30 Day Baby Steps

Yeah, I haven’t blogged in a while because I haven’t worked out the past two days. Things had been going on and my mind just wasn’t on working out. It probably should’ve been to deal with the copious amounts of stress that’s been going on (both good and bad, don’t worry), but it didn’t rank very high on my to do list. There have been a few sobering realizations about myself that I’ve experienced recently and needless to say, I worked out tonight. Actually, I just finished. I’m hot, I’m tired, my face looks like a tomato, but something interesting happened while I was working out.

I was getting through it WAY easier than I did on day 9.

At first, I chalked it up to the fact that the last time I took a day long break from working out, my endurance was high through the first half of circuit one. Then I felt the pressure. But tonight, it was a whole new animal. I was getting through it all. Only when I got to the last ab MINUTE of the last circuit did my shoulders tell me ENOUGH. Even though my shoulders hate me, this was a whole new beast that I wasn’t ready for. I was ready for collapse halfway through the second circuit. It didn’t happen. This was a workout that shocked me and made me happy and nervous at the same time. Yes, I said nervous…wouldn’t you be if you got through level 2 of ANY of Jillybean’s workouts and didn’t want to stop in pain?

However, this was the most interesting development that I had tonight…when I went into my leg stretch by grabbing my right ankle, there was pain. Not like I stretched, but my ankle DID NOT want to be in my hand. It was odd since my ankle isn’t hurting, but I’ll be keeping an eye on it over the next few days.

Hopefully I’ll keep with the working out. I just need to stay focused and keep doing what I’m doing.

I thought level 1 was bad. Level 2 is MUCH WORSE.

At one point, Jillybean talked about how she wants us to feel like we’re going to die. She really does. I’m not kidding. Well, congratulations Jillybean…I made it there in the third circuit. This was the first time (as we were going into plank jacks…no, I’m not kidding) that I just hung my head, knelt down on the floor and took a long breather. Level 1 is a cakewalk compared to level 2.

Immediately, I felt a difference. I felt like I was working different muscles that hadn’t been worked in level 1 (or maybe I just didn’t do level 1 to the best of my abilities but I refuse to believe that). There felt like there was more of an emphasis on the upper body–back and arms. It must have been all those plank moves. I fought my way through as hard as I could. I stuck with Anita (She-Whose-Abs-I-Covet) since she was still doing the beginner moves, but I could feel myself sinking lower into the squats and jumping a little higher. I sweated more (I know, ew, gross), I stopped to drink more water…this was painful. This was brutal. But it’s for the best. I know that as I go through level 2 and continue to do it, I’ll come out much stronger (or dead of a heart attack, I’m not sure).

Unfortunately, the workout has also clouded my ability to form lines of words that makes sentences and so on and so forth. I’m going to drink my chocolate milk, shower and go to bed. Good night.

**Big huge favor to all those reading. Please, if you can, text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The money gets attached to your cell phone bill and there are so many people in desperate need of help. Here’s one story that’s absolutely heartbreaking and near and dear to my heart since it involves Pittsburghers and children.**

I’m not just saying that because I didn’t workout tonight. I’m saying it because it’s true. Granted, I could’ve woken up earlier, but that’s just not in my character.

Today, I was at work and then I went out after work with my friends Katie and Alexis. A good time was had and by the time I left my two lovely friends, it was nearing 10:00. And who wants their upstairs neighbor doing jumping jacks at that time?

Even without going out to see friends, it’s tough to workout sometimes. When I get home from work, which could range from 5:30 to 7:00 sometimes depending on traffic, I make dinner and then eat. Then, I wait for the food to digest and it just seems like the workout keeps getting further pushed back. I’m not trying to make excuses; that’s how it is in my life. I need to find a good balance where I can workout and still have a normal life with friends.

Tonight was much needed. I’m absolutely horrible about calling up friends to hang out and I rarely get to see them. Alexis had reached out and Katie and I answered the call so for that, I’m grateful to Alexis and to Katie for such a fantastic night. It was simply hanging out, talking and spending some time to de-stress. I need more of that in my life. I need to see my friends more. I know that doing that can make me healthier mentally and socially. I think that smells like a possible goal for this year. I hope to see them again soon.

