Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones Review

WOW AGAIN!!! So if the Burn Fat Boot Metabolism was like The Shred on crack, this was Burn Fat Boost Metabolism on crack! My abs are throbbing... is that possible?!

Like Burn Fat, the premise of the video is the same, you start with a 5 minute warm up, then do 6 circuits of 5 or 6 moves and repeat. The workout is also 60 minutes.

This video, however, focuses on strength moves more than anything. There are no cardio moves, but Jill brings back the weights and lunges - hardcore!
I used my 5 lb. weights, and Jillian even says during one of the circuits yes, I'm using 3's, because she wants you to do quality moves, lots of reps, and she wants you to really tone. During the first circuit, all about shoulders and theighs/butt, I started with my 8's but switched to 5's during the second move! It was ROUGH!
I really liked this video, it is a serious butt-kicking! I wish there was a little cardio, but I also like how the weights were brought back and the abs were really challenged. I think doing a combo of these two videos is really going to shock my body a bit, and hopefully help me kickstart the metabolism and burn some serious fat!
Again, Jillian uses a few of The Shred's moves, but incorporates many new ones. This DVD really targets the shoulders, bi- and tricepts, abs, theighs and butt. I haven't felt sore in a long time from a workout, but I think I'll be feeling this in my butt tomorrow!


I am definitely going to buy these 2 DVDs this weekend, but use the comcast on demand until then! I highly, highly recommend them! They are a bit longer, so I'm thinking I'll still run/shred 3-4 days a week, and do either of these 2 on the alternating days. I also did the elliptical for 30 minutes when I did "Burn Fat..." so I'll probably elliptical tonight just to get a little cardio in! But it's totally not necessary because this is an hour workout, I just like to do a little cardio when watching TV.


Thanks, Jillian.... if you ever read this! And I really like your headband in the DVDs :)

Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Review

WOW! For anyone who has graduated from the Shred series, and wants to move on to something more challenging.... TRY THIS!!! It's like the shred on steriods. First off, it's about an hour long... so if you want a longer workout than the shred's 20 minutes, or you're tired of doing 2 levels back to back, this is for you! Here are some photos from the DVD...(scroll to the bottom)


Jill starts with a warm up, then goes through about 7 circuits with 5-6 moves in each circut, and repeats the moves in each circuit, so they're roughly 7 minutes each. There are no weights in this workout, and no lunges, but there are many kickboxing moves instead.
The circuits aren't necessarily strength, cardio, abs, but instead are a combination of all 3, which is what makes it pretty rough! There are many of the same squat and cardio moves from the shred series, but with slight modifications.


This is an extremely hard workout, it's long and grueling, so I would definitely make sure I could do 2 shred levels back to back before trying this one out. Jillian doesn't really offer up modified versions of the moves, but she does offer tougher versions (like skaters where you touch your toes each time you slide).


I am super proud of myself for making it through the whole workout with no rests, because you really do move, and crunch, and kick, and jump... it's really true to it's name!


Now, the good news - I have an extreme love/hate relationship with Comcast, right now being one of the 'love' moments, because I tried this workout on demand! It's available right now, and for a while because there is no end date listed. Jillian also has a problem zones no more workout on demand, so I'll be reviewing that one tomorrow.
I am so excited I found this workout because as much as I love the shred, I did want to have something a little more challening, and something different. After I try out touble zones no more tomorrow, I'm sure I'll integrate the 3 videos into a rotation.

Workout Buddies!

I know, I am at a big advantage because I work at the YMCA, and exercise equitpment is right here for me, but honestly, I prefer to run outside or shred in my own home. As I've said a million times, I HATE the treadmill with a passion, because I get so bored. It's been really hard for me to maintain, or even think of losing weight during the winter because I can't run outside.


However, one of my co-workers, Vickie, uses the elliptical almost daily at the Y. Back in December, we decided to start working out at the same time, and I'd get on treadmill #1 and she'd get on elliptical #2, so we'd be next to eachother, but didn't talk because we had headphones on. It's kind of funny to call us workout buddies because there's no communitcation, but it's all about the accountability. We all have our off days when we don't want to workout, and luckily ours are on different days!
This method of working out is really good for people pleasers, as I am one, because I don't want to let her down, and she doesn't want to let me down! We both always have our workout clothes here, so even on days I come in with the mindset of no, no treadmill today, Vickie asks, and I always give in and go run.
I highly recommend a workout buddy, even if it's only a few days a week, it really has made a difference for me!


