Shredhead

As all of you are aware, there is a little DVD out there that has taken the weight loss world by storm, and even after it's initial popularity a few years back, it still is pretty high on the list of great workouts. What I'm talking about is of course Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. I've been losing weight with diet alone, but around the beginning of February, I was looking to start exercising. Then, I saw this on Facebook:

As you can see, I JUMPED at the opportunity to have a workout partner and told her that I would like to do (and finally succeed at) the challenge with her. I have to tell you guys that if not for Stephanie pushing me and vice versa for these last couple weeks, I'm not so confident that either of us would have gotten past day five. There have been days that I could not get up the motivation to work out, but she pushed me to do it anyway. What I've been learning throught all of this is:

-Having a workout partner is ESSENTIAL for me. There are days that I need that accountability. Also, knowing that there is someone out there counting on me to hold them to their word makes me want to be successful. I love talking with the person going through me with all of this and finding out that she had the same challenges. It makes the journey that much easier to know that I'm not alone. Not at all.
-I CAN workout every day. I CAN succeed at what I want to do, despite setbacks. I'll get into that a little later, but I'm so CONFIDENT in my abilities.
-I LOVE LOVE LOVE to work out. I push through the pain, I push through the discomfort, and I feel like the strongest woman ever after I'm done. I'm proud of my accomplishments for the first time ever. I made a decision to change my life, and I'm happy that I am finally taking the steps to do just that!

I've been taking photos each night after my workouts and posting them on Facebook for my friends and family to see. I thought that this would be another way to stay accountable. What I've found is that many of those people are texting, emailing, and commenting to me, saying that I am inspiring them. What is really happening, though, is that THEY are inspiring me to stay strong. I've always aspired to be a leader, and as I move through this hard path of weight loss and lifestyle change, I see that there are people looking up to me. TO ME. It's a crazy notion, but I'm so proud of that. I've always wanted to inspire people, inspire myself, and at this point, that's just what I'm doing. I'm very happy with where I am :)

I thought I'd share my photos through last night (since I did not do tonight's workout just yet). I did not take a photo on day one of myself after my workout, so the photos start with day two. Tonight will be day 17. WOW! Can you believe I've done this for that long? Me either!

Day 2- Level 1: Jillian messed up my good hair day. Plus, day 2 = HARD!

Day 2 was very hard, but I remember having the best workout! I pushed and pushed and pushed through to the end. I felt so much pride and happiness after the workout!

Day 3- Level 1: OUCH!

Day 3 was painful. Very, very painful! My muscles were incredibly sore!

Day 4-Level 1: A tad bit easier, but dinner is sitting in my tummy like a ROCK! :(

 This was an example of how my food choices affect my workouts. I had eaten an unhealthy, heavy dinner and even an hour afterward when I did my workout, I was still feeling the discomfort. I decided to eat healthier, whole foods after that. No processed, greasy junk food goes into this body anymore! Ever again!

Day 5- Level 1: Rest Day! :)

 Day 5 was a rest day. Both Steph and I were so tired, our muscles were screaming. It was much needed and VERY awesome!

Day 6- Level 1: Eff yeah! I dd this at 1 a.m. & ROCKED it. Endurance is through the friggin roof!

Day 7- Level 1: Really had to fight thru the pain. I DID IT!

 There's something about pushing through the pain and putting in the work that makes me feel absolutely euphoric afterward. I think back on this day with fondness.

Day 8- Level 1: Forces beyond my control made this day tough.  I did most exercises modified. Feels like a step backward.

 This day was HORRIBLE. Steph really had to inspire me to do what needed to be done, and even then, I just couldn't give 110%. I gave more like 80%, but that was better than nothing. I was just down and out that day.

Day 9- Level 1: that felt AMAZING! Really awesome workout tonight! <3

 Yep, I worked out on a holiday. Total and complete victory for me :)

Day 10- Level 1 (last day!): Level 2- here comes Ash!

I was so, so excited to move on to the next level. Boy, I sure didn't know what was in store for me the next day!

Day 11- First Day Level 2: HOLY FREAKIN' CRAP!

 Level two, there are no words. Sweat flies off my body when I do this level!

Day 12- Level 2: I will either be victorious & finish this challenge or die trying. I'M STRONG!

 Seriously, level two was still beating my butt at this point.

Day 13- Level 2: I've fallen and I can't get up! Does this level get easier ever?

 The answer is yes, it does get easier, but only slightly so. This day, I was trying to ignore the calm before the storm. It all fell down on me during the next workout:

Day 14- Level 2: Emotional. Hard. I hurt my knee and am afraid I'll fail again. Please God, heal me.

 So much to say about this photo, and it will take an entire post of it's own. Look for that tomorrow.

Day 15- Level 2, Halfway there!: ROCKED IT! I refuse to let a small discomfort set me back. I WILL WIN.

 Modification for the lower half and extra hard work on the upper body was the name of the game this night.

Day 16- Level 2: Worked out with Stephie and she helped me PUSH IT!

Thank goodness for FaceTime. There is nothing like someone else seeing you work out; it really makes you push harder for sure! I was still modifying my lower body workouts this day. Seeing Steph push through with me, seeing her do the same moves, and hearing her pain helped me so much. We are not in this alone, and that is such a wonderful thing for me.

I committed to doing this challenge and I'm so proud of just how far I've come! 13 more workouts with Jillian. I can do this, and give it EVERYTHING I have! I will do just that because failure is just not an option anymore. I've overcome so many of the obstacles in my way and things will only get better from here :)