30-day shred CHALLENGE

Follow me in completing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred

Day 1- I was about to cave!! But somehow I got the strength and energy to go through it. I don't have my 2 lb handweighs so I used a bottle of salsa and a jug of juice (about 1.5 lbs each). I want to go to my brother's and get my 2 lbs. I only have 5 lbs. at home!

I got through most of it! I thought I'd die and I didn´t. In fact, I still have the energy to join my husband on a power walk around the park. I can't wait for day 2!

Day 2- Lifted some pretty heavy books today, not sure of the exact weight, but they had to be at least 2 lbs. SUPER tired! I really felt the burn today but am feeling totally pumped about day 3! Let the shedding continue :-)

Day 3- Today it was a lot more difficult to get through the routine. I did finish it, but at times I had to stop and rest for about 5 seconds. I think I completed about 85% of the workout. It isn't so bad, considering today I got off work at 5:30, it was a super busy day, I went up and down flights of stairs multiple times and also, I haven't been sleeping very well lately. So, it wasn't so shabby! Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Days 4 and 5- ABsolutely great! Didn't have time to publish any entries these days, but I did great, I did a lot of the workout with 5 lbs. so I was beat!

Days 6 & 7- NO SHRED!! shame on me, I know

Day 8- Finally have my 2 lbs. back, I did some of the exercises (the ones where you have to combine legs with arms) with the 2 lbs. and the chest and back exercises with the 5 lbs. Felt really tired, especially since I didn't shred for 2 days in a row...lesson learned!

Like almost every other woman in the world, I love to eat.
I love bread, I love desserts, I love chocolate, I love fish, red meat and chicken, I love vegetables, I love fruits, I love french fries, mac and cheese and pizza, I love hamburgers, I love brownies, you name it, I love it, because I LOVE FOOD.
I have a hormonal condition where carbs really make me bloat and gain weight. Recently, I decided to quit sugar altogether (and "foods that act like sugar"). In other words, I dropped foods that make my blood sugar spike.
What are these foods?
Well, everything that is delicious: pasta, bread, potatoes, tortillas, cakes, desserts, candies (I'm a teacher- so they're constantly available), sweets and everything that has starch in it. I have been eating fruit and I also decided against quitting alcohol (I'm not superwoman).
Today is my 16th day. It' s been a challenge. Some days have been pretty easy, and some days have been downright awful. I have strayed a few times (couple of cookies, the not so guilty kind or a french fry now and then). However, I've managed to stay on track. I can't believe it. I had never gone so long without having a piece of bread or something with potatoes for so long.
Rice and pasta are not an issue for me. I could leave those in a heartbeat. Bread, pizza, potatoes and sweets? A totally different story. My brain is wired to request them on a daily basis (several times a day).
It was getting to the point where I would crave some sugary cereal in the morning (Choco Krispies is my drug of choice), later I would have oreos or some other cookie, at lunch I'd have some kind of pasta, rice or bread and at night something with tortillas. All those carbs!!! In one day!
Of course, my hormones got the best of me and my pants started to give in. I decided it was time to DO SOMETHING about my addiction to sugar.
So I embarked on this challenging journey.
I've relied on fruits such as apples and dried cranberries (NO sugar added) to help me survive. Dairy has helped a whole bunch, too. I'm not sure if it's good to include dairy or not when I'm supposed to be cutting sugar. I figured that eliminating bread and starches would be enough, considering my past habits. I'm really trying to control my fat intake but it's been difficult. It's hard not to reach for the piece of cheese or the occasional pork rind when you really want the chips and the pizza. It's a struggle, and I'm taking it one day at a time.
This is day #16 and there is a big difference in how my pants fit me. I no longer feel the urge to come home, take them off and put on some loose-fitting pajama bottoms. I actually have some room to breath and my stomach is also not bloated anymore. I've added some fiber via Metamucil and it's helped a lot, too.
I want to make it through the next 14 days and see how I do. I would like to lose a couple of pounds so I can get ready for the holidays, where I'm sure I will GIVE IN to my addiction.
And by the time 2012 rolls around, I'll see what other mission I can undertake :-)