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!

[MsRaspberryJam]

Take your time and join back in when you're ready, Panda. I have been skipping between bits and bobs so not making much progress on Ri30.

I've had an awful week at work. Been crying a lot this week, as something really bad has happened there and I'm struggling. As tempting as it has been to reach for the cigarettes or wine, I know that won't help me to work out. Setting an alarm for seven tomorrow so I can exercise before work. Hopefully I can make it through the day without breaking down in tears.

Wish me luck, exercise chums!

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Day 5 of level 2 done....actually got through the whole thing today without stumbling or having to stop for a few seconds...very pleased with myself...I nearly didn't do it...dd was up at all hours lastnight and I was very tempted to just go and nap while she's napping....glad I didn't now...

Belated birthday wishes to your dh & dog errol!

Cheshire glad to hear your cold has gone, MrsRJ hope everything goes ok at work for you, best of luck

Can I ask those of you who have done the shread for a while now, when did you start to notice a difference in the stomach area??? I can see my arms and legs are taking shape but the belly is still very much there, it's so dispiriting when I'm doing the cool down, to look down and it's there ...

[drspouse]

I've done the same amount as you MrsSteven and have noticed nothing visually but it's much easier to do abs type stuff at Pilates.
L2 D5 today, with a change of nappy for DD in the middle. Not sure how to notate that in MFP... She thought the oblique twists were hilarious though.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Good luck, MrsR, hope that you can deal with the work situation. Keeping going with the exercise will help you feel better versus slumping.

I did my NMTZ this morning. The mention of kickboxing has put me off getting BFBM - my hips don't much like that sort of thing - so I shall probably stick to tabatas as the cardio alternate.

[MagpieCursedTea]

Hope things improve for you soon MrsRJ!
I got halfway through yoga meltdown for the second time today and just hated it. I really struggle to follow the moves and spend more time falling over myself than I do exercising. I think I will revisit it again when I'm fitter/more flexible. I did a 10 minute solution dance workout instead which was fun and I've ordered ri30.

[MsRaspberryJam]

Thanks, everyone. I did manage to get the workout done this morning.

It's a whole other story about work, but things aren't going well. Bullying in the workplace.

Never mind. I just need to stay focused and not let it get me down.

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

L2D6 done!

at your Dd drs, nappy change mid workout is surly worth an extra few cals burned....I have noticed a change in strength I suppose, when out running I do feel the upper body is a bit more firm...well I'll keep going with it...it's better than sitting eating cake (so I'm told) !!!

Well done on your workout MrsRJ hope you get things sorted at work, it's a horrible situation to be in, vent away here if it helps

[drspouse]

Managed to get up in time to do L2 D6 without an audience. However, as DH was off work he could deal with the early morning demands so I'm not sure this is a good plan for long term use unless I get up a LOT earlier.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I definitely have become stronger since starting shred etc. Today did tabatas instead (with a break to look at the clouded eclipse), plus inclined pushups, a few exercises with heavier weights than I used for shred and a couple of planks (which I hate doing). I can do the JM plank-based moves fine, but holding static plank I was only getting to ~35 secs today.

[blodynmawr]

Agree Errol I am definitely more toned, which was my aim at the outset, as don't really do dieting. I am down a dress size since January. This time last year was when I last fell off the Shred wagon, after 3 months, so hoping that NMTZ and BFBM will keep me going this time. Still very motivated at the moment thanks to you guys!

[MagpieCursedTea]

I did another couple of 10 minute solution workouts today whilst waiting for ri30 to arrive. I breezed through stuff that probably would've been a lot harder pre shred, so feel quite good about that.

[MagpieCursedTea]

Did another couple of 10 minute solutions today. Really liking the ab workout one.

How's everyone's weekend?

[MagpieCursedTea]

Just recording my two 10 min solution workouts for the day. My ri30 DVD arrived yesterday so I'll start that on Wednesday after my two rest days.

