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Original poster

Anyone else doing Caroline Girvan's EPIC programme?

894 replies

BigButtons · 22/07/2021 15:50

I thought I was pretty fit and toned. I have exercised consistently most of my life: weights, cardio, hit, running etc ( now 53). I have just finished day 8 of EPIC and feel like a complete wuss. It was the lunges one. I wanted to be sick even though I was standing infront of a large fan the entire time.
How do people actually manage to get through these? I have just looked ahead to the burpee day and feel like I am simply not up to this. Sad

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Original poster
BigButtons · 08/09/2021 19:55

@wetpants I find the weight sessions give me a good cardio workout as it is.
Today I did @ManxRhyme’s recommended epic day 40. I was due burpees today and chickened out!

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Melassa · 08/09/2021 19:58

@wetpants I was going to avoid the Burpees too, then felt guilty, so today I bit the bullet. Worth it for afterwards (isn’t it always?). The bouts are 30 seconds plus 15 rest. I could manage on average about 4 complex burpees in the 30 seconds, on a couple I only managed 2! There are other moves between the Burpees which are not too bad and pass quickly, if that helps?

I was seriously out of breath though! I can’t remember Burpees from Epic 1, they were pretty grim, but I think these are faster in parts.

I think Burpees are one of those experiences you would like to have done, without needing to actually go through them.

OrangeSunset · 08/09/2021 20:09

I was sweating today doing the 30min Heat full body. Didn’t think that would happen.

A PT and Pilates teacher once told me you shouldn’t so burpees if you’ve had kids. I’ve never heard that since, and see lots of women doing them. But once that sees of doubt is in your mind…!

Melassa · 08/09/2021 20:27

@OrangeSunset

I was sweating today doing the 30min Heat full body. Didn’t think that would happen.

A PT and Pilates teacher once told me you shouldn’t so burpees if you’ve had kids. I’ve never heard that since, and see lots of women doing them. But once that sees of doubt is in your mind…!

Oh really? How intriguing. I can see why there may be a problem immediately post birth or post CS, or even with certain birth injuries, but I’m baffled how it could damage my innards 15 years on. Wait, doesn’t CG have kids? Maybe someone should write to her to warn her, so no more Burpee sessions ever in new Epic series. Wouldn’t that be lovely? 🤪

Are there Burpees in Epic3?

Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 06:50

I find the Heat deceptively difficult. The first few rounds you you think you can cope, then you realise it’s very hard. As I said I have to keep stopping.
I have a full blown cold now which explains me having to stop the hiit multiple times yesterday.
I have never heard about the not doing burpee thing. I’ve had 6 kids🥴. I used to do a lot of Joe Wicks and he loved a chest to floor burpee.
I thought I was quite fit because I did a lot of Joe Wicks and then I tried CG……..

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gremLynn · 09/09/2021 11:27

Hi everyone. I have just done Epic 1 Day 1 yesterday, after doing some of CG's other workouts lately.
I won't be doing the 5 workouts within a week, as I will be combining it with 1 or 2 spin classes plus a run, but I do plan to progress through it.
Just wondering if anyone can share their results so far? Have you noticed any changes? Are they dramatic? Any other benefits? Can you lift more now?
Suppose I'm just looking for some encouragement! Grin

Melassa · 09/09/2021 12:29

I find I can lift higher weights more easily. I feel stronger and no longer have back or shoulder pain, which never really went away even with yoga.

Physique wise I’ve widened a bit at the shoulders but I also fit back into my size 8-10 trousers, which had got a bit snug over lockdown, some I couldn’t do up but now can with ease. Also my legs had started to get weird pockets of stray “stuffing”, now most of the stuffing has gone back to where it should be. My glutes are definitely firmer too.

I suppose it depends on what you’re looking for. I do have some definition but as I’m in my 50s it’s probably less than I would have had 10 years ago. Someone in their 30s and 40s will probably see more definition sooner.

Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 12:44

My arms and chest are bigger. I noticed with a t shirt today that it is tighter on me. My legs and hips are firmer and slimmer and definitely more defined. I build leg muscle quite quickly. I can use heavier weights but when I started with Epic I found the endless lunge day too much with weights and abandoned them after a while

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Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 12:46

You can see from the date of my OP That I started mid July so the changes have come relatively quickly.

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ManxRhyme · 09/09/2021 12:54

I'm 9 weeks into Epic 1 and I love the shape of my legs. Defined with that slope to the quads. Arms are more defined too, bingo wings gone. Only problem area is my belly which has always been an issue but that's smaller too. I feel the strongest I've ever been, even more so than in my 20s. I'm just over 40 now.

ManxRhyme · 09/09/2021 12:56

May you shake the cold soon @BigButtons. My hay-fever is acting up big time so I'm a grumpy grouchy mess. Did not fancy a CG HIIT this morning so did a low impact one from growingannanas.

gremLynn · 09/09/2021 14:32

Thanks everyone, really positive stuff. I did skim through the thread (and I have also been lurking on it for a while) but it's helpful to read a summary of these benefits you've all experienced

Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 15:44

@ManxRhyme thanks🤧🙂
Just as well it’s a rest day as I would have the stamina of a bowl of jelly. Bloody colds. Just goes to show how much closer we are to each other now in public.
I haven’t had covid yet which is amazing in itself considering my job.

