Day 281 (day 1 / week 40)

I just finished level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. I am well on my way to being shredded. (lol I crack myself up).

I am honestly kind of surprised that I dusted off that exercise DVD and actually did it (36 minutes including my own extended cool down). My legs are buzzing right now. I am also kind of surprised that Jillian didn't bug me this go around either. I must be growing as a person or something like that, to not let juvenile things bother me like they did before. OR maybe she's growing as a person, and she just learned not to bug me this go round. This is serious stuff. You can't commit to an exercise plan *cough* DVD and be bugged by your trainer. I say this knowing fully well that it's a DVD, and... and well if you didn't get this whole spew, just forget it. It's one of those days and I'm in one of those moods. I heart Jillian. She is good peepz. I really appreciate how committed she is. She knows this is serious stuff (;)). I don't think she bugs me anymore. Until level 2, when she says something about the bathing suit thing (?). lol

I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but I got a new HRM. It was completely unexpected, and my hubby's idea. We were at Kohl's last weekend with the in-laws and he found a New Balance N2 HRM on clearance for $40. It has all of the features I am looking for (Chronology, continuous HR, calories burn as modifiable workout zones). It also has a lock button, so when I am doing push ups, I don't accidentally stop my HRM from recording. It has a different chest strap, and it feels more comfortable for the most part. Today is the first day taht I have taken it for a test spin. It said that in the 36 minutes that I did the 30DS, lvl 1, I burned 261 calories. I can't seem to find anything in any of my previous blogs telling me how many calories I burned doing this back in June (the last time I did the 30DS).

I was going to wait to start the 30 DS, but I keep thinking about a challenge that was set out on the 30DS group on sparkspeople, to do it...but it was the schedule that got me. This is what my plan is, but I really don't know how it's going to happen on work days. I will probably have to make some adjustments, but am going to really give it a college try to do at least one of the 3 levels on my work days:

OK here your challenge...IF YOU DARE.

OCTOBER

1 - Level 1
2 - Level 2
3 - Level 3
4 - Level 1 & 2 Yikes!!!
5 - Level 2 & then 1

6 - Level 3
7 - Level 2
8 - Level 1
9 - ...boo baby! Level 2 & 3
10 - Level 3 & then 2

11 - Level 2
12 - Level 1
13 - Level 3
14 - Level 1 & 3
15 - Level 2, 3 & then 1

16 - Level 1 & 2
17 - Level 2 & 3
18 - Level 2 & 1
19 - Level 2 & 2 again!
20 - Level 1, 3 & then 1

21 - Level 1, 2 & 3
22 - Level 3, 1 & 1 again
23 - Level 3, 2 & 1
24 - Level 3, 3 & 1
25 - Level 3, 2 & 3 IT'S ALIVE!!!!

26 - Level 1
27 - Level 2
28 - Level 3
29 - Level 2
30 - Level 1

31 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!! LEVEL 2, 2, 2




For beginners or for those who think this is a bit much...then follow the 30DS the way it was intended. You do Level 1 for 10 days, move onto Level 2 for 10 days and then do Level 3 for the last 10 days.

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW...I'LL BE TAKING THE 30DS CHALLENGE ALONG WITH MY CURRENT PROGRAM!!! MU HA HA HA HA...I'm anxious to see how this goes.

I think doing it this way will keep me from getting bored. I want to see if I am up to it, so I am gonna try! Today is my "day 1" so I did level 1. Tomorrow level 2 and so forth.

Speaking of commitments, I made a new/old commitment today, which is killing me, which tells me that I am SOOO needing to do this. A spark-friend, posted a blog about a 100 day challenge to not eat sugar. I decided to join the challenge with her. I already had a cookie today, so tomorrow is my official start day, which will make Jan 18 my last day of the challenge. It's one day AFTER my son's 3rd birthday, and I was bummed to think that I am not going to have cake with him, but there are worse things. He could have a really fat/miserable mommy on his birthday stuffing her face with cake, or a happy/fit/healthy mommy who will be happy to pass up the slice. Right now I feel like the first mommy. I know that will pass, and I'm not miserable, but I miss sugar. Already. (this is how I know I have a problem again lol).

