2013 NEW YEAR JILLIAN MICHAELS FANS!

[threestepsforward]

New thread for the Julian Monkeys!!

Here's to a new year Shedded and Shredded, Ripped, with Killer Buns and Thighs, a 6 Pack, a Revolutionised Body and No More Trouble Zones

Any practitioners of Insanity, Turbofire and all other such insane DVDs come and join us too if you like

[PeggyO]

Happy Friday everyone! Hello joshandjamie, and congratulations on finishing 30 days of Jillian - that glass of wine was well deserved! Good luck with your 30 days challenge Greedygirl, I'm sure you will be back into it in no time.

DiamondDoris, how are your ankles today? I'm trying to remember what Ripped is like - are there any exercises that you could modify or substitute to make it a little easier on the ankles? Maybe some punches instead of any jumpy cardio bits?

threesteps, glad to hear your back is behaving now!

Rollergirl, each level of 6W6P is about 35 minutes including the warm up and cool down. They aren't broken into circuits in the same way as JM's other workouts - you do the full routine (which I guess is 15 minutes or so) through once, and then repeat it but at double time.

My new weights and DVDs arrived! The postman stuck the box under our doormat while I was out at work - not really very well hidden! I think he just didn't want to carry it back to the van Have been using a 3kg weight for 6W6P for the last couple of days, and alternating between L1 and L2. I am very tempted to try S&S or KB&T but am determined to finish my last week and a half of 6W6P first!

[sprucedup]

Hello, advice needed! I just watched a sample episode of RI 30 and loved it, but I have a dodgey knee and live in an old first floor flat that sounds like it might collapse if I jump up and down. I really want to do killer buns (getting married in chiffon and fantasising about not needing spanx underneath) but will my downstairs neighbours ceiling fall in? I don't want to spend my truss money on Jillian if I won't be able to use it!

[Overreactionoftheweek]

Hello all, may I join please?

I've just completed my third BFBM, I'm doing alternate days during ds's nap. I did shred level 1 awhile ago but fell off the exercise wagon as I am prone to doing .

I've lost a stone since the new year due to dieting...but still have another 3 to go to get to my ideal weight.

Just want to say I ruddy love Jillian!

[fadingblonde]

Hi welcome sprucedup and overreationoftheweek, well done on the weightloss. sprudedup I've not done Killer yet but I usually do Jillian without trainers and I've never noticed the noise. She does usually give you beginner modifications so you could probably do lower impact/less noisy versions of the cardio intervals, or do an alternative cardio move if one is noisy.

I've just done L1 shed and shred for the first time and I'm feeling a bit cheated. I thought it was a 45 minute workout and i'm sure I was done in about half an hour. Not sure what to make of it - I was tempted to give up at first, then found I started to enjoy it, but then it ended just as I was getting going! Oh well I really should finish 6w6p first although I'm tempted to try killer this afternoon....

Greedygirl I really like your idea of 30 mins for 30 days. Lately I'm finding that I take a day off and it turns into three. I might have to try something like this myself.

[threestepsforward]

Hello everyone!

Greedygirl!!! Great to see you back :) Agree 30 mins in 30 days sounds like a plan!

Welcome sprucedup and overreaction!

Spruced I'd say maybe 20% max of each Ripped workout involves really jumping around. I'm sure it would be okay! It's a good idea though to substitute some of the cardio if you're worried about the noise - boxing in a squat, powerwalk arms in a deep lunge etc. (adding weights if you're feeling really hard!)

Not sure about the knee as there is a lot of lunging / squatting etc., you could see how you go?

Overreaction well done on your January, that's brilliant. We all love Jillian here, you're in good company! BFBM is one of my favourites of hers :)

Fading aw, that's a shame you found S&S a let down. It's definitely only 30 mins per workout but she wants you to do both together, but 60 mins of time to find isn't so easy. I have to say I really enjoyed it before my back went wrong. After a few times doing each level, I knew what was coming and really threw myself into it. It definitely doesn't feel as hard of some of her other stuff though, but you can feel it definitely tones.

