Thursday, April 16, 2015

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).
Kenji is Here: Workout Wednesdays

And because I'm all about progress pictures & bragging about results,
I'll leave y'all with this little gem!

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24 comments :

  1. That's awesome lady! I did a shred a few years ago and it kicked my butt but I had real results. I need to do it again though. I'm slacking big time!

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  2. I'm super excited that I did all 30 days!! I've been adding videos to my profile on fitness blender (free) so I can keep it up. I'm loving the HIIT stuff they have.

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  3. I almost felt like level two was harder than level three. maybe it's because I HATED the squats with the rows. I dunno. jumping jacks with hand weights is no joke though. I think even if you started with some fitness blender videos it'd be good to jump in!

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  4. you're awesome too my dear! Thanks though!! :) it was tough. I'm glad I did it. now on to something else. hahaha. gotta change it up, right?

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  5. Girl you killed it! I have that DVD and I did a few of them and then swayed away. I might have to pop it back in and try it again. I need guidance when it comes to lifting. I'm not very good at sculpting my own lifting routine. I'm so proud of you! You did fantastic and way to got for sticking to the workout for 30 days!!! oxox

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  6. OMG You're amazing!!! The farthest I've made it is like day 2, haha!!!

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  7. no joke.. the 10 days spent on level two, I WANTED TO QUIT so hard!

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  8. LOL that was totally me in the past. Since I'm trying to make an example for the kids, I was like "nope... cannot quit". LOL

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  9. LOVE YOU!!! :D you inspired me to stick with it for 30 FREAKING DAYS! hahaha

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  10. There was once that I literately sat on my living room floor watching the video saying "jokes on your Julian.. you can't tell me what to do"

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  11. Good for you! That's super impressive. I've really been trying to get into a routine with working out, but I have so many excuses. You've inspired me!

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  12. so so proud of you!!!!!!!!!!! i also loved that you discovered you can motivate yourself, because we sort of have to :) i also laughed out loud at your poptart reference HA!


    i do home workout dvds too and while it can be tempting to turn them off or fast forward through the terrible parts, that's not why we got them! you're right and i'm glad you're bragging on yourself because you're working hard!

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  13. I have one of her other dvds and I loved it. I should totally try this one! && your doing awesome and looking great mama!

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  14. THIS! "I bought the DVD to change myself. If I just turn it off, I'm not really changing anything."
    So, so, so true! You can't change anything if you don't DO anything! I have that same DVD I should give it a try...

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  15. WAY TO GO LADY! I'm proud of you! You can definitely notice the healthy difference! I'll admit, I have this dvd too and a week is about the longest I've ever made it too - mainly because I got bored. Maybe I should really try to stick it out the full 30 days.

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  16. OMG I had so many excuses before too. I thought I HAD to pay for a gym membership to workout & go at night when hubs was home... but then I couldn't afford it and HAD to workout at home. suddenly that point isn't valid anymore. lol. my motivation comes from knowing my kids are watching and learning how to be healthy

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  17. thank you sooo much!! XOXO. It WAS hard though. I'm glad I was able to inspire some people cause heck, if I can do this... so can y'all! LOL. ;)

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  18. oooh which one do you have? I've been thinking of getting another.

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  19. YES!! That's the most important thing. No lie, I did longer than 30 days cause I wouldn't do it on weekends, so from the time I started until yesterday it was like 36-38 days. but I DID IT! :) it sucked 100% but I did it! lol

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  20. thank youu!!! :) Even slight changes are good ones. I know it's going to be a progress and I won't change overnight but I don't want to really. I want the weight to STAY off! :)

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  21. I'm so proud of you!! Now come be my personal trainer.

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  22. Deal!! But be careful what you wish for! Lol

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