Day 36: Done and done

I never had a chance to workout yesterday afternoon.

I did, however, manage to get myself out of bed this morning... for my last workout of this month's challenge! I did Level 3, and I did a great job!

I'm moderately satisfied with my results. I wish I hadn't been lazy yesterday, there really was no excuse for that.

I also managned somehow to delete my $20 coupon from Sephora, so I won't be rewarding myself with the M.D. Skincare product that I wnated. I just can't justify the expense.

I haven't stepped on the scale in a while, so I don't know what I weigh, so I don't know as of this moment how much weight I lost this month, if any. I know I started out gangbusters, but we'll have to see.

Day 35: I should have gotten up at 5:08

Ugh... this is what happens when I start losing my motivation.

My little one, (again), was up early to use the bathroom. This time it was 5:08. She did her thing and then I put her back to bed. It was about 5:18 by the time I was back in my bedroom. The alarm goes off at 5:28, so I debated just staying awake, but of course, I decided to crawl back in bed and wait unitl 6:00 or so. Well, it just didn't happen. Somehow, over the din of the shower and the other usual "getting ready for work" noises of my husband, I fell asleep. He woke me up at 6:35 to kiss me good-bye, so I could have gotten out of bed then, but I didn't think I'd have enough time. So, no workout this morning.

I may try to get one in this afternoon while my daughter is napping, we'll just have to wait and see if my son can occupy himself for 20 minutes plus the shower.

Days 32, 33, and 34

Okay, where to start...
Day 32 was a scheduled off day.

On day 33, I didn't get up early to workout, I crammed it in the hour I had between dropping my son off at school and the time I had to be back at school to help out with computer lab.

Today, is day 34, and I'm back on track, sort of. I got up early to work out, but it wasn't early enough to get my blog entry done.

I've decided to stay with my own "advanced" version of level 1, wherein I use 5 lb weights for the strength exercises and 2.5 weights for the cardio bursts. I also do two extra exercises at the end, before the cool down. I do a tricep exercise and I do the plank ab twists.

Even though I only have 2 more days of this month's challenge, it hasn't been as easy to motivate myself as I thought it would be. If I keep this up for next month, I have to add back in the "diet" portion of the weight loss challenge.

Days 30, 31: Alternatives

I didn't have a chance to post yesterday. I did work out, but then I had to get everyone packed and ready to head to Ann Arbor for the football game. Yet again, another disaster. That was the last game of the season for me... they should just forfeit the rest of the games.

Today, I decided to try something. I went back and did Level 1, but I used 5 lb weights for all the strength moves, and I held 2.5 lb weights for the cario intervals. I think it worked great. I really liked Level 1 workout... I don't think it's any easier than Levels 2 or 3, the moves are just more basic moves. I actually think the pace of Level 1 is the best of the 3. I like Level 3, too, and will go back to doing it, but I just wanted to compare the levels back to back.

I'm in the process of trying to figure out what to do for my November challenge. These are my thoughts:
1. Workout 6 days a week.
a. Monday: rest
b. Tuesday: Jillian Level 1 (modified)
c. Wednesday: Jari
d. Thursday: Jillian Level 1 (modified)
e. Friday: Yoga
f. Saturday: Jillian Level 3
g. Sunday: Jari

Day 29: Just a quickie

Got a late start this morning... and then I checked my email before I wrote this blog only to find that Sephora has sent me $20 to spend on a $50 order. So, my "reward" is back in play. My $75 purchase just became $55 and it will still qualify for free shipping. The timing is perfect as the offer ends Oct. 31. Yay!

Workout was ok today. I could not do the jumping lunges, so I did alternating ones instead. I still hate the rock start jumps, too. They are too jolting.

I'm thinking about doing the NaBloPoMo (or whatever it's called.) We'll see, I'm not sure my blog will be "interesting" enough, but I'd like an excuse to keep going. I'm going to change things up a bit, I'm still going to exercise most days, but I'm going to incorporate some variety. Nothing against Jillian, I just need to do some Yoga and some of Jari's workouts, too.

