Day 6

Today I had a really good workout.  My mouth was REALLY sore in the morning so I got up, had breakfast, took my painkillers and drank two full glasses of water before exercising. I had no nausea after working out today and I increased my weights for dumbbell rows, chest flies, and bicep curls.  The added resistance seemed to increase the challenge of the workout which I think I needed.  I'm over half done Level 1 and I'm excited to change things up and move on to Level 2.  I was getting a little bored of Level 1 but today my dad worked out with me and it was a lot less boring to work out with someone else.  It's my sister's baby shower today so I'd better get showered up and start decorating and icing cupcakes!

To health and happiness!
Jordana

Day 5

Note to self: do NOT workout after taking Tylenol 3s and not eating the entire previous day, you WILL be nauseas!! Apart from the dizziness and nausea I'm experiencing now, the workout went really well!  I didn't take any breaks and the exercises seem to be getting easier, I think I'm going to increase the weight of my dumbbells, especially during the dumbbell flies and the bicep curls.

Now I'm off to rest and recover (and try to ween myself off those damn T3s!!!)

To health, rest, and recuperation!
Jordana

Day 4

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get my workout in today.  I wasn't allowed to eat or drink fluids from midnight last night until my wisdom teeth appointment this morning and I'm not allowed to eat any solids for the next two days so I decided that doing a workout before being put under anaesthesia probably wasn't the smartest idea.  The surgery went well (can't remember a thing!) but my mouth is pretty sore. I think I'll be living off of Booster Juice for the next couple of days.  (Mango Hurricane is my new favourite!) Luckily the rest of my body, especially my legs, have stopped aching and I have began to walk like a normal human being again and sit down without wincing.  Hopefully I'm feeling more rested tomorrow and can start eating solid foods again and begin working out by Sunday.

Me post surgery.

To health and healing!

Jordana

Day 3

Day 3 is complete and I must say, Level 1 is getting easier everyday.  I had to work in the warehouse at work last night moving stock around and my legs were soooo sore!  The Level 1 workout definitely seems to focus on legs (which is OK by me!)  

Today I faced one of my biggest obstacles when it comes to working out, the dreaded, "Early Morning Workout".  I am notorious for going to bed with good intentions but as soon as that alarm goes off,  sleep edges out the workout and I spend the extra 45 minutes in bed.  But, I have a goal this time and I think that is what is keeping me on track.  I actually woke up before my alarm and got right into the workout.  I like to workout on an empty stomach so first thing in the morning works best for me, it also helps wake me up!

My usual morning wake up: Grande Skinny Caramel Macchiato
Not quite as healthy as an early morning workout!

Tomorrow I get my wisdom teeth removed and then head home to my parents place for the holidays.  I plan to get my Day 4 workout in before my appointment and hopefully my teeth don't hurt TOO much so that I can still workout while I'm home.  My favourite thing about this workout program is that you can take it anywhere.  All you need is a mat, runners, and some light weights.  I keep the videos on my computer so that I don't have to remember to pack a separate DVD everywhere I go.  

Day 2

Day 2 of the 30 day shred is complete and I was actually encouraged by today's workout.  My legs were pretty sore from yesterday but I found that my body is already getting used to working out again.  I didn't take as many breaks today and found I could keep up with most of the reps.  I'm a little worried that I might get bored doing the same routine for 10 days so I'm thinking about incorporating some yoga/ pilates into the workout as well.

Apart from the fitness, eating better is going to be my biggest challenge.  The hardest thing for me is snacking, especially in the evening.  I'm so used to coming home after school and work, grabbing a bag of popcorn and sitting in front of the TV for a couple of hours. It's going to be a hard habit to break.  Last night I got home from work at 11:00pm and had the worst craving for pizza and cheesy bread, I resisted and settled for a grilled ham and cheese sandwich on rye.  Not the healthiest choice but at least I didn't polish off a medium pepperoni pizza and and order of garlic cheesy bread to myself!  Small victory, but I'll take it!

Me after a long day of clinical...

To health!
Jordana

Day 1

Today was Day 1 of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred and I had my ass handed to me...  I was so discouraged because I knew that three years ago the exercises I was doing wouldn't have even made me break I sweat and here I was flopping around my basement gasping for air like a fish out of water.
On the bright side, I finished the workout and I didn't throw up.  Thats a victory in my books!

I'm off to shower and then figure out what "healthy" breakfast I can make with the very few ingredients I have laying around my cupboards.  I normally have a full fridge but I'm going home for the holidays so I'm afraid my options are limited...those year old Eggo waffles look awfully tempting.  I think I'd better swing by Booster Juice for a smoothie instead!

To health and happiness!
Jordana

In the beginning...

Hello, my name is Jordana and I am a 20 year old Nursing student from a small town in Manitoba.  I am currently in my third year of nursing at the University of Manitoba and have been living in Winnipeg, MB for the last three years.  I am the youngest of four girls and recently became an Aunt for the first time!

I'm starting this blog to try and keep myself on track with my first real attempt at living a healthier, happier lifestyle.  This blog is just a place I can track my progress and store workout/ meal plans and I have no intention of having anyone else even read this!

In the past few years I have become increasingly unhappy with my body and lifestyle and have FINALLY decided to do something about it.  To ease myself into working out again I have decided to follow the queen of fitness motivation, Jillian Michaels, and complete her Ripped in 30 and 30 Day Shred.  I also plan on acquiring a juicer and integrating juicing into my daily routine.

Here's to health and happiness!
Jordana