Also, that photo is of Vickie and I at the YMCA's family fun night 2 weeks ago. My mom's friend let us borrow her poodle skirts, which brings me to another point - now that I'm a much smaller size, I have the ability to just borrow clothes or costumes from people.... which is something I never could do before!
Being fit is so fun :)

The 200 Sit-Up Challenge

I saw someone mention this on a fitness board, so I decided to check it out. In Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred, the second circut's abs minute is sit-ups, which Jillian praises because it works so much more than just abs (like a crunch). I count every now and then when I'm shredding, and usually I get around 23 in her minute, but I think her 'shred minute' is a little less than a real minute because she gives some direction and has to get you in position.

I decided to check out the website, and see what it was all about. However, when I looked at the test, and the "good-form sit-up" it appears to be a crunch, not a sit-up. Since real sit-ups (with no one holding down your feet) are so much harder, I decided to go for a real sit up, but still follow the premise of the challenge. I'm always really sure that I keep my knees bent high, don't use momentum and swing up, keep my hands clawed around my ears, and stare at the celing to keep good form.

I took the initial test, which was to do as many sit ups as you can. I thought it was as many as you can in 5 minutes, so I had my husband time me, and I got 95 REAL sit-ups in 5 minutes! I was totally psyched because I read this on the homepage - No doubt some of you can already do 100 consecutive sit-ups, but let's face it, you're in a big minority. Most of you reading this won't even be able to manage 20 sit-ups. Actually, I'm sure many of you can't even do 10. AND I DID 95! And really, I could have kept going if I actually knew it was do as many as you can, not as many as you can in 5 minutes.

So anyway, I did it again tonight, and did 140 before my stomach started to get super tight. Then I went back to the website, and it says to take a rest on day 2.

I really need to start reading directions before I just jump into something. Really...

I mean, the Shred works the core like no other, but geez, these sit ups are a killer! But a good killer :) I am feeling my abs tonight like never before.

So anyway, I taped myself tonight b/c I wanted to post video proof that I can do it, but I still am not 100% happy with how I look on camera (ugh, theighs) So maybe I'll get the nerve to post video one day, but I promise, I did 140 in 7:40!

I think I'll rest tomorrow night, but Thursday night, I'm going to see if I can get the 200, and complete the challenge in 4 days! (maybe, just maybe, if I can do all 200, I'll post video... )

Biggest compliment ever - My husband, who is Division 1 NCAA Athletic Trainer told me that he thinks I am in better shape and much more fit than some of the athletes he sees come through the training room.

Yeah, I think this week has put me over the hump of feeling low last week!

Reader Questions Answered

Amanda: I have to eat two packets of instant oatmeal to be full. Is that still a healthy breakfast? I would look at the calories in the two packets. If that fits into your daily allotment of calories, I don't think it's a problem (it might be around 300). You might also want to try getting a big container of the oats. A serving size is 1/2 c., maybe try eating 3/4 c. and see if that fills you up more. I've noticed that when my husband makes his cinnamon instant oats packet, he gets less in a packet than I do when I measure 1/2 c., and the calories on his are 10 more because of the added sugar in the packet.


Is regular slow cook better then instant oatmeal (in other words, is the instant stuff just as bad as sugary kids cereal)?
You can buy plain instant oatmeal that has nothing added to it. Look for "Quick Cooking Oats" in a big container, or the plain kind. It will have no added sugar, and is MUCH healthier than sugary cereals. You really have to read the labels though, to see exactly what is added to the packets. That's why I like to add my own mix-ins, so I can control the sugar and calories.


Most of the times that can keep me satisfied from 8-12, sometimes I have to have a small snack around 10 or 10:30.
That's how it works for me, too. I eat my oatmeal around 7am, then I have a banana around 10, which keeps me from getting too hungry at lunch time!
As long as you keep your calories under control, and spread out a bit, I think you're doing just fine!




