The April Shred Thread - No false messages of lethargy!

[MagpieCursedTea]

Starting a new thread for April for anyone doing the 30 Day Shred and/or other JM workouts.

Everyone welcome

L1D5 completed....moving onto level 2 on Monday.

Hi plum I started the shred in February and by the time I got to level 3 I definitley noticed a good difference in my arms and legs.

mummy I was the exact same at the start, I think what I did was, not lift my head so far of the ground and keep my legs a bit lower, that way I couldn't topple over, it takes a little while to get used to them (I think by day 8 I had improved) this time around I really like them

Apples - my motivation comes from Berocca and Pro Plus. Vitamins and caffeine. If I don't feel like doing it, I knock one each of those back and I soon change my tune.

Body Rev, Phase 1, week 2, workout 2 last time. Just one cardio to go and I can move on to week 3 and new workouts.

Quite pleased because I managed 5 times this week.

Mildly, that sounds interesting, I was wondering what to do next. I need something with a goal, so 30 days or 90 days etc to keep me motivated.

In terms of results, combined with trying to eat a little better, I am starting to see a difference 11 workouts in (which has taken me 3 weeks). My stomach is flatter, my bottom looks a bit lifted and my arms and shoulders are better. I am still at least a stone overweight, but have lost 4lbs.

Howya I have days like that too and just do 30 min - 30 DS Shred Level 2 or 3, or just the first 4 circuits of NMTZ....

Howya, everyone has days like that, I think!

I tell myself that maybe I'm coming down with something and will be bedridden tomorrow. The idea of not exercising for two or more days in a row makes me queasy (what, and lose this lovely strength and flexibility it took me so stupidly long to develop? ) so I terrify myself into at least doing twenty blimmin minutes.

Body Rev Phase 2 week 5 workout 5 done. Ouch - that was a significant step up from Phase 1. I haven't had the chance to preview workout 6 or the cardio so I'll have to go into those blind tomorrow and on Wednesday.

Isn't BodyShred her trademarked gym workout rather than a new DVD? There is the new Killer Body one, though: I'm looking at that for when I finish Body Rev.

My default setting is that I really don't feel motivated, HowYa ! I find vanity doesn't do it for me as a motivator, because I'm short-waisted and short-legged (as well as just short!) and no amount of exercise is going to make me anything other than dumpy-looking. but what finally tipped me into doing weights regularly was watching the different ways my mother and mother-in-law are ageing. MIL has always kept fit and healthy (she was still doing aerobics classes till she was nearly 80!) while my mother's never prioritised exercise, and now that they're old the difference really shows. I realised I was middle-aged and if I didn't want to be a frail old lady the time to do something about it was now. But if I don't get it done first thing in the morning there's no hope of it happening.

Imogen, there is a DVD set but it seems to only be available from Jillian's US web site here. One of my friends who now lives in Asutralia is doing it and managed to order it from there, though, so I thin if I am veeery good this year I might get it next new year (or might give Insanity another go... find Shaun T a bit boring though next to Jill). Hate Jillian's styling on that web site, though! She's gorgeous and don't need that awful photoshopping.

Level 2 Day 1...still can't do double jump rope but at I am loving the plank jacks this time around.

Howy my motivation usually comes from my mood, dh says he can always tell when I haven't been getting my usually exercise in because I do tend to be snappy, it's more a release thing for me, clears the head...but everyone needs a day off too so if your body isn't feeling it, maybe just listen to it, and you'll be happier to get back to it the next day....htps

KB&T L2 done - not quite so bad today.

My motivation is partly the same as Imogen's - I don't want to be a frail old lady if I can help it - and partly because I wanted to be able to do stuff with DD in particular watersports. Though that means now I'm rather champing at the bit as can't start till more than halfway through June this year after she's finished GCSEs - but then again it makes sense to try to get stronger now so I get most out of the short season.

