soulshine living

Today I started the 30 Day Shred workout from Jillian Michaels.

I want to lose weight, but more importantly get in shape and have more flexibility and strength so I can work out with my kids and set a better example for them of what is possible with health and fitness.

I have been a fan of the Biggest Loser TV show for a long time and I always thought that Bob would be my preferred trainer if I ever had the chance to work out with either he or Jillian. But then I realized the only thing keeping me from working out is ME so Jillian’s tougher regimen put itself on the menu.

Another reason I decided to go with Jillian vs. Bob is because I recently read her book Winning by Losing: Drop the Weight, Change Your Life. I borrowed the book from my local library and didn’t buy it but would recommend this if it has been a while since you have read about current fitness and diet theory. This book was both informative and engaging and I was able to read it in two sittings even with kids, work and trying to maintain my household.

The book taught me that I burn about 1700 calories per day through my normal activities. And just like on the Biggest Loser show, if I want to lose weight, I have to burn more calories and change my eating habits so I am not eating more calories than I am burning. This is pretty basic and very simple but hard to incorporate without a plan of action. Finally, I feel like I have a plan and since I already talked with my Doctor and have clearance to work out there are no excuses. I can and am willing to make this happen.

The 30 Day Shred workout comes on a DVD that you can purchase at Meijer or Target. Meijer had the DVD for $9.99 and Target has it for $14.99. Or you can get it from my favorite online retailer, Amazon.com. Here is the link.

To support working out, I am opting for an 1100-1200 calorie diet and will be working out three times per day. The first time will be to Jillian’s DVD on the first level of 30 Day Shred. This will take about 20 minutes per morning. I can fit this in before showering for work.

When I have time like today, I will add extra cardio by walking for 20 minutes following my 30 Day Shred workout.

Then I plan to walk my Yorkie each evening for 20-30 minutes. I know that this extra 50-60 minutes of walking will not burn many calories but my fitness level is very low and I have a lot to do to work up to jogging or eventually being able to run.

The only things that you need for your 30 Day Shred workout are two hand weights. I picked up two 3 lb. weights and two 5 lb. weights at Target on sale. I already have good tennis shoes and can work out about anywhere in the house if I use my laptop DVD player. Jillian suggests a mat if you are working out on a hard floor but I am working out on carpet so far and skipped the mat.

My favorite part today was learning from Jillian’s DVD that I need to do non-static stretches before I work out. Save the static stretches for the end of my workout. So we did some very basic knee, hip, arm and shoulder stretches to open up and loosen those muscles.

I look forward to sharing with you what I am learning about health and fitness and hopefully some of you will hop off the couch and work out too.

P.S. I am already starting to “feel it” but Jillian says that pain is just your body getting stronger. I sort of remember the day after you work out being more painful than the first day but my plan is to ice my knees tomorrow if they hurt and maybe take some ibuprofen.