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Original poster

The November Shred Thread: all Jillian Michaels devotees welcome!

158 replies

ImogenQuy · 02/11/2014 19:33

It's cold, it's dark, but that's not going to stop us pounding on through Jillian's many evil exercise programmes however much some of us may hate them. The goal is to be in shape and looking fabulous at this year's Christmas parties! Come on, you know you want to...

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Original poster
ImogenQuy · 07/11/2014 07:14

Killer Abs L3 D5 done. Man, the last two circuits are hard. I was feeble today: skipped the clapping mountain climbers altogether and did tricep dips instead, and also just bailed out of the last set of squat thrusts. She would definitely not be impressed with me.

Lambzig, I winced just reading your post - hope the pain's easing off a bit now. Thanks Wine Cake for you.

Welcome, everyone!

Fullsteamahead, people do it differently. I do five consecutive days, in the mornings before I go to work, and give myself weekends off. Other people have two separate rest days. It mainly depends how it fits in with the rest of your life.

Elphaba, is there a Pilates class anywhere near you? I didn't have a section so know nothing, but 13 weeks sounds a bit soon to start full-on JM hell, especially since you say impact hurts at the moment and JM is big on her jumps. Pilates is very low-impact and really strengthens the core: I'm a big fan, but you really need a class with a teacher who can check that you're doing the moves properly.

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ElphabaTheGreen · 06/11/2014 20:51

I think I need this thread...

Hello! Can I join?

I used to do the 30DS (L3 was no problem ) in the days before DSs 1&2. Now I'm fed up of feeling like fifty shades of flabby shit.

I did Davina Fit in 15 a couple of nights last week, but baled with the excuse that I couldn't find my 2kg hand weights and I needed a nursing sports bra. I now have both of these, but thinking I may need to build up to Jillian by using Davina for a bit. I had a CS with both DSs so my core is not what it was, and DS2 is only 13 weeks old. Any impact just hurts, and DS2 is up a lot in the night, so I think I need a gentle lead up to The Michaels Hell. I'm doing a post-natal babywearing exercise class once a week (got it tomorrow) and am doing a bit of walking could/should be doing a lot more in addition to running around after DS1 (2.5yo) but I really miss proper cross-training.

Help me keep going! Grin

Lambzig · 06/11/2014 20:10

No exercise for me today.

I was putting together a ride on tractor for DS's birthday last night and I lunged for a part on the floor while trying to hold it upright and did the thing Jillian tells us never to do, let my knee go much further than my ankle in the lunge. There was a horrible tearing pain and a massive click when I straightened it. I could hardly sleep last night for the pain and have struggled today. Not good.

Hopefully, back on it by the weekend.

standingonlego · 06/11/2014 16:10

A shred returner after a long absence..got up to L3 d2 last time then fell off the wagon. However, Christmas is on the way and I need to do a more than just run to get into my party frocks! Done gym today so starting tomorrow - DH is going to do it too Hmm

Fullsteamahead · 06/11/2014 14:34

Hi all, could I please join too. I'm mentally preparing myself to start 30DS on Monday! Haven't been working out for a while and have dodgy knees as well :( so feeling a bit scared but desperately want to tone up!

Should I do it 5 times a week? Is it 5 consecutive days or do I take breaks in between?

Thanks girls

Original poster
ImogenQuy · 06/11/2014 07:05

30DS L3D4 done. It's cooold here! Took me half way through the workout to get warm enough to take my fleece off. And I so didn't want to get out of my cosy bed.

sometimes, really sorry you're still feeling rubbish. Four bouts of mastitis seems extraordinarily bad luck. Keep checking in from time to time - we'll be here when you're well enough to get back to the Shred.

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sometimesyouwin · 06/11/2014 02:24

Hey guys, just checking in on the new thread. Sounds like you're all doing great.
Well done ShowMe for making it to the end!
I'm just recovered from my awful cough but have tonight started on my 4th bout of mastitis (oh joy!). Bet you're all sick of me! Not much exercise going on this end! Will check back in if (sorry when!) I manage to resume my shred.

CQ · 05/11/2014 19:54

Sound advice Errol, thanks.

I've had a couple of sessions with a physio who believes my knee problems are caused by weak inner quads and overnight IT band which is pulling the knees out of line when I flex them greater than 80 degrees (i.e. squats, standing from sitting, big steps and stiles etc). So I'm having a few treatments of electrotherapy to isolate and strengthen the quad and daily foam rolling for the IT band after he has massaged out all the knots. Bloody agony.
But I'm relieved that it's not arthritis or cartilage problems so hopefully will be treatable.

Working Thurs & Fri but may venture into JM World at the weekend…….

ballsballsballs · 05/11/2014 18:33

Thanks Oubliette, will do. (Great name BTW) I ended up stepping from side to side with the odd half-hearted kick towards my bum. I was very proud that I managed to do the final jump rope section. :)

OublietteBravo · 05/11/2014 18:05

balls - try swapping the jump rope and butt kicks (so jumping jacks & butt kicks in circuit 1, the jump rope and boxing in circuit 2). I found this made the cardio much more doable in L1.

ballsballsballs · 05/11/2014 17:53

30DS L1 D1 done. I couldn't do all of the cardio moves; by the second circuit my legs were knackered. I loved the ab work but I know my legs and abs will kill tomorrow.

Lambzig · 05/11/2014 09:09

Congrats Showme, well done. what next for you?

