30 Day Shred

30 Day Shred

Baby weight. I like to call it that because it makes me feel better about carrying these last few stubborn pounds. Truth is this isn’t weight gained from being pregnant and it isn’t just a few pounds. This is weight from eating and sitting on my ass. Weight to the tune of 15 pounds. I have always been a pretty active person and worked out. Never have I been the type to really “eat right.” I like food. I like good food. I also like wine and margaritas. Dieting is not an easy task for me. I would rather work out like a football player during two-a-days training sessions. Problem is, I haven’t been doing that. I’ve been pretty idle with sporadic runs here and there. May 1, 2009. Today is the day this changes. I decide that part of the problem is time. I have none. I hear about Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred and decide I’m going to give it a try. It’s a 20 minute workout combining cardio and strength and it’s only 20 minutes. I have watched Jillian kick the ass of all the contestants on the Biggest Loser, so I know she is hardcore. I went to Target to pick it up and get started.

Day 1.

The video says to start on level 1 and work you way up. Ok. Easy enough. Each workout is 20 minutes long. Perfect. Gym clothes on. Shoes laced. Time to start. The music is dreadful. The workout is too easy. I didn’t even sweat. Maybe this isn’t the way to go. I go for a run and think about how pissed I am that I wasted 20 minutes listening to reject techno.

Day 1, 4 hours later.

I didn’t want to give up completely. I start level 2. This is no joke. I’m sweating like a pig and cursing at the TV in between grunts.

Day 2.

I hate chair squats and v-fly. Damn you, Jillian.

Day 3.

I decide to shred in the morning and go for a run in the fabulous Houston 90 degree weather. I’m going to die. Shred + Run = Hardcore workout. I feel like Rocky.

Day 4.

I really don’t want to shred today, but it’s only 20 minutes, so I guess I will. I’m really sore. Damn you, Jillian.

Day 5.

It’s Cinco de Mayo. If I’m going to shred, I need to do it before festivities. I shred in the morning before work and get everything done just in time to make it for margaritas at 4pm. I am sure this is not what Jillian had in mind while on this program. Jillian probably does not approve of the many tacos and chips I had today either.

Day 6.

Shredded. I think the alcohol from yesterday is seeping out through my pores. Afterwards, I go for a run. Strangely, I feel energized and have a strong run.

Day 7.

It’s another Shred + Run day. Gotta love Houston weather. 93 degrees. Die. I also decide to check my stats today to see where I am with this Shred business. No weight lost. Nothing. Not even ½ a pound. How do I know not even ½ a pound? Because I have the Tanita scale that will register that ½ pound weight loss to make you feel ½ way better. It didn’t register anything. If I were on the Biggest Loser, I would be below the yellow line today.

Day 8.

Shred + Run in the morning. It’s getting better but really, the chair squats and v-fly blow and I wish Jillian would stop making me do them. Also, Natalie (one of the workout models) is a space cadet. Jillian asks her questions and she just smiles and stares off into space.

Day 9.

Shred + Run. I feel awesome and my husband says I’m hot. Yeah. I feel like a rock star.

Day 10.

It’s Mother’s Day and if I’m going to get my shred in, I need to do it in the morning. I don’t. Apparently my family believes in the gift of food for Mother’s Day, so it’s an eat-a-thon. No shredding and I feel like a whale. Thanks, fam.

Day 11.

I shredded twice today. Double shred. Die.

Day 12.

I’m thinking about moving to level 3 but I think I’ll just hang around at level 2 a little longer. Plus, I can curse Jillian on cue.

Day 13.

I decide to move up to level 3. WTF is this!? Am I being punished? I’m a human pogo stick with all these plyometrics. I think I want to return to level 2 but if I do I feel like Jillian is going to jump out the screen and yell at me. Plus I’ll feel like a loser. I’m really not about that.

Day 14

I have the freaking munchies. I don’t want to shred but I definitely don’t want to double shred tomorrow. I decide to run and shred later. I can’t grasp the idea of doing rock star jumps today, but maybe after I run I’ll feel energized. Fail. I baked cookies, and ate 4.

Day 15

Since I skipped out on shredding yesterday, it’s a double shred day. Double shred on level 3. I am surprised the TV is still in tact. Later that evening I have 3 glasses of wine.

Day 16.

Great run, level 3 shred. Awesome! Thought I would check in on the Tanita today as well. Nothing. This isn’t going well. Where are those cookies I baked and why is there an empty bottle of wine in the fridge?

Day 17

Run. Shred. I don’t hate the plyometrics as much anymore… so I celebrate with margaritas. Cheers!

Day 18

At school today, another student comes up to me and tells me how great I look and wants to know how I lost so much weight. Wow. According to Tanita, I’m still flabby. Yay! I did get my shred in.

Day 19

Same student again comes up to me, this time she gives me a hug and tells me she is so proud of me. Well, jeez… how fat was I? Today was a shred+run day.

