Holidays, what holidays? Its the August Shred thread!

[ImogenQuy]

All welcome for mutual support while gritting our teeth and getting through any of Jillian's horrendous delightful programmes.

I'm place marking for tomorrow, when I'm going to start the One Week Shred.

L1D3, cardio not as hard as yesterday, did lots more stretches afterwards though. Third smiley face on the calendar .

Right so L1D1 done last night and thankfully it's a lot easier than the first time round.
But the 3kg weights are RIDICULOUS. I shouldn't have listened to DH when he said "Get the 3kg ones, go on, they'll be fine".
I shall be ordering some 2kg ones later today I think.
I did Davina Cardio 15 after the shred too which almost killed me but I'm going to try and do shred and an additional 15/20 minute workout each time. Slightly panicking as not only do I have a wedding in September but I have less than 2 weeks before my holiday so I'm going all out for the next 2 weeks!

And, Oubliette & MsRaspberry, I am very impressed with your pics. I know it works as the last time I did it I definitely toned up. I just need to stick with it.

I've had an energetic day. Short run (2 miles), 5 miles of walking and L1 D6 of 30 DS! Yay!
silvertap yes, I did 30DS earlier in the year and although I did try hard, and do some other exercise, I was fairly lax with my diet (I always eat a lot, but try to cut the rubbish down when I feel a bit porky) and I saw a definite difference. Just tighter and more toned generally esp midriff and back/waist.

I would suggest you are really careful with your technique on the abs. It's vital to really keep your tummy button pulled in hard. The minute that central band of muscle pops up you've lost technique and then you're not helping create the flat tummy I presume you want (I know I do!). I stop and reposition before starting again. I feel a few reps with good technique is better than lots with dodgy technique.

Fraggle - this was recommended to me as an 'extra' to the stretching Jillian does:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=X07BTufWnUk

L1 D3 and i am wondering if i will ever be able to sit down without my thighs burning?!

One Week Shred cardio, second time. Bleuurgh. I've got sore calves from yesterday so did the modified versions of a few of the exercises (and I have, officially, given up on one-armed burpees: it's the two-armed version all the way for me. I just about coped with the one-legged version in Killer Abs, but there really are limits.)

Can't believe I've got to do another five days of this! I won't let it beat me, but when I'm finished the DVD is going to the charity shop.

Donge, we cross-posted - this is as bad as it gets. You should start to feel a bit better tomorrow.

Today I did 30DS L2D8, followed by 6W6P L1D6 (at least I think it is day 6 - I'm starting to lose track).

Donge - it usually starts getting easier around day 4/5, so hang on in there...

One Week Shred strength, third time. I'm glad I decided on Monday that I was going to use light weights for this: I'm feeling a bit feeble by now thanks to the cardio workout, and it would be depressing to have to reduce the weights!

I have a dilemma about how long a week is. Jillian clearly reckons you do this DVD for seven days straight. I never exercise that many days in a row, so I need to decide whether to call it a day at five (especially since we're visiting MIL at the weekend and I can't take it with me), or to grit my teeth and press on till I've done seven, which means doing it a couple of days next week when I'm back at work. At the moment I'm inclining to five and reverting to Killer Body next week, funnily enough.

L1D2 last night followed by Davina Legs 15.
The weights have made the flabby bits near my armpits ache which is probably a good thing.
I'm a bit pissed off with myself as I've been low-carbing for just over a week and I've done really well apart from yesterday, when I binged on biscuits. I wonder if it's anything to do with the fact that I exercised for the first time in a few weeks. My brain thinks "go on, have a biscuit, you deserve it after shredding" and then I can't stop . I will do better today.
With the Shred, I'm never sure whether I'm supposed to take a break after a certain number of days - what has everyone else done? I was thinking of doing 5 days in a row then a night off. Does that sound about right?

L1D8 this morning although I had another day off yesterday - I don't know what's wrong with me, we are going on holiday in Sept, I should have plenty of motivation!

3kg weights is amazing, I use 1kg and really struggle with the side lunges and lifting the weights to my eyes. I could use heavier for some of the other moves though admittedly.

I think JM thinks you should exercise every day, rest is for wimps a rest day every 4/5 days is not a bad idea though I don't think.

Imogen, if you manage five days in a row, I take my hat off to you!

I did another day of level two of the Shred yesterday morning. I need to get my copy back from my friend so I can do level three. It's not on YouTube.

