The July 2014 Shred Thread - Go on, you know you want to

Hi everyone. I did 8 days of Level 1 and moved to Level 2 yesterday. I had watched it through the night before but still found it hard to get used to the new exercises so I don't think I really did the 'full' workout iyswim as a lot of time was spent checking Anita to make sure I was doing it right!

I found it much more high impact than level 1, more bouncing! I was dripping in sweat by the end of it. Still, I found the time flies by just like Level 1 so just as I thought I was going to pass out/vomit it was over

I am still however totally confused about the double jump rope manoeuvre. I have watched it over and over and I just can't see what she's doing different other than her wrists seem to be moving at lightning speed? So I just did a normal jump rope but tried to get as high as I could and circle my arms as much as I could. Can anyone explain to me what the hell we're supposed to be doing??

I've not weighed myself because I don't have access to scales, but my clothes are definitely fitting better. I can now fit into all my 'holiday' clothes but the bikini is still scaring me a little. Would love to tone up my belly and bum more, I have 18 days to go so will stick with it.

Yes, but unfortunately, I had an actual holiday so am expecting pain whatever I do.

Work tomorrow, but it am going to make a start on this on Thursday.

Ddas I think if you keep checking the separation you will be able to tell very quickly if it starts making things worse and will be able to stop. I also think as you LO is around 18mo (is that right?) your muscles are probably a wee bit stronger than someone with say a 6mo so that transverse belt muscle is probably holding everything together a bit better. Like I said before, keep doing that zip exercise. That is the tupler technique which is a diastasis healing set of exercises designed by Julie Tupler. It costs a fair bit to buy her books and DVDs but the basic idea is strengthening the transverse muscle to hold everything in place while you strengthen the other muscles to heal the separation.

So do that zip exercise as much as you can. There's also a good one where she tells you to imagine your tummy is a lift, with the bottom floor right down by your pelvis and the 6th floor just above your belly button. You have to take people up to each floor. So first go up to first floor, pause and then back down. Next the second, pause and back down. Just like pelvic floor exercises you can do the zip and lift ones anywhere, any time and they DO work. Google Tupler Technique and you'll see loads of info. I think if you do those exercises alongside the shred with the modified moves and check the separation regularly you will be ok. I suggested the scarf tying around middle with the plank type exercises in mind but like Owl said, just sub in different moves instead of the planks if you're worried. And obv stop the second you think it's making things worse.

Thanks for the link yadah, it looks good. I will have to see if I can do it from the laptop as I don't fancy forking out the £70 for the DVDs. I think we can get internet through our play station, so might see if that works as it would be easier.

So, is the idea that you do workouts 1and 2 plus cardio x2 for weeks 1and2 (so six workouts) and then 3 and 4 plus cardio for weeks 3 and 4, then move to phase 2?

So do you mean you are doing one extra cardio per week? No rest day, or doubling up on one day?

Because of my work schedule, I can only do 5 days a week, so will have to double up.

Imogen, RI30 makes you feel hopeless at first, but then you feel even better when you get it. The trick with the side lunges with leg raise at first is to really really lean on your hands and then kind of jerk your leg up. As you do it next time, you lean a bit less and can raise the leg a bit more slowly.

By the way, I wore a bikini every day on holiday despite not having a flat stomach and didn't give a stuff.

I am just back from my 1.5mile brisk walking round trip to school so shredding is pencilled in for this afternoon.

ddas I ditched most of the plank moves and subbed them for other exercises from a different level. Mine is because of back issues though. I decided that it was better to do a slightly different exercise well than a) do a move badly and b) risk putting my back out. I figured that as long as I'm still working and finding it tough, it must be doing good.

Been reading about diastasis & jm video's and most info out there says it's not suitable which freaked me out slightly although have been doing the modified version of the abs stuff like you recommended shadows. Apparently it's all the plank exercises that can make things worse too. The main reason I'm doing this is to help with my belly ie jm for the fat on the belly & also doing the recommended exercises like pelvic tilt etc every evening for the diastasis. Hoping to feel confident enough to get in a swim suit on holiday in a month so don't want to make it worse!!

RI30 L2 D2 done. I'm so crap at most of the moves I doubt they're doing me any good - I'm only dipping a very tiny bit on the crow push-ups, I'm not flexible enough to do the side lunges with leg raises, and I keep just failing to complete the squat thrusts. Squinting at it on the tiny screen of my portable DVD player doesn't really help either.

Welcome, BitemeEricNorthman, and welcome back, Lambzig.

30DS, level 2 day 3 done this morning. Found it hard work today, having a rest day tomorrow as have an early start travelling for work, really quite looking forward to the rest!

Welcome Biteme ! Well done on your weight loss, that's great! I find that the legs are the first things to tone up, then the muscle spreads inwards from your extremities, like frostbite!

30DSL2D9 done, nice and early this morning.

Then Tour de France watching for most of the day. Lots of fun. But now seriously down on my Fitbit steps for the day - going to have to jog on the spot whilst watching the Outsiders!

30DS L1D9 done.

Hiya can I join please? I'm on level 1 day 4.

I Struggled to walk over the weekend (had to take the lift up to the first floor at work ) but my legs are feeling lots better now. Have had no aching in my arms though so am worried I'm not doing it right!

Have lost 3 stone by dieting, on the final stone now but I am pure jelly and am desperate to do something about my Caesarian hang over :(

Just back from holiday and smugly have lost a pound. The beer, ice cream, bucket of wine and sun lounger diet must suit me.

Keen to get back into the exercise routine, but having completed 30 DS and RI30 before I went, am not sure where to start next. Any advice much appreciated.

Yadah, what is it that you are doing?

30DSL2D3 and 6W6PL1 done. Did them back to back and actually feel ok afterwards. Think my stamina is picking up!!

Well, I forced myself to do L2D3 (with my modifications to most of the plank exercises) so I can feel personally smug :)

Hi everyone. I ended up doing nothing at all yesterday, as kids weren't here. I had a bath at lunch time, watched loads of box sets and ate Ben and Jerry's for breakfast! So I need to get back into it today. I feel tired, I think because I actually took it easy yesterday it's made me relax a bit and notice I'm tired or something, but I'm going to try and get a good session of exercise in this PM while DD naps.

I keep noticing things like that Owl, I'm finding a lot of energetic household tasks a lot easier than I used to! Well done everyone, let's keep pushing ourselves! Maybe we need to have a motivation post from everyone to remind ourselves why we are doing this?

Back on it after a rest day yesterday, 30DSL1D8 done. Had to push myself into it a bit though!

30DSL1D4 done

I had a rest day yesterday and planned to start today but I've just mown the lawn and I'm knackered! Not as knackered as I used to be after mowing it though, which is surely a positive sign :)

Given it's wedding season not managed to get any shred done over the wkend and was up all night with an vomiting ds plus not feeling great myself so think going to admit defeat today as well but being on this thread keeps the shred on my mind so hopefully can get back to it tomorrow or wed depending on the sickness status.