Jillian, you salty siren…

So this is kind of off topic, but it does make my bones ache so I thought I would write about it. I have started Jill’s 30 Day Shred. For those who haven’t heard of it, Jillian Michaels is a trainer on the Biggest Loser and her workout DVD is popular on the bridal and spring break circuit. I am convinced that she is trying to kill me in 5 minute intervals.

I started it this week with my “break” days being yoga class. Her workout consists of at 3-2-1 plan, 3 minutes Strength, 2 minutes Cardio and 1 minute abs. You repeat this for 20 minutes and do a cool down, easy peasy right? I can do anything for 20 minutes. WRONG!! I can barely walk or sit down, my thighs are screaming in pain and it hurts to raise my arms. The worst part is the actual work out. After about 8 minutes I am huffing and puffing and after 12 I am yelling out loud like a body builder. I have had to banish Jason from the house during these workouts because he can’t stop giggling at my poor performance. The good news is, it is working! I am feeling stronger in just 1 week and a smidgen trimmer too. I plan on following this through at least until the wedding and maybe if I am motivated until the honeymoon in late April.

Does anyone else have experience with this workout plan? Or thoughts on dropping a few pound in a few weeks without drastic diet changes?

MARCH: AGING

I would like to begin this month, by giving my parents a big ol' "THANK YOU" for passing on to me their amazing genes.  I descend from a long line of active Long-Lifers.  None of them acted their age nor looked it.  At 35, I think I look pretty damn good.  BUT... I am starting to notice the signs of aging that have thankfully been delayed because of my good genes.  I touched on these issues during our DETOX month.  I am just starting to feel and look... older.  I am a little more tired in the morning than I used to be, my muscles ache if I am been sitting for too long, the circles under my eyes are more pronounced and my skin is starting to lose it's youthful glow! 

I know that the key to feeling young physically is exercise.  So beginning today I am moving it up on my list of priorities.  Luckily I have a wedding and honeymoon to motivate me if "feeling young" isn't working.  Yesterday, I also started drinking Aloe Vera gel again.  I drank it consistently during my detox month and I noticed a significant improvement in the suppleness of my skin.  I don't know why I stopped drinking it but I have noticed the effect it has had on my skin so it is back into my morning ritual.  Also, Wednesday, I have an appointment with Westlake Dermatology for a free consult.  I recently met someone who I would have sworn was in her early 30's.  I later found out she was 45 so I asked her the secret and she owed it all to Westlake Dermatology.  I am not certain that I am going to get anything done (ie peels or microderm) but I am really interested to hear what they suggest.  The one skin issue I have that I have tried multiple products to get rid of are my sun spots.  They have definetly faded due to the use of Retinol but I still notice them so I want to find out some other options to eliminate the evil spots.  I have been a product junkie since I was in my mid-20s.  Due to this and my good genes, I feel like my skin is in much better shape than it should be, and I am thankful for this.  But you can't hold off the aging process forever, so it is now the time to find the right balance of life changes and products to at least slow the process down.