What exactly does 'No Sugar' Mean???

 I'll explain this picture in just a second...

Ok...So, a few girlfriends of mine are going to do this challenge with me which makes me really, really excited cuz no one should do such a tough challenge alone. heehee. (at least, i think its tough)

But we keep asking, what exactly does 'no sugar' mean?

Just white sugar? honey too? fruit?

Well, I came to this conclusion...

I think refined white sugar is something that our body just doesn't need.
But fruit is something our body NEEDS.

One of my girlfriends might go all out and do the 'Candida diet' which details: no sugar, no fruit, no wheat, no starchy veggies, etc. But, how in the world can i say no to those lovely potatoes or those cute little corn nuggets...

Ok. So about the Shamrock shake picture... right now, as im writing these words.... Im taking a sip of my hubby's Shamrock shake! lol... uhoh, this is going to be a very interesting month.

Im Incorporating!!!

I'm so excited because I see myself incorporating my last challenge into my life!


They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, and being that my challenges are 30 days, I'd say I'm all set! :)

So, just 2 days after my last challenge, I wanted to keep working out! And i STILL workout everyday. Yippee!

So, Im totally stoked about my next challenge: No Sugar. Because I definitely need less sugar/my drug .... in my life. Im serious. I think Sugar is a drug .

Im very excited to see how my body reacts.

Till then my friends...

My Next Challenge.... "No Sugar"!!! Ahhhhh....

So, I was talking to a friend of mine, Amanda, wondering what would be my next challenge and I mentioned Ixnaying sugar. But I told her I would be too scared of losing my personality. Haha.

Im serious.

I've had sugar ALL my life. And I'm a really 'sweet' person. What if I suddenly become a mean, mean lady?? I have NEVER and i do mean NEVER been without sugar. So this is a very, very scary challenge for me.

Amanda told me, "Jazz, I promise you. You will not lose your personality."...

So here i am. Im going to do it. Im going to seize this challenge full throttle. Because I've always wanted to do it, but never had the guts to do it.

Because i know it'll be good for my health and I can report what it feels like to not have any refined sugar in your diet. So that I can encourage others to try 'no sugar' for 30 days as well. Cuz , seriously, if i can do it...then i KNOW most definitely, almost anyone can do it.

So the challenge starts March 1, 2010, next monday.

Ill also be tracking my weight and energy levels to see if it'll make a difference.

Im so excited and yet, so nervous.

Day 30 of the 30 day shred!!!

Before....and After!

arms: 11 (lost 1 inch)
bust: 37 (lost 2 in.)
waist:28 (lost 3 in.)
hips: 38 (lost 2 in.)
weight: 150 (lost 8 lbs from day 1)

Im totally more shredded! I feel leaner, stronger, and thrilled that i got through it!
My clothes feel a bit looser and it has 'sparked' my motivation to workout everyday.

Though Im proud of my results, i think i wouldve gotten better results if i didnt skip any days and if i didnt eat as much sugar as i normally do. heehee. What can i say... I LOVE sugar. Which is why 'No Sugar for 30 days' will be my next challenge... (Ill talk more about it on my next post)

But, back to Jillian's 30 day shred...

I HIGHLY recommend this challenge cuz its so doable. Its only 20 minutes a day.
And there are different levels so u dont get bored. Also, you can work at your
own intensity level. Its quite possibly one of the best training workouts out
there! Way to go, Jillian! :)

Thanks for everyone's support! What wonderful friends i have found in Sparkpeople!

Would i do this challenge again?? Heck yeah!

But for now, Im going to incorporate it into my workout schedule like...2 or 3 times
a week.

What a feeling this is... to ACTUALLY finish a challenge!

Carpe Diem!! :)

Until next time, my friends. 

Day 29 of 30 day shred...

1 day left.

1 day left.

just 1 day!

(sorry...i just cant get over it.)

I can't stress enough what a breakthrough this is in my life.

