Welcome to the third addition of Fitness and Health Friday! Happy Friday, indeed! Wow! I can’t believe it’s Friday already! What a week—or two! I’m finally on the mend after being sick for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. I’m almost fully recovered, after coming down with strep, then strep in my eye, then a crazy cold. It seems like every time I start a new exercise program, my immune system takes a bit of a hit.
Enough of that though! I’m all better now and all fired up! I went to TheFitExpo in Los Angeles two weeks ago and had such a blast! Not only did I meet other FitFluential Ambassadors, I got to workout out with Jillian Michaels, I got to wander around the expo, and I got completely inspired by the whole experience!

Saturday afternoon, Jillian Michaels did a question and answer session, where she answered questions from the audience. She is so passionate about fitness and health. My respect for her grew ten-fold hearing her speak. When asked about having, “cheat days,” she said she doesn’t believe in them. Instead, she explained that if she wants something special, she eats it, then she makes up for it later. She shared her experiences being a chubby kid and I just loved how her experiences have shaped her attitudes and approach with fitness. She’s super sassy and I just love her!

This week has been somewhat of a wash in the fitness and healthy living department. I did get one really good workout at the conference though. I was able to get in on the Body Shred workout with Jillian Michaels and she kicked my butt! It was only a 30 minute workout, but OH MY GEEZ! I thought I might pass out! This workout is not for the faint of heart.

My favorite part of the workout, was when we were doing punches—left, right, left, right. I was sort of wimping out and taking it easy, instead of giving my all, like I should have. I think I thought maybe Jillian wasn’t noticing. The next thing I knew, she was leaning in towards me from the stage, yelling, “PUNCH, PUNCH! GET THAT AGGRESSION OUT! DO IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT!” She is pretty awesome and I absolutely adore her, but I have to be honest, she’s super intense! I started punching like I meant it and from there on out, I was giving my all. There was another time she was shouting commands in my general direction, but I was so lightheaded, being starstruck faded and all I could do was MOVE IT. I might have been a little afraid. 🙂

I’d been working out at boot camp for an hour a day, five days a week, and it was nothing compared to the Body Shred workout. I was so sore for days after I did the workout. I have a friend in Pennsylvania that is a certified Body Shred trainer and she warned that it was an intense workout. I had no idea!
I stopped off at the Body Shred booth at the expo and got my friend this cute tank. She chose the one on the right I love the grey and orange! So cute!

I had such a blast! On the weight loss front, I struggled. I gained 2 pounds. I know where I made the mistakes and what I could improve. I am also forgiving myself because I was traveling and because being sick was not helpful to good food choices. I am completely ready to put the mistakes of the past behind me and move forward. I’m so motivated after the expo! I’m ready to kick some butt!