So, maybe Jillian doesn't hate me...

Yesterday was day two of the 3o Day Shred. I went to the gym and did some time on the elliptical and treadmill first. Once I got home, I was definitely feeling the combination of that and the Shred from the day before, so I was really tempted to skip the DVD, but I still did it. Surprisingly, it wasn't nearly as terrible to get through as I was expecting! I don't feel too sore this morning, but then again, I didn't yesterday morning either. It was as the day progressed that it slowly set in, so I'm somewhat dreading to find out how today goes. Is it too soon to think that it's already making a difference? The scale doesn't show it, but I think I can feel it...yet, I think it's probably all in my head at this point! Two days is better than no days, but realistically, probably not enough to make any sort of significant difference. It is enough though to make me want to keep going!!!

Jillian Michaels hates me.

I think Jillian Michaels hates me. I've started the 30 Day Shred a couple times in the past and usually quit after a few days. With my upcoming cruise (one month from TODAY, I'll be in TAMPA!!!), I decided this time I'm going to start and stick with it. Yesterday was day one. It is ridiculously intense. I think I'm in decent shape, but the woman kicks my butt! I am not as sore as in previous times I've started it, but I can definitely feel the workout.

That's the thing though, is that because I can feel it, I know it's working. If I work out and never feel the consequences of it the next day, I'm probably not pushing myself as hard as I could. I have heard over and over that if I stick with the Shred for the whole 30 days, it really does work. So, maybe it's not so much that Jillian Michaels hates me...but, in reality the woman knows her stuff and can get me moving towards the direction of the results I want.

I'm somewhat dreading day two. Scratch somewhat. I'm completely dreading day two. I am, however, completely stoked about day thirty and that finish line is going to be the thing that motivates me. I hope.

Motivation

I know that for the most part, celebrities give "normal" people like me unrealistic expectations about what beauty is. Still, there is this part of me that sees these gorgeous women in Hollywood with great figures and I want that! I know, I know, magazines are Photoshoped to death, I get that. And, I know they spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on trainers and chefs, the whole ordeal. Yet, there is still this part of me that holds certain celebrities up as a "this is what I want to be" ideal. For me, the biggest is Carrie Underwood. Some papparazzi shots of Carrie on vacation in the Bahamas surfaced probably a month or so ago, and I will be the first to admit that I bookmarked some of them as motivation for when I really want to stroll down to the vending machines for a gooey Snickers bar. I mean, look at the girl! She looks fantastic!

The thing that I really respect about Carrie is she's very open about how she lost weight and got in shape. She keeps a food diary and watches what she eats, she works out. I realize that there could be more to the story she's not telling, but my naive side believes she truly got in shape in a healthy, reasonable way. Knowing that gives me hope that I can someday reach my goal weight.

So, a healthy ideal or not, I definitely use celebrities as a motivator.

Slacker? Guilty as charged.

Well. To say I've been slacking off on the whole weight loss thing has been an understatement. It has been quite the month, December has. Started off with my grandpa passing away very unexpectedly on the 4th. Things kind of snowballed from there with the funeral, wrapping up my LAST semester of grad school, then the holidays. Excuses, no doubt, but it all got the best of me.

But, today I'm back on track. I'm leaving for a cruise one month from tomorrow, so I'm planning on hitting the gym in a mini-Biggest Loser style for the next four weeks. I (sort of) wish I had time to spend six hours a day working out but truth is, the real world calls.

So, let's give this another go-around. As of this morning, I've got 34.5 pounds to go before I reach my goal...but, let's go with 35...then, I'd even end up below goal! As much as I hate setting timelines, I'm hoping to be there by this time next year, if not before. I accomplished a lot in my life in 2009 - got my first "real" job, finished my masters. So, I'm ready to make 2010 the year I finally make goal! It's a journey that started in 2006 and I am ready to cross the finish line!

grace + peace,

mindy

Gym FAIL.

So yesterday's trip to the Y was an utter disappointment. The run was fine, it was everything else about the trip that was a disaster! First, I'm walking in and the heel of my favorite pair of dress shoes gets caught in the crack of the sidewalk; when I pull it out, completely trashes it. Sad. Then, I get inside and I get changed, realizing I don't have any socks. Since yesterday's training for the race was only 18 minutes, I make the decision to run anyways. Bad idea. I completely rubbed the back of my ankles raw. Then, walking back to my car, I was inches away from getting hit by someone leaving the parking lot.

But, yes, the workout itself was great. Yesterday was interval training: 1 minute walk, 1 minute run. I kept the walking pace consistent at 4.1, but increased the running by 0.1 every time, starting at 6.0. For the last running interval, I bumped it up to 7.5! I was initially discouraged by the girl on the treadmill next to me doing between 9.0 and 10.0, but reminded myself we all go at our own pace and that is completely okay! The fact that I'm even considering a 25K run is beyond what I ever thought I could do!

grace + peace,

mindy