The mind is a powerful thing.
Last Wednesday, I started the first day of the 30-day* shred. I’ve attempted the 30-day shred before but quit after about a week due to boredom and lack of time. Wednesday, I was sitting on the couch, doing nothing in particular. I kept thinking, “I’ll start tomorrow or this weekend.” Then I thought, “Why? It takes less than thirty minutes. DO IT NOW.” So, I did. I somehow managed to force myself off of the couch so that I could curse Jillian Michaels for thirty minutes.
While doing the 30-day shred, especially the strength circuit, I am constantly thinking, “I can’t do this anymore. It hurts, I’m sweaty, and I am just going to quit for the day.” Wednesday, though, every time I thought that, I decided to push those thoughts far from my mind. I can do this. Once I told myself that, I was able to push through, and after the first workout, I felt so amazing and full of energy.
Not only did my body feel great after being able to push through, but my mind felt so free. I was optimistic; I was happy. Being able to conquer my inner couch potato was better than conquering Jillian Michaels.
During your next workout, when your mind is telling you “it hurts,” try to push a little bit. (Not too much; we don’t want to truly hurt ourselves! We know our limits.) Try to conquer your inner couch potato, and let me know how it goes.
*I will not being doing the 30-day shred in thirty days. Wednesday was my first day, and my second day was Saturday (I went for a hike on Friday). I’m trying to break it up to keep myself from getting bored.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
30 day shred is hard, but it gets easier. After about a week I found that the 30 minutes passed by really fast. And it works
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I think I’m going to try the Shred after p90x… and I’m terrified.
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whenever I run, it’s SO mental. It’s so cool to push through and be like “I DID IT!!”. 30 day shred is rough, i do it when i can’t get to the gym but i’ve only done level 1. I bet if I did it consistently…I would actually move up
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Update: I wrote this post at the beginning of this week, and I’ve done the 30-day shred for five days total thus far. I can definitely tell a difference in my endurance, and it’s getting easier to do. I’m sort of afraid of Level 2, though!
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I did the same thing when I wanted to give up on Jillian, and I felt the same way afterwards. That is such a sweet reward!
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I’m a total Shredhead. ha. Once you start getting used to it, which it seems like you are-it goes by SO fast. And you’ll actually LIKE level 3. xoxo
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Am I the only one who never gets that feeling? I hear it everywhere; the idea that if you do it for ten minutes, you’ll likely keep going. I’ve NEVER felt great after a workout. It makes motivation SO HARD and I don’t know what to do! Help?
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Hope Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
@Heather, I think sometimes you just need to stick with it. I don’t always love working out if I’ve been in slack mode. Once I build back up my fitness level, I start to enjoy it again. Of course, if you just plain old hate it, I guess it would be about finding ways to make it an enjoyable experience. Like listening to cheesy music or watching guilty pleasure TV while you do it.
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Megan Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
@Heather, Before working out, I try to put myself in the mentality of “this is something I WANT to do.” I also like to picture what the end result is: a healthier me. Make sure you don’t get too burned out on something either. Sometimes it takes time before you can find the workout that is right for you. Try different things (running, yoga, workout dvds, biking, etc…) until you find out what fits you best.
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I always have the same problem with the shred! I get so so so bored with doing it, plus it’s like…if I’m already in my living room, I wanna be watching grey’s anatomy, not hating jillian!
I’m better at working out once I’m outside the house, like running. I think I’m going to do the shred on days I don’t run though, maybe I won’t get so bored.
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Megan Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
@Michelle, That’s pretty much what I’m doing. I do it when it’s too hot/rainy outside or when I feel the urge to. Otherwise, I plan on biking/hiking/running on nice days.
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