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Original poster

Anyone else doing Caroline Girvan's EPIC programme?

894 replies

BigButtons · 22/07/2021 15:50

I thought I was pretty fit and toned. I have exercised consistently most of my life: weights, cardio, hit, running etc ( now 53). I have just finished day 8 of EPIC and feel like a complete wuss. It was the lunges one. I wanted to be sick even though I was standing infront of a large fan the entire time.
How do people actually manage to get through these? I have just looked ahead to the burpee day and feel like I am simply not up to this. Sad

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OrangeSunset · 02/09/2021 09:29

Have just done day 1 of EPIC. That was fairly brutal! Though only 212 cal on the watch, we’ll see.

Thanks for the tips on mixing up. I’m going to write out a new program chart with EPIC workouts, running and rest. I’ve also got Pilates each week starting again soon. Coloured pens required for the chart!

ManxRhyme · 01/09/2021 18:43

@FlowerArranger I want to say thanks for recommending the 3 minute plank video. I've really enjoyed the challenge and it's so easy to tag on to the end of any workout.

I also like Heather Robertson for HIIT. She doesn't talk much and I don't like chatter in the morning 😂 There's a lot of variety in intensity and length.

FlowerArranger · 01/09/2021 17:13

Hi @OrangeSunset and other Newbies Smile

I think it's a good idea to not be too prescriptive about following Caroline's programmes but instead fit the individual components in with your lifestyle and other exercising needs. I supplement her workouts with lots of other online fitness trainers - see my previous posts for suggestions if you're interested.

As far as HIIT is concerned, Caroline's are brutal !!! To be honest, I prefer Anna (Growingannanas) for this. She has loads of HIIT of varying intensity and duration. I also like her style.

Having said all that, CG has changed my fitness in ways I'd never thought possible, given my advanced age Wink. Push-ups - bring them on! Side planks with/without dips or weights - easy-peasy. Doing all kinds of weird stuff with 15 to 25 lb dumbbells - oh, yes, weve got muscles, so let's use them. Burpees....... Shock... but, yes, I can do those too!

Original poster
BigButtons · 01/09/2021 16:46

I couldn't face another hour of whatever today- just so long. Sooo I decided to try epic heat day 1- leg complexes. I really appreciated the shorter workout. It was tough but not ridiculous. Not like the hour long body one I did yesterday. I couldn't have done it had I not already built up strength and stamina from Epic.

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ManxRhyme · 01/09/2021 16:23

I'm coming to the end of week 8 now and planning for life after epic 1. I think I'll do a week of so of other workouts then start epic 2 but stretch it out a bit more so each week lasts 10 days. The last two rest days have done me a world of good. Tomorrow's day 40 HIIT looks like a dumbell workout, I'm going to give it a go with the 3kg weights.

wetpants · 01/09/2021 15:50

Welcome @OrangeSunset! As I said in my PP, I’m starting Epic Heat on Sunday. I want to include more yoga in my weekly plan too, so will do four Heat sessions per week, two yogas (one being the active rest day) and then the one full rest. I’m not keen on hiit sessions either so will hope on our stationery bike on those days. It will take me bit longer to complete the series but I should be done by Christmas Grin

@BigButtons Going back on your earlier comment, she (CG) is evil, just when you think you’re getting stronger, she turns up the notch Hmm But boy don’t we see results though!!

I used have a personal trainer sessions at the gym some years ago and whilst I did get fitter and lost about half a stone, I wasn’t anywhere as fit as I’m now by just doing these workouts at home.

wetpants · 01/09/2021 15:42

After taking a week off whilst away with the family, I gingerly dipped my toes back in by starting the Epic beginner series. Was actually feeling quite apprehensive and nervous about it all Grin

Much to my astonishment I managed the sessions so much better than I had expected. Compared to the first round in early June, I now managed many of the moves that I was unable to do before. Such as side planks. My neck also don’t hurt anymore when doing sit ups. That must mean my neck is stronger, ja? I used to hate doing sit ups as my neck got tired very quickly. I’m very much buyoed by this tangible progress.

I’m starting my first full Epic on Sunday and have chosen Heat as the shorter duration suits my mornings better.

Original poster
BigButtons · 01/09/2021 13:20

@OrangeSunset I would see how to feel after a week or so. Deffo drop the hiit. I’m not a fan of her hiit stuff- way too extreme.
Her weight days are really tough and I am often out of breath and dripping in sweat. I consider that quite a cardio workout as it is.
Having said all that the difference in my body shape 35 days on is astonishing.
I have to work out what to do next.
Now I am back at work it might be harder to fit in those hour long sessions.
Epic heat has shorter sessions but I think more brutal to compensate for the shorter time. I can’t work out which is worse. An hour of JUST about do-able or half an hour of near death.
They are strangely very addictive though.

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Original poster
BigButtons · 01/09/2021 13:14

I often have 2 proper rest days. The workouts are so tough that my body needs it.
I have basically gone from exercising in a bit of a haphazard way 2-3 times a week to 5 hours hardcore. I often feel very tired 😮

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ManxRhyme · 01/09/2021 10:10

Hi @OrangeSunset! One of the rest days is an active one so you can definitely run then. And lots of us sub the HIIT day for some other cardio so that can be your second day and you'll still have a proper rest day.

OrangeSunset · 01/09/2021 09:55

Hi all. I’m dipping my toe in to some of these workouts and enjoy the format.

I’m going to make a start on EPIC but I want to combine with running. I run 3 times a week (one intervals, one easy, one long-ish) so does anyone have advice on how to combine with EPIC? Are there certain types of workouts I should drop eg drop the Hiit as that is covered in my running intervals?