Melissa: Right now I am struggling with my own weight loss. I went hard-core from July through November of last year and lost 30 pounds. Then I took December off and gained back 10 of those thirty. Well now, in January, I have been back on track again but have barely lost any weight. I am doing the same things I was before when I was steadily losing weight. What am I doing wrong? Do you have any ideas for me? It sucks to be trying so hard but not see any results and I'm really starting to get discouraged.
First off, Don't get discouraged!!! Sometimes your body doesn't respond the way it did in the past, the way you think it should, or want it to! That's ok!
Perhaps your body has adjusted to what you were doing in the past, and you need to try some new things. After I ellipticalled for so long, the results weren't as good, so I switched to c25k, and jump started my weight loss. Are you doing strength training? Maybe that is something you can incorporate. Plyometrics are great at getting the metabolism going.
You might also want to look at your diet, has it changed much? Are you not as active as you were? You can be exercising the same, but the rest of your day might be more sedentary. I know in the winter, I am less likely to add the long walks with Pumpkin, which do add up! I also don't run 4-5 miles on the weekends, I stick to 30 minutes on the treadmill, that time adds up.
I would try some new workouts, pay close attention to your calorie intake, drink lots of water, and make sure you're eating all your friends and veggies!
If things don't change after that, you might want to talk to your doctor.




Ashley: In regards to the Shred did you start by doing Level 1 with 5lb weights or what? how long did you do level 1 before moving on to level 2?
When I started shredding, I used my 5lb. weights. I did 10 days at each level for the month of June. Now I alternate between levels 2 and 3 each day.
There have been questions about the shred, whether it should be done daily, etc. My point of view is this, though you should take days off when lifting weights, I don't look at the shred as lifting, it's just toning muscle, it's not as strenuous as a weight lifting session would be where you're really working to build muscle fast. So I don't have a problem shredding daily. Also, since I alternate between levels, I am using different muscles each day so it's not overly repetetive. Every few weeks, I'll take a day off from the shred, but I love doing it daily!

Bring it on, treadmill!

On Friday, I was doing my normal 30 minutes or torture on the treadmill. Only it wasn't as bad as normal. It seemed to be going faster!
Well I was thinking back to Bob and Joelle's arguement on Biggest Loser, and I remembered he was having his team run 30 second sprints at 6.5 mph. So I thought to myself, if these 300-400 lb. people are running at 6.5, I should too! Granted they were walking inbetween, and I was running at 6.0... but I created a little challenge for myself!
So I when I hit 25 minutes (5 to go) I kicked it up to 6.5, and it felt fine, so I kicked it up to 7.0 mph. It felt really good! My legs were really stretching out and I felt really good! I ran at 7.0 for 4 minutes, until I hit 3 miles, then the last minute I walked.
So take that, stupid treadmill!
:)
Really, it's the little things that make me happy :)


And also, over the weekend I completed levels 1 and 3 of the shred with my 8lb. weights. I almost made it through 2, but the squats at the end with the 8's were just not happening....
I'm so close though to completeing the whole series with my 8's!

Wii

I love finding fun things to do that double as a little exercise. Last Christmas, my husband started dropping hints that he wanted a Wii. He spent the next few months convincing me that we should get one, so with out tax refund I broke down and agreed!
Now we just have a regular Wii, not a fit, so I wouldn't exactly promote this as your daily exercise, but after shredding last night, my husband asked if I wanted to play Wii. We usually bowl or play Mario Kart, but I'm so close to the next level in boxing I told him I'd play a few rounds and then we could race. I have heard of some people strapping 5 lb. wrist weights on when boxing, but I'm not that hardcore!
It is a nice extra, fun workout though! And after boxing for 20 minutes, I was still a bit winded!
As for the fit, we may look into the fit sometime.... does anyone have one? Any comments on it?

Reader Question/Updates/Plans!

Today's Reader Question comes from: sunflowerramos!

I would love to know your eating/exercise habits.
My exercise habits have changed throughout my weight-loss journey. At first, I was soley using the elliptical and walking my dog. That took me through the first 50 lbs. After that, I started running with the C25K. Then I started using The Shred. I like to change it up depending on the season, and how my body feels.
In the very beginning, I was more focused on cardio and building up resistence and working out longer. Also, I bought an elliptical, so I mostly did that.
After I got bored with the elliptical, and the weather was nice, I started C25K.
Then I wanted to start doing weight training for some muscle definition, so I started The shred.
Now, I use a mixture of everything, some days I run and shred, some I just shred, some I just run, some I swim at the Y. I try to do something every day, no matter how short (20 min. shred) or long (2 hour walk with Pumpkin).


