30-day Shred - class of June 2014

[yadahyadah]

Looking for a reason to get yourself in shape for the summer? Join the Shred Thread for tips, tricks and a place to log your achievements.

[Lambzig]

RI30 L3D7 done. Ouch, doesn't get any easier. There is no exercise in any of the circuits that is a breather or enjoyable. It's all painful and hard.

[flatmouse]

I'll join if i may? Have done 30DS before (all way through) and lost loads of inches but no weight. Since then i've done WW and lost loads of weight (2stone +) - now i'm back to do the shred again!!
I am at the same time doing the current FB 30 day Abs challenge (although started a day late).
Am basing rest days for 30DS on the abs challenge rest days - so today is a rest day!
Things i notice - top of arms/chest really hurting from appalling attempts at press ups (i just can't do them - not sure if all lack of upper body strength issue, or part technique). Knees are old and creaky (the knee circles in warm up - creeeeakkkkkk, click, click, creeeaaakk, and same again in the static lunges with bicep curls!). Calfs were tightening a little on the aerobic bit. Still - i KNOW i can do this :) Back to it tomorrow!!

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

Hello all I am on day 3 or 4 of level 1, it hurts oh how it hurts.
I was doing it in March / April, then went on holiday and stopped.
I thought because I had done it before I wouldn't find it too hard. I am still following Anita especially for the press ups, and I really struggle with that cycling move at the very end.
It's going to get easier , isn't it.

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

Oh I don't have weights, does it matter ? I have been using tinned coconut milk - low fat obviously.

[flatmouse]

It does get easier yes! Although there are always some in every level that you HATE!

[AnyaKnowIt]

Arya I found the first 3 days a killer. I gave myself 2 days off and felt much better

[ErrolTheDragon]

Arya - its fine to start with tins or bottles of water, but you'll get better results if you get some weights. What size obviously depends on how strong you are to start with, and also most people find that it helps to have 2 or 3 different sizes - small for eg the anterior raise, larger for chest press/ bicep curl type things. What you want is weights that allow you to do all (or most) of the reps with good form.

Flatmouse - I still can't do proper full press-ups... I do the modified ones in the JM (concentrating on good form) but then on alternate days do some inclined press-ups - gradually increase reps/decrease angle. I was dong quite well with this earlier in the year but then hurt my back a bit. Press-ups are really demanding because you need upper body strength (shoulders, triceps) and also a strong core (lots of planks are meant to help with that). Dodgy knees... be very careful with the form of squats and lunges! Always remember to lead with your butt, and also try to keep your legs and feet coplanar so there's no twist at the knee or ankle (not sure if I've explained that well). Mine are holding up ok, touch wood despite being 53 - though really deep squats do remind me to take my codliver oil, like a creaking door!

[AnyaKnowIt]

30DSL2D6 all done

[ImogenQuy]

Arya, I have v weak arm and shoulder muscles so I use 1 kg weights (which I bought on Amazon for £9.99 including delivery). Someone less weedy would probably go for 1.5-2 kg.

[MyNameIsSuz]

Can I join? I just shredded for the first time tonight! (shredded? shrode?)

I've only borrowed the dvd so really hoping it does its thing in a month!

[yadahyadah]

Ri30 L3D8 done. Holy moly is all I have to say on the matter. Welcome Suz don't mind me panting and sweating in the corner ....

[Lambzig]

Am trying to decide whether I can rip today. I shut my thumb in the hinge of the back door last night in a bizarre pigeon based attack incident. So painful, I ran round the lawn screaming and then fainted. The whole nail is black and my thumb is twice the size of the other.

I am not sure if I can do plank position without using my thumb and the last strength circuit might be tricky.

Such is my obsession, I am feeling really upset about missing it on one of my planned days.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Lambzig - gosh, that sounds nasty. Pigeons can be bastards (one dive-bombed my DH recently and shat all over him, which was rather horrid but at least injured only his dignity!) You probably know enough different moves to substitute things you can do - focus on legs/abs/cardio maybe? Know what you mean about the obsession - I decided I'd have a rest day today because I used bigger weights yesterday (inc. for extra free weights after JM) and I'm going to be active tomorrow hopefully - but if feels weird! Will be going for a walk with DH presently but that's not 'exercise'. think

[Lambzig]

RI30 L3D8 done. Not too bad, only couldn't do the ab hold so substituted it with hollow man which I still felt.

Have worked out I have 10 days before my holiday that I can exercise (others - four days I have leave home at 6 for work and back at 9 days and one is friends staying). I think I will do one more L3 day and then try L4, so will be 9 of each.

[tabulahrasa]

Ri30L1D6 done.

I still can't do the hollow man, well I can get into the position, I can't hold it, lol, so I end up bending my knees which means I can still feel it, but it's possible.

I only have 1kg weights as well, I figure I'll get bigger ones for when I start over. (actually I did have 500g ones, but my dog ate them, lol)

[AnyaKnowIt]

Lambzig, Ouch feel sick just reading that hope its better soon

Can someone explain to me why after eating better and doing my Dvd I was unable to do the button on my last pair of jeans this morning? I'm running out of clothes and refuse to buy more in a bigger size.

[Lambzig]

Anya, that sounds weird.

What sort of eating better? Could it be portion size?

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

Ouch Lamzig that sounds painful, hope it feels better soon.
Will look in to weights, I didn't do it yesterday so will have another go today.

[AnyaKnowIt]

I've cut out sugar from my coffee
Stopped buying crisps biscuits and sweets so not in the house to eat.
Gone from white to brown bread
Started to use a smaller plate for dinner and for portion size I make sure I can see the rim of the plate
Also stopped eating when I'm full.

[tabulahrasa]

Just with you saying about bread...are you eating more veg and stuff too? As that made my DP massively bloated when I changed food, the switch to wholemeal stuff and a load of extra fruit and veg instead of his usual junk.

Not that I'm saying you usually eat junk, lol, but switching foods did make him bloat up for about a week.

Could it be that?

[AnyaKnowIt]

Oh and last time I had a drink was when the boxing was in at the weekend. Had 2 bottles of beer

[AnyaKnowIt]

So I just need a good fart?

It could be as I did eat a lot of junk before. Now have a fridge full of fruit and veg

[tabulahrasa]

lol, it's a possibility.

What happened with DP was I started slimming world, he decided he'd do it too and it's unlimited fruit and veg, he was doing things like snacking on whole bags of steamed broccoli and it was really obvious he was bloated, assuming you're not eating enough broccoli to feed a family of four you may be a bit bloated but not so obviously that you can tell that's what it is...if you see what I mean.

[AnyaKnowIt]

Not quite but have gone from hardly eating fruit and veg to eating it every meal everyday.

Will give it a few more days and if no change ill ask the lovely folks in weight loss

[ErrolTheDragon]

Anya - almost certainly, more literally than usual 'this too shall pass' .

Another thing that commonly happens when people first start working out hard is that their muscles retain some water - its part of the healing/strengthening process but it can cause a temporary weight gain and presumably a bit of size increase. So that might be another factor. This should subside after the first few achy days and following rest day.