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.

[ImogenQuy]

Wow, 19 inch waist is amazing! I think of mine as small and it's 25 inches (was 23 when I was young, sigh).

I have very messed-up body image (in spite of lifelong feminism) so I never appear in public in less than trousers and a vest top - I would never wear even a one-piece swimming costume, and I convinced myself in my teens that my legs were so disgusting that I should never wear skirts. Rationally I can now see that they're quite nice - good muscle definition, not too wobbly except right at the top of the thigh where I carry my extra weight - but the mental block is so strong I don't suppose I ever will wear skirts.

[BetterWithCheese]

I wore a bikini on holiday and so did almost every other woman regardless of age, size or firmness. I found it very liberating to not hideaway my stretch-marked crepey stomach. Plus it looks nicer now as it is tanned

[yadahyadah]

Lambzig and imogen 19 and 23 in waists in your respective heydays. Flipping heck. Amazing - and your current measurements sound like a fairy tale to the likes of me. Buggers.

imogen I know what you mean about feeling so self conscious that you end up hiding yourself. I have found one of the many good things about getting older is that one's increasing age group are less represented in the media. Some think this is a negative thing but I find it really liberating - finally we get to create ourselves without feeling hampered by all the images of supposed youthful beauty. so I'm planning a Mohawk for my next big birthday, who's with me?

[Lambzig]

Imogen, that's so sad, your figure sounds gorgeous, but we never see ourselves as others see us. I think doing these workouts for the last couple of months, I am much more confident about getting my arms and shoulders out, but must admit I cover up my knees in a skirt.

Yadah I forgot to say, there is a ridiculous cod psychology bit between the circuits and cool down that she tries to get you to lie and listen to. Definitely worth a fast forward.

[yadahyadah]

Ps welcome back betterwithcheese and good on you for the bikini crepe-y and tanned is far better than crepe-y and pallid

[FelixFelix]

Just finished 30DS L1D2 and it was harder than yesterday! My 6 month old DD found it highly amusing

Imogen that's really heartbreaking to hear. Its sad when you look back and think 'actually I didn't look bad at all' when at the time you felt like you looked horrendous. I know that feeling all too well. Your figure sounds lovely!

[FelixFelix]

Also I have NEVER worn a bikini in my whole 23 years! It's a massive goal of mine to be able to wear one someday

[ErrolTheDragon]

mostly what I wear on a beach now is rash vest and boardies with a buoyancy aid on top - or if in the UK a wetsuit! I grew up by the sea and have always loved being in the water - but not so much lounging by it.

[Lambzig]

My holidays are spent building sand castles, looking at rock pools and holding a swimming baby/toddler in the shallows in the med usually. Bikini seems the only option. I have always been with BWC on the 'no one is looking at me' bikini wearing, but somehow all this exercise has made me feel more self conscious, like I should look better now or something.

[tabulahrasa]

Ri30L2D1

I've never worn a bikini, I rarely even wear a swimsuit - I usually wear a vest and 3/4 length trousers at the beach, but then I'm a 16 currently and that's the smallest by far that I've been for a very long time.

Also my next holiday is in October, near Gretna...I suspect bikini or swimsuit wearing is kind of out for that one anyway, rofl. We booked a cottage in the middle of nowhere so we could take the dog, who is currently stable, but refusing food, which is not great :(

[AnyaKnowIt]

Beach holidays are my idea of hell.

30dsL3D2 done.

Still got those fingers crossed tabulahrasa

[jocastafantastica]

30dsl1d2 - got through 2nd session this morning on legs made of lead from yesterday, going up and down stairs today is a slow and rigid process, determined to stick with it though, it can only get easier.

Just been on holiday - wore a tankini that revealed none of my wrinkled belly, and a sarong thingy that covered thighs on walks to cocktail bar and back. Agree it's such a shame, we are so critical of our bodies when we are young, not realising how lovely we were - youth is wasted on the young as they say

[ErrolTheDragon]

Well done jocasta! I've commented before that for the first 3-4 days of shred, most people wish they lived in a bungalow - but it really does ease off after that.

[jocastafantastica]

A long time ago when I worked in an office on the 1st floor I went a bit mad at a 1st gym session and had such a sore calf muscle for days I pretended I had twisted my ankle because I was so embarrassed I had to take the lift instead of the small flight of stairs

At least I am here alone today with no-one to witness my winces but the dog.

[tabulahrasa]

Anya - I appreciate the thought, but please don't shred with your fingers crossed, I'd hate to be responsible for accidents, lol.

Nevermind stairs, I couldn't even walk down slight hills for days after starting. I'm a bit sore today, I'm thinking Ri30 is a bit evil actually.

[AnyaKnowIt]

Can't believe I forgot to say that I've gone up to 1kg weights now

[StuntNun]

It was sitting down on the loo that killed me after I started the shred. All those damn squats I suppose.

[yadahyadah]

Ri30 L4D1 done. The good news is it's not as unremittingly evil as level 3. I think it is the equivalent of week 3 Shred after week 2. So the pattern seems to be give me a killer session and then nothing can seem as bad. I like it. This way you finish on a high. Happy Shredding from Endorphinland.

[Lambzig]

Yadah, picture me cackling evily at you. I can barely move my arms and shoulders this morning, I think due to that last strength circuit and my legs were so tired last night, I actually persuaded DH to give me a firemans lift up the stairs at bedtime.

Day off for me as left home before 6 this morning.

[ImogenQuy]

Day off for me too, not for any good reason - I was just too tired to get out of bed in time so will have to postpone starting L3 of the 30DS till tomorrow. Work is hellish this week.

I applaud those who say if you want to wear a bikini you should wear one regardless of shape or size - for all other women I totally agree, I just can't manage to apply it to myself!

[BetterWithCheese]

Imogen bikini wearing is definitely about personal preference.

Ri30 L1D1 done. Didn't get to do it yesterday as my 5 month old DD has gone all clingy and non-napping . I did walk 4 miles yesterday so that kinda makes up for it.

I found it more interesting than 30DS and liked that the strength circuits seemed to go quicker with 3 exercises instead of 2. I cannot do the hollow man with my legs low down and I found the running man and the hops at the end quite hard to get through but it wasn't too bad. I suspect I'll have some sore bits tomorrow though.

I really am going to have to start getting up early to do it though, I get very radgy a bit grumpy at being interrupted.

[AnyaKnowIt]

30DSL3D3 done but not sure if it counts as I had to keep stopping due to mum I need a drink, mum I need a wee, mum need a poo...

[yadahyadah]

lambzig fool that I am I forgot to wait until tomorrow morning before really making up my mind. Gah! Anyway, the cod psychology bit made me laugh and my son kept repeating key phrases to me. So to take his lead, Lambzig I hope you are being the best you that you can be today ...

[BetterWithCheese]

Anya my two did that all through level 3. I think I only got to do it uninterrupted twice. I say it still counts.

[tabulahrasa]

Ri30L2D2 - I am hating, hating, hating that second strength circuit - with crow push ups and that ab hold table thing, it's so hard.

I'm also starting to dislike the flirting, not in itself, but the thought of the same flirting every day for a week is starting to grate and I'm only a couple of days in, lol.

My dog is eating so hopefully he'll be out of ICU tomorrow.