H to the A to the S to the A to the Y? Because I said so!
Sad stats: Me: Even. Nothing lost, except my patience. nothing gained, except my impatience. (Read it again. It makes sense.)
John's stats: Down one. I have to give him props. (There was a buy one get one sale on props this weekend. I have quite a few in my pantry.) He has been to the gym regularly since the beginning of the year, (I really shouldn't say it that way, it makes it seem like 2009 is already almost over. And there's so much I have yet to accomplish!) and I can tell he's gaining muscle and I'm proud of him.
Well, the New Year is officially under way. We've had a full week of getting back into the swing of things and while I appreciate the return to routine, I do realize it IS difficult to grasp the rope of strong will and hang on when you've been slacking off in both exercise and portion control.
Last week saw me contemplating actually stopping my run on the treadmill several times. "I think I hear Sprite crying." "It's too warm. I should turn on the fan." "Did John just call me?" "The earth is not spinning on its axis quickly enough." I still plugged on, finally finishing my set.
Then I noticed other bloggers, not just one, toting the success and ab-burn and "I lost ten pounds just buying this DVD!" comments of 30 Day Shred. So, I figured I would take a look and see what the fuss was about.
I walked into Barnes and Noble with my toddler in tow, and asked the associate if they sold it. The cashier smiled and said, "I have copies at the register, this thing is so popular."
Oh, really? Seeing as I've only heard about it through the blogosphere, I guess Southwest Florida has a bigger blogger burough than I thought.
He handed me the DVD and I saw:
Jillian Michaels? From The Biggest Loser? I love that show! (I was hoping she would yell and curse at me, but besides the usual egging on that exercise videos do, she's actually pretty nice. I know. Bummer.)
Totally bought it. (Yup, that's my counter it's sitting on. I don't think the clerk, while nice, would have consented to me pulling out the digital camera to snap a few proflie pictures.) In fact, I think buying it burned some calories. Pull out card, swipe, put back in purse, breathe. (Hips went down a size there. Bank account did too.)
I completed the first workout last night.
Ouch. My fingers tapping the keyboard are about the only repetitions I can manage right now. My legs, abs, butt, and arms hurt. I think my kidneys even hurt. Is that possible or should I be stalking Web MD?
While the workout is hard (for me), the saving grace is that it's only 20 minutes. There's three levels, Beginners to Intermediate to You Be the Trainer. My goal is to suffer through this train every other night until I make it to You Be the Trainer. Once there, I will then move onto my plan for taking over the world. I may fail at that, but my abs will be killer.
I have REALLY got to do this. I have the dvd, but I've been studiously ignoring it, probably for the exact amount of time it would have taken me to accomplish You Be The Trainer Status.
I'm in, then. Maybe I should join HASAY so that you can legitimately yell at me. :)
Posted by: bessie.viola | January 12, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Welcome to the Shredders club! I need to get back to it. The first time I did the workout, I stupidly did it barefoot and couldn't walk/sit/stand/lay/play/brush my teeth/squeeze a ketchup packet for an entire week. Jillian is BRUTAL but she's nice enough about it. Good luck this week.
Oh, and Kudos to John for sticking with the program. Yay!
Posted by: Casey | January 12, 2009 at 09:46 AM
I might need a video like that. Except I do belong to a club... which I need to get my big fat butt to soon.
Posted by: Rhea | January 12, 2009 at 10:07 AM
That video sounds dangerous. My abs are hurting with sympathy pains!
Posted by: WickedStepMom | January 12, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I see that I need to buy this. 20 minutes is my limit for exercise which would make this perfect. Does she wear that outfit through the whole video? If so, I may be able to get JR to try it.
Posted by: Michele | January 12, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Wait, it's only 20 minutes? I might have to check it out.
PS- OMG. it's FREEZING here int he northeast! mind if I come hang with you in south fla?
Posted by: Robin | January 12, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I have all her DVDs but I am a loyal fan of Billy Blanks and the old school Tae Bo vidoes! I can kick ANYONES ass after his workout! : )
Posted by: Sarah | January 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM
you rock! keep plugging away at it!
