30 Day Shred 2014: Day 2 & 100 Days of Happiness: Days 6-10

Well, day 2, level 1 is under my belt.  I can tell you that my muscles made sure I knew that they’d been used!  Woke up this morning with practically every muscle in my body sore, but, it’s a good kind of sore, not a painful one….though I often rethink that when I need to sit down, stand up or go up and down stairs…lol

Day 2 was definitely easier than day 1.  I was able to do all of the last cardio set (jumping jacks, butt kicks, punches and jump ropes).  I still have a bit of trouble with stamina and I can’t always do all of the bicycle crunches, but it will all come back to me and get easier.  I ate a serving of oatmeal with a little salt and sugar and a cup of Earl Grey tea a couple hours before working out and took a package to the Post Office for Sarandipity Handmade before I did day 2. I found that the oatmeal keeps me fuller longer and I don’t want to snack in between breakfast and lunch.  I’ve gotten into the habit of having something for breakfast, unlike 5 years ago when I’d often skip meals, so I’m thinking that had an impact on the amount of energy I’ve got and the fact that I’m not dizzy or nauseous this time around.  Not sure what I’m going to have for lunch, yet.  Maybe some leftover baked ziti or a turkey sandwich.  Plan to have pork chops with bacon grits for dinner.

Oh, and I did weigh myself again before showering.  I’m back up to 150lbs, but then again I don’t have one of those fancy scales that tells me lbs and oz, so I could have been on the very edge yesterday.  I also took some body measurements today so I can see if I lose or gain any inches.

Arms: 12″
Waist: 33″
Hips: 40″
Thighs: 24″

3/29 – Happiness is shopping with Darling Hubby to find the perfect dress to wear to a party.

3/30 – Happiness is finding yarn that matches my new dress perfectly so I can knit a shawl.

3/31 – Happiness is Craft Night and finding the perfect shawl pattern.

4/1 – Happiness is pranking Darling Hubby with the kitchen sink water sprayer and getting away with it.

4/2 – Happiness is delivering a package to the Post Office from Sarandipity Handmade.  I hope the Ultra Cuddle baby girl blanket brings happiness to the recipient in Colorado.  🙂

Back in the Saddle Again

I’m doing something that I haven’t done in 5 years…I’ve decided to break out my Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD again.  It’s not that I’m in dire need to lose weight, it’s more that I want to tone up and tighten the areas that are a little, shall we say, wiggly.  I’m in size 12’s or 14’s and while it’s not as skinny as I’d like to be some days, I’m comfortable.  But, I find that there are more days that not that I don’t like to look at myself in the mirror while unclothed.

Was this what made me jump back on the exercise bandwagon?  No, not entirely.  Darling Hubby and I were invited to a testimonial for his step father.  He is District Governor of something (yeah, I’m not entirely sure on all the details) and they are holding an afternoon fancy shmancy thing in his honor on May 5th. I’ve already bought my dress and jewelry.  I already had shoes and underthings and I’ve plans to knit myself a shawl to go with it (you never know just how chilly it might be in May or in those hotel banquet rooms.)  I’ve already bought the yarn (it matches perfectly) and got started.  The dress fits me perfectly and looks good (Darling Hubby says hot), but I look in the mirror and always see what is wrong and what could be different.  I could stand to lose that little bit of a tummy and my arms could be less flabby…That’s what made me decide to pull out the dvd, yoga mat, and my hand weights and throw on my sneakers.

I weighed in this morning and I was 149lbs (that’s down 1lb from yesterday…lol).  I think this time I may try to take some measurements of myself so I know if I lose any inches.  Like I said, I’d still like to lose some of the flab around my middle…you know the little paunchy thing that never seems to want to go away after having kids…and tighten up my arms and legs a bit.  I know my legs could look super hot in those heels with a little toning up…lol

Anyway, I already did day one, level one and let’s say that it was so much easier this time around than it was 5 years ago.  Let’s just say that when I finished I wasn’t wanting to curl up in a ball and die or vomit.  I felt a little weak muscled, but never felt sick or dizzy and I didn’t even have trouble breathing.  I can obviously feel it in my thighs and I know that tomorrow sitting down or standing from sitting is gonna be a little rough.  I can also feel those muscles walking up or down stairs (and even walking down the hill at Bug’s school.)

