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Original poster

No ripping, tearing or shreding, it's Jessica Smith!

274 replies

KikiMadeMeDoIt · 09/03/2018 10:44

Welcome to the Jessica Smith fitness thread, which came about after conversations about a more gentle way to get fit.

Jessica is a fitness instructor who has had her own problems with starting exercise, but thankfully she did get started and kept going. I found her videos when I was desperate to exercise but didn't have a clue how to start, so I feel a special affection for her.

Jessica has videos on her YouTube channel for everyone - she has sections for beginners, pre-natal mothers and those who want to sweat like crazy for 50 minutes, it's all there.

I thought we could share favourite videos here, encourage each other, or join in with our own Peanuts (well, you'll just have to watch!).

To get us started, here's one of my favourites

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 01/05/2018 08:43

@ItsNice 10lb!! Oh my word! Mine was only 7lb15oz, but I had excess amniotic fluid so looked like I was carrying twins! Infected skin sounds painful. Who knew pregnancy could do so much damage!!

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 01/05/2018 09:00

ItsNice Yep, a few more weeks is the smallest amount of time, but making healthier choices will absolutely pay off. Has it been easier to stop snacking since you started exercising? I always say that exercise makes healthy eating easier, but it would be really interesting to hear actual experience of it. Your body has been amazing, so it's just lovely to hear that you're being nice to it Smile

I don't feel as bad as I have been, so I'm going to do a Jessica today. An easy one. An easy short one Grin

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ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual · 01/05/2018 09:25

Yes it definitely has. Partly because I don't want to spoil the hard work I've put in, but I think mostly because it's just given me a much more positive outlook and I actively want to feel healthy. I hope it lasts!

So pleased you're feeling better. Good luck!

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 01/05/2018 10:00

Good luck, @Kiki!!

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 01/05/2018 11:04

BetterFeet Thank you Grin I shall report back when it's done. It might be this afternoon, but it is going to be done

I've had my eyes opened. I hadn't seen it before, but it's truly horrible. The scary thing is, someone who has seen that as the only weight loss advice they've ever had could be really messed up by it. It's just wrong. And I think the video that links to it is just wrong too - there's no way anyone should work the same muscle ten days in a row, it's just begging for injury. I'm really shocked by it all, but the context has made sense of the video workout.

Well done on staying with the physio programme. I've learnt (through quite a few painful years) that physio exercises work and if I have any I do them carefully. I guess you have to do the MuTu slowly as there's no real margin for error and you can't get away with leaning on a different muscle. It's great that you've got signed off, now you can get going. Boobs - well, get your pecs built and they'll sit up a bit, bum and legs - get the squats done and they'll sort themselves out.

The diet sounds like you've got it under control, but I think that when you've worked really hard on your body, what you want can change. Looking in the mirror and seeing a toned shape can give you the dopamine hit that chocolate used to (I really don't want to turn anyone into a raving narcisist, but there's a very gentle hit from achieving something you want).

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 01/05/2018 11:31

@Kiki I completely get your point! Sometimes, the progress you see can be motivation enough.

I just did this one:

It felt like it was targeting all my 'trouble zones' (!) and it was a lot of nice, fluid moves that I recognise from Pilates so really enjoyed it. Zero impact!! Just when you want to die, the exercise changes, so a nice flow to it, too.

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 01/05/2018 16:08

BetterFeet Yep, I'll always remember the time I was sitting on a bus and could see someone's shapely arm reflected in a window. I thought, "She's done some work." Best. Day. Ever.

I did this one (I did it!) I don't think I've done it before, but it was perfect for a 'getting over a cold and needing to do something but not too much' day.

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 01/05/2018 16:42

Ooh that looks good. I will add it to my Barre playlist.

Love her round mat!

icclemunchy · 01/05/2018 20:06

Well I did it! Felt like I might die whilst trying to do it, and then she said it was a warm Up and we'd be doing it another two times 😂

But I survived, and although I hurt its not actually too bad. Think I'll do one of the walk and talks tomorrow and then see how I go

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 01/05/2018 20:40

Munchy Yay! Well done Glitterball You never have to do the first one again. A walk and talk would be perfect tomorrow, take it easy. My EDS causes chronic pain and the way I see it - we’re going to be in pain, so we might as well have some control over where some of that pain comes from. Good luck with the walk and talk Smile

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icclemunchy · 02/05/2018 08:16

I don't actually feel as bad as I expected this morning. A little sore but not enough to need more painkillers than usual which is a surprise

Lemond1fficult · 02/05/2018 08:37

Ah, thanks @KikiMadeMeDoIt. My knees are fine, really, but I'm aware of small twinges that I'm sure will only get worse if I carry on down the HIIT route. Which is a shame, because they're the first workouts I've been motivated to do every day and I felt brilliant from them. I really need something to keep that habit going.