Im sweating right now as i write this and i almost want
to cry. I rarely finish anything...so, i KNOW this is the start
of something big! woohoo.

Tomorrow i shall show the before and after pics.

Be on the look out. I 'think' there's a bit of a difference...

u be the judge. heehee.

Ps... (about the posts dates)

All of the previous posts have been transferred from My SparkPeople
account in case any of you were wondering about the date of each
posts.

And in case you're wondering what Sparkpeople is... well, its an amazing FREE website that tracks all of your fitness goals. Currently, i think its the most popular fitness website!

Check it out. Its so cool! Ive met some really neat and supportive friends there!

www.sparkpeople.com

To your fitness success!

Jazzy.

Day 28 of 30 day shred...

What??!! Just 2 days left... I just cant even believe it...

I have the music memorized enough to hum the tune
throughout the day! I feel stronger as i do the reps!
Enough to occasionally pick up the 5 lb. weights instead
of the 3 lb. weights.

My husband says my ribcage looks smaller! woohoo.
I guess cuz i see my body every single day... its hard
for me to tell a difference...

Though this has been a great challenge and it has
been a breakthrough in my life, im glad to finally have a break.
Im gonna do other things like jogging and dancing for
2 weeks before i see Jillian again. (maybe do 'troublezone' next)

No offense Jillian, but you're hard core! phew.
I need a 2 week vacation from you. heehee.

Anyhoo, dear friends, i really couldnt have done it
without all of your support.

Just 2 more days!!

See u tomorrow.

Day 27 of 30 day shred...

I said NO to Jillian earlier today. I said NO to my husband when he
told me to work out!

I just didnt want to workout today. I kept making excuses and kept
watching episodes of Friday Night Lights.

I dont know why but i've been discouraged cuz i thought i
would get insane results by this day. 20 pounds in 30 days or
something... but i havent.

Yes, I've lost inches practically everywhere and yes i've lost
a 8 pounds or so... but MAN, its really tough to get to your goal
weight.

Arg.

But, now im realizing ...i had unrealistic expectations. and 27 days
later, Im a leaner, thinner Jazz than from day 1. And for THAT, i should
be very proud of myself.

So, after saying NO to myself today .... i realized...i need to stop making excuses
and say "No, i dont want to do it...but yes, im going to do it anyways."

I cant believe ive had this struggle today of all days. Just 3 days
away from the end. Weird, eh?

Anyhoo, thank God for my hubby that pushes me continually.

Cuz here i am, feeling very very accomplished for working out today!

Did level 3 and it felt good.

Yay, me!!

DAy 26 of 30 day shred...

Dang! Just 4 more days!!! I can't believe this day has come.
I didn't think i'd make it this far.... woohoo.

Im beat. Sweating right now from my level 3 workout!
Its crazy tough... at one point...i was down on all fours doing
a plank position and instead of fully focusing on the reps, i
started poking and petting my kitty cat that was near me! :)

I need to learn to focus more! arg. haha.

Anyhoo...regardless, i feel pooped right now.

I was going to measure myself today...

but like i said...im sooo pooped.

See u tomorrow, my dear friends!

Mua!!!

Day 25ish of 30 day shred

I have a confession to make...


So, i did shred the other day...but didnt blog about it...then life got in the way with Valentines and all... So.. my confession is:

I missed a few days through this challenge. Arg. But, im still proud about not giving up. Cuz the old me would just beat herself up about missing a day and then just give up all together. And what progress would that lead?... none.

But, the new me is more forgiving!! I just picked myself up and said, "Keep Going Jazz!".

So here I am, the day after Valentines... I went walking with my hubby for 4 miles...then i did Jillian shred. It kicked me butt (as usual)...but i felt more energetic for some reason.

