Sleep and Weight Loss

As promised here is an installment in the series about things that hinder weight loss. This is focusing on sleep. The main reason is that I just got the new Glamour and they have a sleep diet in it and that peaked my interest.

Experts have been talking a lot lately about how sleep affects your weight. There has been more talk about how not getting enough sleep can lead to gaining weight, but it is now being found that getting the right amount of sleep every night can actually make you lose weight.

This sleep diet in Glamour says that you can change nothing else about your habits except how you sleep and lose weight – up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks!

The idea behind this is that sleep is very important to the body. It helps your body’s natural processes work correctly and gives them time to ramp up for the next day.

It is suggested that you get 7.5 hours of sleep every night. You should go to bed and get up around the same time every day, even weekends.

I would be curious if this works, but I am not big on getting up at 7 am on the weekends, so I am not going to try it. The whole idea, though, is interesting. I do wonder if as long as you get 7.5 hours of sleep if it really matters when you go to bed or get up. I think that is more of a way to help you ensure you get that amount of sleep. Hmmm…

I knew sleep was important, but didn’t have a clue it could be this important. Think about this the next time you slack on your sleep. You may just be adding to weight loss hassles.

This is It

My whole Shred experience ends today. I have not technically done 30 days due to not being able to team up with my workout buddy, sore muscles and ever other excuse under the sun. However, I think I have learned enough to make an opinion.

I did do all three levels. In the beginning I was pumped. I had heard all these amazing things and was so super excited. I got my butt kicked often by Jillian. This is a good workout, but not the workout for me.

Before doing the Shred I was into really intense workouts that lasted about an hour. Part of what brought me to the Shred was the fact it was a 20 minute workout. I figured no more long sessions would be awesome.

For me the 20 minutes - no matter how intense or whatever - do not work. I have suffered from a loss of motivation and extreme boredom. The Shred made me lose my momentum.

I am not saying this isn't a good workout. I think it would be great for beginners or for someone who is not an ADD as me. I am not good with the same old thing over and over.

Looking back on my experience with this I would say it did not live up to the promises. Maybe since I was not 100% dedicated at the end that is why. I did lose some inches. Here are my final measurements:

Arm-11 3/4
Waist-37
Hips- 45 1/2
Thigh- 24
Calf-14 3/4

Totals Lost:
Arm -1/2
Waist -1
Hip - 1 1/2
Thigh - 2 1/2
Calf - 3/4

I hope my math is correct :) That makes the result of my 30 Day Shred experience equal up a total of 6 1/4 inches lost total.

Not bad, I suppose. I am moving on now and officially saying good bye to the Shred. It's been lovely. Toodles.

This Week is Crap

Despite my new invigorated stance on working out this week has went in the crapper. My workout buddy and I can not seem to get our schedules together. We may not workout tomorrow and we didn't today.

I am planning on getting in a workout tonight. However, with my motivation in the toilet we shall see if that will come to pass. I really hate being this lazy. I am not sure what is wrong with me. Jessica says it is the weather. Maybe that is true.

Something better give so I can get back on schedule. I feel fluffy. Not really fat, but fluffy. That is the best word to describe it. I hate the fluffy feeling, so I have to get my butt in gear.

And the slump continues

Again, no workout today with my workout buddy. I decided against working out tonight because my daughter is sick and it was storming so I didn't know if I could get in a shower. Due to the sickness I won't be working out with my workout buddy tomorrow either.

I decided since no workout today and I get to workout alone tomorrow that tomorrow I am trying out my Biggest Loser DVDs. I am going to do Level 1 for both the cardio and strength training. Total that is about 40 minutes, I think. I have heard they are great.

Besides this 30 Day Shred thing is so boring. I think it is what has me down and not wanting to work out. I dread the shred - not because it is too hard. The last time we did it, looking back, it was not something I struggled too hard to get through. I was talking the whole time - chattering, not just a few breathless words. I think that is a sign that I have mastered the shred. Anyway, we will finish it off on Friday and be done. I can live with one more day, but tomorrow I am doing something different -lol.

Today's Shred

Did the shred today. It didn't suck. I think it may finally be getting easier. After last night's step workout, though, anything is a breeze.

Tomorrow's workout is in limbo because the kids have a delay and my workout buddy has to work tonight, so if she is not dog tired then we will workout in the morning. Otherwise I am on my own. I will have to get something in some time tomorrow. Probably the Shred tomorrow night.

Only 3 more days of this to go!!!

No Shred but I Still Got my Butt Kicked

I didn't have my normal workout this morning again. Due to the fact I haven't worked out since Thursday I decided I needed something a bit more than the Shred today. I did 45 minutes of high impact step aerobics and circuit training. It kicked my butt and I loved it!

I think while the Shred is hard it is not nearly long enough to make me appreciate it. I like those long workouts that really push me to my limits and leave me feeling invigorated.

I think I found why I have a lack of motivation. Thank goodness this is the last week of the Shred. I don't think I could manage another week of the boredom.

Starting next week we should be moving back into tae bo. However, that is subject to change. It could end up being dance aerobics and step instead. We shall see.

I just want to make it through this week and be done with the Shred. It has been a nice workout but it is just not enough for me.

Hard at Work

I have been working all day on audio workouts. I hate being tied down to a tv or my computer when I want to work out. I took some of the workout dvds I have and turned them into audio workouts. It involved a lot of work because since the workouts are designed to be visual the instructors do not always say exactly what they are doing.

Anyway, I had to add some audio in myself. It was fun, though. I like audio editing. Now I have a few different audio workouts to do. Our workout plan once summer hits is to be outside as much as possible. I think audio workouts will help us out.

Just wanted to share.