Call me crazy, but this morning I had the bright idea to do all 3 levels of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred at once!
Talk about a work out! I was sweating up a storm and screaming at Jillian towards the end. I never realized how truly difficult level 3 was until I did it back to back to the other 2 levels. Talk about intensity!
If you have not given it a shot already and have an hour to spare, I would highly suggest doing all 3 levels in one session. I would definitely call it a rush!
After working up a sweat it was nice to cool down to a refreshing bowl of cold cereal.
- 1/2 cup Kashi Cinnamon Harvest
- 1/2 cup Meghann’s Running Mix
- 1/4 cup Meg’s Crunchy Mix
- Stonyfield Non-Fat Plain Yogurt
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
I love how summery my bowls of cereal are, they compliment the summer weather perfectly.
Vacation Reflection
As everyone read and saw in my NC posts, my family likes to see and do as much as possible during vacation. And anyone who knows me in real life can finally see where I get it from. My weekends are always filled to the brim and are booked months in advanced. I hate sitting still and I want to make sure I live every moment of life to the fullest. I grew up with the notion that being lazy is bad and going outside and exploring is good.
North Carolina was a very active vacation. I would work out before breakfast, do water sports the remainder of the morning and then hike the rest of the afternoon. Despite the chocolate, ice cream, beer and southern food, with this regiment I actually managed to lose a pound or two while on vacation. Leave it to my family to actually return from vacation weighing less then when we left!
What I’m trying to get at it the key to a healthy, balanced life is the ability to both indulge and enjoy vacation while picking fun active activities that don’t feel like work, but are FUN! Spend the weekends hiking, going out on the boat or playing sports with the family. That’s all it takes! I am so lucky to come from a family who loves to do all these things and our vacations tend to revolve around them. The best part is I still felt like I had a relaxing vacation and was able to unwind. It’s all about balance and its something anyone can achieve. 
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Wow! All 3 levels! You rock!!
Whew! I have done Levels 2 and 3 back to back, which is pretty tough! Once it comes to those “rockstar jumps” at the end, I am cursing Jillian under my breath!
Girl – all three levels!! Insane!! Good for you!
I totally agree with your vacation reflection. I got back from my vacation in California 2.5 three weeks ago, and I actually lost weight as well while I was there – just from wakeboarding everyday and working out a lot (which I enjoyed so much, because I actually had the time to do it and not rush it like I always do at home), and while indulging in loads and loads of food and drinks.
oh my gosh you did all 3 levels?!?! Wow thats awesome!!! Now I feel bad about rolling over and hitting snooze when my alarm went off at 530 am. Sorry running.
I’m glad you have a great vacation! Balance is what life’s all about… you worked hard but you still played hard.
I love how your family enjoys being active together. It sounds like the perfect vacation to me! I’m definitely trying to incorporate some more fun active activities into my free time this summer.
Your vacation looked like so much fun! You made me want to explore my state a little more. I live in NC and have never visited a lot of those waterfalls. I see some hiking weekends in my future!
INSANE workout this morning! You go!
I wish my family were more like that, but they’re more of a sit-by-the-pool all day type! But to be honest I’ve been going on less and less family holidays now, so it’s my responsibility to encorporate exercise into my vacations. Yours looked so much fun!
http://smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
Wow! I can’t believe you did all 3 levels – that’s inspiring!
I loved the way your family vacationed, probably because that’s how my family does it too! Sometimes I worry because my boyfriend is very much into the “sit around and relax” types of vacations – along with weekend. I much prefer being on the go. I hope we can work that out!
haha, I have done it all together a few times. Actually, I got it on christmas, and I did all three that day, but I took a break between 2 and 3!
Great job!
i just got the Shred dvd a few weeks ago, but haven’t tried it yet. sounds like all 3 is a crazy workout!
great vacation reflection – balance + enjoying my life is what I strive for
That sounds like an insane workout!! Thats awesome that you did it though!!
Your vacation reflection is great- and very true! Thanks for posting that. Your breakfast looks so fantastic!
chyeah work it like a rockstar!!!
great minds think alike cause last night i also did all 3 levels back-to-back-to-back. i was disgustingly covered in sweat. to my surprise, i wasn’t sore when i got up this morning.
i love how you jam pack your weekends with mucho activity. you truly are living life to the fullest. go you!!!
