January Shred Thread

Well done will. I've noticed a bit more flexibility. Don't know what it is with my joints/tendons - my arms are very flexible, I can do the high kicks in the L2 shred warmup pretty well - but the end stretches I get annoyed by JM saying she's not flexible as I can't go that wide. But recently I've been able to get my forearms on the floor in the stretch which I couldn't last year

L2D6 of Ri30 done. I'm starting to get into the swing of this level and actually enjoyed it today. Anyone else noticed a big improvement in their flexibility through shredding?

Hello World!

(as someone who writes software for a living, peculiarly nice to have a real reason for typing that. )

My knees are quite battered- I will do tyhe 'mountain climbers' also- thanks for the tip.

Hi All

I wasn't happy without my Jillian fix so I have dusted off my Six Week Six Pack, swapped anything hard on the knees for mountain climbers, and have just done day 3. It takes a little longer than shredding and I don't think it burns as many calories, but as an apple-shape, my tummy is the bit I'm most concerned with.

If anyone else is finding the Shred tough on the knees I can recommend the Six Week Six Pack - just don't do anything with squats, or the plank-jacks.

Hello Monkey - you'll be ready to roll over into the February thread with us (which someone needs to remember to set up on Saturday).

I'd not heard that about pelvic floor/abs exercises but a google 'crunch "pelvic floor"' suggests you're correct, and some of the links look to have alternatives (I've not looked into them, just about to go and do my shred). Could you ask your physio if s/he can recommend abs exercises maybe- that'd be useful for a lot of people I think.

But for those of us who are more or less ok, always good to have a reminder to Carry on Clenching! (apparently its a good idea even for blokes though I'm damned if I know what it is they have to clench!)

Oops I put level 3 but was actually L2!!!

D15 L3 d8 done!

Welcome Monkey I can't help with the pelvic floor question but I see a few others have mentioned it so I'm sure they'll help you!

Hello all. I know it's nearly the end of the month but can I join you please? I did day 1 of level 1 yesterday, which was ok.

One thing I am worried about: I am having physio for my pelvic floor blinkin DCs and I seem to remember reading somewhere that crunches and sit ups are not good for your pelvic floor. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, what could I do as an alternative - plank?

I rested today. Something doesn't feel quite right at the back of my knee so I opted for a brisk walk instead. I'll see how it feels tomorrow but if I'm in any doubt I'll do L1.

I reckon holding a static plank for anything over half a minute is worse than plank moves - in the same sort of way that static squat is harder than going in and out of it. But anyway, its very good for your core strength.

L2D5 done today. Getting better at it.

Thanks for the link msmoss, watched quite a few of her other videos linked to that one and they're really good. I'm happy to stick with just holding plank position as I'm still finding doing that quite hard. My pelvic floor's still quite weak so I find the explosive moves quite tricky! I sound like I'm making excuses now...

Supermans and food do not mix

ooh blimey no. I always exercise first thing before breakfast, just tea or coffee, but if people can't fit it into their day till after dinner sounds like it'd be a good idea to sub supermans for something else.

Sorry you had a bad day yesterday too - see you Thursday?

Welcome back MsMoss
Sounds like a good plan Errol, think my bingo wings are getting less flappy.
Was supposed to do L2 D7 today but did a L1 day instead just to test my stamina. I was still struggling with it by D10 but today was definitely easier (not easy but less painful!). More enjoyable too, I'm not so keen on the combination of exs in L2 but will plough on regardless.

Intheround....I use mfp, Errol said shred level 1 uses 162 calories. I googled level 2 and it's a bit more but obviously depends how hard you work

Errol....I use the rower at the gym, such a good all over workout!

L2D6 done, plus 3x10 inclined press-ups (down to 40cm coffee table), 2x30 sec side planks per side and then 3x10 narrower grip press-ups using kitchen work surface. Narrow grip is harder and works triceps more.... I need triceps, my plan is that doing 5:2 will get rid of the fat off my upper arms and exercise will fill the resultant excess skin with muscle.

Anyone mind if I sneak back in?

Last week was just one of those weeks so I only managed to shred once, although I did make it to my bootcamp on Saturday.

Anyway back at it 1st day of L3 but D17 overall. L3 is hard but I much prefer the exercises in it to L2.

Lindt70percent my shoulders couldn't cope with the plank jacks after the all the shoulders in the strength circuit so I did powerjacks instead, which is a jumping jack with a squat, which is another alternative if you wanted something a little more cardio. This explains it better than I could

Morning all!

L2D5 of Ri30 done.

Agree with many of you that L2 of 30DS is harder than L3.

Hello d20 L3 D2 complete! HURRAY. L3 is WAY better than 2.

I saw mention of special weights up thread being recommended. Is there anything I should be getting to prepare for L2 or L3?

D14 L2 d7 done!

Gym for cardio later. L3 for me later in the week!!

Eating less carbs will help stomach area. I'm watching my carbs and I can see a difference.

L2D4 done today. Starting to feel better about it. Am managing the cardio much better now. Not fussing about the plank stuff any more, have just decided to hold plank position instead of doing plank jacks etc., once I can do this easily then I'll add the jumping about while in plank.

My daughter joined me for the session today which made it more fun. She's 10 and found it quite hard going but planking was no problem for her.

Haven't lost any more weight, in fact the scales are saying I've gained 0.3kg but am not fussed about this as feeling fitter and more toned which is more my goal than weight loss. Hoping the wobbly bits will melt away eventually!

I like intherounds interpretation of why flabby bits are more flabby. I believe that too

So had a day off yesterday due to a hangover not feeling well, so did my last day of L1 today, plus did the core section of Davina's Fit in 15. Have to say overall I am not feeling any more toned, except for my bum. Where I really want it is my tummy. Suppose I should stop drinking alcohol and eating too many carbs...

Same here intheround. I did some push-ups before bed naked yesterday and the sight of my dangly tummy was most unpleasant!

I've done the shred before - though not every day - and seen a difference in flab and weight quite quickly. But this time, after nearly 3 weeks of doing it almost every day, my weight has barely changed and my spare tyre is stil huge.

At least I'm getting fitter - I don't start serious sweating till half way through, and I am getting gradually closer to achieving a full push-up - for the first time in my life.