Anyone else doing Caroline Girvan's EPIC programme?

Hope you feel better soon @BigButtons, I had a period after 8 months, when I thought I was done and dusted and boy, was it draining. Hoping it was just an adjustment to HRT and not coming back any time soon!

Well, I missed today in the end too as we got back too late - it’s past 7pm here - so I am cooking and quaffing wine instead. I did stop off at Decathlon to get some weights, though. I ended up getting another adjustable set as there was almost nothing left of the single weights and they were all €25 each upwards. In the end I got the adjustables with 10kg of weights for the same price. I now have my set of 6kg set up and a new set of 8kg set up, plus my 3kg. The new weights have easier clips so if anything it should be simpler and faster to change up and down as necessary.

There were also kettlebells but, again, not very much choice of weights. I’m a bit unsure whether to invest in a kettlebell or 2, or if the dumbbells are enough. Those of you with both, what are the advantages of a kettlebell?

I'm plodding on with epic 1. Day 42 is a pretty gentle (hah!) shoulder workout so there in some abs at the end just because I have more time on Sundays. Aiming to finish by next weekend then will move on to Heat.

Found a couple of great full body HIIT workouts with weights from Anna:

I think she's using 5 kg dumbbells.

I really like her style. Also, she looks great - I prefer her shape to Caroline's.

Mine too, although they’ve faded into second place behind my glutes now!

I will report back after day 4 on what aches. It may well be a complete surprise!

I did day 3 of Heat yesterday and today I have aching glutes. I very rarely ached after Epic 1, so I wonder if this express version, being more brutal, brings faster results? We will see!

I will try to do day 4 later, but we are out for most of the day so I might not manage it. I’m now curious to see what will ache after day 4, it’s a new obsession to keep me going.

I think I will continue with Heat, then when done with that I will do the last 3 weeks of Epic 1 (time permitting) just for closure really.

@BigButtons oh no, don’t push it if you are not feeling 100%. Lack of sleep can really drag you down. I’m trying to listen to my body more these days, if I’ve had a bad night or I feel exhausted, I’ll opt for a yoga. Or I sleep for bit longer if it’s an option.
Let us know if you decided to push through anyway?

As PP said, the ticker on Heat goes quickly which is great All the lunges were killing me but the ticker was quickly at 50% mark which helps me to stay motivated and to give my all knowing I only have another 15mins to go rather than another 45 mins

I’m also very curious to see what Epic3 entails. I wish we’d knew how long the sessions are beforehand. Was tempted to wait and then work out as and when each session is released but if they are longer ones, it’s not going to work.

Right, I’ve done the Epic Heat day 1. Oh my word I found it incredibly tough, was trembling in the end. It also got my heart rate sky high. It’s going to be painful to come down the stairs tomorrow morning

I’ve grown to love lunges and squats though. Something I thought I’d never say!!! I used to avoid them, especially the lunges. My knees used to protest but slowly they’ve been getting stronger and stronger. I still avoid jumping lunges though, just too risky.

Thank you @BigButtons - I'll order some 4kg weights.

I am in awe of you all on this thread! I wonder if I could ask for some advice on dumbbells. I have been working out for about a year now after doing nothing for 20 years. I'm 52 btw. I mostly do the 2 Team Body Project workouts below but after reading this thread I recently tried Caroline Girvan's epic beginner workout days 4 and 5. I found them both pretty challenging (though less so after doing them a few times) but I think I need to move on to heavier weights for some of the upper body exercises. I currently use 2kg. Should I go up to 4 or 5kg?

One thing I did notice today is I put a dress on I’d not worn for months and it was tighter across my shoulders and back. I wonder if it means I’ve beefed up there?

Oh yes!!! I've had to get all new bras and loads of tops and dresses no longer fit

My jeans and other skinny trousers on the other hand are a lot less tight now all the fat has gone. I love my rock solid thighs!

I think I’ll go for 8kg and maybe a 5kg to complete my set. Wow at the10kg @FlowerArranger!

I only use 6kg for the various shoulder presses and Arnolds etc. For the lateral and frontal raises I use 3kg, although I did attempt a front raise with 6kg. I managed very few though! I also have a much stronger arm so I am careful to do the same reps both sides, even if I finish sooner on one side. I also don’t want unbalanced arms, legs, glutes.

One thing I did notice today is I put a dress on I’d not worn for months and it was tighter across my shoulders and back. I wonder if it means I’ve beefed up there?

I mostly use 5 kg, plus 8 kg for easier stuff or if I'm feeling particularly strong. My next purchase will be 10 kg.

I still occasionally use my 3 kg for this one, which is a great little leg workout with handheld 'light' weights (I suspect Sadie is probably using 2 lb or something flyweight ):

I ended up doing the day 3 of heat instead of the Tabata. Too hot today was my excuse…

Mind you I was out of puff and sweating profusely with the leg day, so I don’t feel I missed out by not doing the HIIT. I think the Heat is a bit harder, I don’t know how or why, it seems to be similar to the regular Epic, yet I ache from shoulder day, which didn’t really happen with Epic 1.

@BigButtons I use 6kgs for most arm exercises except for flies and lateral raises or anything else I can’t manage. My lighter weights are 3kg, I need to invest in something in between, and maybe something a bit heavier for the many of the leg exercises. I will pop into Decathlon tomorrow and see what there is.

I will do one today, but unsure of whether to do the Tabata HI IT on day 35, or just go to day 36. The Heat shoulder session yesterday was more brutal than it seemed, today I’m pretty stiff. Hmm might bite the bullet and do the Tabata. I’ve seen on Heat that day 5 is burpee bonanza 😬