Day 28: There is light

I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how I count the number of days remaining (either 2 or 8), I can still see the light. That is what is motivating me at this point. Again this morning, it was very difficult to get out of bed, but I kept telling myself (a la Ms. Jillian) that I've come this far, I'm not going to quit on myself now. I gave myself 1 day off this week, I can't take another. I almost convinced myself to do my workout later this morning while both kids are in school, but I have so much that needs to get done around the house, I just can't justify a middle of the morning workout. I like to get it done in the morning.

A note about my reward... I've decided that I can't afford to spend the money on the reward that I chose at the beginning (the MD skincare product). I'll reward myself with something, but I haven't come up with anything. I may purchase Jillian's book Making the Cut, but that's not really a reward, that's just more work!

Day 27: Level 3, day 2

I wasn't as tired this morning as I was yesterday, and I didn't even sleep all that well. I had difficulty falling asleep, and then our garage door mysteriously closed/opened itself shortly after I finally fell asleep (we think it may have been left open and our neighbor closed it for us). But, when the alarm went off, I didn't dread getting out of bed to workout.

Level 3 does not wear me out like Levels 1 and 2 did initially. I definitely sweat alot more, and the sweating starts earlier, too, like during the first strength moves.

There are 2 moves that I are super difficult for me: the jump lunges and the rock star jumps. The rock star jumps are not all that hard, per se, they just hurt when I land. I guess I'm not light enough on my feet.

Jillian talks about her "diet plan" in Level 3. I was not aware she had one. If I can find it, I may incorporate it next month.

Days: 23, 24, 25 and 26

Yes, I know I've been neglecting my blog. In my defense, for someone who has never really blogged consistently before, I'd say I'm doing pretty well. My other excuse is that I spent most of Saturday and all of Sunday getting ready for my daughter's birthday party. And finally, I did workout on Saturday and Sunday, I only did Level 2 though, I didn't have much more to say other than, "yep, I did it. It was good."

As planned, I did skip yesterday's workout.

Today, I was so tired again! I don't know what is wrong with me. Could it be my "cycle?" I just don't know. I so did not want to get out of bed. I'm not even sure what motivated me to finally kick off the covers and get out of my warm bed. My usual motivation conversation with myself didn't work.

When I did finally get to the basement, I decided to try Level 3! It was, as expected, hard! It was also the fastest 20 minute workout out. It was a good workout out with a good pace. It doesn't seem as "forced" as Level 2. I'm noticebly not as "spent" as I had been after doing Levels 1 and 2 for the first few times. Does that mean I'm in "shape" or does it mean I didn't push myself very hard? I'm tempted to go back and try Level 1 in a week or so, just to see how hard it is for me now.

I'll have more to say tomorrow.

Day 22: Tired again

For some reason, I was incredibly tired this morning when the alarm went off. I gave myself an extra 15 minutes of rest before I got out of bed. I still had a fine workout. I've been using 5 lb dumb bells for some of the moves, and I had plenty of energy once I got started, it was the "getting started" that was hard this morning. I don't know what it was that made me so tired. Perhaps my little one getting up 2x to go to the bathroom contributed, but I don't know... I swear... it's worse now than when she was a baby!

I also had some really bad chest pains last night. That's the second time that's happened. It feels kind of like a pulled muscle in my breast plate. It's hard to take a deep breath. I took some asprin, and it seemed to resolve itself by this morning.

Day 21: Good again

Another good workout this morning. I'm defintely ready to challenge myself with Level 3. I'll probably wait for Saturday, though.

Day 20: Looking ahead

Workout was definitely easier this morning. For the first time during this challenge, I feel like I could actually do Levels 1 and 2 back to back (or Level 1 twice.) I suppose that means that I can start thinking seriously about moving on to level 3. A while back I planned to be doing Level 3 for the last 10 days of this challenge. I think I'll plan to do Level 3 for the first time on Saturday or Sunday.

I'm also still not sure what to do with my "extra" 6 days. My thought right now is to allow myself one day off next week and one day off the following week. If you include the day off I gave myself earlier this week and the day I did yoga, that means I only have 2 "extra" days which is perfect. I will then call this endeavor a "success."

I've also started thinking about what my new challenge for November is going to be. I'd like to keep Jillian's 30 Day Shred in the mix, but I don't think it's realistic for me to think I'll do it for another 30 days straight. ("Straight" being a relative term.)

