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.^

Logg, maybe you need a rest day?

As I thought, no shred for me this morning because we cleared out the living room for the gas fitter. It was a bit of an excuse for a total clear-out and spring clean so I've been moving stuff and taking down/deruffling curtains to send to the cleaners, so not totally sedendary! Not sure if I'll be able to do it later or maybe tomorrow.

Oh dear terrible week for me, I pulled a muscle in my back so have been resting it. Also just stupidly busy at work.

I have my normal bootcamp tomorrow morning and will be using that to kickstart myself back into action. Will carry on shredding but think I'm just going to do it a couple of times a week as I really want to start running and swimming again and there is only so much time available for these things.

Oh, bad luck with the back. Hope you're ok for your bootcamp... what does that entail?

When/if the towpath dries out I want to try some running, at which point maybe I'll do a dvd alternate days for upper body/core - last year I sometimes managed to shred then have a short run but it does all take time.

Well, after actually crying on DH this morning because I felt so tired (stupidly busy week and period due), I still managed to check in with Gillian. So L1 D6 done. Will probably rest over the weekend.

Hope your back feels better soon msmoss and well done those on L3 - you're an inspiration!

Well done for doing it despite feeling so wiped put Monkey

Oh well done monkey! Have a good rest and start next week refreshed.

No weights at Argos, bloody january health kicks! My DH ate one of my baked bean can weights

L1 D8 done

msmoss, hope your back's better soon.

L3D2 done today and I will be resting over the weekend.

I have decided I don't like L3. There's a lot on it that I really struggle to do and I feel it's because I'm not doing it right. For example, I can't do the scissor things as it just hurts my back too much. Surely it shouldn't be hurting my back? I keep checking that I'm doing it the way she says and I can't see where I'm going wrong.

Then there are other movements that seem ridiculously easy - the bit where you're lifting one weight from the ground to the air.

Anyway, I think I'm phoning a lot of it in. I don't feel as sweaty and 'I've just worked out' as I did after the other levels.

My upper back and shoulders are aching after that workout but I really want it to be my abs that are aching, they've never ached once.

Feeling a bit bleurgh about it all today.

2tiredtocare, how frustrating. What was your DH thinking?

it's ok as i've found a tin of mixed pulses going with the legume theme and he definately wont eat those!. Could you go back to L2?

L1 D4 done.

I definitely wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you guys, thanks!

I put Shred to the side and did Davina for a few weeks- started Shred again the other night and will be doing L1 D4 tonight.

AWOL for a couple of days but back to report that L3D4 of Ri30 done.

Spinning - I'm really enjoying Ri30. The moves are challenging (lots of balancing!) and I'm doing some modifications. What I really like about it is that it's very fast moving so the time whizzes by. I'm seeing good results (though this is also due to doing 30 DS twice before Christmas). Much fitter and more toned on legs, arms, waist, hips and bum. My problem area is a flabby tummy and Ri30 has really helped there - it looks a lot better and has more definition (will never look perfect due to saggy skin but I'm happy with it). Don't think I've lost weight (I'm not dieting though) but I'm now fitting easily into size 12 clothes which were tight on me before. I took measurements at the beginning of January and will report back when I've finished Ri30.
So I guess that's a long winded way of saying that I'd really recommend it!

Lindt - abs exercises like the scissors where both legs are low, I find it's really important to keep your back flat against the floor, not let it arch up. If your hands under your bum don't do the trick you could maybe try a cushion - but anyway, only lower your legs as far as you can without your back hurting.

The 'dumbbell clean' with only one weight I use a 10lb weight and could manage more - not DHs 8kg though which is the next size we've got! If your hands are big enough maybe you could hold both your weights in one hand and try that?

ErrolTheDragon, I really think I'm keeping my back flat but it's hard to be sure. I have clicky hips (I always sound like I'm making excuses) so find all of the movements on the back with legs elevated quite difficult. In L2 I found the movement when you have to raise and lower your legs while on your back very difficult as my hips do a massive clunk when I lower my legs. Maybe I shouldn't be doing movements like that.

I can't hold two weights in one hand as I'm still using my son's weights that you screw onto handles and the diameter of the weights is quite big. I don't mind having a bit of a rest in that one, it just seems odd that some movements are so difficult and others feel like nothing.

I'm going to keep going with L3 because I'm determined to do the full 10 days at each level as I gave up on L3D4 when I did it last year.

Day 2 of Level 2 done. I shouted and sweat through it but did it!
Going to have to shift my shredding time to when DS is at nursery or in bed though, He thinks im doing it for his entertainment. I wiped him out doing skaters yesterday and kicked him doing plank jacks! Ooops!

(The wiping out was accidentl btw)

(As was the kick lol)

Lindt - in that case I reckon you should swap that move for whichever of the other abs moves works the same muscles - mostly the lower abs isn't it?

I accudentally bopped my DS on the head whilst playing 'Just Dance' on the Wii

Doh....I keep writing myself down as a day behind!! I'm D26 L3 d8!! Only 4 more days to go

Thanks Will....it sounds great! I think I'll do level 1 sometime over the weekend and then get stuck into it properly when I get back from my holiday.

Lindt....I would say to stick with L3 and do what you can manage. I bet after a few days you'll find the moves easier. I hate the scissor moves but now at d8 they are easier

Please tell me to step away from the computer and do my L1 D4.

Im lacking motivation today.

Come on Tiredemma you can't keep putting it off