What I Learned from The 30 Day Shred

My goal in starting this blog was to find a way to write about the things that made me excited about fitness and then share that information with others. I wanted a community where people could come together and find their "thing": Like kickboxing? Pole dancing? Weight lifting? Whatever it was, I wanted to try it out and share it so that everyone can find what they love to do and stick with it. Why run if you hate running, right?

But I am only me, and my information is only as good as the people who read it. And if it is just me, well. . .that's not very helpful. I already know this stuff is good.

I started a Twitter account, and through the Twitterverse I started to make connections and meet people who, like me, had a passion for fitness and health. I didn't want to sell anything (Although I do, I hate being pushy. I find it supremely annoying.) or try to make anyone do my bidding. I didn't care if I had a million followers. My goal was to make as many real, meaningful connections as I possibly could.

Through all the muck and mire and BJ photos, I found Paula Seymour and her Celebrate Weight Loss site. I saw her call to action on a 30 day challenge involving Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD. Since I already owned it, I thought, "What the heck. I could use some structure." I signed up, and met a wonderful group of women that I am so pleased to call my friends.

We Twitter daily, we watch The Biggest Loser, we share our joys and pains and frustrations. I never thought in a million years when I embarked on this journey that I could find real meaningful connections over the Internet (even though I met my boyfriend that way). The accountability and responsibility I share with these women is a powerful tool.

Here is what I learned:

1.) That I can find time to workout everyday.
2.) I own a lot of workout tapes. A LOT. Which means I never have an excuse not to workout.
3.) I am stronger than I thought I was.
4.) I can take control of my life.
5.) I can make time for all my secondary activities and my day job.
6.) I must make time for myself. It is not selfish.
7.) I am a motivator. This is what I was born to do.
8.) I have to walk the walk and talk the talk.
9.) I can leave my day job and get into the fitness industry where I belong.
10.) I am a BAD ASS. Even if I don't look like Natalie.

This 30 Day Challenge opened up so much for me. I am looking forward to the next challenge and the new year with much enthusiasm and optimism. And I am excited to see you all there.

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 30- THE SHRED IS DONE!!!

Oh, did we ever think this day would come!?!

30 days ago I was feeling weak, powerless, unfocused. Today I feel strong, supported, and full of more hope than I could have ever imagined!

I will delve more deeply into what I learned from the 30 Day Shred Challenge tomorrow in another post. Today, let's celebrate today!

I completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 today. I skipped through the cool down section in 1 and 2, and focused on staying warm and keeping my heart rate up. I powered through with 5 pound weights, and was so impressed at how strong I have gotten! I didn't have to move down to lighter weights! The cardio bursts were done full out Natalie style. No Anita moves here.

I am filled with such a sense of accomplishment. And I am so happy that you followed me on my journey!

Onto the next challenge!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 29- 1 day left!

Hey Shredders! Can you believe that we made a goal and stuck to it- every day for thirty days? Anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Of course, I am still working on getting lasers to shoot out of my eyes. If looks could kill, mine would. :)

Did Level 3 of the Shred and ONLY Level 3 of the Shred. After last nights Core and Powerstrike classes (blog on it's way!) I needed to let my muscles rest and relax. So, I let them rest by doing the Shred. I know, it sounds silly to me too. I want that purse, y'all. I WANT IT!

Tomorrow I will be joining Lori (I think!) and will do all three Shreds back to back. Can't wait to see how far I have come! Let's finish strong and SHRED IT OUT!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 28- 2 days left!

Got an early start to my Level 3 Shred today because I have a date tonight. A DATE WITH FITNESS. What? I know.

During last week's BL tweetfest, I responded to an invite from fellow fitness fan and generally cool chick Cherie Lily. She is certified in many areas of training, including upside down yoga, and is a musician. She teaches some classes at the Equinox gym on 92nd Street here in NYC Tuesday nights: Core and Powerstrike.

Core sounds like what I think it is. Powerstrike sounds like a cardio kickbox class.
The Equinox schedule describes it as: Developed Ilaria Montagnani & taught by Powerstrike! instructors this karate/ kickboxing workout fuses authentic martial arts movements to energizing music.

