End of the week check-in

As Hilary mentioned in a previous post, some of her friends are doing a 30 Day Shred Challenge, and I believe she called those doing it "crazy". I'd have to agree with that assessment- and I'm one of the friends doing it.

The challenge consists of doing Jillian Michaels' DVD 30 Day Shred 6 days a week for 5 weeks. There are 3 levels on the DVD, so the idea is to do each level for 10 days. Each workout is 20 minutes, but it's a HARD 20 minutes. Working in intervals of 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, 1 minute of abs, it is non stop, and intense.

To tell the truth, it's not an enjoyable workout. I have to make myself do it, (working out at the same time every day helps- I just do it because it's time) and I have to push myself to keep going as my muscles scream at me.

So why am I doing it?

Because it works, dang it all. It's only been 5 days, and I'm seeing more definition in my shoulders and arms. My calves, thighs, and booty have stopped screaming at me every time I take a step, and I can make it almost all the way through the level 1 workout (using 5lb weights, no less) without wanting to die. (The anterior raises with a lunge at the end still have me wishing for oblivion and grabbing the 2 lb weights.)

I'm not seeing any change to inches or weight yet, but I'm feeling stronger, and that's a great thing.

Just a little bit crazy

This is my new goal. Utterly bananas, I know. Will it take me forever? Very possibly. All I know is that my shorter term goals of toning up and losing inches aren't keeping me motivated, and for some reason this is. Every time I'm torturing myself with anterior shoulder raises I think of how my arms and shoulders are getting stronger, and I'm closer to being able to hold my body up over my head. (It's insane, I tell you.)

And someday? I'm going to be able to do this:



Possibly even at the beach. Probably not in a bikini.
Will you make an insane fitness goal? Something huge to work toward? It's fuuuuun!

Checking in & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Just thought I'd check in and do a little reporting. (Because I know you've all been breathless, waiting. Or maybe just breathless from all the workouts you're doing?)

I worked out all week. I dedicated my evenings to Jillian "I will kill you" Michaels and even added a yoga workout to my morning. I watched my eating, didn't mindlessly snack, I didn't have ANY sugar. (I mean, outside sugar. Sugar in dessert or treat form.) I rocked it.

And the scale didn't budge.

That could potentially be OK, because I'm not far from my target weight anyway - my goal is more body reshaping than weight loss - but the measuring tape didn't budge either.

I've been torturing my abs/waist/core for a solid 10 days, and .... nothing. Granted, one of my friends who didn't know I'd started working out said I looked slimmer, but I think that had more to do with the fact that I was wearing high heeled boots than anything else. Because to actually look thinner I'd have to ... be thinner, right?

I realize I've only been at this for less than 2 weeks, but I'd like that boost of success, even if it's a little one.

To top it off, my daughter decided we should make chocolate chip cookies. Not only did she decide, she asked in an insanely sweet and polite way, and who am I to say no? And who am I to resist that cookie dough? So there goes my no sugar streak.

But I'm not giving up. I'm starting again with no sugar tomorrow, and considering the possibility of having a sugar leeway day on the weekend. (Although, I'm fairly sure the sugar gave me a headache today, so maybe not. My body is kind of an all or nothing kind of gal.)

So tell me, what do you do to keep yourself in the game when you're not seeing success? And how do you resist the things you shouldn't eat when others in your house are partaking?

Changing it up

Hi, I'm Maryanne, and I'm a workout DVD-aholic.

I almost wrote DVD workout-aholic, but that's not true. (At all!) It's not the working out I'm addicted to, it's the DVDs themselves. I love the promise of a new workout DVD, especially those that offer quick results. Abs of steel in 3 weeks? Sign me up!

I love the thrill of learning a new routine, the euphoria on day four or five when I can get to the end of the workout without wanting to die. The satisfaction of feeling a little bit stronger each day.

And then I get to day 30, and the shine is gone. I dread the routine, I'm not seeing the drastic results I want, other things call to my fickle heart, the honeymoon is over. I hit a mental block, and so I stop.

Completely.

And that is stupid.

So this year my plan is to embrace my fickle ways. Since my tolerance level for any given DVD is 30 days, I will assign a different DVD to each month.

I'm beginning with that she-demon of fitness, Jillian Michaels. When I did her Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred last year I saw great results, just not in the areas I wanted. (Saw big changes in arms and shoulders, when really I just want a smaller waist and tummy. Is it so much to ask?) So for the month of January I'll dedicate my body (and sanity, no doubt) to No More Trouble Zones.

In the coming months I'll cycle through Yoga Booty Ballet , Fat Free Yoga , Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom, Dance and Be Fit: Brazilian Body, New York City Ballet Workout, Pilates, and others.

By changing it up (and knowing in advance that change is coming), and posting here, hopefully I'll keep myself on track and accountable. I'm also avoiding gratuitous sugar (ie. cake, cookies, candy, half my regular diet...) and trying to work with my body rather than battle against it.

Do you have a favorite workout DVD? Recommend, please! I'm looking for variety, a likeable host (I know that given this stipulation, some of you are questioning my choice of Jillian, but I enjoy her evil mistress ways.), and ideally a workout with the potential for my kiddos to join in. Obviously not to do the whole thing, but dance or stretch along? Sure.

And did you know that Amazon has a bunch of workout DVDs on sale for 65% off right now? What kind of addict would I be if I didn't pull you right on in with me?