She Says: Working Girl
Morning everyone! I do not think I mentioned that I got another job and today is my first day! I think it is actually quite perfect because I am the coordinator for the after school program for grades 3-6 in the town where I am currently subbing. The hours permit me to continue subbing, so that is great. Plus now I will meet more teachers and administrators and be in the school every day! I am really excited about it and am looking forward to having something to do every single day and to working with kids on a daily basis.
So, to prepare for my big day I had a nice warm breakfast of Bulgur Wheat, Oatmeal, Bananas, Almond Butter and Ground Flax. This time, I cooked the Bulgur for about 5 minutes before I added the Oats. This way, the Bulgur cooked a little more and was a little chewier rather than crunchy in the oats.
“Why is she so mean?”
This is what Mark asked me last week when I was doing Level 1 of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred? I won the DVD from Biz and have been doing Level 1 and 2 with soup cans for weights for about a week. The DVD is pretty good. I get fairly sweaty and last week my legs were sore. Today I traded in the soup cans for 5 lb weights and they definitely made it more difficult, but not unbearable. The short circuits are a huge motivator! Each strength circuit only last 3 minutes, then you move on to 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs. There are three circuits total, so the whole thing (excluding warm up and cool down) is only 20 minutes. She reminds you that because it’s so short, you can’t quit!
In fairness to Jillian, she is not nearly as mean as she is on the Biggest Loser. She doesn’t even get mad at girl push ups. And actually, after doing the DVD I felt a special connection to her during last week’s episode.
Alright, I am off to work (all day training) and am looking forward to my leftover Raw Sundried Tomato Pesto for lunch. I am done at 6:00 and am thinking of taking Kickboxing at my gym tonight. Have you ever taken kickboxing before?
February 24th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I’ve never taken kickboxing before, I’m worried I’m not coordinated enough, which is why I stick to biking/running!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:22 am
i have been wanting to try the 30 day shred forever. i need to just buy it!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Good luck with the job!
I love the 30 day shred dvd. I think she’s got just the right amount of “mean-ness” to get you motivated and trying hard.
I’ve taken kickboxing class at the local Y and it was my favorite class, I adored it. Definitely recommend trying it out!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I want to try the Shred too. I have a ton of Jillian’s workouts and I love them. I think they are perfect for days when you just wanna do something at home. I am still sore from her Cardio Kickbox video from last night!
Congrats on the job! I’m actually looking for a similar job.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Kickboxing is so fun! A lot of people (like me too) are nervous the first time because they don’t know the moves haha but just jump right in and you’ll get it in a flash! It def beats boring treadmill stuff after a while
February 24th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I do enjoy 30 day shred. Real weights make a big difference. Way back in my teen years, I LOVED cardio kickboxing. I haven’t done the real things.
Look forward to hearing how it goes.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Congrats on the new job! That is so exciting, it sounds like a fun job!
I have never tried kickboxing but I would love to someday!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Congrats on the new job! Ooh and I love bulgur for brekkie (especially blended bulgur hehe).
February 24th, 2009 at 10:32 am
OMG! Just had to say congrats and good luck! And yes, the bread is reaaaally good! I can’t wait to have it with soup;P
February 24th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Congrats on your new position.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I am loving the 30-day shred workouts. I finally discovered Exercise TV – which has them free On-Demand…and it is great. I use 5 pound weights too…and it is tough.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:40 am
congrats on the job! that sounds wonderful!
)
(as does your raw hummus
February 24th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I hope you do a full recap on the DVD once you’ve completed it! I am seriously thinking about getting it and would love to hear your thoughts.
I train in Muay Thai, and while kickboxing is its own thing, I’m still punching and kicking things.
I love it! And have been doing it for about 2.5 years now.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:42 am
oops, meant pesto!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am
YES! And it kicks your butt! Good luck…do some upper jabs for me!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Delish breakfast!!
I used to do kickboxing everyday, before I cut out cardio – loved it!!
