No ripping, tearing or shreding, it's Jessica Smith!

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Welcome to the Jessica Smith fitness thread, which came about after conversations about a more gentle way to get fit.

Jessica is a fitness instructor who has had her own problems with starting exercise, but thankfully she did get started and kept going. I found her videos when I was desperate to exercise but didn't have a clue how to start, so I feel a special affection for her.

Jessica has videos on her YouTube channel for everyone - she has sections for beginners, pre-natal mothers and those who want to sweat like crazy for 50 minutes, it's all there.

I thought we could share favourite videos here, encourage each other, or join in with our own Peanuts (well, you'll just have to watch!).

To get us started, here's one of my favourites

[CiderwithBuda]

Thanks for this. Looks good.

[bastardkitty]

Ooh I'm up for this. Thanks for starting the thread.

[BloodyMarie]

Oh brilliant! Thanks for linking me to this kiki

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Welcome all

(I guess I actually have to do a workout today ).

[beela]

Hi! Jumping across from the shred thread. I'll join in once I've finished shredding and in the meantime will look forward to seeing how everyone is getting on so I know what I'm letting myself in for

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Hello! Welcome

Jessica isn't to everyone's taste, but if she's yours, then you're going to have loads of choices.

I've just had a big lunch and a great big mug of tea so I'd better not get started just yet (I started this because I was procrastinating at essay-writing, now I'm procrastinating with my procrastination - I should probably just go and lie down ).

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Today's workout

It's a new one, so I haven't done it before - I did it for the group . It went pretty quickly, but towards the end single leg squats were suggested. I've never managed a single leg squat in my life and I can't see that changing, but it's fine, I banged out my normal squats and they're good enough.

Has anyone managed a Jessica?

[littlepill]

Hello! Thank you for inviting me, Kiki! I’m looking forward to doing some of these next week. Have rediscovered the love for working out at home & it is lovely to be in company!

Also having essay procrastination issues...

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Hello littlepill Welcome, come in, make yourself at home

Yep, you're on your own, but you're not. Which sort of work out do you want to do? More cardio or resistance?

I can feel the weights I did yesterday so I'm going to find a nice stretchy cardio to do.

[Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen]

I absolutely love Jessica Smith. I've been very lax on doing them lately as I've been ill or the kids have been ill with something or other since September. So annoying, I've gone down with another cold this week, but I think I will try one tomorrow if I feel a bit better.

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Hello Cats You're the first person I've spoken to who's heard of her I'm glad you've found us. I hope you all start to feel better, I know how illness can stop our exercise, right at the point that we need it most.

Have you seen the 'Under the Weather' work out?

[Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen]

Ooh, yes, I saw that ages ago, but had completely forgotten about it. That might be a good one to fire up tomorrow.

I've got loads of her dvds too. I love how 'gentle' they are on the knees etc. I'm just 40, but always had a bit of a weakness! My mood is always so much better after I've done a dvd or YouTube video of hers! I really must do one tomorrow.

I can definitely recommend the dvds too!

Also, they sometimes feel gentle while you're doing them, but as soon as you finish, you really know that you've had a good workout. I have also had none of the injuries and pains I had after doing something like the shred or Davina workouts. Just love them!

The standing abs routines were a godsend for me after a c section and make me realise how little strength I have there now!

[Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen]

P. S. It's so nice to find another fan here! Also, thanks for the under the weather idea! Forgot to say that!

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

I bought a set of DVDs because I felt guilty that I was using the online stuff for free I always plan to do one of the gentle, not feeling well ones, but my inner PT urges me to go a bit harder.

Which leads to today's workout, .

I love this one, but hadn't done it for years. When I first started trying to get fit this one would drive me mad, as I couldn't keep up at all. The editing is a bit clunky (you'll know it when you see it), but it just keeps you going (and going).

[bastardkitty]

I can't start yet because I have an injury but hopefully in a week or two.

[Sheasksmehowthecatsbeen]

Ha! That's why I bought the dvds. I felt so guilty. I love what a range she has. Gentle to 'oh my god, I might actually pass out' (in a good way). 😂 I haven't done that one. I'll aim for it. I'll have to start all over again now. Back to the super gentle ones!

Sorry to hear you are injured kitty.

[bastardkitty]

Thanks . Hoping to be on it soon!

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Cats I’m glad I’m not the only one 😀 I’m looking forward to you getting started.

Kitty sorry to hear about the injury (is there anything you can do around it in a supporting way?)

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Morning all.

Just putting this here.

It's super quick and can be finished before you've even had time to think about it.

[Riverside2]

Oh I love Jessica! I found her walking workouts after injury when I could barely walk and she was like rehab.

Now I do her weights ones, but recently the shitty weather has put me off running so I've done some cardio ones too, though I have to be careful as I'm in a flat and don't want to upset downstairs.

She is such a great personality to workout with, it's like chatting with a mate. And of course, I love Peanut. There's a great foam roller with Peanut just lying there and Jessica says "as you can see , Peanut did her foam roller already"...

I hope she hears of her new MN fame!

[Riverside2]

Oh and standing abs...I find them so effective and nice and stretchy.

Kitty, I hope you feel better soon. You might want to check out her "walk and talk" on YouTube when you feel up to it. I got a DVD in the end as well, seems only fair.

[bastardkitty]

Ooh thanks. Will check that out tomorrow. I can't walk at the moment but trying to get into the mindset

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Riverside Hello! I agree, some of her workouts are like therapy to an injured person. I really credit her videos with getting me fit enough to exercise outside or in a gym. If you're on her YouTube channel, try searching for "Apartment" as this will show her low impact cardio workouts.

Kitty Get well soon! Is there anything you can exercise - sitting in a chair or something?

I'm having a rest day today (I realised a class block booking is running out soon, so I'm having to get out and get my classes done), but I'm having a look through my favourites and I'm just putting this one here because I love how it makes me feel. The first time I did it I ended up lying on the floor thinking I could move if I really wanted to, but better stay put for a few minutes just in case - now it's one of my go to workouts and just makes me feel strong.

If anyone doesn't know where to start - because there are lots of videos - just shout and we'll find something for you.

[Riverside2]

Kiki, thanks, I have her walking DVDs and also two others that I can't recall the name of - they are low impact cardio as well as weights so hopefully not bothering downstairs, so I think I'm all right, just maybe a bit paranoid!

It's a bit like classes - sometimes the moves are the same but the teacher makes such a difference.

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

Riverside Yep, completely agree that a good teacher can inspire and make a lesson whizz by.

Everyone else How’s it going?

It looks like we might be snowed in today, so I’m going to search for a weights routine (or a walking one, as I might not be able to get many steps in. Right, walking with weights it is!)