Day 51 - 3 weeks of the shred down!

Today marked my first day of part 3 of the shred. Let me tell you - it's a real killer. Lots more plyometrics (jumping stuff), lots more weights, overall just more effort. I feel really good after doing it, and I did the whole thing, but I had to take a LOT of breaks.

Strangely, my knees aren't really bothering me, but that might be because I took extra precautions on anything that looked like it could give them trouble.

Last night, I tried the Tai Chi DVD and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to follow along. I don't think I'm stupid, but it's not really created for beginners, IMO. Move left, move right doesn't really explain where to put my feet, how to move my hands, etc.

So instead, I did about 20 minutes of the yoga DVD. I really liked that one. VERY relaxing and healing.

After my workout this morning, I noticed that my stretch marks are coming back on my belly. Another indication that all this effort is paying off! I may end up taking a day off tomorrow, depending on how sore I am, but I'm still planning to do the workout as of now.

Also - tomorrow is another measurements day!

Day 50! 10 more days of the shred

Had a great workout this morning. My knees are feeling better. I even did the oblique twists and skater today (with no ill effects). Today was the last day of level 2 - tomorrow starts level 3. Also, I was shocked when I went back to the Lucky store to use my credit from last time and discovered that I lost another size! I'm in 36 sized pants now!

I couldn't believe it. I had to have BOTH salespeople come take a look, but I fit in a size 36. This is a H U G E day for me. I haven't been size 36 since high school! That means I haven't been this size in 20 years!

We went out for Father's day last night with both sets of parents. We went to the Cheesecake Factory. I had grilled mahi-mahi, broccoli, and asparagus so that I'd be able to share some dessert with my dad. We shared the key lime cheesecake and it was delish! The whole table tried it and everyone said it was light, refreshing, and just the perfect thing. I keep rediscovering that it's all about choices. I chose last night to eat really well for dinner (and all day, for that matter) so I'd be able to join my dad for a special treat.

After dinner, we went to Barnes and Noble bookstore. I walked around and around until I realized that holy crap! I only have a little more than a week on the shred! I have to pick my next thing. So they had a buy 2, get 1 free DVD deal. I picked up Step by Step Tai Chi with Tiffany Chen because Tai Chi is something I've always wanted to try, another Jillian Michaels DVD, Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism because Jillian's shred is working so well for me, and my wife picked out Yoga to the Rescue - Feel Good from Head to Toe with Desiree Rumbaugh for the two of us.

So I may do the second Jillian DVD next, or I may do the Couch to 5k next, or I may mix it up and do many of them. Not really sure, but hey - now I've got options!

Day 48 - 6 weeks, and almost to level 3

Today's workout was a killer! I'm not sure what it was. I started out with the 5lb hand weights, but found that I had to switch to the 2 lb ones before I was done with the first circuit. I don't know if my form was better this morning, if my knees are feeling that much better, if it's that this is the first time I've done back-to-back since my first day off, but I am sore all over.

Sore in a good way, but wow - I'm tired.

The good news? I'm still seeing more results. My belly is the thing that seems to be shrinking now. I think the shrinking circumference is paused, while my "roll" (the area that hangs over my pants) is going away. Can we say, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!?!?!?!?!!!!

Day 38 - 8th day of the shred, and the results are in!

I knew my measurements yesterday had to be wrong! I did them again this morning, before working out, and it turns out I lost 1 inch off my belly, and a whopping 2 inches off my chest! That's huge results for 1 week of exercise.

This morning, I didn't really want to get started again, but once I made it thought the first circuit I was feeling much better and had no problems finishing. I think it's that first circuit that's such a bear. It's the one with pushups, jumping jacks, and jump rope. I always do it, but I usually dread it. I'm up to nearly everything in regular mode which feels good. I'm currently debating switching to 5 lb weights prior to switching to part 2.

My diet plan is going well. I'm eating lots more fruits and veggies, and trying to get more fish in. I'm supposed to have at least three 4 ounce servings per week.

Overall? I'm psyched! Any suggestions as to what my next 30 day activity should be? Leave them in the comments!

Day 29 - back down a bit

Went out to Sushi with the wife last night. Dinner was delicious, but I forgot (again) how much sodium there is in sushi. Well - actually it's in the soy sauce, but still. I still managed to lose 2.0 lbs this morning, so that's a definite positive. I'm feeling great today. There's something to this exercise thing!

Yesterday, my wife told me that I look "skinny." That really made my day because it means even people that see me all the time are starting to notice. I still have a long way to go, but it's really working.

I'm also very excited about starting the new program on Monday, the 30 day shred. AND - I should be doing the "reward myself" thing tomorrow. All great stuff!

Day 28 - Up, but skinnier

The funny thing about today is that last night, I said to my wife, "I'm going to gain tomorrow." She said, "you don't know that, just relax and everything will be fine." I told here I knew I would gain because I ate a lot of sodium yesterday (check my food diary).

Wouldn't you know it, I gained 4.4 lbs. But I'm not worried about it, for 2 reasons. First, I'll probably lose it again tomorrow or the next day, and second, I lost an inch! Today marked the end of week 4, so I measured and did photos again. Yes I really did lose another inch. I'm down from 48" across my middle to 44" across. That's a H-U-G-E loss!!! That means I lost 4 inches in 4 weeks. Just unbelievable. I know it will get harder the closer I get to my goal, but I'm feeling great about it.

Also, yesterday my Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD arrived, so I'm all set for the next 30 days in my routine. I've decided my reward for keeping everything together for the 30 days that I promised myself, but it'll have to remain a secret for now. You'll find out after I reward myself!

