Two very bad things have happened today. First, I woke up with a sore throat. My throat has been sore off and on for a few days (usually morning and night but fine in between) so I went on with my day.
My sore throat got worse as the day wore on, and then my neck started to get stiff. Towards the end of the work day it felt as it my entire neck had seized up. This was the second bad thing. I couldn't turn to look left or right, or up and down, and even bending over to pick something up off the floor was really painful.
The problem is I don't know if my neck is this stiff and extremely sore in connection with the sore throat or if I've pulled a muscle or strained my neck while shredding. In the level two warm-up, Jillian incorporates some neck stretches, so there must be some neck stressing exercises in the work-out.
So after work I managed to make my way to the bus stop and as I was walking, I thought things were starting to feel better but by the time I got home I was in so much pain, I laid down flat on the couch and tried to massage my neck, which felt better in the moment. Which leads me to believe I've strained or pulled my neck. Yes, my glands feel swollen and are tender to the touch but it feels like it goes deeper and further than that.
I had hubby stop at the drug store on the way home and he soon arrived with cepacol lozenges and Tylenol. I also have the hot water bottle on my neck. An hour later and I'm feeling much better. Throat is still sore, especially painful to swallow, but it's not as bad. My neck is much improved and I can turn it in every direction and it just feels mildly strained. A slight burn. Like my hamstrings have felt since starting level two!
So, is the improvement thanks to the massaging, the tylenol, the hot water bottle, the resting? All of the above? I'm not sure.
Regardless, it does mean there will be no shred for me today. Which upsets me and makes me sad as I really wanted to do this for 30 days in a row to see what would happen. Hubby is doing the best he can to convince me that my outcome in the end is not going to change because I've missed one day. And if it really is an injury, I could make it worse and then end up missing a week or two. Not to mention the sore throat. If my neck wasn't sore, I'd work out anyway, which probably would not help my case--and in fact probably do more harm-- if it's a virus. And, to be honest, I'm exhausted. Perhaps I've worn myself out. I've definitely been staying up too late, on top of all the exercise...
So for tonight it's lots of liquids and early to bed to try and beat this. Hopefully my neck is fine in the morning. And maybe it's time for some ice cream. That's obligatory when you have a sore throat, is it not?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Truckin' along
Shred 13, at level 2, complete. And that's about all I have left in me for tonight, folks. Good night!
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Shredding Revolution
Well this is just no fun anymore. Level two is hard! It's like a tough mean boot camp and I'm being punished to do things I can barely handle. It feels hectic and chaotic and I barely have time to stand up before Jillian's into the next move... I thought the pace was fast in level one? Ha!
I know, I know, wah wah wah. I signed myself up for this gig but it was funner when it was 'easy'. I liked level one. I was starting to feel like an exercise pro. Although....if I started to see results in something that turned out to be easy (easier than level two, anyhow) does that mean I'll see even more results, perhaps faster in level two? I hope so because this is torture!
But now for a fun story. I went to Chapter's last night and noticed a girl inspecting the 30 Day Shred DVD (a collection of Jillian Michael's DVD's are on display). She was turning it over and over and I could tell she was torn. "It's awesome," I offered.
Girl: Oh yea?
Me: Yea, it really works. I'm on day 11!
Girl: So how does it work? How long is it?
Me: It's a 20-minute work-out.
Girl: How often?
Me: Every day.
Girl: Really, every day?
Me: Yes, but it's worth out. It works! I'm noticing results already.
Girl: I've heard it's great. So what do I need?
I told the girl that depending on where she works out, she may need a mat, and hand weights. She asked how heavy the weights should be (see, I AM an exercise pro now!) and I told her that I use three lb weights, and I'm not very strong. And off she went to grab some weights and the dvd and she was off. Your welcome Chapters. Where's my commission?
AND THEN, the girl behind me at the check-out was also buying the 30 day shred! I had never heard of this before I started and all of a sudden it's all around.
It's a shredding revolution!
I know, I know, wah wah wah. I signed myself up for this gig but it was funner when it was 'easy'. I liked level one. I was starting to feel like an exercise pro. Although....if I started to see results in something that turned out to be easy (easier than level two, anyhow) does that mean I'll see even more results, perhaps faster in level two? I hope so because this is torture!
