2011 Shredhead part 4 - and other JM instruments of torture!

[knottyhair]

Oops we're full up again! Hope it's OK to start a new thread. Come on Jillian devotees, let's keep up the good work and the great results!

amazing stuff, Febes!

Practically, I work full-time too, and have a three year old, and find the only way I can do it is to get up 30 mins earlier and do it very first thing, usually before DD is awake. I have to do it every day, or else I feel I'll start to backslide....

Practically, how did you get on Shredding yesterday? Do you think you'll manage it today? There's no doubt you'll see results quicker if you can manage 6 days out of 7, but with working full-time it must be really hard. Whatever you can manage, it will do you good. Venetia, that's some dedication! When DS was that age, and I did Davina DVDs a couple of times a week, he'd join in a bit, then wander off and amuse himself for a bit, but it's harder when they're under 3. If he's around now when I'm doing Jillian, he does a bit of weight lifting in the corner or practises his press-ups! I also sometimes get a bit of critique like "Mummy, you're not going fast enough" "Mummy, your bottom's sticking up" go away and play bless his heart. Did 4 circuits of BFBM today (2, 5, 6 & 7). Made a toffee apple cake yesterday and managed a small piece yesterday within my calorie limit so I'm hoping BFBM has made it possible for today as well! Hope everyone has a good one x

Fitting exercise in is always a challenge, isn't it? I try and look at my week beforehand and decide where it is going to happen, and then try wherever possible to stick to it - although occasionally life gets in the way! I can't always do things at the same time each day because my routine is so changeable. I work 4 days a week with a 3 hour commute daily, plus DH is military and away a lot. I always do something Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Friday is my no-working day...otherwise known as housework day.) Apart from that I usually do one early morning (6 am) session a week, and one early evening (6 30 pm), whilst DD has her 'TV time' after dinner. That way I don't feel too guilty about not spending time with her, as she is doesn't welcome me trying to make conversation during her alloted 30 mins in front of the box!! I never try and slot more than a Shred or a 6W6P because I have so many other things to do, and it seems to work ok.

That's very organised, notyummy. How old is your DD?

For me, I need to have an allotted daily slot;at 6.30am every day, except weekends, when a lie-in is definitely in order. I know what I'm like; if I don't have a routine then I won't stick to it.

PS Does anyone else seem to wriggle to one side while doing sit-ups?

wow, notyummy & Venetia, I really admire any of you fitting this in with working outside the home as well - that takes real commitment & motivation. Easy for me with no work and only 1 school age DS. I promise I will never cry off because I don't "feel like it"!

Venetia, not sure exactly what you mean about the sit-ups? I think sometimes I end up shuffling position a bit between the 1st one and the last one. Probably because I'm not quite there yet and am maybe using muscles other than abs to get up there .

Did L2 Shred this morning, with 3kg for everything except the cursed v-raises. When will they get easier for f**ck's sake??

DD is 5 Venetia. Managed to work at home today (hooray!) because I needed to take her to the docs after school. This meant I could do a double shred on my lunch break! Did level 1 with 5kg (apart from the side lunges and arm raises...could only manage 3kg for them!). Used 1.5 kg for the cardio. Then did Level 2 with mostly 5kg, but not for the first strength bit (squat and row) and certainly not for the V raises! However....drum roll...I did manage to complete the V raises with 3 kg for the first time ever! I would have punched the air but my arms didn't work by the end .

Re sit-ups, I tend to shuffle slightly forwards or backwards rather than sideways.

Right I am back into it. Did level 2 today. It is getting easier, but I don't enjoy it as much as level 1.

I think I am still suffering ft mummy guilt- I hate taking any time away from ds. As to getting up early- until two months ago ds was waking at 5am, so I am not.likely to get up earlier. It nearly end of half term so I am mentally exhausted- need to motivate myself!

Well done practically; L2 is really not much fun, esp v raises with chair squats, although I actually quite enjoy the obliques and skaters. I know what you mean about the guilt factor, which is why early mornings feels the best time for me. Sometimes DD wakes up and joins in, or sometimes just sits on the sofa and watches; she is now used to the routine!

Notyummy, seriously impressed with the v raises at 3kg; I can't get past 1kg...

For the first time ever today I did all of L1 with 2kg; had been using 1kg for the punches up until now; expect I will feel it later...

Also, I jazz up L1 with weights for the cardio and for the first crunches and chest ys (vies?), but any suggestions as to what could I do to make the 2nd L1 abs circuit harder (the crunches where your foot is on the opposite knee)?

Good going practically! notyummy, blimey, v raises with 3kg! I struggle with 2kg. Did 4 circuits of NMTZ this morning - still can't do the first circuit with any more than 2kg, but managed 3kg for the rest. Venetia, I do incorporate a weight into those abs as well - I still have my foot on the opposite knee but instead of having my hand behind my ear, I hold the weight at 90 degrees and sort of punch across? HTH.

Evening all!

Sorry to have drifted off a bit. Had a weekend off and that turned into a 3-day break! Did L3 Shred yesterday and L1 today. Gingerly testing out my arm. It's still not 100% but I don't want to see my hard work earlier in the year fade away. I'll see how it feels tomorrow.