Day 27 - 3 more days!

Today is a great day! Not only am I down 2.4 lbs as of my workout this morning, but my workout was really good. Today's exercise was one of those rare ones where I was in a good mood when I started, stayed in a good mood throughout, was feeling really good, and only started to feel better.

I did some yoga and mostly aerobic, but I must have had great form today because my abs are sore as all get-out (in a good way). I really feel good, and I'm noticing the inches falling off as well.

The Wii told me today that my progress was "incredible". That's because I hit my goal which was due 3 days from now. Of course, it's worried that I'm losing too quickly but I'm not because my goals are nearly always between 4 and 6 lbs every 2 weeks.

I'm also less than 10 lbs away from my college weight (10 years later) which feels awesome!

Day 26 - Good and odd

First the good news for today (really yesterday) - down another notch in the belt! I was shocked when I put my work pants on yesterday morning that I was down another notch. This belt is only 2 months old, but I'll take it if it means being healthier and looking better. I'm still feeling a zillion times better than I did before.

More good news for today: confirmed that the diet, exercise, and fish oil that I've been taking are helping. Cholesterol down, Triglycerides way down, bad cholesterol down. But my good cholesterol is also too low, so the doctor put me on SloNiacin. Which means I also have to take baby aspirin. I'm thinking I'll take the SloNiacin in the morning since it supposedly can give me an energy boost (B vitamins and all). It should also help with the cholesterol.

We didn't get to see the results of my CT Scan yet, but the doctor will be emailing me about it.

The odd news? Well, the scale at the doctor's office says I'm about 20 lbs heavier than the Wii does. I'm sticking with the Wii, because as my wife says, "pick one scale and stick with it". Frankly, there's no way I could go to the doctor's office every week anyways. The Wii says I'm losing, so that's what's important.

Still feeling really good - happier and less stressed.

Day 22 - One more thing

I forgot to add that yesterday, I lost an inch in measurement around my middle, and I also took some pictures that I won't post until I'm done with this journey. But it's really interesting to me when I compare these with the first ones that even in a week I can see definite progress.

This morning, I got up at my normal time, worked out for about 50 minutes, and then started cleaning. I always forget that cleaning counts for calorie-burning activity too! Laundry and vacuuming will go into my progress tracker once I'm done (still have more to do).

For breakfast, I had some apple-cinnamon granola and some raisins. Working on getting my water in with the new water bottles.

Tonight, I'm playing poker for the first time in at least 3 weeks. We'll see how I do, because that's usually one of the places that makes it tough to not eat after 9 pm. I'll bring my water and see if that can hold me.

Day 21 - just wow

I really wasn't planning to reward myself this week, but I ended up doing it anyways. Here's why:

I had to get my CT Scan in the morning which was a whole to-do in and of itself. It turns out that I'm allergic to iodine, so they had to call and get new orders for the test. Needless to say, I was there for over 3 hours.

After the test, I ran some errands. I picked up two new water bottles to use instead of just refilling those plastic ones. I bought the Camelbak kind with what they call a "bite valve". One is stainless for the car, and the other is plastic to keep at work. I had a devil of a time figuring out the bite valve, so in case anyone out there reads this, they work as follows: there's a slit vertically across the top of the plastic piece. When you bite down on it, it's supposed to open up and allow water to pass through. I couldn't see that slit until I read that it was there, so just look for it. It may help to squeeze with your finger and thumb to find it the first time, too.

After the water bottles, I went to the mall since I was right there to pick up some tee shirts because after our last house cleaning, I found some gift cards. Check, got the tee shirts. But on my way through the mall, I spotted a Lucky Brand clothing store. It is my favorite brand, and I had never really shopped in one of their stores before. Now comes the good part.

Lucky Brand is pretty high-end denim. I figured that I'd try some on and see what they did for me. I had been a size 42 when I started this journey, so I started with a size 40. WAY too big. Tried a size 38. WOW! It fit! I couldn't believe I lost 2 pants sizes. Unbelievable. So I also figured I'd try on a pair of shorts. SIZE 36! Craziness abounds, I'm all smiles, the sales girl (whose name is Chemmy) keeps asking me how I did it. So I told her the story. Talk about motivation!

I think I may try the 30 day shred next and see what that does for me. 21 days down, 9 to go!

Day 19 - Up a bit, but some good news

I did nearly an hour this morning, and after the weigh-in, I'm up 1.3 lbs. Which is pretty normal for me, actually. I am seeing a pattern emerge where I gain little bits at a time, lose a large chunk, then gain again. I'm wondering if that will even out, of if that's just how I am. In either case, I think everyone's body is different, and it's worth finding out about yourself - if only so you know!

Anyways, yadda yadda yadda, that's not the good news for today. So far, I've managed to do everything that I've set out to do - getting all my water in (at least 2 liters/8 cups), 3 days straight of not eating after 9 pm, working out every day. When I had my dramatic weight loss yesterday, I felt really good. But that's not the news either.

The news is that this morning when I opened the closet to get dressed for work, I spotted a pair of pants that I had not been able to get into in about 3 years. So I thought to myself, "what the f, let's try those bad boys on." Wouldn't you know it, they fit! And I'm wearing them today. Ok, so really, they're a little bit tight - but I got in them! It's pretty cool. And proves that everything is starting to work.

I also had my follow up blood test this morning. This was to check my cholestrol after having been on some over-the-counter medications. I hadn't planned on altering my diet/exercise way back 4 months ago when I had the first test, but my suspicion is that these past 3 weeks will also help a lot. I'm sure the Dr. will be surprised when she sees how much weight I've lost!