My best friend

The facts of the case are as follows:

• I have never in my life been even close…I mean even within 10 miles…to being a fitness freak.
• I am incredibly uncoordinated.
• I can’t buy pants in China (Have you seen Chinese girls?  They have NO hips.  I’m from good old German stock.  Germans have hips).
• Previous fact means I must maintain my current pant size, lest I’m forced to sit around in pajama pants every day (which, don’t get me wrong, would be wonderful, but not so classroom appropriate).
• I love to cook and I love to eat almost as much as I love to cook.
• There are some weeks when I consume an entire carrot cake by myself.
• Sadly, as I progress in years, I’ve watched my metabolism take a nose dive.
• Said aforementioned facts mean I must do some form of exercise.
• I live in the northeast of China, where winter lasts for approximately 9 months.
• Unlike my teammate Daren, who will still runs outside when the temperature is 0 degrees fahrenheit, I’m morally opposed to wearing a hat and mittens while exercising.

All of these facts mean Jillian Michaels has become my best friend.  We hang out together five mornings a week, and while I have an intense dislike of her as we spend time together, her ability to keep me in my current pant size keeps me coming back.  Last year I purchased two workout DVDs.  One I was simply not coordinated enough to keep up with.  The other, Jillian’s 30 day shred, has rarely left my DVD player since.  The reasons I love this workout and would recommend it to all are:

1. You do not need to be in good shape to begin with.  Even those of us who are out of shape and lack coordination should be able to complete level one.  Don’t get me wrong, it will hurt, but you should be able to do it.
2. You do not need much equipment–just some hand weights and either an exercise mat or soft surface.
3. There are 3 levels, which allows you to progress as, in the words of Jillian, “you get stronger and more fit”.
4. Not only are there 3 levels, but within each level Jillian has 2 assistants, Natalie and Anita.  Anita does a beginner version of each move, while Natalie does an advanced version.  When you’re first starting out, Anita is your best friend. She’s also great for when you are doing the next level the first couple times.
5. Each workout is only about 25 minutes, which means it’s quite realistic to find the time to do it in the morning.
6. Each workout is organized in “circuits”–3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs.  Each circuit is also broken down into two different exercises, which means you’re never doing a move for more than 1 minute.  There are two reasons why I love this fact. A) You don’t get bored with the moves.  B) If the move is difficult & painful, you can mentally tough it out for 1 minute.
7. Despite it’s short length, it works every part of your body.  In the pain following the workout, you’ll discover muscles you never knew you had.
8. Jillian is straight-forward, firm, and encouraging without being overly perky.  I don’t like perky workout instructors.  They annoy me.  When I’m working out I do not feel perky.

Trust me, if I can do a workout DVD and stick with it, so can you!  In the words of my students, “Have a try!”  (You can find it on Amazon for less than $10.)