Get a spring in your step - join the (military) March Shred thread!

[ErrolTheDragon]

New thread (a couple of days late for anyone doing, or thinking about doing, the 30 Day Shred or any of the other Jillian Michaels workouts. Any questions, just ask - we're here to give encouragement, advice and sympathy to each other.

A couple of FAQs to start with:

1. How many days at each level? - the norm is about 10, but it's not a hard and fast rule so progress at the rate you feel good with. You don't have to get everything perfect before moving on.
   
   
2. Can I take a day off? - yes, you should have at least one rest day every week. (I always shred on weekdays and have the weekend off)
   
   
3. Weights? - If you don't have any dumbells, you can start with a couple of tins of beans or 500ml bottles of water. Different people can manage different weights, and many of us find that we want a couple of different sizes. You want weights that allow you to complete all (or most) of a set with good form. Places like Argos, TKMax or Sports Direct usually have sets of 3 sizes (eg 1, 2, 3 kg) reasonably cheaply.
   
   That's enough for now!

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

D10L1 for me today, level 2 tomorrow.....yikes! Might watch it tonight just to see what's ahead, and get some idea of what to do....anyone any advice on how to make a tight (and a bit sore) lower leg feel a bit less tight, have a run planned for tonight and don't want to miss it, it's slighly annoying, will it just work itself out? really don't want to take a rest day yet....

[drspouse]

Shin or calf MrsSteven? If shin, toe taps (50 each leg while brushing teeth), if calf, stretching by standing at the wall and sliding down with feet flat.
My left knee is a little sore today which is odd as it was the right one I bashed on the coffee table while doing butt kicks yesterday.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Morning all. I had a change from Jillian this morning - I got a simple tabata app and did a few circuits. Made quite a nice change from being yelled at .

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Thanks drspouse it's my calf, will try that before and after my workout

Errol tell us more, what is this tabata app and where do you get it????

[ErrolTheDragon]

I just searched the app store on my ipod and chose the first one - think it's just 'tabata timer'. It's free and very simple - there's a bit of info written by a non-native English speaker (perfectly understandable but quaint wording) but it's essentially just got a 'start' and 'reset' button. Hit start, it does a few coundown bleeps then there's 20 secs during which you go all-out at whatever exercise you're doing, a couple of coundown bleeps to a 10 second break, then that repeats x8. Very simple but it does the job. When and if I run again I'll use it to do some timed sprint/walk intervals.

I wasn't quite sure what I was doing so I posted a few questions on the 5:2 exercise thread which have been answered, here if anyone is interested. (there's lots of good exercise advice there BTW, regardless of whether you do 5:2/IF or not)

[grannygrotts]

Mrs for tight calf muscle try standing with toes on edge of a step and take your heel lower than the toes. No bouncing though, just gentle stretch. When my calfs are tight I also stand in front of cupboards, heel on floor, foot inclined with the toe resting a few inches above the heel against the cupboard and gently lean into it; can be done unobtrusively whilst you're out and about.

Well, I did post late last night (early this morning) but I think the site was down for housekeeping so it disappeared. Got home 10.30 p.m. from evening class and DH had dinner ready and waiting, so ate and then had to wait an hour and a half before shredding. So, D4L1 was done just past midnight. Have upped the weights slightly, but still can't do full sets of press-ups and the side lunges with arms are still killers. I was soooo pleased when she said there were only 4 more to do.

Thinking of putting in a run before shredding tonight - though I may change my mind if I don't get home before it goes dark.

Well done to all those who have already shredded. I should really get up early to do mine but I am not a morning person ..

[MagpieCursedTea]

L3D6 complete! The end is so tantalising close
I need to start sorting my diet out as well. All this exercise feels so wasted with my awful food intake.

[drspouse]

L2 D1 done! Think I quite like this level (maybe due to boredom with L1?) but I have yet to get the hang of the skating (though I need to know how as it's something I want to learn properly for skiing) and some of the other moves were a tad uncoordinated. A lot of this one is things I have never done or even heard of unlike L1.

[grannygrotts]

Well done Magpie. All that exercise will definitely not be wasted, just think how much more muscle you have and how much better your cardio fitness is.

Drspouse am deliberately not looking at L2 although like Mrs I'll probably sneak a look the night before.

Well, I managed my run first - did 3.4 miles in total, so my longest run by far this year. Did a route which took me gently uphill on the way out, so it was downhill all the way back. Then did L1D5. Still finding the arms the toughest part of the workout although the last set of cardio was done with slightly less enthusiasm.

Tomorrow is a FD for me, so I will use it as my rest day and pick up D6 on Friday.

