Arms By Jillian Michaels, Butt By WordPress

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Jillian Michaels

Will she help me whittle my core? Only time and my ability to stay away from chocolate, carbs, and cheese will tell.

I have made it through the 30-minute Shred DVD by Jillian Michaels fourteen times since trying it for the first time earlier this month.

The cardio? Nearly kills me, especially the butt kicks, but I can now breeze through the jumping jacks.

The push ups? Whimper inducing initially but now I have conquered them! And my arms already look toner. I mean I’m no Michelle Obama, but they’re not bad.

I’ve put a lot of faith into the crunches segment. After two c-sections and gaining at least 10 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight with Miss A (a true Southern lady never reveals her weight) my problem area is definitely my core.

If  my core were an apple, it would be applesauce baby!

The second or third time I gutted through the DVD the hubby was doing some work from home, glanced up from his laptop to look at the TV, and commented that the woman on the screen was doing full body push ups.

Oh no he didn’t.

There I was struggling  just to complete the girly knees on the floor version.

I replied (and in an OMG I’m dying tone, not a sexy Marilyn Monroe breathiness) “I’M FOLLOWING THE WOMAN ON THE RIGHT! THE BEGINNERS’ VERSION! …SHUT UP!”

He has since limited his comments to more uplifting statements such as, “You can do it!”

On a positive note my legs were only sore for a couple of days after starting the Shred DVD. OK so maybe I could barely walk up and down the steps at work without wincing in pain on days 2 and 3, but it got easier.

Unfortunately I fell off the Shred wagon two weekends ago what with snow days and conference days messing with my routine, but I’m going to do the Shred workout 16 days in a row until I hit the magic 30 number. Then I’m not sure what crazy fitness goals I may set. I just know our spring break in mid-March is way too early and I’m always way too white and flabby once it’s warm enough to put on shorts. Someone needs to invent a self-tanning patch that is laced with tequila and fades spider veins.

I will also try not to weigh myself obsessively because yesterday I stepped on the scales and had a come to Jesus moment. The number was starting to go the wrong way.

I’m sure it’s just my fat turning to muscle, right? RIGHT? Not the cream cheese frosting with sprinkles on top chocolate cupcake I ate yesterday at work or the steak with blue cheese sandwich and fries I ate Saturday. This morning I’ve had organic tea, Cheerios, and a banana. Doesn’t sound quite as fun, does it?

Any way, you might want to start praying for me now. There’s a reason Shred rhymes with dead.

About the author

Jamie Reeves
I'm Jamie, a 51-year-old Nashville working mom desperately seeking a few moments of Zen and zinfandel. I love to travel, find great deals, and talk with my hands. My husband and I have two daughters, three dogs, one cat and too much laundry. Email me at blondemomblog @ gmail.com.

45 comments

  1. Lori (A Cowboy's Wife) says:

    I know the pain woman but I also know that it works!! I am so disgusted with myself that I let myself fall off because I had lost over 10lbs using the shred.

    Good luck woman….

    “very basic moves but highly effective” *giggle*
    .-= Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife)´s last blog ..Blissful Emotions =-.

    Reply
  2. Michelle Smiles says:

    Kicks my butt every time I start it. I’ve never gone 30 days. I think 22 was my personal best and that was because I did level 3 once, laughed that she thought I might be able to do that, cried because it hurt, and didn’t do it again. But I’ve done Level 1 approximately 82 times (not in a row mind you…during 2009). My husband just decided our family needs a Wii…I would normally balk but I’m thinking maybe the Wii Fit and I might try and be friends. Or frenemies.
    .-= Michelle Smiles´s last blog ..Things I

    Reply
  3. Evan says:

    I’m not one to motivate, but here it goes:
    The routine you follow, consider it like hitting a person hitting his head against the wall repeatedly. Now, it’s natural for that person’s head to throb in pain and to bleed. But wouldn’t it be cooler if the wall cracked, inch-by-inch? And eventually fall because of the human spirit and hardwork?

