Jillian Michaels rocks!

For a while, I was pretty faithful about doing the 30 Day Shred every day with Jillian Michaels, and yes, I was seeing results! Not in terms of weight, but I was getting visible muscle tone in my arms and abs and I was definitely feeling stronger and more fit. Then I got a respiratory infection and was hacking up my lungs every day and night for about two weeks. It's been two weeks since I recovered and I still haven't managed to consistently get back on track. Of course, getting off track for me also meant I lost motivation to watch what I eat and so it was no surprise that I gained all my inches back already.

I decided I really want to do more Jillian Michaels because every review I've read of her DVDs says how much she totally kicks your butt and I admit to having become addicted to an intense workout. It just feels so good, as you're lying on the floor recovering, to know that your ass was beaten down to a sweaty mess! However, after having done almost a month of the 30 Day Shred, I was getting bored of the workouts. I needed some variety if I was to keep my motivation up. So I decided to try the 30 Day Slimdown program. It involves acquiring two more DVDs: No More Trouble Zones and Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. I tried the Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism last Friday and I couldn't finish it! Yes, it did feel rather pathetic, but I am looking forward to the day I can say, I did it!

So anyways, I did Day 1 on the program, which starts with Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred and you know what? It felt too easy! Can you believe it? I mean, it was a good sweaty workout and all, but I felt like I could definitely go more intense and push myself harder. This is great! I definitely feel like although I don't feel like I look any better, I still must be improving my fitness to be able to feel this way. Yay! So today is another segment of Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred, but since it was so easy for me yesterday, I think I'll do a Level 2 today.

Here's the 30 Day Slimdown program schedule:

DAY 1 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
DAY 2 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
DAY 3 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 4 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
DAY 5 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 6 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 7 - OFF!

DAY 8 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1
DAY 9 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 10 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 11 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 12 - BANISH FAST, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 13 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 14 - OFF!

DAY 15 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 16 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 17 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 18 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 1 & 2
DAY 19 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 20 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 21 - OFF!

DAY 22 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 & 1
DAY 23 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 24 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM
DAY 25 - QUICK TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2
DAY 26 - OFF!

DAY 27 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES & 30 DAY SHRED LEVEL 1
DAY 28 - BANISH FAT, BOOST METABOLISM & QUICK TROUBLE ZONES
DAY 29 - 30 DAY SHRED: LEVEL 2 AND THEN LEVEL 1
DAY 30 - NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES

DIY Cupcake dome and tree

Somehow, I've accumulated a lot of those small soup take-out containers. Apparently, they make great cupcake domes and can be hung or stacked into cupcake tree! That is sooo cool!

http://giverslog.com/?p=7787

A different kind of rice sock

It's really a heating pad filled with rice, but when I saw this, I thought, "rice sock!" There's a bit of sewing involved, but basically, you're taking a big, long pocket and sewing segments into it. Then you fill the pockets with rice. It's just like the rice sock, only a different way of doing it and more work.

http://www.thegreenwife.com/frommetoyou/tutorials/heating-pad-tutorial/

Postcarden

I totally love this! I would put one on my desk if I could but unfortunately, they don't ship to the U.S.!

http://postcarden.com/

Coffee table that shreds your paper

Is it weird that I kinda like this? We already have a shredder, but this is just so cool to me! I love furniture that multitasks and if I don't like the white color, I can always paint over it.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/06/thanks-for-shredding-my-paper-coffee-table.html

Qipao

I finally bought the fabric for my qipao, or chinese dress. Before I got engaged, I thought for sure I would get something purple with little dogwood or cherry blossoms on it. As I kept looking at fabric, I decided to stick with the traditional "big red" color. I thought about going extra traditional and getting a phoenix and dragon pattern on it, but in the end, I got something with butterflies on it, which I think is more me.

I'm not particularly big on traditions, but my wedding day is probably the only day I can get away with wearing a bright red qipao without looking like a restaurant hostess. Damn those kitschy chinese restaurants and tea shops! It really sux that they've totally ruined the dress for Asians who want to enjoy wearing it. Maybe I should just start wearing the dress around town to nice restaurants to break that image? Lol! It would be a great excuse to wear it whenever I want, but it would be super irritating if people ask me to seat them.

Anyways, while I was in the shop buying brocade fabric for my dress, I couldn't resist buying some other brocade fabrics. I LOVE chinese brocade as much as I LOVE japanese chirimen crepe fabrics! Not sure what I'll do with the extra fabric yet, but I'm definitely going to try and save them for something special!