Tuesday is My Bitch

Today is sooo my bitch. I mean, I have the pimp hand and everything!

I got up, and weighed in on the scale. I usually weigh every day but hadn't this week because I was on a week long pizza and pasta bender. I was up to 223.6 (from 217.8) and I hadn't worked out at all, so I know it's not muscle. I guzzled Smirnoffs and Mountain Dew. Today, it stops. Of course, I'm out of Smirnoffs and Mountain Dew, but that's not the point. I had my coffee (2 cups of coffee with 3 packets of splenda, 2 Tbl of sugar free creamer) and made my breakfast. 2 scrambled eggs with 2 oz of lean ham and 1 slice of fat free cheddar cheese, 1 cup fat free cottage cheese, and 1 slice of whole wheat toast, plain. 13 points. Didn't like the plain toast, so after two bites, I gave it to the dog. He didn't eat it either. I didn't feel very hungry and didn't finish my cottage cheese, taking about 4 bites out of it, and split the rest between the dog and saving it for a snack later and put it in the fridge. Max really likes cottage cheese and I usually give him some once a week on top of his dog food.

Then we got dressed. Or I did, Max watched. I put on my Enell bra, tshirt, and jeans and took the dog out to potty, then came in, and changed to workout capris, popped in the Shred and just hit it.

I stopped making excuses for myself. Yes my joints hurt- they always hurt. Yes my arm is really sore, guess what? It's always really sore. Once I stopped making the excuses, cranked up the tunes (Hey Jealousy, anyone?) and focused on what was at hand, I realized I was super-impressed with myself. I am capable of doing 2 minutes of cardio (jump rope... not so much.) I am capable of the whole 3 minutes of strength. I am capable of doing push ups and butterfly crunches.

I am capable of doing it all. And doing it well. And that is what I did.

I stopped making excuses and I got results- who would have thought? I drank my water, made a solid breakfast, and got in my exercise for the day. I pushed myself and found it rewarding.

Now my everything is sore, which is good. It's nice to feel my muscles working again. As I mentioned earlier, I have a wedding in 4 months that I am in so I definitely need to get my shit together.

The Year of the Christie continues in full force. On the 3rd, I am going to the dentist. It's been about 4 years since I have gone and one of my teeth really hurts. It is easily aggravated by sugar and is cold-sensitive. I mentioned this the last time I went to the dentist, but they said nothing was wrong. Now I noticed that part of my tooth is turning an ugly grey/black color around one of the edges. Uh oh... decay? I have been really fortunate with my teeth. I have really thick enamel (the dentist always freaks at my teeth, since the enamel is so thick) and I don't get cavities very often. I've had a total of 3 my entire life, and two of them were in baby teeth. I am mostly at risk from gingivitis and other gum diseases, but still. This tooth is driving me nuts. I don't know how they are going to get to it, my teeth are pretty tightly packed together. They make sardines look like slackers, that's all I'm saying!
After my trip to the dentist, I am going to be going to the doctor and seeing if I need to be put on medicine for ADD. I don't know if you noticed, but I have a hard time finishing one thing and always starting another. After all.... its not like my blog posts are organized and on one thought the whole time! ;) I took a few  adult ADD tests online and scored scarily high. One of them was a 90% chance I had adult ADD! Brian took the same test and scored a 20%. Maybe with medication I can finally be able to finish things before starting new projects. Maybe it will help me focus better.... Or maybe not. I don't know.

It's hard to believe that its almost March. And since the start of the year, I have gotten new glasses, a great fitting sports bra, lost 12 inches off of my body, and managed to fix my knee! Now I just need to go get my teeth looked at, and talk to my doctor. After that, I'm pretty much set for the health department and can focus on other things that make me happy, like buying new clothes and paying off my debt, so I can move out of this apartment and closer to family. Hurray!

My goal for today is to have 6 more glasses of water and to continue tracking for the rest of the day, staying under my points target.

Day 13-Measurements

I know I was supposed to measure on Day 15, but I need my measurements today for another project I got going on, so I have to take them today.

Anyway, my weight has been fluctuating like crazy, I got as low as 215 then today I am 221, so I am not sure wtf is going on there, maybe too much salt, or food in general. I am doing pretty good on tracking. Doesn't matter- Wednesday I am joining WW meetings. I don't want to change my weigh in date, or I guess I could. I don't know. Either way, I'm joining WW meetings this week.

