I am so excited to join My Fitness World and Let's Move it Momma for a brand new blog hop:
I have been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for 16 days, doing Day 17 today! I can definitely tell a difference in my endurance, stamina, definition, and loss of inches.
#1 What has helped me with this particular workout video is that I am determined to finish it.
#2 I workout at the same time every day, when both babies are laying down for their nap.
#3 I do not try to keep up with every single rep that they do on the video but I do not quit. I start when they starts and get in my own rhythm and don't break my rhythm until it is finished.
#4 I did Level 1 for about 4 days before I moved on to Level 2. Level 2 for about 4 days and then on to Level 3. I did this because I didn't want to get bored with the same level over and over again. When I moved on I wasn't always ready to do the advanced so I just stayed with the adapted version. Now that I have done it for a while, I continue to rotate each day, i.e. Monday-Level 1, Tuesday-Level 2, Wednesday-Level 3, Thursday-Level 1, etc. What I have done, though, is move up in weights. Instead of doing the 3lb weights for Level 1 and parts of Level 2, I have moved up to 5lbs weights.
#5 If there is a move that I cannot do for whatever reason, I modify it but I keep it at the same intensity level. I cannot do jumping jacks-read about that here-so instead I jump from side-to-side (like jumping over an imaginary line) and I bring my arms up and down just as if I were doing it.
#6 I try to mentally trick myself. The Shred is 3 circuits consisting of 3 levels within each circuit. You do strength training for 3 minutes, cardio for 2 minutes, and abs for 1 minute. Within the 3 minute strength training you do one move for 30 seconds, another move for 1 minutes, go back to the first move for 30 seconds, and the second move for the final minute. If there is a move that I find hard, I try to picture a clock in my mind with the second hand going around it. "Ok, that should be about 10 seconds, 20 seconds, etc.".
After doing the video for these last few weeks, I know that say strength traning x should amount to about 22 reps. So in my mind, I count by 5's. I try to totally block out Jillian's voice and just count and breathe to myself. So 22 reps is only going to 5 four times. I know that sounds silly but it helps me.
I can't wait to read everyone else's tips, recipes, and motivations!