Looking back I’m already at a lower weight than when I started the first go around.  I don’t have a particular weight goal that I’m working toward and I’m not going to keep close tabs on what I’m eating. aside from trying not to go overboard with portion sizes.  I already know that I’m eating a little healthier than I was 5 years ago, especially having cut most processed foods out as a way to avoid soy.  I still indulge, don’t get me wrong, I’m still a snacker and I’ve found ways to get back some of my favorite foods that I was forced to cut out.  I still love chocolate and found that the Nestle Dark Chocolate morsels are soy free and oh so good.  I’ve found ice creams that I can eat again, so I do find myself having a bowl before bed some nights.  We still do our game night sessions once every 2 weeks, but I find that I’m usually pretty good and only eat the things like the cheese and jelly or the fresh bread and not all the chips and junk foods that we used to nosh on.  I just have to watch my portion sizes.

So, that’s my goal, 30 days (hopefully including the weekends this time).  My end date to get in shape is May 4th, so I’ve got the month.  I plan to blog about my journey again so I can keep myself motivated.  Feel free to join me if you want.  I won’t mind the company.

Very Overdue Update

Once again it’s been weeks since I’ve written anything other than a menu planning post…it’s sad because I’ve had so much to say, but couldn’t really say anything.

Let’s see…Bug is doing very well in school.  I had his first Parent Teacher conference at the beginning of November.  His teachers love having him in class and his one teacher says he’s very witty and funny.  I was worried that he was going to be the class clown when he got comfortable with the group, but he’s actually been keeping it together and the teacher uses him as a calming influence.  She once told me in the hall that she calls him her “euphoric little bug” since he’s so happy and just flits from one thing to another.  He’s very good in class and is focused and pays attention.

Bug was also invited and attended his very first classmate birthday party.  It was at Chuck E Cheese and he had a good time, ate some pizza, played some games and got freaked out by the giant rat…lol

What else…Oh, I started working on Christmas presents in September.  So far I’ve made a stegosaurus for one of my nephews, a blanket for my MIL and SFIL, mini stocking ornaments for 3 people, a thread crocheted angel ornament for my mom and 2 scarves (one for each of Bug’s Pre-K teachers).  I have yet to make/finish a brontosaurus for my other nephew (I made one, but Bug stole it and named it and I couldn’t very well take it away…) and a unicorn.  Our plan is to buy a book for each child to go along with the stuffed animal.   I still have to make at least 4 more mini stockings.  One for each of the 3 kids and one for my SIL.  Now I just have to wrap everything and get it under the tree…I may hold off on that for a bit since the cat seems to love hanging out under the tree and I don’t want her to tear anything accidentally.

I bought Darling Hubby’s Christmas present this morning.  We agreed to spend only around $50 plus stocking stuffers, but since I was having so much trouble thinking of the perfect present for him and when I finally found something it was nearly double our agreed-upon price, he gave me the go-ahead to spend the extra and he’ll spend a little more on me.  I’m ok with not getting more under the tree…my present is something I know he’s really going to like and enjoy.  We can afford it, so I’m not too worried.  We are done with Bug’s presents, aside from stocking stuffers and we’ll probably get some books, cars, candy and little things for that.

In other news, I’ve been baking.  For the last 16 weeks (give or take) I’ve been baking the newest edition to the Sarandipity family.  That’s right!  I’m pregnant!  We finally broke the news (well, we let Bug do the dirty work) to family over Thanksgiving, so I’m ok with posting for the world to know. I made Bug an “I’m the Big Brother” t-shirt and he was so happy to wear it and surprisingly, everyone caught onto it quickly so I didn’t have to explain.  That’s one of the reasons I haven’t been doing The 30 Day Shred dvd or dieting anymore.

So, I’ve had 2 doctors appointments so far.  The first was a confirmation and blood work and the second I got to hear the heartbeat.  It was 158 beats per min.  Bug’s was 156 around the same time.  I have another appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning.  I’m hoping to be able to schedule the ultrasound for before Christmas, if the doctors will let me.  I should be between 18 and 19 weeks at that point.  It would be nice to know the gender so we could tell everyone at Christmas.

