Shred Level 1, Day 7-Brooke's thoughts
Hey Shred the Second-ers! How’s it going? Are you still Shredding? Have you fallen off the Shred wagon? You know it’s okay if you have, just get back on the wagon!
Brooke is one of our Shredding newbies, and today, she’s going to let us know what she thinks about The Shred!
Hi, I’m Brooke – a 28 year old newlywed. I’ve been playing at fitness since I was a little girl. My mom still has my “Get in shape girl” hand weights in the toy box downstairs. Growing up I was skinny, I just didn’t realize what I really looked like. Looking at the pictures, you’d question if my parents ever fed me.
I met my love on October 13, 2006 (it was a Friday – so Friday the 13th is now our lucky day). When we got engaged, I vowed to not be like those crazy girls (like my sister) who go crazy losing weight to be skinny on their wedding days. He fell in love with me the way I am, and that’s who he wanted to marry.
We were married on November 8, 2008. By January, I decided to get my act together. I started taking weight training classes twice a week and watching my caloric intake. In March, a friend asked if I wanted to run a 5K with her and we started the Couch to 5K program.
I’m to the point in my running/working out that I’m getting a bit addicted to it, so I was curious if the 30 Day shred would kick my butt. I was also unsure of where to start. I use 8-10 pound weights in my weight training class for biceps, but only 5 pound weights for shoulders.
Since I was uncertain, I didn’t want to go out and buy weights before I knew exactly what I needed. The first night, I consider more of an “active preview” because I used two large spaghetti o’s cans as weights – 1 lb 10 oz each.
The next night, my husband and I filled up two 32 oz PowerAde bottles with chat (heavy sand) that he had in the garage to weigh down his basketball goal. I took them to work and they weighed 3 lbs each. I wanted to challenge myself a little more (remember 5 pound weights are as light as I use in my 45 minute weights class) so Mr. Right filled them with water.
I’m on day 7 of level 1 and the presses at the very first as well as the anterior lifts are killer, but the chest flies and bicep curls feel too easy. I love the ab work. I was blessed with good genes and I can see results from very little work in that area of my body. I’m already getting two lines down the side of my stomach!!
Although I’ve been running and doing a million squats/lunges in my weights class – the side lunges that we do along with the anterior lifts have found a new part of my inner thighs. At the end of each workout they are screaming in delight! How cool would it be to run and not have to worry about “chub rub” as my bloggy friend Katie calls it?
In one way I love the video – I love having something to do on the weekends that doesn’t take up much time, something to keep my body moving. As drenched with sweat as I am when I get done, I know I’ve worked hard in those 21 minutes.
On the other hand, I question if it’s enough by itself. I’ve programmed myself that I have to work out 30 minutes at least, 45 if I really want to see results. So last week, along with starting the 30 day shred, I also ran 4.2 miles, did interval training, went to my weights class X2, and took a 45 minute spin class.
Don’t worry, I’m not a mother. No children were neglected in this crazy workout schedule. Although a sweet loving husband probably did get his head bit off a time or two.
Thanks so much, Brooke!!
If you’re loving or hating the Shred and would like to do a Shred guest post, just let me know! You can contact me at aholmes10@cox.net
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