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?

I'm not sure tbh, I dont weigh myself very often anymore. I did jump on the scales after around 2 months of new tactics and I had lost another so it is working for me. I tried on clothes earlier in the week and my 16 jeans are far far too big for me. I can fit back into the size 12's I haven't wore for years albeit a wee big snug at the min. That's why I'm powering through (a la Jillian) the shred in the last 19 days before hols. Yay!

Thanks Hairy.

Weighed in for my weightloss thread this morning and I have dropped one of the pounds I'd gained, which is encouraging and does imply it could be water retention.

Did day 6 of level 1 this morning and managed to go all the way through with just two 5 second breather breaks - although still not enough repetitions of the cycle crunches at the end (am dying by then).

Umming and ah-ing about whether or not to take a day off as recommended. Not sure I want to really, as I've come so far with it, am finding it easier and am even able to do some of Natalie's moves rather than Anita's which I couldn't even attempt back on day 1.

I am noticing muscle definition appearing on my arms, shoulders, thighs, calves and to a tiny extent abdomen. Have gone in a notch on my watch and can't keep my trousers up! So its definitely working.

Took my measurements at the beginning of the week - but am only going to remeasure once a fortnight.

Can i join please? I've shredded before (was on one of the other threads), and completed the 30DS - lost plenty of inches and felt great (altho no weight loss) - stats will be somewhere on here!
Not done much exercise last couple of months and need to put some effort in!
Am doing with 2Kg weights (as first time through i found it "fairly" easy and "relatively" painless with 1kg). Did L1D3 this morning. Am easing into the jumping jacks as i find going full effort straight away leads to bad calf and hour of physio!
I seem to remember i preferred level 2 to levels 1 and 3 - but i HATE burpees, and my upper body strength is almost non-existent so i struggle with press-ups.
Need to loose some weight alongside toning, so i will go and have a look at the SW thread to see if i can be inspired (trouble is, alcohol is my downfall!)
Cat sorry to hear shredding is on hold - hope all goes well with the op.

Moosemama definitely take a day off - it's when your muscles mend/recover. The 30DS is really a 6 week program with 2 days off per week.

Thanks flatmouse.

I think I will take a day off over the weekend, its just hit me how tired I am and I think it would be foolish to keep pushing myself and end up crashing. I was worrying about it being harder again after taking a break - but my body is definitely telling me it needs one now.

Have been looking at a couple of JM's other dvds to follow on from the shred. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm drawn to No More Trouble Zones, but wonder if that or Banish Fat Boost Metabolism would be better?

In the first instance I am intending to redo the shred with higher weights and hopefully no modifications before moving on - but think I might like to add another workout into the mix at the same time by then to stave off potential boredom with the routine.

For background, I have recently built up my fitness from zero after a nasty CFS crash that had me pretty much housebound from November through to May. I am still suffering with some neurologial problems, but am defintely well out of the crash now and much fitter and stronger. To be honest, I'm amazed that I've managed to come far enough to even attempt JM's workouts, let alone actually be able to complete them daily and am so scared of sliding backwards and ending up crashing again.

I feel like I need to keep my body strong now in order to keep going forwards and leave the CFS behind. I've had it all my adult life, but am fortunate enough to only crash every few years, rather than being permanently disabled with it. When I do crash its bad though and each time it leaves me terrified of it happening again.

So, while I am a lot fitter than I was - I am very much a beginner and knowing a lot of JM stuff isn't for the faint hearted, I'd really appreciate some advice on where to go next after the shred. TIA

L1D5 completed this morning along with bike ride into work. The shred is definatly getting easier. I don't know if that's a good thing though because I feel like I'm not working as hard now. Today I pushed myself to take it up a notch but I'm still not that achey.

moosemama that's really inspiring to here how you've fought back. I was thinking of moving onto another JM DVD after the shred. I haven't looked at them properly yet but will be happy to buddy up of I make it through to day 30.

I need pushing into shredding, I have the DVD, still in cellophane, hidden in a drawer. Have been slimming, using MFP for 3 weeks and lost half a stone so doing well but I know I need to exercise. I am just not sure when to do it - the only time I'm child-free is the evenings when they go to bed but all I want to do then is have a and collapse. Others must have this issue - WDYD?

I'm more whingey and whiney than inspirational Voldemort.

It'd be great to have a buddy to carry on with if I'm still alive after the shred!

What weights are you using at the moment? Lots of people seem to use 3lb weights, but if you feel like you need more of a challenge, perhaps you could try upping the weight slightly. I have read of other people using 5lb weights.

Hello musttidyup.

I started out doing it in the evening, because I'm generally a night person, but I found I had run out of energy by the time the dcs were in bed so now I get up early and do it before they get up. It only takes around 25 minutes including warm-up and cool-down, but you do need a shower straight away afterwards as it does tend to work up quite a sweat.