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Thanks folks for the advice on stretches, granny that stretch on the step worked a treat, such relief when I did it. Well done on your run today, that's a really good distance, I did 5k tonight with a small group of other runners, we did a few sprints ( pole to pole along a bypass) and it was really good way of breaking it up, I'm back with them on Friday evening and I'm really looking forward to it....it's so good to be outside running again....and hats off to you Granny on doing your shread at all hours, that is dedication...I found the bench & press tough today, think it was my weights

So Level 2 tomorrow, am going to have a sneak peek now, the skating sounds different drs [hmn] well done Magpie your so near the end, what will you do next? A different Jillian workout or back to Level 1??

Righty off to see what's ahead of me tomorrow good luck with your FD tomorrow Granny I did mine today...

Will check in tomorrow to see how your all doing...and remember 'if you think your going to die, follow Anita' ...

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Ohh and thanks Errol will check out the timer

[ErrolTheDragon]

NMTZ done. My arms were a bit sore this morning - I think I need to mix up the tabata intervals a bit more, too many tricep dips and weighted punches yesterday.

[drspouse]

Well, I wasn't sure if I was going to do D2 today but DD doesn't seem to want to nap (despite swimming this morning) so maybe I won't have a choice!)

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

L2D1....I'm really not sure about it, I think what I found tough with it was all the lunging, it flew in a lot quicker than level 1, but jeez do my knees hurt, is that normal??? My right knee especially is really sore, does this go away after doing it for a few days??

I only thought I didn't like jumpin jacks....what fresh hell plank jacks is I'm sure I'll get used to it! The skate was actually quite fun, if that word can be used in conjunction with JM!

drs hope you finally got to do yours, with or without your personal trainer watching you!! If my DD is anywhere near me she won't let me do it! Sits on me or runs of with my weights!!

[ErrolTheDragon]

Go easy with the lunges if your knee is hurting - go a bit slower if you need to to ensure you're keeping good form.

Plank jacks are quite good when you get the hang of them just you wait for squat thrusts and moguls if you do Ri30

[MagpieCursedTea]

L3D7 complete!
I'm going to do yoga inferno (I think that's what it's called?) next MrsS.
I also struggled with plank jacks, it took me until D10 to be able to do it all the way through. Felt great though!

[CheshirePanda]

Nothing from me I'm afraid...not feeling very well. Will be back soon. Keep up the good work all.

[MsRaspberryJam]

I was up at seven to do day two level two of Ri30. I was really achey and found it quite challenging. I'm having the weekend off, so I have another go planned for first thing tomorrow too. Not looking forward to it, to be honest.

Though, in good news, my son wanted to run all the way to nursery today and I could run with him without getting tired. He also wanted to be picked up to look at some diggers. He's nearly school age and very heavy, but I was able to lift him up above my head easily. It is all worth it for things like that!

[MsRaspberryJam]

Looks like we posted at the same time, Panda. Hope you get well soon. Enjoy the rest xx

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

L2D2....I'm going to give it another go today, and then take the weekend off. I'll take your advice Errol and just go a bit slower and not go so deep into the lunges. I won't ask about squat thrusts and moguls!! I'm still trying to come to terms with plank push-ups!

Yoga inferno sounds interesting magpie might be a nice change from all the shred stuff, I have a sneaky feeling the dcs have got me one of JM dvds for Mothers Day I'll have to wait and see which one...

Get well soon Panda....have good workouts today everyone, weekend is nearly here

[ErrolTheDragon]

Arms still feeling a bit sore so didn't fancy NMTZ this morning - did some tabata instead, mostly cardio/legs type of things, but all gleaned from Jillian!

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Good stuff Errol that's me done for this week, will do some running this evening, and will probably get for another run on Sunday, hopefully. Didn't find it as bad today, and knees don't hurt, i did the knee warm up from level one before I even put on the did and I did take care on the lunges. I find it goes in a lot quicker than level 1.

Anyway have a nice weekend, will be back on Monday for more!

[blodynmawr]

Only managed one full NMTZ this week due to manic work schedule.
Need to knuckle down to catch up over the weekend!
Starting a 10 week Active challenge with work colleagues Monday so hoping the competitive challenge of posting daily minutes of exercise completed, on work social media, will keep me focussed!
Hope you feel better soon Cheshire.
Well done everyone else still keeping fit and thanks for the inspiration all!

[grannygrotts]

L1D6 done for me - went with DGCs to swimming this morning and by the time we got back was past their lunch time and mine. Did D6 once they had gone down for a nap, so about 1.30 - having had nothing to eat since FD yesterday. Have to say I found it pretty hard. Hoping tomorrow after a normal days eating will be easier.

Good to hear you found L2 easier today Mrs. Going to take a peak at it tonight.

Blodyn your 10 week active challenge sounds horrendous wonderful!! Do you have set workouts you need to keep to or can you do your own thing?

Get well soon all those suffering with the lurgy.

[drspouse]

L2D2 done! I'll try and do D3 tomorrow, was thinking about getting up early but nah. I did dash to get changed almost the second the DCs went down for their naps (in fact DS wasn't asleep yet) so I felt quite organised for doing that, often it's a slump on the sofa or manically tidying up after lunch instead.