My eating habits have been pretty much the same throughout, I've just recently upped my calories.
Here is a snipet from another post where I talked about food and my food blog:
"I try to keep my dinner to 700 calories each night. I also try to make sure I have one starch, one lean protein, and 2-3 vegetables. From the healthy living standpoint, I use almost no pre-packaged products (with the exception of coindiments) and I use minimal canned vegetables or pre-made sides. If there is a specific recipe you want a caloric breakdown for, please ask! Also, most of my meals are made for 2-3 servings (so my husband has some extra). "




Do you use a journal?
For ther first 50 lbs, I used a journal. It really helped me track my food and exercise. It also had a glossary in the back that had calorie counts for common fruits, veggies, meats and starches.
Here is a snipet from a previous post that I wrote about the journal:
"The journal I used, I Will Lose Weight This Time, is set up like a reference book with helpful tips, as well as a guide to calories and fat in certain foods, it also has interactive sections where you can record your weight loss goals, it encourages many small goals. It also has a place for you to put your measurements and a picture.I used the food diary section for the first 3 months of my weight loss process, just so I could get used to counting calories and remembering how many were in each food I ate. It also has little stickers for you to put on the day when you did a good job!The daily journal has a place for your weight, foods you've eaten, and exercise, so you can keep track of it all."




Updates:
Back in the day when I was starting my weight loss, I would weigh myself on Friday and Monday, hoping to see a -1 each time. Then I started to slow down, and only weighed on Friday, hoping to see -1. Now that I've got momentum working and I've been doing well, I'm going to try to get off the last 19 (yes, I'm down one more!) in the same fashion. It is an unfortunate time (CHRISTMAS!!!) to try to lose the weight, but since my body seems to be working the way I want it to right now, I'm not going to try to hold off and maintain until after Christmas.
It's so interesting how the body works, some months it's torture to lose 1 lb., sometimes I'll take off 2-3 in a week when it seems like I'm just sort of trying.


and now, Plans!
My plan for the last 10 is to have a big old countdown going on, and put in lots of photos of me along the way. Since I'll be at my parents for Christmas, I'll try to gather some photos that mark the lbs. along the way. Now I still have 9 to lose before this starts, but I'm getting really excited. I'm going to need everyone's support, especially now and during the next 2-3 months!


So this might be my last post until after the holidays. I want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year! Be safe, indulge a bit, have a great time with family and friends, and workout hard!


As an aside,
I am so floored by the support and amazing comments you all left on my 'reward outfit' post! Seriously, it meant so so so much to me. I can't thank you all enough. It's been a long journey, and I'm excited that we're so close to hitting that -100!!! I really do feel so great, and I really appreciate the motivation you all provide.

So I'll leave you with a few photos from our Christmas card session back in November!

Say hello to my little (running) friend...

Sadly, my iPod died a slow death over the past few months... the screen died, the battery wouldn't charge, the screen came back to life, then a big black spot took over, then the battery just completely died :( I had to say goodbye to my nano, who lived a good 3 years and ran many miles with me...

I started running without an iPod, and sort of got used to it, but still found it to be a challenge. Then I ran one morning with JJ's iPod, and I ran faster and further than ever... I knew I'd have to bite the bullet and get one.

We're on a super tight budget, but once before I took a gamble with money for my health, and it paid off (I took $500 out of my wedding savings to buy my elliptical, which helped me lose the first 50 lbs.) So I decided to take $150 out of our house down payment savings and buy an iPod. She's so pretty, has 8x more memory than my old nano, and can play movies, and is pink!

I am so happy to finally have a nano again as it really does have a huge impact on my runs... and with 2 10k's coming up, I can use all the help I can get!

Note: That photo was taken right after a run and level 3 of the shred last night.... so I look awful!

The Last 25 Workout Schedule

Working out has always been a struggle for me. It's so rewarding, yet so hard! I think diversification is key to overall good health, keeping all muscles working and moving. For my last 25 lbs., I want to focus on working out hard and long. Here is my current workout schedule for the next few months. However, the running amounts will change up a bit when I begin the 10k training program.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Run 3 miles, Shred Level 3, Walk/Run 1 mile with Pumpkin

Tuesday, Thursday: Swim, Shred Level 1, Walk/Run 1 mile with Pumpkin

Saturday: Run 3+ miles, Shred Level 2, Walk/Run 1 mile with Pumpkin, Bike 5 miles

Sunday: Swim, Shred Level 2, Walk/Run 1 mile with Pumpkin, 1 additional fitness activity as time allows*

Some additional fitness activities I like to do on Sunday with my husband are golf or play tennis.