AHHH! All three levels of the Shred at once??? I don’t know about that, but maybe someday I’ll give it a whirl!
Wowza – 3 levels is fantastic! I’m like you on vacation too – go go go – but there are times when I love the sit around and read type of vacation. Sometimes it’s nice to just relax and think and do nothing (for me
You are a WARRIOR!!!!!! GRRR!!!! Game face on!
i am definitely calling you crazy for doing all 3 levels! but really, that’s a great idea.
couldn’t agree more with your vacation reflections!
Great reflection on your vacation, I couldn’t agree more! I’ll say it again, your pics were amazing!
All 3 at once – your crazy!!
(and maybe I am just a tad jealous I can’t do that yet!)
Whoa–doing all three levels in one day sounds like hell (and heaven too)
I bet that was an awesome workout! I can barely get by level one, lol
Wow, I’ve done Levels 1 and 2 back to back before, but never tried Level 3!
I love your vacation reflection. I try to stay as active as possible too, but also like to relax my bones a little b/c afterall it is vacation!
Way to go with the workout!! I like your vaca reflection – a good balance is something I try to obtain. I find that one vacations I’m just naturally more active since I’m walking everywhere and exploring the new city.
I think you are totally right with the vacation reflection. Balance is key! And great job on doing all 3 levels of The Shred! Sounds killer!
I just started Level 3 and my shoulders and arms are screaming!! Maybe one day I’ll work in all three. I can’t imagine right now though!
whoa!! I don’t think I would have had the motivation for that!
You have such a great attitude about exercise. It shouldn’t be about HAVING to do something, it should be about WANTING to do something.
Hi Meghann…my family is the exact same way. I can never sit still! I love it though…I feel like I experience life differently than people who sit in front of the TV all the time. I actually hardly ever watch TV and I’m usually only home to eat and sleep. What was the name of the place you went on vacation to again?
yay for active vacations! My favorite vacations are the most active ones too! why travel all the way to a cool location just to nap/relax, right? I’m glad you had fun!
I used to do two levels of Jilian because one wasn’t long enough for me. Three would be pretty tough!
All 3 levels? That is intense! My parents are older and my mom not able to be as active as she’d like to be with high-intensity activity. But I’ve neer gained weight on vacation because we walk everywhere! We get to see more, save money of $ transportation and stay active.
I totally agree with your comments about balancing your life. My family is very similar to yours – people see us as go, go, go but really we just like to be active and try new things.
PS – I can’t believe you did all three levels of 30 Day Shred. I’m impressed! I hope you’re not too sore tomorrow…
Sounds like a good vacation! You gotta find some time to relax too…
WOW! you are a superstar, doing all three levels!
You are lucky. Growing up, my family was pretty inactive. I’ve had to learn to pave my own path to healthy living, but its been worth it. Trial and error has taught me so much. Have a great day!
WHOA all 3?!
Nice reflection
I prefer lots of action too. My parents visit an island every year and my dad is like me in that he can’t sit still so he is always doing the water sports or playing volleyball or whatever is going on.
All three levels?! Yikes! I just purchased the DVD this weekend and I have yet to try it!
hey, i have been reading your blog for a while and am truly inspired by you so inspired that right after i read your post i did all three levels of the shred it was tough and i was a huge sweaty mess by the end but right now i feel so good, thanks for being and inspiration to everybody!
This Jillian workout sounds really intense. I want to try it!
I am with you on the active vacations. I don’t think I have taken a vacation in the past few years that didn’t center around a race or some other athletic activity. I think it is definitely the way to go!
All 30 day shreds at once? Crazy! Sounds like a great vacation, water sports are so much fun!
All 3 levels in a row?! That sounds like torture. I like your vacation reflection, though. I’m glad you feel good about your choices.
You’re awesome! I have only done Levels 2 & 3 back to back! WOWZA. Would you consider starting at Level 3 and then working down? Hmmm, I think I MUST DO THIS!
http://peacelovehealthiness.wordpress.com
I went to New York in March of this year and it was my first active vacation, which was a welcome change from what I am used to. We walked around a lot and I utilized the hotel gym, which allowed me to enjoy authentic New York bagels and pizza
I think I lost a pound that week too!
I am exactly like you when it comes to constantly being active – and I know I totally got it from my family too! My husband is not like that at all, so it’s been an interesting transition to married life.
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