Why it's Taking Me 3 Months to do a 30 Day Workout Routine

If you read this blog, you know I've been attempting the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.

I'm going to be honest here, I am just not having a good time.
I've been taking breaks where I do yoga or other cardio workouts, and let me tell you why.

Jillian, girl, I'm sorry I'm failing you.
Photo from www.jillianmichaels.com

I Get Bored

I realize that these videos are only 25 minutes long, but I like to switch up my routine from day to day to keep it fresh, which explains why I like doing yoga or other types of workouts. Doing the same routine over and over is a recipe for me to go into the kitchen and eat cookies halfway through. 

I Get Annoyed

Another thing I hate about watching the same video over and over is hearing the same "encouragements" over and over. Trust me, after two or three times, hearing "I would do just about anything" (talking about getting nice abs) or "When it starts getting uncomfortable, those are the ones that count the most". OKAY JILLIAN I GET IT. You want me to be uncomfortable and miserable, alright, alright.

Even just typing these two points and reading them over makes me annoyed, and also realize what a low-attention spanned, impatient sloth I can be. But hey, at least I can admit it.

My Knees Hurt

I could see how this point would make me sound like an arthritic old woman, but it's true! When I first read comments about the video, one said "This work out is very tough on the knees, I can't do it!" and I was thinking, "Wow what a loser, I'm going to tear this work out apart." And now I see that Unicornlove83832010884 or whatever was most definitely correct. 

This work out is mostly squats and lunges, and while they are perfect for toning, it is very difficult to do day after day. Especially when you're a limping, pathetic mess.

(Before anyone says, "Did you do them right?" YES I DID. Reread my point above and remember I've heard Jillian say, "Don't let your knees go past your ankles" about 14 times.)

I have to say, if a person sticks to this work out every single God forsaken day, results are guaranteed. But if you're like me, a routine like this is very difficult to stay motivated with. I'm going to continue to do it when I can, because I've seen an increase in my endurance, so I know it works, but for the most part I think less high impact stuff is better for my weak knees and attention span.

I'm Already Tired of You Soccer-Hipsters

As I begin writing this, we are 38 minutes into the first World Cup Game.
...
And I already have a bone to pick with some people.

There have already been way way way too many tweets on my timeline saying variations of "Nobody cares about soccer until the World Cup comes along", mostly from apparent teenage professional soccer enthusiasts.

Before I continue, let me quickly explain my relationship with the World Cup. I love watching the games, especially those of Greece and Italy (because that's where my grandparents are from). A big reason why it's so fun to watch the games and get involved is because of all the hype, let's be real. There's a sense of widespread solidarity and passion that isn't as noticeable any other time.

That's it. I like watching because it is fun and exciting. Really. That's all. I am not all that savvy to the specifics of the game, I just enjoy that is it ENTERTAINING, something to fill the hours of my life, ya know?

Now, these people who tweet about all these bandwagon jumpers make me laugh.

I'm sorry, are you calling yourself a soccer-hipster right now? You liked soccer before it was cool? You knew about the game before it was mainstream?
Shall I give you a pair of thick rimmed glasses and suspenders or something?

Put down your phone, get off Twitter, and enjoy the game if you are so invested 24/7.

I'm allowed to type this while the game is going on because I am only watching it (say it with me) FOR FUN.

(Fun.)

Christina out.

*drops mic*

22 Jump Street: Movie Review

I was fortunate enough to get passes for an advanced screening of 22 Jump Street, and I have got to say that it is HILARIOUS.
I can't say that my sense of humour is particularly refined, because most of these jokes are not really all that intelligent, but the entire theatre, as well as myself, erupted in laughter constantly throughout the movie.

For those of you who live under a rock, the movie stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, as two policemen who go undercover to find the dealer of a new drug going around a college. This marks the difference between this and the last movie, as the duo go to college instead of high school, which means interactions with fraternities and college girls.