My Swim Workouts

I absolutely love to swim. Now that I'm working in the accounting department at the YMCA, I get a free membership! I am so excited that I get to start swimming again! I was on the high school swim team, and have always loved it! I do find it hard to construct a swimming workout that's challenging and diversified, because I get bored swimming lap after lap freestyle. This is the current workout I use, it takes me about 45 minutes!


500 m freestyle warm up
100 m free kick (with kickboard)
50 m backstroke kick (with kickboard)
50 m butterfly kick (with kickboard)
200 m freestyle pull with flotater between legs
8 50m freestyle sprints on 1:15
100 m freestyle pull (or 50 free, 50 butterfly)
100 m freestyle kick (or 50 free, 50 butterfly)
200 m freestyle cooldown

30 Day Shred Update

Many people ask this question (including myself) what do you do when the 30 days is over? For those who shredded daily like me, you feel kind of lost when it's over!

My current workout plan is this:
Saturday and Sunday - Shred Level 2, Run 3 mi., Bike or Elliptical 30 min.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday - Shred Level 3
Tuesday, Thursday - Shred Level 1, Elliptical 45 min.

I absolutely love the shred, and I continue to do it for a few reasons
- I still get a great workout because now I do all of the moves the "bad-ass" way, the way Natalie does them, so I squat lower, push-up lower, get my high-knees higher, punch faster, etc. So when people ask does it get easier, I say yes and no, because I'm used to is and my muscles are getting stronger, however I push harder so it's still always hard
- It's still a quick, hard, and effective workout, and during the week I really don't want to put in a lot of time
- It's still the most convienient workout for me

For some people, a day of rest is necessary, for me, I feel as though only shredding on MWF gives me enough rest. Again, this is what works for me, your body might need rest, mine does best when I keep pushing!

Workout Clothes

I have tried many brands and options of workout wear, from t-shirts and sports bras, to cotton tank tops, but my favorite is the sports bra tank. It's the lightest and the Nike Dri-Fit stays very cool. It's also sleek and cute!
Here is Nike's website with all of the options available for women's tops. I buy Old Navy Yoga pants, both long and capris, for my pants. They're the most comfortable, to me.
Since I exercise by running, walking, biking, shredding, and ellipticalling, I have cross training shoes, though I am looking to buy running shoes when I begin my 10k training in September. I buy adidas shoes for cross-training.


Anyone have any favorite running shoes you want to recommend???

The Elliptical

I have always liked to exercise, but it was a hassle because I had to go to the Y and there were certain times when the lines would be long. Also, I've always liked walking, but I don't feel like I get as good of a workout. I was never a runner, either. I always had excuses not to go to the Y or not to go walk outside because I would rather elliptical. After I moved into an apartment somewhat far from the Y, I decided to go and buy an elliptical. I figured if I spend $600 on a machine, it will need to last 2 years in order to be the same as a membership at the YMCA.
I bought a Horizon E95 model, which they do not make anymore, but I think Horizon makes great newer machines. The only problem I have had was a bar on the footplate cracked, so I had to get a new piece, which was $80. I was afraid the machine was broken forever, but it wasn't a problem to replace it.
This machine has 3 different paths or you can choose to set your own. I do the hill climb from the top level. The main problem people have with ellipticals is that because you set the pace, you can slow down easily. I use the mileage counter on mine to make sure I'm moving quick enough. I try to get .75/mi. every 15 minutes.
I have my elliptical set up in my guest room where I have a TV. I purposely elliptical on the days/times when I know I have TV shows on. It takes my mind off the actual exercise, and keeps me from getting bored.
The elliptical is very low impact, but really delivers results - 50 lbs! Because it's not strenuous on the muscles, I ellipticalled for 45 minutes every day, and on the weekends I would do either a 1 hour session or 2 45 minute sessions.

Vacation!

Me at the Indianapolis Zoo dolphin show &
My husband at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This past weekend my husband and I went on our version of summer vacation. Sadly, it was only a 3 day weekend... but we had a wonderful time!

