30-day Shred - class of June 2014

30dsl1d2 - got through 2nd session this morning on legs made of lead from yesterday, going up and down stairs today is a slow and rigid process, determined to stick with it though, it can only get easier.

Just been on holiday - wore a tankini that revealed none of my wrinkled belly, and a sarong thingy that covered thighs on walks to cocktail bar and back. Agree it's such a shame, we are so critical of our bodies when we are young, not realising how lovely we were - youth is wasted on the young as they say

Beach holidays are my idea of hell.

30dsL3D2 done.

Still got those fingers crossed tabulahrasa

Ri30L2D1

I've never worn a bikini, I rarely even wear a swimsuit - I usually wear a vest and 3/4 length trousers at the beach, but then I'm a 16 currently and that's the smallest by far that I've been for a very long time.

Also my next holiday is in October, near Gretna...I suspect bikini or swimsuit wearing is kind of out for that one anyway, rofl. We booked a cottage in the middle of nowhere so we could take the dog, who is currently stable, but refusing food, which is not great :(

My holidays are spent building sand castles, looking at rock pools and holding a swimming baby/toddler in the shallows in the med usually. Bikini seems the only option. I have always been with BWC on the 'no one is looking at me' bikini wearing, but somehow all this exercise has made me feel more self conscious, like I should look better now or something.

mostly what I wear on a beach now is rash vest and boardies with a buoyancy aid on top - or if in the UK a wetsuit! I grew up by the sea and have always loved being in the water - but not so much lounging by it.

Also I have NEVER worn a bikini in my whole 23 years! It's a massive goal of mine to be able to wear one someday

Just finished 30DS L1D2 and it was harder than yesterday! My 6 month old DD found it highly amusing

Imogen that's really heartbreaking to hear. Its sad when you look back and think 'actually I didn't look bad at all' when at the time you felt like you looked horrendous. I know that feeling all too well. Your figure sounds lovely!

Imogen, that's so sad, your figure sounds gorgeous, but we never see ourselves as others see us. I think doing these workouts for the last couple of months, I am much more confident about getting my arms and shoulders out, but must admit I cover up my knees in a skirt.

Yadah I forgot to say, there is a ridiculous cod psychology bit between the circuits and cool down that she tries to get you to lie and listen to. Definitely worth a fast forward.

I wore a bikini on holiday and so did almost every other woman regardless of age, size or firmness. I found it very liberating to not hideaway my stretch-marked crepey stomach. Plus it looks nicer now as it is tanned

Wow, 19 inch waist is amazing! I think of mine as small and it's 25 inches (was 23 when I was young, sigh).

I have very messed-up body image (in spite of lifelong feminism) so I never appear in public in less than trousers and a vest top - I would never wear even a one-piece swimming costume, and I convinced myself in my teens that my legs were so disgusting that I should never wear skirts. Rationally I can now see that they're quite nice - good muscle definition, not too wobbly except right at the top of the thigh where I carry my extra weight - but the mental block is so strong I don't suppose I ever will wear skirts.

Cross posted yadah. I think if I got told I could eat anything in the eight hour window I would stuff myself witless. Most days mine is probably a nine hour window as I never seem to eat until lunchtime most days.

RI30 L4D1 done in that slightly rubbish way you have on the first one when you are trying to figure out how to do it. I can't decide if it's easier than L3 or just a bit nicer to do. There were a couple of exercises I enjoyed, so probably the latter.

You see I always wore a bikini because I have never had nice legs, but used to have a teeny waist. I like the sun on my tummy too. I think last time I had 36 inch hips and was super fit, I also had a 19 inch waist (pre DC obvs) and I can't quite get over that now it's 29 and unlikely to get smaller. I suppose when I started this towards the end of March it was nearer 38 inches so it's all relative.

What do non bikini wearers wear on the beach? I think I would feel more conspicuous in a swimsuit, like I am advertising I need to cover myself up, but that's obviously my messed up thinking.

Well done Yadah what are you going to do next?

I've hardly ever worn a bikini - even when much thinner I've always had a roll beneath the navel. And since DD I've got a crepey triangle above the navel - its where I went out when PG and now really do go in, just a bit too much skin. But I've never really seen the attraction of bikini wearing anyway - I like being active in and on the water, so want something that stays put! . trying a tankini this year for the first time though.

Welcome back Cheese.

I never have been a breakfast-eater. I rebelled against it in my teens and never started again - even when I was pregnant I only wanted coffee and fruit, and now I'm back to just coffee.

I've ordered RI30 in teh faint hope that I at least look nice in clothes on my holiday at the end of July. Nice in a bikini is not possible: the skin on my stomach is awful, crepey and stretched, and I don't think anything short of surgery would help. I'm definitely not going to have surgery so no bikinis for me.

30DS L2D10 done. I never got to the point where I could do two full sets of the V-raises with my (pathetic, 1kg) weights - had to switch to tins of tomatoes for the last few. Did manage 2 full sets of the squat thrusts though, more or less following Natalie.

Anya, my ankles killed me through level 1 and the first part of level 2, but they seem to be better now. I think there may be something in yadah's physio theory: my thigh and bum muscles are strong because I cycle everywhere, so I've had no problem with my knees. My calves and feet aren't nearly as strong so my ankles have suffered.

Off for coffee now!

Welcome cheese and well done yadah.

Since starting 5:2 I've found that I rarely want breakfast nowadays - lots of tea but not really hungry till later (however, I do eat a bit later into the evening so don't often do a 16:8 myself). There seems to be this dogma about breakfast being essential - well, it probably is for growing children but for adults .... eating by the clock rather than whether you're actually hungry is a bit weird when you think about it IMO! I think the cereal manufacturers with their supposedly 'healthy' breakfasts (which are actually mostly high carb, even the ones that aren't sugary, and often quite salty and lacking protein and fat) have done us no favours.

Hi all I'm back from holiday so ready to start Ri30 today . I did the sum total of about 8 squats and one plank on holiday so am expecting it to hurt. I weigh a pound less than when I left and I'm a bit sad as I suspect that some if it was my hard-earned muscle. I've got a wedding in August and I'd like to get down to a size 14 for it. I'm currently between a 16 and an 18 so I have a fair way to go. I plan to do Ri30, couch to 5k, and cut the junk from my diet. Should be easy

Apparently a lot of Italians don't have breakfast, just black coffee in the morning. It may partially explain the beneficial effect of the Mediterranean diet.

Tabulahrasa, sending positive vibes for your dog. He's the nicest rug-weight I've ever seen.

Interesting about 16:8 - I didn't know it was a thing but it's how I've always eaten.