And here are my stats:

Day 1

Weight 220 lbs

Bust 42

Waist 39

Abs 43

Hips 49

L Arm 14.5

R Arm 14

L Thigh 28

R Thigh 27

L Calf 16.5

R Calf 16.5

Day 7 

Weight 217.8 (-2.2 lbs)

Bust 40 (-2)

Waist 37 (-2)

Abs 40 (-3)

Hips 47 (-2)

L arm 13.5 (-1)

R arm 13.5 (-.5)

L thigh 25 (-3)

R thigh 26 (-1)

L calf 16 (-.5)

R calf 16.25 (-.25)

Day 13

Weight 220.8 (+3)

Bust 41 (+1)

Waist 36 (-1)

Abs 40 (0)

Hips 47 (0)

L Arm 14.5 (+1)

R Arm 14 (+.5)

L Thigh 26 (+1)

R Thigh 27 (+1)

L Calf 16 (0)

R Calf 16.5 (+.25)

Totals: 3 lbs gained, +3.25 inches
Net loss/gain: +.8 lbs, -12 inches

So while this week wasn't as fantastic as last week, there are some things to be happy about. First off, I am still doing the challenge. Even though I skipped 2 days, I am still going strong. Secondly, I still lost where I consider it to be the most important: on my waist! My low abs also saw no change, which I think is great. The difference between my waist and low abs is a measly 4 inches, which I will be able to close the gap if I continue to do the Shred (and eat right, for once)

I would be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed. I am a little bit. But still looking at my net loss, I think I am doing fantastic. 12 inches in 13 days is pretty damn good in my opinion. Don't sweat the small stuff. 

Enell Bra is amazing. I love it so much! It's strange- I hang my bra up immediately after I take it off. Probably because being a $64 bra, its the most expensive item of clothing I own and I have a very aggressive chewer for a dog. I'd be heartbroken if he got a hold of it. 

Day 11- The Serious and Official Graduation to Level 2

Today was day 11 and therefore the first day of my next 10 on level 2. It is HARD omg... I don't know how to do a plank-anything and there are lots of planks/pushups. I feel like I am no where ready to be doing this level but you know what? Can't get better at it if I back down.

I am so sweaty. Every pore is just pouring out sweat. I am so hot, out of breath, and shaky. I am expecting a lot of pain later in the day as well as tomorrow, just because I could feel my muscles aching as I was doing this. My poor legs are protesting so bad.

The plank twists in the last minute of Ab work is brutal; I can effectively do 3 of them. And I think I hurt something as I heard it *crunch*! Eep.

I also went on a 45 minute walk with the dog today and we got really muddy. So I earned 9 Aps today! The most in a single day, ever, I think!! Maxwell also got a bath and that is my next stop, a shower for me. I smell like dog, sweat, and mud. Sexy.

I can't believe any one can do this. But I guess I am doing it, right? Disbelief. Empowerment. Courage. Strength. I feel so much stronger. I am seriously at that moment where I am so amazed with myself I might actually start crying.

Just two more days until I take my measurements and pictures!! I am so excited!! I have a spine again! And a small of my back!! I can feel my collar bones wanting to make an appearance, its almost like wisdom teeth coming in, I cant stop running my fingers over them, just wanting them to break through the layer of fat hiding them. Someone rub some rum over them haha

"Can you stay strong? Can you go on? Kristy, are you doing okay?" -the Offspring, Kristy are you doing okay

Strong

I got my special Enell bra in the mail yesterday and I plugged in 30 Day Shred, turned it on mute, and powered up my iPod on my iPhone and listened to good, heart pounding music. I have never squatted deeper, jumped higher, pumped harder, or did so many push ups. I have never pushed myself quite as hard as I did today. I have never felt the sweat rolling down the small of my back (because, lets face it, I haven't had a small of my back for a while!) I have never looked in the mirror after a hard work out and smiled as broadly as I have.

I know I burned so many calories today! I am very pleased with my new bra, it kept my girls in place and did a great job :) I will be buying a few more when I have a lot of free money. I absolutely love it, even if it looks like a cross between a Madonna bra, and I Dream of Jeanie wear when its unhooked lol

I am so happy!! Pumped. Still going from my workout high.

I finally get it. Shame I am moving on to level 2 tomorrow. But I am ready. Ready as I will ever be. I feel like I am finally stronger. I look in the mirror and see what I am doing. I see that I am stronger. That I have biceps (hey, small ones still count!) My 3 lbs weights are getting to be manageable which means I will be needing some 5 lbs ones!!