Another Killer for me today and I'm thinking I may stick with it and do a week on each level, so start L2 on Wednesday - TITANIUM buns here I come!!

Hope everyone's doing well. Sorry not to namecheck everyone but it's so busy...

[fadingblonde]

threesteps I'll definitely do S&S again although I will put more effort in. I was pacing myself to do 45 minutes so didn't really go for it. Once I've figured all the moves out I think I will enjoy doing something a bit different.

I tried L1 of killer this afternoon and really enjoyed it although I wasn't expecting a fourth circuit. It's funny when I did shred I'd often feel like I wanted to do another circuit but not a whole other level so I liked that. I don't want to not finish 6w6p so I think I might do them on alternative days although I also want to keep up with NMTZs and BFBM - I think I have too much choice at the moment!

[sprucedup]

Thanks fading and threesteps for the advice, I'll go for it and use the variations. Might be back asking for ideas for low impact cardio substitutions, its surprisingly hard to find really tough ones that dont involve jumping

[Ponks]

Hi all!
My new DVDs (Killer Buns & Ripped) arrived today and I am ridiculously excited about having a look at them at the weekend - but Shred L2 must come first! It is slowly starting to get easier - mega pleased about this - even managed a session of plank jacks but not sure my technique was right.

DH has commented that I do seem to be toning up! and deveoping stomach muscles! Yay!

[Greedygirl]

Oh hi everyone, busy, busy on here! I love it, it is getting me revved up because alas I have not started my 30 days just yet although have been for a lovely tramp on the moors today so maybe that counts?! Currently eating warm cookies do not quite there yet .

[fadingblonde]

Hi all, just finished Level 1 of shed and shred, followed by the first circuits of level 1 and 2 of 6w6p so feel like I've had a good workout :)

[threestepsforward]

Wow Fading, that certainly is a workout, well done you! Did you find S&S a bit better this time round?

Greedygirl warm cookies sound yummy

Sprucedup hope it all worked out :)

Ponks great news on the toning up! Ooo and new DVDs to play with I did Killer (again) today and I really love it. Even L1 does me in - in the circuit she says isn't so challenging (Circuit 3) my legs are screaming by the end!!

If anyone does find L1 a bit easy, there's loads you can add weights to. I added 3 kg to cardio bits and lunges. Will include sumo jumps and high knees next. Which will be Monday as I think it should be a rest day tomorrow.

Hope everyone's doing well. Beauuuutiful day here today

[Guitargirl]

Hello, can I join you please? Am in a similar position to overreaction, as in have lost a stone since the new year and have 3 more still to go. I also lost a stone last year so was 5 stone overweight and now 3...have been doing 30-day shred and worked my way to complete level 3. Not sure am doing it all properly though, some of the strength circuits are beyond me. Still, have just ordered extreme shed and shred so we'll see!

[threestepsforward]

Hi guitargirl :) There are so many incredible weight loss stories on here at the moment - yours is fantastic! I hope you enjoy Shed and Shred - I hope to get back to it soon.

I decided to do Killer today and take tomorrow off instead, so 1 more to do on Tuesday then I move up to Level 2 :)

Today I added 3kg weights to lunges, sumo squats, butt kicks and high knees (high knees with weights definitely the toughest and a new one to me!)

Will check back in on Tuesday. Hope everyone's had a good weekend, Monday tomorrow, boo!

[fadingblonde]

Welcome Guitargirl and well done on the weight loss, your obviously doing something right :)

threesteps I enjoyed S & S much more the second time round, I felt like I knew more what I was doing and I'm looking forward to trying it again tomorrow.

I did L1 of killer today and BFBM this evening - was totally flagging from about half way through so that might not be a combination I will try again...

[gingercat12]

I still can't get my head around so many of you doing double sessions. It is just amazing!

This morning was the start of my Body Revolution obsession. To be completely shallow, I love how much more stylish this is than the other dvds. Jillian obviously went for the Insanity feel. It was lovely to see Anita, and only noticed Natalie by the end. I cannot comment on the difficulty, as it was only D1 of L1. After a year with Jillian, it should not cause any trouble. Although I did my back in a little bit. Hopefully it'll sort itself out.

