30 Day Shred-Day 22=COMPLETE!

Only 8 days left to the Shred!  I'm pulling out all the stops this last Level.  I want to see major results!  I don't know if I will or not but I'm definitely giving it my best shots.  By the way, this level has one of the most ridiculous feeling exercise moves I've ever done.  It's called the superman and it'll really make you feel like an idiot while you're doing it!  Pliet jumps, or whatever they're called, are really hard!  They have my inner thighs burninggggg!

Willpower Wednesday!

It's the middle of the weekend.  How's this for willpower?  I jogged a mile and a half this morning, did the 30 Day Shred just now, and am going on a walk with my friend when I get off of work in an hour.  Three workouts in one day!!!  I'm feeling extra motivated today because yesterday I was able to easily fit into a pair of shorts that I could barely fit in before!!!  I won't be wearing them anytime soon because I hate my legs and don't wear shorts, but I'm hoping that soon things will change!  I'm also on track to lose 30 lbs by the time I have to order that bridesmaid's dress at the end of April and that was my goal so I'm super excited!!!

30 Day Shred-Day 21=COMPLETE!

After reading reviews of the 30 Day Shred I went into Level 3 thinking it would be easier than Level 2.  Boy was I wrong!  I literally had sweat dripping off of my face onto the floor while I was in plank position.  I ended the workout thinking I was gonna throw up.  It was no joke AT ALL!  I did complete it, however.

I normally tutor after work on Tues and Thus, but my student rescheduled for tomorrow so when I got home my roommate and I went for a 3 mile bike ride.  I don't remember if I mentioned it but I restarted running again yesterday, despite my knee injury, because my friends and I are doing Relay for Life at the beginning of May and I want to be able to run the whole thing.  I'm going to do Couch to 5K which is extremely similar to the running program I had originally started when I started the 30 Day Shred.  I have 2 months to be able to run 3.1 miles nonstop.  Hopefully I can do this!

Tone It Tuesday! (10 Day Results!!)

So I started the day dreading the fact that it was a results day.  I didn't feel (for reasons I don't know exactly) that I wasn't going to have lost any weight or inches.  I woke up this morning and got on the scale to be rather surprised that I lost 3 lbs.  I was happy and disappointed all at once.  Who loses only 3 lbs in 10 days???  It was actually 12 days because I had to add two workout days since I skipped two over my crazy Mardi Gras.  I was happy, though, because I just had it in my head that I hadn't lost any.  I lost 5 inches though!!!!  Last time I only lost 3 inches, but I had lost 4 lbs.  I guess inches is what matters more than pounds because that's what makes your body look different.  I must be gaining muscle because that's the only way I can explain the fact that I only lost 3 lbs but 5 inches.  Anyway, that's a total of 7 lbs and 8 inches since I started the Shred.  Hopefully Level 3 will have me seeing the best results yet!!

30 Day Shred-Day 20=COMPLETE!

As I said in my previous post, I did complete Day 19.  Besides doing that, it was a lazy day so I completely forgot about blogging!  My roommate and I have made it our mission to keep what was our Christmas tree up all year long.  Yesterday we made it into an Easter tree!

cute huh?

Anyway, today is the last day of the shred!  I'll post my results from the last 10 days tomorrow.  I'm noting getting my hopes up because it doesn't seem like there will be much progress :-/  I hope those two crazy Mardi Gras days didn't ruin anything!!  We shall see.  There's only 10 days left to the Shred.  Its bitter sweet because I don't think I'll have the results I was hoping for.  I think I'm going to restart it once I'm done though.  Second time is a charm maybe?

Motivational Monday!!!

I forgot to post yesterday!  I did do day 19 of the Shred tho!  Anyway, There are plenty of times I don't feel like working out.  When that happens I remind myself that being lazy isn't going to get me towards my goal.  This picture fits perfectly with that!

30 Day Shred-Day 18=COMPLETE!

I had to really talk myself into getting up and doing the Shred today.  I did NOT feel like doing it and I just really had to keep telling myself that I'm working towards a goal, and I won't ever get there being lazy.  I'm SO happy I did!  It was one of my best workout on Level 2!!  I did all of the moves on advanced level until I couldn't anymore, then I switched to the modified version for the rest of the time.  I only took one break!  It was awesome!  So proud of myself!!!

