I want to feel bad ass after I do my work out. I want to feel empowered and strong not just thankful it is over.
I tried my husband's new DVD: SWAT Workout Ultimate Body Definition. I loved it. It is strength training with hand weights (I have 3 lb but think I need to pick up 5 lb) and an intense little 10 minute cardio piece toward the end. I feel good after I do it. I feel good while I do it. It is longer than the shred - 45 minutes if you do the whole thing - but it flies by. My basic issue is that I need to find a way to get cardio in as well. I don't have time to do a 45 minute DVD and then hop on my treadmill. I'm thinking about alternating this DVD with my treadmill and maybe some days of shredding thrown in. I just can't face doing the 30 Day Shred every single day any more. Maybe after I get a little stronger and fitter I will return to it and do it in 30 days straight as intended. But right now I think I'm going to mix it up. I'm afraid of completely losing my motivation and returning to my old lazy ways.
As for food, I've had good days and bad since my last check in. My husband started a Biggest Loser competition at work yesterday with a monetary prize so he is motivated. I think his motivation will keep me from picking up too much crap at the store and from going back for seconds at dinner - I can't eat more than my husband without feeling like a heifer.
Here is my breakfast today: 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1/4 cup blueberries, and 2 slices grilled pork loin. I find breakfast the most challenging meal to stay away from processed carbs - I want cereal, bagels, and toast. So I try to make it more of a lunch type meal with lots of protein. I will readily admit this is easier now that I am a stay at home mom. It was much harder when I was working and tended to just grab something that I could eat in the car.
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That is where my head is at now. I am struggling with whether my decision to back off of the 30 Day Shred is a failure or a smart choice. Maybe I should stick with it since it is so challenging. Maybe this is just an excuse to slack off and do something easier. Time will tell.
~~I can't eat more than my husband without feeling like a heifer.~~
ReplyDeleteHaHa! I hear you on that. There have been nights when we'll finish & look at each other, 'you want more?'. Then we sit for a minute and if one of us says no the other one usually says no, too. Peer pressure, I guess. lol
Hey, don't feel bad if you give up the Shred. If you hate it then I'd ditch it. If you aren't an exercise junkie naturally, then you have to find something you really, really enjoy to keep you coming back to it.
I have to alternate what I do also due to time constraints. Funny how some people have asked me how I don't have enough time since I'm a SAHM...obviously they have never stayed home with kiddos! Between regular stuff like laundry & meals there is also schooling, playing, reading & more. I literally have to carve out time for myself to do exercise & often, the kids are goofing off while I do a workout video (they are "working out", too).
Best of luck with the change - I hope it works for you!
Just found you via the comment you made over on Hold the mayo. Saw the name "ShredFail" and thought "now THAT'S my kinda blogger!" :) I also tried Shred & also gave it up. I've actually done that with all of Jillian's dvds now that I think about it. LOVE Jillian but just don't seem to be able to workout with her. Maybe she scares me too much ;)
ReplyDeleteI've tried to leave this comment before but it keeps erroring out. :o( Hope this time it sticks.
ReplyDeleteOMG - do not be discouraged because you don't love the Shred. I really, really, don't like the Shred myself - at all. I want to like it and I know its only 20 minutes, but it feels like an eternity! I still do it, but I could never, never, ever do it everyday.
I wrote a review of a couple of DVDs that I do over on my blog today. (I swear I"m not trying to pimp my blog but I don't want to leave you a long a$$ comment. :o)
I love the TurboJam videos. I love the Zumba videos (only $3.50 on Amazon!). I love the Hip Hop Abs video...and all these, my kids like too because the music is fun and upbeat. I have a 4 and 2 year old and the zumba DVD has a little section in the back for kids. Its so cool! A bunch of kids dancing 2 songs.
Another thing I'll say on my "short" comment is that you should get you a heart monitor and wear it when you clean. I wash my car (minivan) and burn 350 calories. I sweep and mop my house and clean my bathrooms and burn 300 calories. I cut the grass and burn about 325 calories. Re-define what you see as exercise.
You mentioned you had kids before, not sure their age, but sometimes I "race" my daughter (4) up and down the driveway to determine the champion of the world (ha!). We hop, then skip, then sprint, then go backwards, then whatever, you get the idea. All this is exercise! But I'm also having fun and I feel like a good mom doing it. If your kids are old enough, incorporate them in some of your activity --
Bottom line, YOU can do this. Just don't give up. You dont' have to do the Shred, you just have to do something.
www.lolafierce.wordpress.com
I agree w/ above comments. If you hate it, stop. Workout shouldn't be work. They should change the name.
ReplyDeleteI hate running. I can't "go for a run". I can tolerate treadmills but barely. It makes me dread working out. But, I love Soccer. I don't notice I'm running when I have a purpose for running, get to the ball before the other person. You just need to find your purpose with a workout you love to do.
Man, i totally know exaclty how you feel right now. I am totally right there with you. I have never tried the shred, although I have heard a lto about it. Motivation to work out is the hardest thing that I have dealt with. I have tried a couple different work outs and dvds, and I have found that if you do not like the work out, you will set yourself up for failure all ready. I dont feel that your decisions to ditch the shred, or to alternate dvds is a bad choice, it will still give you the intense shred, and also the variety and hopefully you will look to enjoy the treadmill and shred videos a couple days a week.
ReplyDeleteAll your comments on my blog, make me feel so much less alone, and deffinitely inspire me to realise that this is really har,d im not a wimp and that I can really do this. I am so glad that I dont feel alone! thank you so much!
I think you answered your own question & just need some reassurance.
ReplyDeleteYou must've noticed you said you LOVED the dvd.
There are NO rules you're breaking if you don't do the shred as it's laid out.
Do things YOU love and as YOU love them.
Personally, I think it's great you're thinking of mixing things up.
Do what works, not what hurts!
p.s. I used to have yellow as my blog background. I forgot how cheerful it is :)
Excuse me but where are you?
ReplyDeleteI hope you haven't given up and are still around but just busy.
Please come back!
I hope you're doing well. I've never tried the 30 day shred, it sounds, well, mean. There are lots and lots of other ways to get fit!
ReplyDeleteYou are 20 days in! Dont quit!!!!! You inspire me- i never make it past day 3...
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite poems
I hope it helps keep you motivated...
-Dont Quit-
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
I am trying to do the shred. It's a challenge and I've rarely done itg every day. I think I do it for 2 days and then take off one day and then do it again... I do my best at it and I like to use the video to mix things up. I generally walk 2 miles or do the elliptical and because I need to add more activity, I got the video. I don't know if I'll ever get to level 2 or if I'll ever do 30 days straight, but its a great "go to video" and I do feel good afterwards. I sweat like a pig
ReplyDeleteI don't care for Jillian but I like that the work out is quick.
Do what what feels right for you. Bottom line is working out can be boring so mix it up.