97. Complete the 30 Day Shred (more info)
I’m now on day 5 and going strong. After the positive response on my original post on the 30 Day Shred, I thought it might be worth my time to post again and let everyone know how I’m doing. After this, I’ll post about my progress on day 10, day 20 and 30; in effect, after I complete each level. While I know that many people do the 30 Day Shred to lose weight, I am not. For toning muscles, however, this rocks. Only a few days into the Shred, and I am already noticing greater muscle definition through my legs, arms and core.
If you are considering starting the 30 Day Shred, here are my observations/suggestions:
- Watch the level before you start it. This will help you a) know what is coming and b) be able to focus on form before you begin
- Once you know what you’re supposed to do and how you’re supposed to do it, focus on doing it right (correct form) rather than doing as many reps as they do. I do this by not watching what they’re doing, and instead listen for cues to stop/do something else.
- If you are not that active, stretch! Jillian says you shouldn’t do static stretching to begin with, but if you are not active, you will start off tight all over. I don’t think the “dynamic” stretch in her warm-up does enough to warm up my legs, so I stretch before I begin.
- Wear shoes if you are exercising on hard floors.
- If you have weak arms like I do, start with lifting books instead of weights. This also works well if you do not have hand weights.
- Stay hydrated.
- You will get sore. Push through it. It DOES get easier.
97. Complete the 30 Day Shred (more info)
Goal number 97 was originally go to a Minnesota Thunder game, but as I discussed here, I was thinking about making some changes. My intention was to wait until March to officially change the goal, but when TaraSG convinced me to do Jillian Micheal’s 30 Day Shred ($4.78 on Amazon) with her, I decided it would be a good goal to substitute for going to a Thunder game. So that’s what I did.
Day 1 was today. I definitely felt the burn right away (either that, or I’m just weak ;). I can tell that I will be sore tomorrow, but I also think that if you’re looking for a workout that attends to your entire body rather than focus on one particular area, this may be one to check out. When I finished with the 20 minute workout, I felt it in my legs, arms, and core. My only caveat would be to do your own stretches before you begin the warm-up. I know that Jillian says the warm-up is all you need, but it’s just not true.
44. Read 75 books [36/75] (more info)
Cruel Intent by J.A. Jance ***
This was my first introduction to Ali Reynolds. I’m much more familiar with Jance’s Joanna Brady and J.P. Beaumont, both for whom I have a special fondness. I don’t know that I got to know her enough in this book, but I’m definitely intrigued enough to read more. This obviously wasn’t the first book in the Ali Reynolds series.
When Ali’s building contractor is suspected for murdering his wife, she finds it hard to believe. So she does a little investigating of her own, stumbling onto a dating site for “married singles” and into the lair of serial killer and a situation far larger and dangerous than she expected.
This was a good solid book by J.A. Jance. For me, I felt like the action/climax happened too soon, or too much attention was paid to details the reader already knew but the characters didn’t. I don’t think this detracted too much from the overall story though. My only wish is that I would have read the Ali Reynolds series in order. I feel like I would have enjoyed this book more, knowing some of the back story of her character.
25 Hour Books has moved to its own domain! To celebrate this move, Tara is giving away a Soulless prize pack. The more readers she gets on her new site, the more prizes she will give away!
10 readers = Soulless by Gail Carriger
20 readers = tea package
25 readers = $10 Amazon gift card
30 readers = a mug from P&P Printing
So get your browser over there, check it out and update your feed readers! (or add it if you haven’t been following 25 Hour Books already!)
46. Watch 75 movies [40/75] (more info)
License to Wed (2007) ***
Kyle and I watched this movie the other night after not finding anything else worthy to watch. While it wasn’t amazing, it wasn’t terrible either. I liked it, hence the 3 star rating. This was a story about Ben and Sadie, the seemingly perfect couple. They go through Reverend Frank’s “course” for couples planning on getting married. But Reverend Frank’s methods are very nontraditional. Throughout the course, we find that Ben and Sadie aren’t necessarily as perfect as they seem, all the while left with the feeling that Reverend Frank is doing more harm than good. The movie definitely follows the plot of any other romantic comedy. No surprises, but it was fun picking out people who play characters on the Office. I also think that there was a good moral to the story too, about how it really is important to know your partner before you get married. That is, one must learn and look beyond their partner’s flaws to find them perfect – the whole idea that there is perfection in imperfection.
44. Read 75 books [35/75] (more info)
Deadlock by Iris Johansen ***
This was, for the most part, a typical Iris Johansen (non-Eve Duncan) book. A good solid romance laced action/mystery. It is a relatively quick read, more apt to passing the time than anything else.
From Amazon.com:
Emily Hudson is a renowned archaeologist who travels the world to save priceless artifacts from theft or destruction. Her best friend and partner, Joel Levy, is always at her side—until one day, when her entire crew comes under attack. Joel and Emily are held hostage by a sadistic captor who is determined to find the missing link to a legendary treasure. For weeks they struggle to survive against terrifying odds, pushed to their limits—and beyond…
John Garrett has worked for the CIA, British intelligence, and whoever else was willing to pay for his services. This time, a Washington operative hands him what at first appears to be just another assignment: to track down, and save, Emily and Joel. But it quickly becomes much more, especially when Garrett finds himself drawn to someone as dauntless and bent on revenge as Emily. Soon, they’re catapulted into an astonishing adventure in which nothing—and no one—is what it seems. And lives hang in the balance as one man and one woman unravel the explosive truth behind a conspiracy hidden for generations.
44. Read 75 books [34/75] (more info)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson ****.5
This book was a definite intellectual thriller. While many books pull you in through your emotions, this book pulled me in with curiosity and intrigue. It is dense and slow-paced, but neither of these are detract from the overall story. It was full of surprising turns and total dysfunction. The ending surprised me – in a good way. I will definitely be reading the next book (The Girl who Played with Fire)… it may unfortunately just have to wait until the semester is over. Boo.
TaraSG from 25 Hour Books is here, and she’s got a giveaway for you.
If you like coffee mugs, the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, or… if you just like winning things, head on over to 25 Hour Books for this fabulous Don’t Panic Prize Pack. Seriously. What are you waiting for? All you have to do is comment to enter. (so easy even I can do it)
12. Take 101 pictures of things that make me happy [3/101] (more info)
All these pictures can now be found at my new photo blog: Flashes of Happiness (FoH) Check it out!
And a HUGE thank you to TaraSG for coming up with the blog title.
Tara and I have created a “how-to 101″ site with tips, worksheets, goal ideas and links. And if you’ve already started your list, submit yours and be one of our featured 101ers. :)
