Shredding

I've finally hopped on the bandwagon.

That's right, folks. I'm talking about the 30 Day Shred.

I intended to buy this DVD sometime back in June, but then all of a sudden, it was July. Whoops. And then July was half over, and I realized that I had been out of my twice-weekly aerobics classes for more than a month already. Um, whoops again.

I don't want to have to start all over with my endurance when I get back into the aerobics classes in the fall, so I needed to do something. I just typically hate going to the gym on weekdays, and the weekends have been super busy, so I thought perhaps Jillian Michaels was the answer. I love her on The Biggest Loser (I would sooo pick her over Bob), so if anyone could kick my ass through my TV screen, I figured it'd be her.

I've never really been a "fitness DVD" type of person, so when I kept reading about how great a workout this is, I was skeptical. Only 25 minutes? And it's a full workout? Really?

But then I saw another person singing its praises. And another. And another. And so on. You get the picture.

So I caved. I bought it.

I started it Monday, so as of now, I've successfully completed three days of the 30 Day Shred. I am on Day 4 (to be completed later today, even though I'm beyond exhausted and would like to just take a nap).

It's working out pretty well so far. It's short enough so that I can actually talk myself into doing it daily, yet it's tough enough to make me feel like I've really done something. Couple the hard work with my 80-degree house and I'm sweating like crazy by the end of it.

Admittedly, I tend to breeze right through the cardio portions. And honestly, I'd be worried if I didn't. I'm accustomed to having my ass kicked for a full hour by my aerobics instructor. You wouldn't know it from looking at her, but my petite little Marcie packs a mean punch. (She even pulled "a Jillian" on us once and yelled, "You can faint, puke, or DIE--but you can't QUIT!" Um, yeah. She's scary.)

On the other hand, I find that most of the strength portions, even where I'm at--Level 1--are quite challenging. Some moves are easier than others. The forward lunges, coupled with bicep curls? Not bad. Again, I'm thanking Marcie and her 1,000 lunges and/or squats per class for that one. But the side lunges with the arm raises? Holy @*$%. Those hurt.

On Tuesday (the morning after Day 1), I was really feeling it in the crooks of my arms. On Wednesday, I still felt it in my arms, but felt a bit sore in my abs and legs, too. Today? I'm feeling pretty damn good, actually. Progress?

I think that for this first 30 days, I'm going to follow the "schedule," and stick with Level 1 for 10 days, then move to Level 2 for 10 days before moving to Level 3 for the final 10 days.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Any fellow "shredders" among my readers? I know you're out there; you can't hide. After all, everyone's doing it, right?