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Original poster

February Shred Thread 2014

475 replies

LilyJoAndMe · 31/01/2014 15:44

Starting the next thread for all those doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred - Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
For those having problems with their knees on the higher impact activities here are some suggestions from TalkinPeace:

^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.^

OP posts:
NoPainNoGainNoFunNoPoint · 20/02/2014 09:30

Is this the place for delicate questions too or are we just focusing on the exercise? Grin

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 09:53

Ri30 D2 L1 doneGrin

Flock....sounds like the shakes might be a good idea for you then. Hope they work.

Whoever it was that said you're knees are hurting, go easy on them! Maybe change some of the moves if you know what's hurting them.

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 09:54

No pain.....ask away!! I'm sure we don't mind delicate questions! Grin

NoPainNoGainNoFunNoPoint · 20/02/2014 10:13

OK. Erm... has anyone ever DTD the day after a shred? Because it felt like my abs were cramping afterwards! Very painful but worth it

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 10:52

Haha I guess you've used muscles that don't normally get used during shred and could feel it next day when dtd!! You must be doing it right, keep going, the pain will go as your abs get use to new exerciseGrin

LeonardoAcropolis · 20/02/2014 12:14

Hello again, L2D9 for me, still really enjoying it. I am finding it easier but gave up completely with the plank jacks, hands are far too slippery. Instead I do jumping jacks whilst holding little hand weights.

HOWEVER, I am very upset! I weighed myself today and I weigh the SAME AS WHEN I STARTED Sad I know muscle weighs more than fat, I must have burnt some fat off, but it was so damn depressing to see that on the scales. I will have to get out running. Bah!

NotGoodNotBad · 20/02/2014 12:48

Leonardo, I've been at it for a month and a half (the Shred that is, sometimes alternating with other DVDs) and have barely lost any weight at all. I am firmer and fitter though, so it's worth keeping at it.

2tiredtocare · 20/02/2014 13:33

L2 D4 done, I'm not a huge fan of L2 but will stick with it as it makes me sweat!

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 13:49

To lose weight you have to adjust your diet as well. Do you have weight to lose Leonardo? I used to run and I have to say its a great way to lose weight and to tone legs and bum! I still do a little running on the treadmill but I take it easier now as I injured my foot before and had to take a few months out of exercise!!

oohdaddypig · 20/02/2014 14:21

Nopain Grin your user name is very apt!

Can I ask what weights you are using? My 3 kg weights have just arrived. I notice JM uses 3kg. Obv I will look like her soon....

NoPainNoGainNoFunNoPoint · 20/02/2014 14:35

Thanks! I actually NC'd about a week before deciding to shred so it's sort of a happy accident. Grin

I use baked beans as weights ATM so 0.5kg if I'm being generous! I need to work up to bigger, my arms killed the other day just using the beans!

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 14:39

I use 2kg and 4kg weights.....some exercises you can go heavier than others.

WillColbert · 20/02/2014 14:47

D3L4 of Ri30 done.

Welcome all new shredders!

On the weight loss front - I stayed the same weight through two cycles of 30DS with no change of diet. That was fine with me - I felt I looked slimmer and I've got a healthy BMI. Don't weigh myself often but did yesterday and I've lost half a stone since Christmas. Not sure why but it may be that through shredding I'm starting to see myself as a healthy fit person and because of that I think that I'm making healthier food choices (wasn't doing it deliberately but thinking about it I'm eating much better recently). Anyway, the important measure for me is about how comfortable I am in my clothes and those definitely fit better now.

LeonardoAcropolis · 20/02/2014 16:16

Thanks for your replies, I definately do feel slimmer and toned and much fitter so I am very pleased so far (until today's weigh-in, that is). I don't have too much weight to lose, maybe half a stone? I dont think that my diet is too terrible but I do have a sweet tooth and need to be careful not to snack too much.

I have some Davina McCall dvds, will do the cardio ones. Think there is a combat-fit one in my collection.

Does anyone have a favourite cardio DVD?

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 17:32

Leonardo......I used to like the Nell McAndrew cardio dvds. I use the gym now for cardio so don't do them but they're quite fast moving and effective I think!

Logg1e · 20/02/2014 17:36

We've stalled at L3D6. Will somebody please shout at me to do the bloody shred tonight?

2tiredtocare · 20/02/2014 17:45

Do it do it do it Logg1e only a handful of days left to go then you're done! Go go go

spinningirl10 · 20/02/2014 18:51

Loggle.....do it now!!!! You're so close to the finish line!!Grin

Lindt70Percent · 20/02/2014 20:32

Do it Logg1e!

I haven't shredded for 2 days now as been very busy but tomorrow I'm back on the case. Only got two sessions to go now and WILL get it finished this half term.

Nightwish · 20/02/2014 20:44

KB&T L1D4 done.
Amazed at my flexibility improvement on plank lunges but still useless at plank jump to squat.

Well done everyone still going.

TessTackle · 20/02/2014 20:54

L2 D4 done, really struggled today; sigh!

On the weight loss front, I seemed to have gained and now crazy scales are saying I've lost a good 5lb.

Having a day off tomorrow, but back to it Saturday and weigh in Sunday.

So inspired by you level 3-ers and those of you that have finished and started again. Well done!

oohdaddypig · 20/02/2014 21:01

I'm v inspired by you level three-ers too!

Bit of advice. Bearing in mind I'm day three of level one. I'm struggling with the shoulder weight ones. My legs cope just fine but with the 3kg weights I can't finish the first set. Should I persevere and not move up to level two until can or opt for lower weights just for those exercises [hmmm]

Nightwish · 21/02/2014 08:37

ohdaddypig I think personally 3kg to start with is ambitious or would have been for me!
I started with 1kg weighs and that still made me ache.
You should be able to finish the sets but it not be too easy.

I am now after Shred alternating between 1.5kg (for some reason my set and 1kg, 1.5kg and 3kg) and 3kg dependent on exercises.

So I would lower the weight for those exercises and do move up. You will get very bored otherwise!

spinningirl10 · 21/02/2014 09:06

Ri30 D3 L1 done Grin

I agree with the weights, 3kg is quite heavy to start with. Maybe get some lighter ones and mix them up a bit.

oohdaddypig · 21/02/2014 09:21

Thanks. Just how much harder is RI30?!

Will pick up some lighter weights. Good call. It's one of the things I think JM should give guidance on...