Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

Ah mah gah I did arms and abs today and my triceps hate me now.

I managed 4 skull crusher push-ups in a row, though!

Well done @Pleasenomoreglitter ! Stick at it - you'll feel great and how your body changes is absolutely mesmerising.

Well done,@Pleasenomoreglitter ...... you'll get there. I think EPIC 1 and 2 are actually harder - and longer! - than EPIC 3 and Heat, so maybe try one of the latter? (I've not tried the other programmer so can't comment...)

I know what you mean re. the burpees. Ii think it's as much as an agility thing as strength and stamina, so maybe you might benefit from some agility focused exercises and stretch sessions. And the Bowflex 3-minute plank is always useful.

I'll also admit that I often do a Growingannanas HIIT session instead of Caroline's, or substitute one of Anna's other workouts when I'm just too tired/not in the mood for Ms Girvan!!

Inspired by reading these threads I decided to embark on Epic beginner a few weeks ago. As it was, I ended up having to build up to the full thing, doing just 25% of each day first, then 50%, then 75% and finally the full thing. The hiit day is still really tough for me, I really struggle to get the hang of the burpees in particular.
I've just started the Epic 1 and done two days. Legs not too bad, but upper body day 2 really felt like a step up from the beginners one and I am very much feeling it today. I had to modify most of the push-ups to do them from my knees as I'm just not strong enough yet to manage from my toes. Determined to do this though. I really want to get stronger and fitter before peri menopause hits and at 42 that might not be far off!
Think I need a rest day today, so will go for a walk and maybe try a gentle yoga to stretch the muscles out a bit.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for the motivation to keep going.

@BigButtons

Thank you, I am trying to get as much protein as possible so will search for it.

@BigButtons Your protein pancake sounds great with so much protein and so few calories. Can you share the recipe please or it would be even better if it is something I can buy ready made lol.

Wow @BigButtons - are you really managing - and doing all the CG workouts!! - on around 800 calories a day??!!!

@ladybranstonpickle....... whenever I feel like this I just do a Growingannanas HIIT workout. It makes me feel that I've done a good workout without making me feel wiped out.

I'm pretty sure I am putting on weight, well doing a very slow body recomp - I've been bouncing around 65kg for basically this whole year. But my belly has shrunk, and I am starting to see some definition in my arms. I would like to burn some fat, but just plugging away at a decent diet, the CG workouts, and now am focusing on getting a bit more protein when I can.

I was planning to do one of my catchup sessions today (Fuel Day 24 Full Body) that I missed last Friday due to my cold. But I actually do feel a little wiped out. Not sure whether to do it but not push myself or skip entirely. I hate the idea of not getting a full tick✅for all 30 of the workouts though. If I do Day 24 today, I can do Day 27 on Friday and possibly combine with Day 29. Then Day 30 on Saturday and I am DONE!!!

I might be a bit overambitious though. Perhaps the best thing is to just do both full body's today and take a rest day tomorrow, with the idea of smashing the final workout on Saturday. We head off on holiday Saturday night, and I like the idea of being done then so I can really relax for the first week of our holiday.

Oh my goodness, I couldn't justify spending 160 precious calories on just one pancake!! I'm trying to stick with 1200-1400 a day, so its strictly lean protein and veggies only.

It's a long road, unfortunately, as life often gets in the way, and the road to ruin is paved with many good intentions but not enough resolve. But I shall persevere...🤗

I'm supposed to be doing #15 - aka as Badass Burpees - today, but I think I'll give this one a miss 😵

@BigButtons - I can see that protein powders can be helpful, but I'm on a calorie controlled diet because I really need to lose a few pounds that crept up on me over the past year. I also avoid all processed food and dairy. Which means my protein sources are limited to chicken, fish and eggs...

I try not to get too hung up about weight, @bluespottygerbil . I use my favourite jeans, i.e. how loose or tight they are, as my standard measure of how trim I am...

I too like EPIC Heat. I think I'll redo that once I'm done with EPIC 3. I'm supposed to be doing #15 - aka as Badass Burpees

I am now, I estimate, about 1.5kg heavier than when I got into weights, yet also smaller.

I don't really pay much attention to the scales any more. At least until I can get a body comp set.

I'm another one who struggles with protein. I'm vegetarian and also don't buy eggs, and I avoid meat-substitutes as they're so ultra processed. I've started with a protein powder mixed into yoghurt recently, but have been disappointed to discover it's quite high in salt. Will keep looking!

Hi everyone, I posted on this thread a while ago to say I was going to start one of the CG programs, I'm now on day 17 of Epic Heat and really loving it! Feeling stronger and pretty good all round... have been trying not to get hung up on the scales but was a bit disappointed to find I've put on 0.5kg in the last 4 weeks! I know muscle weighs more than fat but has anyone else experienced this? Was hoping to shift a little at least - diet wise I am intermittent fasting and low carb, and feel like I've been doing so well so feel a bit despondent!

I'm back too! After a truly grim 2 weeks of sickness in which I didn't work out at all. I wound back on Epic 1 a bit and didn't push it on the weights today.