Ripped in 30.

Good Morning, Friends!

As I mentioned in my ideal day post, I've started using Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 dvd as part of my workout rotation.  I have found, as irritating as workout videos can be, that Jillian's are a great option for me during this season of life.  I need to be able to work out hard for 20-30 minutes and move on.  I can't spend hours in the gym or even an hour in my living room.  When the boys are sleeping I need to maximize my time to be as productive as possible.  With a 25 minute workout, I can fit lots of other things in before they wake up.

Now, let's talk details.  It is a similar concept to her 30 Day Shred.  3 circuits.  Each circuit is 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs.  There are 4 workouts (Week 1, 2, 3 + 4).

I have been a 30 Day Shred lover for quite some time.  Again, because it's effective.  But, if I hear Jillian say "I could always use a good chest fly in my life" one more time....I'm going to throw my hand weight through the tv.  I need to switch it up.  I get bored too easily.

There are a couple of things that I like better than the 30 Day Shred:

1.  I like that there are 4 different workouts.  Since I get bored, I only have to stick it out with one workout for a week before moving on to the next.  Eventually, I'll probably rotate all the different workouts.  Between 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30, I'll have 7 different workouts.  So, I'll just choose one each day instead of doing each workout for a week before moving on the the next.  
2. There are more exercises.  There are three strength exercises instead of two in each circuit.  This is nice because it doesn't make you feel like you are repeating the same exercise for.ev.er.  It helps me stick it out.  It's a lot easier to workout even the same muscle group for longer if you're adding variety instead of trying to do even more reps of the same exercise.  Does that make any sense? 

Oh, and one last trick:

When I use these workout videos, I put them on my computer and turn the volume down pretty low while I watch the Today Show on t.v. (or I watch a show on my computer and use the t.v. for the workout).  I can still hear when she changes to a new exercise but my focus is somewhere else.  It makes the workout fly by.  It's a little difficult to do this the very first time you do the video but by the second or third time, you start to remember what's coming next so you don't need to hear all the instructions.  It's an easy way to enjoy your workout a little more!

I hope this helps some of you who are ready for a change from the 30 Day Shred or those who are looking to start somewhere!  These types of workouts are a great starting point.  They are challenging but can be modified when you're starting out!

Do y'all have any good workout plans?  Would love to hear about them!  I hear that Shaun T. (from Insanity) is coming out with T-25.  It's a 25 minute workout by the creator of Insanity.  I can't wait to look into it when it comes out! 

i wanna....

I feel like my mind has been running 400 miles a minute lately.
There are so many things on my "want to do" list.  
I get so excited.
About such a wide range of things.
That sometimes I get frustrated that I'm not doing any one thing 100%.
Because I'm so into everything at only a little percent.

So, for today, let's start with one thing.

I wanna do this.

Like for real.

Who wants to do it with me? 

Details:

Warrior Dash
Huntersville, NC
August 27, 2011
3.08
An insane obstacle course


I saw it here and here, two of my favorite blogs by the way.


Happy Friday, Y'all!

5k.

worker man and i ran a 5k last weekend.

we had such a blast.

the race was for young life.  it gives high school kids the opportunity to go to summer camp.

i went to the yl camp in georgia during high school and it was wonderful.  so we were really excited to be able to help kids go to camp this summer.  our sweet neighbor saw us out running and we stopped to talk to her about it one evening.  she decided she wanted to sponsor us which was so sweet!  she was really excited about it.

here are a few pictures from the day.

one of fmil's beach buddies is on the committe for yl.

here is fmil's beach buddy's husband and the yl area director.

discussing the results.

my sweet friend, crystie.

we went to high school together and then went to two different colleges.

but coincidentaly we ended up in the same town and she's working on staff for young life.

she's awesome. you should be jealous.  that i know her and you don't.

she's that awesome.

some of the college life girls were there for the race too.

they are so much fun to be around.

and then there's meg.  who is equally as amazing.  she also works for young life. 

she's super cute and hilarious.  another blessing in my life :)

oh, and she's pregnant.  which makes her even cuter.

she has a new name for the next 6-7 months. 

preggo meggo.

and then there's us.

we really had a blast.

and now i've got the 5k bug.  i'm ready to do another one.

worker man? 

not.so.much.

sport.

when i came home from work the other night i walked in the door to this:

worker man bought me a treat!

a new racquet. 

for racquetball!

we had been using the gym racquets but worker man decided we were ready to move on to the next level :)



have you ever played racquetball?

i took a racquetball gym class in college and i have been in love ever since.


when i met worker man, i insisted that we play and he also loved it.  but once i graduated from college we didn't have a place to play anymore.


that is, until we joined the ymca.


it's our new date night.

[which is awesome because it's a ton of fun and it's a great workout.]


if you have never played, will you try it?

for me?

you'll be addicted too.


promise!

Show Us Your Life - Work Out and Diets

Do any of you get sick of diets?


Feel like you're not very successful?


Like you loose motivation after a week and a half?




Well, I'm sticking with the theory that it's a lifestyle change.  I know people get frustrated with hearing that theory, but it.is.the.truth.  