    You can do it!

    Reply
  4. Rebecca says:

    Yeah…the shred is tough but I think it does work. My weight loss always seems to slow when I do it too, but I think it’s because we are building muscle. I just never stick with it long enough for the muscle I built to burn the fat I’ve accumulated. One other note, I like level 3 better than level 2 for some reason…level 2 kills. Looking forward to the updates on how it’s working for you!

    Reply
  5. Blonde Mom says:

    Thanks for the encouragement ya’ll. I lost about 3 pounds in the fall but then of course the holidays happened. I’m great at disguising my belly fat with the clothes I wear but it’s kind of OUT OF CONTROL right now.

    I love to eat but my metabolism hates me now that I’m 40. Plus I truly was not getting enough physical exercise. If it will ever quit snowing in Nashville I’m going to start up on my walking again in conjunction with the Shred. I usually will do 2 to 3 miles three or four times a week and I’d started to jog.

    I think I’m going to give up Cokes for Lent (and I’m not even Catholic but it’s a good goal). That may really do me in!

    Michelle, I love how you have kept track of how many times you’ve Shredded. It’s like we need a badge of honor or something for getting through it a certain # of times. It does kick my booty!

    Reply
  8. Coma Girl says:

    Oh boy, do I feel your pain! I did it for 2-1/2 months (not every day) and fell off the wagon…or floor mat in October. I need to get back into it, but boy does it whip your butt!

    I ALWAYS followed the blond girl! And for the record, I don’t think most people can do a real push-up. At least that’s what I tell myself.

    Good luck 🙂
    .-= Coma Girl´s last blog ..My Latest Song Obsession =-.

    Reply
  9. Donna Conzett says:

    Your children are beautiful! I am posting and started following you on Twitter to enter into the giveaway for the ruffles shoes. Thanks!

    Reply
  10. Stacia says:

    The only “Shred” I’m on speaking terms with right now is shredded cheddar. In fact, think I’ll plop down on the couch and eat a mound of gooey nachos … with my laptop nearby so I can cheer you on, of course. Go, Blonde Mom, go!!
    .-= Stacia´s last blog ..Living in Circles =-.

    Reply
  13. Leigh says:

    What is it with husbands and their need to comment while you’re exercising? I recently started working my triceps with cans of peas. Yep! And he’s got the nerve to laugh and make fun of how light they are. Meanwhile, he’s talking while standing in front of an open refrigerator door NOT exercising ANYTHING!
    Men 🙂

    Reply
  15. WarsawMommy says:

    Look at you go! You have got my undying respect and admiration – I have every intention (oh, those intentions again!) of starting some kind of healthier lifestyle thing, but I honestly just don’t how to do it anymore. Between the sick babies, the lack of sleep, working from home, HORRIBLE snowy weather (so no walking), no money for a gym membership and a nanny in the living room all day (where the TV is) I just don’t see how to get this going.

    So, just do it for me, OK? And I’ll eat the chocolate, carbs and cheese for you. Deal?

    Reply
  18. amber says:

    let me just say, good for you for sticking with it as long as you did! the 30 day shred is pretty intense, i only did the first circut a few times. I was so sore the next few days, i just new it had to be working!

    keep it up!!
    .-= amber´s last blog ..The Perils of Potty Training =-.

    Reply
  22. Noob Mommy says:

    Hi there fellow mommy! Just stumbled upon your blog through one of my own readers 🙂 I saw that you also have been doing the 30 Day Shred. Just want to offer you my support and encouragement! I finished that a few months back, and it made the hugest difference. I am now doing P90x with my hubby, and that one really really kicks your butt, but so worth it 🙂 I still go back and do my Shred videos as well as Jillian’s No More Trouble Zones. Love her workouts. It really toned me up and helped me feel healthy. Good luck! I hope it works for you.

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