You may have heard me mention The 30 Day Shred. I have been diligent with Shredding every. single. day. except for the days that I have Boot Camp and the two days we were wandering through Washington State. I could have attempted to do The Shred in the minivan or the hotel, but the DVD player was essential to keeping my children from completely melting down. I was not about to mess with a good thing.
When I purchased The 30 Day Shred, I also purchased her book called Making The Cut. I was going to go balls-out. Even though I don’t have balls.
Ahem.
(I’m really hoping my pastors (Who read my site!) skip this post somehow.)
I am not one who can usually read in the car, but we were on a highway that was pretty straight. I picked up the book and started reading. There was a calculation to determine my base metabolic rate (BMR). I did this BY HAND. WITHOUT EXCEL. I was roughing it, yo.
There was also a quiz to determine your metabolic type. I answered the plethora of questions and tallied by results to come to the conclusion that I was a “Balanced Oxidizer”. I had figured this out on my own years ago, but it is always nice to have confirmation.
As I read more into the book, I shared with Honey what I was learning as he drove.
Me: I am a Balanced Oxidizer. Which is what I thought!
Him: *Silence* *Possibly confused by my “Fitness Speak”*
Him: What on earth are you calculating?
Me: My Base Metabolic Rate.
Him: *Silence*
Me: There is a full 30-day meal plan! A lot of the meals look tasty.
Him: *Silence*
I read more into the book. She recommends cutting out all alcohol for 30 days. I get that. I could cut out my nightly weekly cocktails.
She also recommends cutting out salt intake. No problemo.
Then I read the list, which included some of my daily staples: soya sauce, mustard, dill pickles.
REALLY JILLIAN? Dill pickles? THEY ARE MY GO-TO SNACK. Crunchy. Tasty. TWO CALORIES.
I told Honey that I might give this a go. Cut out the salty stuff, try some of the crazy tasty meals.
He, in his infinite wisdom, said this:
*Nothing*
Through the next few days I came to a (not so) startling conclusion. Doing more than I already do really is crazy. Here is my fitness tally:
I attend Step Boot Camp two nights a week: 2.5 hours (Though she pushed it to three hours this week. SHE HAS NO MERCY.)
I do The Shred for 1/2 hour per day (It is “technically” 20 minutes, but I need a bathroom break halfway through to prevent dribbling. I blame the kids for that issue.)
(Um. Hi, Pastor Sue?)
Then there are my regular morning exercises.
- Tell kids to hurry up and get their shoes and jackets on.
- Run out to start the minivan, rubbing hands together the whole way.
- Get back inside and tell them to get their shoes and jackets on. PLEASE.
- Run upstairs for a final pee. Bladder is not what it used to be.
- Run back downstairs.
- TELL THEM TO GET THEIR SHOES AND JACKETS ON.
- Help Emily with her shoes and jacket, usher everyone out to the minivan.
- Run back into the house (while rubbing my hands together) to grab Graham’s school backpack.
- Run back to the van (rubbing my hands together) with a Spiderman backpack on my shoulder.
- Hop into the van to hear the cries of Emily and Nathan that THEY NEED THEIR BACKPACKS TOO.
- Run back into the house (while rubbing my hands together) to grab their backpacks.
- Run back to the van (rubbing my hands together) with a green backpack on one shoulder and a pink backpack on the other shoulder.
THAT TOTALLY COUNTS AS A WORKOUT.
I talked to Honey about it all again yesterday. I told him that making separate meals for 30 days might not be feasible. And that maybe I was buying into the hype a little.
He finally spoke. He told me that I looked great. That I was working so very hard to be healthy. That I was stronger, was fitter, was healthier than I was even two years ago.
I agreed. I could go gangbusters for 30 days with what I eat (which is already very balanced and healthy). The end result might be…what? Losing A POUND?
I am at a weight that I have held (apart from pregnancy) for many years. It is healthy, it is in the right BMI range, my doctor likes it. The added bonus from working out is that I am becoming more toned.
Why go crazy for 30 days, making separate meals, cutting out low calorie/low fat flavors I like…so that I might lose a pound or two? It seems stupid.
Honey agrees wholeheartedly.
So?
Pass the pickles.
Friday is my “cheat night”. You could probably pass the chips too. Heck. I might even have a glass of wine.
Care to join me?
Yep. Hardly seems right to mess with success.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Great First Date
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Why change what is working?