I've got some ideas mulling in my head, but I figure I still have 16 days left in this month, so I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself.

Day 19: Good workout

I needed that day off. Today's workout was really good, tough as usual, but good. I kept pace with every move. I made a different substitution for the pendulum lunges today...ready...I did those dreaded side lunges with anterior raise from the Level 1 workout. Rememeber those? The ones I hated? Well, I decided that I hate those less than I hate the pendulum lunges, so I decided to incorporate them back into Level 2. I also managed to do the other move that I dislike with weights, the squat with v-raise.

I also feel invigorated for the rest of the day, not "spent" as I have in the past after the workout. Does this mean I'm getting ready to move on to Level 3?!?!

Day 18: A break

I gave myself a break today. I think my muscles really needed one. I will be right back at it tomorrow morning!

Day 17: A little easier

I can finally tell that Level 2 is getting slighlty easier. By this I mean that my body is adapting to the exercises. I still don't find the workout easy, but I can tell my body isn't quite as fatigued.

But I do have a different problem now, I'm suffering from the beginning stages of burnout. I suppose this was bound to happen. When I started this challenge, 30 days didn't seem that long. In the grand scheme of things it isn't that long, but 17 days in with 13 more plus 6 extra to get me to the 31st of October, I'm feeling like I may not make it. Of course, as in past endeavors, I won't quit trying, I'll just start over with a fresh 30 day challenge. We'll see what the next week brings, if I can make it without stumbling, then I might be ok.

Day 16: Better than yesterday

Perhaps it's because it's Saturday, and I didn't have to get up before the sun, but today was much better than yesterday. I didn't dread the workout in the least. I kept pace with all the moves. Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred, even at day 9, is still kicking my butt all over the place by the end, but it's such a good feeling when it's all over. It's only 20 minutes, but I still feel a real sense of accomplishment.

The strength, cardio, and ab combination in the third circuit leaves me panting and ready to pass out every morning. Fortunately, I'm able to recover quickly enough, but there are a few seconds after the final plank twist where it's "touch and go." On second thought, it seems to me that the workout actually starts to get really tough during the cardio work in the second circuit (jumping ab twists and the skater), but there's a short recovery while doing the ab work, so it's not as pronounced is it might otherwise be. Don't get me wrong, the ab work is tough... but at least we're on the ground.

Will someone please explain weight fluctuations to me?

I'm sure I've mentioned previously how much I hate stepping on the scale to weigh myself. It's such futile endeavor, anyway. How is it possible to gain 3 lbs literally overnight?

I weighed myself last night just before going to bed/ This morning, immediately after my workout, I weighted myself again, and I'm 3 lbs heavier? Is it somehow attributable to the workout? Water weight? Bloating? I don't get it, and it's very frustrating, to say the least.

Day 16: Losing steam

Not sure what's going on, but I can feel myself losing steam with this challenge. I so did not want to get out of bed this morning. We were at the Red Wings game last night, so I went to bed late. Fortunately (at least as far as this challenge is concerned), my little one was up again at 6 am to use the bathroom, so I could not stay in bed and be lazy. After I put her back to bed, I did the 30 Day Shred workout. I had very low energy, but I made it through and kept pace. My shoulders are still sore and bothering me from the Yoga workout the other day, but at least my knee is not a problem.

I'm thinking about giving my body a break early next week, like Monday or Tuesday. I really think my muscles could use the rest. We'll see. If I do that, though, I think I'll have to lessen my reward... sort of a graduated step down.

Day 15: It must have been the "downward dog"

Back to Jillian's 30 Day Shred workout today.

Good news: my knee isn't bothering me this morning.

Bad news: my shoulders are absolutely killing me. Jillian thought it was going to be the third cardio section in Level 2 that was going to kill me, but she failed to account for all the shoulder work in a Yoga workout. (Yes, I know that Yoga isn't part of her program.)

I managed to get through the 30 Day Shred without much problem (related to my sore shoulders, anyway) despite the fact that there is quite a bit of shoulder work in Level 2 of Jillian's 30 Day Shred. (Walk out push ups, plank jacks, plank twists, squat thrusts... all of these moves are hard on the shoulders!)