Show 'Em Saturday!

Rather than use this day as a cheat day, I'm using it to revamp my diet!  I'm not noticing as rapid results as I thought I would so I'm going to eat a little more healthily (although my diet is pretty healthy as it is) and reduce my caloric intake by a couple hundred calories a day.  Hopefully this will have me seeing better results!!  Weigh in and measurement day is in 3 days so I'm really hoping to see some results then!!!

30 Day Shred-Day 17=COMPLETE!

I can't believe I didn't even notice when I made it to the halfway point!!!  How exciting!!!  I'm over halfway done!  Soooo Level 2 was super hard today.  It was wayyy harder than normal.  It's because I pushed myself to take breaks as little and short as possible :)  I survived the torture and hell of it though!  Ok, that may be exaggerating a LITTLE.  I was exhausted afterwards though!  I'm having crawfish for dinner (it's low cal!) which I am soooooo looking forward to!

Fab Friday!

It's another edition of Fab Friday which means another outfit that I love but wouldn't want until I've lost some weight.  lol.  I love this front ruffle dress.  The color is pretty, and, with the monochromatic accessories, it's the focus of the outfit.  Nude heels go with anything, and I love them paired with this Michael Kors bag and earrings!

While theoretically I could wear this now, and it would look decent, it would look so much better on an improved and in shape me!

30 Day Shred-Day 16=COMPLETE!

I didn't let my knee issues get the best of me!  I'm still at it until I finish or I can't walk anymore...whichever comes first!  lol  I'm hoping it's the former.  Anyway, I guess there's not much to say because it's the same thing everyday!

Thinner Thursday!

I've been using Healthy Choice meals for lunch as a way to control calorie intake without having to think about it.  When I get up in the morning the last thing I want to do is make myself lunch.  If left to my own devices, I'd be getting fast food everyday.  So to combat this, I just grab a healthy choice meal on my way out the door.  I only buy the ones that are under 300 calories.  They're delicious and just an easy lunch when you're trying to watch what you eat!

What I ate today!

30 Day Shred-Day 15=COMPLETE!

I have good news and bad news.  Good news first?  Ok.  I've come back to the 30 Day Shred after a two day Mardi Gras break and it was actually easier for me than it has been in the past!!!  I really like this exercise program, so I'm hoping I get the results from it that I'm working so hard for.

Now for the bad news, its sooooo hard on my knees!  With all of the jumping, squatting, and lunges that are required to successfully participate I've been having some major knee issues.  Especially today.  As I've mentioned before, I have bursitis in my knees.  That's not what this knee pain is though.  This new pain is located in a totally different part of my knees.  While the bursitis pain is located in the back bend of my knee, this new pain is behind my knee caps.  It's a dull aching feeling when I do any low squats or just bend my knee period.  It's accompanied by a grating feeling when I extend my knee.  It's bearable and I've read online that the best way to treat it is with rest but rest isn't something I can afford!  I want to exercise and lose weight NOW!!!  I'm thinking I'm going to lay off of running for a while so my knees can be under a little less stress.  I'm still going at the 30 Day Shred with full force, though!

I didn't wake up to run this morning because my sleep schedule was all out of wack from Mardi Gras festivities.  I did, however do Zumba this evening so I did get some cardio in.  That was especially hard on my knees, though.  :(  This knee thing is really starting to be a bummer!!!!

Willpower Wednesday!

Today is Willpower Wednesday.  It's fitting for those readers that participate in the Lenten Season.  It's all about willpower!  So Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras have come and gone.  Mardi Gras is all about indulging before Lent and indulge I did!  I went NUTS Monday and Tuesday.  Between drinking excessively Sunday night/Monday morning, all of the horrible horrible things I ate, and the exercising I DIDN'T do, I'd say I've indulged enough for quite a while.  I don't feel too bad since that is the point of the holiday and I got a little cardio in with the Zydeco dancing I did Sunday night.  Lol.  As of today I'm back on track and there are no other obstacles in my way in the foreseeable future.  I didn't get up this morning to run because my sleep schedule was all out of wack from my crazy couple of days.  Oh well, all the random fun I had was definitely worth it!  Mardi Gras only comes once a year, after all...

I even had a piece of king cake.  I'm telling y'all...I went alllllll out!