While most of the jokes are pretty obvious and don't take a rocket scientist to understand, there are quite a few clever references to the first movie, as well as some others, that any fan of 21 Jump Street will pick up on and appreciate.

One thing I liked about the movie was the fast pace. There was always something going on and a one-liner to be told, which kept the entire audience engaged from start to finish. Throw in some unexpected twists and turns, and it leads to a really entertaining movie. I totally recommend this movie to anyone looking for a casual Friday night...just don't go with your mother or kid, because there are some (expected) instances of rather strong language and lewd references (I sound like the back of a DVD case...).

All in all, I thought this movie was awesome...plus 2 hours of Channing Tatum's face is nothing to complain about, so definitely consider it this June 13th when it comes out!

The Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred is Kicking My Butt

Okay, so now that I've been doing 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels for a little over a week, I feel qualified enough to give my opinion.

Before I start, let me just explain how this whole she-bang works. So the Shred is divided into 3 levels. You are supposed to do the Level 1 DVD for 10 days, then the Level 2 for 10, then finally the Level 3 for the final ten days. Today (or yesterday since it's 2 in the morning) I finished day 8 of Level 1.

I'm actually really liking it!

Shocking, I know.

The Set-Up

The work out is divided into 3 circuits consisting of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs. This is the perfect formula to keep my lazy self moving, because no matter what part of the workout you are on, if you're dying (and I most definitely thought I was a time or two) you know you only have a minute or two left before you move on to something else.
But let me tell you, when you are on the ground doing bicycle crunches, that minute goes by AWFULLY SLOW.

Oh, Jillian, you make it look so easy. (IT'S NOT.)
Photo from www.rivercitysammon.com.

The Modifications

There are two girls doing the work out along with Jillian. One does the work out as it was intended to be done (and by that I mean with excruciating commitment to doing each move as if your life depended on it, Energizer Bunny- like), and the other shows modified versions of most of the moves for us lowly beginners. 

I am not embarrassed to say that for most of the moves I've done the modified version. And to be completely honest, there has been many a time I've been out of breath and red-faced thinking (and sometimes saying aloud, when I'm especially dumbfounded) "If this is the damn modified version, who the hell can survive the regular version?" 

Both girls have these smiles on their faces like they are having a casual stroll in the park, lightly glistening, while I'm looking like a beached whale that has just washed ashore. 

That leads me to my next point...

Endurance

Jillian says during one of the moves along the lines of "If you're on day 5, 6, 7, you're probably seeing major changes in your endurance" and this is absolutely true.

While the work out is short (only about 25 minutes in length), it's intensive, meaning that it works your entire body, and there is very little rest. For a newbie like me, that's a recipe for wanting to throw the towel in. But I've noticed that I'm way less winded while doing things like jumping jacks and other cardio moves, and that's enough for me to want to continue.  (Insert fist-pumping happy dance here.)

Sore as Hell

During the first four days of doing this work out, I can honestly say I've never been so sore. EVERY part of my body was sore. Muscles I didn't know I had were sore (like the part of your back right under your shoulder blades...I mean, what the hell is that?) But I didn't mind at all because it proved to me that this whole thing was working. 

For the most part, all the soreness is gone, which obviously means I'm turning into a tough as nails, body of steel workout queen right?  Yeah maybe not...

Eating Right

I'll be honest, I wish I was the type of person that could say that working out makes them eat better as well. I, Christina, am not this person.

I'm much more the "Okay so I worked out today for half an hour, it's totally cool if I eat this entire row of Oreos, right? It all balances out!" Which I know is noooot okay, but, call me Miley, because I can't be tamed. (Awful joke, sorry.)

I'm definitely going to try to eat a little better the rest of this month so that my hard work actually ends up paying off...and so the rest of my family can try a cookie or two, I guess...

So, two more days of Level 1, then I'm moving onwards and upwards to Level 2, which I'm looking forward to but also fearing.

As I progress I'll be letting you guys know how it's going!