The Shreddies

No this is not a shameless plug for a well known brand of cereal (other cereal brands are available).
This is where I get on the scales and dust off the tape measure to see how my 30 Day Shred programme is working out.

For anyone who hasn't heard of it, the programme was devised by Jillian Michaels of The Biggest Loser fame, where you workout for 20 minutes a day for 30 days to lose up to 20lbs (combined with a healthy diet *cough*).

I started my *dons a cheesy American accent* journey 7 days ago. I missed one day due to dancing like a loon to a local band (but seeing as it counts as exercise I'm bagging those calories burned) but otherwise I've stuck to it. And now there is a lovely support group on twitter comprising of:

@MelkshamMum
@LakesSingleMum
@Aresidence
@StressyMummy
@From_Fun_To_Mum
@Wordswithwine
@WritingForFun

I HAVE to stick with it or else feel the shame of my shreddie buddies!

So here are the results from my first week!

Note the absence of labels on the left hand scales. No this is not cheating. I just have no desire to tell the world the how heavy I am or how rotund! For my weight I have lost 1.5kg this week. When the line hits the bottom of that scale then I have hit my target and I have given myself to Christmas to do it. Yes, this is more than 30 days but I can still keep up the good work.

I have measured myself almost all over and so far I haven't found where those 1.5kg have come off. No change in my rotundness that I can fathom!

I bet you can't wait for my next instalment now. I know, 6 days to wait!

In the meantime GO SHREDDIES!

The Dos and Don'ts of the 30 Day Shred

Much like Stressy Mummy, I have joined the bandwagon, the one where you insert a DVD and then vomit, also known as 30 Day Shred.

This, after precisely one day of shredding, is what I have learned.

• DO NOT attempt to undertake any form of exercise with a child at home. They will either laugh at you, insist on being picked up, or scream demanding Thomas on the telly. Any of these situations is somewhat off putting.
• DO get prepared with hand weights before hitting the play button. Running into the kitchen and pulling cans onto your head looking for two equally sized tins of soup during the workout does not help to maintain momentum.
• DO NOT attempt to empty the dishwasher immediately after your workout and place crockery into top cupboards. Weak arm wobble and a stack of plates above your head to not make best bedfellows.
• DO ensure you are positioned an arms length away from hanging lampshades before attempting windmill arm exercises. Delicate, fragile light fittings may not withstand violent swatting by uncoordinated limbs.
• DO NOT wear your everyday bra if more than an A cup whilst skipping/butt kicking/star jumping. You do not need to provide further ammunition for the children laughing at you from the sofa, or two black eyes.
• DO leave at least one hour between eating and exercising. *boak*
• DO NOT do this at night with the lights on and the curtains open. You are not a floor show.
• DO use hand weights for the floor strength exercises, rather than a toddler. They are less likely to wriggle.
• DO NOT take a before and after photo after one day of exercise. You will not have developed a six pack in 20 minutes. #impatient
• DO stick with it and do it again tomorrow because it will make you feel better, fitter, and more deserving of a reward biscuit. What?

I have measured and weighed myself (no witnesses so you will have to take my word for it) and will chart my progress every 7 days.