Can't wait to tell you all about it! Plus, BL makeover show tonight with Tim Gunn and Tabitha. I love Tuesdays!!!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 27- 3 days left!

Feeling amazing! I am really starting to see my waist shrink, my muscles in my back, arms, and legs become more defined, and my energy and enthusiasm for all things in my life (even house cleaning) have come back 150%.

I have forgotten how great it feels to have all your ducks in a row and how fitness plays such a big part in that. The past couple of years have been a bit of a roller coaster ride for me personally. My weight, whether good or bad, has been a reflection of that. It is nice to remember that I CAN do it. And this 30 day challenge has been just what I needed to get back into the swing of things!

Today I did Level 3 of the Shred, and paired it with Jillian's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. Even after 27 straight days of working out, this DVD is TOUGH. It was like the Shred had a baby, and that baby took steroids. But I'm feeling '>long, strong, and down to get the friction on.

Interested in my journey? There is another 30 Day Challenge beginning November 25th! Check out www.celebrateweightloss.com for details.

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 26- 4 DAYS LEFT!

Shred like there is no tomorrow!

Level 3 of the Shred complete, plus 30 minutes of the 10 Minute Solution Slim and Sculpt Pilates with Suzanne Bowen (she's on all those Lotte Berk DVDs) DVD. I chose total body, upper body, and pilates stretch. It comes with a resistance band which is muy bueno and really ups the "pilates factor" aka butt kicking.

Looking forward to yummy dinner with my boyfriend and a relaxing rest of my Sunday.

See you all for THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!!!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 25- 5 DAYS LEFT!

A late night blog post! Sorry to my readers, but I had to spend some time out in the world and away from the laptop. STEP AWAY FROM THE LAPTOP!

Splashed around in the New York rain today and went to see an AMAZING and fun movie, Gentleman Broncos. And had dinner at The Smith, which makes a damn fine burger. I love my treat meal day! Didn't eat the fries, though. Instead I subbed beats with goat cheese and bacon. Mmmm.

Today was my 20 minute Shred, and it was welcome! I was feeling sore-ish from the Trouble Zones DVD.

Thinking about what I want to accomplish in my next thirty days for my goal challenge: I want to gear myself for doing the Insanity workout in the new year. I want to up my cardio, and lower the days I do strength training. My usual routine is every other day strength and every other day cardio, with a yoga or pilates routine peppered in for good measure. I think I am going to do two hard core strength days, and one strength/cardio day, and then balance the other days with cardio and yoga.

But enough rambling! See you all for the Sunday Shred!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 24

I really pushed myself today! WOW. Didn't know if I could do it, but I did!

I did Level 3 of the Shred AND did Jillian's Tone Trouble Zones. 70 minutes of working out!

Feeling good and thoroughly tired. Now off to work!

See you Shredders for the weekend Shred!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 23

Day 23? Where has all the time gone? I probably spent all of it working on my BL recap. :)

Level 3 of the Shred completed! Had to be a little careful with the jumping today, as my left knee is like a barometer when the weather gets chilly and likes to be creaky. I followed it with Jillian's Cardio Kickbox.

I've gotten the two new Jillian DVDs I ordered last week but haven't opened them yet. Trying to get up the stamina to do them with the Shred to go out with a bang!

Onward and upwards, Shredders! Day 24 is upon us!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 22

After all the yelling on the BL last night, I continued with more at home "punishment". Having 8 days left in the challenge, I have decided to go all Jillian, all the time. Instead of trying different workout tapes, I am going to focus on my complete Jillian repertoire.

Did Level 3 of the Shred, and upped my weight on the clean and press to 10 pounds. Kept the 5 and 8 pound weights for everything else. Then I did The Biggest Winner: Maximize Full Frontal, the harder front workout of the series. I can tell you I wouldn't have been able to complete this with such ease (if you want to call my sweat dripping body ease) if I hadn't been doing the Shred. Feeling the improvements every day!

