Frustrated.......

As I've mentioned before, my abdominals have always been my favorite muscle to work on.  When I have a flat stomach, I feel fit.  Lately, I've been working like a mad woman on my abs, because it seemed as though I could not shred that pooch for anything.  Well, I found out why........pregnant!  Yep, 9 weeks pregnant, so my uterus is the size of a grapefruit.  Ahhhh, no wonder!

So anyways, now I have to change things up a bit.  Right away I purchased a Pre-Natal DVD......Denise Austin's "Fit and Trim" Pregnancy.  3 minutes into it, I hit eject.  It was sooooo ridiculous.  I felt like a transvestite doing ballet.....so awkward, and slow.  I get more of a work-out lugging my 3 year old kid around on my hip.  I was actually going through Jillian Michael withdrawals.  So I checked the Pre-Natal guidelines on exercising just to be safe, and I slipped in 30 day Shred (Level 1) with intentions to modify the moves that are NOT recommended.  Oh, it felt so good to move again!!  Instead of doing the ab moves, I got on all fours and did different leg lifts.  Instead of the hard core jumping, I did step-touch, or slightly bounced on the pads of my feet.  It felt great!   Denise Austin's DVD may be okay when I'm the size of a barge but if I can get away with The Shred, then I don't see the point in switching.

Well, I apologize for not being the Shredder I intended to be, but I'll still be doing it along with ya.  =)

Another Shred Blog.............

My friend Amy has decided to make a blog as well, to keep herself motivated through those difficult 30 days.  =)  I wanted to include her blog, because everyone has a different experience doing the Shred, and her's could be relatable in different ways than mine.  =)

Jillian's 30 day Shred

Reviews........

Shred-It with Weights

Length: 28:23 minutes.  25 minute workout.  Last 3 minutes is stretching.

Materials Needed: Kettle-bell or one medium-heavy weight. (I would suggest a 5-10 pound weight, depending on how advanced you are)

You will also need a standard work-out Mat.

Sweat Worthy:  low 

Difficulty:  easy-medium

Levels: 2

Overview:  This DVD focuses a lot on your core, but my arms and legs are starting to feel the pain.  There are 2 Levels, and again two different people to follow; beginners and advanced.  I found that I was following a little of both.  I used my 5 lbs weight, but could have used my 8-10 pound just fine.  Not too much cardio until the last 10 minutes or so, but even then, its mostly all weights.  It was hard to tell if I had good form on all the moves, since the “swinging” and “popping” moves are so foreign to me. Not  a lot of focus on your abs, which is my favorite, but like I said, a ton of focus on your core.  =)

Next Day: Sore Hamstrings


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Yoga Meltdown

Length: 35 minutes. Last 3:45 minutes cool down.

Materials Needed: Standard Yoga Mat, one that will not slide around.  Also, if you’re exercising on a hard floor, you mat need two mats, or your knees and hands will take a beating.  If you’re on carpet, you’ll be fine.  If you LOVE this DVD, or Yoga in general, I would suggest getting some Yoga Socks.  It’ll keep you from sliding around, and they’re just comfortable.  =)  I got mine at Target for around $10.

Sweat Worthy: low

Difficulty:  This depends on your balance and strength. It’s not the most difficult Yoga I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t rate this DVD as easy.  JM’s Yoga is more of a Aerobic type, so it’s fast; from one move to the other, however you don’t need the cardio-stamina that you would need with 30-day Shred for example.

Levels: 2

Overview:  For those of you that hate cardio, but don’t want to give up on it completely, this may be the DVD for you.  As I said before JM goes from one move to the other and half way through, you will be sweating slightly. If you’re foreign to Yoga and the names of the positions, you may have a difficult time with the fluidity that it requires.  However, after a few times of doing it, you’ll be able to transition from one position to the other with ease.  Don’t feel intimidated if your balance and strength is not up to par.  For example the “Warrior 3” pose and the “Push-up” movements are not easy, and like anything, will take practice. But I loved the “Core” movements and felt very tight and strong the whole day. 