Any one want to buy them for me? :D No? Ah, well. Tried.

Day 9

Yes I am officially back on the 30 Day Shred wagon. Took a bit of a rest yesterday and that was both good and bad. Good because I recharged my batteries and bad because the Shred was BRU-TAL today. Unforgiving. It seems if I am not diligent in the cardio I find I suddenly have no endurance. More like the mind games win, but you know what I mean, right?


I ended up using my 2 lb weights and I was internally bitching to myself about how much I didn't want to do this anymore. I am officially bored with level 1. Whether or not I get my Enell bra tomorrow or Wednesday, I am doing level 2. Not that level 1 isnt challenging, but I have memorized all of the dialog.

It felt good though to get crazy sweaty again. It felt good to be out of breath, panting. I also determined the half way point through the workout which made me feel better. Seems like I give more energy in the second half than the first. Probably because by then I am all warmed up and committed.

I don't know if you all realized what day it is, but I certainly have. It's Monday. :) Which means Saturday is my new half-way point, since I took a day off. Which means!! Pictures and measurements. Yeah, I guess I will post the before-halfway pics. But you are warned: Max ate the crotch out of my only pair of workout shorts so the second set of pics will not be in the same outfit (thank god)

Hello, Jillian? I'm calling in today...

Due to my lackluster performance yesterday in the Shred, I decided to take the day off. From just about everything, to be honest. 

I didn't work out. I didn't count points. And I certainly did not work. I slept a lot, finished those damn slippers I have been crocheting since November and started on a scarf with roses. 

I'm so happy to finally be on another project!! I am really happy that I was able to take a day off too. 

But it's back to the grind tomorrow- Day 9 awaits! 

Taking today off was perfect- I will get my Enell bra on Wednesday, which is the first day I start level 2. So excited!! 

Also yesterday I wore a size 16 (not 16W) for the first time in almost 2 years, and they fit perfectly! Wee!! I also kept looking at my thighs and noticing how much smaller and toned they are! How exciting! 

I guess losing 15.25" really helps though, right? ;) 

Day 8

I'm not going to lie. I was not feeling it today. I was just not... there. I probably gave it a 50% effort. I skipped the last 3 minutes (2 mins cardio, 1 min of abs)

I just was not into it today. Tomorrow, I'm skipping to level 2. I think I am burnt out on level 1 now.

I still gotta get ready clean and start cooking. Having friends over and I am making a baked potato bar. I'm so tired already.

I know that I quit on myself today. But you know what? Even athletes take a day off occasionally. Ill be back at it tomorrow, 110%

First Week Complete

Day 7 of the Shred was every bit as brutal as days 1-6. It really doesn't get any easier, honestly. I was thinking about why that was (as I was crying in a heap on the ground) and I figured it out. While my endurance and form have drastically improved, that means I am working harder and longer in the same amount of time.

The thing that still gets me is the jumping jacks, but you know what? Who likes those anyway. I know that I am going to always struggle with them (where is my Enell bra???) Tuesday is my transition day, I will be graduating to level 2. I'm scared. Hold me.

But you know what? No matter how many times I complete the level 1 work out, I can always add heavier weights. I am using 3 lbs now, but I can do 5 lbs and still be a good muscle building workout. In fact, after seeing my crazy results this week, it is definitely going to be a staple for me.

I didn't mention this yesterday, but I thought I would mention it now. I am 64" tall (5ft4) and I lost 15.25" around my body. That is almost 25% of my height in inches lost in a week. 23.8% to be exact. I lost that much in a week? Makes me wonder what will happen over the next three weeks! Just 8 more days until I am half way done (and taking another round of photos). When I complete the challenge I will post the before, halfway, and afters. I am kind of nervous about them but since you've already seen me at my fat-assiest, then there is nothing to worry about, right??

I can't believe I honestly made it a week. I have been on par with tracking too. I even ate half a pizza the other night and tracked it all. Also I don't really eat all day since I do the Shred, and that pretty much destroys my appetite.

This weekend I am going to eat a peach and a plum as part of my "don't be afraid of fruit, you pussy!" personal challenge. Last week found me with bananas. This week I have a fragrant peach, and a tree ripe plum.

What fruits are your favorites?

Holy Crime fighters, Batman! (7 day check in)

It's been 7 challenging days since I started the 30 Day Shred.

