke my knee and sent me to physical therapy for 6 weeks.

Notes:  All weights today were done with a 2 - 4 lb weights (one for each hand).  I know!  I'm a weakling!  I hadn't felt my abs at all today, but when I started doing the crunches, they felt a little sore.  Good for me!  Before doing the shred today, I walked 5 minutes, ran 15, and then walked 5 for a total of 2.2 miles.  Felt a little sore when doing the push ups and maybe that was the reason I let myself stop.

Background:  I'm a runner, and have always been a runner.  Occasionally I have done kickboxing or step aerobics, or some other hot-off-the-press aerobics fad (P90x), but have never stuck with it.  I've stuck with running (for most of the time anyways).  About 2 years after my third son was born, I had to go to physical therapy for my knee (see Notes above).  I took some time off of running, and my knee stopped crackling when I walked up and down the stairs.  As soon as I started up again, the crackling came back.  Now, within the last 2 months, my knee kind of pops when it's extended (think walking stairs, but not running because I must not fully extend my leg when I run).  This doesn't hurt at all when all of these noises are going on, but today I noticed a little bit of a very, very slight pain.  I didn't think much of it, but when I started doing the lunges again today, it made me wonder if that little, slight pain was from the lunges that I did yesterday.  When I was doing the lunges again today, I felt that slight pain again, so I may have to take lunges out of the mix all together.  I'd rather save my knees for the few years of running that I have left :(

Anything you want to do for 30 days?  Tell me about it and let's do it together!

30 day shred

Jillian Michaels promises "dramatic weight loss and body definition in only 30 days" with her 30 Day Shred DVD  (http://30dayshreddvd.com).  Jillian Michaels and I have a love/hate relationship.  Pretty much I hate her DVD.  I love that it is only 20 minutes.  I dusted off the DVD case yesterday and wondered if I could really do it 30 days in a row.
Her DVD consists of warm up, then 3-2-1 intervals (3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs, repeated 3 times), finally cool down.

I decided why not give it a try and blog about it while I'm doing it!
I've got my weight measured, so let's see how "dramatic" this is.

Day 1:  Fit in 20 minutes while Bryson was napping.  Hud joined me for awhile.  It was actually fun.  I did 15 push ups (on my knees!) the first round and only 8 the next (pretended that Hudson needed help with something).