But now for a fun story. I went to Chapter's last night and noticed a girl inspecting the 30 Day Shred DVD (a collection of Jillian Michael's DVD's are on display). She was turning it over and over and I could tell she was torn. "It's awesome," I offered.
Girl: Oh yea?
Me: Yea, it really works. I'm on day 11!
Girl: So how does it work? How long is it?
Me: It's a 20-minute work-out.
Girl: How often?
Me: Every day.
Girl: Really, every day?
Me: Yes, but it's worth out. It works! I'm noticing results already.
Girl: I've heard it's great. So what do I need?
I told the girl that depending on where she works out, she may need a mat, and hand weights. She asked how heavy the weights should be (see, I AM an exercise pro now!) and I told her that I use three lb weights, and I'm not very strong. And off she went to grab some weights and the dvd and she was off. Your welcome Chapters. Where's my commission?
AND THEN, the girl behind me at the check-out was also buying the 30 day shred! I had never heard of this before I started and all of a sudden it's all around.
It's a shredding revolution!
Level Two
Today my calves are burning and my arms are aching. This would be because I started level two of the shred yesterday, despite not quite leaving level one with the bang I had anticipated. But the show must go on.
Phew! To be honest, it was a bit of a shock. It was a work-out and a half. I was getting a little cocky, I guess, in my mastering of level one (when not suffering alcohol&food induced hangovers!). I feel like I am back at square one, even though I know I am far from it (no cramping jumping jacks!). But how I felt after yesterday morning's workout was quite similar to the feeling after my very first shred. Like a how-am-I-going-to-continue-this??? feeling. So the only saving grace is knowing that I persevered ten days ago so hopefully ten days from now, I'll be cruising through level two with Natalie? Ha!
I'm doubtful, but time will tell. I worked up quite a sweat and was in a slight state of disbelief as to how much harder level two is compared to level one. Like I said, a bit of a shock to the system but at least I know it's working, if these burning calves and arms are any indication!
Phew! To be honest, it was a bit of a shock. It was a work-out and a half. I was getting a little cocky, I guess, in my mastering of level one (when not suffering alcohol&food induced hangovers!). I feel like I am back at square one, even though I know I am far from it (no cramping jumping jacks!). But how I felt after yesterday morning's workout was quite similar to the feeling after my very first shred. Like a how-am-I-going-to-continue-this??? feeling. So the only saving grace is knowing that I persevered ten days ago so hopefully ten days from now, I'll be cruising through level two with Natalie? Ha!
I'm doubtful, but time will tell. I worked up quite a sweat and was in a slight state of disbelief as to how much harder level two is compared to level one. Like I said, a bit of a shock to the system but at least I know it's working, if these burning calves and arms are any indication!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS
I'm fairly certain working-out with a hangover is the equivalent of being in hell. Oh-my-good-god.
Here is the face of someone who has just worked out in hell:
I can tell you, that girl is not impressed. I swear I can't even believe I just got through that. By far the biggest accomplishment yet.
So last night we got home some time after 2a.m. and I was feeling prrreeeettty good. At the dinner party there were negroni cocktails. There was prosecco. There was wine. A lot of wine. I even had an espresso and I don't drink coffee! There was an Italian theme and everyone brought different dishes and it was an actual feast. Crostini, proscuitto wrapped asparagus, roasted fennel and white bean dip, caperese salad, risotto balls, lasgana rolls, and the list goes on. Even home-made ice cream for dessert! So I'm also suffering from a food hangover.
Such delicious, and rich, food. Here's a picture:
Yet this morning at 9a.m. I hopped out of bed to walk the dog. You see, I very often fall victim to the delayed hangover. The morning always starts off hunky dory but I just have to wait... after the dog walking and getting my banana pancake on and even running out to Telus to have my (brand new!) phone replaced (now I can finally make outgoing calls again) I joined my husband on the couch to watch a soccer game. And I knew that perhaps I had been a little too ambitious all morning. The hangover set in. I didn't feel so hot...and eventually I fell asleep. I woke up when hubby was headed out the door to play soccer. Well...if he could run off to play soccer, surely I could work out for 20 minutes...
WRONG.