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FlowerArranger · 09/09/2021 15:55

@gremLynn - welcome aboard the Carolina Girvan steamer Smile

Are you working out with her already or preparing to dip your toe in?
What's your fitness journey and goals?

midgemagneto · 09/09/2021 17:10

Woah!

Just tried one workout after spotting this thread

How many days till I can walk?

AnnaDyne · 09/09/2021 18:11

I've just done Epic 3, day 3 which was abs and glutes. I feel a bit upset there wasn't a whole session on abs!

But this was my first time with a glute band and it hurt! I must admit I haven't found any of it too hard yet, but I'm only using 5kg weights and an 8kg one for the single handed deadlift things, so maybe I need to up it. Did get sweaty though and my heart rate went up to 90-100.

I don't particularly want bigger shoulders, so I hope that doesn't happen to me. I do want more defined abs and stronger core and more definition in my legs/bum.

Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 19:41

@AnnaDyne my last heat session was with my 12kg kettle bell and a band doing 4 rounds of hip sips on the sofa .
It hurt
I think a kettle bel is not a good weight to use for those as it concentrated the weight in the middle of my pelvis. It felt like an enormous pressure on my pelvic floor.. I think you put the dumbbells across your hip bones and spread the weight a little?
It hurt enough without the weight mind you.
For some reason I was not sore the next day🧐

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AnnaDyne · 09/09/2021 19:45

Yes I used the dumbbell on my pelvis. I only used the kettlebell where she was lifting one weight in 2 hands. (I think it was a squat lift - although can't remember the technical term!).

I do feel a bit jellyish now...

Moonflower12345 · 09/09/2021 20:00

@gremLynn I've seen fantastic results. I've done epic 1, 2 and now doing heat. I had already lost 3 stone but everything has tightened up. I have almost abs for the first time in my life and that's after 3 kids and 3 c sections. I never thought that was possible. It has really, really strengthened my core.

I've seen massive changes in my overall fitness and my endurance. I am a figure skater and it has really helped my skating too!

I cannot sing CGs praises enough. She's amazing.

wetpants · 09/09/2021 20:08

@BigButtons Thank you! I checked out the Epic day 40, it looked like torture Grin

@Melassa Thanks for the pep talk! It really helped, I’ve decided to just do it, no wimping out! I’ll just go on my own pace and not trying to match Caroline’s speed. I reckon I can manage maybe two burpees in 30 secs Grin

Today was my active rest day, I did a 20 min yoga flow with Adrienne in the morning. Otherwise not a busy day.

I have two little wins to note today;
When doing the yoga as mentioned above, I actually managed to do a tree pose. I’ve done this sequence on and off for about four months and have never managed it before. I presume this is because my core is now stronger?

The other little win is standing whilst waiting Grin I was waiting for my appointment at the opticians and fancied standing rather than sit down. The old me would have been desperate to sit down!

wetpants · 09/09/2021 20:12

Oh and I was watching CG’s new Q&A session yesterday where she states she’s a qualified pre and post natal trainer. So I’d imagine she’d know if burpees weren’t safe for women who have given birth.

Original poster
BigButtons · 09/09/2021 20:23

@wetpants that sounds very sensible. I always feel I have to match her with speed and feel a failure if I can’t. I try not to look at the tv so I don’t get discouraged.

Well done on your wins- they all add up, no matter how little they seem to be.🙂

I am going to try to do one tomorrow. I feel crappy with my cold. I am hoping today is the worst day. If not then gentle yoga for me.

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wetpants · 09/09/2021 20:32

@BigButtons I find I easily get sucked in to do movements fast rather than concentrate on the quality. I have to watch out not to do that.
Shame about your cold Sad A gentle yoga would be fine, hopefully you’ll be over the worst soon!

OrangeSunset · 09/09/2021 20:49

I think the burpees thing was related to pelvis and bones rather than innards. I can kind of see that as there’s a lot of clicking from my hips/pelvis. I do them but try very hard to keep core tight and drive from glutes/muscles and jump in to a squat then up, if that make sense. Rather than more of a pike/coming up through the back

FlowerArranger · 09/09/2021 20:55

@midgemagneto

Woah!

Just tried one workout after spotting this thread

How many days till I can walk?

LOL - we've all been there Grin

Two suggestions from me - YMMV but unless you are already VERY fit I'd ease myself into whatever CG programme you've chosen:

  • Alternate CG with some high quality HIIT such as Growingannanas OR full body workouts such as Jake DuPree's.
  • and/or do the following on your non-CG days :
* Lucy Wyndham Read's Thighs & Glutes * Rebecca Louise's Best Abs

If you can also do the Bowflex 3-minute plank every day, you'll be well on your way Smile