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what this month brings. Halloween too!! Yikes! What a scary (no pun intended--well maybe just a little) time to quit sugar! I can totally do this. Both of the challenges! I'm not trying to convince ya'll that I can, but maybe myself a little. I know I can do all things in Christ who gives me the strength to do it though, so I'm set and confident. I can TOTALLY do this. Both of them.

Bye, bye sugar!
Welcome back Jillian!

lol

Tomorrow I have to take Pebbles to get spayed... 8am, almost 1.5 hours away in Pahrump, NV (where the shelter's headquarters are that we got Pebbles from). Please pray for my son, that he will know enough to leave her alone during this time, so she doesn't feel tempted to play and rip her stitches (and for patience for me, to deal with them both). A few years ago my mom's old bf had a dog that had just gotten spayed, and I guess she went and played after she got home, played too hard and her stitches ripped open, and her insides came out. He shot her there on the spot because there was nothing he could do for her. I know this wont happen to Pebbles, but I just really hope my toddler monkey boy leaves her alone and understands us enough to know this is REALLY important to let her heal.

Hope you guys have a great day! Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

A call for prayer!

I never do this because it's an exercise blog, but she is a sister on this journey, and her loss tears me apart.

You have heard me talk about Jen, the prior fat girl quite a few times here. Her strength invigorates me and reading her daily blog gives me motivation and encouragement. We are on the same journey striving for a healthier lifestyle. She has lost pretty much 100 lbs (today was supposed to be her final check in day) and has always been very supportive of me on my new journey and although we have never met, there is a place in my heart for her.

Everyday after I post my blog, I go check out her blog to see where she is on her journey and how she is doing. She has a lot of followers and it is fun to read people's comments. Even her mom gets in on it, which I loved to read, because she always had something wise/clever/funny or quirky to say. Her mom, even created a blogger account "priorfatgirl's mom" to comment on her daughter's blog. I was excited to check in today, because as of yesterday she had 1.6 lbs left to lose, to reach that 100 lbs lost mark.

Immediately after publishing my measurements blog this morning, I headed over to her blog and was extremely confused. I started reading the beginning of her blog and it didn't sound chipper like usual, so I assumed she didn't make her 1.6 lbs. I read some more and things just got really confusing for me. I had to read that paragraph 3 or 4 times to finally understand. Then I kept reading and immediately started crying.

Yesterday afternoon sometime, her mother (priorfatgirls' mom) was walking one of her grandchildren and was hit by a car. She died on the way to the hospital.

I have a great faith in God and I don't say "everything happens for a reason" because that is heartless in times like these. I think that in any situation, God is present and can calm us all with a blanket of his loving kindness and blessings. I pray this for for Jen and her family during this really hard time--she just lost her mother and best friend. I pray for her father--I can only imagine what he is going through. He just lost his soul mate.

I please ask you to join me to support and pray for Jen, the prior fat girl and her family through these tough times.

STAR TRIBUNE ARTICLE

KARE 11 NEWS ARTICLE

WCCO NEWS ARTICLE

(Jen and her mom)

Thank you very much!

Day 197 (day 1 / week 29)

Today I got out of the house early because I have to be out of here by 9am. I walked 2.61 miles in about 50 mins and my HRM says I burned 715 calories.

I have a busy day today and some exciting news but I don't want to jinx myself first. I am going to wait to see if I hear anything, and when I do, I'll let you guys know my exciting news.

Can't tell you what it is yet, but please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, as this news will bless the socks off of my family, if it doesn't fall through, which it so often does (we really need this--need, not want).

I don't think I am going to do anything else today, exercise wise, so I guess I will call today a (non)rest day. I will get my quickfire challenges in --100 jumping jacks in sets of 20 or 25--but that's a piece of cake! I can do them all in 1 set if I wanted (The Biggest Loser workout has us do 60 right off the bat!).

Anyway gotta go get ready for the day.

Make today count! Do 25 jumping jacks and then do that 3 more times throughout the day! Or go for a 10-15 fast walk! You've got time for 10 minutes right? Do that a few times a day as well (this is the other QFC challenge ;)).

I can do this. I am a star.