Second verse, same as the first

The first time I did my own 30 Day Shred challenge, last fall, I had been working out consistently, and I was "skeptical" that Jillian's 20 minute workout would be enough for me. After previewing the DVD, I thought the moves looked simple enough, and my plan that first morning was to do Levels 1 and 2 back to back. Shortly after starting the workout that first day, I realized I would not be able to do both levels, so I contemplated repeating level 1. I contemplated this for about 35 seconds. By the time I was done with the 30 Day Shred that first time through, my sweaty-headed self was just happy to be alive. Doing the cool down stretches was about all I could handle at that point.

I finished that first challenge at the end of October 2008, and my major accomplishment was surviving it. Period. I got to Level 3 during the last week, but I was only able to do it a few times.

The second time I did the 30 Day Shred Challenge was about 3 months later. I had fallen off the exercise wagon, and I needed a way to climb back aboard. I figured the 30 Day Shred would be a good way to jump back into a fitness routine. In the middle of my challenge, I lent my DVD to my sister so she could preview it. Levels 1 and 2 are On Demand under the Sports and Fitness Category, so I was able to do those levels, and by the time I was ready to move on to Level 3, I got my DVD back. Also in the middle of the challenge, I discovered Jillian Michaels' other workout programs, Boost Your Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones, also available to me On Demand. To me, both of these programs are the 30 Day Shred on steroids. I incorporated these programs into my workout routine as well. Near the end of that challenge, I was beginning to think that I could do something that not that long ago I thought was near impossible, doing back to back sessions of the 30 Day Shred.

Well, today I did it! I did Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred two times in a row! Back to back, baby! I'm hoping I can keep this up. It's not easy, but it's doable. My plan is to gradually move from back to back level 1, to level 1 followed by level 2, then eventually, level 2 followed by level 3, and maybe, just maybe, we'll see if I can do back to back level 3!

Day 31 nka 2d30D1

I've gotten into the habit of titling these posts as Day "X." I've decided to keep going with that because I think 30 days is a good measuring stick to keep track of how I'm doing. In theory, I can track the natural ups and downs that occur every 30 days, and if I start to falter, I'll have a chance to start with a new "shot clock" so to speak every 30 days.

However, I'd also like to acknowledge that I'm on my "second" 30 days. So, I came up with the code "2d30D_," which is short for 2nd 30 Day "x".

Updated: For as much motivation as I thought I was filled with at the end of my first 30 days, it didn't translate into getting me out of bed before the crack of dawn this morning. I know I ate too much yesterday, and my body repaid me by not wanting to get out of bed when the alarm went off.

I waited until after breakfast. The kids wanted to watch "Marley and Me," so I set them up in my bedroom, and I did Jillian Michaels' "Boost Your Metabolism" from On Demand on Exercise TV. This is a 55 minute workout. Sometimes, I'm only able to get through 40 minutes of it, but today, I was cruising along, feel pretty good, when right around the 45 minute mark the TV screen went black. "Ugh, not again! I complained to myself." It turned out to be a "Test of the Emergency Broadcast System" that interrupted service. It took about 5 minutes to get everything booted back up. I contemplated giving up, in fact, I tried to start the Pilates Abs workout, but that didn't work either. Besides, like I said, I was feeling strong and wanted to finish "BYM." After about 5 minutes of fuming, it started working again and I finished up strong.

According to my weekly plan, I wanted to get in some Yoga today, but that hasn't happened. I'm thinking about doing it tomorrow morning.

Day 23/24: Annoyed!

First, I'll start with Day 23, which was yesterday. I didn't workout yesterday, I hadn't really planned on it as I didn't have time with having to take the kids to church and then heading over to my mom's for dinner. I did "ok" with food, but I did splurge on the peanut butter chocolate pie from Achatz for dessert, it was well worth it!

Today I am annoyed with Comcast! It appears that Exercise TV has been excised from On Demand. I cannot find it anywhere on the menu. I have tried, in vain of course, to get some information from Comcast customer (non)service, but I have been unsuccessful. I was talking to a customer service rep, and he either hung up on me or I was "disconnected." When I tried to call back, I kept getting an automated message telling me that my call cannot be "processed!!" I'm really hoping that I'm wrong about Exercise TV being gone from the On Demand line up.

I did get a workout in. I did a Jari Love DVD that I have. It's mainly a strength training DVD. I don't like it as well as I like Jillian's workout options, but at least I did it.