Workout Wednesday - Part 1

 Welcome to the first installment of Workout Wednesday!!

Ugh!  I feel like I'm stuck in a time warp today.  I got in to work late this morning because Mason had a doctor appointment and then I've had to play catch up with everything.  I hate days like this, though I liked having extra time at home this morning to get caught up on some chores that are hard to do with two excitable kids around.

Anyway.  On Sunday, I started Jillian Michaels' 30-Day-Shred program.  This is the second time I'm doing The Shred.  This is a series of circuit training that lasts 20 minutes.  There are three different levels, each lasting 10 days.  The program consists of a warm-up, 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of ab work, all repeated 3 times.  20 minutes doesn't sound like a long time, but if you're out of shape, like me, you'll be panting within 5 minutes of starting the DVD.  By the end of 20 minutes, I am dripping sweat and my whole body aches.  The first time I did this program, I was really sore.  REALLY sore!  Like, I didn't want to sit down in a chair because my thighs would burn so bad.  The second time around has been a little easier...I think it's the whole muscle memory thing.  My legs and butt are a little sore, but nowhere near as sore as the first time around.  Let's get on with the less than flattering BEFORE pictures.  Shield your eyes. 

YIKES!  I can't believe I'm posting these.  These are more for my reference than for your benefit.  And if you all want to point and laugh at me and say "OMG I can't believe she looks like THAT!", you go right on ahead and do that.  I can't hear you so it's all good.

I'm not going to share sizes and measurements with you.  I will, however, give you *some* information.  I started this program at 180 pounds.  Today I weighed in at 179.6.  The last time I did this, I didn't lose a single pound.  Yep.  That's right.  Not a single pound.  BUT...I did loose body fat.  I'll be measuring both.  How many times have I heard, or even told my patients, that muscle weighs more than fat.  It's true.  And it's frustrating because that means the number on the scale might not move much, but I'll be losing fat and gaining muscle.  With the increase of muscle mass, my metabolism will increase, making my body more efficient.  I started out at 35.1% body fat.  The goal (eventually)?  26.0% body fat and 156 pounds (for those of you - myself included - who are math challenged, that a difference of 9.1% body fat and 24 pounds).  This is going to take longer than 30 days, but if I stick to exercising and decreasing my portion sizes, I'll get there.  As with many things, slow and steady wins the race.

Why am I doing this?  I want to get rid of the wonderful expanded tummy courtesy of two little boys (whom I love very much).  I want to tighten up the waddle under my arms.  I want to get rid of the dreaded back fat and cottage cheese thighs.  I want to look better.  But, there's more to it than just the aesthetic.  I want to feel better.  I want to see myself in pictures and not cringe because OMG I look so fat.  I want to have more energy.  I want to sleep better.  I am doing this for me.  If people think I look better or that I'm "losing weight", that's just an added benefit.  And if the hubs notices...score.  LOL 

Every Wednesday I'll keep you aprised of my progress (or lack thereof).  I'll bring up a topic dealing with exercise or diet or the like.  If there's something you have a question about or something you'd like me to research, lemme know.  I'm an information whore - the more information, the better!!

Listening to: Vampires by Godsmack
Mood: pumped