Yesterday was Sam's one-month birthday. Also, coincidentally, it was the day my daughter caught me getting dressed and said "Look at your funny big tummy, mama!" Oh, yes, so funny. So funny I cried. Perhaps it's time to Get in Shape, Girl!
Oh, man...remember Get in Shape, Girl? I had the ribbon-on-a-stick one. Ah, memories.
So that seemed like an auspicious sign that it was time for me to start working out. I'm not quite ready to start my C25k training yet because 1) that's a little too high-impact for a month post-partum, isn't it? and 2) it's dang cold outside and I'm a wuss about running in inclement temps.
It seemed the thing to do then was start off with this exercise DVD I got: Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred. Apparently this lady is somehow connected with the TV show "The Biggest Loser," which I have not seen (and which I also got confused with that game show "The Weakest Link," which I found briefly perplexing). She's supposed to be really hard-core and tough. The video is arranged into three different workouts in increasingly difficult intensities; each level is about 20 minutes long. That's about all the time I care to devote to exercise, anyway, so that was initially what appealed to me. I also liked that the workouts combine cardio and strength, with a special focus on abs to help my funny big tummy.
Today I did the workout (level 1) for the first time. And let me tell you, if I wanted a wake-up call, this was it. Ouch. I mean, I've been feeling pretty good about my physical state post-partum, but I was panting and swearing (quietly) not one-third of the way through the workout, and I was doing the modified, lower-intensity version of the lowest level. Yikes.
The good thing is that the workout is over quickly--at only 20 minutes, you hardly have time to think "screw this, I quit." Also, you're never stuck doing any one thing for too long; Jillian switches every minute or two between activities that work different areas of the body, which helps any fatigue you might be feeling. Might? I mean, any fatigue you are definitely feeling. At least if you're me.
It was easy for me to fit this into my morning, too. Jeff and the kids were upstairs while I did the DVD downstairs. It was over before Charlotte even wondered what I was up to.
Despite the name of the DVD, one isn't actually intended to do this workout daily. I think 4x a week is about the max. I'm going to shoot for 3x a week and add an extra viewing if I have the time. I don't mind if it takes me longer than 30 days to get "shredded." And right now my plan is to do this for a month, and then start my 5k training in addition to continuing this DVD.
Oh, and I feel shredded, by the way. I am very sore, especially my shoulders and legs. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.
Consider this the "before!"