January Shred Thread

I'm assuming you are supposed to do equal amounts of each level? Or should you move up when you feel ready?

whatever suits you - JM says 'move up when you're ready' but I personally prefer 10 days (ie two weeks) per level.

struggling a little bit with some of the moves as I am totally rubbish at coordinating my legs and arms to do different things

I found it quite helpful to look through L2 and 3 before trying them for real to work out how some of the more dynamic moves went - pendulum lunges had me confused till I realised you move one leg at a time.

Ok msmoss im too scared to give up now .

I wish i could do it in the morning but DS only reliably naps for an hour or so in the afternoon so i have to do it then. I started it yesterday morning but only got through the warm up before he woke up so had to start again later. I don't want to keep doing that as it will demotivate me.

I'm gonna do L1 for another 4 days before another rest day, then hopefully my dvd would have arrived and i can move to L2.

I'm assuming you are supposed to do equal amounts of each level? Or should you move up when you feel ready?

L1D2 of Ri30 done. Thought yesterday was was quite gentle but my aching thighs tell another story.

JRMumma if you're not back here tomorrow we'll come looking . Seriously though it's important to rest you're muscles will work harder tomorrow after a rest than they would have today when they are tired.

I really enjoy the shred more than other DVDs too, I think it really helps me that it's less than half an hour all in all, it's just so much easier to find that amount of time than it is 40 - 50 minutes or so. I also find Jillian really easy to warm to, I know some of her lines are a bit cheesy but she's so encouraging.

Another one who works out in the morning, it's just so much easier to get up do it and get it out of the way before my brain has time to start making excuses as to why I'll have to give it a miss.

Anyway D8 L2 complete for me, struggling a little bit with some of the moves as I am totally rubbish at coordinating my legs and arms to do different things although today was a bit better and I know the only way I'll get the hang of it is practice.

Tomorrow is measuring and weigh-in day, fingers crossed there'll be some improvement.

L1D2 done.

I got up early and did it before I had to get ready for work so I feel extra smug this morning, knowing I don't have to exercise tonight!

Oh yes. I've never been able to exercise at night - first thing, on an empty stomach (other than a couple of cups of tea - a dose of caffeine and liquid helps) suits me best.

JR, enjoy your rest day and see you tomorrow.

littlepudding ill spur you on! You can do it! Go pudding!!!!!! Ha ha.

On a serious note, ive done 4 days so far, having a rest day today and i think i need it for a bit of recovery. Although i know that having a break means there is a risk i wont go back to it but at the moment im really determined. Ive never stuck to a home workout before bit now ive got a 5 month old i don't really have a choice if i actually want to get any exercise other than a walk with the pram! I'm also strangely enjoying the shred much more than any other dvd ive done before.

I'm finding it useful to have the next step in mind. Next month i want to start c25k and think the shred will give me a good fitness base to start.

Morning all, i did day 5 level 1 this morning in my jim jams. I took a two day break. I can't do it on a night anymore as it psychs me up and i cant sleep.

I've now got the dvd and some weights. Not sure if i can see any results yet but as i ache like mad i am hoping that its working!

hi all
I am back on the shred as I have turned into a blimp. Four days in and already lost 3cm off my waist. I upped to Level 2 today. Last time I did Jillian's dvds I lost 5 cm from my underbust measurement. The stats I have taken are neck, bicep, bust, underbust, waist, belly, hips, thigh and calf. I am hoping to lose some weight this time too.

Does anyone else have dodgy knees. I have to switch any bending lunge moves for alternative exercises.

Well done officelady. You are on fire!
On lv1 I was doing half push ups otherwise I'll spend most of the time on my face!

I did day 8 last night, using lv2.
I replaced most of the cardio with squat boxing with weights. And I had my knees strapped up.
They don't feel as awful this morning although they were a little swollen last night when I finished.

Thank you for your input Errol, I'm happy I've found some kind of compromise so I can not use my knees as an excuse to give up.

