And by challenge, I mean I am challenging myself (and any readers who would like to join me) to start, stick with, and finish the 30-Day Shred. (Because I need accountability partner(s) – stat!).
People often compare personal finance to physical fitness. Success in both areas require discipline and motivation, and is subject to the immutable law of arithmetic. To save, you must earn more than you spend. To lose weight, you must expand more calories through exercise than you eat. Unfortunately, though I manage my financial situation well enough, I always seem to find an excuse to forgo a run but give in to cake, delicious cake.
But really – no more excuses!
I first heard about 30-Day Shred a few months ago, then promptly put it out of my mind. It’s a program developed by Jillian Michaels, one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser (see here for a YouTube excerpt of the Shred). After Kelly of Centsible Life ‘s ringing endorsement of the Shred, I looked into the program. I googled some results for the Shred, and read about all the amazing results that women had with this program (see here, here, and here).
The consensus seems to be that the workouts are tough, you will be sore (and you will wish all sorts of ill-will on Jillian. And you will want to curl up in a ball and not move for a month), but if you stick with it, you will get results. Which is what we’re after, right?
Losing weight isn’t a big priority for me, but I’d like to focus on gaining muscle tone, a stronger core, and a trimmer figure. I have a petite frame, and though my metabolism has held up for the past 20 years despite my very deep and abiding love for butter and sweets, it won’t do that forever. Besides, I want to be healthier and fitter – oh, fine, and I won’t lie - it’d be a nice bonus to look sleeker in slinky tango dresses.
The program only takes 20 minutes a day, although from what I’ve read, that is apparently more than enough time to develop a hatred of Jillian and her perky exercise companions! Even though I’m not a big fan of exercise (while I’m a HUGE fan of food – great combination), I can stick with it for 30 days, right? It’s only 30 days.
Plus, the price is right – only $8.99 on Amazon.com (disclosure: that is an affiliate link. I get a few pennies if you decide to purchase from that link!). You can also see if Target or WalMart carry the DVD. Since I don’t have any free weights, I’ll also need to put some money for a few light weights – I’m going to go for the 5-pounders.
Who’s with me?
I am going to start next Monday, January 11 (Over the weekend, I am going to buy the DVDs, go get some weights, and get a tape measure so I can keep track of my progress). If you’d like to join the Well-Heeled Blog 30-Day Shred Challenge, drop a comment here and let me know. Only if you are comfortable with sharing the information – you can share your starting statistics.
I’ll make a list of participants and post it next Monday. Then we’ll do weekly progress reports and hopefully keep everyone motivated and accountable! I’m also trying to think of a good prize for one participant… but even if the prizes are lame (right now I have 3 mini Sephora lip glosses in mind?), we’ll still all win with fitter, healthier bodies, right? 
image source: amazon.com
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I bought it yesterday at Walmart for $9. I am going to do it along with the Biggest Loser Workout Yoga, with one day off a week.
awesome! I'm in! I actually just got the 30-Day Shred from Netflix, how funny! I have done it twice now…am planning on doing it every other day so my muscles have time to rebuild/rest and so I don't get bored. Let me know when I should send my beginning stats!
I would love to join! I "shredded" last year, and can attest that I really was able to see results. Unfortunately, life caught up with me and I let my personal fitness slide.
Happy shredding!
I bought it and I am in!
Okay, I think I am willing to give 30 days of my life to this. I ordered the DVD today and hopefully it will arrive by Monday.
I am in with you. Already have the Shred, just need to gt serious and do it. Yea for some accountability!!
I started 2 days ago….I bought the DVD right after I posted and thought "Why not try it out!".
I used to be in pretty good shape (before I had my daughter) and I can honestly say, I'm super sore….and I only did level 1. The 20 minutes go by quickly and she keeps you going!
I bought the DVD like 3 months ago and still haven’t even opened the package. This is as good a time as any.
I'm in! I did something similar last year when I was in much better starting shape, so we'll see how miserable this makes me : ) Way to go on getting motivated and taking a not-so-small step. My advice is don't be afraid to modify the exercises if they're too hard at first. You have to be ready to do it the next day, too, so the key is not to overwhelm yourself too badly.
I just picked up the DVD at Target for $10! Woot, I'm in like Flynn!
Ok count me in . Of course I already have the DVD.
Count me in. I'm a lurker who already has the dvd, though I've not yet used it. I previewed it today to be sure of what I'm in for. It looks do-able. I am quite sadly out of shape after having gained 30lbs over the past two years. I will start slowly as I don't want to be so sore I can't do the workout daily. I'm starting tomorrow.
I'm totally in!!!!
Yet another lurker. Well-Heeled, thanks for the motivation! I needed a small but challenging fitness goal, and this seems perfect. I've been doing the OnDemand version for free with soup cans since you mentioned this on Thursday, and its not easy! I've never felt so sore from such a short workout. Exciting! Now I've just gotta get the DVD for some variety (Comcast only has level 2) and some 3 lb weights. I'm in!
EEE YIKES. I'm a financial masochist, but definitely not a physical one. And Jillian, quite frankly, scares the Bejesus out of me. I'll pass on the 30-day Shred challenge, but like Revanche, I'll take up on a 30 day challenge, free-style. I suspect my progress won't be as dramatic as the Shredders, but it's nice to know there's others out there suffering like me.
Jillian is hard core. I’ve decided it’s called The Shred because she looks like she will rip you to shreds if you slack off during her workouts.
Found your challenge, through your comment on my blog. I've got my own challenge going of course, exercising everyday in January because my hubs doesn't think I can do it.
I'm using the Shred to do it, so I'll be doing it along with you. And since I'll have to keep exercising beyond January to lose the rest of the weight I need to lose, I'll still be doing the Shred when January is over. I'll try to pop by to check in. I'm going to try to find you on Twitter, make sure I'm following you.
Amber
A Classic Housewife in a Modern World
@amberoliver
Hi Amber – thanks for stopping by! My twitter is @wellheeledblog. Have you checked out Jillian’s other videos? I’ve heard good things but figured I need to finish the Shred before I tackle anything else.
WOW! Soo many people have joined in! I bought the dvd with your link… I guess I'll be joining in too, when it comes