Onto Day 23!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 21

One of the most challenging aspects of doing this 30 Day Shred Challenge is trying to make it every day. Not just for me, but for all of my teammates who are rooting me on and expecting me to be up to the challenge.

It's true that I was tired and a little grumpus magoo after I FINALLY finished putting away my summer clothes and vacuuming the apartment. I sat on my couch and sighed, "I'm too tired." But if I wanted to Shred during the daylight, I was going to need to act fast as the sun seems to set around 3 pm around here.

I put in the DVD, I hit play. Jillian yelled at me. And I completed another day- DAY 21!

To my Level 3 Shred I added Turbo Jam Fat Blaster. It's a great cardio workout in only 30 minutes, using the "turbos" (intense bursts of cardio) from the Turbo Jam videos. It piles them all together so you get four great bursts with moments of recovery in between.

Now I am worked out, scrubbed down, and ready to watch and tweet during The Biggest Loser!

Only 8 days left! What are you going to do to make you feel proud?

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 20

20! 20 days of working out without interruption! Even when I did the P90x I got at least one day off a week. I'm feeling like a champ.

Actually, this morning, I felt like a chump for eating that popcorn. I think I had food poisoning because I felt AWFUL. Use your imagination, loves.

After the rain washed away the tears and all the pain, I did Level 3 of the Shred, increases my 3 pound weights to 5 pounds and my 5 pounds to 8 pounds. Shadow boxing with 5 pound weights is a challenge! And I like a good challenge.

I also incorporated Kickbox: Core Cross Train, a Gaiam workout DVD featuring my hero Patricia Moreno. It has a variety of different sections, each one about 15 to 20 minutes. I did the punching and kicking sections, and my core and booty are feeling it!!! If you want to learn proper form and Zen technique, and you don't have a ton of space, this video is for you.

Let's Shred these last 10 days, people!!!!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 19

I live in a five story brownstone on the third floor. During the weekdays, I am totally Natalie- full butt kicks, full rock star jumps, full double jump ropes. On the weekends, however, I am more Anita due to my downstairs neighbors! I would hate for them to hear my elephantine thuds shaking their chandeliers!



I did Level 3 of the Shred, and kept the strength moves with Natalie and kept the plyo moves with Anita. It was a tough day today because I ate movie popcorn (small, and I shared, but nevertheless) and I felt so GROSS afterwards. All bloated and puffy. The exercise actually helped me feel better, but I have made my boyfriend promise that he won't let me buy popcorn in the future even if I really want it because I always complain about feeling nauseous after I eat it.



I also did The Lotte Berk Method High Round Assets DVD. It is a combination of pilates, ballet, and Callanetics, and it is TOUGH! I thought it was going to be an easy stretching type workout. When you hold your leg out behind you at a 90 degree angle and do 30 small pulses? Not so easy.



The good news is that my high round ASSet should be on my shoulders by the holidays. :)



Hope every one's Sunday was great and onto day 20!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 18

Day 18 shredded! Today is my single workout day, and boy, am I happy. My muscles are SORE today! I'm feeling it mostly in my upper middle back and in my glutes, but my side obliques are really feeling it, too. Must be from upping my intensity! So, thanks to Jillian for kicking my butt.

I had my blood drawn yesterday for my thyroid check, and I probably won't hear anything until next week. I want to thank all my tweeties and blog friends for all their good thoughts! I hope to hear some positive news- maybe my sluggish metabolism will final be explained.

Enjoy your Saturday and I'll be here for Shred Sunday!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 17

It is Day 17, and I am certainly feeling it! It's nice to know that all the hard work I am putting in is getting results-and I think ramping up the Shred was just the extra motivation that I needed!

I did Level 3, feeling all the core muscles I worked yesterday groaning- you haven't lived until you've done some Supermans with Jillian- and I did Karen Voight's Sleek Essentials 20 minute Sweat. Never hurts to get in a little extra cardio!

Onwards to my single workout day- yay 18! I'm so proud of all of us for doing this together. I get so much inspiration from all of you, and it makes it easier to get up and accomplish what I need to accomplish.

On a side note, going to the doctor today to get my thyroid checked- keep your fingers crossed for me that nothing bad happens!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 16

I have seen the future, and it is Level 3.

