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Original poster

Get a spring in your step - join the (military) March Shred thread!

191 replies

ErrolTheDragon · 02/03/2015 17:29

New thread (a couple of days late for anyone doing, or thinking about doing, the 30 Day Shred or any of the other Jillian Michaels workouts. Any questions, just ask - we're here to give encouragement, advice and sympathy to each other.

A couple of FAQs to start with:

  1. How many days at each level? - the norm is about 10, but it's not a hard and fast rule so progress at the rate you feel good with. You don't have to get everything perfect before moving on.

  2. Can I take a day off? - yes, you should have at least one rest day every week. (I always shred on weekdays and have the weekend off)

  3. Weights? - If you don't have any dumbells, you can start with a couple of tins of beans or 500ml bottles of water. Different people can manage different weights, and many of us find that we want a couple of different sizes. You want weights that allow you to complete all (or most) of a set with good form. Places like Argos, TKMax or Sports Direct usually have sets of 3 sizes (eg 1, 2, 3 kg) reasonably cheaply.

That's enough for now!

OP posts:
Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 26/03/2015 10:29

Well done magpie!
I did tabatas this morning - used 'moguls' as one of the intervals today. I prefer doing JM's cardio moves really hard for 20 secs then having the 10 sec break to doing 4x30 secs (or more, she goes way over sometimes) continuously.

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MagpieCursedTea · 26/03/2015 10:18

Ri30 W1D2 complete!

MsRaspberryJam · 25/03/2015 22:20

Ri30 is definitely more like what you are used to, blodynmawr. She makes you do two long identical circuits in 6w6p and you feel like offing yourself when it gets to the start of the second lot.

It works though, I must admit!

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 25/03/2015 20:45

I tried 6W6P but didn't like it at all - IIRC some of the moves were difficult to get the hang of and the pace was quite fast so there wasn't time to sort it out. Ri30 is very much like shred only gets a bit harder - I like (most of) it.

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blodynmawr · 25/03/2015 20:40

Still doing BFBM and NMTZ. Liking the difference the longer work outs seem to be having and noticing even more toning!
Still haven't ventured into Ri30 or Yoga inferno due to my sister's negative feedback on them!
What is 6W6P like compared to NMTZ and BFBM?

MsRaspberryJam · 25/03/2015 20:31

I did Yoga Inferno last night. It was fun, but I have a twinge in my back now.

I like fast feet too, Magpie. Although, I am deeply unlike an American football player!

I'm planning to do a level of six week six pack in the morning. The last time I did it, my sides were hurting for days.

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 25/03/2015 19:05

Magpie - glad you liked it - fast feet is one of my least favourite moves, just feels a bit daft when I do it.

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jemma2609 · 25/03/2015 18:26

I've been doing a mix of her back catalogue. Tried hard body level 2 and have really hurt my lower back Confused. Either that or it was 6W6P. Will go back to BFBM and NMTZ when back starts behaving again.

MagpieCursedTea · 25/03/2015 18:12

Ri30 W1D1 complete!
Wasn't too bad, loved the fast feet move. Sweating quite a bit by the end.

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 25/03/2015 14:33

NMTZ this morning, used heavier weights for some things.

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MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey · 25/03/2015 13:37

drs I changed weights at day 6/7 I think it was, and am now using the next ones up which are just slightly heavier....

MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey · 25/03/2015 13:32

D9L2 done....getting closer to level 3, I'm dreading it a bit, but then I dreaded level 2 and I really like it now! I did find the 10 minute one on YouTube Magpie ill give it a try on Saturday, I'm always pushed for time on a sat so that might a handy one to do....that's so cute about your ds Grin

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 25/03/2015 10:57

Right, L2D4 done! I'm drawing a veil over last night's lack of effort. I better go shower before DS wakes up.

ElphabaTheGreen · 24/03/2015 20:27

If I didn't get at least one laundry in every day, we would surely suffocate under a pile of dirty clothes if I left it until the weekend plus I'm a mug who uses cloth nappies

Plus pack lunch for the next day, plus do as much prep as I can for the following night's dinner...

