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

[KikiMadeMeDoIt]

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

Oh gosh! Maybe I won't get to my abs work then!! That's fine, will Mutu later.

I think the walking ones are really fab - I can't get out to walk with the two little ones around at all so it's comforting to be able to get some steps in.

You might breeze through it (but it's really hard)

The walking one involved having much better coordination than I have.
With the HIIT one, I am not pushing myself to the upper limits yet, so am adapting for things like the jumping jacks.
I really liked that you have the minute timer, makes it easier to get through with that in the corner.

Yep, that was a toughy. I actually cheated and dropped down to lighter weights in the final rotation. Forget about the mountain climber!

Shameless oh yes, I find some of the moves tricky in terms of coordinating my body! I think I've got better in the last 3 weeks though.

OK, I haven't actually even looked at the HIIT stuff on the basis that I can't do jumping jacks etc, but maybe I should try. Did she give you adaptations or did you know how to adapt?

My 11 yo daughter decided she wanted to do a workout with me this morning so we did a kids workout (not JS) and I'm swimming tonight.

Thanks SO MUCH for the abs recommendations. I thought the walking videos were like... To listen to while you go for a walk. Anyway. I'll get my coat.

Shameless It will come. You can't do something you've never done, perfectly, first time. But if you start, you'll hardwire the new skill in. Keep trying, it's really good for your brain, but start by just walking without any extras and add them in as you get more under your belt. And that bit where you get all frustrated and cross because you can't get - that's the bit where your brain is learning the new skill - I always know when study is going well because I want to cry and run away

BetterFeet I did it! I did the 52 minute barre. It's not easy, but it's not agony or impossible - somewhere in the middle of those is fine by me.

Hello Pixie You're beating us all with your early morning workouts . It's not that crazy - Spotify has walking soundtracks and meditations (and walking on the spot at home doesn't sound that great - right until you do it).

One of the (many) problems I have is dyspraxia, so if I have to think about how to co-ordinate my limbs, I end up tripping myself over.
So by giving myself permission to move how, I want to move is a big help.
I listen to Jessica when she says the equivalent of find your own way to do things, because that really works for me.

*find

Well done on the barre, Kiki! I've got to do that again this week if I can fit it in. Or something else "glute-y".

Yesterday I did this together with my Mutu exercises. Hard! I looked like a lunatic in the garden (luckily no one overlooks!).

Today I did and . Power Walk was great and I will do again. With the standing abs... my balance is so bad (with the flat feet) that I spend tonnes of time trying not to fall down, hence my form is terrible. I might do more floor abs!

I get that Shameless, there's no way the thought and the movement can happen at the same time. I'm really glad that you can get something done with these videos. Even walking through them without changing up the footwork at all will be beneficial.

BetterFeet I still haven't given up on the Squat Madness search. DH and I can remember doing it together, so it must exist. The Standing Abs looks like fun, I'll add that to the list (I went to a Pilates class this morning, the list is in no danger of being touched today ).

I enjoyed Standing Abs this morning. Quick and got me back in the groove. How are the floor abs?

Hi Pixie I think that standing abs makes more sense as it gets you into good posture habits and I spend more time standing than lying down in my day, so it feels like a good idea to practice standing stuff. I've just done a Ballet Fit class - I'm a bit done in.

I thought I'd pop this here Jessica puts playlists together or makes playlist videos so you don't have to think about what to do day to day, it all comes in a list. Just in case anyone wanted 15 minutes of exercise

Thanks Kiki! I will take a look at that.

Pixie the floor abs can be really tough. She seems to often add an abs section into a circuit routine, or even the Straight Up Strength I did earlier in the week.

I did try Waistline Work (I think it was called) but actually found some of her positioning practically impossible!

The is great (cardio & abs).

I love the flat abs walks. But I'm worried that I keep going back to the same ones, so I'm going to try and find something new and hard to do today. I haven't really got any muscle soreness so I've got no excuse to get sweaty. I think I need a challenge.

Interested to see what you find Kiki. Or perhaps if you combine a couple, or even add some weight into something that doesn't usually?

I did a Barre Butt Hips & Thighs yesterday and my bum is killing! But that says more about me... Planning on the Best Workout to Burn Fat Fast later if I can get the kids to bed at a reasonable time.

I must give the Barre ones a go!

There’s a really good “express abs” one, it’s only 10 minutes, nice to add it to one of the walking miles. I like the 12-minute Turkey Trot too.

Had a really busy week here, and it’s been so hot that the last thing I want to do is exercise but I am pledging to do one workout today

I did this one Someone else linked to it up-thread - it was a perfect 30 minute cardio/toning workout. I must get better at getting two shorter ones cued up, I've only done it once and it worked perfectly.

If your bum is killing you, then you must have done it right

Hello The Eagle Do it, all you've got to worry about is bum pain. I understand not being able to work out in hot weather, part of my Ehlers Danlos is not being able to regulate temperature, so I really struggle when it's hot (or cold, or temperate).

DH came to pilates with me today. He's already booked next week's class so I think he enjoyed it

I will take a look at 'Express Abs' Eagle.

You'll be glad to know the bum has recovered, Kiki! However, been off the boil this weekend due to a cold. Am going to see if I can do the Under the Weather session later.

Thanks OP for drawing my attention to Jessica Smith. I really need to do some toning and am so glad I've found this thread. Have done a few of the abs and arms ones suggested upthread and am really enjoying them. I've always been a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of exercise videos available on YouTube and doubt I'd ever have found Jessica on my own.

Can you suggest one for me please?? I've done the Shred & Ripped after each of my babies and I'm bored of them! I can do then easily now, so need a replacement. I like the 30ish minute length and I like the mix of cardio and strength - I like to have a good sweat to feel like I've really worked out. Thanks

BetterFeet I always feel more muscle soreness before a cold, I don't know if it's my body gearing up for the cold and taking resources away, but if I feel more sore than usual, then something is heading my way. Get better soon and give the under the weather one a go, just to get you moving a bit

Hi Anjelika Welcome to the club! I know what you mean, it's difficult to start searching from scratch. Let us know what else you try - it's really easy to miss a good work out, so personal recommendations are really valuable.

Hello Ohladedah Right, let's have a think. Have a go at this one It's got cardio and toning (and it's one of my go-to absolute favourites). See how it goes and report back which bits you like or don't like

@RedPandaMama - have a look at these exercises as a gentler way if getting fit.

I tried the Stride & Strength one below today. I enjoyed it and will definitely do it again. I liked that you can do it in a pretty small space. I've done a few Abs and Arms ones but thought this one definitely burned more calories.

Anjelika I'm glad you liked that one, it's one of my old friends.

I like this one because you're working your arms and legs at the same time - it cuts down on workout time and just feels efficient - there's no harm in working out and feeling proud of yourself in using time efficiently.

Am liking the look of that one Kiki. I'll give it a go next - either Monday or Tuesday. I did a 9 minutes Abs one today and realised just how weak my abs are!