30 Day Shred- Get a Shredload for August!

[NoelHeadbands]

A thread for those wanting to shred and chat.

All welcome- beginners, continuers, re-doers, previously-gave-up-but-trying-againers

Sign in here and start September with a Six Pack

Oh, and my reboot L1D6 done.

Bump - the dvd is only a fiver, I reckon that's extremely good value!
I think it is worth quickly scanning through the next level before you do it - some of the moves (esp the pendulum lunges) are a tad more complicated to go straight into IMO. And its a bit hard to watch the screen while doing some of the plank-based things and you may want to look at the Natalie vs anita versions ahead of time (there's one - can't remember which - where I actually find the Natalie one easier)

I picked up the dvd in tesco for a fiver the other week, which seemed pretty good to me.
Trying to motivate myself into day 2 but my leg muscles are not keen, to say the least!
Clinging to what people have said upthread about it getting easier after a few days...

Deeply, it definitely gets easier, it really does.

Along side the abs that are now quite defined (you might have to squint but I can definitely see them!) I now have arm muscles - these surprised me last night as I happened to be nude in front of a mirror putting my hair into a pony tail and suddenly saw arm muscles! I ran out of the bathroom nude to show my OH! Day 28 here and full steam ahead. I really want to eat a lot of crap but won't because I have only 2 more days to go and want to keep the effort up!

Lifesgreat, thanks - I've done day 2 now, and whilst most of me feels okish, my thigh muscles are crying! Day 28 seems a long way away, but it's really motivating to hear how many others have made it that far.

Yes, L1 kills your quads for the first 4 days or so. (but I've been ok the second time around, glad to say!). Did you read my tip to support yourself on furniture when doing the quad stretch at the end? - I don't believe it's possible to get a good stretch standing like a flamingo.

Think I missed that, so thanks - will definitely give that a go!

L1D11 done here...and L2D1ish. I knew I wasn't going to be able to go straight into L2 as I just didn't understand some of the moves so I thought I'd double up for a couple of nights. I've always been really inflexible (I have never touched my toes - literally, never) so really struggled with the walking press up and will have to be careful as so many of the moves are kicking forward moves. And the planks!!!! Why is every damn thing a plank? I can't hold a plank for 30 secs let alone a minute whilst doing other moves too. I think she should have had us doing the plank in L 1 so we'd at least built up some stamina for it.
Bump - how did you find L2?
Life - what are you planning in doing after the Shred?

Reboot L1D7 done. I did both sets of push-ups! Only 'anita' but still, I'm quite chuffed by that.

Well done, Grimma!

Push-ups are great when you get the hang of them. I found them much easier once I'd worked out where my hands should go - it's much more to the side than you think.

I've just done L2D10 - L3 tomorrow!

I'm never sure if I've got my arms right or not. Any tips for checking that?

Plank arms - on your knees put your arms out straight in front and then bend forwards so your hands are flat on floor

Push-up arms - on your knees again but arms at an angle. You have to be able to turn your palms to face the front, but at the most diagonal you can get your arms out to. You must beware of putting pressure on your wrists, don't twist them.

I only found this out recently, it's made a massive difference to me

Does that make sense?

hmm... not sure. My arms (unlike the rest of me) are very flexible - a bit double jointed - so I think I can put them back further than I should. I'll experiment some more later - thanks!

in that case, maybe you shouldn't worry too much about push-ups and perhaps do more in the way of bicep curls and presses?

I'm using 3kg weights for the bicep curls but find the military presses in L2 hard so maybe I should do some extra of those. But will persist with the pushups as I am improving. I really do want to improve upper body strength in general - not just arms.

Level 1 day 3 completed and still a sweaty heap at the end! Consoling myself that I'm 10% of the way there...

Oh, you should be a sweaty heap all the way through to the last day if you're putting enough effort into it!

Being a sweaty heap is a good sign!
L1D12 done plus L2D2ish. I was such a sweaty heap that there were drips of sweat on the floor around me. I managed to do a lot more of L2 tonight but still really struggled with a lot of it.

I did day 29 after work but have only now had a chance to check in! One more day! Although I have definitely gained muscle and a but of shape I'm dreading weigh in tomorrow, you might not hear from me if it's bad!

L2D1 done. It will take a bit of getting used to.

People who are at or near the end, do you notice a difference in your shape?

Hello can't believe I've just found you all - when I am almost done! I did level 3 day 9 so tomorrow is the end - except I'm probably going to carry on level 3 for a bit because its the fastest and most effective exercise I've come across.

Re results - started Shred mid July. Stayed on level 1 til 3 August, then ten days on level 2, with a couple of day breaks, then level 3, with a couple of recovery breaks.
Combined with low carb and a bit of intermittent fasting.
So what happened?

Lost 15 pounds
Six inches off waist
From tight in size 14 trousers, 16 size in some to size 12 falling off me unless belted.
New jeans bought 29 inch waist - from 36.
Bra size 38b to 34d.
Can do full push ups now
Used 5lb weights throughout.
Basically, my whole body changed.
Tried to upload before and after pics but iPad means if I load one pic it replaces all previous so only the 6 weeks in shot visible.
Good luck fellow Shredders, I can't recommend it enough.

Ps: I continued to drink dry wine - just not every day ;)

That's fantastic Trucks!

I'm only using 1.5 kg weights. I may invest in some heavier ones.

Trucks, that's brilliant and exactly what I needed to hear today, so thank you.

Bump - I reckon its useful to have a few sizes of weight and then use whichever allows you to do all the reps with good form.