MagpieCursedTea · 24/03/2015 19:09

MrsS - I have a couple of 10 minute solution DVDs (there's loads of different ones). They're bound to be on YouTube though.

I'm starting ri30 tomorrow. Not sure if I should be terrified or excited?
I often work out with 17 month old DS running round the living room or trying to join in. He's getting quite good at arm crosses during the warm up Wink

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 24/03/2015 18:54

Elphaba , I only mentioned 5.45 am to explain why I couldn't possibly exercise before work! Getting up early is so not my strong point.

Well, despite having all day off, I chose to nap when DS did, so I still have to Shred tonight. Oh, and I was planning to ignore chores until the weekend or do them on rest days. Blush

MsRaspberryJam · 24/03/2015 16:45

Hey everyone. I'm announcing my commitment to work out as soon as I finish work. I'm doing random Jillians, usually from YouTube, to keep things interesting.

I am luckily well past the baby stage and can tell you it does get easier. My four year old and work don't get in the way of exercise too much. I do have a lot of early mornings, but I have really got used to it and (crazy as it sounds) kind of enjoy it.

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 24/03/2015 16:34

Well, there's quite a lot of time between now and the end of next month - wouldn't it be good to start back at work fit? Also, once you've got the exercise habit, it's not too hard to do a bit ad hoc even if you don't have time to put a dvd on.

I did 5 sets of tabata (ie 5 sets of 8 20:10 tabata intervals) this morning - that takes a bit of a while at the moment as I needed 4 mins between each set (but it was 5 mins last time, hoping to whittle down to about 2). But if you got a timer app you could probably fit in a set or two somewhere in your day.

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ElphabaTheGreen · 24/03/2015 15:16

Hello!

Yes, it's me. Still here, still not Shredding and joining drspouse and Cheddar on the 'how the hell am I going to exercise once I'm back at work?' bench. It's what's holding me back, actually. DS2 will be gradually increasing nursery hours between now and then, so I'll theoretically have time, but is there any point since it will all come to an abrupt halt at the end of next month?

Cheddar - you're describing my set-up entirely. Impressed that you're even mentioning 5:45am or once the DCs are in bed. I'll be doing my best to cram in sleep or chores at those times!

drspouse · 24/03/2015 15:04

Right! L2 D7. Phew. Now am doing mostly Natalie and not much Anita except some of the knee things I don't go down as low, and I cannot do the double skipping. At all.

Maybe I should get some heavier weights next?

MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey · 24/03/2015 13:46

Hi everyone, D8L2 completed Smile....I'm just starting to like it now! Must have a look at level 3, see what delights are in store for me...

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 23/03/2015 23:52

Cheddar - some things are even better than shredding and those baby years may seem long at the time but aren't in retrospect. Smile

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TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 23/03/2015 23:09

Drspouse snap! And double sob. Neither child reliably sleeps in their own beds - baby is usually in with me by 4am at the latest, and toddler usually appears at some stage too. So if I tried to sneak out if bed at 5.45 to Shred I'd be bound to wake at least one of them up (given that their preferred sleeping positions are super-glued to each side of me, DS with nipple in mouth and DD with one hand planted firmly on my other boob). That leaves evenings after they're in bed. Get home about 6, get dinner for adults and supper for children, then bath and try to have them in bed by 7.30. Then collapse on sofa and start trying to motivate myself to Shred. The joy. I usually start at about 8.45. On the plus side, it will feel like bliss when the baby years are over and if my children are awake while I exercise they can be trusted not to interrupt. Then I'll have to come up with a new excuse...

drspouse · 23/03/2015 22:37

Brain fail - the DCs both had a nice long nap but I forgot to do anything during it (though I did do some paperwork).

Someone please explain exactly how on earth I'm going to do any exercise when I go back to work sob next week sob.

Original poster
ErrolTheDragon · 23/03/2015 16:05

DH and I had a really lovely walk yesterday; today I had a GP appt. so I did some free weights (heavier weights), inclined pressups and planks instead of a fullscale workout. I think I may do tabata tomorrow, then NMTZ.

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