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!

Everyone seems to be doing really well.
I'm failing miserably as I've not shredded since the weekend. My dc have a tummy bug and I've been having cystitis and a period.

But, our rowing machine came this evening and is all set up. Once dc are in bed I'm going to have a go and tomorrow I think I'll shred and do rowing for the cardio parts (no impact for knees)

I might start back on lv1 as I've had a 5 day break.

Sorry to hear about the old knees world but at least there is a problem recognised and hopefully some physio to strengthen up.

DayAfter I did day 8 yesterday and it was hell! Much harder than day 7, but day 9 today was much easier. It has taken 2 weeks to do 10days because I felt unwell for some of it. The cardio is much better now.
However...I haven't last any weight despite tracking calories on myfitnesspal. not sure why as I'm eating 1500-1700 per day.

intheround its strange as its the hardest ive found it yet, hopefully like you day 9 will be easier, i will fight on through anyway plan is to have saturday off and then back to level 2 on Sunday.
Ive only lost 2 pounds so far but not sure how much of that was bloat anyway, i just need to keep focused i know it works because ive done it before i think knowing i undid all that is making it even harder!

dont get disheartened wherearemyshoes i know its horrible to find the motivation when you have your period, mines just finished and all i wanted to do was eat all week!

Sorry to hear about so many of you being unwell, January is a rubbish month for health. Hope you all start to feel better soon.

L3D2 done. It's really hard, my arm, legs and abs are so sore. Hope it's worth it.

OK, back on it; L2 D3 done.

Even threw in a few Natalie moves, suspect I'll be aching tomorrow.

I agree with comments upthread that some days are just easier / harder for no apparent reason - strange.

Wondering where JRMumma is????

Sounds like quite a few of us have found today hard. Keep going everyone!

Thanks spinningirl10!

Nightwish that might help but I don't think I could do it with the weights I'm using. I'm using my son's weights and they're quite big with textured handles that hurt to lean on (remembering another reason why I didn't like Level 3 last time). My son's only 13 but seems to be a lot stronger than me!

Would anyone recommend a nice girly set of weights? I'm using 1kg weights (plus the handle thing they're screwed onto) and I think it's a bit too much for some of the movements. I know I could use tins or bottles but would rather fork out and have a comfortable set.

d17 l2 d9. gulp. L 3 is looming. hope you all feel more like it soon. I know how ghastly the weather is in the uk.
It is blooming freezing here in Japan. There is flu going about too, but at least there are blue skies and snowdrops in flower.

D11 L2 d5 done

Off to gym as well again!

Really pleased everyone's seeing results!!

Tanukiton....do you live in Japan?

That's somewhere I would love to visit!!!

L2D4 of Ri30 done - I felt much more positive today and actually enjoyed the workout. Still struggling with the plank cardio (my weights have handles too so can't use them to support the wrists) but I'm getting to grips with the rest of it. Can't believe how much more flexible I've become - don't think I could touch m toes when I first started shredding.

L2D4 done, plus evil side planks (3x20 sec per side) and 3x18 inclined press-ups. I'm finding the planks in the shred ok at the moment wrist-wise, but for extra extended arm press-ups I'm using my 3kg weights - these - I lay the handle on the floor which makes them really stable and grip the bar part. (I never use the handles, don't see the point of them other than for this use). Position them at an angle something like / .

Lindt I have these
www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9102325.htm

Well done all!

I ended up having 2 days off again Mon and Tues (my busiest days, just wasn't at home long enough) but did do a fair bit of other exercise on Tuesday instead.

Got back to it again yesterday though, and was quite pleased I got through all of level 1 doing everything (except the squat-presses which seemed particularly hard yesterday for some reason) with my heavier set of weights!

I am feeling ready to go to Level 2, but decided to put it off a bit cos I've got some other exercisey fun stuff on at the weekend which I really don't want to miss, so don't want to go into that feeling stiff and achey from starting "new" exercises just before! So will stick with L1 this week, and then (if not a wreck after the weekend!) try L2 next week.

That's interesting Errol as I have the 2kg version of those weights. I hadn't thought of putting the handle down (d'oh!) so will try that tomorrow.

I did L2D2 today and I'm feeling pretty miserable. Kept catching sight of myself in the mirror and did not like what I saw! I still can't do the plank stuff because of my wrists so will buy a new set of weights and give the suggestion of using them for support a try. Thanks intheround and ErrolTheDragon the dumb bell recommendations. So impressed you're using 3kg weights ErrolTheDragon!

I'm even finding the cardio really difficult. Those oblique twists followed by skater are a nightmare.

Anyway, I think I'm just having a miserable day really. I drank 1/2 a bottle of wine last night and have eaten 1/3 of a large bar of Lindt 70% today which is hardly going to help with either shredding or happiness. I'm self employed but have no work at the moment and a large (for me) tax bill to pay next week. Also, I've lost my wedding and engagement rings. Can't remember when I last saw them but think it was at the weekend. No idea why I took them off, I don't usually. They've never gone missing for this long before and I'll be so upset if they've gone forever. Spent this morning giving the kitchen a good tidy and clean thinking I'd find them, but no.

Think I'm just feeling sorry for myself and am on self destruct.

But hey, at least my kitchen's looking good!

Lindt - losing your rings must be upsetting - but chances are they will turn up somewhere.

At least you're eating good chocolate - though have you tried the 85 or even 90%?

I only use the 3kgs for some of the moves - quite a lot of L2 I'm using 1.5kgs. On previous rounds of the shred I couldn't do the full set of military presses with those even - and I still find the first squat and row thing hard. And I have to stop for a breather in those oblique twists.

L2 D4 done and I almost enjoyed it this evening.
Am finally finding the squats a bit easier, it's not a natural move for me, feels like my centre of gravity is too far forward and I'll topple backwards if I squat too low!
3 kg weights are v impressive, I'm struggling with my 3lb ones!

Hi everyone - it's lovely to keep reading your updates.

Lindt - Hope your rings turn up soon.

L3D3 done here - still finding it really hard

L3D6 done.
So close!

So, L1D8 this morning. I am finding the cardio tough, it makes my calves hurt! Took my measurements again and I've obv measured in different places as bust is +1, waist + .5, right thigh - 1. My weight is the same though. Original measurements were on 31 Dec, but I had a break of about 10 days due to feeling poorly. Hey ho.

I've had the munchies tonight though, chocolate and popcorn. Had to stop myself from eating a bag of crisps. None of that will help!

I would really like to tone up my middle a LOT more, whittling my waist and flattening my tummy. Think I will unwrap the new Davina DVD I got at crimbo and also do the core bit.

Back on the wagon today after a week off . I have run twice though. But l3d3 done

L1D5 done yesterday, and I think today will be a rest day. The cardio also hurts my calves, especially the skipping.

Morning all

D12 L2 d6 done!!

I've lost 2lb this week, I'll put inch loss on later but I'm seeing a difference, yay!!

Up to L1 D3 here I think - although mine's more of a who-knows-how-many-days shred (ref post above re. age and decrepitude).

Having attempted this a couple of years ago, having to give up due to aggravating my back on L2, I'm ignoring Gillian's barks about not phoning it in - I'd rather avoid damaging myself, thanks Gill.

My version is most definitely low impact - no full-on jumping jacks u til I can do them without causing pain.

Am I lecturing? Sorry, I just think in Gillian's words there's No Shame in taking a bit longer over this and avoiding agony. As you were .

Shotgun - Jillian does also say 'no injuries' - you're absolutely right. If you know something causes or exacerbates a problem don't do it.

It may be that if you've got back problems you might need to find some appropriate core strengthening exercises to do first/as well?