EPIC!! Losing, gaining and groaning with Caroline Girvan

[BigButtons]

New thread!

Thanks @Itsnotdeep you've convinced me to give them a go. I'll try one tomorrow morning and report back.

Reporting back @Itsnotdeep. Just completed this one:
Well it was definitely challenging for me, especially the push ups (only managed a few). And I only use 4kg weights! I was going to do Rebecca Louise abs after but don't think I could manage it! I will try another one tomorrow though.

Well done @Yourownpersonaljesus ! I think that the cardio workouts are quite hard, so you did start on a harder one. (HIIT even harder!). Tomorrow's will be easier...

I did the advent 15 minute abs today which I like as it doesn't have any ridiculous weight stuff. I also did day 4 of Beastmode but without the lunges. My arms ache from yesterday's Beastmode (or yoga possibly which also seemed to have quite a few planks and chaturanga push-ups in it yesterday). I do think I got quite out of shape in December although I' m not sure why I'm surprised with all the overindulgence.

Back to work this morning 😫. Trying to convince myself to do a quick work out. Why can't I get off my arse?

@Itsnotdeep I really love beastmode.
I will be doing randomn ones until endgame starts.
My legs are really muscly now though 😱

Morning all,
I am still going through the Advent workouts at the moment - I still have loads left to do .
Not sure if I will stop those and start Epic Endgame 'live' on Monday - sounds like most of you are planning to do that! I like the idea of doing it alongside others. But I'm wondering if it will be 30 / 40 / 60 minute sessions?? That makes quite a difference to my wake up time !
Any ideas?

@stilllockeddownnowheretogo many have said how much they appreciate the shorter workouts. I am hoping they will be ‘heat’ length. I have no doubt they will be brutal though!

Well I did this one today: and found it slightly easier than the one I did yesterday. I found that when I did the renegade rows on one side that the hand holding the dumbbell on the floor was hurting. Does anyone else find this? I even had a go at Caroline's lower abs after but only managed half of it. Lots of reverse crunches which are my least favourite abs exercise.

@BigButtons, I think Caroline could make a 5 minute long session brutal . If they were similar to Heat, I'd really like that.
Before Advent / my three week break, I had started Epic III, only done three weeks or so, but I was finding it looong.... I definitely prefer the shorter workouts (who doesn't?!)

@Yourownpersonaljesus, I cannot do renegade rows with my supporting hand on my dumbbell. It hurts too much, all my weight on the dumbbell handle! Sometimes she lets you use a yoga block instead (my preference), otherwise I just put my hand on the floor, and move it to the dumbbell to use it when needed (gives me an extra second between raises )

@Yourownpersonaljesus I use a yoga black for single hand renegade rows. I also have a pair of weightlifting gloves which help.

Thank you @stilllockeddownnowheretogo and @BigButtons I'm glad it's not just me. I don't have a yoga block or gloves so will try just putting my hand down on the floor next time. I did enjoy the workout - it went really quickly.

@Yourownpersonaljesus I would Get a cheap yoga block. She use them a lot anyway

I did my favourite Caroline today - to sort of get back into it a bit (it's this one

I think I will start endgame with her and my husband (although it will take longer to finish that 10 weeks!) I can't do 5 a week with husband as we aren't always available at the same time!

Would this be okay @BigButtons?
www.argos.co.uk/product/9217399?clickSR=slp:term:yoga%20block:1:142:1

yes , I have ones like that

I did upper body from circuit week. I hadn't done any from that series before. It was haaarrrddd. I had managed to up the dumbbells with beastmode/tempo week, but had to drop right back down with this one.
Rather than trying to up weights all the time I might try lower weights with more reps when doing upper body. I certainly have more definition but not as much as I would like , so trying a different way of doing things

For the renegade rows I also put my hand on the floor, I find that I can’t put my supporting hand on the opposite weight as it rolls away. I hadn’t thought of the yoga block, good tip, thanks.

Just need to do the full body and the triceps to finish the advent series, then as I’m off next week I will attempt the endgame. Here’s hoping she’s listened to our whinging and kept it short!

Everyday I do a 3 minute plank and everyday I hate it. It bloody works though.
I did a standing abs routine today after 50 mins of circuit upper body. Not my best move as my arms were already spent after the circuits. Felt it working though. My muscles are somewhere under my Xmas excesses- I am convinced!

@Yourownpersonaljesus have been thinking about the renegade row hand pain. Mine used to hurt a lot. In time I learnt- I think- not to lean so heavily on the weights, I take more of the weights/ tension on my legs and core rather than collapsing onto the weights if that makes sense?

I was going to do the circuit week legs. Then I remembered that I had started the first thread after a hideous lunge leg day-Epic 1 day 7or8. I feel so despondent and was going to give up on the whole thing.

So since this is the last day of this year I am going to revisit that workout and see how I feel. It is lunge hell.

I shall chatter away to myself.
Well that was brutal- the hardest leg day I have done with her so far.
One minute of a lunge variation followed by 2 minutes of forward lunges and lunge holds for 50 minutes.

I did manage 7kg for nearly all of it. Had a bit of a wobble at 30% though and dropped the weights for a couple of rounds.

Last time I dropped the weights completely and had to hold onto a table for support so there is improvement.
Still had to take a couple of breaks though- but I often do.
Will do her 20 min stretch in a minute.

Happy new year to you all- hope your evening is happy and as you want it to be xxx

Well done! That sounds horrible! I did a final workout of 2021 (a full body mighty one). It was 30 minutes and had a staple of 2 minutes of static lunges.

I've been "enjoying" (if that's the right word) the short 20 min workouts over December. I haven't followed any of CG's programmes, as my focus is primarily on heavy lifting in the gym but these shorter workouts are nice add ons just to finish off a session.

Occasionally I'll pick one of her longer workouts on a day I'm not going to the gym and I'll focus on her bodyweight sessions, as I tend to not bother with that side in the gym. I've found this useful to ensure I'm keeping moves like push-ups at a good standard, I've been repeating day 46 of Prodigy Push Ups and Abs workout to give me the challenge of aiming to complete it without resting at any point. Almost there but it's a tough session!

I wasn't a fan of CG in the past, mainly because my first introduction to her was a kettlebell workout where her form was pretty questionable at times. But as she kept popping up in the youtube algorithm, I started trying the occasional workout from her for some variety a few months ago and her dumbbell/bodyweight stuff is solid and challenging, I've been impressed. And she seems to have stayed away from the kettlebells since, so I can forgive her!

I have to hold onto something for support when I do the lunges. I'm glad it's hard for other people - she makes it look effortless. I keep meaning to invest in some knee supports which can keep my knee caps in place.

Anyway I didn't girvanate today. Did a fab yoga class, but too exhausted otherwise.