30 Day Shred-Day 14=COMPLETE!

Another day another 30 Day Shred completed...  It went just as well as any of the other Level 2 days...HARD HARD HARD!!  By the end, I thought I was going to throw up, but that may be partially due to the fact that I ate breakfast later than usual.  Tomorrow I'm doing some Mardi Gras celebrating so I may not be blogging.  We shall see!

So Real Sunday!

Teen Mom Recap

It sucks that I decided to start recapping my favorite shows on the season finale of Teen Mom.   C'est la vie!  On this episode of Teen Mom the always put together (*rolls eyes*) Jenelle got phone privileges in rehab and called her mom and son, Jace, to let them know she missed them and would be coming home soon.  She also talked to Keifer and let him know that they were over.  Thank God for small miracles!  Kail had her boyfriend, Jordan, come over to let them know that she had let her ex, Jo, spend the night and things had "gone too far."  Jordan, as expected, was furious and let her know he hoped the cheating was worth it.   She then had Jo come over and tried to rekindle they're long gone relationship.  Jo, without beating around the bush whatsoever, let Kail know that he wished to remain single and "focus on his music.  (Apparently he's an aspiring rapper *rolls eyes again*.)  Chelsea spent this episode getting sucked back into things with Adam.  We all know Adam is not the guy for her, but Chelsea just can't seem to get over him.  After not talking to him for quite some time, Adam calls to come pick up Aubree, the daughter they share.  When he arrives he asks Chelsea if she'd like to come with them so they can catch up and spend some time with their daughter together.  I'm sure the reunion won't be so bright for these two even though the season ended with them on a high note.  Leah spent the episode broken up about the downfall of her six month marriage to Cory despite the fact that she was the cause of their relationship failing.  When picking up their twins from Cory, she sees him for the first time since filing for divorce.  This, coupled with the fact that she has to use this opportunity to move all of her belongings out of the house they once shared causes her to have an emotional breakdown in the half empty trailer.  Her step-dad, Lee, is their to support her and they leave together with Leah talking about how she can't believe her marriage is over.  I can't wait for the reunion episode this week!  Reunion shows are my favorite part about watching reality tv!

The Real Housewives of Orange County Recap

This was only the second episode of this season of TRHOOC.  Vicki hosts a dinner party for all the girls.  She goes for a southern theme since she apparently has a new found appreciation for southern food since dating her beau from Mississippi, Brooks.  She serves crawfish in a "garbage bag" which the girls weren't keen on eating even though they were adorned with crab bibs and plastic gloves (both not customary when eating crawfish).  It's mind boggling to me that someone would be put off by the sight of crawfish but I'm a native Louisianian so I'm obviously biased when it comes to such things.  There were plenty of snide remarks throughout the dinner, whether it was Peggy and Alexis exchanging barbs or new girl on the block, Heather, calling Gretchen cute (apparently that's not a compliment when talking to a grown woman).  The night ended with Peggy crying, attempting to make up with Alexis, and deciding to leave the show.  Gretchen posed nude with a purse design she had made for a breast cancer charity.  Apparently the audience was supposed to ignore the fact that she was posing with a cardboard purse because it wasn't acknowledged during the scene.  It was very distracting to me for some reason.  Later in the episode Vicki, Brooks, Tamra, and Eddie went on a double date to Catalina Island to celebrate Tamra's birthday.  The trip took a bad turn when, jokingly, Vicki and Eddie start to get lovey dovey.  Tamra gets jealous that her man is flirting with Vicki, even if it's not serious, and decides to one up them by putting Brooks's hand on her tatas.  Eddie was furious and they fought about it the rest of the night.

The Challenge Recap

This episode of the challenge had the couples competing by holding onto a log that rolled on a length of rope.  They were supposed to hold on as long as possible then drop into the water and swim to the finish line then ring a bell.  The longer they held on the less they had to swim which would make their times shorter.  The winning couple was Johnny and Camila with Jasmine and Tyree coming in last and automatically going into the dome.  Johnny, still hung up from a long ago challenge season, has it out for Rachel and so he and Camila send them into the dome.  In no big surprise, Rachel and Aneesa win the dome competition that requires them to jump over and duck under rotating battering rams.  Also in this episode, CT and Diem sit down and try to talk through some of their issues so they can work together better.  I'm really rooting for this couple to get back together!!! 