I'm so happy I've come this far. I can't believe I was starting to find lv1 a bit easy!
My arms are feeling nicely solid and can feel the difference around my hips.
I do need to start thinking about diet now though.
I might fast today.

Keep it up everyone, just think how far we would be once spring starts springing.

peppermintcream and tanukiton - my workout buddies! Day 6 here today. I got up early and did it before I had to get ready for work so I feel extra smug this morning, knowing I don't have to exercise tonight!
I am using 1kg weights at the moment, I started with 2kg on day 1 but my arms were AGONY for the next few days so dropped down to 1kg. I am going to try 2kg again tomorrow though, because the aching has stopped.
I am going to have at least 1 rest day per week, but no more than 2 rest days per week, and never 2 in a row. I think an occasional rest day is good for you. I already had a rest day on day 3 (when I couldn't move my arms!) so I'm going to try to plough on through until at least Saturday before having another one.
I am seriously impressed at everyone who is doing proper push-ups. I managed 6 this morning, only on the first repetition, I literally cannot support my own bodyweight on my puny little arms! Better than day 1 though, I only did 1 before collapsing!
Keep up the good work everyone

officelady PeppermintCream - Just done l1 d5 too . Using 1.2kg on the squat and press and a 1.4kg on the others, but think i could use heavier weights... Are you both going to do rest days? I am thinking tomorrow but am scared I will just give up..

Well done everybody. FWIW I reckon the press-ups in L1 are worse than the plank-based moves in L2.

officelady - you're at the same stage as me

Just done D5L1 I also found it easier today. No aches last night. Managed to do proper press ups.

I was back at work today, so found it a bit more effort to make time/ motivate myself.

Day 5 Level 1 done! Dare I say it - my arms ache a little less today. If I am pain-free tomorrow I am going to go up to 2kg weights (currently using 1kg). Famous last words ...

Hi everyone, I've just done L1 D1 for the 3rd time. I've never made it past day 15 before so I'm hoping that you'll all spur me on to finish the 30 days this time.

I'm combining it with the harcombe diet so hoping to lose weight and tone up. Am fed up of moaning about my body shape but not really doing anything about it

L1D4 done.
Felt harder today, no idea why. Had a go at Proper Pressups and managed 2 before going back onto my knees! I don't have the core strength and fear I'm going to suffer on L2 +3.

Ok, L1D7 done, yay! Think I will have one more day L1 then go for L2.

Got my body balance class tonight too...

WAMS, if you google 'low impact cardio' you may be able to find some more alternatives. There's a few ideas here - it mentions using knee supports - do you have something like that?

Thanks Errol. I think you're right. I'm definitely not going to do any jumping from now.
I like the sound of boxing with weights. I didn't think to look at level 3 yet, so will watch them all and pick the best.

Maybe I'll check with my gp and see if they can help me. I had terrible spd during both pg and was fobbed off by midwives.
I also click a lot, especially my neck and back.
Feeling very creaky, but I am the heaviest I've been so that's adding to it.

If your joints are that bad, maybe you need to see a physio. Please don't do moves that you think are exacerbating the problem. If its the jumpy cardio ones, find alternatives - eg look at L3, boxing with weights might suit better.

DH swears by cod liver oil, not a miracle cure but its good for you anyway so maybe try that too?

Right, I took another break yesterday as my knees are so painful. I've been awake since 3am as they were hurting while just lying there. I think I've got some real problems with hypermobile joints. But I'm pretty sure the gp won't do anything.

Anyway, as I see some of you have already said how hard the cardio is on lv1 and I'm finding the strength and abs relatively easy I think I'm going to try lv2 tonight.

I would love to run. It looks like so much fun.
But I don't think I should entertain that idea until I strengthen my knees and improve cardio.

Great to see so many shredders.
L1D1 of Ri30 done here. Lots of new moves for me to get used to but quite a gentle start which I appreciated.