30 Day Shred

I bought this workout a few weeks after Nathan was born, and it had just been sitting around the house. I started seeing it talked about more and more on the internet, and decided I should give it a try. It is a 20 minute workout with 3 levels. You are supposed to do it 30 days in a row no breaks. Each level for 10 days. If you decide to try it I would really encourage you to NOT take days off. I think that was key for me. This is a serious butt kicking workout, and it works!! When I started on day one I thought doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks was hard. By day 30 I was doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks with weights like it was nothing. I updated this post everyday while doing the workout so you can see how it worked for me.

I also added pictures. I didn't take a picture until day 10. It was really hard for me to share these pictures, because I feel like I still have so far to go. I do know that you can see a difference though, and that is what is important. So even if one person feels inspired by my photos then it would be worth my embarrassment.

I would highly recommend this workout to anyone who wants to get in shape, and see quick results. You will thank me in 30 days. Dare and I are starting over on level 1 tonight!!

Day 1- Wasn't as hard as I thought I made it through no problem.
Day 2- My arms are a little sore today. Workout went ok.
Day 3- Today my arms and legs are a little sore. It was hard today. Even the chest flys which I normally think are the easiest seemed difficult.
Day 4-It was easier than yesterday. I'm not sore anymore.
Day 5- Dare worked out with me again today. I wish I could say it's getting easier, but it isn't.
Day 6- This workout is hard. I'm not going to lie.
Day 7- I was able to push myself just a little.
Day 8- My legs were a bit sore from pushing myself yesterday. Dare and I agreed that circuit one is the hardest.
Day 9- Dare didn't workout with me today. I did it by myself. I told him I feel less jiggly now when I do all of the jumping exercises.
Day 10- I am scared tomorrow we start level 2!!
Day 11- I knew it was going to be hard when during the warm up Dare said "This is the f-n warm up?" There were places I had to stop for a second. My arms feel shaky now.
Day 12- The 3rd circuit is killer. My shoulders are on fire, and sore from yesterday.
Day 13- I have started to strangely look forward to doing this workout.
Day 14- I couldn't help but admire my newly acquired biceps today.
Day 15- I was on my own today, but I still managed to get it done. It might be getting just a tad easier. Oh, and I can't believe I'm half way!!
Day 16- I'm feeling like I have a lot more energy now. This is working.
Day 17- I feel so much stronger than when I first started, but this workout is still so tough.
Day 18- After overindulging for my b-day yesterday I can't even tell you how much I wanted to blow this off today. I didn't though. Day 18 done!!
Day 19-I'm so scared to start level 3 tomorrow.
Day 20- Ummm, that was so hard. There may have even been some cursing involved.
Day 21- I'm a bit sore from yesterday in random places. Like my forearms!!
Day 22- Dare and I agree circuit 3 is the hardest.
Day 23- I have yet to make it through level 3 without having to pause for a second in two places. Day 24- I missed today so disappointed.
Day 25-When does this level get easier?
Day 26-This level has more core work than the other two. Not fun, but necessary.
Day 27-Today I made it through the whole workout without pausing. Go me!!
Day 28- Hate doing the workout. Love how good I feel afterwards.
Day 29-I hate planks!!
Day 30-Almost done.
Day 31-I did it. I feel so badass!!

Day 10

Day 30

Day 10

Day 30

3 Months Old

Nathan turned 3 months old this weekend. No doctors appointment this month, but I can tell he has grown just in the last few weeks. He has started laughing, and thought a game of peek-a-boo with my sister this weekend was the funniest thing ever. He has also learned that he has a voice that can get very loud. His cute babbling has turned into screeching and yelling which isn't quite as cute. It seems he is also starting to take interest in some of his toys, and is liking his jumperoo. The favorite things seem to be those with lights and or music.

He is still trying hard to find a good way to suck his thumb. You can tell he really wants to do this, and maybe soon he will get it. So far he is only successful for a few seconds, and can't seem to figure out how to keep his thumb in his mouth.

It really is amazing how fast he is growing. Recently Dare pulled a newborn size onsie out of the drawer and asked me if Nathan had ever worn it because it looked so small. Yeah, he actually did wear it. Crazy huh?

$185.00

That is what it cost to fix the living room window. Yeah, funny story. Every day Shadow, Nathan, and I take a long walk in the afternoon. Saturday Dare decided he would come with us. Just as he shut the front door he looked at me and asked if I had keys. No, I never bring my keys on my walk. I don't worry about locking my door when I go for a 30 minute walk around the block. I also have enough to bring already with the dog, the leash, a poop bag, the baby, his pacifier, and my cell phone. I'm not paranoid enough to lock the door, but I am paranoid enough to bring my phone usually, but not today since I'm not alone. So as I realize we are locked out I do a quick mental run through of all of the windows and doors in the house and I know none of them are unlocked. In fact a few weeks ago in a moment of late night paranoia I checked all of the windows to make sure they were locked, and since it's no longer summer I knew none of them had been opened since. So what do we do? Decide to go on our walk anyway maybe the fresh air will help us figure out a way to get in the house. We decide our only option is to go to our neighbors house and ask to use their phone to call a locksmith. This is not a great option. We don't know our neighbors, and have never really talked to them except for a quick hello or wave. And although I've never called a locksmith for anything I'm pretty sure it's about $75 even more on a Saturday evening. So I decide maybe we should try to see how strong the locks on the windows are. Of course we'll have to be careful our windows are the original single pane, aluminum frame ones that were installed when our house was built in the 70's. Almost immediately after putting this plan into place Dare's hand goes right through the glass. Crap!! There is a hole in the glass I reach through and unlock the window, but because of the broken glass we can't get it open. I'm not about to pay for a new window AND a locksmith. We do manage to get the window open, and I climbed inside. I then proceeded to tape up the window with cardboard and fix up Dare's hand which was cut, but not badly. That's the story of how we spent our Saturday night.

Choosing a Favorite

I had my midwife appointment yesterday. It was pretty much the usual. B gave Dare a review of the appointment since he couldn't make it. He said "she asked a lot of questions, and we heard the baby's heart beat". He summed it up pretty good. I must mention that with the midwives I saw when I was pregnant with Brandon I had a clear favorite from very early on. I liked both of them, but I couldn't help wishing that the one I liked better would be on call when I went into labor. I got lucky and she was. I keep thinking I should have a favorite by now, but I don't. I alternate with each appointment who I see, and after each time with them I just like them both more. I guess it's good this way because no matter who is on call on D-day I won't be disappointed.

Weekend Rewind (Happy Birthday Edition)

Better late than never. Since it is Monday I hope I can remember all the way back to Friday. So Friday afternoon we went to Dare work BBQ everyone but Kailyn who didn't want to get up at 11:30 to go with us. The kids had fun playing at the park and with the waterguns someone had brought for awhile, but they eventually got bored and we came home.

Sunday was Kailyns 14th birthday. We let her choose which activity she wanted to do and she decided she wanted to go roller skating. Good choice, but I can't roller skate in my current condition. Kailyn said wow you they don't let you have any fun when you're pregnant do they? Um no. So we headed of to the local roller rink which still has all of it's original decor for an afternoon of fun. After that we headed off to get Kailyns gift a new digital camera. Our first stop didn't have a camera that meet her strict technical specifications. That is it couldn't be fat, and it had to come in a cool color not black or silver. On our second stop we scored. We then came home to have a bbq dinner and then we all enjoyed some delicious ice cream cake.