Here are a few of my tips to having an enjoyable, yet healthy vacation:

Food Tips:
1. Pack food that you normally eat at home. When you're on vacation, you may find that the hotel breakfast bar doesn't have oatmeal or yogurt, bring some along so you don't sabatoge your calorie count.
Example: I packed yogurt, fruit, and carrot sticks.
2. Allow yourself to have more calories than normal, but still count, and make sure you're not eating more than you're burning.
Example: I try to eat 1200-1500 calories a day at home, on vacation, I bumped it to 2000, because that is around how many calories I burn in a day.
3. Try to eat 2 regular meals per day, and have one meal where you are a little indulgent.
Example: If you eat a big hearty pancakes and eggs breakfast, have a salad with dinner when you go out.
4. Alcohol is something that will need to be cut way back, or out, when you're trying to lose weight. I've never been a big drinker, but especially now, I only drink 1 beer or glass of wine, and I nurse it. Tip: Drink your beer with water, if you have 2-3 glasses of water with 1 beer mixed in, it will last longer.
5. Don't get dehydrated!!! You'll think you're hungry when you really just need to drink some water. Always keep a cooler with you stocked with ice or if you have to, bring bottled water (make sure you recycle those bottles!)
6. Don't bring any extra food, and don't bring extra cash! When we were at the race, the couple next to me was very large, and ate the entire race. They constantly were pulling things out of their cooler. JJ and I only packed water and Coke Zero, so we didn't give outselves the opportunity to overeat. Also, at the ballpark, I was watching people walk by with ice cream, but I didn't bring any extra cash so I could not buy an ice cream.


Remember, just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want all day long. I had ice cream at the Zoo, but I had a veggie wrap for lunch to even it out. At the race, I had some nachos and a beer, but then for dinner I had a citrus chicken salad.




Fitness Tips:
1. Incorporate fitness into your vacation. Sure, everyone loves to lay on the beach, but lay out for half an hour, then play some sand volleyball or throw a frisbee.
2. Go places that require lots of walking - if you're staying in a city, book a hotel that's not so far from what you want to see that you can't walk. We walked to dinner, the ballpark, and did some sight seeting all without the car!
3. Book a hotel that has a fitness room, and use it! If you normally run in the morning, get up and go run in the morning before the day begins and you get too busy to work out.

Ahh, the home stretch just got easier...

Because I got a new job!!! And where you might ask? Well, see if you can figure it out....


Yes! The YMCA! I am elated! It's an accounting job, and one of my fantastic benefits is I get free membership and classes! I was a swimmer in high school, and haven't swam in a long time because I didn't have a pool, so now I'll get to swim and take some deep water aerobics, as well as some yoga and other aerobic classes!
I know not everyone can get a job at their Y, or even afford a membership, but please remember that I lost the bulk of my weight by exercising for free at the bike path and doing the shred, which i got on half.com for $6!
Yay! New job and free workouts!!!

C25K Review

C25K Review

The couch to 5k program is one that has been around for a while, and it meant for beginner runners. I think it would be easy to start if you’ve been sedentary, and it’s even easier to start if you’ve been doing some kind of workout (for me it was the elliptical).

I had hit a -50 lb. plateau because I was just ellipticalling and walking, and my body was still being worked hard, but it was the same muscles and cardio routine. After Christmas and New Years, I gained a few pounds back and then re-lost them with the elliptical, but finally it was spring, and I wanted a new workout to help me continue to lose weight. I decided to do the C25K because I was taking on challenges, and running has been a life-long nemesis for me! I absolutely hate running. I feel like I should love it, my dad was a marathoner, and still runs, and my sisters are both avid runners… but it’s just not in my genes!

I can honestly tell you today, that I enjoy running, thanks to this program! It is so incredibly freeing to be able to look out at the horizon and know that you can run that far. It’s so nice to be out on the running trail in the early morning and see deer running by, I absolutely love it. I’ve still not run a 5k race for time, but I have timed myself on the trail.

Tip: Almost every time I run, I bring my ipod. I have a c25k playlist that's full of upbeat, motivational songs. Sometimes on a Saturday morning, I'll go without it because the trail is so quiet and I love nature, but for the most part, I need music to get me going.

So here is my review of the program…

I set up my schedule to run Tuesday and Thursday as soon as I got home from work, and Saturday and Sunday as soon as I wake up (around 7). It can be done on a treadmill, but I prefer to run outside on my bike/walk/run trail. You can either do the program by time or distance, I chose to do time because I’m a slower runner. Since I was running 4x per week, I did the program in 6 weeks.

Weeks 1 and 2 were very easy for me, and I had minimal soreness in my legs.

Week 3 was when it started to get rough and I had a few “I want to quit” moments.