I honestly didn't think I would get past day 3 but I also knew I could finish the whole thing, you know what I am saying? Every day I do it, I am one day closer to completing it, which makes giving up seem silly.

Okay, so remember my stats from the first day? Let's compare, shall we?

Day 1

Weight 220 lbs

Bust 42

Waist 39

Abs 43

Hips 49

L Arm 14.5

R Arm 14

L Thigh 28

R Thigh 27

L Calf 16.5

R Calf 16.5

Day 7 

Weight 217.8 (-2.2 lbs)

Bust 40 (-2)

Waist 37 (-2)

Abs 40 (-3)

Hips 47 (-2)

L arm 13.5 (-1)

R arm 13.5 (-.5)

L thigh 25 (-3)

R thigh 26 (-1)

L calf 16 (-.5)

R calf 16.25 (-.25)

ARE YOU SEEING THESE NUMBERS???? Let me add them up for you. In SEVEN days, I have lost exactly 15.25" off of my body. FIFTEEN inches. In 7 freakin' DAYS. That is some Biggest Loser shit right there, isn't it?! Areas that saw the most loss include my abs (naturally) and my left thigh, with 3" each. Other areas, like arms and calfs, and my bust, didn't lose very much but that is okay. The point here, I am loosing the fat from where it is stored first. I wonder how many inches I will be down in 8 more days when I hit the halfway point? Because this is ridiculous (in a good way) I am only down 2.2 lbs, but as we all know 2 lbs a week is safe, healthy loss. I am gaining muscle, and that is what really matters. Overall- ECSTATIC about my progress. I will stop internet-shouting at you all now. Yippee!!

I also broke down and bought a high-impact sports bra for bigger bewbies. I had $80 to spend on myself and  while I could really use new clothes, I am tired of slapping myself in the chin with my own boobs. My chest hurts really bad and I do these retarded jumping jacks where I am holding my boobs as I jump (attractive, I know) Reading a little bit into it, you can really stretch the ligaments in your breasts and then they sag forever. Wow. That would suck, to be skinny with big ol saggy tits. That's ...not the look I am going for. Considering I will already have sag due to size, let's not eff up my ladies just because I have to get fit. I think that would actually be worse than losing them! 

Anyway, I was looking into Enell and Shockabsorber for bras, and I was originally leaning toward Shockabsorber, but the more I looked at it, the more I wasn't impressed. Sure they have a flashy animation (NSFW) but you still have to pull the bra over the head (stretching it out) and the Enell bras fit multiple sizes. Meaning, as your boobies shrink, I'd would have to purchase more Shockabsorbers. So I went with Enell, which was $75 with UPS Ground Shipping. (It was $74 for the shock absorber brand, if you wanted to know)

I'm pretty excited about when it gets here and I will definitely be eager to put it through the paces of the 30 Day Shred. I just looked at the tracking information and it should be here on Wednesday, the 16th!!! I wish it would come sooner, my chest is really sore :(  

If you haven't been over to Trisha's blog, you really should get on over there. Tell her hi and that I sent you. She started the 30 Day Shred too!! Go cheer her on and tell her how awesome she is. Anyone who does more than 2 days straight of the Shred is awesome in my books! 

On the 6th Day of Shred.

You guys are so awesome. Thanks for all of your incredibly sweet, helpful, encouraging comments. I didn't mean to inspire a blog-wide 30 Day Shred-fest, but I am so glad you are doing it!! It makes me feel great knowing others are trying it too. I don't feel so alone now, and even more motivated to complete it! Go TEAM!! We can do it! 

Day 6 which means I have made it almost an entire WEEK through the 30 Day Shred. Which means only have to do it 4 more times. I am 20% done!!

Day 6 was not any easier than Days 1-5. In fact, it was probably harder today than it should have been because I was eager to try level 2. Never again. I have noticed some new things though: I can complete about a minute and a half each circuit of cardio, better than I have previously. I can also do more bicycle crunches, I completed the whole set of them today. Still cried in agony when I was doing it though. My lower abs are burning now, but I think that is a good thing. Those are definitely my weakest abs, because my belly fat hangs out there. I definitely have noticed that my belly is shrinking a little from all of the cardio and crunches! 

Paula mentioned her daughter does level 1, level 2 AND level 3, back to back!! Wow, that is some serious dedication.

Wednesday was awesome eating wise. I had 33 points, earned 6 points. 

