May 30 Day Shred - come one, come all

Yes I had the buckets drops of sweat pouring off my forehead, particularly during the squats.

Back on 30DSL1D6. Had the weekend off for various reasons. Been very careful with the abs still, tried to do them more the way I did in the Pilates class. Strength section still the hardest, particularly the pushups. I feel that I'm not going deep enough with the push ups, but if I do the easy version it's quite easy. Otherwise I'm looking forward to L2 as the rest are starting to get a bit easy.

Rin30 L2D2 done. The strength section in circuit 2 is a killer. I have to say I am finding it a lot less boring than 30DS, I think because their are three strength moves in each circuit, so if you hate something, it only lasts for 30 seconds.

I couldn't do the bridge thingy as my arms are a bit short until I tried going up on my weights and I think that works if anyone else has freakishly short arms (wasn't aware of this before now).

Cheese that's what I'm moving on to. I went back to level 1 after Easter as I had been away for a while and wanted to ease back into things and I actually got a good workout because I was really going for it. Also you can take elements from the other levels such as doing the jumping jacks with weights or doing double jump rope instead of jump rope.

Thanks Better

Yes am getting a bit bored with L1, can almost repeat Jillian word for word!

I still have to give my arms an occasional rest through the squats and anterior raises, but do ok with the rest of it. Will look forward to L2 (I think)

Torianna if you can do mostly Natalie, you're doing fab. I'm quite enjoying level 2 but that may just be the novelty factor as level 1 gets repetitive after a bit.

I read an interesting idea of cycling through the sessions so doing level 1 on day 1, level 2 on day 2 and level 3 on day 3 so that you vary the muscles worked. I may try this after I've finished doing them consecutively.

L2D3 done - still hard work, there are so many plank-based exercises that my poor core struggles by the end. Just got a shiny new weight set so that will help me get through tomorrow's session

Yes have just watched through L2 to see what its like. Think I might be following Anita for the first few days

Going to try it on Thursday, then we are out on Friday night so will get a rest day after.

Toriana Welcome! Yes, I moved up to level 2 even though my push ups were pathetic, and Anita is still there on level 2 if you're struggling to do the full move.

Natalie is super fit, I don't think anyone would ever be able move up a level if they had to follow her moves for the whole level to progress!

30DS L2D4 today. My legs have got pretty muscley since I started but I still haven't lost a pound.

Hello can I join in,

Started the 30DS, am up to L1 day 7 I think. Can do most Natalie moves except for the pushups, and the bicycle crunches still kill me. But am going to plan to move up to L2 on Day 11.

Is it a good idea to move up, even if you're still slightly struggling with Level 1?

Am trying to get fit and toned for Florida in June! Started it a couple of years ago but never got past the first few days. Really want to carry on to see what a difference it can make.

30DSL2D8

I don't feel quite as dead today, I don't know if I'm getting used to it or if I was accidentally taking it a bit easier, my back's a bit sorer than usual, so I might have been.

My back's a bit dodgy, but exercise helps it so I don't purposely take it easy, but that seems more likely than that I got fitter overnight, lol

Just done RI30 L2D1. Gosh it was hard, I think it's as hard as L3 on 30DS. Really did not enjoy that.

Found out this morning that it looks like I might get made redundant which is scary, but quite liberating as I have hated it for a long time. I am lucky that we could just about afford to be a SAHM for a while and maybe retrain. Scary, scary.

Phew I have now managed 3 days of L1, though not all in a row cos I was rubbish and missed 2 days. Still it is a start. Am finding it not as hard as the very first time I did it (although I am using a bit lighter weights for some things) - but mostly a bit dull....

Hopefully when I can move on to L2 that will make it more interesting as I haven't done L2 for ages and don't really remember it. Think I will try to move up fairly soon before I lose interest!

30DS L2D2 done. Is it weird that I like plank jacks? Not so keen on squat thrusts, or plank twists. I hate it when I'm doing it but I feel really good afterwards, almost makes it worth it. I go on holiday at the start of June so hoping doing it 5 days a week will help me feel a bit better poolside - though I have acquired two flattering swimsuits so that should help as well.

TabulahRasa Same here! My DP came in while I was purpled faced, panting like a dog, balanced on one leg, lifting the weights while kicking my leg and started telling me what he'd bought at the supermarket. Does this look like a good time to talk to me?!

I did L2D3 today after two days off. It seems to be getting harder instead of easier! That might be the pizza I had last night though or the McDonalds on Friday

I haven't done a workout since Thursday night - Friday was chaotic at work, and then I lost my sports bra. A new one will be acquired tomorrow!

Will I have thrown away all the good work that I did? I'm a bit gutted, but doing it without a sports bra hurt!

I'm going to do next week at level one, too, because this is my first workout. Then I'll move up to Ri30 level two.

I really hope I'm making a difference! I've been been turning down snacks more at work because of of the effort, so that should help too.

30DSL2D7

God I hate doing it on a Sunday...people wander past asking if I know where things are and stuff, like mid plank jacks!!

I usually don't do it on a Sunday but I didn't get a chance to do it yesterday - I think I might send them all to bed if I have to do that again, DP and all, lol.

Amelia L3 isn't as much of a step up as L2 but it's a bit quicker paced and I think it's more fun than L2 which is a bit of a slog.

30DS L2D6 it is not getting any easier! I am definitely sweating more than level 1.

Is L3 much harder than L2? I am going to do another 6 days of L2 then move up to 3.

Safety I've actually just checked mine again and the gap has reduced quite a bit so for me at least, the ab exercises have been fine. I do really try and focus on drawing my core in through the whole workout which I think may have helped.

safety I think that so long as the gap is less than two finger widths then crunches are ok. I have a separation of about 1 finger width and I use what some techniques I learned in a postnatal physio class which will be similar to Pilates to make sure I'm doing the ab exercises right. So always engage your deep abdominals by drawing your belly button towards your spine. For crunches, I focus on trying to get my bottom ribs to move towards my hip - so not pulling up. If your abs are "doming" when you crunch, you maybe aren't crunching so much as doing a sit up. I actually think that once your abs have come back together then these exercises won't make them worse again - I could be wrong though .

Lambzig Lol but omg at your in laws. You must have some very entertaining stories

30DSL1D5 done. I'm