CT and Diem.  If her body isn't motivation then idk what is!!!

 

30 Day Shred-Day 13=COMPLETE!

Today was so hard.  My knees have been bothering me because of all the squats and lunges (I have bursitis) so that makes things a tad more difficult.  My stamina just wasn't there today as much as it has been the past few days.  I made it through though!!

I do have some complaints.  I've had a calorie deficit every single day since I started this blog and workout program.  Most days the deficit is over 1000 calories.  With the average daily deficit I have, I should be losing AT LEAST 3 pounds a week.  I'm so frustrated because even though the numbers say that's what should be happening that is SO not what's happening.  I've lost 4 pounds in 13 days.  I should've lost 6 or 7.  Whyyyyyy isn't it happening?????  Is my body defying science???  I don't understand!  lol  It's soooooo frustrating!!!!!

Show 'Em Saturday!

Shame on me but I'm indulging all weekend.  I had IHOP last night, but I still had a calorie deficit for the day so it didn't sabotage my weight loss efforts whatsoever.  Today I had 2 pieces of king cake but I still was within my normal calorie range with a large (over 1000) calorie deficit for the day.  Tomorrow I'm going to a bar to celebrate my cousin's birthday and Mardi Gras so I'll be drinking, but I'll probably still have a calorie deficit.  It's convenient to use cheat days as a reason to go crazy, but I've found it extremely easy to eat things that aren't part of my normal healthy diet and still have them not have negative effects on my weight loss efforts.  I want this to be a lifestyle change, not a temporary diet until I reach my goal.  I need to learn now how to successfully incorporate indulgences into my life without them having a negative affect on me.  So far I think I'm doing a darn good job at it!

30 Day Shred-Day 12=COMPLETE!

In a few more days I'll be halfway through this program!  That's pretty exciting.  I have some soreness from my first day of Level 2 yesterday.  I'm especially sore in my upper back and shoulders.  I love the feeling of being sore.  It makes me feel so productive!  Day 2 of Level 2 wasn't any easier than yesterday.  All the moves with planks in this level are tough!  There's planks in the strength section, planks in the cardio section, and planks in the ab section!  Planks, planks, planks!!!  No wonder my shoulders were sore!!  If this level doesn't get me results, then I don't know what will.

My morning run was eventful today.  I had a dog that really wanted to chase me but was tied up.  That got my heart pumping!  Then, on my second lap around the neighborhood, a man was standing on his porch, drinking coffee, and cheering me on.  Talk about embarrassinggggg!  I might be the world's worst runner so having an audience isn't exactly something I want...  On top of that, the fact that my morning run was his entertainment is a little creepy to me!

Fab Friday!

Fab Friday = another installment of things I would never wear now but would love to wear in the future when I'm summertime fine!  lol.  I love the shorts in this look!  Anyone who knows me knows I love a pair of short jean shorts but would NEVER in a million trillion years wear such a thing!  Maybe by my birthday...  Anyway, teal is my favorite color these days!  I love this shirt because it's so light weight and loose fitting.  Perfect for Louisiana summers!  I just love everything about this outfit!  (Hence the reason I put it together I suppose...lol)

30 Day Shred-Day 11=COMPLETE!

OMG!!!!  Level 2 was no freakin joke!  I was dripping sweat when I was done with it, and I already know I'm going to be super sore tomorrow!  I was proud of myself when I completed it but disappointed that I had to take a lot of breaks compared to how much I had progressed in Level 1.  I tried to keep them as short as possible.  On the bright side, for a lot of the workouts I did the regular version instead of the modified version.  I guess I'm getting stronger!  I'm going to attempt Level 1 this evening after work.  Wish me luck!

Thinner Thursday!

It's fitting that today is Thinner Thursday given the fact that I decided to measure my results at the end of Level 1.  I'm a tad bit thinner but nothing extraordinary. :(  I lost 3 inches overall and 4 pounds.  I was definitely hoping for more but I guess progress is progress.  Maybe I'll have better results once Level 2 is completed since it's the most difficult level.  I surely hope so!!

