February Shred Thread 2014

[LilyJoAndMe]

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.^

Will.....how are finding ripped in 30?

Have you noticed a difference? I have the DVD and have done 2 days at L1 just to try it and I enjoyed it. Definitely want to do it soon

I was going to go back to L1 of the shred today but decided I was being a wuss so tried L1 of Killer Bun and Thighs (it's on vimeo if you wanna watch it!).
It was definitely a different set up, no more 1-2-3 and a bit longer but I enjoyed it.
Going to mix it up with either Ripped or Burn Fat Boost Metabolism but i haven't decided yet.
Well done all of you still going!

L1D5 done today. I actually felt my lower abs working today (clearly they hadn't been up to now!). AND I discovered how to turn off GM's commentary - so much more pleasant

Well done everyone!

L2D10 done first thing this morning. Trying not to feel nervous about L3 tomorrow.

spinninggirl10 - Happy 18th to your DS!

2tiredtocare - Well done on the weight loss.

As for my weight loss, I think our scales are dodgy as they've added 1.5kg back on since last week and yet I've been so careful with eating (entering everything into MyFitnessPal) that I really don't believe they're giving the right reading. Maybe I'm delusional!

Mind you, I've scoffed a large bar of Lindt 70% since yesterday. Also, not been too good on the wine quaffing front either. Perhaps the scales are telling the truth.

Maybe you've gained muscle Lindt?

You may have done - but also the weighing could be iffy. 1.5kg seems unlikely to be real. Are the scales on a solid level floor? And do you always weigh under the same conditions - before/after food and drink/loo? If one day you've drunk 3 mugs more liquid than another day that could account for a kilo!

Great to read about all the success stories. It's lovely to see muscles developing under the flab here.
Tomorrow D1 L3 - also nervous about it.
I haven't even peaked at it to see what I'm letting myself in for - so it'll be surprise surprise tomorrow morning .

To those who are not happy with their weight loss - a couple of weeks ago I wasn't either - either nothing was happening or it seemed to go really slowly. At one point I even saw the scales going up a bit !
But I kept using MFP really carefully and suddenly the scales started moving downwards .
Keep on trucking you losers - you can do it !

L2D7 done.

L1 Day 6, it is feeling a lot easier already and I guess I should move on but dont know if I can do 14 days hearing the same commentary 'isn't that right buddy'

L3 D3 done, think tomorrow will be a rest day as I'm going out and also my left hip feels a little peculiar since the sumo squat jump move this evening; nothing a day of rest won't solve.
Fantastic to see all the inch and lb losses. I've had a much healthier diet last few days and feel so much better for it.
I'm intrigued by the 5:2 concept, haven't really considered it before but it could work well on a couple of my 3 work days each week, perhaps I could start with 6:1!

L1 D6 about to commenced, I do hope my calves and abs don't hurt as much.

but dont know if I can do 14 days hearing the same commentary 'isn't that right buddy'
there is an audio option to have music only - or you could mute it and play your own. Alternative is to do more days on L1 but up the weights a bit.

Day 10 of level one done. Goodbye level one. Bring on level two.

Ive list three inches off my upper waist. An inch off my stomach (although i measured after a meal, will measure again in the morning for accuracy) and an inch off my hips.

Never measured my legs but they are definitely firmer and look more slender.

D25 L3 d7 done

Flock....well done, great inch loss!!

L3 D1 done !
and I've survived I'm happy to be feeling even more fitter than last week. On level 3 there's loads of jumping though so I'm having to watch it because I've got to take care of my knees.
Interestingly, I started reading Michael Mosley's book on exercise and I've understood about my muscles. Apparently when doing exercise, after not having used muscles for a long time, we actually tear them and so we need both to deal with the exercise progressively and also to watch the healing part too.

L3D4 done, plus some extra weights. Yes, do be careful of the knees - I'm lucky mine seem quite robust still. Re the muscles - that's why you should take at least one rest day per week.

Not sure I'll be able to shred tomorrow as we're having a new gas fire fitted, they need to drill the wall which will create a lot of dust so I think DH is going to move everything out of the living room today.

L3D1 done (LilyJoAndMe we're at the same stage). It wasn't as bad as I remembered although there seems to be an awful lot of jumping around in this one which I'm not too keen on. I feel like I'm building up my shoulders and thighs all the time when I'd rather concentrate on my abs.

Thanks for all your suggestions about my scales. Today I'm weighing only 1kg than I was a few days ago. The scales aren't on a particularly level surface and have to be dragged out from their place to be used. They're also ancient (probably only about 7 years old but they look pretty rusty) so I expect they're being temperamental. I could buy another set but I'm more interested in waist measurements and just generally feeling fitter so I'm not going to bother.

Well done on your inch loss Flock, it was very clear in your pictures.

I'll have another crack at L3 tomorrow and then probably take the weekend off.

I could buy another set but I'm more interested in waist measurements and just generally feeling fitter so I'm not going to bother.

that's a very healthy attitude.

L1 D7 done, thanks for the good advice Errol, it's weights hopping day tomorrow, I've been using bean cans so far

L2D8 done and I was crap. Feeling despondent and flabby

Day 1 of level two done.

I think I'm gonna die.

Did most of them at Natalie level though, the plank jacks i did a bit slower. I couldn't do it at natalies speed but found anitas version too easy.

I had a go at L2 (impatient) I was sweating like a piggy

L1 D3 done.

I definitely pushed myself harder today, no breaks, no slacking.

Might possibly have called JM a "whore of satan" when she told me to get down for the bicycle crunches though

Morning shredders

D25 L3 d7 done!!

Cardio at gym later.