Side note re: my reward for completing this challenge: I'm not certain how I'm going to handle the fact that I missed a day of the 30 Day Shred. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens in the next 15 days. If yesterday was my only digression, I may give myself a free pass.

Day 14: Set back

Ugh, I guess it was bound to happen... I woke up this morning with a sharp pain deep inside my left knee. I don't remember tweaking it yesterday or doing anything to it, but it hurt when I stood up, and I didn't want to risk hurting it worse. I decided not do the 30 Day Shred workout this morning. I was content not to do any workout and deal with the consequences of a little guilt, but then my little one got up to go to the bathroom. After I put her back to bed, I decided that despite the pain I could do Yoga.

I used to love doing Yoga, but I fell out of the "Yoga habit" and never really got back into it. I have a video (yes, for use in a VCR, don't laugh) that I like called Cardio Autonomy Yoga. For someone (like me) who has never taken a Yoga class and doesn't really know what she's doing, I think the moves are pretty intense. I haven't done this video in about 8 months. The last time I did it I found it difficult to hold many of the poses. I kept wobbling and falling all over the place. Today, it is obvious that I have gotten stronger in the last few months. The moves were no less intense, and I am far from flexible, but I was able to hold the poses, and I didn't fall over as often, especially during the praying twist.

I'm satisfied with my workout and even managed to work up a little sweat. I'm typing this post mid-afternoon, and my knee is still a little sore, but it does not feel nearly as painful as it did this morning. I think I made the right decision to skip the 30 Day Shred workout for today. I plan to get right back at it tomorrow.

A conversation with Jillian

Me: "Hey, Jillian, why don't you do your work out with us!?!"

Her: "I don't need to. I'm already awesome! I already know how to do the exercises, and YOU DON'T. Now keep going!"

Me: "But Jillian, if you don't need to workout out, why are you so jealous of Anita's abs?"

Her: "I am not jealous of Anita's abs! What are you talking about?"

Me: "Well, during the workout, after 2 whole crunches, you get down on the floor to point out Anita's abs, and you say, "See these abs, I'd do just about anything to have them, but they don't come for free."

Her: "That's just my way of motivating you, you flabby waisted fat ass! I'm not jealous of Anita in the least, but you should be! Keep going!"

Me: "Oh, I'm jealous of her abs, all right, but face it, you are too! You can't deny it."

Her: "I can deny it, and I will. Anita's got nothing on me! Keep going!"

Me: "All's I'm saying is, if I were Anita I'd watch my back."

Level 2 workout

I briefly described Level 1 of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred workout DVD, so I figure I should try to do the same for Level 2. I'm doing this from memory shortly after finishing the workout.

The warm-up section begins with arm swings, backward windmills, neck rolls, jumping jacks, and leg extension lifts.

The first circuit begins immediately with the strength moves which are walk out push-ups and squat rows. Then we move on to two minutes of cardio which involves alternating between high knees and squat thrusts. The one minute ab section includes crunches with one leg raised and lowered and then switching to the other leg.

Then it's on to circuit two where the first strength move is the static lunge with arm rows. The second move is that dreaded pendulum front and back lunge that I can't seem to do very well. In the cardio portion we do jumping ab twists and then the skater. The first ab move has me extend my arms above chest with a weight in each hand while I raise and lower my legs together. The ab section ends with double crunches.

In the third circuit we start the strength move with the military press with leg extensions before moving on to the other move I don't like, the chair squat with "V" raise. We do plank jacks and double jump rope for the two minutes of cardio. We finish strong with plank twists for the final ab move.

And then, I feel like I'm going to pass out before we start the stretch/cool down.

Not that I'm asking for a longer challenge, but...

I happened to catch Jillian Micheals on the Today Show this morning. I was folding laundry, and she was talking with whomever about diet and exercise. She was with one of the former contestants from the current season of Biggest Loser who has been voted off. (It's the police officer who entered the contest with his daughter. I can't think of his name at the moment, I'll go back and look it up.)

Anyway, Jillian said on the show that "Thirty minutes a day of exercise is optimal." Hmmm, then why is your 30 Day Shred video workout only twenty minutes long?

