today is day one of my (drum roll please) journey through the thirty day shred! i’m a little bit nervous, if i’m being honest, because i love this video but i’ve never done it more than three days in a row. when i was initially trying to lose weight, i did this video a lot through the week but never dared to try level two. my boyfriend has agreed to do all thirty days with me, so that’s a little extra motivation. i’m really competitive and i don’t like to fail at things i’ve agreed to do when someone else is doing them with me. for those of you who don’t know anything about the shred, it’s a video by the amazing jillian michaels. there are three levels of the workout, and every ten days you start the next level. 

for the first level of the video, i’m going to do the first five days following the ‘beginner’ model anita, and the next five days following the ‘advanced’ model natalie. on the eleventh day, i’ll be starting level two of the shred. i’ve never even seen level two, so this is going to be a difficult journey! what i’m expecting:

• a lot of pain and muscle soreness.
• bitchy moods when it’s time to do the shred every day.
• a lot of pride when i finish the thirty minutes daily.
• a kick ass, more muscular body once this is finished.

the things that i’m going to find most difficult are simple. basically, there’s one big thing:

• doing the damn video every single day.

life gets in the way, but that’s not an excuse i’ll be using in my life anymore. my body and my wellness is just as important as an appointment, or sleeping in a few extra hours. this shred is going to be a big priority to me for the next thirty days! some other goals i have for the next thirty days:

• lose about ten pounds. 
• eat clean, mostly raw, and disciplined. 
• ditch the cravings for crap foods. 
• build endurance.
• make it to the gym 3-4 times a week.
• start running.

i even picked up a couple things this week that will support me on my little journey. i’m a libra, i love material things. the first was an adorable, thick journal that i turned into a daily planner and inspiration journal of sorts. it looks like this: 

on the first page, i wrote some inspiring things to keep me going when i’m feeling weak. i even included a sweet message from my best friend who lives in germany, @lavenderbombshell. 

last but not least, a delicious fruit salad i made for myself the other day. it had apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, raw hazelnuts, and ginger cubes in it. 

so, here’s to forming a healthier, fitter lifestyle for myself. here’s to the thirty day shred, and proving to myself what i’m capable of. wish me luck!