Also - there was some sort of menopause/middle age special in the Times this weekend, and reading a piece by Christa da Souza - visiting expensive clinics and investigating hormone therapy - well, maybe I'm just lucky but starting doing Jillian and 5:2 just about at the start of mine I seem to be escaping very lightly - no thickening waist for sure! I suppose my skin is starting to show it's age more but that doesn't overly bother me.

Mrs... did I read you right? You love plank jacks? That's amazing! I think they are my most hated JM move ('cept maybe crescent lunge with tricep backwards lifts things from NMTZ).

Errol, superb, couldn't face level 2 of kb&t today! I'm premenstrual so did level one but did use 3kg. I think it was the first time I'd used them on the swimmers / superman things. Blimmin Heck that makes it difficult! I am a wuss with weights, though.

I only just properly fully clicked that you're the Errol from the 5:2 thread, btw. Hello!

Now love might be a bit strong mildly but I am liking them better this time around, first time it took me until day 5/6 before I was able to do a whole set. I definitley prefer level 2 out of all 3 levels though. Actually speaking of weights...what size weights are you all using? I think I might have to go and get some new ones, Im using 1.5 kg, are they too light?? Should I get heavier ones?? What type would you recommend? I have NMTZ too mildly, hoping to get around to it after the shred.

MrsS, I recommend NMTZ... jump in asap! It does take longer (an hour if you pause for water breaks like me) but it really does make you feel mighty!

I use 3kg now. Can go up to 7kg on things like squat and bicep curls but honestly, 3's do me in. 1. 5 is a veryrespectable weight though... Shred is still hard at that weight, with that horrendous minute long compound strength thing. That said, I thing you could probably do threes or twos on at least some of the moves. Why not have a go? btw I look adore Level 2, too.

Apols for typing... phone hates me!

Thanks for all the different perspectives on motivation. I put some into practice today and did 30DS Level 3 instead of the longer ones I usually do (NMTZ and BFBM). I even managed to follow Natalie for most of it Once I've actually done it I feel really great (mentally, rather than physically!).

I'm finding since reaching my target weight I'm having silent verbal battles with myself most days, almost like a good angel and naughty devil sitting on each shoulder. The angel shouts get on and bloody do it and the devil whispers nah, just 5 more minutes on MN won't hurt...... When I was losing the weight I was a lot more determined and now I completely understand it when people say that's only half the battle, the other half is keeping the weight off. I know the only way I can do that is with the exercise as the calorie counting alone won't be enough.

IMO Exercise isn't just (or really, primarily) about weight - it's about being fit. If you're fit you'll be healthier and life is just that much easier and more fun.

I like plank jacks! Prefer them to normal ones I think, and much less hard than some of the other things like squat thrusts. Or one-legged burpees - can't do those properly on my right leg, possibly because my big toe is dodgy. Can just about do a couple on the left leg.

Weights - whatever you can do all or most of a set with with good form. I've got a random selection of metric and imperial (1.5, 3, 6, 8 and 10 kgs -the latter two really DH's but I use them for a few things, more free weights than JM) and 5 and 10 lbs. I probably use the 3kgs and the 5 and 10 pounders the most. Had to get the 1.5s for things like anterior raises and surrenders but can now use the 5lbs for those (2 and a quarter kgs)

Body Rev Phase 2 week 5 workout 6 done. Easier than workout 5, I think because my biceps and back are a lot stronger than my triceps and shoulders. Cardio tomorrow, urgh.

As so often on these threads, I agree with Errol (except about the plank jacks - I hate all exercises that put my weight on my arms and shoulders. Though I agree that they're better than squat thrusts). I don't exercise to lose weight, which is just as well as my weight hasn't changed in a whole year of JM. I exercise to stave off osteoporosis later, and to be strong and capable now.

As to weights, I have 4 sets - 1 kg to 4 kgs. I started off a year ago with tins of tomatoes and then moved up to the 1 kg weights on my first run through the Shred, and then gradually acquired the others. I still need the 1's for things like weighted supermans, but not really much else. I use the 2s and 3s most of the time, and the 4s from time to time for biceps and back. I occasionally wonder about getting a set of 5s, but I'd have to be sure the bar was narrow - my 4s are a bit too fat for me to hold comfortably as my hands are very small.