February 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Good luck today!! You’ll be a star
February 24th, 2009 at 10:49 am
I’m doing the 30 Day Shred DVD and it’s one of my faves – I like the boot camp like style.
February 24th, 2009 at 10:56 am
So exciting about the job! Good luck!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I love the 30-day shred! I have done kickboxing – it’s fun. It’s a great workout if you get into it.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Soup cans?! Were they at least Progresso and not those weeny old Campbells?
Glad you graduated to weights.
Have a great first day!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:16 am
i love that dvd!!!!!
i find it funny that people like bulghur wheat for breakfast, because we have only ever had it at dinner as a side to our meal (instead of rice). Oh, and it looks thicker than in your picture? Maybe we are talking about two different things!
good luck today!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:19 am
HOORAY for teaching-type jobs! I love that you’re enjoying subbing!
That 30 day Shred video scares me.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I took kickboxing last night! It is my favorite class at the gym! It is really intense but such a great workout! So much more fun than the machines!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hope your first day is fabulous! I need to try bulgur. Do you ever have it plain..or always with oats?
February 24th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I used to do kickboxing in high school, it’s a killer workout.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Good luck with your job!!
February 24th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I live and die for kickboxing, though my schedule doesn’t permit me always get to the classes. I think there is a difference between some classes though. My old favorite used to involve gloves, a punching bag and some cardio. I spied in on the new one the other day and saw it was all cardio, yelling and punching air.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Yeah Jillian is so not as mean as she seems on BL. Especially if you listen to her radio show, you realize she’s got a pretty good handle on life, so I feel like I can trust her and her workout plans (but beware level 3 of the Shred! EEEK). We all know I’m a fan.
Good luck at the new job! Congrats.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I’ve been wanting to try the 30 day shred – I like that she’s a little mean
I used to take a free kickboxing class in college and LOVED it! I haven’t been to once since, though. They’re usually fun and you work up a good sweat.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Kickboxing was the first real physical activity I ever did. I was an overweight 16-year old and I had to take an outside class for gym credit. It literally changed my life–I fell in love with it and it helped me lose weight that really needed to come off for my health.
It was a cardio kickboxing class and it was just so much fun! I think you should go and see if you like it! I wish I still had the classes available to take. I think you’ll like it!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I think Jillian is just pressured to be “mean” because of the show. Although, I was kind of frustrated with the last episode I watched when Jillian wouldn’t give Tara a 5 minute break. Hopefully that was just for show, but I think if someone needs a minute its only respectful to let them take a break and then come back. I was getting frustrated with Tara constantly whining about how she was stressed about Laura. But then again, Laura did kick it up a notch so maybe she needed some “Tara Guilt”
February 24th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Ooops! BTW, Congrats on your new job!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Congrats on the director position… sounds ideal!
I just did one of Jillian’s 20 minute weight lifting workouts on “Exercise TV” last night, and it was tough. I love your comment about feeling a special connection with her – haha.
I’ve never taken kickboxing before, but I go in and out of a Tae Bo phase – love it!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’ve done cardio kickboxing before at the gym, and it was tons of fun. I was pretty much sore all over the next day. Alas, I have not gone in years.
Hope the new job goes well. Sounds like a great opportunity.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Congrats on the new job! That’s great that you have something regular that you’re excited about!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Congrats on the job!!
I tried kickboxing last summer, and loved it. I’d never been before (although, exercise and I weren’t really acquainted at all until recently, so that’s no surprise…), and it was definitely a challenge to understand the moves during the first couple of classes. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of the moves, I think it is even more challenging because I am constantly in motion.
Since my kickboxing classes are a little pricey, I only go once a week as sort of a treat. I love breaking up the monotony of my weekly workout schedule with the class, and it really is challenging and fun at the same time. Plus, I really love my bright pink boxing gloves.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
SOup cans!! HOW BRILLIANT!!! Wow i love that you’re so versatile with your food products!
heheh Sadly, my only kickboxing experience was pretty bad. hahah I just recall alot of yelling, sweating, exhaustion…it’s a good workout!