Anyway, Thinner Thursday is all about diet and how big of a roll it plays in weight loss.  I found a really great website with some very helpful tips about how to successfully manage your diet so it can aid in your weight loss.  A lot of it are things we've heard a million times but it really explains why certain steps need to be taken, and I've found it really helpful.

30 Day Shred-Day 10=COMPLETE!

I'm officially done with Level 1 which is great because I was starting to get a tad bored with it.  On to Level 2 tomorrow!!!

The End

Willpower Wednesday!

Willpower Wednesday has once again rolled around.  There's just something about Wednesday's and running that just don't go together for me.  All of my other running days give me not trouble, but when Wednesday rolls around it takes all of the willpower I have not to go back to sleep for 30 more minutes.  I was successful, once again, however in overcoming the urge to sleep and instead going for a nice jog.  I'm starting to develop shin splints which is a pain in the...I guess...well...shin!  They're really painful, which stretching helps, but I asked a few friends for remedies and these are the answers I got:

Remedy 1: Stretch and ice!!  And run or jog or do whatever you were doing to get them in the first place as soon as you can bare the pain. They'll go away faster.  Take a dough roller and roll it down your shin. With some icy hot cream.

Remedy 2: I do a hot tub-cold pool shock treatment. Heat to bring blood to the area and increase inflammation - help with healing. Cold shock to bring the inflammation back down.  Stretch it out and burn through the pain. Also you can massage the area, but it hurts a bunch.

Remedy 3: You should alternate between heat & ice...Not long, like 7 min of each after you work out...Start with ice.

I'm liking the first remedy a lot because although, as Remedy 2 says, massaging it is painful, it also feels so good in a way. I'm going to do a combination of all three.  Hopefully they go away sooner rather than later!!

I'm off to do the Shred!!

30 Day Shred-Day 9=COMPLETE!

Tomorrow is my last day on Level 1!!!!!!  I'm starting to get tired of this level so Level 2 is coming just in the nick of time!  I've read that it's the hardest level of the whole program but I'm definitely up for the challenge.  I did awesome today and definitely pushed myself.  The improvement in my endurance from when I started 9 days ago to now is definitely noticeable!  I'm pretty sure when I start Level 2 I'm still going to do Level 1 in the evenings.  My ankle didn't hurt today so I obviously didn't injure it yesterday which is good!  I hope my results show the effort I'm putting in.  I'm doing my best not to expect anything unrealistic.  So many people have had such good results from this that I expect mine to be good too, though!

Tone It Tuesday!

Like I said in my previous Tone It Tuesday, if you're overweight (like me) you must MUST MUST incorporate cardio with your strength training if you actually want to see any kind of definition.  Strength training, whether it be plyometrics or weight lifting, won't get rid of the excess fat you want to lose.  You need to do cardio and get your heart pumping and then the excess fat will start to come off.  Today's Tone It Tuesday is focusing on abs:

30 Day Shred-Day 8=COMPLETE!

I completed my 8th 30 Day Shred workout today and quite successfully I might add!  I worked extra extra hard which I haven't really been able to do since I got sick last Thursday!  I'm really hoping this didn't affect my end result too much.  I mean, I still stuck to my workouts and did them as well as I could the last 4 days.  I'm still sick but much much better than I was.

Between my run this morning and the Shred I'm having right ankle issues.  It's nothing that's stopping me from giving it my all (at least not yet), but along both side of the bottom of my calf and into my ankle it's feeling really tight and sore.  Hopefully it doesn't turn into anything serious!  I didn't ride my bike yesterday (it was pretty darn cold), but I will most definitely be riding it after work today.  I can't wait.  Riding in my neighborhood is fun and challenging because it has lots of pretty steep hills, and doing it on a one speed Huffy beach cruiser is quite the challenge!

Motivational Monday!!!

This is my second Motivational Monday and marks a week that I've been blogging about my weight loss journey!  Motivational picture of the day:

I'm not even a third of the way through the 30 Day Shred, but I'm already thinking about the next Jillian Michaels DVD I'm going to tackle.  Looking at all of the results, before and after pictures, and testimonials from regular people makes it extremely motivating to want to do these DVDs!  The transformations these people have in just a month are awesome!  I hope to be in that category as well!  I have 22 days left to kick some butt!  I hope to have lost quite a bit of weight by the time the end of April rolls around.  I have to get measured for a bridesmaid's dress and want to be confident and happy when ordering it!  I also don't want to have to take the dress in a whole lot once it comes in.  I intend to have long been at my goal by the time the wedding happens in December and would rather not have to do too many alterations to it once it comes in, so I'd like to do lose the majority of what I want to lose before even ordering it.  Anyway, I'm thinking the next two DVDs I'll do are Ripped in 30 followed by Extreme Shed & Shred.  I'm so excited for some results!!

