Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

[BigButtons]

New thread!🤩

@ladybranstonpickle....... whenever I feel like this I just do a Growingannanas HIIT workout. It makes me feel that I've done a good workout without making me feel wiped out.

@FlowerArranger that’s my breakfast. My lunch is about 250 calories and my dinner not much more. That’s not a lot of calories over the day.

Wow @BigButtons - are you really managing - and doing all the CG workouts!! - on around 800 calories a day??!!!

@FlowerArranger I am sure I have more than that! What I was trying to say was that my protein allowance doesn’t add up to many calories really AND it makes me full up for a long time so I don’t want to nibble as much.
I don’t count calories though.

@BigButtons Your protein pancake sounds great with so much protein and so few calories. Can you share the recipe please or it would be even better if it is something I can buy ready made lol.

@superstar63 I buy a powder mix from Amazon. It can be very dry and chewy if you cook it ‘neat’ I add some Greek yoghurt to the mix and that helps.
you can buy them flavoured but I have chosen the plain one as I sometimes like to have half for breakfast and the rest with my lunch so I do savoury which is what I prefer anyway🙂

@BigButtons

Thank you, I am trying to get as much protein as possible so will search for it.

I have this one as it was the highest protein for the least amount of calories
www.amazon.co.uk/BULK-POWDERS-Protein-Pancake-Original/dp/B01DSZH2JK/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=1HRHO4FQG7RRM&keywords=protein+pancake+mix&qid=1658655541&sprefix=protein+pancake%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-4

Inspired by reading these threads I decided to embark on Epic beginner a few weeks ago. As it was, I ended up having to build up to the full thing, doing just 25% of each day first, then 50%, then 75% and finally the full thing. The hiit day is still really tough for me, I really struggle to get the hang of the burpees in particular.
I've just started the Epic 1 and done two days. Legs not too bad, but upper body day 2 really felt like a step up from the beginners one and I am very much feeling it today. I had to modify most of the push-ups to do them from my knees as I'm just not strong enough yet to manage from my toes. Determined to do this though. I really want to get stronger and fitter before peri menopause hits and at 42 that might not be far off!
Think I need a rest day today, so will go for a walk and maybe try a gentle yoga to stretch the muscles out a bit.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for the motivation to keep going.

Well done,@Pleasenomoreglitter ...... you'll get there. I think EPIC 1 and 2 are actually harder - and longer! - than EPIC 3 and Heat, so maybe try one of the latter? (I've not tried the other programmer so can't comment...)

I know what you mean re. the burpees. Ii think it's as much as an agility thing as strength and stamina, so maybe you might benefit from some agility focused exercises and stretch sessions. And the Bowflex 3-minute plank is always useful.

I'll also admit that I often do a Growingannanas HIIT session instead of Caroline's, or substitute one of Anna's other workouts when I'm just too tired/not in the mood for Ms Girvan!!

Well done @Pleasenomoreglitter ! Stick at it - you'll feel great and how your body changes is absolutely mesmerising.

@Pleasenomoreglitter yes Epic one is a big step up from beginners. Well done- just keep turning up!

Ah mah gah I did arms and abs today and my triceps hate me now.

I managed 4 skull crusher push-ups in a row, though!

@AquaticSewingMachine Well done!
triceps are a weak point for me. I have been doing g extra sessions each week to build them up. It has helped!

I did an Epic 3 leg day today. Managed 14kg for most of it. Had to drop to 10 for the odd one. My heart rate was in the high cardio Zone for half of it. I felt dead by the end!

For those of us who sometimes need a break from Caroline...... I've just discovered Kaykay who offers lots of Tabata type HIIT workouts. A bit like Growingannanas but more intense and sweatier... I really like her style - adds a bit of variety:

Yesterday I did the 1000 lunge challenge I had had my eye on for a while. Loved it but it was tough. Thought my legs would be trashed today but very oddly they are fine🧐.
I then did the 500 rep shoulder challenge today. I used half her weights and although it didn’t feel too bad at the time I can bloody feel it now.
I am determined to build my shoulder strength. It is pathetic even after all this time lifting.

@Pleasenomoreglitter Hello, I have just started EPIC beginners and was so pleased to read your post because it was way harder than I imagined! I managed about two thirds on day one so will try to stick with it. I am 46 and I need to feel stronger. Really hoping I can.

@Seaweasel
Depending on your fitness, you may have to repeat the EPIC Beginners a couple of times.

Maybe also alternate with an HIIT programme, such as those offered by Growingannanas or Kayla, to improve your overall fitness.

Other short workouts can help. My go-to are:

The Bowflex 3 minute plank
Lucy Wyndham Reed's Thighs & Glutes
Rebecca Louise's Best Abs and also her Ageless Arms

Ugh, and once again I get to grapple with "how sick is too sick to work out?" Sigh.

THE ABOVE SHOULD READ:
Maybe also alternate with an HIIT programme, such as those offered by Growingannanas or KayKay, to improve your overall fitness.

Keep going at your own pace. If you can't do it all at first, build up like I did and you'll get there. I'm finding full Epic pretty hard going, but then again, I am managing it so far so I must have built up some strength and fitness doing the Beginners program bit by bit! I modify where I just can't manage the full exercise too, no point injuring myself. I'll get there eventually this way is my thinking.

Thanks for the encouragement, I will keep at it!

Back on track with Epic 1 Day 29 full body and it feels great. Although I did not know that knees could sweat so much. Damn renegade rows.

Really felt it the day after the first lower body workout in beginners so left it a day and have got through about half of the beginners upper body before lying on the floor and just doing the cobras. Do you do it every day even if it still hurts from the day before?