I have three dcs, ds1 who is 9 and has ASD, ds2 who is 7 and dd who's 2. The dcs are often up when I do my workout, but since day 1 - when the boys were rolling around on the sofa in fits of giggles and 'offering advice' and dd was 'joining in' and 'helping out' they have been really good and just read or leave the room.

Go on - do it! If I can, anyone can and we're all here for support as and when you need it.

DS1 starts school the week after next and I'm thinking I might be able to fit it into the new routine. After ive dropped him off hopefuly the baby will be asleep and DS2 would love to do that kind of thing with me - I could still be showered and off to playgroup at ten ish!

Day 7 level 1 done. Definitely felt too tired this morning and was very shaky but did it all bar modifying the cycle crunches at the end to the pilates version of a straight rather than lateral crunch, but still doing the cycle move. Found I could maintain the whole set that way and will build back up to the laterals.

Taking tomorrow off, so will be back on board with day 8 on Monday.

Oh - and my weight is back down to where it was at the beginning of this week, so hoping it continues to go down.

Musttidyup, sound like a plan.

Feeling all new school year-y, new resolutions-y at the moment so thinking of starting this when dd goes back to school on 5th, but can only do 3 days a week realistically. Will it work shred experts? I am after inch loss rather than weight loss really. (obviously weight loss would be nice but not the issue particularly).

L1D6 completed. Missed yesterday as DS2 burned his ankle and had to take him to the walk-in centre first thing, then on to town to buy school uniform. The TV was otherwise engaged last night with Dr Who, X factor and football, so Jillian didn't get a look in.

Ha moosemama I've been using 1kg bags of rice. 3kg sounds like a challenge, never mind 5kg. Thats like using bags of potatoes! I'm going weights shopping tomorrow, so ill see what feels good then.

3lbs not 3kg Voldemort - blimey I don't think I could even lift 3kg!

A kg is 2.2lbs, so 3kg would be 6.6lbs!

Hope your ds2 is ok.

I took the day off today, which was lucky timing as my neuro problems flared up quite badly last night and I'm still not right today. Hopefully will be back on track for day 8 of level 1 tomorrow morning.

I haven't been lazy though - we've done an interactive museum and a walk in a country park today, so at least I was moving rather than sitting on my backside all day.

DownyEmerald, I'm sure it would work - but it might take longer than the 30 days to see the effects - its definitely worth giving it a go anyway.

Day 8 of level 1 done. Relieved to find it wasn't any harder for taking a day off.

Am also pleased to report that my weight has started to shift again and I'm another pound down today!

Hi I just thought I would pop on here to wish you all luck. I started shredding this time last year. The first time I did day one level one I thought I was going to die but I managed to complete the whole thirty days and it really improved my fitness. After that I bought her Banish fat boost metabolism and her no more trouble zones DVD. I do those regularly interspersed with the odd shred or a run. A year ago I wouldn't believe I could be as fit as I am now, I have lost weight (i follow weight watchers too) and am now within my ideal weight range. I have also decided to do a personal training course. Keep it up and you will look and feel fab in no time. Jillian rocks.

Thank you ledodgy.

Its great motivation to hear from someone who's been where I/we are and survived!

Out of interest, which out of the Banish Fat and No more Trouble Zones dvd's would you recommend as a follow on work out from the shred?

To be honest both equally, BFBM is pure cardio very intense no weights and NMTZ uses weights so it's good to alternate both.

Thanks again - I was thinking of getting BFBM in the first instance, as I like the idea of doing the cardio without weights. I'm a bit worried I'll bulk up too much if I go straight onto doing more weights. Wondering now about doing the BFBM the most frequently and just a couple of sessions of NMTZ and the shred each week.

Yeah I do tend to do more BFBM, the idea of NMTZ is low weights, high reps so you gain lean muscle rather than bulk iyswim. Both are great fat burners. I tend to do shred level 2 or 3 once or twice a week as a break, never thought I'd ever say that!

Am in awe of you doing the higher level shreds for a break!

I am quaking in my boots coming up to level 2. Dh wants to do a few more days on level 1 before we move up, but I feel like I need to stick to the 30 days - 10 on each level.

After the ten days you'll be ready to move up. I promise. You will be amazed at how much fitter you can become in such a short space of time.

I do feel much fitter than I did on day 1, but level 2 seems a big step up for someone who started out as unfit as I was.

Hey ladies,

Mind if I join you? I have just completed day 2 of the 30 day shred (Level 1) and I found it an utter nightmare! I must have stopped at least 10 times. I hate the cardio section, the thigh lunges (with the weights) and the stomach bicycle excercise just before the end.

Please tell me that it will get easier?

Also, am I meant to move up the levels?

I've just ordered this dvd off amazon. Do I need to buy any other equipment, e.g. hand weights?