30 Day Shred Starting 08/22/11

Just finished day 2. It was harder than yesterday because my muscles are still sore from yesterday. I had to drop the weights a couple of times and just use my arms without them while doing the side lunges lol I also had a hard time with the pushups. The cardio and abs were fine
Not sure if I can do it tomorrow because I have a dentist appt after work and then DH will be home with me.. we live in an apt so I can't really do it when he's here unless he's showering or sleeping.

I (technically) started the Shred last Wednesday. I did it on Thursday and then took Friday and Saturday off. So when I saw this thread, I decided I'd just restart with my first day on Sunday. Today I did day 3. The soreness is easing up a bit although I'm still very aware of my muscles. I have found that the cardio segments are challenging during the intervals but by the last segment, I'm pumping through it with little problem (maybe it's because each move only takes 30 secs and we do all four moves).

When I started I weighed 181.8. Already saw a loss as today I came in at 180.2. I have one of those nifty scales that measures body fat, water retention, muscle mass, etc and I noticed that my muscle mass has increased a small bit and so has my water retention (by 2%). Good to know my body is responding the way it should!

I did take before pics...and they are definitely depressing. Perhaps I'll share once we get through this. I also did measurements but did them in centimeters since it's a touch more accurate for me.

Oh, today I upped my weights from 5 lbs to 10 lbs on the chest fly segment. Five pound weights weren't doing anything for me and it felt really easy and I haven't had any soreness in my chest or pecs since starting so figured I needed to up that a bit to get a better burn. The 5 lbs KILL me on the shoulder raises when doing the side lunge. So I will sometimes grab my 2 lbs to get through that move.

As far as calories burned...I wear a heart rate monitor and it shows my heart rate sitting in 160s to low 180s almost the whole workout (with exception of abs when it comes down to 138-145). Therefore, after a 25 min workout it shows I've burned between 325-350 calories!! I'm 31 yo, 5'4.5" and 180.2 lbs (and my HRM is all set up according to my age, resting heart rate, weight,). I've often wondered why others report burning much less calories...and I wonder if it's because they are much smaller to begin with or if my heart is just so flat out of shape. / I started C25K on July 1st and was in the 7th week last week when I had to give it a rest when I started the Shred. So I've been working on conditioning my heart for those seven weeks and noticed my resting heart rate lowered after all the training. This is a good thing!!

Lastly (sorry this is so long-winded), I'm doing an additional 30 mins of cardio (brisk walking) after the Shred each day. I'm planning to take one day off a week (Saturdays) but once I get to level 2, I may need to reevaluate. hah!

OMG I did it today despite being sore! Push-ups are so hard for me and always have been! LOL I remember I used to do them every nght before bed (just 10) and by day 6 could do 15.... Soooo, just gotta push through the soreness!

After dinner had a great meal of spaghetti squash, marinara, brocc, onions, kidney beans, mushrooms and a HUGE salad filled with veggies!

Here's to day 3!

Completed Day 3 Level 1 and HRM said 196 calories burned in 29 minutes.

Will pick up day 3 tomorrow. Need motivation to keep on with this one, can't seem to make it past a few days

I've been more off track then on, so the serious start of day one for me starts tomorrow, i can't see why i complain if i'm not doing anything about it right? lol

Starting weight : 240 lbs
( i use the measurements of the parts of the body that my personal trainer used when i was a teen , i've recently had a baby by csection 3 months ago so im a little wobbly )

Bust : 45 in
bra band : 40 1/2 in
Waist above belly button : 44 in
Hips : 48 in
Upper Thigh : 32 in
Lower thigh : 24 in
Calf : 18 1/2 in
Upper Arm : 16
Biceps Curled : 15 1/2

NOW, let's see if i can actually do this, i feel GREAT affter each workout ( even when i spend minutes of it tending to my daughter ) Jillian gets me through the hard days, i feel just great about myself at the end of the day !!

Day three finished, sore calves!!

Day 3 - done! I also find the last circuit the best one - I think it may be the thought of nearly being finished.

I use 3lb weights and it kills me..lol talk about weakling

I use 3lb weights and it kills me..lol talk about weakling

LOL! I use 3 lb weights and it is all I can do to use those! But hey, those little 3 lb weights are still giving me results! When I flex my arms, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE MY MUSCLE!!