As for the pregnancy, things have been going pretty well.  I had a bit of morning sickness during the first 13 or so weeks.  Luckily it was just first thing in the morning and I wasn’t nauseous all day long like I was with Bug.  I haven’t started feeling movement yet, which makes me kinda nervous since I don’t have the throwing up to keep reminding me that I’ve got a baby growing inside my tummy.  That’s silly, I know.  I’m sure everything is fine, but I just hate feeling in sort of a limbo.  I didn’t feel Bug for the first time until I was 20 weeks…I hope it doesn’t take that long this time around, esp since I know what to look for…Emotionally, I haven’t been as weepy this time around, but my grumpy mood swings have been through the roof.  I feel like I’m angry for long stretches for no apparent reason.  I hate feeling like that and I hate that I take out my frustrations on Darling Hubby and Bug.  Hopefully that will go away soon…fingers crossed for me.

So, that’s about it.  I’ll probably update tomorrow after my drs appointment.  I figure if I blog about everything here I’ll have a running record of everything for when I want to look back on it later.  Blogs can be a wonderful thing!

Recent Happenings

It’s been a while since I posted.  I’ve been busy doing different things and just haven’t had time to post.  Let’s see…over Father’s day weekend we went to visit family.  On Saturday we went to a surprise 60th birthday party for Darling Hubby’s step father.  His birthday isn’t until July 6th, so with the party being so early it really was a suprise…he actually thought it was someone else’s retirement party.  We didn’t stay too long because Bug still had a touch of the stomach bug and was in and out of the bathroom pretty much all weekend.  I did get to wear my Birthday Cardigan.  It’s was very comfy and I got a few comments on it.  I’m happy with it.

After that, we spent the rest of the weekend with my parents to celebrate father’s day and my 29th birthday.  My mom was feeling pretty under the weather on Sunday, but we still had a nice Father’s day dinner (steaks cooked on the grill) and birthday cake (which thankfully didn’t ruin my diet.)

Monday was officially my birthday.  My friend Leana came over for craft night and together we cooked my birthday dinner of Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu.  Darling Hubby came home with 6 roses (3 red, 3 yellow) and a very sweet card.  It was a nice day.  Bug even “baked” me a birthday cake (I heard him mixing and stirring and cracking eggs in his room while I made my bed), which he delivered on a tiny red plastic plate with a cup of “milk.”  It was so sweet.

Oh, I mentioned that I had a weight loss goal.  I actually met that goal.  Despite indulging in a couple pieces of birthday cake loaded with inch thick icing, I weighed in at 150lbs on my birthday.  Go me!  Now, only 10 more lbs and I’ll be at my over all goal weight.  It’s funny, thinking back to when I was born, I weighed in at 7lbs 7oz…I’ve gained quite a lot from then!

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful.   I only worked out on Tuesday…I’m kinda disappointed in myself.  I paid for it, though.  I did level 1 of the shred (I figured I’d go easy on myself for a couple days) and man it made my muscles hurt like crazy.  I couldn’t beleive it.  After doing level’s 2 and 3 of the shred for weeks, level 1 kicked my butt!  I literally hurt all week long.  I’m sure had I just jumped back into working out I would have felt fine, but I wimped out…As of today, (Monday) I’m back on the ball.  I did level 3 again today and I’m feeling pretty good.  I’ve got my mom friends keeping up on me about the working out.  I need to keep it up all week!

Friday I got a call from my mom.  Turns out she has pneumonia.  She was in and out of the doctors office and the ER all week and was home waiting for a nebulizer to be delivered.  I talked to her briefly and she sounded pretty miserable, much worse than she had been on Sunday.  I called her again yesterday (Sunday) and she sounded much better.  She’s still pretty sick, but all the antibiotics she’s on and the nebulizer have helped her a lot.  She’s hoping that she’s much better by tomorrow (Tuesday) so the doctor won’t put her in the hospital.  She hates hospitals.

Saturday and yesterday we ran a lot of errands.  I picked up 5 skeins of the Caron One Pound yarn and a spool of Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Cotton Thread and 3 steel crochet hooks.  My MIL asked me if I would make a few handcrafted items to donate to be sold to make money for a convention (not sure for what exactly) that is being held in 2012.  They have to come up with an ungodly about of money to put on the convention, so every little bit helps.  I’m planning to make 4 baby blankets (Rose, Lilac, Pale Green and Soft Sage), using the hooded baby blanket pattern from Pound of Love (omitting the hood).  The Caron One Pound yarn is a bit thicker and stiffer than the Pound of Love, so I think my gauge is different.  I may have to make adjustments in future blankets, depending on how the first comes out.  As for the crochet threat, I thought about making some bookmarks.  They are pretty easy to make and I could make several of them from one skein/spool.  As I was looking through bookmark patterns on Ravelry, Darling Hubby saw a pattern for a Book Thong and I found some old beads in my craft drawer so I whipped up a couple book thongs of various lengths.  He then found a couple beads in my stash that he liked and asked me to whip up one for him (it has a fish at the bottom and is pretty neat).  On Sunday I bought a bunch of wooden beads and plan to make a few more thongs for my MIL to sell…I’d love to make crafty things like that to sell for myself, but I’m hesitant to try.  I’d love to have an Etsy store, but I just don’t know if I could keep up on it or if anyone would even buy my stuff…