30 Day Shred-Day 7=COMPLETE!

I've officially done the 30 Day Shred for a week straight!  Gooooooo me!!!  3 days until I complete Level 1!  I'm debating on whether I should measure my inches at the end or after every level.  I suppose I'll see how I feel when Wednesday rolls around.  I got up at 7 this morning and ran.  It was SO HARD!  I could barely breathe.  I can't wait for this sinus infection to GO AWAY!    Anyway, the Shred went exceptionally well.  I took 1 break for the whole video.  Hopefully tomorrow I can get through it with no breaks.  I'm going to ride my bike later I think.  It depends on how cold it is.

I ♥ my bike!

So Real Sunday!

Starting next Sunday I'll be taking the time to recap my (not so) guilty pleasure, reality tv.  Yes, I'm aware that reality tv isn't "so real", but I enjoy it nonetheless.  I won't do every reality show I watch.  The blog post would just be too long.  I'll recap Teen Mom, The Real Housewives of Orange County, and The Challenge.

My fav Housewives Franchise!

30 Day Shred-Day 6=COMPLETE!

So I completed Day 6 quite a few hours ago, but I'm just getting around to writing about it.  It was better than the last couple of days since I'm starting to recover from my sinus infection.  I moved my running to tomorrow morning for this weekend because I figured I'd be almost fully recovered by then.  Doing the Shred is getting pretty routine but not any easier!  I do have a lot more endurance than when I first started though.  I only took two breaks today!!  Only 4 more days before I get to start Level 2!

Show 'Em Saturday!

Don't slack off just because it's Saturday!  If today is the day that you're indulging a little, that doesn't mean you should go completely crazy and eat a million calories or not exercise.  Just because you might be having something a little unhealthy, that doesn't give you permission to completely fall off the wagon.  Get your workout in, and that will make you feel even better about whatever indulgence you're planning on having!  I indulged yesterday but I still ran and did the Shred.  I'm back to eating great, and I've already gotten in my workout for the day too!

Great tips!!

30 Day Shred-Day 5=COMPLETE!

I'm officially halfway through the first level of the 30 Day Shred!!!!   How effin exciting is that?!?  Today wasn't too bad.  I'm still sick but I ran before work and did the Shred at lunch time anyway.  Today I had the fewest breaks of any day so far which was definitely an accomplishment.  Hopefully by next Wednesday I'll be doing it with no breaks at all!  When Level 2 rolls around, I'm thinking about doing that at lunch time then doing level one again in the evenings.  I guess I'll see how I'm doing when that time comes and decide then.  My soreness is all but gone.  That's kind of disappointing actually, but I'm thinking when I start Level 2 next week it'll be back in full gear.  I like the feeling of being sore the day after a workout.  It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and is a reminder that I did something productive!

Fab Friday!

I don't feel so fabulous today, but I'm naming today Fab Friday, anyway, for the Fridays ahead when I'm sure I'll feel and look fabulous!  Fab Friday is all about feeling and looking great.  I'll post an outfit I'd never wear now but would love to have once I get the results I'm working so hard for!  Another reason Fridays are fabulous: it's the start of the weekend of course!!!

30 Day Shred-Day 4=COMPLETE!

Today was the hardest day of the Shred to me.  I had no stamina or balance, and I'm sure my sinus infection is the cause of that.  Regardless, I got through it!  I didn't push myself as hard (see Thinner Thursday) so I didn't feel as proud of myself afterwards, but I did still get a good workout in.  This hard work is starting to pay off!  I got curious this morning and decided to weigh myself, and I've lost 3 lbs since Monday!  Results are rewards!

Thinner Thursday!