There's no way that you are going to stay on a diet for three years.  But, if you start to shift your lifestyle, it's doable.  You're not going to be the yo-yo dieter that you've been for years.  


Some tips that I have to offer:

1. Figure out healthy meals you can eat  - you know that you're not going to be okay with eating a salad every single day for lunch.  But, what about a list of foods that are healthy?  A salad with a veggie burger, lentils [kinda like a vegetarian, southwestern chili but with tons of protein - great from Costco], or leftovers from supper that include some veggies and possibly grilled chicken or any type of lean meat.  Pretty much anything that is healthy that you think you could rotate for lunch.  And then substitute.  Maybe use ground turkey for spaghetti sauce instead of hamburger.  Your family won't even notice the change!
2. Keep Snacks Around - So that sounds crazy, right?  But by changing your lifestyle you are not going to stop having snack attacks in the afternoon or after supper.  So, instead of denying yourself the snacks - just make sure they are healthy snacks.  Fruit, yogurt and granola, a 100 calorie pack [not every day but an occasional treat], a Skinny Cow icecream bar [for the little something sweet after supper - just as good as icecream sandwiches but not as bad for you and they come in cute little decorative circles-always a plus].
3. Look at other things than just calories and fat grams - I am a huge advocate for healthier eating.  Less processed foods.  Less chemicals being put into your body.  So, when you're eating healthy make sure that it's not just eating fewer calories or more "fat free" items.  They may be fat free but there are probably enough preservatives in these foods to stay good for the next 15 years.  Make sure that you are eating healthy fats and avoiding over processed foods.
4. Have a Pig Day - this is the day where you can eat whatever you want.  And by whatever, I mean a dozen doughnuts, a large pizza to yourself and a bag of potato chips if that's what you want for the day.  The theory behind this?  First, it's a good motivator.  By Thursday at lunch you realize that you're sick of this healthy eating thing.  But, rather than giving up - you know you can make it to Saturday so you stick it out for another day and a half.  Secondly, over time you'll find that you don't "pig out" as much.  You start to realize how much worse you feel when you eat crap.  You feel sluggish and like your jeans don't fit as well.  You realize that it's actually much better eating healthy.  Does this mean that you'll do away with your Pig Day all together?  No way!  It just means that instead of shoving your face for the full 24 hour period, you may only pig out for one meal.  Or, you may have a little something fattening during a meal but balance it with healthier sides.  And lastly, it provides balance.  By the end of your Pig Day you'll be ready to start eating healthy again - this will last until about halfway through the week and then you'll be looking forward to Pig Day again!
5. Watch it when you get off track! - All because you pull through Biscuitville in the morning to get a biscuit and sweet tea instead of eating your english muffin with peanut butter at work [speaking from experience?  yes.  don't judge], does not mean that you have ruined your day.  I repeat, this does not mean you have ruined your day!  That's one of the biggest mistakes.  Jump back on board for lunch.  Skip your afternoon snack and make sure your supper is healthy.  Then you have not completely ruined your day.  Or worse, your week.  Do not wait until the following Monday because you blew your breakfast on Tuesday morning.  You can still get back on track - by lunch!
6. Understand you are human - If you "have" to eat that Reese's Peanut Butter Tree leftover from your Christmas stocking [again, speaking from experience] - eat it!  and enjoy!  But then, like I said earlier, get back on track.  It all has to do with moderation.  If this is going to be a lifestyle change [which in my book, it must] then you have to understand that you're going to be tempted and cave on some things.  And that's okay.  You just have to resist the majority of the time and only cave occasionally.  Just make sure that when you cave, you enjoy it :)
7. Find a time to exercise that works for you - Again, LIFESTYLE.  You have to find something that you're going to be willing to continue.  If you are a night owl, you probably shouldn't expect to wake up at 4 A.M. to work out.  You want something that is doable.  But, you are responsible for making it doable.  Get to work 30 minutes earlier and walk with a couple of coworkers outside or around in the building.  Stay 30 minutes late.  Now do I suggest only walking? No.  But you have to start somewhere.  And then, as you filter other things in, you at least have the basic walking.  So on the days you can't also go lift weights or go for a run, at least you've walked for the day.  Or go for a two mile walk/run right after work.  Then, if you have more time you can do something else but at least you got that in.

Aggghh, I could probably talk forever on this subject!  It gets me so excited. 

I know that life happens.  But, I just want to encourage all of you.  It is imperative that when life happens you still make time for this.  Do not let exercising and eating well be the thing to go when you get busy.  If you do this, it will only make you feel worse.


I could talk forever as well about the benefits of it - but just to give you a tip of the iceburg - you sleep better and you have more energy when you're awake.  Either one of those [and especially the two together] should give you the motivation to give this a shot for a month and experience for yourself.  

You won't turn back.