Just asking...

Day 13: Level 2 day 6

Again, I'm at a loss for words to describe how difficult I am STILL finding this level to be. It's not that I can't do it, it's just that it's really hard, and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier.

I did the pendulum lunges without weights and I also did the chair squat with V raise without weights, and I do not feel like I am cheating in the least. If I had one pound weights I would use them, but the 2.5 pounders that I have are just a little too much right now. (Wow, that makes me sound like a real wimp.)

By day 6 of Level 1, even though I was having difficulty with the anterior raise side lunge move, I still felt confident enough that I could move on to Level 2. I don't see Level 3 in my future for several more days, if not another week. I know there's no rush, but I would like to at least be doing Level 3 for the last few days of my 30 day challenge.

Today, after the cool down/stretch, I actually did some extra exercises. There are a few moves from Jari's workouts that I always thought were good ones. Today I did some dead lifts (I didn't count how many) and with each arm I did 30 tricep extensions while on my kneews with opposite leg extended.

Day 12: Level 2 day 5

Still. Not. Easier! I'm running out of things to say about how hard the transition to Level 2 has been. I'm able to keep the pace well enough, but I'm still panting and sweating as if I've never worked out in my entire life.

Another thing, I don't know what it is about Mondays, but I had an extrememly hard time getting out of bed this morning. The alarm went off at 5:30, and I didn't get out of bed until after 6:00. Oh, well, at least I did it.

Confession: I did the chair squat - "V" raise move without weights today, so I could focus on the squat portion.

It fits!

I bought myself a dress in July for a wedding that we have in November. I have never done this before, but I bought the dress one size smaller than I was wearing at the time. I'm not really sure what possessed me to do such a thing. I did try the dress on when I bought it, and it was just ever so snug that I guess I felt like if kept myself motivated, it would fit just right by November 1.

I tried the dress on today, and it fits! And I don't mean that it "just barely" fits or that it "fits today, but it might not tomorrow, so I better not eat anything." No, it's the kind of "it fits" such that if I were to go out shopping today and buy the dress, it's the size that I would buy and feel confident that it will fit when I actually have to wear it.

Day 11: Level 2 day 4

I'm not sure what possessed me, but today I felt the urge to try using 5 lb weights for some of the moves. For example, for the lower ab move where the legs swing up and down, I held 5 lb weights above my chest, that wasn't so bad. I also used the 5 pounders for the static lunge - arm row combo. I had a fleeting thought to use them for the military press with leg extensions, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

The pendulum lunges are still the absolute hardest move for me. I also continue to have difficulty with the chair squat - "v" raise move. Both of these moves are even harder than the plank jacks, squat thrusts, and plank twists, all of which I can feel myself getting stronger as I continue to do them.

Day 10: Food

Breakfast: the usual... I don't vary b'fast very often, do I? OJ, yougurt w/ cereal mixed in= 3 pts

Lunch: small salad w/ dressing = 3 pts and a small piece of leftover deep dish pizza = 9 pts

Dinner: Large Salad w/ dressing = 3 pts and glass of wine that I'm still nursing = 2 pts

I've had really low energy all day long. Don't know what that's about. I was fine when I woke up and when I did the workout, but I've been "slow" all day.

Until we meet again

One of my mini motivations for this month is wanting to look good for a wedding we have to attend the day after Halloween. We've known the groom for many years and recently saw him at a wedding in August. At that wedding, I was comparing my biceps with another friend's in front of the groom to be (don't ask). When he felt my bicep and the other woman's he said to me, "Yours might be bigger, but hers are more toned."

The other woman, who I love dearly, laughed and said, "That's funny, I don't even work out, they must be that way naturally. Ha! Ha!"

This person certainly wasn't mocking me, she certainly has no idea how hard I've been working out, but with that, the gauntlet was thrown, and I am now on a mission to make sure my arms are toned in time for this upcoming wedding, and if I'm confident, I'll be sure to arrange a re-match bicep comparison. Otherwise, I'll be the one wearing a long-sleeved dress.

Day 10: Level 2 day 3

Unlike day 3 of Level 1 when the 30 Day Shred was decidedly easier for me, day 3 of Level 2 is decidedly NOT getting any easier. I guess that's a good thing, but man, I am so spent at the end of the workout I can barely get into a seated position to do the stretches!