One Week Shred cardio, third time. I've discovered that if I do the "beginner" modification for two moves in the first circuit - the high knees and the squat thrusts - and do the burpees two-handed, I can just about do it without feeling I'm about to die by the end. But boy, is it miserable. I can't imagine being motivated enough to do it for seven days in a row! I'm seriously wavering even about five: DS has a little friend coming to tea tomorrow and I'm not sure how to fit in the cardio, unless I do it immediately before lunch. It's really tempting to bin the cardio tomorrow...but then I'll have to do it on Friday morning to stay in sequence. Urgh. At least I'm not also trying to do her meal plan: I think it's only about 1200 calories a day, and no alcohol, which would finish me off.

trilbydoll, I"m a wimp, I freely admit it. I believe there is such a thing as overtraining, though (not that I've ever been in the slightest danger of that!), and at least one rest day a week must be a good idea. Even Jillian recommends six days a week for Body Rev and Ripped in 30 (and I think Killer Body as well), with one rest day.

blardyfeck, I take two rest days - I have weekends off. But five days and then a rest day sounds good too if that's what works best for you.

Hello everyone
I'm also amazed at 3kg weights.

I swapped to L2 of 30DS today, which was harder. But I quite enjoyed it. Really fancy wine now...luckily we have none in the house. I'm trying to lay off it until we go on hols at end of August. Except for my dad's 70th weekend. And possibly the BBQ I'm going to next week :-0

Today I stuck to 30DS and did L2D9 and L3D2.

I always have at least one rest day each week - usually Saturday. My typical pattern for the weekend is Fri evening, then Sunday morning, then back to Monday evening. I try and do every evening during the week, but will take an extra rest day if I'm tired.

L1D3 shred and Davina Arms 15 done.

Luckily my 2kg weights arrived this morning. The 3kg ones are just too much for me right now. The Davina arms one is a bit of a killer and I can really feel the difference even using the 2kgs instead of the 1.5 kgs.

Thanks all for the advice re rest days. I can see myself having a rest day after 5 days on the trot, then at least I get to spend some time with DH on Saturday evening.

Off for a well-earned soak in the bath.

Joining you guys. I started on Monday so day 3 today. Aching slightly less, I can now go to the loo without just dropping on to the seat!
Fraggle - you can enter the workout as circuit training. I googled to find that out today.
I'm scared for level 2. I tried it once but never carried on.
I must say this work out is that much harder with a toddler resting his head on your fat gut whilst you try to do crunches or leaning on you during push ups.

L1D10 done. I hope I get through level 2 a lot more quickly.

One Week Shred strength, fourth time. Bit ragged today - I think this business of exercising twice a day is beginning to get to me. But if I can squeeze the cardio in today the end will be in sight...

Can I have a moan about the aesthetics of this DVD? They're exercising on a shiny black stage that looks like an advert for polish of some kind, with four giant lights behind them (shining straight at you like an interrogation), and it's actually quite hard to see some of the floor level moves. There are also some pointless shots of the cameras and the camera track running round the stage. What was wrong with the "three people in a gym" basic set up?

I couldn't do the whole Shred with 3 kg weights. Some of the moves would be fine, but 2 kg is my maximum for the anterior raises and the V-raises. I've been using a mix of 1 kg and 2 kg for the One Week Shred.

L1D4 done. I found it tough today. that last set of abs defeats me. Looking forward to being able to doing it properly.

I watched level 2 yesterday. I'm sure I'll get over this by the time I'm sweating through it but jesus christ her sports bra is terrible in it. I wonder how many retakes they had to do because her boobs came out.

One Week Shred cardio done, fourth time. Having DS watch and say with interest "is that hard work, Mummy?" as I panted and dripped didn't really improve the experience!

Circumstances look likely to prevent me from doing five days in a row - DM just called to say my DB is in hospital. I can't go anywhere today because of the Tube strike but will probably have to leave v. early tomorrow morning. Which also means I can't go to MIL's, and I was looking forward to seeing her - DH and DS will have to go without me .

Thanks for the video link Oubliette looks good!

Shred L1D3 completed yesterday and L1D4 done today!!

I feel amazing! Yesterday I was really sore before the workout but somehow the workout was easier and I was less sore afterwards!?! Today was even easier again so I pushed myself more and i feel fantastic! 4 days ago I couldn't believe I could do even 1 jumping jack... I'm gobsmacked. I just held on to what you all said that the first 3 days are the hardest and then it gets easier. I didn't believe it but I held on to it and..... it's true! It really does get easier!

I should point out I'm not using weights yet, will start either tomorrow or Monday with them.

Like others I'm rather terrified of L2, too scared to even watch it lol

Is it a big jump from L1? If you're still following Anita is it ok to start L2?

Oh Imogen I hope DB is ok and nothing too serious?

Hi all

D2 of 30DS l2 done

Raspberry is it level 3 of 30DS you are looking for on the Internet? I Think this works (Sorry if it's not a proper link)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=2DfRx-0RE_U

Well done fraggle for persevering. L2 has a few killers but it gets easier after a few days. Just follow Anita! I would certainly move to L2 even when doing Anita moves on L1. There are some Natalie things on L1 I don't think I'd ever do.

Yes, that's what I am looking for Panda! Aw, that's great :)

I managed to push on through this evening, despite not really wanting to bother. I did 30DS L2D10 and then 6W6P L1D7. I really need to get back to Ri30, as I've avoided it since the weekend. Maybe tomorrow...