Circuit Training

Last week, I borrowed Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD from a friend.  "I can barely get through sixteen minutes," she gingerly warned me.  I found that hard to believe because she's far more in shape than I am.   However, I know that even at Level One, she's doing the harder moves.  I'm nowhere near that yet.

But!

I did complete Level One today using the modified versions of the workout.  Did I have to stop for a few seconds of rest?  Yes.  Did I make sure it was only a few seconds and not sitting out for a few minutes?  Absolutely.  How did I know?  I only allowed myself to stop for a max of two reps.  Otherwise, I know I would've lost momentum and just quit.

According to my Polar heart rate monitor, I burned as many calories in twenty minutes as I do in thirty minutes on the elliptical.  300 calories gone.  That means that the majority of my shakes today are like I never even ate them.  That's a huge help!

In class last night, we were talking a little bit about our plans for physical activity during the holidays and I told everyone "Look, I need to get my workout in as soon as I wake up or I just won't get it done.  I'll drag myself through the day and then make a million excuses.  I just get it done in the morning and tell myself 'Self, once this is done you're done for the day!' and it helps me get through."  I've never been one of those people that likes working out.  I don't get that endorphin high everyone talks about.  I don't even feel energized after a workout.  I feel absolutely exhausted and like life just gave me a swift kick in the ass.  It's not fun for me.

People always combat this with things like:  "You need to find something you enjoy" or "You need to switch it up so you don't get bored".  It's never been about that for me.  I can eat the same thing for months on end and not get bored.  I could do the same workout for months and not get bored.  I've tried so many things:  circuit training, swimming, jogging, ellipticals, Zumba, spin class, aerobic dance.  It's not about combating boredom or finding something I 'like'.  It's that I just don't like working out.  There's no enjoyment there.  It's something I do because I must.  

With that said, I am pretty stoked that after only the second time I've done the workout, I was able to complete the modified version.  My next goal will be to work up to completing Level One with the regular moves.

But now, I'm off to have breakfast.  Multigrain cereal with cranberries, apples and cinnamon.  Mmmm!

 
That, my friends, is HMR's actual multigrain cereal.  Delicious!