30 Day Shred Challenge Recap - Before & After

As I began writing this post, it dawned on me that I hadn't worked out yet today. Yesterday, I took the day off because I figured my body needed some rest and it was well deserved after 30 days of consecutive working out. So before I finished uploading the pictures, I stopped what I was doing and did the Shred. I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to. Can you believe that, I wanted to.

That being said, I have a few thoughts on my 30 Day Shred Challenge. Going into this challenge, I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Even though there were moments I wanted to quit and pass out, I always felt great after each workout. I like the feeling of the sore pain. I guess I'm crazy. I hate the burn I feel as I'm working out, but love the feeling of achy muscles. To me, that means I'm in need for improvement and I'm on the right track.

After some positive feedback and the fact that curiosity gets the best of all of us, I have decided to show the before and after pictures. The before pictures are hard for me to post, but I see the difference and if it gives someone the motivation to be healthy, then that is all that counts.

Here are my stats:
Total Weight Lost: 5 lbs
Total Inches Lost off my Waist: 4 inches
Total Inches Lost off my Hips: 3 inches

I plan on continuing this process and hope to alternate the Shred, Running and I plan on attempting Jillian Michael's Yoga. I've never done Yoga before, but I have heard really good things about Jillian's Yoga DVD.

Day 1 - Before

Day 30 - After

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 30

WOOOOHOOOOOOOO, I'M DONE! With little to no sleep at all (we didn't get home from picking Jeanna up at the airport until the wee hours of the morning) and the fact that Mason shared a bed with me last night, I was dragging this morning. However, I knew I wouldn't have chance to get it done, if I didn't do it as soon as I woke up. After 30 days, I'm finally finished. More to come later this weekend with the final results and my final thoughts.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 29

I can't believe I only have one more day of the challenge. In some ways it feels like I just started and then there are moments right after I finished a good workout and I feel like this has been dragging on. Either way, it's been a great challenge and I recommend it to everyone, even guys.

After reading the comments from my last post, I will be brave and post the pictures. Just to let you know now, I will only have time to write a short post tomorrow after the workout. That means the long thoughtful post with pictures will happen on Sunday or Monday. It's a jammed packed weekend and somehow I still need to find time to do laundry and pack.

I can't believe ya'll talked me into it, but I know if any of you are like me, a picture says a thousand words. That doesn't mean that I have the drop dead gorgeous body. Ha! That's funny. When I mean dramatic, I mean that I can see the difference. It might not be a huge difference, like on the Biggest Loser, but it's still noticeable. 1 more day!

To post or not to post, that is the question?

Tomorrow the 30 Day Shred Challenge is coming to a close. I have taken the before pictures with me in a sports bra and shorts and I took the after this morning. Yes it's a day early, but I won't have time this weekend and I don't think there will be that much difference in one day. After looking at the before and after, I can see a dramatic difference. Should I post them on my last post? Does anyone even care to see? As always, I also took the pictures in my workout clothes and will post those. Let me know what you think?

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 28

Good workout this evening. With only two days left, it will be the hardest two days for me. My best friend Jeanna is coming for a visit this weekend and arrives late tomorrow night. Friday, Jeanna & I head down to Santa Barbara for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. While I'm not running in it anymore, Jeanna is. So that means I will have to find time to get my workouts in. My last post with my thoughts and pictures probably won't be up until Sunday. 2 more days!

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 27

I decided to go ahead and get my workout in, while Taylor took her afternoon nap. I had a lot of energy, so I thought it would be good to get it out of the way, before I started to drag from the day. By the end of the workout, I can guarantee that all of my energy is depleted. Good thing I got everything done that I needed to, because I don't think I will be moving too much this afternoon.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 26

I have really loved this challenge, even when it's not easy and the last thing I want to do is workout. I have a busy week trying to get ready for a visit from my best friends arrival this weekend, followed by packing for our trip. Working out has given me energry, which I need by the end of the day. Only four more days.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 25

After a long day of going non-stop, it was nice to get a workout in. Jumping lunges can tire a girl out. 5 more days!

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 24

I'm sure you are tired of reading these posts, but only 6 more days of it and I will be done. Worked out this afternoon and it went really well. I have found that doing the Superman trunk exercise is not the most comfortable when you just finished a glass of water. Other than that, it was a good work out. I am still sore, but it's a good sore.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 23

Level 3 must incorporate every muscle in your body, because I don't think I have a muscle that isn't sore right now. I really do think as challenging as it is, that this is my favorite level. This time next week, I will be finished with the challenge. Right in time for my trip. Hope you are enjoying the start of your weekend.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 22

Another day of getting my workout in while Taylor took her morning nap. It helped that Mason kept asking me over and over again to "work" (workout) with Mama. That is motivation right there because he won't drop it until he gets to workout. I have to admit that it was nice knowing that I can enjoy my evening, once the kids go to bed.

After my workout yesterday, I started noticing my muscles starting to ache as I put the kids down for the night. When I woke up this morning, I was extremely tight and sore. Most of the exercises in Level 3 involve some sort of core workout. My abs are sore just as I sit here and type. It will be interesting to see how I feel tomorrow.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 21

I am so thankful for fresh new days. The last two days have been extremely hard for me and I wasn't enjoying my workouts. When I woke up this morning, I was determined to count my blessings and focus on the positive.

