30 Day Shred - New Starts

[CatPower]

Hello everyone,

I know there are a lot of shred-heads on here already, but many of the current threads are full of people well into the programme. I just started the 30 Day Shred today. I'm 5'11", 258lbs (18st 6lbs ) and in dire need of getting fit, strengthening my core and losing some weight.

Has anyone else recently started, or are planning to?

Can I join? Am on Level 1 Day 4.

I felt a bit achey at first but ok now. Do you just decide when to move to Level 2 yourself or is there a minimum number of days to do Level 1 first?

Thank!

Thanks, even!

Hi marian, welcome aboard!

Its up to you when you move up - she says on the dvd to move up when you feel ready, but some people like to do 10 days on each level.

I prefer to wait to move up until I'm doing all, or nearly all Natalie's moves as opposed to Anita's. I did 10 days at level one, but 20 at level 2 and tomorrow will be day 11 of level 3 for me.

I've tried to take no more than one day off to rest a week, but this week has been a disaster for me in terms of fitting my workouts in. Am hoping to make up for it next week though.

Thanks Moosemama, very helpful.

I might do a couple more days on this level then and move up.

Just done level 1 day 6 and, combined with a strict diet, I'm noticing huge differences :) still got a lot of toning to do on my tummy and thighs though!

I feel ready to move on to level 2, but gonna do my 10 days of level 1 first to make sure I'm ready lol

I did level 1 day 9 yesterday hungover, it was awful. I'm not feeling too clever again today and dreading doing my shred, really feel like leaving it today but I know I'll be really disappointed with myself if I do. The weight has started coming off again now thankfully even though I was really naughty yesterday and had a foot long sub.
Quite scared about starting level 2 tomorrow.

Hi all

I have done day 12 of level 3 today. Am getting a bit fed up of it now and not really feeling any stronger or more able to do a lot of Natalie's stuff. I particularly seem to struggle with the circuit 3 strength moves, which is odd, because I didn't find them so hard to begin with. I wonder whether they're getting harder because I'm actually doing them with better form? I have definitely noticed a big improvement in the tone of my triceps, which is no bad thing and I can definitely feel them burning during the level 3, circuit 3 strength moves, so I think that must be what's making the difference.

Anyway, I'm thinking I might see this week out on level 3, then start again at level 1, doing all the advanced moves. The idea being, I hope I'll be stronger by the second round of level 3 and so will be able to do more of the advanced moves.

Great to hear you are noticing big differences olibeansmummy.

Well done for getting through it with a hangover nicnacinoonoo.

We went to see some friends we hadn't seen for about a month yesterday and one of them (a particularly unobservant guy, who is least likely to notice something like weightloss) commented on how different, slim and fit I look. I nearly fell off my chair with shock - and so did a few other people who were there! Great motivation to keep on keeping on with it, even though I'm finding it tough.

Greetings all. Well I ended up having the whole weekend off, which I could really kick myself, but it was a busy one for me and I didn't actually get much chance to sit around, so I won't be too hard on myself.

Started Level 3 today and well................................ OH MY GOD! I thought I was going to die, if I actually managed to achieve 70% of it, I will be pleased but why, oh why did I actually think it would be a walk in the park???? Think my mistake was attempting too much of Natalie and not enough of Anita - so note to self tomorrow, think I will try one rep of Anita and "attempt" (and I use the word loosely!) a rep of Natalie.

Hard to say whether I enjoyed it, definitely prefer Level 2, but it was certainly different! I do however think I will doing for level for the foreseeable future as I think it may take a while to master the moves!

Oh dear, my post about level 3 probably hasn't helped has it Overtired? Sorry!

I can do some Natalie, but definitely not the pike crunches and I can only get up to 10 jumping lunges before I have to give in and do Anita for the rest of the reps. Am still doing girly press ups as well.

I can do a normal push-up, and can do the push-ups from standing in Level 2. I tried the first strength exercise in section 1 - the plank where you go up and down on your arms - and managed probably about 75% before I fell flat on my face. Upper strength is definitely better than anything else. Jumping lunges were hard, as were the ones where you jump on the spot (sorry, don't know the names of these yet!) The one where you go into plank and this lift weight, drop and then lift your leg - I did one rep of Anita, and then I left out the weights and did it Natalie, didn't find them too bad.

And what is that last ab thing, where you lie on your side and raise up and then down????? Managed a few on one side, but when I changed over, just couldn't do it.

