Ripped in 30- Day 10

Today I shovelled wet snow for half an hour that was left over from the wicked storm that passed through here yesterday. My arms are now killing me so I definitely count that as an upper body work out. I just needed to do my lower body, so I took a break from the Ripped in 30 video today and tried a video I found on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wjz6lGslo4&list=LLvDlITRM7EWVZWa14uMsu2Q

This woman has a great video with a couple moves you can do at home for inner thighs and glutes. She does 50 reps for each exercise which I didn't have time for today so I lowered it to 25. It still burned!

Tomorrow I'm going to try the video again. Lately, every time I take a break from the video (twice a week at the most) , I have been doing other exercises on those days. SO I have been working out to some level everyday and I feel amazing! I hope you do too!

Ripped in 30- Day 9

I did the week 2 video again today and I'm finding it really difficult. There are a bunch of plank exercises in this video and I hate being in plank! I have really weak arms so it sucks. Although, I seem to recall Jillian Michaels saying that if you're uncomfortable then you're doing it right, soooo I guess I'll just suck it up. Maybe one day I'll love to do plank exercises! I doubt that... 

My arms are sore today and I'm actually happy about that. It means it's working! I'll decide whether or not to do the week 2 workout again tomorrow. I may need a break for a day and continue the day after. It's getting intense people! Don't give up!

Ripped in 30- Day 8 (beginning of week 2)

It's the first day of week 2! I tried the week 2 video on Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 this morning and boy is it difficult. There are a few exercises I had difficulty doing even with the modified version. You definitely feel like you are advancing with this 2nd video. The exercises are getting more difficult and more intense. I think it will take all week to get comfortable with these new moves and I'm okay with that because it's a challenge! I'm going to try my very best and that's all that matters.

Welcome to week 2 and congratulations for making it this far! Keep it up:)

Ripped in 30- Day 7 (end of week 1!)

It's the end of the first week! If you've been following along with me, we did it! It's been a long 7 days and I worked out for 5 of them. That is, I used the video for 5 of them. I do various exercises everyday but nothing as challenging as the Jillian Michaels workouts on my lazy days!

For the 2nd week of Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30, I am going to attempt to work out the recommended  5-6 times a week with this video. I don't know what to expect and to be honest I'm a little nervous but we can do it! I think I am going to try one of her recipes this week so I can review it for everyone who is interested.

We are getting closer to our goal and the results are starting to appear. Don't get discouraged if you don't like what you see yet. You can't change your entire body in a mere 7 days, it takes time, effort, and patience. As much as I do expect results from 30 days of intense workouts, I also understand that it will be a life long commitment to stay in shape. Once these 30 days are over, you have the rest of your life to worry about. BUT take it one day at a time. For now, focus on these next 23 days and try your absolute hardest with every 20 minute workout so you won't have any regrets at the end of day 30. If you push yourself to your limit every time, there is no way you can feel disappointed with the outcome because you know you did your best, and if you aren't satisfied with your body yet, you get back out there and do another 30 day challenge and another until you reach your goal.

Tomorrow is the start of week 2 and I hope you're excited as I am!

Ripped in 30- Day 6

So I just completed the week 1 video this morning for the second last time and I have to admit, I struggled today when using the 5 pound weights in the exercises. I wish I had bought 2 or 3 pound weights as well. I'm pretty sure they do not use 5 pounders in the week 1 video! Anyway, I got through it regardless and I feel good about that.

Tomorrow will be the last day of week 1 and I have decided to finish strong every week and push myself to do the video on the last day of each week. You won't feel as good about yourself if you don't try your absolute best on the last day of each workout!

Push, push, push that's all i can say. Have a wonderful day and keep it up!

Ripped in 30- Day 5

It's day 5! I went out this morning during the time I usually work out and told myself I would do the video tonight after work instead. Well, I came home after standing for 5 hours and my legs are telling me not to do it. I did however just finish doing some of the arm exercises that I remember from the video. Just because your legs are killing you, doesn't mean you can't get a small workout in on another part of the body! There are no excuses.