On valentines day, though i didnt do shred, my honey and i went for a hike and it was amazing!! I gotta say, this shred challenge has really opened my eyes to doing more active stuff on a daily basis!! I didnt expect my life choices to change as well...but i guess this is a life changing experience, eh? :)

Ill measure myself tomorrow and let u know how that goes...

Day 23 of 30 day shred...

I saw this picture online and thought it was sooo appropriate!

Cuz I did level 2 today instead of level 3. I started to feel a bit like
i was cheating...but then i thought, " hey, Jazz, u should be proud of
yourself cuz you're still doing it AND you also did 1 hour of cardio as
well!"

I really am pursuing excellence. Im pursuing my ABSOLUTE best!
And though i did level 2 instead of level 3. I think what's important
is 'taking action'.

I took action...and i think that's the beginning of excellence.

Whew, so glad i found this picture to encourage me! :)

Day 22 of 30 day shred...

Just 8 more days to go... Can we say 'Group hug'???

I did cardio and the shred...and i am soaked with sweat! I had a lot of energy today so i feel real good.

I did level 3 which was insanely hard...but i got through it. Im already feeling a bit sore from it.


I rarely finish things i start, so me finishing this is truly a milestone and hopefully the beginning of a new empowering streak in my life!

I wish I can hug u all when day 30 comes around! heehee.

Day 21 of 30 day shred...

Hi friends, thats me hiking with a friend!! (I usually do some type of cardio or hiking in addition to the shred)

Sooooo....


Just 9 more 'shred' days to go!!

I did level 2 again. I forgot i was going to do level 3 today... whoops!

But, I've got a great workout plan in store for tomorrow. Level 3 , here i come!
(I usually do some type of cardio or hiking in addition to the shred)

Its day 21 and Jillian is STILL kicking my butt. How is that possible?

I can't wait to share with u guys my before and after pics. Though my
body evenly distributes my weight (whether lost or gained), it can get hard to see the changes. But, i think i see a difference in my body from when i first started this challenge.

Here are my stats:

weight: 150
arms: 11.5
bust: 38
waist: 28
hips: 38


See you tomorrow! :)

Day 20 of 30 day shred...

Day 20!

I never thought i'd make it this far.

Today, i had to do level 2 cuz yesterday...level 3 was crazy tough...so, i
needed a bit of a break.

Ill do level 3 tomorrow. Let u know how that goes. Yikes.

Yesterday at work...someone told me I looked smaller. Woohoo.
I feel smaller.

Ill measure myself tomorrow and let u know whats up.

Thanks dear friends for helping me get through this.

Just 10 more days to go. I actually look forward to working out now.
I think it's officially become a habit. (21 days to create a habit, right?)

Anyhoo... Im starting to think me being a size 4 is going to ACTUALLY BE
a reality! Yaaaaaayyyy! (Well, not by day 30...but with my new lifestyle of
working out nearly daily?.....Heck yes.....eventually!)

Till tomorrow...

Day 19 of 30 Day Shred...

Almost done! I can't believe it.

Grant it, i had to take 1 or 2 days off here and there because of 'life' .
But, none the less, I said I would do the full 30 days.

I never thought i'd make it this far. I feel leaner, fitter, and i lost a
few inches and pounds.

Today I did level 2 and its still a hard level...but i may go through level 3
tomorrow. I'm curious to see how hard it is.

I just loved this journey of a 30 day challenge and blogging so much, that I may just start another 30 day challenge after this one. Maybe ill do hiking for a month or something. I'll keep you posted. :)

Im a bit tired today cuz i worked out extra hard: 3miles of speedwalking, 45min. of dance cardio, and of course, 20min. of Jillian.

Phew...needless to say, Im pooped.

But, im on a quest to reach my goal! Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

Ok...Till tomorrow my friends.

Day 17 of 30 Day Shred...

So, my relationship with Jillian has become a love/hate one.
I love her AND i hate her. lol!