I’ll spare you the remaining details of the day-to-day because it’s all shred, shred+run. There was also some Bikram thrown in there, but not consistently. All in all, 30 Day Shred is a good workout. For me, I feel like I need more cardio which is why I combined running. All “run” days meant a 3 mile run in 30 minutes or less. I did notice that while I was actually doing level 3, it was hard, after I did not feel like I had a hard workout, so I started to alternate between level 2 and level 3. Also, keep in mind I didn’t really “diet.” First, I don’t do diets. Second, this was one of those months where it seemed every time I turned around there was a reason to eat and drink (I think that may be every month, though). I know numbers talk so, here is what 30 Day Shred did for me:

WAIST -2.5

WAIST (LOWER PART) -3

HIPS (TRUE) -1.5

HIPS (WHERE MY FAT POCKETS ARE) -2.5

THIGH R -1 L -1.5

ARMS R -2 L -2.5

POUNDS -3

FAT % -6.5%

xoxo

din

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Sunscreen

I have a serious fear of getting old. I also have an aversion to anything about or around me looking old. I was sitting in class one evening and we were discussing the aging process. I started to have a panic attack while discussing the theory of our DNA having a limited number of telomeres and aging occurring because they are being used up. I did not want all my telomeres used up!!! This fear carries over to things as well. I have a tendency to go around the house and throw out things that look “old.” This upsets my family, especially my husband. He seems to have the most stuff that looks “old.” I once threw out his Strivectin eye cream. It was old and I didn’t want it in the drawer anymore. I pretended he lost it when he started getting pissed about it missing. I am well aware aging is a natural process and it happens, but I am also aware of things that can help slow that process down and I intend to slow it down as much as possible. One of the ways is with sunscreen. We all know the sun is numero uno in expediting the aging process when it comes to our skin. That said, we have to protect ourselves from those UVA (you “vill” age) and UVB (you “vill” burn) rays. Since the age of 13, I have religiously worn sunscreen EVERY DAY. Yes, at the age of 13 when nothing wrinkled or even slightly creased, I was concerned about getting wrinkles and age spots. I was born vain. I have found over the years a collection of sunscreens (minimum SPF 30) that I think work well and don’t feel like sunscreen. The one thing I hate is that thick, white greasy residue a lot of sunscreens have. Here are some worth a look:

 

DDF Organic Sun Protection SPF 30. This is what I use everyday!!! I like this one because I recently developed a sensitivity to the ingredients of many sunscreen products. This one contains an organic sun protection (zinc and titanium dioxide) and leaves me without breakouts. I am not willing to sacrifice one evil (acne) for the other (wrinkles). I also TRY to use things that are as natural as possible, so I am happy to find a sunscreen that doesn’t have the chemical ingredients (which may possibly penetrate the skin) but still protects from the aging and burning rays. It is also fragrance free, making it great for sensitive skin.

 

Oil of Olay Complete SPF 30 Defense Daily UV Moisturizer. Non-greasy and very budget friendly. The active ingredients blocking the UVA/UVB rays are: Homosalate, Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Ensulizole. Just FYI… there is some speculation that the Octocrylene can penetrate into the skin and act as a photosensitizer. This results in an increased production of free radicals under illumination. Simply put, it may cause cancer. After reading, I am sure you are wondering why the hell I listed this. No. I don’t want you to get cancer. First, it hasn’t been proven that it is cancer causing, and second, it’s a great find for those on a budget. I’d rather you wear sunscreen than go without. If you don’t wear sunscreen, you most definitely will get cancer. Oh- and you’ll look old. We all know how I feel about that.

 

Elta MD Skincare UV Sport SPF 50. This is what I use on days spent in the sun. This one is thicker, and considering the high SPF it is relatively non-greasy. Elta also makes a moisturizer with SPF 30 that is great for daily use. The active ingredient in Elta MD is zinc oxide. Elta MD is suitable for all skin types.

 

Z. Bigatti Silk Screen SPF 30. Another great lightweight sunscreen. Has a super smooth feel and leaves your face feeling matte. Great for summer. Active ingredients are: Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, and Octocrylene. Z. Bigatti also contains hydrolyzed silk, which is supposed to be able to hold 10,000 times in water. Maybe that is why it is so damn expensive.

 

If you aren’t already, you need to include a sunscreen in your daily routine. If you don’t, you run the risk of damaged skin. By damaged, I mean old-looking.

xoxo din

Sedu

Sedu Flat Iron

I love the Sedu! I've introduced this miraculous straightening tool to numerous friends, and it was well-received by all. I don't think there is a single girlfriend who I let borrow my Sedu who didn't end up buying one of her own. I really should be Sedu's spokeswoman. 

When I first got the Sedu, my husband said my hair looked so good that I didn't need to ever see my stylist again. He said he couldn't tell the difference between what I had done and when I come home after getting my hair done. (Although I suspect that he was saying that to discourage me from spending the money to see my stylist.) Nonetheless, this is definitely the next best thing. Oh, and I was due for a relaxer the first time I used it as well, and you couldn't even tell!

Instead of just being ceramic, Sedu plates are ceramic/tourmaline. Tourmaline is a type of gem. Now, besides just the feeling that straightening your hair with a precious stone must be luxurious, tourmaline actually has a high negative ion output. I have no idea why a high negative ion output results in sleeker, more frizz-free hair, but it does. This, I think, is why the Sedu trumps the Chi- the Chi is only ceramic.

The Sedu heats up pretty instantly, no matter what temperature I set it to. It is always ready in a few seconds. When I use the Sedu, the time it takes to straighten all of my hair seems to be cut down by a third. For some, they say it cuts their time in half. The plates slide easily over my hair, and never leave any dents. The result is super straight, super shiny hair, that does not frizz easily at all. It's almost magic because my hair has ALWAYS frizzed. On a humid day, I may lose my bump, but I will not have frizz. Usually, I do not have to re-flat iron my hair for a couple of days- if I sleep carefully. This thing is wondrous, I tell you.

I don't know if other people care about this as much as I do, but it comes with a handy dandy pouch so I can put it up right away instead of waiting for it to cool down. I likes that. I adore my Sedu, and I will always use it. Now I just wish they would come out with a curling iron, because I still have not quite figured out how to do curls with a flat iron.

xoxo

nkechi

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