Holding Pattern...

I promise I have not forgotten about this blog... or my 30 Day Shred Challenge.  I have come to the realization that I may have been a bit foolish in thinking I could begin this new blog venture during the busy holiday season.  That, coupled, with the reality of a soon-coming move to a new house is simply more than this girl can handle.

I have grand aspirations (and a jumble of ideas roaming the deep recesses of my brain) for this blog and plan to pick back up the first of January!  So, check back soon and until then...

All the best of the season and Merry Christmas!

30 Day Shred - Day 9 - 13

I promise I didn't forget about this blog (or working out!).  I have been out-of-town with no access to the internet.  And consequently... no access to my friend, Jillian.

However, I was creative and managed to stay active.

I ran laps around the parking lot of the hotel.  I ran up and down the steps at the venue of the conference I was attending.  I got plenty of downtown walking during the time I was gone.

And when I returned home, my girls asked me when we were going to exercise again.  I suppose the evening family exercise time is catching on, but I do miss my quiet morning workout.  Perhaps I will "double up" and workout twice a day.  Anything for results, right?

I feel better and stronger.  I refuse to weigh myself at this point, because that tends to me be somewhat depressing for me.  (Plus, when you are gaining muscle, it can be mercilessly deceiving.)

It's good to be home.

30 Day Shred - Day 8

Family workout night.  Again.  But I'm beginning to think its not such a bad thing.  The kids love it and the exercise wore them out good enough that they went straight to bed without a fuss.

My husband even participated.  The 30 Day Shred is the least "girly" of my dvds.  In fact, it's comprised of really basic exercises that pretty much everyone can do:  jumping jacks, dumb bell rows, chest flys, ab crunches, etc.  He wants to start getting up at 6:00 am to join me!  Yay!  A workout partner will really help me to stay motivated.  

I feel stronger, tighter, and the soreness is completely gone.  I feel really good. 

30 Day Shred - Day 7

Oh, Jillian, how nice to see you again.  :)

30 Day Shred - Day 6

(Sunday)

*sigh*

Worship band practice.
Church.
Musical practice.  Again.  (And another great dance workout!)
Charity Meal and Auction.
Afternoon Company.
Youth band practice.
Youth service.
And home again.


No DVD, but I did work up a sweat shooting hoops with the students in the youth group.  The important thing is that I'm still moving...


And tomorrow... back to the Shred.


Honestly, I feel so good.  And stronger.  

 

30 Day Shred - Day 5

I'll be honest.  Today (Saturday) was a fail.  But not an epic one.  I didn't squeeze in my 30 Day Shred workout, but I DID get a great workout.  As choreographer of a childrens' Christmas musical, I was dancing all morning with a roomful of talented kiddos (including mine!).  

Not giving up... and still feeling good.  :)

30 Day Shred - Day 4

6:00 am.  Headache.  Snooze.  

So my workout didn't happen until 7:30 pm.  But the important thing is... it happened.  I intended to workout after the kids were in bed, but they heard me talking about it and wanted to join in.  And there you have it... family workout.  Even my hubby joined in for awhile. 

My 2-year-old jumped on my back while I did pushups.  30 pounds of extra resistance.  Beautiful.  She also sat on my stomach during my crunches.  Not sure if that was a good thing.  But hey, I am already feeling stronger and the workout is easier than 4 days ago.  Still a little sore, but not too bad.


Feeling good.  :)

30 Day Shred - Day 3

I hurt.  All over.  In a good way.  

And my abs are starting to feel tighter.

I hit the snooze.  Again.  Until 6:45 am.  Again.  That has to stop.  If I workout at that time, I run the risk of my kids getting up and sneaking down the stairs to watch me.  I am the sort of person that does not care for an audience while I exercise.  (Plus, I really need my quiet, alone time in the morning.)  I had to pause halfway through to send my 4-year-old back upstairs until I was finished.  Just for the record, it's pretty creepy to be exercising in the low light of the lamp and the tv and catch a sudden glimpse of six beady little eyes quietly staring at you from the dark stairs.  I startle easily.  Gets me every time.

So new goal.  Work out at 6:00 am.  Not 6:30.  Or 7.

30 Day Shred - Day 2

I never have a problem getting up at 6:00 am.  It's my quiet time.  Time to get things done without interruptions from the kids or my phone, prepare for the day, and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Today, however, I hit the snooze button until 6:30 am.  I admit, I just didn't feel like it.

But I got up.  And Jillian kicked my butt.  Again.

I'm not sore... yet.  I suppose that will settle in later today.  It will be a good sore, but sore nonetheless.

Things I like about the 30 Day Shred:

1.  It's only 20 minutes long.  (No excuses.  Who can't squeeze 20 minutes into their day?)
2.  It's intense and effective. (I can totally feel it already after 2 days.  Imagine how I will feel after 30!)
3.   Jillian's tough "love."  (When I am tired and totally want to quit, she says something like "Come on, I've got 400 pound people who can do this exercise.  Woah.  Now that's motivation.)
4.  Circuit Training.  (There's no opportunity to get bored because you switch exercises about every 30 seconds.  3 circuits:  2 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs.)


Things I don't like:

1.   Lots of knee-focused exercises like lunges.  (These are hard for me because of old knee injuries from my volleyball days.  I modify it and it works.)
2.   I can't think of anything else... it's a really great workout.



2 days down. 28 to go.

30 Day Shred - Day 1

So one of my sweet little angels messed with my alarm clock last night and I overslept by two hours this morning.

My 6:00 am workout turned into a 9:00 pm workout.  Ugh.  Not gonna lie... Jillian kicked my butt and I could honestly cry about the state of my unfitness.  And this is just Level 1.  Ay yi yi.

I'll be back for more punishment in roughly 8 1/2 hours, so it's off to the shower for me.  

Sweet dreams.

November Challenge

I am 32 and still carrying baby weight from my last pregnancy.  The sad part of this is that my youngest is 2 1/2 years old.  I have never had this much trouble losing weight before.  I suppose I could blame this partially on my metabolism slowing down, but it's mostly just me.  I don't have any good excuses.  I'm just tired.  All the time.  My plate is full and my schedule is exhausting.

I used to workout in the evenings and it really worked for me.  Perhaps it's my age, but by the time all my kids are in bed, I have zero energy and it's all I can do to prop myself up in bed with a good book.  

So 6:00 am it is.  Weapon of choice?  Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD.  

30 days.   

I can do this.