The Rambling Llama: 30 Day Shred - Things I've Learned.

30 days ago, I made the decision to really start pushing myself when it comes to working out. Sure, I had been doing OK prior to then. I was staying active, and I had improved the way I was eating. I felt like it just wasn't enough though. I felt like I was just doing stuff to maintain my (at the time) current weight. I have had the 30 Day Shred DVD for literally years. I just have never made it an entire 30 days. I always gave up after a week. Not anymore!

This is not a sponsored post. I wasn't compensated to do a review of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. This is just something I chose to do.

Let me start by saying, I can't accurately say how much weight I lost in the last 30 days. Shortly after I started I hid my scale and quit using it! I can say that I've absolutely lost though. Even if it is just inches. But if we're being honest, I'd rather lose inches. Muscle weighs more, and if I'm losing inches it means I'm getting stronger! My size 14 shorts are (beginning to get) smaller. The DVD claims you'll lose up to 20 lbs. I'm not sure how they got this statistic, but I can say I did NOT lose 20 lbs. And I'm really OK with that.

I learned I'm stronger than I thought I was. Holding a plank pose for a minute? A week ago I would've laughed at you. Now, I try to see how long I can really go. Jumping jacks while holding 5 lb hand weights in each hand? SURE! Bring it on! There was once upon a time where if someone had asked me to do a static lunge with a bicep curl, I would have most definitely laughed at them. Now, I'm begging Josh to get me heavier hand weights. YES, smaller weight at higher reps TONES, but I do want to strengthen as well.

Mid squat and pre boxing. Couldn't squat while boxing w/ weights a month ago.

I learned I can provide my own motivation. You know that little voice in your head that keeps on saying, "Girl, this is just a DVD. No body is watching you. You can just turn it off and have a poptart." Except, what is that really going to help? Nothing. I bought the DVD to change myself. If I just turn it off, I'm not really changing anything. Pushing myself to actually finish all 30 days proved that I can motivate myself. I can change if I want to. And, really... in all honesty there are people watching me. At least one little person anyway. Ainsley. She does pretty much all of the exercises with me.

I learned scissor crunches really are terrible, but they really do work. Seriously. I dare y'all to do a full minute of just scissor crunches and tell me your abs aren't screaming at you?

I learned once you make it past Level Two, it's totally worth it. Level One: you pretty much stick with the easy girl and you really push yourself to turn on the DVD the next day. Because let's face it, waking up to screaming muscles sometimes sucks. Level Two: You just don't even want to. But you do because you've already made it 10 days... what's another 10? Even though level two workouts are THE WORST. Level Three: Killer. But by this point, you think, "OH EM GEE!!! These are really hard, but really fun! Who's up for round two?"

props to my hubby for taking this and being a good sport. sorry about the phone in the pic..

I learned never drink coffee and eat your oatmeal breakfast immediately before working out with Jillian Michaels. Just don't do it. It's never a good idea, and it will never end well. The best bet is to just drink tons of water before, during, and after. Once you've cooled down from the workout then you can eat. If you still really need your coffee afterwards go for it, but you might not even want it. Ok you might. If you have to have coffee before working out, wait at least an hour after drinking it. Trust me, you'll thank me for this.

So, I guess in summary, I love this DVD more than I thought I would. It was a great way to mix up my typical Zumba. I plan on doing it again for sure. Now that the 30 days is complete I'll be using Fitness Blender to mix things up a bit more. Shout out to Cassie for turning me onto Fitness Blender. She's the best, y'all. If you're on the fence about workout DVD's, this one IS tough. I'm not going to lie about that. But it IS worth it. You do see results, and it does push you.

I'm linking up with Kenji for Workout Wednesday (a day late).