Its day 17 of this challenge and I still sweat like crazy and am struggling through it.
I guess its cuz i up'd the weights to 5lbs. on level 2. At one point in the video, she
says, "I want you to feel like....you're.. going....to...die!".... and i just screamed...
cuz i did! :)

Anyhoo, I did 3 miles today with my friend....and THEN the shred, so maybe that's
why i was a bit pooped...but in the end... it felt oh...so...goooood!

Yay me.

I didnt get to measure myself , so ill just post the stats tomorrow!

Until then my lovely friends.

Jazzy.

Day 16 of 30 day shred

Still going... woohoo!


When i woke up this morning...I soooo did not want to work out. But.. I didnt listen to that voice. Im so glad i didn't cuz my cardio and shred workout gave me energy, i sweated a ton, and honestly... i think it was even therapeutic! I felt happier and unstoppable! :)

Level 2 felt a bit easier, though i still sweated like a pig. I may have to go from 3lbs to 5lb weights tomorrow...


Im going to weigh myself and measure come monday...

Ill keep you posted.

Thanks to all my buddies that check in at my blogs and keep me accountable!
You all ROCK!

Much Love,

Jazzy.

Day 15 of 30 day shred

Im trying to stay focused! Its so hard for me...cuz im already looking at other exercise routines. But ive told myself, " JAZZ... you are going to finish this challenge even if it kills you!".

So, here i am. Day 15. Did level 2 of 30dayshred and did an extra cardio workout routine.
I sweat like a pig...AGAIN... but, i think i had more energy than usual to get through my 1hr and 15 minute daily workout...

I actuallly feel AMAZING! Im sloooowly am seeing results and im so excited about it...cuz im getting my dancer body back. woohoo!


So far...these are my results...

arms: 12
bust: 38
waist: 29
hips: 39
weight: 151


I think im getting smaller... i guess cuz i see (and live with) my body everyday, its hard to notice the subtle changes. But i feel good. That much is true.


Ok...so on to day 16!! Jillian, bring on the PAIN! heehee...

Day 13 1/2 of 30 day shred...

So, I just finished my cardio workout (dancing for 45minutes) and usually I would now do my 30 day shred...but i just really want to do more dancing. So, instead of 30DS... Im going to do NYC Ballet workout today. Its awesome and it tones like crazy.

Man, I feel like such a rebel...but, i gotta do what keeps me going and keeps me sane, right?

I have ADD so... i have to mix it up a bit. Ill be back with 30DS tomorrow...

Im starting to love to workout!... That's a huge milestone for me!!

What I'm learning so far..... "Do things you love to do!"

Day 13 of 30 Day Shred...

The last 2 days of shred weren't so bad. I actually started level 2 and it was awesome! I was scared to do it...but i actually liked it more than level 1. I can't believe Im at day 13! I should measure myself and check out my progress cuz some clothes feel looser and I was able to get into a skirt that used to never fit! woohoo!

Im incorporating another cardio dvd with this challenge cuz I want to burn around 600 calories a day. So... my exercising takes about 75minutes.

Im on a mission to finish this 30 day shred and continue making fitness a part of my daily lifestyle and Im sooo proud of myself for not giving up.

It feels so good to accomplish a goal. I highly recommend it! :)

ps: at least i my waist is 2 inches smaller! woohoo. some progress. everything else is the same...

Day 10 of 30 Day Shred

So, I almost gave up... I haven't done the shred in 2 days cuz i got a bit bored. Im starting to see a trend in my life... after about a week of doing some venture...i get bored and quit!!

But, not now... instead... i got another workout and did it!! It was actually fun... Crunch workouts! ... and actually doing that... encouraged me to do 30 day shred right after!! So, Im back on the saddle again.

I guess I've learned that you need to mix up things before they get boring and you just stop all together. And , also, the feeling after you're done is soooo worth doing it!

Im so glad i didnt stick to my usual life pattern... and Im conquering my fears.

