30 Day Shred

After Leyla was born, I think I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and clothes, like, immediately. This time around, though, the weight has not come off. I gained more with Lucas and those extra pounds want to stick around! Everyone says I look good, but there's just one little problem: none of my clothes fit! I had one pair of maternity jeans that fit me and that was it.

My friend Amanda cut out sodas and has lost weight eating healthy and exercising. I am so proud of her! And she inspired me to exercise as well. She has been using Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred program, so I decided to look it up. I was impressed with the results I saw in several others, in photos. I decided to give it a try...

The program works like this: there are 3 levels of workouts that you do every day for 10 days each. Ten days of level one, then up to level 2 for another 10 days, then finally level three. When you finish, it's been 30 days. Each one includes a warm up and 3 circuits of 3 minutes strength training, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs, plus a cool down. It's the cardio that kills me. And that last 3 minutes of strength training that is the hardest. I am currently on DAY 15, half way through!! Proud of myself and a little surprised that I have been that disciplined. Haven't skipped a day! It is hard, especially since I am mostly sedentary - and especially since you aren't allowed a break. But, I have already started seeing results, so that motivates me to keep going.

I've lost 4 pounds just in the first 10-11 days. I haven't retaken my measurements, but the pants I borrowed from a friend of mine are already loose, and she loaned me several other (smaller!) sizes. They are a mix of sizes, mostly juniors, so I believe I am now between a size 6 and size 8. Also, at my doctor's appointment, my pulse was down to 72. That was very exciting, since my pulse has never been under 80-90.

So, in 15 days, hopefully, I'll fit into my jeans again. And I'll post my results.