Yadah, I am horrified! I have to go into the unchartered territory of Phase 3 by myself? (I am far too anal 'tidy minded' to be able to start something else without finishing Body Rev.

I am having a slacker week. Admittedly I usually take Mon and Wed off as they are crazy long day in London days, but I also skipped yesterday due to feeling cold and it was foggy (pathetic excuse). Will try again tomorrow.

Original poster
ImogenQuy · 05/11/2014 07:14

PS ShowMe I meant to say congratulations on completing the Shred!

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Original poster
ImogenQuy · 05/11/2014 07:13

Killer Abs L3D4 done. There are a couple of moves I just don't think I can do without hurting my joints - the clapping mountain climbers and some weird hops in bear crawl position (where all four limbs come off the floor at once). I've religiously tried to do them properly and it's hurting my elbows, so I think I need to do the modified version.

yadah, I'm part bear too - weekday mornings are feeling like such a treadmill at the moment and I'm really struggling. I get up, do my JM, empty the dishwasher, make coffee, drink coffee and post on here, get DS up, dressed and breakfasted and myself showered and dressed and then head out to work by 8.00. I don't want to do any of it: I want to hide under the duvet till March. And the diet has gone completely to pot: between dark mornings and work pressure, I can't face two fast days a week. Maybe I'll feel motivated to do it in the spring.

Errol, I'm in awe of your weight choices - I was feeling quite pleased with myself for getting up to 3 or 4 kgs for a handful of moves!

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ErrolTheDragon · 04/11/2014 15:41

I did L2 of Ri30 today after all - had a bit of a back twinge which I think was probably caused by doing the second strength circuit of L1 with quite big weights (6kg pair for the deadlift/row, 8kg for the swing/good morning) so I thought I should avoid that.

tiggyhop · 04/11/2014 13:57

I'm in! Am on Level 2 30 DS this week...

yadahyadah · 04/11/2014 13:56

Ah well bit of a fail here - period induced. Am thinking of putting aside body Rev for the winter and doing Shred again as I am feeling quite oppressed by the routine of finding the time required for a 30-40 min routine at the moment. Don't hate me lambzig for postponing its completion. It is just feeling like I need the zing of spring to help me charge my way through it. I must be part bear, as the approaching winter is definitely making me feel increasingly hibernation bound.

ShowMeTheWonder · 04/11/2014 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ImogenQuy · 04/11/2014 07:23

30DS L3 D3 done. I will know I'm really fit on the day I can do those jumping lunges as effortlessly as Natalie. Back to Killer Abs tomorrow. (Showme, you might want to try that one interspersed with the Shred: I've found it has made a difference to my waist, even though I still don't have a six-pack.)

MrWillyWonkasbitch, if I did those rock star jumps without a sports bra I'd have two black eyes! Definitely get a sports bra before you try again. (Ebay often have brand new ones much cheaper than the shops, by the way.)

Toizzy, if it's any consolation I thought L2 of Ripped was the hardest of the lot. Best of luck with it.

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ErrolTheDragon · 03/11/2014 21:30

Hello all.
Well, my current go at Ri30 hasn't been going to plan (should have been on L3 by now) - last week I did two days of L2 but then we were doing more spring cleaning and somehow my exercise gear got boxed in behind a load of stuff moved out of DDs room, and she was on half term.... anyway, I did L1 again today, will prob do that tomorrow and then hopefully 3 days of L2 and carry on from there.

Welcome Annabel- the thing to do with weights is use whatever suits you that allows you to complete the sets with good form. You'll probably find that there are some moves (eg the anterior raise) where you'll want a low weight but others (eg bicep curls) you could manage quite a bit more. I've been doing this for quite a while and today used a range from 1.5kg up to 8kg(just one of those not a pair). If you don't have any weights then the sets of 1/2/3kgs might be appropriate (sports direct/argos/tk maxx usually have some) but if you've done this sort of thing before you might want a bit more.

MrWilly - sports bra is the most essential piece of kit IMO! Grin - but if you don't have one you can always sub in some lower impact cardio for the time being, it'll still be way better than not doing it at all.

CQ - dodgy knees come up a lot - one of the things that has been suggested is that it helps if you can gradually strengthen the muscles which support the joint. IIRC balancing on one leg at a time can be good as it requires lots of small adjustments. Anyone starting JM remember - aching muscles are fine, but you should avoid hurting your joints - if you're not sure about squats/lunges practice them slowly to make sure you're doing them properly.

OublietteBravo · 03/11/2014 19:52

30DS L1D5 = done. First time in ages since August I've managed to do 2 consecutive days!

Toizzy · 03/11/2014 19:30

Hi everyone!

I've done 30 ds and have recently started ripped in 30.I thought lvl 1 was quite easy but lvl 2 is so hard, no way am I going to be doing it for just a week.

I exercise with 1.5kg but sometimes grab my dp's (who also does JMGrin ) 2.5kg for some exercises.

OublietteBravo · 03/11/2014 18:12

I'm place marking too. Although I might fit in a session this evening (if DH gets home in time to take DD to her swimming lesson).

Lambzig · 03/11/2014 12:51

Shameless place marking as its a crazy start work day for me. Thanks for the new thread Imogen. I have that crazy obsessive tendancy tidy mind too, it was bugging me.

Mrwillywonkasbitch · 03/11/2014 11:57

Hi I got to L1 D3 30DS and gave up, my excuse I need a sports bra I can't do star jump without holding on to my boobs. I used tins of beans for the weights Grin