New to Shred and very unfit - anyone else? Tips or advice very welcome too.

[Eggrules]

Anyone else new to Shred?

Since starting to work from home I have stopped exercising and have piled on weight. I have a couple of stone to lose and am finding size 16 to 10 thread to be great support.

I am on day 5 and on Level One; except I'm not even up to Anita's standard yet. I am using tins instead of weights. jumping is hard going and I have to rest periodically (for no more than 5 seconds).

BAD NEWS: I weigh a few pounds more this week and look like a sweaty tomato when I finish.
GOOD NEWS: I feel a difference in myself and am finding it marginally easier today.

Question: My thighs are killing the most - am I going to end up with comic book thunder thighs? It feels like it.

Weights have been ordered and I am determined.

I did it earlier this year and got as far as day 16 and had just moved on to level 2

I had noticed a difference in body shape and fitness but just couldn't commit every day

I want to start again on Monday. Also have 2 other Jillian dvd's to do too.

I have weights. The arm exercises were where I struggled most. I could do the abs no problem. I have rubbish upper body strength

I've just started it too. I'm on day two level one. Found it not too bad yesterday but I do ache a fair bit today.

I got the Shred in a 4 pack of DVDs.

Olympia2012 - tins aren't enough.

Trikken - on Day 2 I had robocop legs and under my arms was killing. Have you done Day 2 yet? I felt better after doing the the exercise though.

I know I'm not doing it right because my stomach is fine. I am trying to build up to level 1 following Anita and feel like I'm getting there sssllllooowwwwllllyyyyy.

I have been doing the DVD straight after the school run. I got up early this morning to do it before DS got up. .

I work from home and find doing this first thing works for me. I am also running upstairs and walking everywhere - baby steps.

No not done day 2 yet as have dd about and she'll just climb on me if I try to do it now. Best waiting til they are in bed I think.today will be better as now I know what i'm supposed to be doing.

I felt miles better after doing it the second day. I think stretching sore muscles really helped. I missed yesterday. I was supposed to do it when DS went to bed but I couldn't make myself.

Just stick with it, push yourself a little more each day and don't move up a level until you are ready. Be warned L2 is very hard, but L3 is easier.

Make sure you concentrate on having the correct form, over speed or weight.

It is the best exercise DVD I have ever done, very effective and fast, 20 minutes ( although really its 30 with the warm up) are pretty easy to find for most of us.

I'm hoping it helps the soreness. I found I slept really well too, but I did work yesterday so that probably contributed. Am actually looking forward to exercise which is something new for me.

Oh that's a good idea coconutty, mu tins didn't seem to help much.

Hi eggrules well done on getting started!

Just to answer your question - you won't end up with big thighs. Women simply don't have enough testosterone to bulk up without very specific, very hard work and shred isn't the right kind of work.

I think shred is really tough - I've been a gym goer for years doing loads of circuit classes and body pump etc and I've struggled with it! I've just moved up to level 3 today and am thanking God because it's easier than level 2! It works well though, my waist has shrunk by 2 inches in 3 weeks and I am getting really ripped abs!

Stick with it - it does get easier, and you'll feel amazing! And don't worry about struggling with the Anita exercises, if you're working hard and turning into a sweaty tomato then you're doing plenty!

I have possibly got tendonitis, so I struggle. A support is helping a bit. Not sure if I should go to docs, suppose nothing can be done, so will have to modify it a bit if it gets too hard.

Day 2 done. My muscles really hurt. Especially my arms. I shouted swearwords quite a few times whilst doing the dvd.

I feel ok this morning, its really only my tummy muscles that ache a bit but I guess that's to be expected as they are my least exercised body part normally.

Day 9 - Shredded 7

Swatchdog - I am working up to Anita. In the meantime the out of breathe mess must be doing me good. My stomach is fine and so I am definitely not doing it properly.

Trikken - you will be following Natalie and kicking yourself in the bum before you know it.

I've just returned to shredding after a four month break - have been running and doing some sessions with a fitness instructor in the 4 months but will struggle to get time in school holidays so the shred is as good a substitute as I'm going to get. Amazing to see the difference on returning, legs no longer burn, no need for 5 sec rest, can finish the ab work, working towards Natalie, still hoping to gain fitness and get shredded. Arm strength is still poor, I'm determined to do a full press up by the end of the summer.

Calf muscles feel sore and tight. Do I push through and keep going with the leg stuff or am I doing damage?

Don't know Trikken but I have felt better for doing it every day. I feel less sore afterwards.

Day 10 - Shredded 8

Oh no Coconutty

First day I have managed to do the whole routine without stopping, albeit slowly in parts. I am finding the cardio difficult even with an industrial strength sports bra.