Posted by: bex | January 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Woo hoo! Maybe I should buy this DVD too. I don't want to join a club right now, but I DO want to exercise. I just saw an ad for the 'Power Trainer Pro' (chin up bar thing).
Posted by: goodfather | January 12, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I'm going to have to get this DVD.
And you taking over the world? Honey, you are so on your way... you have a royalty title (I've seen you referred to as the Spin Cycle QUEEN twice today... your Highness!!!)
Posted by: Deemarie | January 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Wow, I've never heard of it either, nor have I ever heard of those DVD training things actually WORKING. In Canada, working out outSIDE can be perilous, so maybe the DVD would be worthwhile for me to try... Go you and your weight-loss self!
Posted by: Camille | January 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Wow girl, I'm proud of you. My gym has been making scores of money off me over the last couple of months. I really need to get my butt back in gear!
Posted by: HeatherPride | January 12, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Um...excuse me, but I already planned to take over the world. How shall we settle this?
Posted by: Cameron | January 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Good luck with the shredding. I haven't visited Jillian in over a month, so I can only imagine the kind of pain I'll be in once I finally summon the courage to pop her in the DVD player. I'd made it to level 2 but I'm rolling back to beginners. I love that it's 20 minutes though, it makes it bearable. An hour of her flared nostrils and I'd have to take a sledgehammer to my entertainment center.
Posted by: mrsbear | January 12, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Ahh - the 30 day Shred. Got it. Love it. I also have Bob Harper's Cardio Max DVD and that one is pretty good too. In fact I saw Bob this morning at 5:30. Bob has a good 20 minute cardio session on there and Jillian has a 10 minute one that kicks my butt everytime.
I didn't know there was a "you be the trainer" part on the Shred DVD - I'm gonna have to check that out. I have a looong way to go before I get there but I can dream.
Posted by: Leslie | January 12, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Ahh - the 30 day Shred. Got it. Love it. I also have Bob Harper's Cardio Max DVD and that one is pretty good too. In fact I saw Bob this morning at 5:30. Bob has a good 20 minute cardio session on there and Jillian has a 10 minute one that kicks my butt everytime.
I didn't know there was a "you be the trainer" part on the Shred DVD - I'm gonna have to check that out. I have a looong way to go before I get there but I can dream.
Posted by: Leslie | January 12, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Get a Wii Fit, they're sooo much more fun than a Nord!
Posted by: Naomi | January 12, 2009 at 03:20 PM
YAY! Can't wait to hear all about it :)
I'm not motivated enough to do the videos. I got a whole bunch of pilates ones that have been used maybe once.
Posted by: Michelle | January 12, 2009 at 04:49 PM
You mean just buying the DVD isn't enough?
Well, THAT'S what I've been doing wrong then.
Posted by: Debbie | January 12, 2009 at 06:44 PM
damn....Casey was nice enough to send me a "copy" of that video and it is still sitting on top of the microwave....You rock for even unwrapping the damn thing!!! And I bet that burned calories too!!!
Posted by: Heather | January 12, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I hope it works for you! I can't do videos. I've tried. I have a quite a few videos that I've used once and then never again!
Posted by: Sandie | January 12, 2009 at 09:43 PM
I never seem to stick to those videos.
Posted by: carrie | January 12, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I think this looks like a better bet than the Wii Fit actually. I mean, that thing tracks my weight, but it also yells at me and I don't think it gives a workout like this would. Keep it up. I hope to have a better update for my blog later this week. One not involving me telling Jonathan to go play with his toys because "MOMMY DOESN"T WANT TO BE FAT ANYMORE!!!!!"
Posted by: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings | January 13, 2009 at 12:38 PM
OK, you'll have to keep us posted on how it goes. And if you find a DVD that shreds by doing nothing, pls. let me know.
Posted by: Kristina | January 13, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Hello. My name is Shellie and on behalf of Billy Blanks' Enterprises, we would like to say thank you for using Tae Bo and send you a free t-shirt! Please email me at info@billyblanks.com with a mailing address and correct size. Also, please check out our websites http://www.teamtaebo.com http://www.billyblanks.com
Thanks and God bless!
Posted by: Shellie | January 15, 2009 at 07:22 PM