Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
ManxRhyme · 30/08/2021 16:39

I hate Bulgarian lunges too. I'm sure they are good for me but I never feel like I'm in the right position. I'm going to do the 1 HR full body for week 8 in a bit. Meant to be a rest day but I'm pretty busy tomorrow so I am swapping the days round. Then I'm going to eat all those calories back in cake.

Melassa · 30/08/2021 15:58

I did half of the day 34 full body today as I suddenly realised I had a meeting to get to so needed to cut it short. No hardship as I am not a fan of those Bulgarian lunges! I should have done it yesterday but we got back too late after a long drive and I needed wine. I will do the second half tomorrow then attempt the Tabata, depending on how exhausted I feel.

I need to up my weights for the legs I think. I could increase the adjustable dumbbells I have but it’s do much of a pain changing constantly and my arms can just about manage 6kg so I’m not looking to go higher there. I still have dodgy wrists after the biceps session and my hand will probably fall off if I increase further.

Original poster
BigButtons · 30/08/2021 14:09

did legs and biceps. The second set of complexes killed me. Mind you I did use my 8kg kettlebell.
Will do a RL abs in a min then heading off mackerel fishing. It's a bit cloudy and windy here today so i shall take a blanket and wooly hat.
Hope everyone's had a good weekendSmile

OP posts:
Original poster
BigButtons · 29/08/2021 12:15

I use a real mix of weights but I would say 3,5 and 7 are good. Better start with lighter weights and get it right. It is hard work so weights you might think of as light feel very heavy indeed after lifting them for an hour.
I have never stuck at anything this long either.
I might have a rest day today- feeling a bit tired and hungover. If I improve by late afternoon I am due to do the biceps one- day 34? My hamstrings are only just recovered from those RDLs early last week 😮

OP posts:
ManxRhyme · 29/08/2021 10:20

@Melassa me too! I have never in my life kept an exercise streak up for so long before so this is new territory. Just finished the day 38 upper body and it's push up mania again. I am way better at it now but even so had to stop so much. And my glutes are still sore from yesterday's bridges. I had to drop down to 3kg weights for some of it today.

Melassa · 29/08/2021 09:23

Agree about the strain on the wrists, I took a day off yesterday as my wrists were sore after the legs and biceps session, where I resolutely tried to do all the biceps exercises with 6kg weights.

Got my 1 hr full body today (day 34), but we are driving home so if there is too much traffic it might take us too long and we’ll get back too late. I did the legs and biceps late afternoon/early evening and my heart wasn’t really in it as I was hungry (it was during my normal aperitivo time) and a bit tired from along day working.

I am really excited that I’ve made it to week 7, I’ve never kept anything up for so long before!

ManxRhyme · 29/08/2021 07:42

I have 3 and 5kg, will be getting a 7kg imminently. I find heavier weights are a strain on the wrists for me and keen to avoid injury so I'll probably not go higher than that myself.

Haveyoubrushedyourteethtoday · 29/08/2021 04:43

I’ll be starting this in a few days. What weights would the more experienced in this program recommend for someone who is not totally new to strength work but not a complete novice? I was thinking a pair of 7 kg, 5kg and 3 kg

ManxRhyme · 28/08/2021 19:00

Did the day 37 Bulgarian lunges. Was dreading it but actually it was pretty enjoyable and not too ridiculously taxing. The 50 mins went by quite quickly. But might be to do with the fact it is Saturday and I didn't feel too pushed for time.

Original poster
BigButtons · 28/08/2021 18:46

I can’t type🧐

OP posts:
Original poster
BigButtons · 28/08/2021 18:43

@Melassa I would have done the same.
I did a half hour whole body workout today as pushed for time. I really enjoyed it. It sis seem out for it to be over quickly and not be completely on the floor.

OP posts:
Melassa · 27/08/2021 16:25

I also brought my dumbbells on holiday Blush but only because we drove. There’s no way I’d have used up my luggage allowance on a plane when I could get more clothes in instead!

ManxRhyme · 27/08/2021 12:51

I brought my dumbells on holiday 😳 but we only went to an air bnb by the coast. I have really noticed an improvement in core strength over the last couple of weeks. Flabby belly still there but oh man I did a 3 minute plank today 💪!

Day 36 biceps today and as everyone else has commented, it felt easier. Probably means I need to graduate from my 5kg weights but I felt STRONG!

Original poster
BigButtons · 27/08/2021 10:55

@Moonflower12345 I didn’t see that one 😂. I feel sorry for the spouses.
Talking about being slightly mad. After I have done the shoulders and abs obliques I am going to do a CG calf one I found. I really want to strengthen my calves. At the moment doing this exercise is the only thing keeping me sane and the time when every else we most likely just leave me in peace!