Anyway, yesterday we bought a bunch of things to finish sprucing up our front yard.  We picked up some solar lights from K-mart for $20 and put them along side my new walkway.  We also picked up some plastic fencing pieces that match the ones we have in the front already and fenced off our barberry bush and an orange lily that is next to our front steps.  we also picked up 2 more lilies (one pink (Bug’s favorite color) and a purple one (my favorite color) and planted those in the big flower bed out front.  We’re planning to get 2 more tonight (Darling Hubby will pick them up on his way home) and will fill in that garden with mulch.  We also ran to Home Depot to find a bird bath to put in the backyard.  I’ve wanted one for a while and decided to look for one after I’ve seen several birds taking baths in the water on top of our hose box.  It’s very hard to find a bird bath….we were about to give up completely if Home Depot didn’t have one…I haven’t seen any birds in it yet, but I see some evidence that someone has been there recently.

So, there you have it.  That’s what I’ve been up to recently.  I’m hoping to get a little more crafting done tonight.  It was supposed to be my craft night, but Leana isn’t feeling well, so we cancelled.  I’m thinking we are going to stop by Bernie and Rose’s new house tonight after dinner to check it out.  Hopefully I’ll have a good week in the workout department and will be down a pound or 2 next week.  Fingers crossed.  Hopefully my mom will continue to be on the mend and will stay out of the hospital.  Bug sent her a card today with a kitty dressed as a doctor.  I’m sure she’ll get a kick out of it and it will make her feel better.

What Comes Next?

So last week, I did my final day of the 30 Day Shred.  Today I picked up my Bellydance: Fitness for Beginners – Basic Moves and Fat Burning DVD, popped it in and prepared myself for a little wiggling and jiggling….let’s just say there was a lot of jiggling!  lol  I also found out that I’m not very coordinated when it comes to Belly Dancing…I can only imagine how un-sexy looking I look wiggling my hips and boobs and jumping around the room!  lol

I did the entire dvd (about 45 minutes) which has a section showing a few of the basic moves and a section that is for fat burning (cardio).  The basic moves was basically a 15-20 minute stretch with a little cardio involved.  The fat burning is a lot of cardio, with some stretching at the beginning/end.  I think I’ll just do the cardio portion for the rest of the week.

After doing the shred and feeling worked to the bone and dripping with sweat after each workout, I’m not sure this dvd is going to hold a candle to Jillian.  I was sweating and breathing slightly hard during the cardio, but it didn’t really feel like it was a full body workout.  There was a lot of leg and ab work, but there wasn’t much in the way of arm workout (aside from holding them up in the air during most of the moves…which doesn’t seem to do much for me.) and I’m looking for something that has an arm workout, too…I still need to tone those lower arms.  I’m seriously considering Jillian’s Banish Fat DVD.

Despite my doubts about it, I’m planning to do a few more days of it to give it a chance.  I think I’ll do just the cardio portion for the rest of the week and hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be slightly more coordinated and less self conscious about my wiggling and jiggling!

In addition to completing the shred last week, I finished another crochet project.  I started a special project for an old friend (Carrie I don’t think you read my blog. but if you are reading this STOP!!!  Do not pass go!  Do not collect $200!  lol) and finished it yesterday.  Now I just have to mail it to her and her baby girl due this fall.

Here are a couple pictures of the finished project.

It’s the Pound of Love hooded blanket pattern.  I left off the hood part.  Personally, I think that a hood is better suited to be on a towel rather than a blanket.  Anyway, a hooded blanket would probably only be good while the baby is immobile and without the hood, it’s good for a lot longer.  Since I didn’t do the hood, I had extra yarn, so I made the blanket longer and added a pink scalloped edging.  The final measurements are 37″ x 29.”  I’m very happy with how this blanket came out.  I can only hope that the little recipient will enjoy cuddling up with it like I did while I was making it.

