Evolution of Emotions during Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 1

It's official—and unbelievable—I did cardio for 20 minutes each day last week. Even on Saturday and Sunday! I'm easing back into working out, because it's been (picture my head drooping in shame) a year since I've regularly exercised. And believe me, my body has felt it. After multiple sinus infections, a bout with mono, the flu, and a few colds thrown in to even out the mix, I decided last week that I was tired of not feeling well. I've been jogging each day at my local Gold's Gym, but to my chagrin, it closed at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Enter the DVD of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred that I ordered months ago from Amazon but until Sunday was still resting in the shrink wrap packaging. After I opened it, there was definitely no more resting. 

My unassuming roommate, Emma, had no idea what she was getting herself into after she agreed to give Level 1 a whirl with me. At the onset of the video, I felt energetic and ready to go. Let's be honest—Jillian has a fantastic body. Plus, my good friend Gayle told me about a friend of hers that has seen incredible results with the workout.

A couple of minutes into the exercises, I still felt positive, but I was astonished at the intensity of the routine. I figured Level 1 would be fairly mild, and that at the end of the workout I might have broken a light sweat.

By the time we were 10 minutes into the diabolical exercise routine of death, I checked the time (which I could barely do, because if you take your eyes off Jillian for even a second, she will know and you will be chastised), and could not believe I still had 10 more minutes to go. My heart was pumping and beads of sweat formed on my forehead and upper lip. The light sweatshirt I had on now felt like I was sporting a heavy parka at the equator. But Emma and I persevered. Obviously, we could do this!

During the last half of our workout, I felt more of an intense push than I can remember in the last 2 years. Obscenities were yelled, water chugged, and groans uttered as we somehow trudged through to the end. The end of what would have been our lives if we had been on Level 3. 









I will never, ever complain about the treadmill or elliptical again. Nor will I ever underestimate Jillian Michaels. She is a taskmaster. And that's a good thing. I've been unimpressed with exercise videos in the past, but two days later, my butt and quads are quite sore (I did the treadmill the day after, the thought of doing the video again in my state of jelly-like weakness scares me right now). Even after only one use, I guarantee this video will get your results. It's only $6.99 on Amazon . I will keep you posted on my progress!