OP posts:
Moonflower12345 · 27/08/2021 10:30

Did you see the one the other day who took her dumbbells to Portugal and had them taken off her at the airport when she landed! Completely extreme, enjoy your holiday and maybe do a bit of yoga if you must.

Melassa · 27/08/2021 10:12

That is one unhealthy obsession!

Original poster
BigButtons · 27/08/2021 09:55

Thank you so much @ladybranstonpickle and @FlowerArranger for the links I will check those out😃
@Melassa yes I think I am finding them a little less challenging, still challenging to be sure but I am not as soaked in sweat and such huge amounts of discomfort as I was when this thread started.
I am definitely stronger, core is tighter and my legs are transformed. Think I am on day 32 today- was the glutes one yesterday.
I am often reminded of a quote on the frankly whacky over 50’s Facebook group which goes something like “ don’t think about what size you are, think about how strong you are” I really like that. As someone who can be prone to body obsession and being small this has really helped turn my thinking around and aim for something healthy.

There is currently a woman on there who is frankly bonkers. She is on holiday but cannot stop exercising not posting photos of her exercising in her hotel room. She has even made her own ankle weights out of plastic bags filled with I don’t know what. I never want to get like that. She supposed to be having a break.

OP posts:
Melassa · 27/08/2021 09:42

For yoga by length of session try Sarah Beth yoga. Also minimal talking.

Glad you’re feeling better @BigButtons. Today I have day 33 legs and biceps but I’m toying with taking the day off as my arms are a bit tired by the shoulder session yesterday. I probably will do it later though as I’ll feel guilty if not.

Is anyone finding the sessions less of a challenge on the whole as you move forward? Yes, some exercises are still awful and always will be, but I’m finding it less tough getting through them - with the notable exception of push up hell on the EMOM. Or indeed any push ups that are not the normal ones. My core is also stronger, which is good as I have terrible posture when I work, and, apart from my knees which are still creaky, I no longer have twinges or joint pain. This alone is a huge result for me.

ladybranstonpickle · 27/08/2021 09:28

@BigButtons this is a good one

or

ladybranstonpickle · 27/08/2021 09:26

hi @BigButtons! i usually just pick based on length - she has playlists sorted by that. If you want faster, any practice with 'flow' or 'vinyasa' is a good choice as those tend to be joining movements together with variations on a sun salutation etc. Or anything with 'strength', as those tend to be more challenging and get your heart rate up.

FlowerArranger · 27/08/2021 08:06

Chris has lots of abs based workouts, including some short ones:

Or just split some of the longer ones and do them over 2-3 days. I like his workouts because they tend involve a fair bit of cardio as well, which is something I often let fall by the wayside......

Original poster
BigButtons · 27/08/2021 06:58

@ladybranstonpickle I do kind of like yoga and I know it would do me good. I always do either kassandra or Adrienne yin deep stretch ones. But I have become impatient with the slow pace and rarely finish them.
Can you recommend any good stretching ones that move more quickly and are max 20 mins in length, preferably less?🥰

OP posts:
Original poster
BigButtons · 27/08/2021 06:54

@FlowerArranger wish that is way too hard for me😮. I’ll stick to RL. I liked the one you have linked to but on top of CG it would be too long. I know myself well enough. I would resent doing it.
I could cope with 10 mins though and would do that.
Can you recommend one of that length?😍

OP posts:
FlowerArranger · 27/08/2021 04:29

@BigButtons - glad to hear you're feeling better!

I vaguely remember when Rebecca's abs workout used to feel tough, especially the planks. Do persevere because it so works. Having a strong core makes everything else so much easier.

I can't believe how easy I now find it. I keep looking for tougher ones*, but I always come back to hers.

      • I've started doing these:

Being strong just feels sooooooo good!! Grin

Original poster
BigButtons · 26/08/2021 22:09

Thanks for your kind thoughts. I am feeling better today - away on the sofa eating rubbish did me good😀 and did day 31 glutes and abs today.
I worked out that the exercises wouldn’t stress the pulled part of my hamstring. I quite enjoyed it.
@ManxRhyme I’m not looking forward to that. I chickened out of the EMOM so I should do this next one
I love having this thread- it’s helped keep me going. I look forward to hearing your news. It’s great we can support one another.
@FlowerArranger did the RL abs today too- that was tough- but in a non hurry back way. I could feel my stomach working. With CG ones it just hurts my back🧐

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread