"...still panting through Level 2..."

Day 23. I failed to do the DVD yesterday. I did my 5K training in the morning, but after that the day got away from me. Between running errands, cleaning the house for guests, and keeping a little grumpasauraus rex entertained, it just didn't happen.

And no, I did not sit on the computer for hours and not accomplish anything. I didn't even touch the thing until late in the afternoon and missed a response to an ad I posted on craigslist and therefore missed a sale. Pretty frustrating.

I'm getting back onto it today and will probably do something extra to try to make up for yesterday. I'm pretty mad at myself for not getting to it yesterday, but it is what it is and life will go on.

I thought that by Day 21 I would have moved on to Level 3, but I'm still panting through Level 2 at this point. It's hard! I can't quite keep up yet so I'm not moving on yet.

The great thing is that all this exercising is paying off. I'm down 11 pounds and have lost three inches in my waist. My tummy is flatter, still not great, but better than it's been in a very, very long time. At this point, I'd say I'm about to where I was when I got pregnant. Now it's just a matter of pushing to get to where I was when I met PB. That's the ultimate goal.

"I hate planking."

Day Thirteen. Lucky Thirteen. I am officially on Level Two of my 30 Day Shred and I feel like I'm starting from the beginning. This level has brought with it its own set of challenges.

Good God, does Level Two have a lot of moves that involve The Plank. Ugh. I hate planking. It makes my shoulders burn. But I guess that's the point, isn't it?

The first day was absolute hell. The second day was still pretty hellish. Today was still rough. I wouldn't say easier, just less hard.

I'm not seeing a huge drop in weight like I did during my first week, but I am most definitely noticing how my clothes fit. My energy level has improved greatly. Even my skin has gotten better. And I might be a little bit crazy, but I think my hair is a little shinier and healthier.

I'm still not taking anything; don't really have a lot of desire to. I am, however going to talk to the doctor about weaning at Branflake's next appointment (did I mention I have a nine-month-old now? WOW!). We only nurse regularly in the mornings now, only occasionally in the afternoon or evening. He has no interest. I try, believe me; I still get engorged and have to pump, which is good for my freezer stash at any rate.

I've done two days of 5K training so far. Twenty-five minutes of walking for four minutes, jogging for one. I'm breaking it up into every other day, as the program suggested. The exercise isn't so bad, it's the getting up at 5:30 in the morning that kills me. It's the only time I can go for a run without the stroller because PB hasn't left for work yet and we are still doing our after-dinner neighborhood walks together. It's just a habit I'm going to have to make, I guess.

"This is so unlike me."

I think I was hit by those mythical endorphins yesterday. I had energy; lots and lots of energy. 

I got up with PB in the morning. He had a minor outpatient surgery scheduled so we packed up Branflake and some toys. At the doctor's office PB went back to get poked and prodded while Branflake and I hung out by the toys and books the office kept out for kids. 

Branflake wanted to crawl all over the lobby and explore so I had to keep wrangling him back into the toy corner. The only time he didn't want to leave was when a group of three older children (probably between ages six and eight) attacked the toys while their parents checked out. Branflake seemed determined to show them he was a big boy too, standing the whole time with only one hand on the toy box for support. He just stared and smiled the whole time. The big kids didn't pay any attention.

After the surgery, we stopped at this little Mennonite-owned deli for sandwiches before heading home.

After lunch, I packed a wreath and laundry sign I made along with a birdhouse PB made to ship off to the in-laws. I'd been meaning to ship it off for the last month, but you try carting an 18X18X18" box into the post office with an infant. I left PB with the baby and went to the post office. Glad to check that one off the list.

Back home I fed Branflake, put him down for a nap, cleaned the kitchen up, emptied the grease trap on the grill, and cleaned the cat litter box (then dumped the grease from the grill into the cat litter; great way to dispose of grease), and even had a bit of afternoon delight with PB. Then I did day eight of my 30 Day Shred.

After all of that, I still had energy. Knowing PB won't be able to go on a walk with me for the next few days I opted to stay home and do some additional strength exercises. In the sun room, dodging the baby and his toys, I continued to exercise (okay, who is this person, and what happened to Dee?).

At some point I was surfing around on SparkPeople and found their 5K My Way training program, googled 5K races in the area, found one in Branson scheduled in mid-September and decided that I would do it. So now I'm training for a 5K, I guess.

Then I cooked dinner, made a couple of purees for Branflake. We all ate together, then PB wandered off to watch television while I bathed Branflake and put him to bed. Then I cleaned the kitchen (again, it's amazing how quickly I can make a mess in there!). By then PB was whining that I needed to come to bed so I finally settled down for the night.

This is so unlike me. I'm pretty amazed, just sitting here typing it all out. I swear, I'm not on anything. I can't take anything because I'm still breastfeeding.

The good news is, as of completing day eight of the Shred I am down nine pounds. NINE pounds. I look better, I feel better, my clothes fit better. I'm so excited. I have to keep this up!

The program is getting easier every day. At first I could barely keep up, stopping for breath or a sip of water between or even in the middle of every move. Now my stamina has built up and I can do the whole set and rarely pause for breath. Tomorrow will be my last day on Level One and I will move on to Level Two on Thursday; by day 21 I'm hoping to feel ready enough to move on to Level Three. I wonder how much I will have lost by the end of this Shred?