An overall better mood and positive outlook on life are a few of the benefits I’m enjoying since starting the 30 Day Shred.  Not that I wasn’t positive before, but I feel different, and in a good way.  My endurance is increasing with each workout and I’m feeling pretty empowered by that.  My energy level is greatly increasing and I wake up feeling much better.

My husband joined me in my Day 5 workout.  We pushed through and it felt like I experienced an “energy high” afterwards.  I know that’s probably not the best word to explain it, but I felt great!  I’ve decided that working out with someone else is much more fun and helps the time pass faster.  I have to admit I am bored to tears already with this workout, but I know I am not ready to move up to the 2nd level.  The music annoys me and I’m sick of doing the same thing over and over.  BUT…I promised myself I would do this 30 days and I am!

This morning’s workout marked Day 6 and I’m feeling a little foggy-brained.  It was tough making it through the last circuit of cardio.  I’m just glad to be done today.

Husband kept me very well-fed this weekend.  I just have to brag on him because he is a Grill Master.  We’ve enjoyed grilled steaks and chicken with salads the past few days and they were so delicious and healthy!  I’ve checked my blood sugar a couple of times and eating healthier is keeping it in check much better.  Just another benefit of this healthy lifestyle change!  I’m a little discouraged with the scale results, however.  I had lost two pounds a few days ago, then somehow regained them by yesterday.  It sure makes it hard to want to stick with this when the scale doesn’t really move, but I have to keep going.

We joined the local recreational association yesterday and went swimming. E.B. had a blast and we will probably head there this afternoon also.  Yet another great way to get exercise in!

I have to be honest and tell you that I skipped a day between day 2 & 3 doing the 30 Day Shred. So, I’m just counting the next day I did it as day 3. I was still in a pretty good amount of pain that day, so I made the executive decision to rest. I’m ok with that. I got right back to the workout the next day and Day 3 was much, much better.

I actually made it through Day 3 really well and felt pretty empowered. I’m still modifying the workout, but I hung in there until the end, so I really felt proud of that, considering Day 2 was so terrible. Day 4 was yesterday (Saturday), and I felt pretty much the same. Same modifications and hung in. It’s getting better, little by little.

As far as telling a difference, I am enjoying a new range of motion in my neck and shoulders I never knew I had, which feels great! I can also bend over further when bending down to get things in the cabinets or off of the floor. I’m also feeling those quadricep muscles. Haven’t felt those since I was cheerleading in high school!

I’ve kept my eating in check, except for Saturday when we had a family reunion. It’s just impossible to go to a family reunion in the South and eat healthy. Ha! But, it was only one meal and I ate ok the rest of the day. I have noticed that I don’t really feel as well if I eat “heavy foods” (potatoes, casseroles, etc.) as I do when I’m eating grilled meat and a salad.

So, I’m trucking along and am determined to do the 30 Day Shred for 30 days. They might not be 30 consecutive days, but I will meet that goal and try not to let but a day go between workouts!