And the bladder/pee thing? Yeah, do not try jumping on the trampoline. Nope, don’t try it. After six deliveries there is no hope for jumping with my children again. And, yes, I blame them for that.
SmockLady’s last blog post..That time of year
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Okay, I’ll admit… I started to get a little worried reading this! “NO Angella! You are in great shape and healthy! You don’t need to lose weight!” But I see we’re on the same page
I think though, as we get older (esp. after having kids) things just aren’t as firm. That’s why I’ve been getting into fitness more (finally!) I do it for myself, to be fit… and for my girls, so they have a good role model for being active. I have tried to cut down on my sugar intake lately, and *some* alcohol… that’s the tough one!
LVGurl’s last blog post..Fun pottery, great cause
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Through this entire post I was thinking “Why the heck does she want to lose more weight. We already looks so great!” I’m so glad you’ll be conintuing with your pickle eating.
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pickles? blows my mind. I could never give up pickles.
I’m glad that you’re taking a step back and looking at what is right for you. I can’t imagine having 3 kids and having the time to cook separate meals.
hills’s last blog post..You Are Crap, Yeah You Should Keep Your Eyes On Your New Little Brat
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I assume the nix on pickle is the lower salt intake. But we all know what assuming does, right?
SmockLady’s last blog post..That time of year
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Friday is my cheat night too. I usually have a pizza or something else equally unhealthy. It’s oh so delicious!
Sharon’s last blog post..It’s officially fall
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Hi Angella. I’m de-lurking! I’ve been reading your blog for years, I’ve left a comment or two before but nothing special.
Just thought I’d recommend a better detox that’s much more convienent. It’s only a 7 day detox and cleanse, and it completly frees your body of toxins and makes you feel better all around. If you want some more info feel free to email me aweeks@live.ca
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Hey sweets!
I’m so proud of you and super impressed that you’re doing all that you are doing! I’m thinking about picking up that 30 day shred.. should I? What’s your honest opinion? I’ll eat what I eat without changing, although I’ll minimize my portion by eating off a salad plate.
I adore your attitude!
Rachel’s last blog post..Blizzard of Bubbles and a Messy Monkey
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Pickles are much too tasty to give up; I’m glad you made the right choice! (JK)
But they are very tasty. I just worry about their EXTREME AMOUNTS OF SODIUM. So I just moderate all my other sodium intake (well, try to anyways). I wouldn’t want to give up the necessary pickles!
Meg’s last blog post..To Do: Part Two
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The Shred is a GREAT workout, and only takes twenty minutes! I highly recommend it
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I heartily concur with your Honey. You look GREAT, and you have enough to balance daily as it is. Good for you for figuring out what works best for YOU.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..Moving Ever Forward, Hindsight In Tow
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I was going to have to give your head a shake but then I see you came to where I would have shook you
You look great and you feel great and you love food.
That’s what it’s all about!
Pass the chips, wine and dill pickles ’cause I ain’t never going to give them up!
Kami’s last blog post..Imperfect Happiness
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Wrangling kids is a work-out in itself. You look fabulous so don’t stress yourself out with the other stuff.
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I am beyond relieved to finish this post! At the beginning I was getting freaked out, you already look amazing and don’t need to lose any weight. I agree completely about wanting to get fit and toned … but the food thing? You don’t need to worry, girl! I know you have HUGE self-control and resist a lot of “unhealthy” foods, so you’re already doing all the right things! Besides, since we are the same height, you are like my “goal” of where I want to be. If you get any smaller, I will DIE!
Hannah’s last blog post..Doing my best
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What is this ‘shred’ you keep speaking of?
Also, are you doing the step boot camp with Lynn? i did that last year and loved it…wish I could do it again:) Or,is your boot camp with Lisa (love her, too)?…
We should plan a girls night that includes some sort of toning/exercise…but includes wine. And dessert. Now that would be well balanced:)
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I was sort of thinking about buying that book. But I know I wouldn’t stick to it. I got enough problems with the going gluten free.
slynnro’s last blog post..Ask Sassy Kay: Installment No. One.
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I’m with you! I love cheat nights – they are the best. And hey, there’s no limit of how many you can have a week, right? You always look healthy and beautiful – so keep up whatever it is you’re doing
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The Shred totally doesn’t sound like it’s worth it. But getting three backpacks in two different trips? Priceless.
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