Holy cow, folks. Hope you like jump training! Rock star jumps in the final cardio section are a literal butt kicker. We also upgrade our jumping jacks and butt kickers to weighted jumping jacks and weighted butt kickers.

It is a strong workout, and certainly doable after completing Level 1 and 2.

I also did Shape Bikini Body Bootcamp, a fun cardio sculpt DVD that has multiple workouts and DVD extras. It uses light weights and a resistance band, and has lots of cardio. It is almost the reverse of the Shred, and a nice compliment to the workout.

Leaping Lizards, onto Day 17! Shred it, folks!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 15- Half Way DONE!

Day 15 is done! I feel so good, who knows what I'll be able to accomplish at Day 30?

I did Level 1 and Level 2 back to back. It was nice to revisit all those push-ups from Level 1 (oh those!) and then all that plank work in Level 2. It was surprisingly challenging!

I am moving on to Level 3! Excited and scared. To quote Stephen Sondheim.

See all you cool cats on Day 16!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 14- Mid-Challenge Musings

Day 14 of the Shred. . .well, shredded! WOO!

I did Level 2 full out, all Natalie, all the time. I was super pleased that the thrusting has become easier (I can't think of any other way to word this) and I did the 5 pound weights again for all my shoulder work.

I rounded it out with Jillian's The Biggest Winner Shape Up Front that was such a challenge for me in the first week- I think I did it on day 2 or 3. Today, however, I was stronger, more confident, and able to bust through it with no issue! The format and exercises are similar to the Level 2 Shred- just on steroids. I can't tell you how many weighted jumping jacks I did, but it felt like a million. Actually, it was 60. But it FELT like a million.

The plan for tomorrow is to do Level 1 and Level 2 back to back and see how I've grown. And on Thursday, I am shooting for Level 3. Reaching for the stars, kids.

I wanted to take a second and write about the goals we have set for ourselves. Yes, we are all seeing the benefits of participating in this challenge in our endurance and strength and waistlines. The confidence factor is the most important thing I have been gaining through all of this. The ability to get out there, see a goal, and make it happen.

It is a wonderful feeling. And one I hope that you all are also getting.

It is important to reward your good deeds, and not just if you show positive numbers on the scale or with your tape measure. The fact that we are doing this at all deserves a reward!

And not food based.

My first week reward was a pair of "FUggs" from Payless. I don't have $130 to spend on a pair of yarn booties. But I do have $39! I rewarded myself with those and a new shirt from The Gap. Just a little way to say "I love you, Alison. You are awesome."

This weeks reward: 2 new Jillian Michael's DVDs to round out my collection and give me some extra motivation!

And I am keeping my eye on the prize. Isn't she beautiful? If I finish all 30 days with no excuses, she is ALL MINE!

Happy 14th, y'all! Hope you will be twittering and tweeting with us all during The Biggest Loser!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 13- Lucky Number!

Hey y'all! 13 is my lucky number, and I was feeling especially lucky today with my Shred.

I did Level 2, and I worked through the V shoulder raises with 5 pound weights! YAY! My second workout was Turbo Jam Cardio Party Mix 2, a fantastic dancy kickboxy combo that is fun and super sweaty. Gotta love Chalene Johnson.

Gearing up for Day 14 and the live tweeting during The Biggest Loser! Will I see you all there?

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 12

I survived Halloween without any candy, so I was feeling pretty positive today. An extra hour to play with!!!

I spent my extra hour doing positive things: blogging about DietTribe and doing the Shred!

Level 2 of the Shred came a little easier today. The in and outs were far less traumatic, and I feel my shoulder girdle getting stronger. Maybe I will try to get up to those 5 pound weights on those V raises!

I rounded out my workout with Fat Burning Fusion with Ellen Barrett. This is a great standing pilates/ballet video that lasts about 45 minutes. I always feel super light and graceful when I perform the exercises, and I am not always light or graceful. Ellen Barrett is a great instructor- she is perky, cute, and informative and her cuing is really sharp. Highly recommended!

Ready for lucky number 13!