Felt quite disappointed with myself, but I guess the first few times it will be more about watching it and getting the moves right, as opposed to actually doing it. Think thats my onjective for the week - master the moves, and go from there. Level 2 was definitely easier from the beginning, but then I guess its supposed to be!

I can do a few normal push-ups, just nowhere near enough or fast enough to keep up within the circuits. Its one of the things I really want to work on in my next round.

I was ok with the walkout pushups in level 2, as the walking out and back bit gives you time to recover between each push, iyswim.

I think the first plank in circuit 1, level 3, is tough to begin with, but you do get stronger with it quite quickly. I struggled a bit with it at first, but its fine now. I think the key is to keep your plank low and make sure you are using your abs and keeping your weight over your arms, rather than letting them get out in front of you.

Rock star jumps are killer. It took me a while to get them right. I found it helped to think of it as a jump first, then a kick upwards a second afterwards, as when I first tried it I couldn't seem to get my heels up high enough.

I thought I was ok at the jumping lunges the first time I did them, but then found my legs just didn't want to do any on the second set of reps. I can manage 10 jumping ones in each set of reps before I have to give in and do Anita's static lunges instead.

The plank rows with a leg lift that you mention are fine for me in terms of the move, but I find my hands hurt holding my dumbells and I actually have carpet burn on my knuckles from it! [shock) I'm doing Natalie for the first set of reps and Anita for the second, but being careful to keep a solid plank and tight abs, even though I'm on my knees for the second lot.

I am still doing Anita for the hip raise things at the end (I don't know what they're called either). I find I can do them fine when launching off my left hip, but not so good on the right and wonder if that's because its my right leg (so my stronger side) that helping when I'm lying on my left?

I know what you mean about feeling disappointed. I was the same when I first started level 3, then it seemed to get easier/better and now I feel like I've slipped again and need to up my game. I'm determined not to miss a day this week, as I do think all the enforced days off last week had a negative effect.

Measured myself today though, to try and stay motivated and have lost another half and inch here and there, so at least I know something is still working.

I've definitely decided to buy Banish Fat Boost Metabolism as well now. I feel like I need to improve my general fitness/stamina as well as doing the circuits and I reckon in order to do that I need to get in some extra cardio sessions.

I've been looking at her other DVDs tonight too, but think I want to build myself with this and go "Natalies" for all three Levels before I move on - whether that will be totally achieveable or not, I have no idea!

Oh hell I just started this today..... I want to die! I never realised I was so damn unfit! I will go and read the thread now I have marked my place :)

SpookyMadMummy. It does get better - I promise!

It takes some people until around day 4 to start noticing they are finding it easier and are less sore, but when you do you will feel great!

Overtired - I ordered Banish Fat Boost Metabolism last night. I'm going to do the same, in that I'm going to start over and go for Natalie through all three levels if I can, but I'm going to thrown in about 3 cardio sessions a week as well.

How are the Halloween party plans going? I have decided to make these Meringue Ghosts for my dcs. They are so cute, but really easy to do.

Right, that's day Day 13 of Level 3 done.

I wasn't sure I was going to do it, as I felt so exhausted and pathetically weak this morning and am mindful of pushing myself back into ME crisis, but in the end I decided to just give it a go and see how I went.

Oddly, I found it easier today!

Managed to do more of Natalie, squeeze in two extra jumping lunges in each set before dropping back to Anita and found Anita's sit ups too easy, so obviously need to move up to Natalie on that now.

I still did Anita for the push ups, but found I could go right down and up on the pike crunches, althought without Natalie's crazy arm movement as well (not sure I'll ever be able to manage a full on hard-core pike crunch really). I did try to do Natalie for the side/hip lift thingies at the end, but lost my balance so went back to Anita after that.

Well done Mama, you're doing really well! I did D2 L3 and I found it much ...... I won't say easier, because it definitely wasn't that ........ but definitely managed more of it, which I am pleased about.

Not sure whether its my imagination but 2 days in on Level 3 and I can really feel and notice a difference, its certainly spurned me to keep going.

Halloween party? Well, am pretty much done for now. Have my decorations, drinks are on order waiting to be delivered by Asda (can't get them too early or DH will drink them all!!) I seem to have a list for everything! Love the look of those Meringue Ghosts, unfortunately I'm not that adventurous, and even though I have 3 days off work prior to the party, most of that will be taken up with food shopping, cleaning and preparing - and with half term in the mix and the kids running riot, can't see I'll actually have time to make any cakes from scratch.