Next Day: Sore Hamstrings

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Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

Length:  57 minutes total (5 minute warm up, 5 minute cool down)

Materials Needed: Mat

Difficulty: Advanced

Sweat Worthy: High

Levels: 1 (2 people to follow, but not many modifications here)

Overview:  LOVED this one!! If you want the work out that running will give you, but you hate running, this may be the DVD for you.  It keeps you moving and sweating throughout the majority of the program.  Most of the focus is on abs and lower body, so if you want to tone your legs and butt, and tighten those abs, get this one.

You’ll see many similar moves from Shred’s Level 2 and 3, with some added kickboxing.  If you have been doing the Shred, and need more, try mixing this DVD into your Shred routine.  I was breathing hard the whole time and started getting those side cramps near the end. 

Beware when you get to about 39 minutes, there are some tough movements, and strangely enough the music starts to sound like the horror movie Michael…..perhaps because you actually feel like you’re going to die.  The only con is the length of the DVD…almost a whole hour, but if you can spare the time, this is an amazing addition to the Shred!  My favorite so far!! 

Next Day:  Felt great all day yesterday…but sore lower half.


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The Biggest Loser, Weight Loss Yoga (with Bob Harper)

Length: 55 minutes

Materials Needed: Mat

Difficulty: Low

Sweat Worthy: Low

Levels:  Customize your work out….ie

                Warm Up: 5 minutes

                Level 1: 20 minutes

                Level2: 15 minutes

                Level 3: 10 minutes

               Cool Down: 5 minutes

               Totaling : 55 minutes

      (You can combine however many you want together, totaling 55 minutes, or do a shorter version by picking only a few.)

Overview:  I can’t help but to compare this DVD with Jillian Michael’s Yoga. JM’s Yoga was more like an aerobic-yoga. Bob’s is more like the Yoga classes I’ve taken in the past; slow, controlled and fluid.  He’s not quite as intense as JM, so you’ll feel very relaxed and wont have a hard time keeping up with the transitions. I’m not saying Bob’s Yoga is easy.  Personally I lack the balance it takes to have good form, but with practice this would be a great DVD to do in between your cardio days.  The most difficult parts were during the push-up-like moves. My arms felt like jelly after awhile. Afterwards my body felt great.  All the stretch positions will really help with alignment problems.  The other plus…..REAL PEOPLE in the background!!  Not the perfectly trimmed gals in all of JM’s DVD.  =) Overall great DVD!! 

Next Day:  Not much soreness, but just felt good and stretched out. lol

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****I was not able to do The Biggest Winner (Frontal/Back) DVD's.  You need steps for both of these, which I don't have.  Does anyone know where you can pick some of these up for a cheap price?  Couldn't find any on Craigslist.   =(

Moving On........to Jillian's other DVD's.

So lets face it....the same routine can get pretty boring and demotivate your initial goal.  Jillian Michaels has a ton of other DVD's out there that can keep you entertained.  For the next week, I'm going to try the following DVD's, and report back.  You'll be able to decided based on my feedback whether those DVD's are the right ones for you, BEFORE you purchase them.  =)

*SHRED-IT with WEIGHTS

*BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM

*YOGA Meltdown

*The Biggest Winner (Disc-1: Full Frontal  /  Disc-2: Back in Action)

*The Biggest Loser Workout - Weight Loss with Yoga (this one is one of Bob Harper's)   

Feedback in one week.  =) 

Happy New Years Shredders!!!.........2011

Okay I have to admit this last month (December), Jillian was MIA in my life.  Not to make excuses, but I was overwhelmed with Christmas functions, thinking I was pregnant, and lack of sleep.  The Shred was the last thing on my mind.  The depressing news is that I could totally see a difference in the way my clothes were fitting.  My jeans are tight again around the waist......Dang'it!!!  Oh well, back to the Shred.

My first day back, after my Shred vacation, I started at Level 3......punishing myself for taking time off.  Man did that SUCK!!  My body was screaming.  I was light headed and sore!  But hey, I'm basically starting over, right?  So anyways, for those of you that are feeling yourselves start to pull away from your Shredding routine......DON'T!!!

My 2011 goal, is to do the Shred 5 days a week.

P.S.  How's everybody else doing?  Any slackers out there??