I wasn't very hungry. And also I was feeling very lazy. I didn't really want to prepare anything to eat. I couldn't be bothered to wash a spoon, so I poured 2 cups of Honey Nut Cheerios into a cup and munched on them, for 8 points. Then after the Shred, I was hungry but even more unwilling to wash a spoon or prepare anything, so I had two more cups of Cheerios, for 7 more points. (15 total) 

I took a nap and slept off the soreness and when I got up, Brian was home and doing dishes. I'm such a bad housewife. But then I made dinner, so all was forgiven. We had Turkey Skillet which is sort of like Hamburger Helper, except without all the fat, preservatives, and ground beef. :P

Bacon Turkey Burger Skillet | Serves 4 generous portions | 12 PointsPlus per serving

~20 oz raw ground turkey, 93/7 at least. 

~4 oz Barilla Plus elbow macaroni pasta

~8 oz tomato sauce

~16 oz Swanson chicken broth

~1 cup Bacon Bits

~1/2 c each green bell pepper and onion, chopped

~1 cup fat free shredded cheddar. 

~Various seasonings. I used garlic, red pepper flakes, Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder, and chili powder

Directions:

In a big skillet, brown the turkey on medium heat and add in onion and green bell pepper, crumbling the turkey as it browns. After the meat is browned and the veggies soft, add in the tomato sauce, seasonings, broth, and pasta. Let it come to a boil on medium heat and then turn the heat down to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. After the noodles are tender, turn on low, put cheese and bacon on top and cover, until cheese is melted. 

Serve immediately. But don't burn your tongue, like I always do. 

Mine was extremely spicy, which I loved, but of course there are so many more options. If I was so inclined, this would have served 6, and the points would have been a little lower. But I was hungry, so I had a 4th of it. With 2 slices of whole wheat bread and a Tbl of butter, for 18 points total. 

Just 24 more days to go until I am shredded! What other recipes would you guys like to see? 

30 Day Shred- Day 5 (Level 2)

I said I was going to try out level 2 of 30 Day Shred today. I also promised my friend Alexia that I would recount every excruciating detail of this work out. Alexia- This one is for you!


1:00 pm: Woke up because Maxwell demanded that I not sleep in today. This dog is killer.
2:00 pm: Really think about how I should do the 30 Day Shred, but remembered I am supposed to do Level 2. Consider chickening out. Watch the Level 2 workout and cry on the inside
3:00- 5:00 pm: Do a couple of hours of work
5:00-5:30 pm: Eat 2 cups of dry Honey Nut Cheerios while I watch Level 3, thinking maybe level 2 isn't that bad. This tactic does not work.
6:00 pm: Search for clean clothes to work out in. Can't find my bra, and my boobs still hurt from the last few days of jumping around. Look up high impact sports bras for big women and find a few but no one takes Paypal online, and that pisses me off.
6:30 pm: Back to the bra search. Finally settle on two regular bras and a flimsy sports bra. My boobs are smooshed up to my chin, but they aren't going anywhere. Do some jumping jacks. Pleased with self, even if I feel a little ridiculous.
6:45 pm: Hook up the laptop to the TV, and the phone to the laptop and load up Shred. Blast it.
6:47-7:17 pm: Do the Shred. And die.

The second level is much much harder than the first. I thought the first seemed to go on forever, luckily level 2 is a lot quicker paced, but the exercises are much harder. There are jumping oblique twists, plank jacks, and a bunch more plank moves. I have such a hard time with planks. I can hold it maybe 2 seconds, but I think as I get more flexible/stronger I will be able to do them longer.

The last 2 minutes of cardio killed me. I was unable to complete that part of the circuit. I lay down like a wounded bear and just huffed and puffed. The last minute of abs were oblique plank twists, which combined two things I struggle with: balance and planks! So that was also very difficult and challenging, to put it positively.

The strength training is Buh-Roo-TAL. It is insane. My arms and my legs are so shaky. I feel like I am going to die as I type this. I don't know if I will be able to walk down stairs to take my dog out. I am not even joking, that is how bad I hurt.

I was sweating in just a few minutes and it hasn't stopped yet. At least my deodorant is working, I smell like flowers instead of onions and unwashed feet.

I do have to say that I did better than I thought I was going to, and that I have a new appreciation for level 1, which I will be returning to tomorrow. I might start up level 2 again on day 11. But thats only 6 short days away and I am already crying. I don't know if I will ever make it to level three but that is not going to stop me from trying it at least once.