I don't feel like I'm doing well Overtired. I feel a bit all over the place to be honest. I'm really struggling with the motivation to put the DVD on, but once I get started I'm ok and usually feel better for it. I don't think the change in weather has helped really, my body obviously wants to start hibernation and fighting it is an uphill struggle at the moment!

As you said, if it wasn't for being able to actually see and feel a difference in my body, I think I might have given up at this point.

I'm looking forward to receiving my new dvd, as I think I might need an injection of something new to get me fired up again. Unfortunately I was ordering a load of books and DVDs for the dcs for Christmas at the same time, so had to put it on supersaver delivery, which means I'll probably have a bit of a wait until it arrives.

I should apologise for my typing over the last week or so. I have been really struggling with word recall and either things are coming out jumbled or completely the wrong word comes out. Its worse verbally, but happens when I'm typing as well. It doesn't help that I don't usually see the mistakes when I proof read either - I've given up previewing for now, as there doesn't seem much point. Hopefully the MRI will offer some answers as to why.

Have you got a date for the MRI yet? Really hope you get the answers you are looking for.

I definitely think the change of weather, and getting dark earlier etc makes a massive difference to the way a person feels to be honest. My evenings are really dragging out at work. Love the summer months where I can look out of my office window overlooking the Thames and the O2 and watch life go by - now its dark by 7pm and I just feel cold and tired........

xx

Yep, 9th November - at 8.00 am!

I usually like it when the nights start drawing in and we can close the curtains and cosy up at home, but it doesn't seem to be working for me so far this year. Maybe its not actually cold enough yet? We usually end up giving in and putting the heating on by the first week in October and we haven't needed it at all as yet. Perhaps my poor body is getting confused by all this contradictory weather!

I don't like the autumn, knowing the long and cold dreary months to come, but I usually pick up by Firework Night and then love Chrimbo. January to March I hate, but then look forward to the spring.

Saying that, I'll be working my butt off all winter shredding so all the lovely size 12-14 summer stuff I have in the attic fits me for next year, so I'll be busy

Can't believe you guys are on level 3. Did day 2 of level 2 today and finding it hard, especially circuit 3. Getting through it though, doing about two thirds Anita and one third Natalie. Although one of the strength moves in circuit 3 I have to do without any weights, my arms are so weak!

Hi nicnacnoonoo, would that be the v-flies with a dumbell raise by any chance? Its a killer at first that one. I dropped back to dd's 1kg weights for those until and built up to it gradually.

D3 L3 and I actually sort of enjoyed doing it today. Only stopped once, which I was really pleased about, and that was the second rep of the plank thing with the arms in circuit 1, first rep I managed Natalie, tried the second rep before my arms collapsed and then just couldn't pick myself back up again.

Time when went really quickly too, which amazed me.

Was amazed to see the amount of sweat literally running off me when I was doing the travelling push-ups....... DD kept trying to mop my brow, which was very funny, and annoying all at the same time.

Got through all the jumping lunges and rock star jumps, although I am sure I can feel the whole house shake when I am doing them

Everyone else OK today?

Oddly, I enjoyed my level 3 today as well.

It does pass really quickly. I'm always taken by surprise when its time for those side/hip raise things at the end, as it sort of feels like there should be another circuit.

Those elbow plank things at the start were really hard when I first started, but I'm finding them fine now, so hang in there.

Do you mean jump squats and rock-stars in circuit 3 - or the jumping lunges in circuit 2? If its the ones in circuit 2, I take my hat off to you, I still can't do all jumping ones for either set of reps, am up to 13 jumping and the rest Anita for each set.

Feeling less weak and exhausted today. Been taking and iron tonic for a couple of days and think I may have been slightly anaemic.

The jumping lunges in circuit 2. I doubt I am lunging as far down as Natalie is, and I may be a tad slower, but I manage to get through them all. I was finding the rock star jumps hard too, but they were better today. I know I definitely worked my legs harder today, because once I'd finished I went upstairs to grab a change of clothes before I showered and they were like jelly!

Also, a getting there with the side/hip things at the end of circuit 3, after I took on board what you said about having a stronger leg - so I do the weaker side first, and then the stronger last.

Incidentally, have you ever watched Natalie when she does the mountain climb thing in a plank in circuit 1? The first rep she does it the same as Jillian, the second rep she looks more like she is running in a plank - I tried this today - much easier but I don't feel guilty because Natalie was doing it!