When you do enough jumping jacks, your body doesn’t feel like your body. Your limbs seem to separate from you like they did Jason Schwartzman in I Heart Huckabees (bonus points if you’ve seen the movie because I know a whopping five other people that did and it’s only because I saw it with them). When I do jumping jacks, my legs feel separated like they just filed for divorce from me and we’re entering some contentious settlement that won’t end well. My right arm seems to stretch out farther than my left and it has to be impossible. Until I stretch my arms out in front of me (like I just did) and see about a half an inch of extra right arm. Huh. That explains a lot.

After my revelation on Friday that I did want to workout and did with some yoga, I spent Saturday resting my calf. It was much needed. When I approached day 7 Sunday, my leg didn’t give me as much tension as it had. The workout had gone well enough. My endurance still isn’t enough to get through the workout without a break though. Not that this is a bad thing or that I expect it after only a week of working out, but I’m simply saying. It’s a tough workout.

Today, my day 8, was supposed to be the day I moved on to Level 2. Um…yeah. That didn’t happen. Not because I didn’t want to though. It was more along the lines of I lost track of my days. I got halfway through my level 1 when I realized that I really did want to try level 2 today. Crap. Level 2 will just have to happen tomorrow when I finally have to try and do what every busy person does–fit it in to my packed schedule. When I get off from work, I just usually come home and workout. But tomorrow, I’m going to have drinks with the lovely Katie and Alexis so working out is going to be pushed back a bit. I haven’t quite hit that point that I’m used to–where I usually bargain with myself and end up ending my good track record of doing the thing I need to do–so I’m happy.

On the book front, I am happy to say I finished my January book of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It was a great read to ease into the year. A collection of short stories, it was enough to keep my interest and want to get through a story each night. My February book, which I can safely say I can move on to, is The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs. He’s contributed before to mental_floss and he’s entertaining to read but I have never read a book of his. I had seen it about a year ago and wanted desperately to read it but hadn’t gotten it until now. I’m really excited about this one.

I’m going to Antico Pizza today for lunch with one of my favorite doughnut makers so I need to get going. Have fun today everyone!

I like those kind of head fakes.

Actually, I didn’t have the intention of blogging today. But something interesting happened and I couldn’t ignore it. It’s something that has never really happened with the same urgency before and I wanted to share it with all of you.

I WANTED to workout.

Before, there’s been a slight tug of “hmm, maybe I should workout.” But this evening, as I was watching Family Guy, it was boring just sitting there watching TV. I got up and started doing the Jillybean warm up. I didn’t do the 30DS because of my calf, but I wanted to. Instead, I went ahead and did what I’ve been talking about doing since the first day: Yoga.

I own Wii Fit and they have yoga positions on it. I haven’t done Wii Fit in ages (214 days to be exact) so when I pulled out the balance board, I’ll admit it, it was a little dusty. My Wii Fit age was a bit of a slap in the face (35?!) but I chalk that up to the fact that if you do their balance exercises consistently enough, you can cheat the system. I hadn’t and was all over the place. But once I got into the groove of the yoga exercises, my balance and posture had improved DRAMATICALLY. I was doing yoga exercises that had been difficult for me before with moderate ease. As I was doing them, I realized what I need to improve on myself to improve the impact of the workout. I did 20 minutes and called it quits. That’s the problem with Wii Fit. After a while, you just get bored with it. Jillybean doesn’t ALLOW you to get bored.

I felt really proud of myself today. It was a good day.

It was also a good day for two reasons. One is that Billy has registered 30daybabysteps.com for me. Instead of pushing out the WordPress address, I have a domain for the blog now. Exciting stuff.

Two is that I had a very special guest drop by my blog. Michelle Norris, from Brown Eyed Baker, had a giveaway yesterday in which all you had to do was comment what your new year’s resolution was and you could win a digital scale. Wanting one of those for a while now, I commented on what I was doing and linked to my blog. I was extremely pleased to see that she emailed me today with such kind words about my idea and blog. She has an incredible site with loads of delicious goodies so check her out (and I’m not just saying this because she’s an awesome Burgher like me)! Some of you may not know this, but I work part time as a baker for a caterer so she has given me a lot of great recipes to try out. This whole part time baking thing may also be my downfall too with the eating healthy thing, but we’ll see.

Time for some popcorn and movie. Awesome.

The pain in my right leg has gotten a bit worse after this workout so tomorrow is a break day. I hate to disappoint, but I hate injuries even more.