So, what’s next for my crocheting project?  Well, I could go back to Darling Hubby’s sweater, but I’m at serious odds with that sweater.  I think that I’m going to start on the Lacy Top Cardigan by Doris Chan (rav link).  I bought some cotton yarn a few weeks ago (I’ve never worked with cotton yarn before…only acrylic) and I’m hoping to have it done by next weekend so I can wear it for my birthday (I’m also hoping to lose 3 more lbs by then).  Lots of goals are riding on that weekend!  My only problem is, I’m not sure exactly where to start on the pattern.  There are no clear cut directions saying “chain x, etc” so I really have to read the directions and see what I come up with.  I’m also going to have to check my gauge.  I’ve only twice made a wearable item that wasn’t huge or too small…I have serious gauge issues!  I just hope I can figure it out and get a good chunk of it done tonight…I’ve only got about 12 days to work on it.

30 Day Shred – Day 29 and 30 – I’M DONE!!!

It’s official!  I’ve completed all 30 days! GO ME!  I’m feeling really good about myself right now.  I haven’t lost a lot of weight, just a couple pounds, but I see myself looking different, thinner in places and I’ve developed some muscles and those things make me happy, very happy.

Overall, I recommend the shred, despite my lack of weight loss.  It tones and thins, gives a boost of energy and makes you feel great afterward. I didn’t think to take measurements of my body prior to starting the challenge and now having finished, I wish I did.  I took a couple measurements a couple weeks ago and after measuring today I can say that I have lost a few inches.  My inner thighs are thinner, down at least an inch.  My upper arms are down a full inch and my flabby tricep isn’t as flabby…in fact, it’s looking very shredded!  My middle/chest has changed quite a bit, too.   I’m actually down a cup size in my bra!  I’m happy about that!  My waist is down an inch or two and my hips are quite a bit thinner.  I still have that post pregnancy pooch thing that I think will never completely go away, but it is a lot smaller, too.  I even think that my fingers are thinner…my wedding rings keep spinning around on my finger which makes it hard to type and crochet!  lol  With those results alone, I recommend the shred.

If you are considering taking on the 3o day challenge, know there will be some pain, especially in those first few days.  Your body will adjust and you’ll start feeling great.  I’m serious when Jillian says, “push through the pain.”  You’ll be glad you did.

The next question is, what will I do now?  I think I seriously need a break from the shred, while the workout wasn’t getting harder, it was just getting harder to motivate myself to get up and do it.    I was just burned out doing the same thing over and over.  I don’t necessarily need a break from Jillian, so I’m seriously considering her Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism dvd.   My only sticking point is I’m still not sure I can handle 45 minutes of shred level activity…I guess they only way I’ll know is to try.  I may also try my belly dancing or the other Denise Austin cardio dvd.  I guess I’ll have to see what I feel up to come Monday.

But, the big thing is I DID IT!  I MADE IT 30 DAYS (not in a row, of course, but I did it!)  If I can do it, you can, too!

30 Day Shred – Day 26, 27 & 28

I’m been kinda a slacker when it comes to blogging as of late, but I haven’t been a slacker when it comes to the shred.  I’ve diligently done the past 3 days.  I only have 2 more days to go!  In all honesty, I’m looking forward to being done with it!  I think I’m getting burned out and today it felt like I had to force myself to get off the couch and do it.  Of course, I was watching videos of Bug from when he was little, so that made it even harder!

I’ve come to the conclusion that I just cannot do the rock star jumps and when I do I feel like I’m doing them wrong and I’m not keeping my heart rate elevated.  I just don’t feel like they are doing anything for me.  The past 2 days I’ve substituted a round of butt kicks and a round of high knees (from level 2) in their place and I’ve felt much better for it.  It gets my heart pumping more and I’m burning off some fat (or at least I can hope!)