Just as there was one move in Level 1 (side lunge w/ anterior raise) that I could barely do, there is a move in Level 2 that I am having trouble with: the moving (as opposed to static) lunges w/ pendulum swing. (Again, I'm not certain that's the name of the move, but it's got to be close.) Part of the issue is that we're coming off a static lunge move, and my legs are already shaking when we go into the lunges. The other move that's difficult for me is the chair squat with "V" raise. And I haven't even talked much about how hard the cardio is.

I'm only using 2.5 lb dumbbells; I haven't even thought about moving up to 5 lb weights yet. I have a feeling that I will be doing Level 2 for more than just seven days.

Day 9: food log

Breakfast: OJ (1 pt) yogurt (1 pt) hi-fiber cereal (1 pt)
Lunch: I skipped lunch today... I know that's bad, time just got away from me, and I didn't feel like any of the leftovers in the fridge.
Dinner: 1 slice thin crust pizza (5 pts) side salad with dressing (2 pts) 3 glasses of wine (6 pts)

It's just a number

As I turned on the digital scale with my toe, I remember saying to myself, "Just ignore what you see on the scale. It's just a number, it doesn't matter."

Imagine my reaction when I realized that the number on the scale suggests that I am 13 pounds lighter than I was when I started this endeavor in July. I am now within a piece of cake of dropping into the 120s. (Albeit, a large piece of cake, probably an end piece with extra frosting and lots of ice cream with caramel and candy pieces inside, but still...)

Needless to say, I'm thrilled with the number on the scale, but I must keep telling myself that it is just a number, and I'm still far enough away from my ultimate goal that I know I have lots more work ahead of me. But, it defintely feels good to be where I am right now, and I'm motivated and encouraged to keep going.

Day 9: Level 2, day 2

That is a 20 minute workout. I just finished, and I'm still dripping sweat all over.

My little one was up three times last night, so needless to say my sleep, what little of it I got, was quite disrupted. When the alarm went off at 5:30, I was afraid I wouldn't have any energy to get out of bed. Fortunately, I wasn't sore from yesterday's attempt at the Level 2 workout, so I was able to get out of bed with relative ease.

In previous attempts to be diligent with my workout routines, I would not have gotten out of bed to workout after a bad night's sleep, I'm proud of myself for getting this workout done today. It certainly helps that it's only 20 minutes.

I kept pace with all of the moves today. The pendulum swing lunges are still the hardest strength move. It's a tie between the plank jacks and the "moutain climbers" for hardest cardio.

Day 8: Food

Breakfast: Glass of OJ (1 pt), hi-fiber cereal (1 pt) w/ hi-fiber yogurt (1 pt)

Lunch: Left over sweet n sour chicken, small portion w/ rice (6pts)

Snack: handful of almonds (3 pts)

Dinner: left over sweet and sour chicken (that's enough of that!) with some cheddar broccoli (just what was left in the pan that I made for the kids) = 9 pts

Snack w/ kids: milk and cookies (5 pts)

Committed

I may or may not have mentioned that I didn't actually purchase Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD when I started this project. For the first 7 days, I was using a Netflix copy. Yesterday, I happened upon the DVD on sale at Target, so I bought it. I have now invested actual money into this project, so I guess I'm committed.

When I got home, I realized that yesterday was October 1, so even though I've been doing this for a week, yesterday was day 1 as far as the calendar is concerned. I still haven't decided if I'm going to allow myself to take one or two days off, but after seeing the cover of 30 Day Shred up close for the first time, I noticed that it says, "Lose up to 20 pounds n 30 days!" I'm not sure that's even possible for me. That's not even my goal, I've given myself a much longer time frame to lose my 20 pounds. That said, I'm back to thinking that I should just plan to workout everyday between now and Oct. 31.

Day 8: Level 2, day 1

WOW! That was tough. Not quite as tough as the first time I did Level 1, but pretty close.

