A Chicken with Its Head Cut Off

My daily challenge for Monday, May 16, was to pick a theme song for the day. While I didn’t get the challenge or pick the song until about 3 p.m. this afternoon, and I only picked the song because it was in my car’s CD player and it is Track One, I’m pretty sure it fits in more ways than I even imagined. From The Magnetic Fields album 69 Love Songs, “A Chicken with its Head Cut Off” is the first song I ever heard from this band and the guy’s seriously deep voice and strangely appropriate analogies hooked me from the very first 10 seconds.

As it applies to today, or rather Monday (as it is 1 a.m. the 17th at this exact time), never occurred to me until I realized what today signified for me: day one of three weeks student free, day one of 30 Day Shred Level 3, day one of no particular agenda…

It’s the latter that most appropriately correlates with today’s theme. I don’t know what to do with myself when I have nothing to do.

End of Level 2, co-ops, rainy days, champagne cocktails…

A grouchy German is a sour kraut. A sour kraut with a grapefruit & champagne cocktail is my Sunday companion. Seriously, how can I not love my life when I get to hang out with this guy every day? So maybe a Level 2 celebration with Three Monkeys brunch and champagne cocktails isn’t quite on Jillian Michael’s list, but I’m more worried about having a good time with the time I have than having the perfect body. I just do Jillian to afford the opportunity to enjoy these cocktails and not really worry about the extra calories. Besides, this was fresh grapefruit from the Holly Hills co-op that Bill and I juiced using our new Breville juicer, so they are healthy cocktails…and this juicer is AMAZING.

The rain kept me away from the Tower Grove free yoga this weekend, but I still spent quite a bit of time outside: removed the walking path and ground cover from the garden to make way for tilling…when the ground dries again; met up with Leslie & Steve after their 5K at Benton Park; then found Andrew at the Tour de Grove and supported the US Handcycling part of the event. These athletes braved some pretty nasty (I suppose it could be worse) weather, rain, wind, and a chilling 52 degrees. How was it 95 degrees three days ago? I was wrapped up in a scarf like it was the middle of winter, but had no socks on (wasn’t the most prepared).

This is why we don’t turn the air on until July.

E.T.

Half way: Days 11-15

High of 95 today. Although I don’t think we reached it, its been quite muggy the last couple days. It’s spring in the Lou: snow storms, floods, tornadoes, and high humidity. Well, I suppose that’s any time in St. Louis; we did have a tornado to ring in the New Year. High humidity in the spring means anything I do inside is uncomfortable because Bill says the A.C. will not be turned on until July. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but when Jillian Michaels is in the mix, this makes for rough mornings.

While I welcomed the change of the new level, I wasn’t prepared for day one. I recommend watching the exercises before attempting. The up and downs in this level WILL make you dizzy. I know I said that before, but I really mean it. It has gotten better since the first day of the level; it helps knowing what’s coming next.

Also in level one, I had time between sets to take a swig of water; so far in level two, I can’t catch my breath to swallow the water, so I’ve stopped trying. Now I just wait for the sweat dripping off my brow.

Going into day 12, my body was sore, my butt hurt; I could barely walk stairs, but I powered through and finished off with free yoga in the park. Thought that would be relaxing…

Blog Slacker, Not SHRED Slacker…

Just popping in here to let you know that I have not ended my challenge. I have currently completed 3 days of Level 2, which means I have 13 of 30 days under my belt. I have just had a VERY FULL and fulfilling weekend, which included ending-of-semester grading (60 essays), attendance reports, yoga, farmer’s market, house-buying celebration, mom’s day brunch and dinner. I will give a more detailed account as I find time.

For now:

1. Level 2 is HARD; makes me nervous for level 3
2. My abs finally feel like they are getting worked during the workout AND the next day.
3. If you have even a mild form of vertigo, beware: the up & down will make even the most balanced dizzy.
4. The muscle soreness is a welcomed sign that I’m getting stronger.
5. The 30 minutes is easy to fit in; you really have no excuse (although you WILL need to shower after).

Until next time,

E.T.

Level 1: Complete

When I don’t have to actually GO to work until 4 in the afternoon, I really hate hearing my alarm go off at 7 a.m. But in this cozy house of mine, it is essential for me to get up that early to take over the living room with jumping jacks & Jillian so I’m finished before the A’s even put their feet on the hardwood floor or consider flipping the TV to the Today show. I respect the conflicting schedules that are happening, and I sacrifice the comfort of my bed to wake up with Jillian every morning. This morning, however, I got to lay around a while because I heard the dripping of the coffee, meaning someone was up before me. Aaahh, the serenity of bed for just a little while longer…Ashley had an early day. And I had to finish level one: 7:30 start.

Shred: Days 5-7

Wow, it was a wild weekend! I did managed to get in my daily dose of Jillian. Although it wasn’t exactly welcomed, it was by no means hard.

I suppose I should take measurements so that I can see a before and after. I must admit that while I’m incorporating Jillian in my life for 30 days, I’m not doing much else different in the form of diet and exercise. So fitting in her 30 minute workout (2 warm-up, 18 actual intense workout minutes, 2 cool down) is not a hard task. I guess my idea is to see what just adding this workout regime into my normal daily life will do. After 7 days I can safely say a few things:

Shred: Day 4

I never said I was challenging myself to blog everyday…I did the shred on Friday (yesterday now), I just forgot to talk about it (and now that I am, I found I have quite a bit to say):

First, I’m guessing that “lose up to 20 lbs. in 30 days” probably doesn’t include deciding to hit the town at midnight. Jillian & hangover doesn’t really mix well, but I managed.

I’m also guessing that she probably wouldn’t recommend Pi pizza, but I did that too. YUM!

The sun and a day off inspired a walk around The Loop so I got a little extra exercise and a few new dresses!