Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 10

How is it that I can go from feeling like my arms were weak as Twizzlers to seventeen military push ups in the first set and eight more in the second? That's zero to 25 in four days. Soon dropping and giving someone twenty will be an actual possibility.

Tomorrow I move on to level two. Last night I previewed the workout--probably a good idea. I've never seen half the moves before, and they don't exactly look like a cake walk. But if my push up progress is any indicator, I'll be good to go in a few days. My triceps, on the other hand, will not be good to go.

This morning I stood in front of the full-length in my sports bra and yoga pants, thinking that although I've got miles to go, I could see contour in my shoulder and bicep. In a rare moment of postive body image, the Vitruvian man flitted across my brain. But a split second later, my eyes were on my floppy triceps--what does it matter if my biceps and shoulders are inching toward da Vinci if my triceps are wagging away? From what I can tell level two has no tricep work. Let's see how it feels.

I do know that it will feel like a big relief to have the trainer move on to new things to say. Quipping that "the neck is not invited to the party" was clever the first time I heard Jillian explain proper form for the ab exercises--not so clever the tenth time.

And finally, it's been brought to my attention that I launched into this whole odyseey without proper introduction. The 30-Day Shred is basically a circuit training DVD that combines strength training, cardio, and ab work into an intensely efficient workout. You want more details? Click here and start shredding!

Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 8

Here's the conundrum: I believe that the DVD is working wonders at the same time I believe that it's holding me back. I was a bit heavier again on the scale (never mind mitigating factors described in gory feminine detail yesterday) and yet today I went from four toe push ups on my first set to nine--9!--and from three on my second set to four!

How is it that I can believe two conflicting thoughts at the same time? I'm sure some Greek has something to say about that. Wasn't Pyrrho the guy who said we can know nothing for sure so we can only earn peace by questioning everything? Then again, didn't Cicero say to consider everything and chose the beliefs that make the most sense to you? You philosophers are all so damn philosophical. Embracing the questions is good and all, but physiological questions need definitive answers, dammit!

And so I reach deep into the shallow well of training bromides for this bon mot: trust the process. I'm eating right, doing this circuit DVD, and walking the pooch every day. I'm not gonna freak out about scale bobbles again until November 1. This I swear.

And you don't think I can see you making the universal face for I'll-believe-that-when-I-see-it but I can. So stop it. Now, please. With sugar on top. And I got plenty of sugar to throw at you because I'm eating none of it these days. But South Beach is a topic for another day.

* Yeah, I know. I've warned about my penchant for puns in other posts, so deal.

Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 7

Now hear this! These old chicken wings of mine are SO not up to military pushups! Today I followed the advanced moves that Natalie-the-cheater demonstrates, but I only got through four pushups on my toes before I dropped to my knees (just three on the second set). Deep lunges were fine, and by fine I mean burning and wobbly legs that actually completed the task. My goal is to get through at least one set of pushups on my toes before I move up to level II in four days. Not bad for one week, huh?

Oh. And the mystery of the .2 pounds? A certain blogger may have started her period today, and--for the boys who may or may not be reading this--periods mean bloat. And with that little chestnut, I think I've solidified my place among the bloggers who go beyond sharing things that nobody cares to hear to dive deep into the realm of things people take an active interest in NOT hearing about. But that's an if-a-tree-falls-in-a-forest-with-no-one-but-a-very-devoted-cousin-to-hear-it-does-it-really-make-a-sound-at-all question. And if you ARE reading, drop a line! Make your presence known! I'll even lob a question for you to answer: what's your favorite exercise DVD?

Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 6

So yeah. Still feeling strong and all that but here's the thing: the scale this morning tells me I've gained .2 pounds since I started the shred. I know, I know.

1. Point-two pounds is nothing, and
2. It's probably muscle.

Believe me, I know. I also know, for example, that I'm not supposed to weigh myself more than once a week. And here I was. Weighing myself. And feeling--just a bit--crestfallen, which is kind of exhibit A in the case against weighing myself at all.

Other things I know? I've been tracking my diet and I've been eating healthy foods in healthy portions. So I also know that this is not a real gain. There's a victory in talking myself down from that. Hell, I take it as a victory that I still did the video this morning given my disappointment AND the fact that I had a house guest sleeping in the next room.

The truth is this--my body does feel stronger. And I feel like I can already see places were the shredding is happening. I guess what I'm wondering is this: where is the DVD that trains the brain? Throw in a few cognitive crunches in between the lunges and the jumping jacks maybe? A shredded body is one thing--an important thing, yes. But what I'm looking for is a shredded head. A body that lifts is strong, sure it is. But pair that healthy body with a mind that's shed the emotional baggage of the weight? Now that's what I call strength.

Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 5

Five days in and I'm noticeably stronger. I did the pushups without feeling like I was going to die. Yay for feeling alive and able. Though I wonder:

Can dogs shred?

Because I want Bo to get strong with me. Yesterday his vet said he was showing signs of stiffness in his hind legs and gave him a supplement to help with that. As if on cue, yesterday afternoon Bo did the old man rock to get up from his bed for his afternoon pee break. He rocked once and looked up at me. Rocked twice and did a weak whimper. Rocked a third time, whimpered again, and lifted up. Then he limped to the door where he...went apeshit and jumped in his excitement. Mayhaps the soreness can be linked to exuberance??

In any case, I will start stretching his old man legs. If only to mitigate the guilty feeling I have for getting strong while he's just getting old. Happy, but old.

Bo-Bo Knows Shred Day 3

I'm pretty sure I did both sets of shoulder press lunges with my right leg today. If I don't start keeping track of my starting leg, my thighs run the risk of doing their impersonation of the incredible-demi-hulkette, which might might not be a bad Halloween costume actually:

• normal woman from the left;
• monster who makes young kids cry from the right.

At least I know I'm working my arms fairly evenly--during my post-workout shower, neither of them had enough pep to shampoo and condition my hair without shaking. I can't decide what's more amazing--how tough a workout a set of 3-pound dumbells can give me or that I'm weak enough that lifting a measly 6 pounds over my head repeatedly can turn me into jelly.

In other matters, I do wish Bo would stop watching me workout with such disdain--head down, eyebrows dancing. I tried explaining that I'm not taking any guff from a dog who doesn't have the back-length strength to climb into the car without an assist. He just raised that doggy eyebrow, harumphed, and went fetal. Sleepers never win, Bo. Sleepers never win.