Gem

A small little fact that I didn't know, and that you should know:
Strep throat, untreated, CAN or MAY lead to infection of the ears and/or sinuses.

Sure, it felt just like strep throat. My toes curled every single time I swallowed, I was up for hours at night, tossing and turning from the raging burn and ache in my throat, BUT, I didn't have those nasty white spots all over my throat that almost always accompany strep when I have it. I also had no fever. hhhmmmmm

So, I didn't go to the doctor. Not smart. After three days of the sore throat, that wasn't getting better, I woke up at 1:00am and I could have sworn that the side of my face was going to explode. It looked like it, felt like it, and I knew my ear was infected. At the time, both of them were screaming. One more than the other. I sat up in bed holding my ear for the next three hours. Every time I laid down, the pain was too much. I have had ear infections as an adult, and they kill, but this one was in a whole different dimension. It was TERRIBLE!!!

I was also coughing a ton, and I am sure you can guess how wondeful that felt on my throat and ear. oh yeah.

I got into the doctor that morning, and he explained to me that I not only had strep throat, and a bad go of it, I also had an eardrum that was going to burst any given second and a whopper of a sinus infection. I think the doctor patted me on the back about 20 times in complete pity.

Thank goodness Ben was able to be home a lot this week. I have been good for nothing but keeping my spot of the bed warm and well used. Oh, and I did a nice job of depleting the house of all kleenex.

Yesterday, after 7 days of being sick, and two days of antibiotics, I finally felt pretty good. Once I started feeling good, I started remembering that I hadn't been to the gym at all this week. A good run sounded so wonderful at the moment, but there is no way I should be going to the gym for the next few days. I think I would snot all over everything and spread all sorts of germs to everyone. Not the best way to make friends.

Then I remembered this video I bought, but had tucked away in a drawer, recommended by my mom. She couldn't stop talking about it, and I had wanted to try it, but just hadn't gotten around to it.


Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred
Yup, that beasty, ronchy ,Biggest Loser Lady.
I see her in a new light now.
She rocks!

I was very sceptical, but after two days of this, I am completely sold!!!

This video is an absolute gem! And the best part, it is only $9.00 at Walmart.
There are several other videos that she has made, and you better believe I am getting my buns back there to get more of them.

It is only 20 minutes long, and when I am done, I am pouring with sweat and I am S-O-R-E for a long time. She does it perfectly. Mixes cardio, abs, and weights, for maximum calorie burn and maximum toning of the body. You are constantly working several parts of your body at the same time. It is incredible! There are three different levels, so anyone can do it. Did I mention that it is only 20 minutes long!

I do two levels a day right now (40 minutes total) but when I get back on the treadmill next week, I will just do one 20 min workout each night after the gym. It is great for those upper body muscles that I never work, but wish were more toned. Her leg workout is a beast, but I go easy on it, because I already work my legs when I run. If you go all out with the video though, your legs, and everything else will tone up fast.

My mom has been doing it, along with running, for a while now and she says that the results are amazing! She said that once she started the video, the weight started dropping and she is toning really well! You are not required to run or do anything else along with the video, that is just something that my mom and I are doing. It is a way of life for me. I run because I love it.

I am not one to promote work-out videos, and I have done a lot of them, but this one is a-mazing. Did I say that it is only 20 MINUTES!!

The video boasts that you can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. I, for one, do not believe that, but I do firmly believe that in 30 days, if you are faithful to it and eat smart, you will see some serious results.

So, go to Wal-mart, get some cheap hand weights, get the video (in the sports section) and go for it. Seriously! It is great.

I dare you!