I decided that action needed to be taken when I was lethargic all the time and was winded by a few flights of stairs. I grabbed my trusty Jillian Michaels DVD and figured it would be a good jumpstart to reviving my old habit of going to the gym. I wasn’t naïve enough to expect to shed the 20 lbs that was boasted on the cover of the dvd, I was just looking for something to get me going.
Here’s my experience in a nutshell:
Fiction: Lose up to 20 lbs in 30 days. Fact: I ended up gaining in the end; however, it was all muscle. I have rediscovered my shoulder blades and have some pretty awesome upper body muscles going on.
Fact: The first 21 days were the easiest—the last week was super hard. I got really bored with the video and was ready to move on to something else. I even mixed up the levels just to break routine.
Fact: I will never be able to do 30 squat thrusts. They hurt my knees and make me very cranky.
Fact: Plank position really is the best way to build shoulder and back muscles. I will stop complaining about all of the exercises in plank position.
Fiction: half push-ups or “girl” push-ups are just as effective as full push-ups. Personally, I disagree with this statement. That’s a copout that I used a lot. Finally, I bit the bullet and just struggled through the full push-ups and I found that I was strong enough to do them. They’re just hard.
Fact: I was AMAZED at how easy level 1 was after doing 20 straight days of levels 2 and 3.
Fact: squats and lunges never get easier. That’s why they’re good.
So, that’s what I learned in the last 30 days. Now I’m off to 30 days of running followed by another 30 days of shred. I have a wedding to go to in January and I will look hot for it.
I would recommend the 30-day shred for anyone who isn't a diehard gym goer.I don't think this should be used as a weight loss program, but to discover how strong you really are.
2 comments:
I loved your assessment. I don't think I'm going to lose any weight. The first week I gained 5 pounds then lost two and I've stayed solid with those three extra pounds. I have 15 days to go and I am AMAZED that my body is changing, more toned, less "mama." Although my baby pudgy returns instantly after eating so much as a grape, I still feel like for those thirty minutes my abs remain tight and strong, and I've actually noticed a difference in my abs. I like that you are trading months off. I think when I'm done I *Might* attempt P90X although that is an HOUR of work out a day. I also have incentive to whip into shape by January, I want to have another baby but I don't want to do it with a weak body...I learned my lesson the first time...
You were TRULY an inspiration! Thanks for inspiring me and showing me that I can do it!!! Two weeks left...I think I can do it.
You inspire me. I have started that DVD 4 or 5 times and have never made it more than a week. I will do it again Monday and hopefully make it through it.
Post a Comment