Graduation - Day 20

finished level 2 today, and it kicked my butt. Ugh. I definitely didn't meet my weight and endurance expectations for the day. Oh well, I will contribute it to the development of a cold.

We'll see how level 3 treats me tomorrow.

The Shred - Day 18

Fortunately I was able to get some alone time to do the Shred today. That is the one nice thing about working evenings when the other 2 people in your house work days: Privacy to flail about like a lunatic and not be embarrassed.

I am using both 2.5lb and 5lb weights now. Some of the exercises I can't possibly accomplish with the 5lb weights yet (ie, the last circuit of strength with the military press followed by V raises, oh so painful), but I'm happy to see improvement enough to use the 5lb in the first 2 circuits.

My knees are starting to cause me some trouble again. I've had to ease up on the squats and jumping the last couple days. hopefully this does not last for too long since I'm nearly on level 3.

I'm proud of myself for sticking to a real workout plan for this long. It's a real accomplishment for me just to be active on a daily basis.

The Shred - Day 16

I am starting to get to the stage where this level is becoming "easy." By easy, I certainly don't mean that I'm not grunting and groaning by the end, but I am able to finish without significant burn in my shoulders. I suppose this means I need to up my weights. I think I'll give the 2.5lbs a couple more days though.

I am able to do all of "Natalie"'s non-adapted moves now. The only exception is the squat thrusts for which apparently I lack the necessary coordination. I try, but keep falling over. So I will stick with a fast-passed version of Anita's adapted move.

I seem to have reached a bit of a plateau with the toning. I'm not noticing any significant changes in my body in the last few days. but hey, these things happen. I'm not discouraged in the least. I find this level isn't working my butt out enough though so I'll be doing the butt blaster video in conjunction with it.

Healthy living

Not much to report today. I did level 2 again today (Day 15 of the 30DS). It was a bit rushed and inconsistant because I jumped on the opportunity to do the workout while our houseguest went for a walk. So I was just in my pj's and had pretty much just rolled out of bed. Still glad I managed to get the unexpected workout in before work. I have the feeling the C25K is going to treat me much better - since I'll be running outdoors on the tracks, and therefor can workout pretty much anytime I want away from public eyes.

Anyway, I just felt the need to post some links to some healthy lifestyle articles I read today.
6 Steps to strengthen your immune system

4 signs you're workout routing isn't working for you

And finally, an inspirational story:

Health & Fitness journey

The Shred - Day 14

I'm not sure if I mentioned or not, but my Dad brought me up a set of weights. I now have real 2.5lb, 5lb, and 10lb dumbbells, as well as 5lb ankle weights and 2lb wrist weights. They are making the various strength exercises much more challenging and effective. For the record, I am only using the 2lb and 2.5lb weights at the moment.

Today was difficult. My arms are quite sore after last nights routine, and I struggled with the rows and v-raises. I did however accomplish one major goal - I did the real walkout push-ups without any modification today. Very impressed with myself.

And on a completely unrelated note, my husband and I met with a realter last night. Very exciting stuff.

The Shred - Day 12

Another reasonable workout. I was able to do 3 half real travelling push-ups (oooh aaaah)

This level is TOUGH on the shoulders though. It's almost constant plank. Even the cardio. By the 3rd strength circuit I am literally grunting just to do the various shoulder presses. Not fun. On the bright side, my joints are no longer grinding.

Need to ask the husband for a massage tonight for sure.

Level 2 (Day 11)

It's going to be getting interesting trying to work out at home for the next little while. We've got a friend living with us for a few months while he finishes a subbing job, so he's going to be around most of the time I'm home. This is an issue because I am very self conscious and don't like people to see me in shorts, let alone exercising.

I procrastinated doing my workout all day yesterday until finally, at 9pm, I got the brilliant idea to take the DVD player upstairs to my bedroom and plug it in to the smaller bedroom tv. Why it took me all day to figure this out I do not know. But it worked well. The guys were downstairs getting their kicks watching youtube videos, and I just worked out upstairs in privacy.

So, now you want to know how level 2 went.

It was honestly not that bad. I expected to be as dead by the end of it as I was that first fateful day when I started Level 1. Nowhere near that bad. I was winded for sure, but it was more like Day 5 winded - I got a good workout, got a sweat on, and was wishing it would just be over. Yet I recovered from it pretty quickly and was able to do all the cardio without getting dizzy. I admit I did the modified versions of most of the plank exercises (like the travelling push ups, the plank jumping jacks, and some other cardio movement I for which I can't remember the name). Still, I'm quite happy with my performance.

I'm really starting to notice some changes in my body now too. Before it was all just changes in how I felt - like better endurance, better recovery time, things became easier, I stopped being sore. Now I can actually see visual improvement: a little "2-pack" forming in my abs, I have a little bicep muscle growing out of my arm, my triceps are less floppy, my butt is firmer, my calves seem to be lifting and getting definition, I can see definition in my quadreceps as well.

I'm so glad I'm finally sticking with a fitness routine. These results are fantastic.