I'll stop talking to myself now

[blodynmawr]

HI Magpie. Just popping on quickly. No work out today as is rest day. Busy doing various housework and outside tasks at home as weather here in West Wales is lovely!
BFBM tomorrow.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Hello folks! I keep starting and stopping. I go back to work after mat leave next Monday, so I have a week to work a miracle. I've done 3 days of Shred Level 2, starting from a month off , and it's killing me. I do feel marginally thinner, though. My goal is rest day tomorrow due to having both kids at home all day, then Shred Tues/Wed/Thurs as it'll be just me and baby DS at home. Then rest day Fri, and Shred Sat and Sun. Then back to dreaded work! Then i'll have to try to get back into the groove of exercising at night. Joy.

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

D7L2 done.... I Did zero over the weekend but I plan to try and squeeze some kind of exercise in on one day over the weekend starting this weekend coming, that 10 min solution workout sounds good Magpie is it on t'internet by any chance??? Well done keeping it up at weekends...I need your inspiration

Hi twoextra get a good routine going this week, a week can make a real difference, sorry to hear your mat leave is nearly up, I know it's a pain trying to fit exercise in with work and kids...I'll be shreading all week, so you'll have me for company....hope to start level 3 near the end of the week. Then I don't know what I'll be doing as I'll be homeless for most of next week, we're getting some work done to the house, might have to hire out my mums sitting room to keep the shredding up ...

[ErrolTheDragon]

DH and I had a really lovely walk yesterday; today I had a GP appt. so I did some free weights (heavier weights), inclined pressups and planks instead of a fullscale workout. I think I may do tabata tomorrow, then NMTZ.

[drspouse]

Brain fail - the DCs both had a nice long nap but I forgot to do anything during it (though I did do some paperwork).

Someone please explain exactly how on earth I'm going to do any exercise when I go back to work sob next week sob.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

Drspouse snap! And double sob. Neither child reliably sleeps in their own beds - baby is usually in with me by 4am at the latest, and toddler usually appears at some stage too. So if I tried to sneak out if bed at 5.45 to Shred I'd be bound to wake at least one of them up (given that their preferred sleeping positions are super-glued to each side of me, DS with nipple in mouth and DD with one hand planted firmly on my other boob). That leaves evenings after they're in bed. Get home about 6, get dinner for adults and supper for children, then bath and try to have them in bed by 7.30. Then collapse on sofa and start trying to motivate myself to Shred. The joy. I usually start at about 8.45. On the plus side, it will feel like bliss when the baby years are over and if my children are awake while I exercise they can be trusted not to interrupt. Then I'll have to come up with a new excuse...

[ErrolTheDragon]

Cheddar - some things are even better than shredding and those baby years may seem long at the time but aren't in retrospect.

[MrsStevenPatrickMorrissey]

Hi everyone, D8L2 completed ....I'm just starting to like it now! Must have a look at level 3, see what delights are in store for me...

[drspouse]

Right! L2 D7. Phew. Now am doing mostly Natalie and not much Anita except some of the knee things I don't go down as low, and I cannot do the double skipping. At all.

Maybe I should get some heavier weights next?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Hello!

Yes, it's me. Still here, still not Shredding and joining drspouse and Cheddar on the 'how the hell am I going to exercise once I'm back at work?' bench. It's what's holding me back, actually. DS2 will be gradually increasing nursery hours between now and then, so I'll theoretically have time, but is there any point since it will all come to an abrupt halt at the end of next month?

Cheddar - you're describing my set-up entirely. Impressed that you're even mentioning 5:45am or once the DCs are in bed. I'll be doing my best to cram in sleep or chores at those times!

[ErrolTheDragon]

Well, there's quite a lot of time between now and the end of next month - wouldn't it be good to start back at work fit? Also, once you've got the exercise habit, it's not too hard to do a bit ad hoc even if you don't have time to put a dvd on.

I did 5 sets of tabata (ie 5 sets of 8 20:10 tabata intervals) this morning - that takes a bit of a while at the moment as I needed 4 mins between each set (but it was 5 mins last time, hoping to whittle down to about 2). But if you got a timer app you could probably fit in a set or two somewhere in your day.

[MsRaspberryJam]

Hey everyone. I'm announcing my commitment to work out as soon as I finish work. I'm doing random Jillians, usually from YouTube, to keep things interesting.

I am luckily well past the baby stage and can tell you it does get easier. My four year old and work don't get in the way of exercise too much. I do have a lot of early mornings, but I have really got used to it and (crazy as it sounds) kind of enjoy it.