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Since you were all so generous in your comments a while back in response to my utter frustration of inactivity, I thought it only appropriate to give a little update...
Two months past boot camp, and I'm still plugging away at the "30" Day Shred. Catch the irony there. Um... yeeeaaah. Well, I started off really strong. Then, after chatting with a trainer, I decided to tackle it a bit differently. I'm as goal-oriented as the next girl [prepping to slip into that bikini- in a mere 3 1/2 weeks], and of course I want to get results pronto. But, I've played the "lose 10 lbs game" before... And this time, I'm considering long and short term. I'm not really looking for a quick fix- start/stop approach. I want to be active, and stay active. I'm all for a healthy, well-balanced diet- but I'm just not willing to cut all carbs... to forgo that glass of red.
So, I started doing the 'Shred' every other day, and alternating it with long power walks and Wii workouts. Early on, I found that my workouts are most effective if I'm not working the same muscles on consecutive days, doing the exact same routine. I'm able to 'dig deeper' into the exercise, maintain better form, and push myself further. This was a huge takeaway from boot camp. The sessions were every other day, and as grueling and intense as they were, each workout was unique. Entirely different. Muscles had time to heal, motivation remained intact. Yet, there's definitely something to be said about mastering a routine... getting your rhythm down... gaining strength after each consecutive workout- which is why I can definitely see myself sticking with a 30-day dvd, or any routine for that matter. As long as I mix it up a little.
With this 'alternating approach,' and a brief fall-off-the-wagon during my endless birthday celebration & spring break- I'm still shreddin' away, strong & steady. Although I'm seeing results on all levels, I'd never claim this to be the ONE correct path. For me, it appears that the key is a mixture of routine & variety, indoor & outdoor, structure & surprise... Long term targets of weight loss and muscle tone, but also short term goals of increased resistance or higher speed- even just on a particular exercise. It's still early on, and time will continue to tell. There's a couple classes (spin, core conditioning) that I plan on signing up for. Other dvd's to tackle. But one thing I've learned for sure: It's all about momentum, and after months of dormancy, I've finally got it goin' on.
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Ditto! That is the exactly same way I would approach it too torrie if I were doing it with you. I know those short term diets work for some but I am a long term girl like yourself and I don't see the purpose of denying yourself so many things only to give into them every once and a while, gain the weight back and have to start all over again. Moderation and Momentum! My two words!
ReplyDeletealways love your inspiration for me to kick it in gear! totally agree with the alternating plan...i can't do the shred everyday either...muscles need recovery time.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is all about momentum. Just keeping something going is progress and has helped me to feel better.
ReplyDelete@Kitchen Belleicious Seriously, why deny, right?? Ooooh, "moderation & momentum"- That's a perfect way to put it... sounds like a good alternative post title! =)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Being healthy is such a lifestyle. :)
ReplyDeleteGo on girl you can do it - it helps so much knowing you and everyone in the shred is out here...I totally agree with the momentum. As long as we're doing something every day it's a lot harder to get out of the rhythm and put our heads in the ice cream dish. Okay I'm speaking for myself on that one.
ReplyDeletexo,
C
Finding a plan that works is key - its my ongoing battle! :)
ReplyDelete@Bestie Thanks Amy! Yes, the way the trainer explained it to me was perfect... Here is what he wrote:
ReplyDelete"The reason you felt so good on the one day you worked out was because of the rest you gave your body. Think about when you hurt yourself and you go to the doctor. The doctor usually gives you something for the pain and tells you to lay off everything so you can heal. This is no different than working out but on a smaller scale. When you lift weights and you feel the soreness the next day you are experiencing micro-tears in the muscle fibers. This is a good thing as long as you allow the muscle to repair itself and grow. More muscle equals a faster metabolism. If you continue to train sore muscles over and over again they will not repair or grow and you will burn out and lose your motivation. I recommend keeping up the good program but with a days rest during the week and one days rest on the weekend. Also, make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet to repair your muscle and cut your calories a bit on your off days as you are not burning as much."
@this free bird Exactly... Didn't mention here, but the shredcrew support has made ALL of the difference. (a future post, for sure =)
ReplyDeleteI need to pick up 12 pounds. I guess that shouldn't be hard :) Some cupcakes some s'mores and I'll be good to go.
ReplyDelete@Ana Degenaar I’ll happily give you my extra 12. Any day. ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you’re on the road to full recovery, my friend. xo
I agree with your approach. Also, as much as I've enjoyed Shredding (really), I, too, need some variety if I'm going to stick with it. I've gotten bored with the Shred and then took several days off (which is why I'm stuck on Level 2). I think I'm going to start mixing it in with other forms of exercise. I feel better when I'm active (and also eat better and sleep better), so I need to find the key to staying on the move.
ReplyDeleteGlad it's going well! I hope you're feeling better now. My sickness seriously lasted a good two weeks. And I still get a hacking cough a few times a day (though physically I feel 100%). It's ruthless!
ReplyDeletethanks for passing that info along!!! good to know.
ReplyDeleteinteresting blog i like it
ReplyDeleteYou. are. rockstar. I love it. Keep up the great work girl!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Tina
Good for you! My biggest struggle with exercising is boredom... Haha. I tend to do the same exercises all the time and I'm bored!! I really need to start getting creative...
ReplyDeleteTorrie-way to go and after reading about your shredding I feel like I need to try it. I have been running and playing a bit of tennis to mix things up. Somehow i gained 4-5 pounds over the past few months...probably too much blogging and not enough working out.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to catch your enthusiasm. For me it's all about routine. For eight years I went to hip hop every day (yes, frightening thinking about a middle aged woman doing the Dougy) Then one day last year I stopped and never went again. Getting back now seems so huge, but I will have to take a leaf out of your book! I always feel so much happier after doing something...
ReplyDeleteRock on! I love spinning—if you haven't tried it before, I hope you do too!
ReplyDeleteI play the alternating game too! You go lady!
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's the rest and work in equal proportions. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you are feeling better. And yes, mixing up the routine is such a good thing. I took my first spin class last week and it was pretty great. Fingers crossed and I'll get my butt back in there tomorrow at 5:45 a.m. We'll see. A couple of classes a week really helps to keep me motivated.
ReplyDeleteYay! Good for you!! I gotta get that momentum goin'...
ReplyDeletexo-k
This is inspiring! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. It is certainly hard to get an exercise groove on when you're running after kids all day and the start of summer has me equal parts excited (for all the summer fun w/my kids) and nervous (all the body baring activities!). Anyway, I'm afraid my exercise journey hasn't quite begun, unless you count the thoughts in my head!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderul advice. It's so hard to make time to exercise everyday (I don't care what the experts say) effectively. Alternating a way to keep up that momentum!
ReplyDelete