30 day shred - should I be aching?

[Sparklingblue]

Having done no regular exercise for about 20 years I started the 30 day shred. I'm on level one, day nine, and find it a tough work out, but I'm not aching at all! Does this mean I'm not doing it properly? Can it still be doing good things if I don't feel it the next day? (Wants good excuse to stop )

If you ached at first adn it has now stopped - you probably need to move to level 2 already. Well done and don't give up - I promise it works!

Thanks Tiago! Which level are you on and when did it start to ache?

Just because a workout doesn't give you DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) does not mean it is not working. People often find they ache for the first couple of days after a new workout as they are using muscles in a way they haven't used before/ for a while, once the muscles become accustomed to the movements you no longer get the DOMS.

If you are finding you can manage to do all the reps easily and could do more then you need to use heavier weights or you will not notice any changes in your body. Also make sure you are getting a full range of movement in the push ups, lunges and squats.

As Tiago suggests, it is a good idea to change up to the next level after 10 days anyway just so you do different exercises and challenge your body in a different way.

Thanks GeneCowan, that's really helpful. Last day of level one tomorrow then. Is anyone else shredding at the moment?

I did a day of level 1 and found it too easy so switched to level 2. There are several Shred threads. I finished about 10 days ago.

So what do you do at the end ShowOfHands? Do you just do it a few times a week to maintain your abs of steel Did you find it made a big difference to your tone/shape?

Oh no I'd get bored just doing the same thing. I've had a week off because ds has been in hospital with pneumonia. But since Saturday I've been running again (was shredding while the weather was rubbish, running in snow is hard work) and doing Davina's Ultimate Target in an evening. I swap things in and out. Usually Davina or I have Jillian Michael's other DVDs which I'll do at some point. I also cycle/run when the weather's ok and the baby is settled and go to zumba if I feel like it.

From start to finish of doing the Shred I lost 4 inches from my waist and 8lbs in weight. Biggest difference was in my shoulders though. They look pretty nice atm.

I'd also say, look carefully at what they are doing. I've been doing Shred, though 2-3 times a week rather than every day. Level 3 was tough, but achievable. However, one day I saw that in the push-ups-with-alternate-jumping-legs (you'll see what I mean) their arms were more vertical than mine, which were at more of an angle, so I adjusted position. Boy was I sore the next day!

Maybe you're just very fit, but small adjustments (crouching lower, stretching further etc) can certainly make a big difference.

Thanks AllPastYears. I'll have a good look tonight I think without actually doing the exs. I actually snorted with laughter when you suggested that I might just be very fit This is definitely not the case!