I felt like I was going to hurl the whole time. I dragged my butt. I decided to just accept the fact that it was going to hurt and to just push through and get it over with. I felt so crappy about how pathetic I was during the first five minutes of the workout, before I managed to pull myself together, that when it was finally over I did ten extra push-ups and 20 extra squat & presses. Yep. I punished myself. But if I'm going to bother to do it all, I'm going to do it right.
This was definitely the most I've sweated since starting the shred. Which I'm hoping means some of the food & alcohol toxins from my over-indulgence last night seeped out through my pores. I'm currently sitting in the ice box of a sunroom we have on the back of our house while I write this because I am so overheated. I'm sure this is probably bad for my muscles and I risk catching a chill but I'm honestly afraid I may burst into flames.
I could have waited until later this evening to workout but who wants to do that on a Saturday night? Plus I really want to have a shower and I'm not going to shred after I shower. I'm glad I didn't wait because now it's done and I survived!
I don't want to have to go through that again so next time I'm out at a party I'm going to try harder to remember that everything is better in moderation. Except maybe that home-made ice cream...
Here is the face of someone who has just worked out in hell:
I can tell you, that girl is not impressed. I swear I can't even believe I just got through that. By far the biggest accomplishment yet.
So last night we got home some time after 2a.m. and I was feeling prrreeeettty good. At the dinner party there were negroni cocktails. There was prosecco. There was wine. A lot of wine. I even had an espresso and I don't drink coffee! There was an Italian theme and everyone brought different dishes and it was an actual feast. Crostini, proscuitto wrapped asparagus, roasted fennel and white bean dip, caperese salad, risotto balls, lasgana rolls, and the list goes on. Even home-made ice cream for dessert! So I'm also suffering from a food hangover.
Such delicious, and rich, food. Here's a picture:
Yet this morning at 9a.m. I hopped out of bed to walk the dog. You see, I very often fall victim to the delayed hangover. The morning always starts off hunky dory but I just have to wait... after the dog walking and getting my banana pancake on and even running out to Telus to have my (brand new!) phone replaced (now I can finally make outgoing calls again) I joined my husband on the couch to watch a soccer game. And I knew that perhaps I had been a little too ambitious all morning. The hangover set in. I didn't feel so hot...and eventually I fell asleep. I woke up when hubby was headed out the door to play soccer. Well...if he could run off to play soccer, surely I could work out for 20 minutes...
WRONG.
I felt like I was going to hurl the whole time. I dragged my butt. I decided to just accept the fact that it was going to hurt and to just push through and get it over with. I felt so crappy about how pathetic I was during the first five minutes of the workout, before I managed to pull myself together, that when it was finally over I did ten extra push-ups and 20 extra squat & presses. Yep. I punished myself. But if I'm going to bother to do it all, I'm going to do it right.
This was definitely the most I've sweated since starting the shred. Which I'm hoping means some of the food & alcohol toxins from my over-indulgence last night seeped out through my pores. I'm currently sitting in the ice box of a sunroom we have on the back of our house while I write this because I am so overheated. I'm sure this is probably bad for my muscles and I risk catching a chill but I'm honestly afraid I may burst into flames.
I could have waited until later this evening to workout but who wants to do that on a Saturday night? Plus I really want to have a shower and I'm not going to shred after I shower. I'm glad I didn't wait because now it's done and I survived!
I don't want to have to go through that again so next time I'm out at a party I'm going to try harder to remember that everything is better in moderation. Except maybe that home-made ice cream...
Friday, January 27, 2012
A new way to start the day
Whoop whoop! 9am and here I am at my desk at work, and I've already done the shred! It's feels amazing. I will admit that I didn't feel so hot when I got up at 6:30 this morning but I pushed through. I'm going to try to do a few mornings a week if I can because it's so nice to know I have the whole rest of the day and night free! (OK fine the alarm went off at 6:30 but I hit snooze until 6:45. Which technically is when the alarm is supposed to go off anyway (with a snooze until 7am). So it really wasn't much of a sacrifice in terms of getting up any earlier. Which is great, because by 7:20 I was into my regular morning routine (and moving faster than usual!) and out the door at the same time as always.
I do see another wet, snowy walk home in my future because they are calling for the same weather as last Friday. And because everyone apparently forgets how to drive when white stuff falls from the sky, combined with a completely slack HRM snow removal program and a transit system that is the worst at the best of times... rush hour will surely be mayhem. Came to work prepared with my heavy duty snow boots, and this time, no weights in my bag! So I just may get some more exercise in today.