Day 5 of 30 completed, 17% complete.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go sob until I fall asleep and then repeat for tomorrow.

Day 4 of the Shred and River Rat Race

Woke up with sore shoulders and slightly achy abs, but otherwise, very little stiffness/soreness. What others have told me, about Day 2 being the worst, was definitely true.

Day 4:

Suuuuuuucked. Sucked so bad. I could *not* seem to get into it today. The cardio was just not in me. I just jogged in place and did the cardio boxing... but I can now do 10 bicycle crunches, whereas Day 1 I only managed 4 complete ones. So there is a major improvement!


After I finish 30 Day Shred (note I said "after" not "if") I am officially going to start my training program for C25K. By then it will be spring and there fore I can start running outside (with dog in tow.) I am going to say screw the treadmill and just get out there and pound the pavement like a pro. (Secret confession time: I really don't like going to the fitness center because it's dark, its dank, and the people there are all "omg we are all going to stand in line for the treadmill even though there are other machines!") The River Rat Race is September 24th and since I have never run a whole mile in my life (save for that one time on the elliptical) I will have to start training soon! And by soon, I mean like... 26 days since that is when I am done with the Shred.

Exciting news: I took "before" pics on my camera for the Shred, and I have to say I can't wait to see how much progress I have made. I know I won't look like Jillian when I am done but I know that I am going to lose inches, gain muscle, and feel a lot better about myself because I will have accomplished something worthwhile. 


If you haven't, you should totally look up 30 Day Shred before and after photos. You will seriously be impressed.

Now off to shower, do my hair and makeup and get some work done. :)

Day 4 of 30 completed! 13% done!

The Shred- Day 3

Wow thanks to so many great responses, both on here and on Twitter! I've made some new friends over the past few days! 


Day 3 of the Shred:

Woke up this morning sore, kind of wanted to stay in bed all day until I had to work as is my norm, but I eventually got up. Max has taken it upon himself to be my personal cheerleader, and he does his job annoyingly well. He jumps on the bed and pushes his face into mine, sniffing at my ear and licking my face. When I respond by pulling the covers over my head he uses his paw to pull them off. Damn dog is too smart! I tell him "Mommy wants to sleep in!" But he just cocks his head at me and slaps me in the face with his paw. I tell him "That hurts Mommy, ow!" but of course, he isn't buying it, because it doesn't really hurt and I thought I was being clever and trying to trick him. He slaps me again and paces back and forth on the bed until I wake up.

Then its coffee and a light snack of string cheese for 4 points total. Outside with the dog for number twosies, and then time to turn on Shred.

I am not feeling it today, and Maxwell will not let me skip today. He looks at me with disapproving, big brown eyes and seems to say "It's your challenge..."

I turn it on and get it started. I grab the 3 lb weights. As I do the warm up and the jumping jacks, I see he is laying down near me, not close enough to get hit or stepped on, but close enough to let me know he is there. I look at him and he looks up, wags his tail, and does his doggy smile. I tell him next time he is doing the jumping jacks for me. He doesn't think so.

As we move into circuit one and it's time to hit the floor for abs, he stands up and comes over to where I am laying on the floor and pushes his face into mine. He gives me encouraging licks across the face, as I come up for each crunch. His tail is wagging. I can't help but smile, even though my abs are crying.

Circuit two is where I really get my "first wind" because this is where I start doing everything correctly. I concentrate on form, on breathing, and on squeezing the muscles. I start repeating the little mantras Jillian says.

"I want every second of this workout to count!"
"You are strong, you are capable of working out, and you are capable of working out hard!"

Circuit three though, this is where I really push myself. Here Jillian says "we do not get to the finish line and quit, we finish stronger than we started" and other such encouraging things.

I actually give it my all. I blast my heart rate up with the cardio, I do all of the strength training movements as much as I can, and I can almost- but not quite- finish all of the bicycle crunches.

After the cool down and guzzling as much water as possible, Max lets me know I did a good job by licking my face one more time and giving me a high five! He lets me catch my breath for a moment and then lets me know it's time to go out. He has to pee.

We go outside and I just wear a light jacket, despite the fact that it is February and there are 12" of snow still on the ground. I grab my gloves and we run and play in the snow as a cool down. Yeah, I wouldn't have believed it either a few days ago!

