Days 17 through 12 - No rest for the weary.

Happy Monday!

No change in my hectic schedule. No exercise since last report. But I have been eating well - nothing fried or too sugary...getting fruits and veggies in. Also, I found the 6 Week 6 Pack dvd that I was looking for, so I'm pretty psyched about that. When I start up again, it'll be good to do something new so I won't be bored. Here's the product description: 

Get ripped, flat abs in 6 weeks with America’s toughest trainer, Jillian Michaels. Forget boring sit-ups – Jillian’s ab-shredding system will chisel the midsection with her winning combination of core-focused cardio circuits and ab-toning exercises. 6 Week Six-Pack includes two dynamic 30-minute workouts plus warm-ups and cooldowns. Start with Level 1 for three weeks, then advance to Level 2 for increased intensity and fat burn. Stick with it and see dramatic results!

Sounds right up my alley! A good core-focused cardio workout is hard to find. Which is why I liked Cardio Core Express - it got my heart pumping and focused on my problem area all at once. But I was getting a bit bored of it (had also used it before I started this new, 100-day push), and I think my body was starting to get used to it too. So I hope Jillian doesn't disappoint with 6 Week 6 Pack. I'll check in again once I've actually tried it.

Day 37 - Core Basics

Toning your "core" is every bit essential to your health as it is to fitting into your jeans.

Your core (or the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex) is made up of 29 muscles, which include your abdominal, oblique, upper and lower back, hip flexor, gluteal and pelvic floor muscle groups. It also includes the diaphragm, hamstrings and muscles that support your spine.

This core group is literally your body's center of gravity - where you draw your strength, stability and stamina. By strengthening your core muscles you will:

1. improve your posture
2. improve your balance
3. help prevent lower back pain
4. help avoid back injury
5. help improve your range of movement
6. improve your overall physical ability and performance
7. reduce incontinence and improve bowel movements

Those are fantastic benefits, which become more and more important as we move up in age. Regular exercise can stretch and improve flexibility in the core. Check the YouTube videos below for some great core exercises. Make sure you warm up and stretch before-hand, and cool down and stretch afterwards. Enjoy!

Beginner:

Core Workout for the Absolute Beginner

with Yuri Elkaim

Intermediate & Advanced:

Home Ab Workout - Exercises for Six Pack Abs

with Jim & Joanna

Days 39 & 38 - Working it with Slim in 6

I am happy to report that I've gone down a pant size. And, to date, I've lost 10lbs.

I incorporated Level 3 of 30 Day Shred into my weekend workout, but have been doing Cardio Core Express from Slim in 6 every other day during the week. I really like this workout from Debbie Siebers. There's enough cardio for me to work up a sweat and feel like I'm burning fat. This workout also incorporates a lot of standing ab work, so I also feel like I'm focusing on my problem area.

Debbie suggests using 3lb hand weights, but says you can also do the workout without them. I've done both - with and without - depending on how I'm feeling on a given day. It's a 30 minute workout so it's also easy to fit into the day.

I've also been doing her Slim & 6-Pack, which is intense. It's 15 minutes of mat work, utilizing some traditional moves as well as some more advanced moves. The time goes by quickly enough, but you definitely get a good core workout in by doing it.

I was hoping to do some more running now that spring has arrived, but it's been so nasty outside that I've been sticking to my trusty dvd's. How about you all? What's been your workout of choice to keep you fit, healthy and strong?

Day 86 - You betta SWEAT! *snaps* ;)

Level 2 makes me SWEAT - and I am not usually a big sweater, no matter how hard I work out. I don't know why, that's just how my body is wired. I'll get hot, bothered and perspire a bit, but not too much. But with this workout - even when I'm doing the strength work - my body starts working up a sweat. I'm telling you, it's a serious workout!

There are a lot of plank-based exercises including "plank jacks" - as if regular jumping jacks weren't enough to torture me! I gotta say though, doing the jumping jacks has gotten pretty easy. And this morning I was able to push through the plank jacks (and also the plank thrusts and plank twists) without having to do modifications the entire time.

I am definitely feeling it in my pecs and upper back. I find that the squats (which I hate) are no longer as difficult for me to manage. I feel pretty strong doing the ab work as well. I'm still working with 2lb weights though. I think I have 3lb-ers (what is recommended for the routines) at my mother's house, so I'll have to check when I go over there this weekend.

My biggest problem area is my stomach (or should I say gut??). I don't mind my thick thighs and booty so much, but mi cyaan tek di stomach pooch ting. It's gotta go!! I've been doing some research on how to eat to lose belly fat, because, if after all this my tummy still doesn't shrink then I'm getting lipo. Well, ok...not really - I don't like needles - so that means this will have to work! ;p

There are lots of good tips out there to be referenced, including some very practical and easy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. What it all boils down to is exercise and healthy eating habits, which is what I'm focused on now. As I go along I'll incorporate more and more fat-burning superfoods into my diet.

Days 90 & 89 - About to Get More Serious

Got in great workouts both days. Added some extra ab work in yesterday. Today was my tenth day at Level 1. The days really flew by - I thought I had two more days until I calculated a minute ago! My body is definitely ready to move to the next level, so I'm excited to start Level 2 tomorrow morning.

Been eating relatively well. I made fricassee chicken yesterday; E made red herring this morning and curry chicken this evening. Drinking lots of water. I thought I had two more days before I had to put the crack down on my meal plan, but, lo and behold, time to shift into higher gear tomorrow. Researching my meal plan now.