Once i lose this weight, i'll be taking new headshots and auditioning again. And I know that my confidence level will allow me to book more. So, I think sometimes I subconsciously am afraid of Success. I know its weird... but i think a lot of people have that same struggle.

So...here i am finally facing my fears and NOT giving up!

Thanks so much sparkfriends for helping and being a part of this empowering moment in my life!

Much love,

Jazz

Day 9 of 30 Day Shred...

Im sweating ALOT more now...I dont know why. I think since Im slowly getting
more energy, Im exerting more!... Ergo the sweating.

Im still at level 1...but perhaps Ill have the courage to do level 2 tomorrow.

Ill let u know.

One good thing though... I woke up this morning 2 pounds lighter!

Day 8 of 30 Day Shred

I did the shred with a friend today! That was really fun.
Though since i gave her my 3lbs weight, i had to use my 5lb
weights! and YIKES...it was tough. I sweated like crazy.
But, i feel so good now. I may just bump up to 5lbs tomorrow.

I see why Sparkpeople is so popular. Support and encouragement from others
is sooo important. Im so thankful for friends and an amazing hubby!
It really does make it easier.

My advice: Keep plugging into sparkpeople and/or friends that
will push u to get fit.

Support and FRIENDS are very important to you reaching your
fitness goals!

Ok...So far... Here are my stats:

arms: 11.6
bust: 39
waist: 29.5
hip: 39.5
weight: 154

Happy Shredding Everyone!

Day 7 of 30 Day Shred

Ok, so...im starting to memorize this disc! haha. I still like it though...
I feel stronger today. The moves feel a 'tee- bit' easier today and i
feel a bit leaner believe it or not! (im still not ready however to move
to level 2. Perhaps sometime next week)

Thank the Lord for my husband that pushes me to do it even though
the day may get too jam packed with errands. He kindly reminds me
to do it no matter what! And i feel so good once i finish. That feeling
alone is worth it. Perseverance!! What an accomplishment to feel good
about!

My advice is " No negotiations! Period." If anyone is deciding to do
the 30 day shred. I'd say...dont make excuses! Do it no matter what.
Even if its before you go to bed.

I'll measure myself tomorrow and let you know the stats!

Thanks to all my sparkfriends! I love you all!

Day 5 of 30 Day Shred...

I have such a short attention span, Im surprised I've made it this far. haha. I know its just day 5 but im totally proud of myself.

Im writing this blog all sweaty and all. Its the middle of the day and I've had several temptations to just say 'NO' to exercise today. But, I said 'NO' to the 'NO' in my head!
lol.

So, i guess that's my advice to anyone that wants to give up... say no to the no!

Im starting to get sore again, but not as bad as day 1 or 2...


Ps... I woke up a pound lighter today!

Day 4 of 30 Day Shred

Wow, so, for a little 20 minute workout, this really kicks your butt!

Everyday so far, Ive been really sore. I feel better today... I think the trick is to keep doing it even though youre in crazy pain. Lucky I had my husband to keep encouraging me. Once, my muscles got warmed up.. it really wasn't that bad.

Im also incorporating speed walking 5 days a week so i can get amazing results by the end of the month.

These are my current stats:

arms: 12
bust: 39
waist:31
hips: 40
weight: 155

Thank you spark fam for helping me through this!

Day 1 of My 30 Day Shred Challenge...

This is actually the 3rd day of doing this challenge. But i just thought about making a blog post about it for additional encouragement from all my buddies!

So, What is the 30 day shred? Its 20 minutes of intense circuit training with Jillian Michaels (trainer from the Biggest Loser). And let me just tell you... It is Tough!! I am soooo sore right now. I can barely walk up and down stairs or do anything that involves my hamstrings! haha.

So, I guess its working. I really like this workout because its doable and it really is only 20 minutes! Who doesn't have 20 minutes in their busy day?

Im so excited to see my results at the end of the 30 days...

Ill keep u posted on my stats.