Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

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Hi @chloechloe my advice would be to get a couple of sets of adjustable dumbells. Argos do decently priced cast iron ones. You have much much more choice regarding weight increments. I already had 2/3/4 and 5 kg dumbbells but the majority of the time I use the adjustables.

Hello, can I join the thread please? I started CG workouts just before Christmas (thanks for your advice @FlowerArranger on another thread!) I'm a runner and had 3 months off due to bunion surgery and strength training has been a revelation, I feel (and look) so much better than when I was running 50 miles a week.
I've just completed Iron in 2 weeks (2 workouts every morning back to back) and loved it as there was no HIIT. Not sure what to do next! I started using 7.5kg for the lower body and 5kg for overhead weights and can now do 10kg for the lower body, above shoulders still work in progress. Generally my weights are half CG's, she's a machine! I'm a little scared of doing her cardio workouts because she goes so fast, it's like the video has been speeded up.
My lunges are also pitiful!

Thanks for the replies re weights, that’s very helpful.

I’m not in the UK so no Argos unfortunately (though I have many happy childhood memories of flicking through the catalogue!)

DH has some adjustable weights but they usually end in me breaking my fingernails! I hate them. I’m sure there are better ones though. I had a look at some today but they are sold as singles so expensive for 2 and are generally round. I think CG tends to use hexagonal weights as she often does planks etc with the weight. Has anybody got hexagonal adjustables?)

I will have a shop around online and see what I find. I think I will go for 8kg for lower body @FlowerArranger - that’s a good point about using them for upper body (hopefully!) at a later date.

Iron in 2 weeks - that's impressive!! As to what to do next, why not explore some of her other programmes by scrolling through a few workouts from each series. Maybe do a full-body workout from a few and see which one you feel most comfortable with. Or just pick one at random. Personally I like Heat, which I've done 3x now.

Agree about her HIIT being scary. If I do them at all, it's at half her speed. Or less. Generally I chicken out and do a Growingannanas instead.

I hate lunges with a passion. Especially Bulgarian lunges 😱

I inherited a set of very bulky adjustable dumbbells from my son but I rarely use them as I hate them. I now have 4 sets of hexagonal dumbbells with steel grips, ranging from 5 to 12 kg, which I think will last me for a while. Though I'm in the market for a pair of 15kg. Just in case...

Now then: Have any of you done Lucy's Thighs & Glutes or Rebecca's Best Abs with ANKLE WEIGHTS??!!! Very intense, especially if you add in some variations to make the moves even more challenging. I think I'm going to do this for a month.

Then have another go at...:-

I don’t mind Bulgarian lunges too much. What I do object to, are squat holds, followed by Bulgarian lunges, followed by single leg chair squats. And that’s on Epic Beginners!

I am officially done with IRON! Must admit having the last workout in the series be an arms and abs one was a bit strange - somehow they don't feel as bad-ass as RDLS, squat press, or even (gulp) makers!

Still, I've clearly made strength progress - a full minute of dips was challenging but doable, unlike when I started 6 weeks ago when I could barely do 5 in a a row. Managed 10 pushups in a row on Friday too.

Some one asked if I had seen an change in my body shape...Not really, nothing dramatic. Arms are a tiny bit more muscly, bum is a bit perkier, my legs feel stronger, stomach feels flatter but I am only down 1" on my wait (very disappointing). My belly is my nemesis - I have always been prone to fat there, (pretty much an apple), and since having an emergency c-section I have a distinct shelf/pouch that I am not sure will ever go away.

I did eas up on tracking food over Xma although didn't go crazy with eating, so perhaps that's to blame. I was thinking about doing Beastmode next but maybe I need to go back to Heat for the calorie burn.

Not sure why I feel a bit deflated - maybe because I'm not making the progress I see others make in the FB group?

@ladybranstonpickle congratulations on finishing Iron! I found the last one easy on the arms but the ab section is always tough with no breaks:
OH took a couple of photos of me this morning, and I don't have the muscles that the FB group have! But I've firmed up all over and feel so much stronger just doing daily tasks: A lot of the people there have been doing CG for at least a year, they use heavier weights than me and probably eat twice their weight in grammes of protein which I don't think I do:
What programme are you going to do next?

Well done on finishing iron! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve had two c sections plus surgery that they did via my stomach so don’t have the stomach I used to have either. My legs are the main thing I dislike though; I have large thighs and hips compared to the rest of me.

I’ve just completed Iron day 1. I’m tempted to do another day later after reading that one of you did two in one day. I took it easy on the weights today and I enjoyed the lunges - on the positive side those large legs are naturally strong and don’t very often tire.

I have five sets of weights. I bought them individually from TK Maxx/ Argos over the years. I rarely touch the heavier ones - my arms really are weak (at the moment).

samthebordercollie did you find any trainers that are good for bunions? I have terrible bunions (hereditary - have never worn heels etc) and it’s a struggle getting shoes and trainers that feel comfortable now. I’ve always had narrow feet and needing extra width just at the front is difficult. I used to run too.

