December Shred Thread

[WillColbert]

Welcome one and all to another month of shredding. Do join in and share your updates, experiences and tips as we shred our way to Christmas.

I've lost over 4kg since I started - very gradually, but also doing 5:2. I'm eating more on the '5' days than I used to, and still gradually losing - didn't put any back on during the weeks off I've had from both.

Hi Addicted - I'm definitely more toned and stronger but no weight loss here. I'm not following any diet plan though.

L1D3 done. I've really been going for it on the squats and lunges, and my thighs can feel it - but nothing like the first time I did it!

To continue Addicted's question, I reckon that shred alone can lose you inches and possibly dress size, but if you want to lose weight you do need to adjust eating in some way - shred is excellent alongside that for feeling motivated and good about yourself.

Completely agree Errol. I can see the difference in my shape from shredding even though my actual weight hasn't really changed.

L3D4 done.

Thanks. I started this morning and DS (5) did it with me. He was most put out that he didn't have any hand weights though so I had to get him some tins of beans!

I'm loosely following WW too plus playing team sport twice a week and running 2-3 times a week. Going to use the Shred as my strength and conditioning. Although I'm reasonably fit, I'm not very strong and keep getting injured.

Managed it OK but it made me sweat . This is a great thread and I'm getting lots of inspiration.

I've lost some weight - 5llb so far - but I've just had a baby so it's possible that weight would have come off anyway. From last time I did it, I did get pretty toned, especially arms and shoulders.
L2 D9 done. Keen to get to L3 now but fear I've forgotten how evil it is! The jump between L1 and L2 felt massive!

I've gained 3 pounds and I've been running 10-15 miles a week. Clothes still fit fine so I think I must just be building muscle.

L1D4 done.

L2D1 today. Had a bit of a slow week and ate lots of cake yesterday so motivation wasn't good! Feel better for it though, and it's surprising how much more do-able some stuff is compared to first time.(some bits I will never be able to do properly I'm sure, screw you lunges!)
I've lost half a stone ish but more interested in toning and getting fit again, will concentrate more on losing weight when I'm no longer breastfeeding.
Hope you're all well shredders! My knees are aching a bit but hope they'll loosen up again if I persevere.

I find lunges hard too elle I can't get the back knee down low like they do. I also find any exercises where you lie down and raise your legs really hard. Improving on push ups - I tend to do a few full ones but only dip a little.

Still enjoying RI30 week 1. Had a day off yesterday so have blown my plan to do 30 days by christmas. Level 2 day 6

The other thing is I was putting a calendar together for my mum and looking at pictures of myself this time last year - I look huage! I wasn't even at my biggest. In pictures from spring where I had been primalling for a couple of weeks I look so much better, this has made me think I need to eat a lot better for the next week or two leading up to christmas and not use it as an excuse to go mad eating choc and toast and caramel lattes.

oops level 2 day 7 not 6 (!!)

L1D5 today.
Terrible 3 days off, shouldn't have listened to DP who said to have a day off Monday because I have uni Tues and Weds and am knackered by the time I get home.
Oh well back on it until Tues again I hope.

I went xmas shopping this morning - I'm sure my load-carrying ability has improved!

L2 D10 done!

Ooh can I join? Trying to shape up..,
Started shred on sunday. (again- tried last year but didn't stick with it past 3 days!)
I've just missed 2 days so hopefully you can all help me to stay motivated.
So- once kids are in bed, I'll do L1D3.

Welcome poshme! The first 3-4 days are the hardest, if you can crack those then you should be able to keep going. A couple of rest days per week is a good idea, so don't be put off if you miss a day.

Hey poshme.
Don't stress about missing days, that is why I gave up first time round.
This time I figure if I keep going even after I miss days I will get there eventually!

I got a free exercise DVD from online called Pelvicore.
I decided to try it after Shred today and my word it was so airy fairy.
Just stretching and do loads of pelvic floor exercises, only 10 mins though.
Might try doing both, I suppose after having two kids doing pelvic floor and core exercises can't be a bad thing.
Did make me realise how much I love Jillian's get on with and work hard attitude.

Well that was hard! I really didn't want to do it- I've had a bad day, and just wanted to curl up on the sofa with a beer.
But I did. Yay!
I still can't do the press ups at all. Not even Anita style, and was struggling with the sideways lunge & eye lift thing. But I did finish.
It helps that I'd told you all that I would- I didn't want to pop up and just disappear through failure! So thank you for bring my conscience!

Posh, I couldn't do press-ups at all when I started - which was in the summer, I've done shred twice and ripped once since then and still can't really do full ones (yet!). Do wall push ups or with your hands on the base of the sofa or suchlike - if you google you can find youtubes of various modified pushups.

On the side lunge and anterior raise I only use 1.5 kg weights whereas the others I'm using 3kg or 5lb now - so try them using about half the weight you use for other moves. This may be the tin of beans/bottle of water if you don't have appropriate dumbells. In general, try to use a weight that lets you do all (or most) of the reps with good form.

Welcome Poshme! The shred threads kept me going at the beginning as having a place to report back to really motivated me.

L3D6 done!

Meant to add that I found the raises with side lunges really difficult even second time around. There's something about the co-ordination involved that baffles me!

L1D5 done.

I don't find coordination too hard in the side lunge - its more that the leverage on a straight-arm raise is a lot more than something like a bicep curl or press, hence smaller weight needed for same effort. Maybe trying them without any weight at all, until you've got the move sorted might help? Also just doing them a bit slower - I found this helpful on some of the dynamic moves in L2/3

Hi Posh
L3 D1 done. There are some killer moves in there! No chance of a rock star jump - I'm scared for my pelvic floor!

Hi Posh

Well done everyone shredding!

I exercised yesterday but not today think its important I do some tomorrow.

I totally agree about JM's no nonsense attitude, I just want to get it done as effectively as possible in as short amount of time as possible!