Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred - Back in Action

After working several weeks with long hours and bad food, I decided it's time to get off my butt again before my muffin top completely spills over my pants. After some back and forth with myself about what to do for my daily workouts (bike? I can read and kill two birds with one stone... P90X? nah, too intense), I finally settled on doing the 30 Day Shred again.

Level 1/Day 1
This time, even after not having worked out regularly for a couple months, the workout was much more straightforward and easier. I found that I wasn't fiddling around with the moves anymore, trying to adjust my positioning and such. Each exercise just came more naturally. And while the workout overall was easier, I still broke a sweat halfway through and was dripping by the end! I think this workout DVD is great because you really can adjust the moves to your own level. I still can't do a single regular push-up, but doing them on my knees felt easier this time than last.

Random Goodies
To motivate myself out of my swivel office chair, I decided a bribe was in order. Off to Lululemon I went, and back I came with cute outfits. Indeed their prices are astronomical, but nothing beats their style and quality. If you get one workout top from Lulu this season, make it the Push Ur Limits top. The way it looks in the online pictures do not nearly do it justice. This top, as with most of their tops, do something magical in the back that just makes your shoulders and back look toned in all the right places. Who doesn't want to look like a Roman goddess from behind? One little note though: this top would not be good for high impact. For that, you should pick up Lulu's Tata Tamer... but that's for another post.

Day 1 - Banish Fat Boost Metabolism

Today is the first day of round 2 of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. This time, we're switching things up a bit. On Sunday's, we'll be doing Banish Fat Boost Metabolism, and on Tuesday's, it'll be No More Trouble Zones.

BFBM
Let's just say this workout ain't no joke. A full 40 minutes instead of our usual 25 minute workouts. This video consists of 7 circuits, with each circuit having a theme, such as core, or cardio. I left the sound on this time, since this is a new video I've never done before, and I'm glad I did. Jillian was very motivational and kind of hilarious (umm... what's this about getting jumped in the parking lot?) I have a bit of a martial arts background myself, so I found this workout to be quite fun. (Tip: if you make "tsuuu" noises for the punches and "kiyaaahh/kiyup" noises for the kicks, it makes them more forceful and reminds you to breath.) I tried to kick it up a notch today by making myself try at least one of each move unmodified. Amazingly, I did the mountain climbers on the second round fully unmodified, and IT FELT AWESOME. I mean, it was tough, and I was grunting through it. But I did it!!!

Here we go round two!

PS I almost forgot to mention, this would be a great DVD to take along for travel since it doesn't require any weights or equipment.