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 02/05/2018 08:40

I'm so pleased for you. Chronic pain and exercise are the subjects I could go on about for hours. My theory is that fibromyalgia is always a symptom and never a cause. Sometimes it's just easier, for some doctors, to diagnose, prescribe painkillers and move on because there's nowhere to refer on to.

Good luck if you try the walk and talk, take it gently and enjoy moving.

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Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 02/05/2018 08:43

Lemon that's good that there's nothing wrong. I think that anything you do as a main exercise needs a bit of back up to support it, so running more than 10 miles a week would need some strength work to support the joints. So, you can do HIIT workouts, but you might need to do some routines for your core or balance. Can we find you a Jessica? Grin

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Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 02/05/2018 16:41

Today's workout I think that's shaken most of my cold out of me. It's a power walk, so it's low impact but it does get the heart rate up nicely. I also love this for the way she mentions that we're not meant to feel pain when we exercise as it can't really be said too much.

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 02/05/2018 20:26

Thanks @Kiki. I'm wondering what to do tomorrow and that might be it! Think I need something which is less work on the abs.

I also have my eye on the latin spice fusion one!

icclemunchy · 03/05/2018 22:03

Well I managed the walk and talk OK yesterday. Feeling tuesdays workout slightly more today plus a day out to Peppa pig world so left it at that for today. Any suggestions for something still gentle to move on from the first one with for tomorrow?

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 04/05/2018 08:33

BetterFeet Which one did you do? (I had a day off yesterday - I say day off, I wrote a paragraph and did loads of research.)

Munchy How did it go? Which one did you do? What do you feel like - cardio? Some strength?

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 04/05/2018 08:55

Morning, @Kiki.

I selected this one: on the basis of it being low impact (it was, brilliantly) and more cardio focussed.

It was tough though! I don't know how she is so coordinated and can move her body so fast! Maybe it's all that muscle..!

It had more abs than I realised from the original description but that's no bad thing. I'm feeling up for a bit of strength today though I think; I want to have pushed myself a bit!!

Do you have something in mind for yourself?

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 04/05/2018 09:06

Hi BetterFeet I haven't done that one for ages! I just flicked through it and saw the seated twisty things. I might have a go at that, but I feel like doing something with weights. I might do this one

I still don't feel well enough to do an hour's class, so I've got to use Jessica to build up some stamina.

I might have posted this before, but I love it so much. I think it's a hard one, so there's a proportional amount of smug happiness when it's over.

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MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 04/05/2018 09:19

@Kiki do you normally get out to a class somewhere? What type of class do you do?

I don't have the option for classes outside the home between kids, work and husband out of the house from 630am to 9pm, so this is ideal.

I'm going to do that first one you posted. Am currently waiting for my heavier set of weights to arrive which may or not be today...

icclemunchy · 04/05/2018 09:35

Really well which surprised me. I was feeling it a little in the last five minutes but it's really proved to me that I CAN do some exercise every day. I think I need some cardio, but not too cardio 😂

Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 04/05/2018 09:36

BetterFeet I really hope you enjoy it, it’s long, but I think it goes quickly.

I go to a gym that just has classes, there’s Pilates (which I can’t recommend enough), barre, ballet fit - lots of lengthening, low impact stuff. What have you got near to you (DM me if you don’t want to advertise your location) and we can go through what’s most suitable.

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Original poster
KikiMadeMeDoIt · 04/05/2018 09:37

Munchy well done! That’s brilliant Grin If you’re a bit clever about it, you should be able to do something every day. I have to pop out now, but if you haven’t chosen one we can find one when I get back.

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Dandeliontea123 · 04/05/2018 09:45

Thanks for this thread. I have two of her walking DVDs and really like them. Didn't realise there was so much on her channel!