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!

[lobsterkiller]

I'm waiting on the DVD but have done day 2 level 1 by watching Youtube. I'm quite fit but not toned so hoping this will snap me in shape. I've also just gone 7 days without a fag (on the e-cig).

I hurt....

[andagiraffeinapineappletree]

Lobster you don't do things by halves!

[andagiraffeinapineappletree]

that was a pleased for you grin btw!

[ohfourfoxache]

Does it genuinely work? I very half heartedly started doing it once but it hurt and I got a bit meh about it I took to lifting 1kg dairy milk weights instead

I really need to do something - if it works then I might be tempted to try again....!

[officelady]

Can I just say OW OW and YOWCH! My biceps are certainly feeling it this morning. Also one of my bum cheeks aches, the other one seems fine - wtf? I will be doing Day 2 later if I'm not dead by then

[Pumpkin567]

Can I join you, I've done it before and it was good, very good.

I've only half a stone to loose but lots to tone, I'm skinny fat. The muffin top is horrid.

Need to tidy kitchen then game on...

[TravellingLemon]

Just done my first ever shred session. Also doing the 1000 miles challenge in 2014 so am hoping shred will improve my overall fitness. Used to be a runner but haven't done much in 2013, so have seen a big weight increase and loss of fitness
Determined to improve this year, 40 in October! Not being fat and forty!

[nightshade1]

can I join you? I'm going to go and blow the dust off the dvd case this morning. wish me luck, I am going to need it.
Broke my wrist in the spring and have put over a stone on, and I wasn't slim to start with but I've now only got 6 months to get my bum into shape before my wedding day.

[lobsterkiller]

Giraffe: Its not like going cold turkey so not painful but the shred is making me focus more on my body rather than fags....and after doing 20 mins of this I am in too much pain to think about smoking!!!

Ok so waking up after day 2...thighs hurt (good) and flabby tum feels like it is being worked out.

Good luck everyone we can do this!

[nightshade1]

day 1 done, feel a bit shaky now!

[WhereAreMyShoes]

It's definitely working for me.
Yesterday was my first break as my knees were sore after going over the top with the jump rope.

I took my measurements, and after 6 days of level 1 I have lost 1 cm from my thighs, 1 cm from my waist and 7 cm from my stomach!
Wow!

My upper arms are in need of slimming down but I don't mind that the measurement hasn't changed as they are feeling so much more toned. I love my been biceps! I'm very happy so far and looking forward to more results.

[TheLeastAccomplishedBennetGirl]

i've broken my arse-cheeks

i thought running was using them, but one shred session and i can feel the tension in them already

i do love a good shred

[ErrolTheDragon]

Does it genuinely work? I very half heartedly started doing it once but it hurt

yes, it works, in terms of getting fitter, stronger and more toned - not necessarily weight loss unless you combine it with some modifications to your way of eating. It does hurt typically for the first 3-4 days but then it gets easier. When I say 'hurt' I mean muscular aches - if you're hurting your joints then you need to check you're doing the moves right and/or use lower impact versions esp of the cardio intervals.

[msmoss]

Hello everyone!

I've just finished day 5, definitely feeling a bit stronger, have also managed two days without any sweets, chocolate or crisps which is a minor miracle for me.

My starting point measurements are:

Hips 95 cm
Waist 86 cm
Under Chest 84 cm
Boobs 99 cm
Right thigh 58 cm
Left thigh 58 cm

Feeling oddly impressed by my symmetrical thighs, don't think that's ever happened before. I took these three days in as I wanted to wait until I was cutting out junk food.

wherearemyshoes great work, that's a brilliant start!

lobsterkiller I used to smoke loads, now I exercise I found a great way to try and stop taking it up again as I used to fear exercise because smoking made me feel so unfit in the lungs.

Has anyone made it past level 1 before? I was watching her pep talk bit whilst putting on my trainers earlier and some of the clips looked quite scary.

Also what weights is everyone using? I only have 2.5kg and find them really tough but it's frugal January so I'm stuck with them - ouch.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Has anyone made it past level 1 before?
yes, I've done it all twice through. Not all at Natalie level - still can't do proper pushups!

Also what weights is everyone using? I only have 2.5kg and find them really tough
Not surprised! I mainly use 5lbs (which is ~two and a quarter kg); I found those too much for the 'anterior raise' type things, I really wasn't doing them properly so got a pair of 1.5kgs too. I've also got some 3kgs which I use for the chest flies and some of the bicep curl type things.

I'd suggest that if you're struggling with those 2.5 weights use bean tins/bottles of water for the harder moves for now.

[TheLeastAccomplishedBennetGirl]

i'm on my 4th time round now, don't bother using the workouts in order either, eg did L2 yesterday as i knew my cardio was good, but needed more toning, if i've not been able to run, i'll get a few L1s in, as the cardio is great in that
L3 is for when i'm alone in the house and no-one can hear me screaming feeling i really need pushing

[msmoss]

I'm just proud that I can do 30 seconds of Anita press-ups, big result from a year or so ago, Natalie press-ups or 'man press-ups' as we call them at my bootcamp may well get added to my list of things to achieve in 2015.

It's mainly that the anterior raises that kill me with the weights, tins wouldn't be heavy enough though. I can take the dumb bell bits off but then they are 1.5 kg and that feels too light for the bi-cup curls and the chest things, what I really need is to break open the piggy bank and get some 2 kg weights.

[msmoss]

leastaccomplished

[ErrolTheDragon]

Until you can get the lighter weights, probably better to use tins with good form for the anterior raises than trying to do them with the full weight, or reducing the weight for everything.

Same with me on the push ups!

[PeppermintCream]

Just done day 2, level 1. Feeling achey but determined to tone up. Healthy eating plan also started yesterday, drinking lots of water

[ErrolTheDragon]

If you don't feel achey for the first 3-4 days you aren't be doing it right. Nice warm baths/showers, and the promise that it does get easier and you will feel more toned/strong.

[PeppermintCream]

Thanks Errol. I'm back at work on Mon - day 5, hopefully I won't be too achey then.
I'm feeling v unfit.

[lobsterkiller]

Ok day 3 done...I still cant do all the press ups! Defo getting better though.

My stomach and thighs are feeling it lord knows what they will be like tomorrow when I wake up.

[Nightwish]

L2D5 finished. Half way, yay!

Welcome to all the new people, will take me ages to name you all but nice to see you all here.

Off to dish dinner but will try and catch up with what everyone is up to later.

[Mumtoh]

Just found this thread, hi! I started the shred on NYE, ached like buggery next day, but arms and shoulders only. I thought I was quite fit as I do kettle bells and body balance but I found this tough going. Not yet done day 4, psyching up for later...

What does everyone do about rest days? I was thinking I'd do 6 days then rest, then go up a level?