Hope your first day was AWESOME!!! the breakfast looks great!!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Oh, I love Jillian. Didn’t know she had a DVD but…of course she does! Have fun kickboxing, yes I’ve done it before. In college it was taught by a big huge guy who would drag out the heavy bags and stand behind them taunting you as you punched. whew!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Congrats on the job!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
so glad that you found another job!
I’ve tried kickboxing, it could be a good workout but depends on the instructor. so, good luck!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Congrats on the new job!
I used to take kickboxing classes when I was in college. It was the best!!! I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the upbeat workout. I’m a big fan.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Yay for the new job!
I have taken exactly one kickboxing class, but it was not a good match for my running. Definitely a good workout though.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Congratulations on the new job!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I love that DVD! I bought it a few weeks ago and after the first time I tried it I was SO sore. I thought Jillian was a little mean the first time I saw her on the Biggest Loser, but maybe that’s her strategy to get people to listen to her.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
ive never taken kickboxing but have always wanted to! theres no where around me that offers it
so sad!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Yay for the new job. Congrats! Your boyfriend’s comment on the workout video cracks me up.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Woohoo for new job! I hope the first day went well.
I need to check out all of this Jillian hype, I seem to be continuously hearing about her DVDs and I could use a little butt kicking.
As for kickboxing, I’ve never tried it but I would love to someday. It sounds like a lot of fun and I love me some Billy Blanks Tae bo, which I’m pretty sure has some similarities to kickboxing. I think you should definitely try it. Then report back as to how it went, inquiring minds want to know!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Congrats on the job Heather! Sounds perfect – you’ll get to be around kids, and I’m sure you’ll make some good contacts in the local education community. Very exciting!
Shred – love it, but I’m taking a break for the hammie. I was really sore after the first time I did it – hurt to bend my arms! Can’t wait to do it again and move onto levels 2 & 3…well, kind of frightened actually.
I used to take kickboxing classes when Tae Bo – good workout for sure!
February 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Hahaha what a funny thing to ask! I haven’t tried it – I don’t like trying new things because I’m not the best at them.
Congratulations on your new job! Small detail!
February 24th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Hope you had a good day at work. That raw meal was really, really good. It will surely make me Shredded.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
good luck on your new job. It sounds really fun!
I actually think Jillian Michaels is pretty nice and funny. I agree she’s pretty mean on the biggest loser. I think she maybe the producers ask her to elaborate on that or maybe because she’s dealing with a lot of ppl who want to give up.
I like this one workout that she has posted on self.com. It’s called the 1 month slimdown. http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2009/01/the-great-one-month-slim-down-slideshow
February 24th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Congrats on the job! Can’t wait to hear how it went!
February 24th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
CONGRATS on your new job!!! That’s so great you have something to do every day now! Hmm I’ve never tried kickboxing, but always really wanted to do it. Unfortunately, I’ve learned that some victoria’s secret models kickbox to get in shape. Not that anyone needs to know that.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Rhodey Girl: This is bulgur wheat + oats, so maybe that’s why it looks different.
Meg: I’ve only ever had it with oats, but I would like to have it in another context as well.
Leng: Thanks for the workout!
Sara: They WERE Progresso!!!
February 24th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
My sister and my mom have been using the 30-day Shred. They say it’s a butt-kicker!!!
And I hope your first day went well!!! I was sending happy thoughts your way!
February 25th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Jillian isn’t mean just REAL! lol…I am glad you liking the workouts:) I teach and love taking KB, but its better if there are bags incorperated!
February 27th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Congratulations on the new job, Heather! That is such wonderful news and I am very happy that you’ll still be able to sub while doing it. Things are looking bright!! Like that breakfast – it literally looks shiny
I love it!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:24 am
I admire the time and effort you put into your blog. I wish I had the same drive