We are having dinner at our friends house this evening, and I didn't want to do another late workout. I opted to get my workout in this morning, while Taylor took her morning nap and Mason played in his room. I'm so glad I did.

Today I completed my first day of Level 3! I LOVE IT! There is no way that I would appreciate it or enjoy it, had I not completed the other two levels. My endurance has improved tremendously and although it was still quite difficult, I really had a great time doing the new exercises today.

I promised myself that I would take pictures every ten days to see if I could tell the difference in my body. It's probably a little more difficult to tell with my workout clothes on, although they are a little loose on me, but I can really tell the difference when I'm in my sports bra and shorts. I took pictures of those as well, and when I compare to Day 1 to Day 20, I'm amazed at the the transformation. If I ever get the courage to show you, I might just post the before and after, but I would have to muster up a ton of courage. So for now, these will have to do.

I have lost another inch off my hips and off my waist. I've also lost another pound. I'm not really interested in the weight loss as much as I am in the toning and sculpting of my body.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 20

It's only Tuesday and this has felt like the longest week. Today was another emotionally and physically draining day and it was very hard to motivate myself to do the last day of Level 2. By the time Mason went to sleep, all I wanted to do was watch the DWTS result show, Glee and go to bed. The DWTS result show had already started by the time Mason was out, and thankfully I have DVR.

Reluctantly, and when I say that, I mean very reluctantly, I completed the last day of Level 2. It wasn't that I didn't want a good workout, my body was just too tired to get in the spirit of it. It's way more fun when I am in the mood to workout. I knew if I didn't do it, then I would have to blog about it and then I would feel guilty.

Level 2 was very challenging, but I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. I didn't know what to expect going into it and although the planks were the hardest, I could feel my body burning and my muscles working harder than ever. Tomorrow is the first day of Level 3 and I have no idea what to expect, so I'm a bit nervous. Hopefully I will be in a better mood to workout.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 19

Not a good day. Work out done. That is all.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 18

We are home and after a battle getting Mason to bed tonight, I am done with Day 18. It just now hit me that I only have a few more days in Level 2. I feel like I should have a lot more, mostly because before this challenge, I really only did Level 1. For some reason, this workout seemed a lot harder tonight. Maybe it's just because it's been a long day. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 17

I give credit to my workout today to my husband Adam. No, he didn't do the workout for me, but he reminded me that I had yet to do it today and of course it was right after I bought a latte at Starbucks. So instead of drinking my hot latte, I worked out. I know I needed to get it done, but I was really looking forward to my coffee and wasn't very excited about not being able to drink it right away.

So while Adam kept an eye on the kids, I worked out in our hotel living room. Mason joined me occasionally. I mentioned previously that I've noticed my strength and balance improving, but it really struck a note with me today. I was doing the dreadful planks and it's getting easier to balance without feeling like my arms are going to collapse any minute. Please note that I'm still doing the modifications. I kept telling Adam that Jillian must think I'm crazy if she wants me to do exactly what she is doing. Maybe after a couple months, I will be able to, but definitely not yet. Tomorrow, I'll get to enjoy my workout in my own living room.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 16

Despite the fact that I've spent most of the day packing the kids and my stuff and trying to get ready for our trip, I was still able to get my workout in. I have to say, that I didn't really give it my all today. I felt rushed and I'm disappointed with myself for not really approaching it like I normally do. Tomorrow, I will do better. I packed my DVD and the weights.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 15

I'm half way there. I've completed 15 days and I have 15 more to go. There is such a feeling of accomplishment that comes with knowing that I'm the on the downward slope of this challenge. But really, it's only going to get harder from here.

The real challenge will be this weekend. Adam & I will be taking a weekend trip with the kids, so it will be interesting to see how I will be able to fit in the workout time. I'm determined to make it happen and luckily our hotel has a DVD player, although I could have just played it on my laptop.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 14

Normally, my workout is saved for when the kids go to bed. I actually have gotten into a routine and I find it doesn't even cross my mind to not include it in my schedule each day. As Taylor was taking her morning nap, I did my bible study while Mason played. When I sat down to play with him, he kept asking to work out. I went and got the 2lb weights for him, but that was just not enough. He put on his shoes and started begging to work out. So I gave in, and decided why not. He doesn't get in my way, so I knew I would still get in my normal workout.

I decided to grab the 5lb weights again. The 2lb weights still do the job, but it's gotten easier, and I promised myself I would go back up to the 5lb weights if it got easier. My arms now feel like rubber and I'm positive I will feel the burn tomorrow, if not later tonight.

Funny story to show that guys are definitely visual. As I was working out, I noticed Mason was lifting his shirt. I where a tank top and shorts when I work out, but on the DVD, Jillian is usually in a sports bra and jogging pants. I guess Mason was trying to do and be like them on the DVD. I was cracking up. He would get so frustrated if his shirt fell.

30 Day Shred Challenge - Day 13

Still out of breath, but I've noticed my balance and strength have greatly improved from day one. Now I'm going to reward myself by finally eating dinner and watching DWTS and Glee.