I'm left in better shape today than I was yesterday and I am kind of excited about tomorrow. I have never done 4 days in a row before, so this is the furthest I have gone. Tomorrow, I am officially pushing myself farther than I have ever before, which is exciting in and of itself!!

Last night was really great eating wise, I had 35 points for my meals and then Brian and I went out to get cookies. I had half of them (5 in case you are wondering) and it was 27 points. Which, of course, I ate greedily. In my haste, I had ripped off the nutritional information on the label so I had no idea how many points they were until I looked it up. I was going to guesstimate at 7 pts per, but it was actually 5 points per, unless you eat 5 in a row, then it is 27. Which made me happy because I still have 8 WPs left! Weee!!

Meals: 35 points
Snacks: 27 points
Total: 53 points
Weekly remaining: 8
Activity earned, prior to today: 12
Activity remaining: 12

Yay look at me! I'm such a bad ass!! Just two more days until Weigh in! I'm 10% done with the Shred, and I am going to continue to push myself just a little bit each day.

30 Day Shred, Day 2

After working out and a shower, Brian and I took a nap. I woke up so sore. My thighs were killing me and my arms were shaky still. I went to sleep early too, I was completely worn out. I ate exactly 32 points. And that brings me to today...

Day 2:

Woke up extremely sore. Had to work for a couple of hours, then proceeded to do 30DS immediately. I was not looking forward to it. I switched from the 3 lb hand weights to the 2 lbs, so I could give myself a little bit of an easier work out. Turns out, doesn't really matter. It still sucked.

I did all of the cardio again, save for the butt kicks. I was too out of breath to kick my own ass, so I marched in place. I took a few sips of water, here and there, but mostly sweated and groaned.

The bicycle crunches are still the worst.

After it was over, I lay on the floor, breathing heavy like a cow in labor. I tried to get up, but my abs hurt too bad. I lay there, eyes closed, and whimpered. Brian came over to give me a hand, and told me how impressed he was that I completed day 2. He said that he is insanely sore, so he can only imagine how I feel.

I am secretly thrilled. Though its not much of a secret now, is it? 

Eating is on plan!

Breakfast: Smoothie, for 6 pts (3 servings of fruit, yay!)
Lunch: Double JR Bacon Cheeseburger from Wendy's - 12 points. I wanted the Asiago Chicken Club but that was 21 points. No thanks.
Snack: I also got a Wendy's Small Chili, but saved it for later. 4 points.
Dinner: 7.5 ounces of chicken breast*, 3/4 cup of Green Giant Corn Niblets, and Green Giant Potatoes and Green Beans in Rosemary Butter sauce, for 13 points total (Pre-tracking for the *win*!)

*Note: That is the frozen weight. I'm sure the cooked weight will be a little less. 


Looked in the mirror today and liked what I saw. I can tell that I am definitely working those muscles and I hope to see some definition at the end of this 30 Days.

2 down, 28 to go! 

Issued a Challenge

I had a sudden realization the other day: In 5 short months, I am going to be in my best friend's wedding as one of her bridesmaids. And my dress is both short and strapless. While it goes up to size 26, I'd really like to be somewhere in the neighborhood of a 14.

This led to a little mild panic on my part. Definitely need to do some strength training on my arms.

I also need to do some cardio. And I got to thinking... What if I did the 30 Day Shred for 30 consecutive days?

Do I even have it in me?

I tried to think of the last time that I did something for 30 days straight and it was then and there I decided I not only *could* do it, that I *would* do it.

So, today was Day 1 and that meant that there were measurements to be taken.

February 5, 2011

Bust 42
Waist 39
Abs 43
Hips 49
L Arm 14.5
R Arm 14
L Thigh 28
R Thigh 27
L Calf 16.5
R Calf 16.5

I will measure again at Day 15 (February 20th) and again at Day 30 (March 7th)

Brian even did Day 1 with me! It made me feel good that he actually did it with me and that it was just as hard for him as it was for me. He lifts things all day long and he was still having trouble! We were both panting and sweating, but neither of us gave up. I actually did the jumping jacks, the jump rope, and the butt kicks! If I do it by myself I usually don't do that part.

Will Brian always do the Shred with me? No. Will I do it anyway with out him? Yes. I can do this. The only thing stopping me, is me.

I took a nice, hot shower. Apparently, 20 minutes of circuit training (with aerobics) is 5 Activity Points. That's an easy way to earn points!