30 Day Shred Level One Summary + 5 Q's Tag

Remember a while back I mentioned that I was going to do Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred workout? Well, I have been doing it, just not every day. In fact, I was downright lazy on some weeks, but I've done a good many workouts, enough that I'm no longer sore and the exercises aren't too challenging anymore. Pretty big jump from barely being able to walk, huh? And having to take breathers from ha!ha! JUMPING JACKS! Child's play!


Jillian says during the workout that "Those of you who are on day 6 or 7 are probably seeing a big difference in your endurance." On day 1, 2, 3, I was like, "Pssh, whatever, Jillian." But she was right. I did the workout over the weekend with my husband. He's in okay shape, but he's gotten rather soft since the office job has come along. I was quite impressed with myself for out-performing him! He couldn't even do all the jumping jacks ha!


I think after this week, I'm going to move up to Level Two. I've been doing it every other day, mostly because of my wrist injury. It's getting a lot stronger, but I can't do push-ups every day with it, not even the modified hand position I have to use.


And...I took my body measurements before I started the first day of the shred.


I am 5'3 and fairly curvaceous--not a twiggy little thing.
Measurements from 4/06:


Bust: 35in
Waist: 30in
Hips: 39in
Biceps: 10/9.5in (right arm slightly smaller from disuse)
Thighs: 22.5in
Calves: 14in
Weight: 135lb


I wasn't really expecting any changes. I'm not doing the Shred for weight loss. I don't think I need to lose weight. I'm just doing it to be active and try to tone up a little. So imagine my surprise when I measured today...


Measurements from 5/04:


Bust: 40in (this can't be right, but I don't remember how I measured before. My pecs aren't that much bigger)
Waist: 28in (2 inches lost!)
Hips: 36in (3 inches lost!)
Biceps: 11in (1 and 1.5 inches gained!)
Thighs: 21.5 (1 inch lost!)
Calves: 14in (same)
Weight: 128lb (what?? I lost 7 pounds??)


I actually fluctuate body weight pretty easily, so don't be too surprised or concerned. But I'll count it as a benefit from the Shred. :-)


No pictures! I refuse. :-)
But I'll do more measurement stats when I finish Level Two.




I was tagged a while ago to complete the 5 Questions, 5 Answers meme:


1) Where were you 5 years ago?
    -Finishing my freshman year of college
    -Waiting with bated breath to see if my now-hubby would successfully dump his girlfriend and make it official with me, even though we'd been together for a few months (she was in Australia)
    -Working at the worst restaurant I've ever been staffed at
    -Looking forward to summer classes and living on campus instead of at home! 
    -Learning to drink beer

2) Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
     -Settled in a career path
     -Living in a house that we own
     -Owner of several cats, a dog, and a chinchilla 
     -Finished with a few more manuscripts
     -Possibly agented/published, depending on those mss

3) What is (was) your to-do list today?
     -Burn some DVDs to make room for more!
     -Do the 30 Day Shred
     -Fold laundry from yesterday (yuck)
     -Critique some chapters
     -Write, maybe

4) What 5 snacks do you enjoy?
     -Almonds, roasted & unsalted
     -Grapefruit and oranges
     -Mini butterfingers
     -cereal (what? It's totally a snack) 
     -colby-jack or cheddar cheese

5) What 5 things would you do if you were a billionaire?
     -Pay off my college loans and my car
     -Pay off my parents' mortgage and buy a house
     -Buy the animal shelter where I work and fire the administration 
     -Donate to ASPCA and HSA 
     -Invest wisely. 


Happy Cinco de Mayo!