Day 53 - another shred down

I've now completed 3 days of level 3. I'm feeling really good about myself generally that I've been able to do so much, and am pretty stoked about what's coming next - the couch to 5k program! Not sure how easy it'll be since it's so hot here in Atlanta, but it'll be worth it.

I'm being extra careful because of my knees - but those seem to be doing ok provided I take breaks when my body tells me, and ice them regularly (and use the stabilizer).

All in all, I'm in a great mood.

Just got back from my swim - I forgot both how much I love swimming AND how much of a butt-kicker it is! I swam for 1 hour and 10 minutes - 40 minutes of serious swimming with time in between to cool down and get leisurely. It was awesome, but I'm gonna hurt tomorrow!

Plus - not only was I not the biggest guy there, today was the first time that I really wasn't that self-conscious about my belly/moobs. I still have a bit, but I didn't feel that bad.

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 49 - 19th day of the shred

One more day until part 3! I'm actually quite excited. It's probably time that I figure out what I'm going to do next.

I'm thinking about picking up the Wii Active, by EA Sports AND doing the couch to 5k (C25k). I'll have to do both because the c25k is only 3 days a week, and I really want to keep going with the daily thing.

I may also consider some of the other Jillian Michaels dvd's - or - doing the shred some more.

Thoughts?

Day 46 - We all have to rest some time

Yesterday, I took a day off from the shred. When I woke up in the morning, my knees, thighs (quads), calves, ankles, and basically every part of my lower body was screaming for rest. So like the good camper that I am, I listened. I was a little worried that it would be really easy for me to take another day after that and so on, but I jumped back into the routine today.

This morning's workout was great. I'm still being extra cautious with the high impact stuff, but I really missed the workout yesterday. Glad to be back in the saddle, and I'm still looking forward to part 3 in 4 days.

Day 45: Half the way there!

Today is day 15 of the shred. That means I'm only 15 days away from finishing it (and from starting on my next 30 day program). I did my workout this morning, even though I wasn't really in the mood again.

I think someone's got a case of the Mondays!

I used the knee stabilizer, I took my Ibuprofen, and my knee is starting to feel better. It still gives me twinges, but it's not as bad as it was. It probably helps that I used some Tiger Balm on it last night as well.

I continued with the modified versions of anything that was remotely threatening to my knees, but I did the whole thing again. I'm still sweating like nobody's business - which is a good thing - but I'm keeping the routine going.

One thing I'll say about my knees, that I noticed last night is that I'm nearly positive that it's muscular. I'm starting to see some muscles around my knees (which is something new). You know that muscle that's just inside and above your knee joint? That's the one I'm seeing, and it's also the one that's been bothering me.

I've been giving some thought to what to do next. Lots of my friends and supporters have suggested the C25K program (Couch to 5K) which I'm strongly considering even though it's 9 - 10 weeks and not 30 days. But it's only 3 days a week so I could still do something else on the off days. Or stick with the shred. I'm just not sure yet.

Day 44: and the shred goes on

I did the shred, part 2 again this morning. Nothing much to update, other than knee pain being significantly less (but still there). I get twinges every now and again, so I'm sticking with ultra-low impact versions of anything that can be tough on my knees.

I'm still feeling good from the exercise and plan to keep it up.

Day 43: Feeling MUCH better

Last night, I stopped in the local drug store to pick up a few necessities. Like a knee brace and a fancy wrap around ice pack. I stopped over to the pharmacist to ask him about the stiffness/pain that I've been having in my knees (mostly my left knee). He said two things - first, my assumption was correct, I'm making things worse because I'm overweight and that's one of the things that sucks about getting active as an overweight person. More motivation to stay active and lose the weight, I say! Second, I had asked him about herbal supplements for joint health and the like. He said some help more than others, but to use Ibuprofen for a about a week and see if that helps first.

So last night I took some Advil, and again this morning. I was going to take a break from exercising today, but after the Advil, then the knee brace I was feeling better. And on top of that, around 10 am (I know, way late, but I said I was planning to take a break!) my body started telling me that it needed to get some exercise, so I figured I'd try it.

I did lots of extra stretching. When I say lots, I mean I stretched for about 20 minutes before (as opposed to Jillian's normal 2.5 minutes) and another 30 minutes afterward. I'm sure that helped. Also, I wore the knee stabilizer. Can I just say that the thing is awesome! It totally kept my knee from moving side-to-side. I may get one for the other knee, although since I stabilized the one that was giving me more trouble, my other knee seems better as well. We'll see on that one.

Then on top of that, I was extra careful in any of the higher impact moves, or those that typically give me more trouble. Side-jacks, lunges, plank-jumps and the like. I really took it easy on my knees during those. I still got a great workout. If you do this, make sure you keep moving even if you have to modify the exercises. Like Jillian says during this one, you can make them as hard or as easy as you want to, just keep going.

After the workout, I did my post-workout stretching and I iced both knees for 20 minutes each. I may follow up with another 20 minute icing session on the one bad knee for good measure.

Needless to say, I feel great. I am now to the point where I need the daily exercise, and that also makes me feel great. Hopefully, I'll lose another inch or so after 7 days of part 2, but that's another 4 days away.