Tonight was the first night that Billy decided to try his hand at Jillybean’s workout. He made it through half of the first strength circuit. Meaning…he made it about five minutes.  Without weights. I’m feeling quite victorious. It is a tough workout–my endurance still isn’t high enough to get through it with no pausing or breaking. Tonight was the first night that on the second set of anterior raises with side lunges that I threw the weights down and just did the lunges. It gets tough. That was my sign that my muscles need a break.

Today I found out that a friend of mine is going through this same exact workout. The conversation went as follows:

Them: I started a new workout.
Me: Me too. (I hadn’t mentioned my blog to them yet.)
Them: It’s kicking my butt.
Me: Me too.
Them: This is the DVD.
Me: OH MY GOD, ME TOO!

They’re only on day two but it was nice to commiserate on Jillybean’s butt kicking and forewarn on level 2. This gave me more incentive to keep going and trudge through.

All right. No workout tomorrow, no blog tomorrow. I’ll let you know how things work out.

On my day 5, amidst moderate muscle tension, I worked out at Billy’s insistence. I was a bit concerned since I had done jumping jacks earlier to warm up at work (which didn’t work) and my legs were slightly twinging in pain after. Granted, I’m much happier having done it now that I have, but I certainly had my hesitations going into the workout.

My endurance is up. I’m getting through most of the workout without stopping. There’s progress. I really do need to incorporate yoga into this though. I still haven’t and I think that it will help greatly.

But enough about my workout. I’m sure you’re wondering about my post title. It all has to do with Jillybean’s what I call backup dancers, Anita and Natalie. Obviously, they’re the ones who are also going through the same pain and suffering I am, but also to make sure it’s not just Jillybean at the center. Anita is the one who does the abbreviated workouts for beginners and Natalie is the more advanced chick. Throughout the level 1 workout, I have been paying more attention to Anita than I do Natalie, but it’s starting to shift. Anita, who has abs that I would KILL for, is really methodical on the workout. Natalie, who needs a new sports bra, is faster pace, not as controlled, cuts corners sometimes (that’s right, in level 1, she doesn’t do lunges for about five seconds. SCANDAL!) and, after previewing level 2, mugs for the camera a LOT.

That’s right, I previewed level 2. I wanted to go ahead and get a grasp of what awaited me. It’s a lot of jumping. Lots of high kicking. Lots of push-up/plank positions. I’m still shooting to try it out on day 8, but don’t hold it against me if I can’t do it and go back to level 1. The point is for me to complete this without killing myself and injuring anything and I’m still holding to that point.

I hope everyone is staying warm and honestly, I hope it snows tomorrow. It would be nice. It would be nicer if I stayed home for it.

I have to say it guys. This was the first day I just did NOT want to workout.

It’s cold outside. I’m lazy. There aren’t enough hours in the day. Wah wah wah.

My plan to wake up early to workout completely and totally failed when I opted to stay in bed under the covers because I’m pretty sure it was minus eleventy billion outside. Seriously, it’s colder here than it was in Pittsburgh. I just kept hitting the snooze button and tried so desperately to go back to the nice, pleasant dream I was having.

Eventually, I did have to wake up and go to work. And, unsurprisingly, when I came home from work, made dinner and ate dinner, I didn’t want to workout. It was already 7:00 when I finished dinner. There was a really good program on TV that talked about Primanti Bros. being one of the best places to pig out at. Duff was making cakes. It was calamity. I just couldn’t put myself in the working out mode. I just wanted a Primanti sandwich with a slice of cake on the side. But I knew I couldn’t leave the blog un-updated and leave my few readers wondering what happened to my day four.

Needless to say, I did in fact work out. My calves during the whole workout hated me. I already had semi muscular calves and the fact that I was bulking them up more really started to give me some pain. They feel like tree trunks now. So not attractive. I also have to say, that the cardio circuit where Jillybean has me doing jumping jacks and jump rope is probably THE HARDEST part for me. Seriously. Something that simple is absolutely killing me. Maybe moving up to level 2 on day 8 may not happen. We’ll see.

On the bright side, I was able to do more than five push-ups in a row. I felt endurance start to creep up the invincibility scale. Oh, my God…is that a BENEFIT I SEE?!