@bluesuitcase Well done on starting Iron! I did 2 sessions back to back, found it OK as in each session different parts of the body were worked: I woudn't have wanted to do a double glutes session! Regarding the bunion, mine was huge on one foot: I'm a size 41 and before the op was in men's Brooks Ghost size 43 for road running and Hoka Speedgoat for the trails: Brooks are a nice wide fit and the men's shoes are wider than the womens: I'm so pleased I had the op, I'm back running progressively after just 3 months and my op was quite serious with all the toes broken to re-align them:

Thank you very much @samthebordercollie One of mine is very large too and I’m also size 41 so that’s very helpful thanks! I’ve had them for many years but haven’t sought help yet as they don’t give me any pain yet despite being large (only when footwear is too tight). I’m so pleased you’ve had the op and are pleased with the results and that you are able to get back into it now. The op sounds nasty - glad it was worth it.

My MIL had difficult feet and serious bunions. The only footwear, apart from sa days and slippers, that she found comfortable were Sketchers.

Sandals and slippers...

Thanks.

I've been back on the Caro train for the last few weeks now and just knocked out Iron Day 14. I also just ordered a set of 12.5kgs... I can't believe it. I can remember when I found my 5s really heavy!

I'm managing 3-4 Irons a week ATM plus a session with my PT. What I'm struggling to fit in is my yoga to stretch it all out...

@ladybranstonpickle "Not sure why I feel a bit deflated - maybe because I'm not making the progress I see others make in the FB group?"

Seriously those people are not giving you any dose of reality.

+Firstly they will have been training for a lot longer than they are letting on- years most likely .
+Secondly their photos are posed as hell. Just the right lighting to have the shadow in all the right places to make muscles look more defined.

+Many of them are very well off with plenty of time on their hands too.

+The ones not 'getting the results' won't be posting show off posts of themselves puling their tops up to show their abs, but they are still getting results.

• many are obsessed with macros and low body fat +Lifting shit heavy weights doesn't matter- there is so much veiled competition on those groups, no matter what caroline says ' you vs you' still the uber competitive ones feel they have to mention their weights all the time. +It takes A LONG TIME to get visible results. +Don't think of it that way- think of your strength gains- that is what matters. You are not training for a body comp but strengthening your muscles and bones and looking after your future body..

rant over!

Well done on finishing Iron @ladybranstonpickle !

I’ve done the first 3 days of Epic Beginners in the last 3 days and I’m aching all over! I can’t believe how quickly the fitness level drops, but I haven’t done anything since before Xmas so I can’t complain.

I bought myself a new mat which I’m very pleased with - I’d stupidly used a yoga mat to train on before and now I have a lovely thick mat. I may also treat myself to some nice gym wear as I lot of the stuff I have is a good 10 years old but still going strong. Anybody got any brand recommendations?

Amen 🙏 @BigButtons !!!!

I hardly ever visit those forums any more. I certainly don’t post!

Hello, I'd love to join. I've just done Day 1 of Epic Beginners. I'm just ending a year of maternity leave and wasn't very fit pre pregnancy so my muscle strength and cardio fitness is pretty much rock bottom. I feel like jelly basically.

Hi there, @CosieRotton - great to have you on board!

I can well remember what it's like post-pregnancy........even though it's over 30 years ago. I only wish there had been online trainers in those days, instead of the very gentle, once weekly dance exercise classes offered by the local authority...

When I was starting out with Caroline, I'd often alternate with Growingannanas HIIT to increase my fitness. I particularly like her Tabata workouts, such as this one:

Other supplementary workouts that have helped me get into shape for Ms Girvan, and which I still do regularly, include:

Bowflex 3-minute plank (I do this every day, without fail - makes a. huge difference!)
Rebecca Louise's Best Abs (it really is excellent!!), and also her Bingo Wings (when I can't face CG)
Lucy Wyndham Reed's Thighs & Glutes (again, when I can't face Caroline's endless lunges variations 😱)

If you persevere with this, you'll be in great shape 😃

Welcome@CosieRotton I’m doing Epic Beginners too - I’m on my third week of it after having fallen off the CG Waggon over Xmas. I’ve noticed an improvement even in that short time, I could just about do a full set of the evil one legged chair squats today.

I'll start another programme next week - still haven’t decided what. I finally got round to ordering some new weights today after the advice I got on here, so will have 2x5kg and 2x8kg coming soon. I ordered the 8kgs in pink - a bit more expensive but they make me happy!

Where did you get your new dumbbells from, @chloechloe ?

Do they do 15kg in pink by a y chance - I like pink.

Not bragging....... no no no... not at all😄

Just shows I've come a looooooong way in less than 3 years with Caroline!!

Welcome @CosieRotton! I started with CG end of December then did Iron, Beastmode ans now Heat. In the 5/6 weeks there has been a huge change in my body shape. I was a runner (plus cycling and swimming, strictly cardio) before, but the changes made by following CG's programmes have been a real eye opener. Moving around in general, little things like bending over, squatting etc are now easy (they weren't before despite all the exercise I did)
Her programmes are also so varied. And no need to go to a gym, so easy first thing in the morning. Good luck!

15kg @FlowerArranger - get you! Just joking, that’s fantastic progress, what an achievement!

I’ve just had a look and the weights only go up to 10kg unfortunately, so no pink for you! You’re now at a level where black is pretty much the only option!

I'll take this as a badge of honour. Kind of like a black belt...😎