Tomorrow I am getting up early and putting on the video. I am also making a promise to myself right now that I will also use it on monday. Finish week 1 strong everyone. You can do it!

Ripped in 30- Day 4

It's time to get back on track! After my day of rest yesterday, I was craving exercise once more. Today I continued with week 1 on Ripped in 30. Because I am now using 5 pound weights to do the exercises I found it much more difficult to get through the video. I can barely lift my arms straight out in front of me and out to the sides. Hopefully I will be able to more easily by the last day of the week 1 workout. If you are wondering what weight you should be using in these exercises, I would suggest 3 pounds for the exercises I listed above and you can use 5 pounds for most of the other exercises.

We're more than half-way through the first week people! It's going to get harder but we are slowly making progress and you should be excited! It's only a matter of time before you have the body and mentality that you've always wanted. Push yourself as hard as you can so you get results you're proud of. To reach your full potential you need to push!

Have an amazing day and don't forget to eat your fruits and veggies:)

Ripped in 30- Day 3

Soooo my legs are on fire and I had a busy day so I took a break from the DVD today. I did go and buy some 5 pound weights for some of the exercises in the week 1 video so I'll be all set for tomorrow! I'm really excited to use them.

Is anyone else doing the 30 day challenge? How difficult are you finding it?

Ripped in 30- Day2

I think I may have underestimated the week 1 video. My legs are burning! So for that reason I will not be combining videos today. I am going to stick with Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30-week 1. This has happened to me in the past where I thought I would be disappointed with the results of a workout because it seemed too easy. The last time was at a yoga class. After a 45 minute class I seemed fine! I didn't even break a sweat. However, the next day I woke up and my entire body was aching in pain. Don't underestimate the power of yoga, it is harder than it looks.

I forgot to mention the meal plan that goes along with this DVD. It is not actually inside the DVD case nor is it on the actual DVD, it is online. You don't even need to purchase the DVD to view the entire meal plan for free. Just visit her website here: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/ripped-in-30-dvd-meal-plan and download the PDF for free. I have decided not to follow the meal plan because I don't need to lose weight, if anything I need to gain it by putting on muscle. I am following this challenge for that reason. I want to be toned and feel energized by day 30.

I did look through the meal plan though, and I am very impressed. She gives you a breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner option for everyday of the 30 day challenge. At the bottom of the meal plan there are recipes for every meal she mentioned previously. Even if they are as simple as two eggs and toast, she explains what kind of eggs you should be eating and what kind of bread you should look for. I will definitely be keeping this PDF and possibly try a few of these recipes. She knows what she's talking about, so if you're looking to lose weight or even to start eating healthier, I suggest you use her meal plan for the best results possible. If you want to look your best, you have to join diet and exercise, otherwise you will never reach your body's true potential.

Ripped in 30- Day 1

I have decided to take the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 challenge! Now, for the past year I have been using Jillian Michaels Killer Buns and Thighs and I am very impressed with the results. About a month ago I finally worked my way up to level 3 and now I can get through the whole work out with no problem!

I decided to try the Ripped in 30 DVD because I am going on a weekend getaway in a month that will more than likely involve swimming and obviously I want to look the best I can! Wouldn't you?

Today was the first day of week 1 and because I have already been working out really hard for the past 2 months, I found Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30-Week 1 quite easy. However, if I started using this video a year ago when I wasn't active at all, this entry level would have killed me. I still broke a sweat though!

Because I found it a bit on the easy side, I have decided to step it up and combine this weeks workout from Ripped in 30 with level 3 of Killer Buns and Thighs. This should be interesting to say the least! A year ago, I would never in a million years attempt this but thanks to her videos I have really changed my outlook on being active and I feel amazing and much more energized!

There are also a few other exercise materials (or pieces of equipment) that I have been using to get in shape that include: 15 pound weights, an exercise ball, a home gym for arms, and a resistance band. I use them usually while I watch T.V. and want a light workout instead of using an exercise DVD.

I'm hoping that the levels in Ripped in 30 get increasingly more intense so I don't have to combine workouts, and knowing her, I'm sure she will deliver! I'm looking forward to getting ripped in 30!