Since I’ve almost accomplished my goal (actually doing all 30 days and proving Darling Hubby wrong) I’m thinking about what I want to do next.  I was highly considering going to my Belly Dancing DVD that I’ve had for a while but never go into (I was too self conscious about my fat jiggling around…lol) but now I’m thinking of sticking with Jillan and trying out her Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD.  A friend of mine online suggested it, saying that if we didn’t think she was evil in the shred, we’d think she was in this video.  lol So, I checked it out online (You Tube) and it’s 45 minutes of shred level intensity!!!  Oh. My. God!  But, the thing is, they make it look so easy, which makes me think that I could try it.  However, they don’t offer many modification for some of the exercises like they do in the shred.  Some are the same from the Shred so I know mods for those.  I just worry that I won’t be able to do it all (I don’t know if I’m coordinated enough for the kick boxing stuff) and I’ll feel like I’m “phoning it in” to quote a line from Jillian herself.   I do think that some of the exercises look better than what I’m doing in level 3 and seem to target the areas where I need it the most…I guess I’ll have to think about it a little longer.

It’s actually kinda funny that I’m even considering different DVD’s.  If you asked me a month ago if I would want to continue working out I probably would have laughed at you and told you flat out, “no.”  I figured I’d get my fill of working out from this one DVD and would be settled.  Ok, I have gotten my fill of the DVD, but I’m not completely happy with my weight still (although I have lost inches in places, which does cheer me up quite a bit) and I’m hoping that something different will help me get to my goal weight.

In the weight department, I’ve found that I’ve I’ve hit a wall, a plateau, if you will.  I’ve been stuck at 155lbs for the past 2 weeks and, despite the fact I dropped to 154 for just a few days, I haven’t changed much at all.  It’s a little disappointing.  I was really hoping to drop down to 150 (5lbs) before my birthday (June 22), but I don’t see that happening at all, now.  I’ve been trying to watch what I eat, but I’m usually starving by evening and all the snack food in my house is junk food and I just have no self control when it comes to junk food, especially chocolate…I just can’t stop at one piece.  I think I need to find an inexpensive (I don’t want to shell out a ton of money on those diet bars that taste like chal) low calorie, yet filling, snack that I can eat around 8-9pm.  Anyone have any suggestions?

30 Day Shred – Day 25

So I wasn’t very good last night…I said I wasn’t going to snack, but someone who shall remain nameless – Karl – brought dired cranberries and chocolate covered raisins and I kept finding my hand in the contain…I’m sure I had at least 2 servings all totaled…each with 160-180 calories per serving.  Yikes!  That was on top of the jello/oranger sherbet concoction with whipped cream on top…At least my scale didn’t jump up to 155 this morning…that would have seriously put a damper on my mood!

I wasn’t feeling that great this morning (probably from all the sugar/sweets I ingested last night), so I ended up skipping breakfast…bad I know…but I ate lunch early and decided to attempt to shred around 12:30.  Since I haven’t been getting as much of a cardio workout from level 3, more of a toning one, I decided that I should do some intense cardio seeing as I was so bad, calorie intake wise, last night.  Level 2 always got my blood pumping and my lungs burning so that’s what I did.  I still say level 2 is EVIL!  lol  At least my knee didn’t start hurting.  It was a good change of pace and I was able to do some of the more intense moves I couldn’t do well before, like the oblique twists, so I think after I finish my 30 days next week, I’ll jump around between level 2 and 3, maybe throwing in a level 1 just to mix it up a bit, in between the other workout videos I plan to do.  I’m thinking that my belly dancing video will come next.

I’m debating on accepting a challenge put forth by my baby/mommy board.  One member has asked us to do various crunches/sit-ups over the weekend…I like having my weekends off, but it is only a few crunches…I will be going garage sale hopping tomorrow if the weather is decent (I’ve already got my list written out) and will probably make a Target run at some point, so I will get some exercise in…maybe I should just do those crunches,  huh?!  lol

30 Day Shred – Day 24

One more day under my belt.  I can’t believe that I only have 6 more days left.  If all goes as planned, I should be finished with all 30 days by next Friday.  Go me!  This morning the scale was on the verge of giving me a lower number, but couldn’t be persuaded.  Maybe tomorrow I’ll be down…provided I don’t pig out tonight at game night.  I have a tendency to munch when there is food in front of me and on game night, there is generally food…mostly of the junk variety (chips, cookies, desserty type items.)  I haven’t noticed much weight loss since I’ve started keeping track of my diet (it’s only been a couple weeks of  keeping track), but I have noticed that I’m looking a little slimmer in places.  Darling Hubby has noticed it, too.  I was thinking that I’d like to lose 3-4 more lbs (getting down to 150lbs) before my 29th birthday on June 22nd.  It’s 25 days, including weekends…so maybe it’s a possibility…All I can do is try!

