EPIC!! Losing, gaining and groaning with Caroline Girvan

My arms have changed (I now use 6kg weights) although my legs haven't done so much frustratingly. I can't really do all the lunges because of my knees, but I actually do need to build up my muscles to protect my knees. So it's a conundrum.

I think they're quite funny @BigButtons. There was a post about how many additional exercises people do in addition to the CG workouts. Some of them mustn't have a job, or a family - they spend their whole time running 10kms, doing HIIT and adding on 5 add ons to each workout. There's quite an obsession with macros too.

I did day 43 yesterday after a weekend off where I just did yoga. I actually did do an ab add-on but that's because I missed out most of the lunges. I don't think she does enough abs/core work . Today day 44 is a full body workout.

I’ve also found it hard to keep going with Heat, as with @ManxRhyme life (and work!) keeps getting in the way. I managed a 15 min abs session this morning before getting the train. I’m supposed to be on day 33 but I had a peek and it does seem to be a bit lungetastic which I didn’t fancy either yesterday or today. If I get back in time this evening I might go for it but I suspect I will be too hungry, so it will be tomorrow instead.

Well done @BigButtons getting to day 46! you must feel a huge sense of achievement.

Did anyone do before and after photos? I didn’t bother but now wish I had. Apart from the bulking up (which I do like most of the time, plus I’m a ducted to increasing weights) I still have my belly, but I can feel hard muscle underneath plus I no longer have backache so there has been some change there too albeit craftily hidden by my podge.

I guess I should start complementing CG with more cardio movement, plus really dial down on those carbs. That way the layer of fat should finally melt away and my new chiselled frame will emerge. Or that is the plan anyway

but you're still getting on and doing the sessions @BigButtons! Honestly, I don't think anyone can smash out multiple push ups for an entire 30 minute session .
I know that I can do more push ups now than when I began, and I'm sure you're the same. (even if that is three instead of zero )

I did Epic III day #7, legs complexes. I really don't like complexes, I find the 3 minutes just too long. I prefer one exercise, 50 seconds, get it over and done with! However I persevered. It was death by lunges. I had a few extra breaks but made it in the end.

I'm also having an unmotivated weekend/week .
Have now done Epic III day #6 - lots of planks! and abs work. Which I don't think we did in Heat? Epic III does seem quite different to Heat so far.

When I upped the weight (only from 3 to 5kg!!) I really noticed a difference in how hard I found the workouts. Have to say I've not noticed a huge change in body, my legs are more toned but not too bulky yet (they've always been quite chunky so I wouldn't notice anyway ). Arms are still a bit wobbly.....

I am not making much progress with Heat. Life got in the way massively last 2 weeks and I am still trying to get my mojo back. In an attempt to reset today I did a 15 min CG weighted ab and the plank variations. Am currently staring day 25 heat EMOM wondering how I can motivate myself to do it tomorrow, or will I wimp out and do an alternative instead.

34,000 steps? you must be exhausted, I’m exhausted after less than half.

Yes, CG does seem to be fixated on hamstrings, a part of the body I’m in no rush to build up. I must admit to a few mixed feelings about my new, bulkier shape. I love how muscly my arms and shoulders are becoming, but I’ve noticed that I’m finding it harder to get tops and jackets to fit, some that were already snug fitting are now tight across the shoulders. I went to a vintage shop the other day and tried on a few things in a 10 (but from the era when a 10 was actually small) and I can no longer do them up as too tight at the back. Before it was just the boobage that was a problem, now it’s everything. That said it was upper body today and I happily did it all with 6kg, including the flies, so I’m certainly not doing anything to avoid bulking up.

My thighs are thickening up too, but that bothers me less as I no longer wear miniskirts and many of my work trousers are wide legged. I do love being strong and firm, I guess i just need to get used to having a different shape. Or else up the cardio to stay lean. I dunno.

I also restarted today after a manic week, plus I went out walking 10k+ steps a couple of days, so wimped out of any Heat sessions. Did day 31 heat, omg the 3 minute Bulgarian lunges and the single leg hip thrusts, you weren’t wrong @BigButtons. I ended up doubling the staggered thrusts so I could miss out reps of the single leg as they were making me feel sick. I hate hip thrusts at the best of times but these were particularly annoying. I’m beginning to dread hamstrings and glutes sessions, the hip thrusts and hamstring hold thingies are my least favourite exercises and actually make me grind my teeth. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one. I do plough through them as I don’t want to miss out on any benefits, but I sigh when I see them in a session.

I also did a weighted abs as an add on so I feel I have done some penance for a lax week. Tomorrow upper body which I’m oddly looking forward to, although I seem to have developed a bit of a sore shoulder from not doing anything.

Back to it today, EH Day 41, glutes. The hip thrust were a killer, I find it hard to push through the burn . It's a very repetetive session but thankfully it's done now.

I'm finally seeing some improvement. Today I used 10kg for the squats and 6kg for the hip thrusts. Been using the 4-6kg weights respectively for ages. I'm also hitting a much better target on our exercise bike than before.

For various boring reasons I don't think I'm going to get Day 9 done today - pity, it looks quite good. Maybe I'll do it instead of HIIT on Sunday (any excuse to avoid HIIT!)

I did day 41 - it was ok. The planking stuff was a bit tough. But I don't mind an RDL.

@Itsnotdeep life is too short - just swap this one out with another legs one if you don't fancy it. CG didn't have the dreaded plastic chair out for Day 13 - she was using a sofa.

I have just previewed Epic 3 Day 14 which I'm planning to do tomorrow and it looks OK apart from the staple which is Makers. I just can't do the transition from the renegade row position into a crouch position. I might just do the first part for one round (renegade rows and a press up) and the second part for the next (bicep curl to shoulder press either kneeling or standing).

I also couldn't bring myself to do day 41 yesterday - also glutes with the hip thrusts (the dreaded clear chair was out). Maybe I will today or maybe I need a break.

@stilllockeddownnowheretogo it was the nearest I've been to just giving up - not due to fatigue or difficulty but sheer boredom! I did Days 11 & 12 earlier this week and they were fine. I'm going to try Week 4 next week but might preview the workouts first just in case there are any more like this.

Oh, and an update from me. I failed to do Epic III day #3. Oops.
Will do it today, I promise

@Anjelika, oh no, that sounds brutal! (and boring )
I admit, I did read the introductory post at the beginning of week 1 of Epic III, and she said it would be fewer exercises and more repetition than Epic I and II (i.e. not 'no repeat'). You're backing that up!
I am not sure if I'm going to like that - the benefit of no repeat is if I don't like any exercise, I know it's only for 40 seconds . hmm.