First impressions: the walkout push-ups were not as tough as I thought they would be, they were hard, but not impossible. I had difficulty with the lunges with pendulum swings as well. (not sure that's what they're called, I'll double check tomorrow.) The cardio is noticeably more difficult, too. The plank scissor kicks and the (what I call) "mountain climbers" are much harder than any move done in Level 1. Jillian has also stepped up the ab work a few notches. I almost couldn't do all of them. For example, the plank twists are super hard!!

At the end of the workout, Jillian says, "We'll see you tomorrow." So, I'm guessing she does expect us to do this workout every day! I'm not expecting to be as sore as I was when I did Level 1 the first time, but it will be interesting.

Weight Watchers, part 2

The following post was also written in my journal on August 13, I am typing and posting a portion of it here.

Ugh! How did I gain weight?! It was only three quarters of a pound, but I want to see downward trends, not upward trends.

Keep going

One of the most annoying aspects of Level 1 of Jillian's video is that she doesn't do the entire workout with me. She does two sit ups before she stands up and says, "Let's take a look at Anita's form." Same with the lunges and some of the other cardio work. I know she doesn't need another workout, and I realize that part of her job is to instruct. She also has an interest in making sure that the moves are done correctly, but still, I wish she would sweat right along with me... Jari does!

That said, I do forgive her when we get to the third and final cardio circuit. It's right before the end of the workout, and she decides to join us in the workout. She's very encouraging in this part. She shouts, "I know you just want to turn off this DVD and stop, but you're strong! You can do this. You're flying through this. We don't get to the finish line and stop, we get stronger and keep going." These positive affirmations really do help me to keep going. They were especially encouraging those first few days when I thought I was going to pass out, now I really try to step it up a notch when we get to this point in the video.

There is an audio option on the DVD that mutes Jillian's voice and instruction during the workout. Even though I find some of the instruction stuff repetitive and boring, I don't really want to mute the whole thing because I need to hear Jillian's words of encouragement.

Level 2

This morning, I had a few minutes to watch Level 2 again. I think I will try it either tomorrow or Friday depending on my energy in the morning.

My impression is that the walk-out push ups and the squat thrusts will be hard for me initially. I'm also not looking forward to the lunge-rows.

Day 7: food

Ugh. Today is not starting out to be a good day.

After I finished my workout, I was slightly behind in my morning routine. I let the kids sleep a little longer given that they had both been up so early, and I wanted to take a shower. I decided to make breakfast only for the older child. I figured my daughter and I could have breakfast when we returned from the bus stop.

Well, the little one didn't want to cooperate. She was upset because she didn't get to eat with her brother and threw a tantrum by throwing her French Toast and banana back at me. I decided... no breakfast for either of us.

Breakfast: small glass of OJ = 1 pt
Mid-morning snack: a handful of almonds = 4 pts
Lunch: 6 spoonfuls of mac n cheese = 6 pts
Dinner: sweet and sour chicken = 9 pts
Snack: milk and cookies w/ kids = 5 pts

Day 7: workout

Alarm: 6:03, out of bed at 6:15. K is out of towm, so I think I don't need to get up quite as early.

I have moderate energy when I wake up.

See, this is why I get up early, though...
I had just finished the warm up and started the first strength move which is push ups, when I hear screaming upstairs. "Uh oh, someone's awake." I immediately hit pause and rush upstairs to see what's the matter." My little one has gotten out of bed and is standing in the middle of the dark hallway screaming and crying, "moooom, moooooommmy!" Tears are streaming down her face, I have no idea how long she's been calling for me. I can't hear everything in the basement where I work out. My older son has come out of his room to investigate. I know my little one is scared, and I feel terrible, but I also know that all she needs is to go to the bathroom, and then she'll (most likely) go right back to bed for an hour or so. I put her on toilet to do her thing, and I tuck the older one back in bed. I go back for my daughter, and she is just finishing up. We walk back to her room, and I tuck her in. She says, "sleep with me for a few minutes." I can't say no, so I cuddle up next to her for about two minutes before I quietly leave her room and head back downstairs to finish my workout.

The girls on the screen are paused in mid push-up, I hit play, and away we go.

Despite the short set back, I follow the girls on pace. I feel good during the workout and for the first time I actually think I might be able to do it two times through, but not today, given the events of this morning, I don't really have the extra 20 minutes.