January Shred Thread

[Nightwish]

I thought I had better start one seeing as no one else has.
Please add your updates, whether it is a New Year's Resolution to get fit or you have been here for the long haul!

I have just had two days off due to my lower abs being hugely painful, thing I must have pulled something the other day.
Hopefully back on it after the child goes to sleep.

Hope all is going well for the rest of you and you are all eager to go again when the kids are back at school. My poor DS1 starts back today!

Evening all, I'm not a shredder, ErrolTheDragon invited me to pop in re WherearemyShoes problem with her knees ....

In the short term, no jumping, skipping, running, at all, at all.
I don't know the shred but I do know how to protect knees.
Sadly strapping them up is counter productive unless you are carrying no fat on your legs.
The secret is to build up the teeny muscles that support the side of the patella
LOTS of balancing and yoga

• stand with feet 6 inches apart, knees slightly bent, lift one foot off the floor, close eyes and see how long you can hold, repeat to other side.
• stand with feet 6 inches apart, up onto tiptoes with legs straight, close eyes for as long as you can
• stand on one foot, move the other foot to the front, side, back, side, in smooth semicircles about two inches off the floor - five each way each side before resting.

Alternative to skipping : march on the spot, bringing your knees up as high as you can.
Alternative to running : walk at jogging pace, pumping arms up to ceiling
Alternative to jumping jacks : half jacks, pump arms alternate sides and ceiling

anything else that people need alternatives for, fire away I've probably done them

L1D8 done today. Found it harder work than yesterday for some reason.

My pelvic floor is now coping with all the cardio circuits which has made me very happy.

Think I've probably lost done cm but the measurements I took on day 2 don't seem to have saved in myfitnesspal which I'm quite gutted about as could have done with a boost. Anyway, my jeans now fit perfectly and I'm definitely feeling fitter and happier.

Keep going everyone!

Right back on it after 2 days of work commitments interfering with my Shred Schedule. L1 D9 (I think) done. One more go and up to Level 2

Wow thank you so much TalkinPeace and Errol
That's great advice. I am rubbish at balancing and I guess it's due to my weak knees.
I think I'm quite good with yoga so think I'll look at some kind of yoga DVD to mix with cardio when I've mastered 30DS.

We've just ordered a flywheel rowing machine. Hopefully I'll be able to use it to bust some fat.

I'd love to run but it looks like it's just not meant to be.
Too cold out there anyway.

WherAreMyShoes
delighted that what I posted makes sense.

I trashed the cartilage in my right knee when I was 15 and in my left knee when I was 19 : I'm nearly 49 and I've not let them cut into my knees yet.

If you can link me to a video of the exercise that hurts, I'll work out an alternative (for you and others) that will make you work as hard without pain

Thanks TiP!

Hurray, I have finally Shredded again (so I think that's L1d7?), although I was a bit cautious on the squats etc as still not sure my knee is quite back to normal (it was protesting earlier while doing DIY, so I cheated a bit on some of the exercises). TiP I will definitely look at your tips too, thanks!

Well done Lindt, jeans fitting sounds great!

Well done MNIIM! Yes, do be cautious and 'cheat' (adapt is a better word!) - 'no injuries' is the only absolute rule of this game.

L3D3 finished.
Used some heavier weights for parts today.
Most of the time I have just used my 1kg weights because I couldn't be bothered to get out and find my others but on the plank leg raise things I needed the 3kg's to be able to fit my hands under so I now have no excuse.
I used tyhe 3kgs for the squat and press things because the 1kg and 1.5kg just weren't doing anything. No more being lazy with it!

Hope your weekend is good everyone and Lindt I can't wait for my jeans to fit again (and get out of my lazy maternity ones even though DS is 5 months .

I am very much a pear shape and I measured myself and have lost some inches but not around my hips or thighs which is where I want. I think it may be a case of first place weight goes on the last it comes off. All the more reason to keep at it I suppose.