Working out at night is just not for me. The laziness really peaks and I don’t want it to be 8:30 and oh crap, I have to workout. I want it to be 8:30 and thank goodness I finished my shredding workout this morning and just finished up my yoga for the evening…now it’s time to get ready for bed and read my book. Which it’s now time for. Good night.

Granted, this was the first workout that I started in pain–my legs hated me through the first cardio circuit–but it wasn’t that bad. My muscles are starting to get sorta kinda used to the fact that Jillybean’s beating them into submission for 20 minutes a day. But, that doesn’t mean that I’m not slightly concerned.

My knees are bad. This is equated to softball playing days when the coach didn’t believe in stretching and I played catcher with no real knee/leg protection (oh, the joys of rec dept sports). It’s probably partly equated to genetics as well since my mom has bad knees. So when I start to lay down to do ab exercises and my knees pop and crack, yeah, I’m understandably concerned. I should’ve been working my knees for years, and when I was at Georgia State, it was the leg press machine that was my best friend. But my knees are just not used to it. I have to do push ups in the 30DS and because my upper body strength is being built up, I’m on my knees for it. There are lots of lunges. Lots of jumping. I don’t want to seriously injure myself and I know that that is keeping me from really getting into the lunges and the other exercises. But I’ll ease into it. Slowly and surely. I don’t want anyone yelling at me to take it easy or that I’m doing it wrong.

Yesterday was my presupposed day away from exercise. I was volunteering at Oakland Cemetery and somewhere in the middle of doing that, the thought of working out when I got home crossed my mind. Never before has working out been of any thought or interest to me to actually do for FUN. But it happened. Unfortunately, when I got home, I had other things to do, but that feeling didn’t really go away. That’s a first and I don’t want it to go away.

The other feeling that I don’t want to go away is the enthusiasm for this project. My friends Katie and Jamie stopped by to say hello and we talked about my project and knowing I have friends behind me on this makes me happy and makes me want to succeed. Jamie had a great idea about fitting in some sort of movie watching to this project and I wholeheartedly agree. I love movies and it’s something that can help me out culturally so to speak. I need to get a list of 100 movies to watch–you know, the ones that you need to see before you die or something–and having a running list of that on the site as I watch them all throughout the year. Any idea which list I should follow?

Tomorrow, I’m back at work which means no more working out in the middle of the day. It means waking up at an ungodly hour and working out. I think I’ll also fit in the yoga in the evenings to help me de-stress and relax me before bed. I’ll let you know how that goes.

It’s been a ridiculously cold day here in Atlanta and I hope everyone is staying bundled up! Good night!

At least, that’s what I have to tell myself right now.

My day 2 just ended and my legs are more like jelly today than they were yesterday. It hurt to walk across the room to get my headphones–that’s how bad it feels. Jillybean’s exercises combine working on larger muscles with smaller muscles. For example, she has the unwitting participant do side lunges while raising the hand weights straight out in front of yourself as you lunge. This works the anterior whosiwhatzits in the arms and the legs. At one point, the 3 lb weights felt so heavy that I could barely lift them. Now I know that this is all for my own good and I’m trying my best to push through, but…OW.

My sister is also going through the 30 Day Shred, but I’m a day ahead of her. When she worked out, she used 5 lb weights and now has a horrible bruise on her bicep. She hasn’t been able to stretch her arm without pain let alone continue the workout. I’m not knocking on her, this workout is PAINFUL at the start. And she’s in better shape than me.

It’s only been two days of working out and I have another concern (other than my downstairs neighbors getting mad I’m doing jumping jacks). Tuesday I start back at work after this nice little vacation and I have to answer the burning question of whether or not I workout in the morning or the evening. I don’t wake up early enough and when I get home and make and eat dinner, I’m already really tired. I figure that the morning really is my best bet, but I need to figure out a way to really wake myself up. I always bargain in the morning; I think 10 more minutes is never that bad and I can just not eat breakfast. I know, I know…I need to break that. But how can I do it?

Tomorrow is my day off from working out (THANK GOD) and I’ll be volunteering down at Oakland Cemetery in the visitor’s center. It’s something that I’ve been doing for a year now and I LOVE it. I work in the visitor’s center and I’m a tour guide as well. It’s an incredible beautiful park (yeah, I typed that right…PARK) and if you’re in Atlanta, you need to check it out.