Promise!

love-hate.

remember this post about jillian and how great she was?

even so great that i wanted to do a giveaway?

well, i was confused.

i don't like her.

really, it's similar to a love-hate relationship.

i love the way i feel more entergetic, the way my stomach starts to tone after a week or so, the way i sleep so much better at night because i'm worn slap out.

but really i think the hate part of the relationship is a little stronger.

she makes me miserable.

the "i dread walking into my living room because she along with my weights sit in my cute little basket taunting me everytime i walk in there" kind of miserable.

the "i roll out of the bed in the mornings because i can't actually stand up to get out of the bed" kinda miserable.

the "i can't actually squat long enough to lower myself onto the toilet so instead i have to kinda fall backwards into a sitting position and hope i land on the seat because my legs hurt so bad" kind of miserable.

and what's worse?

i've converted my mom. she also has a love-hate relationship with jillian michaels.

when we were shopping this weekend she saw this outfit.

{which looks absolutely dreadful in this picture but it wasn't that bad in the store, promise}

she said, "ooohhh i could buy this and then i could even look like jillian michaels."

{they were cropped sweat pants...in order to look like jillian she would of course have to only wear the cropped pants and a low cut sports bra.}

she repressed her inner desire to look like jillian and instead headed home to work out with her.

30 seconds in to the workout?

...she remembered that she hates jillian too.

Giveaway!

This is my 100th post so I've got something to give away!!

I read this post by Vicki Courtney last Thursday and decided to try Jillian Michael's new workout video 30 Day Shred. Worker Man and I are addicted to The Biggest Loser and I really like Jillian. So, I decided this would be a pretty fun video to get me going in the morning.

Well, fun is not the word I would use to describe it.

Brutal serves as a much, much better description.

The first morning I was doing the video, Worker Man came out of the bedroom all groggy-eyed, looking a mess and just stares at me as I'm dying in the middle of the living room floor. I'm sure I was just as pleasant of a sight to look at as he was.

The plan is to work out hard for 20 minutes. No rest, no stops. There are three levels and I just figured Level One would be pretty simple. I thought I would do it the first day and maybe the second and then move on to Level Two.

Ummm, no.

I can barely make it through Level One for 20 minutes straight.

It's fabulous.

Well, now that I've beefed it up and all....

...guess what the giveaway is?!?

You guessed it! Your very own cardiac-arrest-on-dvd workout video!


Leave me a comment and the winner will be randomly picked and announced Friday (4/24) morning.

Be sure to leave me your e-mail address if you don't have a blogger account so I can find out where to send it!

Climbing!

Worker Man and I went indoor rock climbing with my college roomies, S & G and J (S's bf). We had such a good time. We got a little banged up and were a little sore for the next few days but it was totally worth it. We had a blast!











S & J have their belaying certification so they taught us what we would need for the test and we got certified too!

We are super excited and we can't wait to go back!!

Dave Ramsey might not be proud, but...

Yesterday I got quite an unexpected blessing in the mail. I worked at a Human Sexuality retreat for a church three weeks ago. The pastor of my parent's church asked if I could come help because they had a leader drop out. I agreed to come but was a little apprehensive about the retreat and what all I was going to have to say to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and their parents. It actually went quite well.

Now, don't be stunned by the fact that they were 4th, 5th, & 6th graders. The retreat was more scientific and now it has become necessary at that age because kids start getting exposed to words and things at a lot younger age. They offer a more in depth retreat for 7th and 8th grade and then another in high school.

By the way, have you ever noticed that I prequel my story with some ridiculously long side note that really doesn't have a whole lot to do with my actually story? Whoops, sorry.

Okay, back from my sidenote of a sidenote of a story...

Anyways, my pastor said that the church would plan to pay me. Obviously I wouldn't expect it and even tried to say no. That was not the reason I was doing this. Actually, I didn't think you could even pay me enough money to make it worth the awkward conversations and words that I would have to be saying to a 4th grader that didn't even come out of my mouth, EVER.

So, I got the check in the mail yesterday thinking it would only be a little money. But, it actually was 5 times what I expected. That's right, 5 TIMES.

I knew that Dave Ramsey would expect me to log this into my "Unexpected Income" sheet and put the money towards a debt that we have or towards an emergency fund and that is what I plan to do with the majority of it.

But, I saw this on Songbird Tiff's blog and I absolutely couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy a little toy. It was even on rollback at Walmart!!

Soooo, I got a mini-trampoline!


Look, it has resistance bars AND you see the little black thing on the left? That keeps count of my number of jumps, my calories burned, and my time. Pretty impressive, huh?

Worker Man helped me put it together.
He felt like he deserved a little shout out since he stopped doing work on his computer to help me....so HOLLER.

Worker Man snapped a few shots. This was the beginning exercise and I was already feeling the burn!

Next, a few plies or something (I never did take dance).

Clearly the video is not too high-tech. The whole thing, video, trampoline, and all was only $30.

Oh yeah, and I'm obviously not following the lady but I promise that's what she was doing right before she got down there on her hands and knees.

It just took Worker Man and few minutes to take the shot :)

Let me just tell you, it is tough! A lot harder than I expected. If I keep up with this from now until summer, I might not even have to go to the gym anymore!

Dave Ramsey might not be proud, but Jane Fonda sure is.