Thursdays are going to be dedicated towards diet.  In terms of purely losing weight diet is far more important than exercise.  There are 3500 calories in a pound so in order to lose one you would need to find a way to have a 3500 calorie deficit.  There are two ways to do this, through diet or exercise.  If a 160 lb person jogged 5mph for 20 minutes they would burn about 195 calories.  So in order to burn 3500 calories, that person would need to run for about 6 hours.  That's a lot of hours of running, even in a week's time.  On the other hand, there are 240 calories in a 20 oz bottle of coke.  So if someone drank 2 cokes a day and decided to cut coke out of their diet, in a week they could have a deficit of 3,360 calories.  Almost a whole pound could be lost just by not drinking soft drinks.  My point is, diet is a major part of losing weight.  Eating healthy foods that fill you up will easily reduce the amount of calories you consume.  Combining a healthy diet with exercise will have the pounds melting off in no time!

Side note:  I have a sinus infection and researched whether I should exercise because I don't want to make it worse or prolong it.  I learned a neat rule about illness and exercise!  If your symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, etc.) exercise is fine as long as you don't do anything TOO intense.  Low to moderate intensity should not affect your immune system in a negative way.  If your symptoms are below the neck (nausea, diarrhea, etc.) you should not exercise until you are well again.  I'd consider the 30 Day Shred a high intensity exercise, however, I plan on doing it at a moderate intensity.  I didn't want to skip today all together because I committed to this program and want to prove to myself that I can see it to completion!

30 Day Shred-Day 3=COMPLETE!

This was by far the HARDEST day of the 30 Day Shred!  My muscles still hurt from Day 1 so trying to work even harder was a big challenge.  I only took one break for the whole video which was quite the accomplishment! I'm starting to have the order of exercises memorized which is one of the reasons why I think I'm getting better at it.  I can focus more one what I'm doing instead of what she's saying (which can be annoying at times).  Below is Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred for you to check out.  It looks much easier than it acutally is.  Especially if you're doing your best to give it all you've got.

7 days until I move on to Level 2!  I'm pretty nervous about it, actually, because I hear it's the hardest part of the entire program.  Hopefully after doing 10 days of Level 1 at full intensity I'll be prepared to tackle Level 2!

I forgot to mention something previously, but I started a program called one hundred push ups Monday.  It's supposed to have you doing 100 consecutive pushups in six weeks.  Seeing as how I could barely do one pushup (not even kidding!), I'm not sure how well I'll do but I did complete the first day which required me to do 12 with 60 second breaks every few pushups.  Hopefully this will give me some Michelle Obama arms!

♥ her by the way!

Willpower Wednesday!

WILLPOWER

So, if you didn't know (which you probably didn't because I made it up), today is Willpower Wednesday.  I couldn't think of any 'w' words to go with Wednesday until I woke up this morning and did not want to get out of bed.  I thought about going back to sleep until I had to wake up for work, but then I told myself I'd never see results with that mind frame.  To see results, I need to be self-disciplined=willpower!  So I got up and did the running program I committed to.  You know what???  It wasn't bad, and I feel better for doing it instead of sleeping longer.  I'm going to be in shape before I know it!  How exciting is that?!?

I won't be my own enemy!

30 Day Shred-Day 2=COMPLETE!

Are you supposed to feel like you're gonna die when you're done?  Okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration but I am beyond exhausted!  I definitely pushed myself more than I did yesterday.  My breaks were fewer and shorte,r and I did the moves with more intensity.  I'm so excited for the results.  A month isn't that long to wait...  I'm notoriously impatient.  Lol.  Something to look forward to ->I'm hoping to have some really good before and after pictures for my 30 day mark so stay tuned!!

My next running day is tomorrow.  I hope I can get through the soreness and do a good job with it!  I woke up not at all sore this morning, but by midday I could feel it in every limb and my stomach.  Hopefully that's what happens tomorrow too so I won't be too sore when I run!!

I have to think of a cutesy name for Wednesday's so if y'all have any suggestions let me know!  Until then:

Tone It Tuesday!

Tone It Tuesday is here!!!  Each Tuesday will be dedicated to exercises that focus on toning.  Now, when I say this, don't think I'm talking spot reducing.  Despite what we all wish, spot reducing fat is impossible people!  If you want to lose fat to reveal the toned muscles you've been working on underneath you have to remove the fat from your whole body.  With that being said, these posts will probably each focus on a different body part, but you'll just have to keep in mind that you'll need to incorporate some cardio and have a healthy diet if you ever want to actually see those toned muscles.  I can't wait!  I know I have some nice arms under there somewhere!  Lol!

