Papayat Ako! (I shall lose weight!)

30 Day Shred - Day 02: Taking it 30 seconds at a time

2009-09-14T22:56:00.000+08:00

I found out the perfect way to pace in order to complete my exercise: count and don't look at Jillian. Looking at how they they pace themselves makes me lose the motivation to complete a move. I tire out trying to keep up before the time I'm supposed to finish. So I changed tactics and decided to just simply listen to what we're supposed to do next (since I've already memorized it), maybe look to see the form, then just start counting to see if I reach 30 seconds. I realized that most of the time each move doesn't really reach the count of 30. Counting lets me know that I'm near my goal, which motivates me to push forward.

That said, I almost completed them! I just need to get through the aches of the push ups and crunches.

30 Day Shred - Day 01: Kept dropping the ball

2009-09-13T22:05:00.002+08:00

So yes, I re-started once again since I can't remember when I last exercised. In any case, I'm trying to catch up on lost time. I tried Jillian's "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" this afternoon. I don't remember how long I lasted before I gave up. But it was enough to leave me panting for breath. Then I did the Shred in the evening.

I wouldn't mind trying the "Banish Fat..." video again tomorrow afternoon. Then the Shred in the evening. Maybe do the "Walk Away The Pounds" in the morning for as long as I wake up early. Hopefully this would get my body FINALLY losing pounds.

30 Day Shred (reboot) - Day 03: Not quite THE Shred

2009-09-04T20:22:00.002+08:00

I pulled a muscle near my left knee and had to take it easy. But not too easy. I decided to do some light exercise instead. I used the 2-mile exercise from the "Walk Away The Pounds" DVD. I guess I can count today as day 03. I'm learning that it doesn't matter if it's the Shred or not. As long as you exercise.

I also learned a bit about Base Metabolic Rates (BMR) and the Harris Benedict Equation. I learned that I have a BMR of 1,352.1. Using the Harris Benedict Equation, I also learned that if I led a sedentary life of no exercise and just sitting on my butt, I would have to eat about 1,622.52 calories worth of food if I want to maintain my current weight. If I want to lose weight, I'll have to maintain about 1,122.52 calorie intake. But here's the thing, it's unhealthy to go below 1,200 calories a day. So being sedentary just won't do.

So I'll really need to exercise. Even light exercise would do. Having light exercise, the numbers change. I'll need 1,859.1375 calories now to maintain my weight. If I want to lose weight, I should eat at most 1,359.1375 calories. I'm good with that. :)

30 Day Shred (reboot) - Day 02: I've been here before

2009-09-02T22:00:00.004+08:00

Gosh! It feels like I'm back to square one! I can't seem to finish any of the moves! But I was able to get through it. I'm out of breath. My muscles are tight. But nothing is aching... yet.

30 Day Shred - Day 01: Reboot

2009-09-01T20:20:00.002+08:00

Yes. I decided to reboot. I was out for a week. I was on a 4-day trip with my best friend as well. We went to Zoobic and took to the TreeTop Adventure in Subic as well. Normally, those trips would be tiring since there was a lot of walking, hiking, trekking. But wonder of wonders! I wasn't winded. I didn't need my asthma medicine. It was hot and humid though and I needed a lot of water. Aside from that, I really didn't tire easily and was pretty much full of energy the whole time.

I had a choice of continuing the Shred under level 2. But I decided that I really want to start all over again. There's no shame in that. There is a bit of shame that I wasn't able to complete the 20-minute workout again. Perhaps it's because I decided not to do the modified moves and opted for the full moves instead? The push-ups were my downfall. My energy quickly sapped away as I attempted to do complete the full moves. But I'm not going to move to the modified moves anymore for level 1. I'm just going to keep at it until I complete the full moves.

Aside from that, I had earlier taken the 8-minute tae bo work out of Billy Blanks. I barely finished that too. But at least I still got some sort of exercise done.

30 Day Shred - Day 16: Bad choice or good mistake?

2009-08-24T21:44:00.004+08:00

Feeling that I need to give a bit more effort in my workout, I decided to switch it up and mix in the more advanced moves into the routine. From being unable to finish 3 minutes of the workout, I ended up resting through almost half of it. Yes, it was hard! But I really do feel that if I don't put in the effort and just stay on the beginner's mode, I won't be able to get the results I want. My body is aching in some places now. Specially the legs.