I'm the same shape Nightwish and find my saddlebags are the last thing to shrink when I lose weight; face and bust are the 1st thing to slim down which is a shame as they're never big even when I'm struggling to fasten my jeans.

Just checked back through thread and it appears I'd lost a day and yesterday was actually L1 D10 so looks like I'm on for L2 D1 this evening.
Will report back later.....

Evening all! L2D17 has left the building! 2kg weights again today and I persevered through nearly all the reps. I wasn't aching at all this morning so I tried to put in a bit more effort in the squats and lunges. I will no doubt regret it tomorrow!
I can't wait to get off this level, it's definitely my least favourite of the three. Roll on Wednesday when I will move up to L3.

L2 D1 done! Good to do some new moves even I did lag behind Anita and her 'easy' version.
Found my elbows took the strain on all the plank stuff and think I may be aching in new areas tomorrow.

L1D6 press-ups are the worst. Managed to complete them all today but still on my knees- will I ever make it to the full thing???

intheround - I'm on my 3rd time doing the shred and still can't do full push-ups but am determined to crack them this year - if you scan through this thread for my posts you'll see my plan.

Thanks errol . I think I need to increase the weights I'm using to strengthen my arms. I started with 500ml water bottles, then bought a set of Davina Weights. I've been using the 0.68kg but will try the next size up at 1.1kg . I need to be careful with my pelvic floor so don't want to overdo the lifting thing.

Hello,
I've not posted before on this thread but I'd like to join the group. I've been doing level 1 for a week now. I can't do Nathalie press-ups at all.
Also have a really hard time with jumping jacks followed by skipping. I managed them for the first time this morning! Woohooo

Oooh, can I join in?

I am on level 2. We've done it twice so far (and did Level 1 for 8 days). We are doing it most days but there are usually a couple of days a week we don't manage due to diaries so that's about right.

I don't know if I'm noticing much difference. My legs seem a little bit leaner but I don't put weight on them generally anyway - it all goes on my belly which seems wobbly as ever. I haven't really changed my diet. That is this week's project

I was up early this morning thanks to the dog so got my Jillian session out of the way - D18L2. I have noticed some muscles appearing on my stomach - quite high up, above the waist really. I'm sure my shoulders are starting to look more toned too, really wish I had taken a "before" photo!

Ive decided to 'mix it up' a bit (as much as I love our Jillian- its so repetitive)

So today I did Davina Fit in 15 Cardio section. Really enjoyed it- plan to continue mixing my sessions around- still doing shred but the odd day Fit in 15.

Did D2 L2 at lunchtime as had people over for dinner this evening. Quite enjoying the new moves but am a lot hotter and sweatier at the end than I was on L1.

Hi Lily and Popius!

L1D7 (I think...) for me today, I didn't do it yesterday though, just didn't manage to fit it in and then was out in the evening when I've usually done it. Think I'll give L2 a try in a day or two. I seem to remember that's the one with all the planky stuff though, which I wasn't that keen on?

d14 L2 d6. had a 3 day break and it is hard to get back into the plankswing of it all. I was in a filthy mood which oddly,seemed to help.

Morning all!
I officially hate Level 2 - but made myself do it this morning, that's D19 L2 done, one more day of torture then I'm going up to level 3. I am improving, albeit very slowly.
Tanukiton if I took a 3 day break I'd never get back into it - well done! I agree about bad mood helping, especially on those level 1 punches
I am re-doing my measurements tomorrow as it's the end of a level for me, hoping to see a bit more inch loss. Don't feel like I've lost any weight, but definitely feel trimmer. Fingers crossed!

Well done on all the shredding

We decided to stay away for another night so I'll be up early to shred tomorrow!! Been really good with my eating so hoping I haven't put on any weight!

Welcome all new shredders.

L2D1 of Ri30 done. Very challenging - the warm up alone nearly finished me off. I think it will take a few days to get used to all the new moves.

Do most people do the plank moves on a mat? I've been doing them on the (wooden) floor as my mat slips. However my wrists hurt so not sure if that is the reason or if I've just got bad form. Any suggestions for a good mat?