That picture links to an awesome back and shoulder toning workout.  I mean who wouldn't want their back and shoulders to look like that??  I know I do!

I'll be back later to fill you in on how Day 2 of the 30 Day Shred went.  I'm a little sore from Day 1 but not as bad as I thought I'd be!  I'm going to push even harder today because I want results like abby459 here!

30 Day Shred-Day 1=COMPLETE!

I completed the first day of the 30 Day Shred literally moments ago.  It's a pretty tough workout, however, I did go into it telling myself I'd give it my all since it only lasts 20 minutes.  I rested a few times but never more than 5 seconds (per her instructions).  A lot of the exercises are hard on the knees, which is a challenge for me because I have bursitis in my left knee.  Because of that, the workout was a little painful, but I did my best to push through.  Tomorrow I intend to work even harder than I did today.  Only 9 more days and then it's on to Level 2!

The fact that this workout has 3 levels that last 10 days each is going to be beneficial to me.  A lot of times when I have long term goals I focus so much on the big picture that I get extremely overwhelmed and end up quitting.  With this workout plan, each 10 day mark can be a small goal for me to reach instead of focusing on the 30 day finish line.  It will allow me to be so much more successful, and I can't wait!!

I started the running program this morning.  It wasn't too difficult, and I like the fact that it's only 4 days a week rather than 7.  I'm pretty sure if I had to run AND do the 30 Day Shred every single day of the week I wouldn't make it past the first week!!

My Goal!!!!!

Wish me luck!

Motivational Monday!!!

I was inspired by my friend Samantha (known to me as Sam Bam) to start blogging!  She's a fashion/life blogger so go check her out!!

I'm going to start every Monday off with one of the pins from my Motivation pin board on Pinterest:

Today marks the 19,384,799,387,402,984 time I attempt to lose weight.  Most of these times have ended in failure, but the most recent time was a success!  Since graduating high school, I've steadily packed on the pounds.  Even in high school, I wasn't satisfied with my weight, but, looking back, I don't think I was overweight.  I'd definitely prefer to be that size over this one any day!!  Lol.

My success in losing weight last fall came the good old fashioned way: diet & exercise...who'd of thunk right?!?  Lol!  I didn't deprive myself of the things I loved to eat.  Instead, I ate in moderation and exercised 5-6 days a week for at least an hour a day and sometimes two!  Within 3 months I had lost 25 lbs!  I was so happy with this success.  Then I used the "too busy" excuse and have been off the weight loss wagon for the last 3 or 4 months.  On the bright side, I haven't gained any of it back!  In the month of January, I got back to healthier eating, and now that February has started I'm recommitting myself to working out.

 Diet

Healthy eating isn't too much of a problem for me.  I love vegetables and have no problem eating mainly that and lean meats.  My one vice, however, is fast food which may be the worst vice there is...  I've done much better controlling that lately!  I'm limiting my intake of unhealthy foods to one day on the weekend.  I don't want to feel like I'm always depriving myself, and I want this to be a permanent lifestyle change!

Menu Today:

Breakfast- Southwestern Egg Beaters (recommended serving) with a chopped up habanero pepper (I love spice!) & some chopped red onion and 2 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Patties

Snack: an apple

Lunch: A honey smoked turkey breast (two slices) and fat free cheddar cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with a table spoon of light mayo (I refuse to live without it) and a spicy dill pickle

Snack: mixed cashews and pistachios

Dinner: 2 baked tilapia fillets and 8 oz of chopped broccoli

Exercise

 Today I'm starting Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred!!!!!

I've read lots of great reviews of people getting some awesome results so I'm excited to start!!!  I'll be doing it later on today and then I'll blog about my first experience.

On top of this, I've started a beginner's running program that is supposed to have you running 20 minutes non stop in 10 weeks.  This program allows for breaks (unlike 30 Day Shred), and you can pick your days so I'll be doing it on a Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat schedule.  I'm really excited about this as well because I would love to become a better runner (something I've always been terrible at), and this cardio combined with the strength training in the 30 Day Shred should have me shedding pounds and inches in no time!