L2D2 done! And boy I'm going to need to keep it up, my little sister phoned me this morn to say she's got engaged and asked I will be bridesmaid the wedding in September, dress shopping in June/July!!!

Thanks for the advice on the weights folks, sounds like I do need to get a few more heavier ones, dh has a good few that he uses so I must have a look and see if I can use any of them...hats off to you lot using 3s 4s & 5s..

Thanks mildly for the thumbs up on NMTZ, I got it as a presie from the kids for Mother's Day (aren't they nice!!!) and it's still in the wrapper, so it will be a nice change to do something different and a bit longer, especially now I've got a dress to fit into!!

I'm thinking there's something wrong with me.....I quiet like squat thrusts too one legged burpees just sound evil

NMTZ this morning. It really is a good all-over workout and the last couple of sets are (mostly) a bit easier which helps get through it. There's one move I think needs heavily modifying to be safe - the 'windshield wipers' I'd counsel don't push it. The leg raise with chest fly also, I start with by arms and legs up and then go down as far as I can without straining my back. Also take heed of what she says in the deadlift - if your back starts rounding you've gone too far. I hurt myself a bit last year by not being careful enough, so I'm trying very hard not to repeat that mistake.

Hello fellow Jillian-devotees. I have just restarted Jillianing after 6 months of laziness (exercised 2-3 times a week in these months and sometimes not at all). It sounds very much like an introduction at an AA meeting, sorry.

Today Body Rev Work-out 2. I cannot believe how many times I completed BR, and still find it inspiring. Waves to Imogen

I like plank-jacks as well, or more precisely I hate all the other plank exercises like plank thrusts and moguls, so plank-jacks seem a bit more reasonable.

L3D8, which is actually my D30, as I did two extra L1 when my wrist was bothering me.
I am not sure I'll find a class to suit as they are all at the wrong time. So I need a new challenge!
I'm ordering Yoga Meltdown and I'm not sure I'm ready for anything much more high powered but the back bends might not work well for me in that.

Body Rev Phase 2 week 5 cardio done. Less dull than phase 1, and actually no harder (though I sodding hate high knees, and she's very keen on them). I think the reason I hate cardio so much is my total lack of co-ordination. This disc has some alternating knee thrusts and I can do the move, it's not difficult, but can I pivot gracefully to the opposite leg? Can I hell. It catapults me straight back to school PE where I was always the lumpen one at the back two moves behind everyone else.

Waves to gingercat12 - there are two or three of us doing Body Rev on this thread, so welcome! I'm cheating and only doing 5 sessions a week, dropping the second cardio session.

Well done on finishing the Shred, drspouse. I like Yoga Meltdown. Weirdly L2 is easier than L1 (except for a couple of bonus moves which are absolutely impossible). It also has fewer backbends. I find it's a good one to take away with me when I'm travelling for work as I don't need trainers or weights.

Oh that's a good tip, thanks Imogen. I think I will persevere with Yoga Meltdown as an evening workout, and the occasional Shred in the day. Good point about no trainers/weights too, and things like the plank type moves are great for my Pilates too.

L2D3 done! I had a sneak peek at NMTZ lastnight, and I really like it, can't wait to start it, so much so I'm thinking of doing that instead of level 3, what do you NMTZers think???

Well said Errol about exercising not being about weight but about generally feeling good.
NMTZ today and still doing well using 5kg weights for all of circuit 3.... 3kg for all the other circuits though, particularly triceps circuit 4!
BFBM tomorrow....
Go for it MrsSteven. I only do the first 4 circuits of NMTZ sometimes, on busy days or when not as motivated as usual, around 30min, which is a good transition from 30DS.

I'm nearly at the end of W3 of RI30 and I really don't like it. I think the moves are a little desperate and not necessarily the most effective. It's like she prioritised the 'no move repeated' over what is the best move. I miss the Shred for time as well - those ten extra minutes make a lot of difference!