Day Nine: Almost through.

Here's my little catch up post that, had time permitted, would have gone along with yesterday's work out. I am so glad to be able to accept work again, but it did get away from me a bit yesterday. In any event, here are my thoughts from day nine:

Yesterday was another day that almost didn't happen. I spent the first half of the day completely incapacitated with cramps. They've gotten so bad, I nearly pass out from the pain these days (and, yes, I am working with my doctors to get it all sorted out) and the last round of pain medication the GP gave me wasn't even touching the pain! They ended up getting me in for an emergency appointment and with that I left with a medication that knocked it back quite a bit. I had all but given up on the notion of working out when my cramps levelled out to a dull roar and I realised that exercise might just be what I needed to push through and feel a bit better. I'm so glad I did, because that's exactly what happened! I'm so excited that I seem to have hit on this frame of mind that pushes me to move forward against pretty much everything! It's an amazing feeling!

I can't believe I'm already nearly done with level one! I had a really defined boost in strength and endurance during this ninth workout that I feel really confident that I'm headed in the right direction. I'm super curious about what level two involves, but I haven't peeked ahead. I guess I'll let it be a surprise. I realised today that for the first time, when she says "this is easy for you!" towards the end of the work out that it was *nearly* true! I mean, I'm still a sweaty mess by the time I complete a tape, but it is SO MUCH EASIER than day one it barely compares!

I was also thinking about Jillian Michaels herself yesterday while I was working out. It occurs to me that, with the exception of yoga (which I still haven't managed to add back in! Arg!) she is the first fitness instructor who has stayed motivating for me. I can't really put my finger on why that is, and maybe it's just because I'm coming to it in the right frame of mind just now, but listening to her walk me through the work out has actually been really nice. I think I'll definitely stick with her work outs after this initial 30 day shred; although I'm not sure which one I'll do next. (Anyone have any experience with her other work outs?)

I was also thinking about what I wear when I work out and, as silly as this probably is, I think my workout outfit helps push me a little. See, I have these yoga pants made out of that material that won't hold water. It's really easy to feel good in them, because they're stretchy enough that they're not restrictive, but firm enough that they hold me in just right at the same time. With that, I often wear one of my swimsuit tops, that's sort of this tank thing of similar attributes. There's this odd mixture of a slimming workout outfit AND one that I can see starting to fit better each day that I work with it that is super satisfying. I used to feel that way walking into the gym with all the mirrors on the way to the elliptical machine. It's like if you can wear something that you can see slimming in your minds eye, it's just a little bit of a boost and, for me, I can take all of the little boosts I can get!

Anyway, I'm off to respond to comments and then finish out level one! YAY!