I'm so impressed with everyone's weights. I've really gone downhill. I couldn't get through L1 with my semi-new 2.5 kg. Had to use 1.5 for some of it. Quite honestly, I found all of it a struggle with 2.5

Tomorrow's a busy one for me so am going to try and squeeze in 4 circuits of BFBM - one of which will be the dreaded circuit 6!!

Febes, just read your weight loss. That is bloody fantastic, seriously well done you!

Well done everyone for keeping on with the keeping on Jillian stylee

Am aching a bit today from my efforts yesterday! Well done on getting back to it Three.

5 mile run tomorrow.....

I'm not surprised notyummy. If I'd done that routine, I'd still be on the floor where I finished, in a heap

Brrr. 5 miles at 6am was a bit chilly! All done now though..

Threesteps, hope you manage to do your circuits today. notyummy, bet you were freezing! Good for you though.
Having my scheduled in rest day today, but have had a niggle in my back for a few days (it often gives me trouble) which got worse last night when I reached for the TV remote and it all seized up! Feels a bit better this morning but glad I can take it a bit easy. Will see how it is tomorrow but got to be out of the door early tomorrow for a day out with DS and then we're away the weekend, so I might just give it a good few days rest and start back next week. Half term though so normal routine is out of the window! Hope everyone else is having a good day x

Take it easy knotty. I get lower back problems at times too, it's horrid. I reckon a few days break will do you good

Brrrrrrrr it's COLD! Sitting here in layers and big wooly slippers, we're determined to keep the heating off until next month at least!

Did NMTZ today for the first time in ages. Hard! Why is everything so hard at the moment! Switched between 2.5kg and 1.5 kg and had to substitute the last triceps bit (in the crescent pose) for bicep curls as my arms were screaming!

Off again for the weekend so there will be no Jillian'ing being done in this household (well apart from DP!)

Hope everyone's well Will check back in next week

Had to pop back and post that I am ACHING today!!! Feels very much like the day after my first Shred and I haven't felt like this for ages. I like it as it must mean it was an effective workout yesterday!

I'll be back next week, have a great weekend guys

Do take care of yourselves knotty and 3steps! And don't be disheartened, just do what you can without making your injuries worse!

L3 shred just done while DD asleep. Does anyone else get bruised thighs from doing the jumping jacks with weights?! (I do them with 2kgs and find it hard to stop the weights banging on my thighs when I bring my arms down.)

Hope you all have a good half term and try to keep up the excise routine if you can! [hsmile]

Well done Three!

No bruises here, although 2kg is a big weight for the cardio. I use 1.5 kg.

NMTZ with DH this morning. Tried to step it up slightly and did the whole if circuit 3 at 5kg. Did the rest with a mixture of 3 and 5kg. Not sure whether to run or double shred tomorrow....

Jackster, I too have had your bruised thighs problem, with 2kg weights - you are not alone

Hi all! My back feels much better so did my first Jillian this morning for 5 days. Did a L3 Shred - blimey, I could tell I'd had a few days off! Used 2kg for cardio except for the punches (1.5kg), and did the dumb bell cleans with 5kg (held my 3s and 2s together). But now feel like I've got a funny throat coming on . Plan to do a L2 6W6P tomorrow if I feel OK. Going to get plenty of Vit C and lace my stir-fry tonight with loads of ginger & garlic, see if I can nip it in the bud. Hope everyone's having a good day x

Knotty - sounds like good work on the Shred there. Hope you manage to stave the bug off - or it only turns out to be a minor cold at worst. I ran on Sunday (5 miles) and legs felt pretty heavy are NMTZ!
I did pilates yesterday (with DD lying on the mat beside me copying me!) I had taken a day off work as it was half term and we had nice day together. Then did 5 circuits of BFBM, which I haven't done for agggesss. I had forgotten how variable it is - some of the circuits I find realy easy, and 2 of them really hard (forget which numbers - but the one with the 180 jumps and the one with the standing mountain climbers.)

Rest day today - and potentially tomorrow as well because of work pressures. Hopefully working at home on Thursday and may manage to sneak out for a run.

Morning all

Good news the back is better Knotty. Take it easy though if you're coming down with something and yes, blitz it with garlic!

Notyummy those are the circuits that do me in in BFBM. Going back to repeat the circuit after doing the first set of standing mountain climbers is quite a mental challenge!

Jackster I got some weights from the tip re-use section and they were far too big to use for cardio stuff, they were also quite rubbery and were bouncing off my legs during the jumping jacks!

Have had a 3 day break and will probably do a Shred level today to ease me back in gently

Hope everyone has a good day

Morning! Totally agree notyummy about those 2 circuits! Haven't done anything here since Tuesday - definitely feel like a cold may be on the way and with it being half term, it's easier to be lazy! We're away again at the weekend so I think I'll leave it and get back to normal next week when hopefully any colds etc have gone away. Hope everyone's enjoying half term and planning lots of spooky goings on! xx

Take it easy Knotty and enjoy the break [hsmile]
Must better to rest and be fighting fit next week than struggle through feeling under par. (Have pre-ordered Ripped in 30, v exciting!!)

I'm very much one day on, one day off at the moment, but that's okay for me at the moment, I think I'll be 'maintaining' which is all good!

Happy evenings all [hsmile] [hgrin]