Ugh.  Phew. ZZzzzzz. That Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is one tough, exhausting DVD. But, you know what?  It works.  Just in ten days – the number of days I devoted to level one, figuring that three levels divided by four weeks would be ten days a level – me so smart! – I can feel my endurance has improved tremendously. The first two days that I did the exercises, I was huffing and puffing, stopping here and there for a breather. Last night, I breezed right through it. That’s how I – gulp! – know I’m ready for level two.

Let’s see, what do I like about this DVD? It kept me on my toes.  The three circuits seem to flip by fairly quickly, and as soon as I think I’m about to die, it’s time to change to another set. The formula seems to work – three minutes of strength, two minutes of cardio, and one minute abs.  Three circuits and you are done. Use your choice of hand weights – I used 5s and 8s.
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Also known as, I have a love/hate relationship with Jillian.

I first met Jillian Michaels on a whim at Blogher 07 in Chicago.  A girlfriend told me that the conference was offering the ability to have lunch with her, and she thought I’d really enjoy it.  I think at the time I had watched one, maybe two, episodes of The Biggest Loser. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but my newly completed weight loss meant that I had an interest – some might say fascination – with all things weight and exercise related.  I gamely grabbed a lunch, being sure to make healthy choices, and went to the reserved table.  Where I was promptly blown away.  Thus began my first girl crush.
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