I'm thinking if it was a wrong move though. Let's see after a few more days. Target: complete workout tomorrow. How to do it: I have to get the body used to some of the moves. I'll use workrave so that I can get up from my laptop every now and then and use the short breaks to practice a move for a minute. That way, I'll be able to get myself ready for Jillian's workout in the evening.

30 Day Shred - Day 15: Back on track

2009-08-23T21:17:00.002+08:00

I'm seeing a pattern here. If I stop a day after the first time I do a level, I find that my body is ready to finish my exercise. I was able to almost finish Level 2. Just 3 minutes off this time. But that's a lot for a 20-minute workout.

My best friend notes that maybe I should keep track of my food intake. I'm thinking of loading up on fiber supplements whenever I feel hungry in between meals.

30 Day Shred - Day 14: Whoops!

2009-08-23T16:17:00.003+08:00

I was so tired at the end of the day that I fell asleep and wasn't able to exercise. I'll try to make up for it in the coming day.

30 Day Shred - Day 13: Unlucky?

2009-08-23T14:33:00.002+08:00

Still having a hard time completing the Level 2 exercises. But I did it still. The front of my thighs are aching still.

30 Day Shred - Day 11/12: Level up!

2009-08-20T22:24:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, I decided to go on to Level 2 instead of the original plan of staying on Level 1 for another week. I feel like I was back to Day 1 where I could hardly finish some of the moves. The front of my thighs are aching. My knees are shaking. But if I was able to finally complete Level 1, I'm sure I can do the same for level 2 sooner or later.

Earlier I had posted on Facebook that I was so happy to see that my clothes aren't so tight on me anymore. An acquaintance (now former acquaintance) thought that he was funny when he said "Why? Did the cloth stretch and widen?". Ignoring the remark, I mentioned that I was doing the 30 Day Shred and that I was only on day 11 when I saw these results. His answer: "congrats on your new body. enjoy it while it lasts ..the next sundae. hehe."

I really found it insulting. I felt that I was being mocked at. That such results won't really last once I'm faced with food. To him, it's a joke. But to me it's a very insensitive remark. He's out of my facebook friend list now.

I'm so glad I have some friends, real ones, who instead support what I'm trying to do. People who send me positive vibes saying I can do this. Thank goodness for people like them!

My measurements

2009-08-19T00:17:00.000+08:00

August 9, 2009

Waist: 31 inches
Hips: 36 inches
Thighs: 24 inches

August 19, 2009

Waist: 30 inches
Hips: 35.5 inches
Thighs: 23.5 inches

30 Day Shred - Day 10: Careful with the stretches!

2009-08-18T23:20:00.003+08:00

I was thinking earlier of not doing the exercise. In the end, I thought better and did it anyway. Nothing to lose but the pounds and inches. I think I stretched too much and sprained my shoulder blades.

The good news is I've almost completed stuff with now breaks again. Almost. The jumping jacks followed by the jump rope is a doozy though!

30 Day Shred - Day 8/9: New Stuff

2009-08-18T13:05:00.003+08:00

I haven't been updating for the past couple of days.

On the eighth day I found myself with a new pair of dumbbells (2 pounds!), a new bathing suit and a new pair of short shorts. I tried exercising in the evening but found myself unable to do so. I had leg cramps that prevented me from doing the jumping jacks. Fortunately, I was able to do the shred in the morning. I spent the evening applying the butterfly massager to my calves. They felt so much better the next day.

On the ninth day I was able to finally use my new pair of dumbbells. I also decided to wear my rubber shoes during my workout. The jump rope and jumping jack moves were now easier on my calves. But my thighs were beginning to hurt now. I guess I finally am able to do the moves correctly, somewhat.

I've decided not to move on to level 2 after day ten. Perhaps when I'm finally able to complete the level 1 moves without pausing after 5 more days.

30 Day Shred - Day 7: The good and The bad

2009-08-15T23:30:00.003+08:00

I was supposed to do a double today. Instead of the 30 Day Shred, my first exercise was the 1-mile exercise from "Walk Away The Pounds". I found that it's a good nice low impact workout when you're itching to exercise but have just finished eating lunch.

I was mid-way through circuit 1 of the 30 Day Shred when my sister had to call me about printing troubles with her new printer. I got so irritated for having to stop my exercise because of something that could have waited for the next day (It was 11pm). I couldn't bring myself to get back on the routine after that. I was so MAD at the situation. Perhaps I should put a sign on my door next time when I'm in the middle of something. "DO NOT DISTURB. EXERCISE IN PROGRESS." Something like that.

I guess that means I'll have to pull double duty again tomorrow. ARGH! I hate this!