I will still need at least one rest day or it’ll be curtains!

Original poster
BigButtons · 31/08/2021 19:22

@FlowerArranger having looked at the hideous and seemingly impossible tabata I think I am going to do a Jack. There is a line between being pushed and being pushed over and if I do that I will be in the latter category and stop enjoying it.

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FlowerArranger · 31/08/2021 19:16

@BigButtons

I modified I large amount of it too and thrice is push ups- no way- did tricep presses instead. There has to be a balance between suffering for good and just bloody suffering😃 *@FlowerArranger* I know other less sadist trainers are available. I am derrières not to let this defeat me though. I have come so far.

The next one will be the delightful tabata.

Modifications - that's my guiding mantra...

I still need to do the second half hour, but my cat has just woken up and needs his afternoon snack… my cat could do with a bit of CG, the chubster that he is

We can learn a lot from cats Grin

By all means push ourselves. Defeatism is a no-go. But let's remember this is a journey, not a sprint. We'll get to the promised land. In our own time. There's always some gentle Lucy, chirpy Rebecca Louise, and "6,5,4,4,4,4,4.... aha... you're welcome" Jake to keep us on our tracks while we wait for the Holy Spirit to endow us with the gumption to tackle the next Caroline Girvan EPIC or whatever Smile

Melassa · 31/08/2021 14:49

I think the tricep push ups was where I stopped, I left it suspended just before a Bulgarian lunge repeat. I still need to do the second half hour, but my cat has just woken up and needs his afternoon snack… my cat could do with a bit of CG, the chubster that he is.

Original poster
BigButtons · 31/08/2021 13:15

I modified I large amount of it too and thrice is push ups- no way- did tricep presses instead. There has to be a balance between suffering for good and just bloody suffering😃
@FlowerArranger I know other less sadist trainers are available. I am derrières not to let this defeat me though. I have come so far.

The next one will be the delightful tabata.

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Original poster
BigButtons · 31/08/2021 13:12

Jesus Christ- that was absolutely absolutely hideous. There was nothing that I enjoyed.
I managed the Bulgarian to double leg push ups for a while then my shoulders mounted a refusal. I took to doing one round of Bulgarians then one the next chest presses.
My form got worse and worse.
The only thing I could do with ease was the standing up On chair with one leg.
I dunno. There must be method in her madness. Just when you think you are stronger and things the a bit easier she ramps it up again. Maybe that’s how you get stronger: by hideously suffering to the point where you think you might be sick 🤮🤮

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Melassa · 31/08/2021 12:32

Me too! I need to finish the second part and I’m fannying about with the washing instead. I’m now halfway through my lunch break and unless I get started I won’t have time to finish it.

Original poster
BigButtons · 31/08/2021 11:42

Here I am all dressed for day 34. It looks bloody awful and I have been finding useless jobs to do in order to put off the inevitable.

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Original poster
BigButtons · 30/08/2021 22:15

[quote ManxRhyme]@BigButtons protein is good for you right 😅🤢 Bulgarian lunges were day 37. It had lots of single leg bridges too. Real buns of steel stuff![/quote]
That’s what I tried to tell myself🤣🤣
Day 37 you say? Oh goodie. Something to look forward to then🥴!

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ManxRhyme · 30/08/2021 21:58

@BigButtons protein is good for you right 😅🤢 Bulgarian lunges were day 37. It had lots of single leg bridges too. Real buns of steel stuff!

Original poster
BigButtons · 30/08/2021 21:51

@ManxRhyme interesting info on the chair height. Up until now I had done them on a low stool! My dinning table chairs are only slightly lower than knee height so will use those. I have the full body tomorrow- is that BL lunge day?😮

Fishing wasn’t glamorous or very successful I’m afraid. We only caught 2. I guess the conditions weren’t right.
Sitting on a beach on the SE coast. Cold, had jumpers, a neck warmer and blankets. The worst was loads of horrid tiny black flies that covered everything. I had a flask of tea and they kept flying into the cup so I drank quite a few. 🤮🤮

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ManxRhyme · 30/08/2021 21:36

@Melassa I do that weird shuffle too of inching my foot on the ground everywhich way to find stability. I just read up on it and ideally the chair is knee high so my dining chair is definitely too high for me.

@BigButtons how did mackerel fishing go? Was is on a boat in the open sea (because that sounds fantastic)?

I enjoyed the 1 HR workout. It was trisets and the time really flew. Am tired though, really need the rest day tomorrow.

Melassa · 30/08/2021 18:01

@BigButtons for the flies and lateral raises I can only do the 3kg. For some of the rear delta ones I can manage heavier, it depends on which exercise. For the chest presses 6kg is just about right for me, but now you mention it I might try to up it slightly.

@ManxRhyme I always feel I’m not positioned correctly for the Bulgarian lunges, so for every session I move my foot a bit in my search for that sweet spot. Not found it yet though!

I wonder why the not so nice exercises are all named after countries from the old communist bloc? It’s not as if there is a French squat or a Spanish press, or a Swiss curl. Or maybe there are but are advanced moves so we haven’t come across them yet?

I came back from my meeting and stress ate my way through a large bag of crisps with wine. Oh dear Blush

Original poster
BigButtons · 30/08/2021 16:58

@ManxRhyme I am really not looking forward to the Bulgarian lunges😮

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Original poster
BigButtons · 30/08/2021 16:57

@Melassa that’s great re the arm weights. I can only do 5kg for the biceps. I can go heavier for chest presses. But for flies and rear dealt stuff I’m often down to 4/3 kg.
I can go much heavier on the legs.

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