Here's hoping the weather doesn't foil tonight's dinner party plans!
I do see another wet, snowy walk home in my future because they are calling for the same weather as last Friday. And because everyone apparently forgets how to drive when white stuff falls from the sky, combined with a completely slack HRM snow removal program and a transit system that is the worst at the best of times... rush hour will surely be mayhem. Came to work prepared with my heavy duty snow boots, and this time, no weights in my bag! So I just may get some more exercise in today.
Here's hoping the weather doesn't foil tonight's dinner party plans!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A World of Difference
I am officially into week two of the 30 day shred. Tonight was another post-dinner work-out. I worked a little late so by the time I made it home, I wanted to help the hubs with dinner prep, as he had to get out the door to coach soccer. After putting in some laundry (why am I always doing laundry these days?? Oh yea, because I avoided it for weeks...) I got right to it. At the risk of starting to sound repetitive, I still can't believe how fast the shred goes. I feel like I just get into it and bam! it's over.
Today I read over my first week of blog entries and boy, have I come a long way! In just one week. I had a much, much easier time with the shred tonight then I did this time last Thursday. I certainly don't feel pathetic any more. I certainly have a lot more energy these days. And I promise you, there would be no point in me making this up, I'm starting to notice definition in my arms! I feel stronger, and although they have a long way to go, my abs do feel tighter!
It's a world of difference. Last week after the shred, I wanted to collapse on the floor. I just finished the shred and could probably get through it a second time--if I really wanted to torture myself.
Which leads me to believe... it's time for level two.
Don't get me wrong, work out one is no walk in the park. But I don't feel as challenged any more already. Not like I did this time last week. And I am following Natalie for most of the work-out (Jillian has her 'two best gals' helping her out. Anita does a simpler, modified version of some of the moves while Natalie steps it up). I'm finding cardio a breeze, abs are completely doable and I'm still finding the weights hard, but in a good way. I find the side lunge with anterior raises brutal, same with the squat and lift. Kills me. But I can do it.
My original thinking (before I started) was to do work-out one for 10 days, work-out two for ten days, work-out three for 10 days. After my first couple shreds, I was set on sticking with level one all the way, but I'm happy to say I'm going to stick with the original plan and it's on to level two this weekend for sure. Tomorrow is going to be my first early morning work-out because I'm going to a dinner party tomorrow night and I'm not sure if I'll have time to squeeze it in beforehand. Plus then I'd have to shower again...
So the way I see it, getting up early to work-out will be a challenge enough for me, and if I can accomplish that, I will be happy. And what a great rest of the day it will be, with my work-out behind me!
Today I read over my first week of blog entries and boy, have I come a long way! In just one week. I had a much, much easier time with the shred tonight then I did this time last Thursday. I certainly don't feel pathetic any more. I certainly have a lot more energy these days. And I promise you, there would be no point in me making this up, I'm starting to notice definition in my arms! I feel stronger, and although they have a long way to go, my abs do feel tighter!
It's a world of difference. Last week after the shred, I wanted to collapse on the floor. I just finished the shred and could probably get through it a second time--if I really wanted to torture myself.
Which leads me to believe... it's time for level two.
Don't get me wrong, work out one is no walk in the park. But I don't feel as challenged any more already. Not like I did this time last week. And I am following Natalie for most of the work-out (Jillian has her 'two best gals' helping her out. Anita does a simpler, modified version of some of the moves while Natalie steps it up). I'm finding cardio a breeze, abs are completely doable and I'm still finding the weights hard, but in a good way. I find the side lunge with anterior raises brutal, same with the squat and lift. Kills me. But I can do it.
My original thinking (before I started) was to do work-out one for 10 days, work-out two for ten days, work-out three for 10 days. After my first couple shreds, I was set on sticking with level one all the way, but I'm happy to say I'm going to stick with the original plan and it's on to level two this weekend for sure. Tomorrow is going to be my first early morning work-out because I'm going to a dinner party tomorrow night and I'm not sure if I'll have time to squeeze it in beforehand. Plus then I'd have to shower again...
So the way I see it, getting up early to work-out will be a challenge enough for me, and if I can accomplish that, I will be happy. And what a great rest of the day it will be, with my work-out behind me!
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