30 Day Shred - Day 6: Lackluster performance

2009-08-14T23:07:00.004+08:00

Today I failed. I mean, utterly! I couldn't finish the moves all of a sudden. For some reason, that always happens to me whenever I'm able to previously complete the moves. I failed to muster enough strength to carry me through the ordeal.

I intend to double the moves tomorrow. Preferably one in the morning and one at night. Maybe I just need to tell my body to wake up as early as possible and simply move the whole day. :)

30 Day Shred - Day 5: Got it 100%!

2009-08-14T11:00:00.002+08:00

I finally completed the level 1 exercises in its entirety! Granted that I had to pause the video once to soothe my calf muscles, I backed up a bit to restart the first jump rope exercise and eventually completed the whole thing! I'm still doing the modified version of the push ups though. But I hope I can practice the unmodified push ups just until I can finally do it through long periods.

Go me! :D

30 Day Shred - Day 4: Getting there!

2009-08-13T11:32:00.002+08:00

I couldn't help myself. I needed to see how my vital statistics are doing, even when it's just 4 days later. I'm pretty much surprised at the results! The tape measure showed an inch less around the waist, hips, and thighs! I haven't done any weighing yet though. Nevertheless, I'll be logging in my official once-a-week stats on Saturday.

I still haven't been able to go through level one without stopping. But the results have made me even more determined to keep trying until I finally do it!

30 Day Shred - Day 3: Still can't complete

2009-08-11T22:41:00.003+08:00

I still can't complete several of the exercises: all the crunches, the jump rope move, the sideways lunge with the weights. The aches are all close to cramping and pain. But I still sweat like crazy. And it still leaves me quite weak.

I drank a lot of water today. Must be the heat. Or because I'm close to dehydration. Don't know really. I tried using the exercise ball to practice my crunches. It leaves me with this debilitating ache on my sides and at my back.

I'm beginning to think that I'm getting unusual pain because of bad form. Until I could correct my form, I don't think I'll be able to move on to Level 2 after ten days. Not when I still can't complete the Level 1 routines.

30 Day Shred - Day 2: 95% Completed

2009-08-10T21:17:00.002+08:00

Barely finished my second day. I'm still having trouble with the jump rope move because my calves keep freezing up. I need to drink more liquids. Water to be exact. I'm going to cut off most of my sugar intake by just taking water instead of the iced tea and softdrinks.

I raised my weights from 1 lb to about 3.3 lbs (1.5 kilos). I just felt that the 1 lb weights were too easy for me. Now the heavier weights make me feel the burn in my arms. I also added an exercise for my triceps, since the 30 day shred didn't seem to have any exercises for it. Following the video's lead, I did 30 seconds of tricep extensions per arm. The lower part of my arms don't feel that jiggly anymore.

I really have to do something about my calves to keep them from freezing up.

30 Day Shred - Day 1: LET'S DO THIS!

2009-08-09T22:05:00.000+08:00

I really need to lose weight. I am forever at 130 pounds. I've tried everything but I have still to break that barrier. Well, almost everything.

A couple of days ago I came upon Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred video. I decided to give it a go. It promised the user a loss of up to 20 pounds in 30 days. I read reviews and some saw a loss of 5 pounds in the first seven days alone. The video gives you three levels to do within the thirty day stint. I suppose one needs to do each level for about ten days. I think I'll level up when I feel that the current one is getting easy for me.

So I did day one of the shred last Friday. I felt so sore after that I couldn't exercise the next day. So I had to redo day one today. I still felt like I was going to die. My calves are still freezing up, but with a few massages, I think I can loosen it up. I think I can do this. Oh heck, I need to do this. I have to do this! Jillian, I hope you can help me break my plateau and get me shredded, as you promised.

Restart: week 1

2009-06-21T22:38:00.001+08:00

I had to restart my exercise to week 1 since I found myself not being able to keep up with the tracks on week 2. Perhaps I went forward to fast. I'll just keep on doing week 1 until I feel that it's no longer a challenge for me. I shouldn't force myself to get on week 2 if I'm not really ready.

Second week of Couch to 5K

2009-06-12T00:27:00.000+08:00

I revived this blog just to keep track of what I've been up to on the exercise front. There's lots of reasons for me to want to lose weight which I won't divulge here.

I haven't taken a look at the bathroom scales yet. Will take a look at it tomorrow.

I'm already on my second week of the "couch to 5k" plan using DJ Steve Boyett's Podrunner:Intervals mixes.