For some reason I struggled a little today with the workout and I have a feeling it’s because I’ve changed my breakfast routine.  The past couple days I’ve switched to eating just a banana for breakfast rather than my typical bowl of Special K and a cup of tea.  Yesterday and today I started getting dizzy and weak-feeling mid way through and I felt like I was starting to phone it in…lol  I think tomorrow I’ll eat my standard bowl of cereal and see if that makes any difference.

In terms of the workout moves, I was able to do some of the rockstar jumps today and was a little better at the sit-ups.  I tried to do the arm and leg lifts in actual plank position yesterday and today, but was having some trouble still.  I think it’s because of my weights and the fact that I don’t balance well on them in plank.  I have to use my 5lbs weights because my 2lbs don’t give me enough clearance to wrap my fingers around them and I just don’t balance on them as well as I do with my hands flat on the ground.  I think I may try to do it without the weights to see if I can do the leg lifts in plank rather than on my knees like Anita. I’m hating the traveling push-ups…I just hate push-ups in general, though…although I did like the walking push-ups in level 2…

One thing I’ve noticed about level 3 verses the other levels is that the circuits flow into each other and I don’t notice switching between strength and cardio until I’m already down on the mat for abs.  It makes it go by much faster, but I was thinking of dropping back down to level 2 again to give myself a change of pace and to see if it still hurts my knees…but I’m debating…I’m finding that I’m getting bored with Anita’s level and I’m not at Natalie’s level, yet.  I’ll have to see how tomorrow goes.  Maybe this weekend (even though Darling Hubby will be home) I’ll try level 2 and not count it toward my 30 days…Decisions, decisions…lol

No More Dentists & 30 Day Shred – Day 23

I got up this morning at 7 to a whimpering Bug who said his leg hurt.  I ate the other half of Bug’s discarded banana, which I smeared with peanut butter and did day 23 of the Shred.  It was a good workout and I’m feeling pretty confident that I’m getting better, especially with the sit-ups.  I’m still doing the modified ones, but they are getting a little easier.  I doubt I’ll ever do them like Natalie, though…I was feeling a little dizzy afterward and I think it was because I didn’t eat as much as I usually do and I didn’t wait as long as I normally do before working out.  I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

After my shred and shower I got ready to go to the dentist.  Bug had his second cleaning and I had my final round of fillings.  I just want to say that I NEVER want to go through fillings again!  Of the three rounds of fillings, this was the worst.  I got the customary 2 shots of Novacaine and the dental dam, complete with that clamp on my back tooth…it pinched the inside of my gum horribly!  Insert the drill and here comes the pain.  I could feel EVERYTHING!  I got a 3rd needle full of Novacaine and we thought I’d be good to go.  It worked for the last 2 times…wrong…They reapplied the dental dam and again started drilling.  OUCH!  I could still feel ever spin of the drill and the clamp was still pinching something fierce.  Dr. Liang ended up taking everything out again and giving me several shots of a local anesthetic right on the inside of my teeth, the outside, everywhere.  We waiting a few minutes and we tried again.  Thankfully this time it was numb-er, but I could still feel the drilling in places…at least it was bearable.  To top everything off, my jaw decided that it was going to lock up, probably because of the Novacaine and for the longest time I had a hell of a time opening my mouth wide enough so he could work.  It’s over and done with now…my jaw is still pretty sore and it hurts to open it very wide.  I think I’m going to go easy on eating something…maybe some soup or something.  I’m starving…my half a banana is gone…I do have to say that Dr. Liang and his assistant Lauren were great.  They were so patient with me through everything and didn’t complain or bawlk at the idea of starting and stopping.  They really wanted my experience to be pain free…well as pain free as getting your teeth drilled out and filled can be!  lol

On a good note, Bug got a clean bill of dental health.  He did so well for the hygienist and was talking non stop when she didn’t have an implement in his mouth.  He even had the dentist and his patient in the next cubicle laughing with all the silly and random things he was saying.  He does have a chipped front tooth (which we have no clue how he chipped), but they aren’t concerned since it’s still a baby tooth and will fall out in the next couple years anyway.  I’m so glad he does well and isn’t scared.  I just hope he never has to endure what Darling Hubby and I have gone through.

I’m off to find something to eat and crochet more on the lavender baby blanket.  I’m almost done with it and I’m very happy with how it’s coming out.   I just hope the recipient likes it as much as I do!