Workout 22 of 2011 (Ripped in 30, Level 1, day 4)

Today's workout was not the best.  I was feeling sluggish and then in the middle of the 3rd circuit realized I was low.  So I had to stop a little earlier than anticipated.  It still counts though!  I stopped at the 27 min mark, meaning I had completed a 20 min workout with 5 min warmup.  I had to drink some juice before cooling down but in my brain, a workout must be at least 20 minutes plus 5 min warmup/cooldown to count.  So I still count today's!

The only bad thing about today's workout is that it happened on a fat day.  I've been having fat days almost everyday this week, which SUCKS!  If you are a girl, you know what I'm talking about.  It doesn't matter that all my clothes fit or that the scale still has me at 139.3.  I am having a fat week and it's no fun!

Tomorrow starts a new workout week so hopefully I will get out of this fat-day-funk!

Workout 21 of 2011 (Ripped in 30, Level 2 Day 1)

I couldn't wait any longer, I had to try level 2!  It was HARD.  There are so many plank moves that my arms are still shaky.  During the cardio section of circuit 3, my TV started messing up so I could not really see how the moves were supposed to be executed for the rest of the workout.  I managed as best as I could but definitely need to make sure the TV has had it's 30 minutes of freak-out time (the screen races) before working out.

Something difficult for me is that this level requires more flexibility.  I know that Jillian Michaels is "notoriously inflexible" (her words) but compared to me, she's the most flexible person in the world.  I need to look into moves to increase flexibility.  I can't even touch my toes without bending my legs and when stretching, I can only touch my right toes.  My left are beyond my grasp.

Another thing I've noticed is that she's made some of the modified moves more difficult than they have been on other DVDs.  For example, Mountain Climbers have more spring even in the modified version.  Is it sad that I still immediately assume I need the modified version after all this time?  Sometimes I do, but most of the time, I should be pushing myself towards the advanced move.

I may go back to level one the next 2 days before officially moving up to level 2.

"You don't need to workout!"

This week was the first time someone ever said to me: "You don't need to workout!"

I have said that very comment to many girls throughout the last 10-15 years and I finally could understand why they did not agree with my opinion.  I used to assume that people who were thin did not "need" to workout.  I've never been one for working out especially when I was thin in the past.  Now, my perspective is completely different.  The last year and a half has changed my opinion.  People workout for many reasons... To lose weight, to train for an event, to relieve stress, to tone, to control a disease, to maintain a weight, to be able to eat more, to be fit and healthy, because they enjoy it.

Until I discovered how much I loved circuit training (Jillian Michaels style)  I only worked out to lose weight.  I could appreciate someone working out to train for a marathon or something but otherwise, I didn't really "get" it until last year.  Now, I workout for many reasons...

1. I am trying to get toned and stay toned.

2. I like that I can eat out a lot and maintain my weight.

3. I enjoy the workout itself.

4. I feel good after exercising.

5. It's an AMAZING stress reliever.

When I say I need to workout, I don't mean that I need to lose weight.  I mean that I need to fulfill one of the 5 reasons listed above.  I get it now and I apologize to anyone I may have told that they didn't need to workout!

Workout 20 of 2011 (Ripped in 30, Level 1 Day 3)

I'm 20% of the way to my goal!  Yea!

I have been really hungry the last couple of days and my bloodsugars have been all over the place--mostly low--so I haven't been able to workout until today.  2 more days on this level and then I'm up to level 2!

Workout Quote of the week: "If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."

Workout 19 of 2011 (Ripped in 30 Level 1 Day 2)

I wasn't actually planning to workout, but when I got home from Open House, I still had the adrenaline rush that comes with over-complimentary parents :).  Thus, I knew I should utilize my energy and do it.  So I did--this time with 3lb weights!  Yesterday I cheated and used my 2lb weights :).  Today it was more difficult with the heavier weights but definitely doable.  I almost did level 2 but I really want to do the program as it's intended.  So 3 more workouts at this level and then I'm moving on up!

Oh, and my hip has not bothered me all day!  I did notice a slight pain during one of the exercises tonight but that's it, so yea!

Off-topic but funny...  Tonight I was talking about someone named Jillian and I couldn't remember her last name.  My 4-year-old, Gavin, leaned in and whispered to me, "Mommy, her last name is Michaels."  LOVED IT!

Workout 18 of 2011 (Ripped in 30 Level 1 Day 1)

Despite my hip pain, I could not wait any longer to try out Jillian Michaels' new DVD Ripped in 30.  Before I go into my experience I want to give the disclaimer that I now am not sure if it's a pulled muscle because it feels NOTHING like a strained muscle (of which I have much experience thanks to the 10 years of figure skating).  I was very careful in my workout and while it's still a bit sensitive, it's definitely better today than it was yesterday.

So about my new DVD...  Jillian has 4 levels that are intended to be done 5-6 times each over the course of 30 days.  She recommends at least 1 day of rest a week.  Each workout has 3 circuits following her 3-2-1 program: 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs.  This is a sequel to her popular and amazing 30 Day Shred.  The shred is what made me a Jillian Michaels' fan and follower.

Of course I began with level 1 even though I figured it SHOULD be easy for someone like me who is in pretty good shape.  I must say, this is the first level 1 workout on any of her DVDs that I actually agree is a beginner's workout.  She moves slowly throughout each circuit and you end up doing less reps compared to other workouts.  Due to my joint issues, I cannot do some of the cardio moves--something I've grown accustomed to in her workouts--so I jumped onto the elliptical when necessary.  Though the workout overall was easy, I still worked up a sweat and relished in the fact that I am in such good shape that the "beginner" workout did not knock me down.

The main difference between this and the Shred is that the strength part incorporates more than 2 moves per circuit.  The Shred always wipes me out because you do one movement for 30 seconds and then a combo legs/arms movement for a whole minute.  I find that my weakling arms (though getting stronger) still do not like the minute long of doing the same movement OVER and OVER and OVER for a gazillion reps.  Ripped in 30 has 3-4 different moves in each 3-minute strength portion of each circuit.  My arms are thankful for that, plus it made it possible to work a larger variety of muscles.

My plan at this time is to do level 1 four more times, then level 2 five times, level 3 five times and then level 4 and see if I notice a difference.  While I'm not looking to lose weight, I'm hoping to see some changes in my muscle definition.  Let's see if Jillian will get me ripped in 30!

GRRRR!!!!

So that pain I've been feeling on my right hip is a pulled or strained muscle!  It is not a constant pain, though some movement triggers a sharp pain in my hip area.  I am guessing this is due to the kettlebell workouts from last week :(.  Everything I'm reading online suggests not working the muscle--which is hard to do seeing as how it's part of my core.  It looks like my only option is the elliptical as long as it does not hurt to use it.  THIS SUCKS!!!!  My new Jillian Michaels DVD arrived today and I want to do it! :(