Week 4 was when I really started to feel like a runner, I could do ½ a mile!

Week 5 was what scared me, a 20 minute run with no stopping. Really?! But, I did it!

Week 6 was 25 minutes, and I did it!

Weeks 7 and 8 were a bit easier for me, once I reached 20-25 minutes, I had no problem getting to 30-35.

In the end, my first 3.1 mi. run was 34:30, right now I’ve got it down to 32:00-ish. Working on speed is my current challenge. On my current workout schedule, I run Saturday and Sunday mornings, 3 miles each morning, just trying to get my 3 mile time lower and lower.

On the off days: For the 6 weeks I did the program, on the off days, I did 45 minutes on the elliptical.

I’m going to start the 10k training in September to get myself ready for the 10k my family runs every Thanksgiving.

Overall, I think this program is great. I had great success with it. It pushed me, but was never too much. I felt so proud of myself after I ran my first 5k, it was like nothing else I’ve ever done.

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

The First 50 - Workouts

Work-Outs for the first 50 lbs....

As I said, I bought an elliptical from Dick's because having it at home meant no lines at the Y, not having to drive there, being able to listen to my music and watch TV while working out, and having NO EXCUSES!
I've always been a big fan of the elliptical because it's low impact, harder than walking, but not as bad as running. My biggest challenge is keeping myself at a steady, quick pace.
I have a horizon elliptical, not sure about the model #, but I'll check it when I go home today.
In addition to ellipticalling, I walked my dog, Pumpkin, daily.
Occasionally on the weekends my then fiance' and I would ride bikes or play tennis, so here is a sample schedule of my workouts.
For the last few months closest to the wedding, I added some arm strength training because I wore a strapless dress, I'll post that separately.


April 1 - November 20th, 2007
Monday - Friday:
-Walk Pumpkin 1 mile when I got home from work/school
-Elliptical 45 minutes
Saturday and Sunday:
-Walk Pumpkin 2 miles
-Elliptical 60 minutes
(or sometimes 2x daily for 45 min. each when I was feeling extra motivated)
-30-60 minutes of another form of exercise, for example playing tennis, biking 5 miles, or hitting a bucket of golf balls


Of course I'd have to take days off every now and then because of travel or vacation, but I pretty much worked out 7 days per week!

My walking buddy, Pumpkin Spice!

30 Day Shred Review

Ahh, the 30 Day Shred! Lately it's been a hot topic. The reason? It kicks your butt, and really works!
The premise of the shred is this, the DVD is divided into 3 levels of workouts. Each workout is about 20 minutes, and is 3, 6 minute cycles. Each cycle contains 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of ab work.


For example, in workout 1:
3 minutes of strength - Pushups alternating with Squats and Arm Presses
2 minutes of cardio - Jumping Jacks and Butt Kicks
1 minute of abs - Crunches and Reverse Crunches

Jillian leads you to believe that she expects you to shred daily if you want the best results, so that is what I did. For the month of June, I did 10 days at each level. For the first week, I was so incredibly sore! Now keep in mind, I also run 2x per week and elliptical, so my muscles hadn't been dormant. If you're going from not working out at all to the 30 Day Shred, expect to be SORE!
I didn't want to quit though, and I didn't want to take any days off, I was committed, so I carried on and pushed through the pain. I made sure I stretched extra and took walks with Pumpkin (my dog), but it doesn't matter, you'll still be sore.
My advice: Work through it. It won't go away, if you take off a few days, you'll still be sore, so just keep going!

At the end of workout 1, I felt like ok, it's still a hard workout, but I can take more pain, so on June 10, I started workout 2. It is so much harder than workout 1! This time though, I wasn't sore, so that was a plus! Then on June 20, workout 3. I think it was much easier to go from 2 to 3 than from 1 to 2, but it's probably different for everyone.

So the results? I lost 7 pounds, however I'm sure I converted some more fat to muscle because I dropped a whole pants size and that usually takes me about 15 pounds.
I absolutely love this workout system because:
1. Jillian is SO motivational
2. It's very quick
3. You see results right away
4. You feel so much stronger
5. It's simple - no crazy steps to learn, it's all basic fitness moves and all you need are hand weights, I use 5 lbs.

I am currently integrating the shred daily with my other workouts, which I'll blog about later, but my current rotation is
M, TR, F - Level 3
T, W - Level 1
Sa & Su - Level 2