[Rollergirl1]

I did Level 1 of 6W6P for the first time this morning. I obviously did something not quite right as I am now feeling a bit of a twinge in my lower back. Think it might have been the one where you did side to side lunges and also stretched to one side with your arms.

Are you meant to stay on each level for 3 weeks? I think I will get bored that same circuit every day for 3 weeks. So I might have to mix it up with something else a bit.

Gingercat: Where did you order Body Revolution from? It's coming up as £104 on Amazon!

[gingercat12]

Rollergirl1 My DH bought Body revolution on Amazon for me for Valentine's Day. He said that he can see I do not want anything else and it would make me happy. It does. He even let me start using it right away.

[PeggyO]

Hello all! [waves]

Guitargirl, welcome and well done on your amazing weight loss! I will probably start extreme shed and shred in a week or so so we can compare notes!

fading, it sounds like you are doing brilliantly with all your double sessions. S&S and circuits of L1&2 6W6P?! Brave lady!

gingercat, I am very excited that you have started BR and look forward to hearing all about it! I've read a few reviews online and it does seem that to begin with it is fairly straightforward if you've Julianed before - do you think your first session compares to, say, L1 of the Shred, or is it tougher than that?

Rollergirl, I'm now in w5 of 6W6P. I did two weeks of L1 and two weeks of L2, and now I am alternating between the two for my last 2 weeks. I did notice that after a few days at each level I stopped getting any muscle soreness, but now I am alternating it has come back a bit which is probably a good sign! Those side lunges with a bend are tricky, I just don't seem to be as bendy as Jillian and the girls!

threesteps and other KB&T fans, how long is each workout? I was wondering whether I could do a Killer and a S&S in an hour, or whether it would take longer.

[gracelesslady]

Hi I was on one of the grandparents of this thread the summer before last, but I'm starting again. Just finished L1D3 30DS. Last time I did it, it made no difference to me in terms of weight loss or inch loss or anything but I'm thinking maybe my crappy diet was something to do with that. This time round I'm paying attention to eating properly, having a protein shake every day, lots of water, that kind of thing. And I'm going to do the full 30 days the way Jillian intended it to be done. It feels easier this time round - can't do proper push ups yet, but overall I'm not dying the way I remember from last time! I've been running a lot over the last year, which can't hurt!!

When I'm finished shredding I'm planning to move on to nmtz or killer buns. I'm reading people's reports of these avidly...

[threestepsforward]

Evening all!

Hi there graceless :) I think between us all on the thread we can report back on every DVD our JM has put out there so stick with us!

Hi Gingercat, the BR format sounds a bit like Turbofire (based on the price), is that right? Can't wait to hear how you settle into it...

PeggyO yep you could do 1 level of Killer and 1 of S&S and that would take you an hour, although maybe slightly longer with the warm up and down? They are both 30 mins though.

Fading great to hear you enjoyed S&S more - it's definitely a grower

Rollergirl hope your back is okay...

Everyone sounds like they're doing great, and yes all these double-levellers are awesome!

Rest day for me and back being naughty again, almost feels like its at the top of my left leg Will see how I feel tomorrow...

[MissTFied]

Hi all,
Been a busy few days in my real world, but have just read from where I had left you all.
Still been doing Julian daily. Have now finished RI30, and actually enjoyed it more in the last few days, esp the very last move where you do that ab move for 1 minute.
Now on KB and I'm enjoying it. It does seem to go on though, think it must be at least 30 mins. I am looking forward to having buns of steel! If I tense them now, I am actually amazed by how hard they are already. Guess all of Julian's DVDs have helped. I just have a little bit of a wobble around the top of my thighs but I am sure that will be gone soon. Hurrah! Magic!

On the negative side I have been eating all sorts of sugar laden treats. I was still at my magic number this morning, will have to see how this will translate on to the scales next week!

Looking forward to reading about how ripped 'n' shredded you lot are!

[Ponks]

Hello everyone!
Another day of Shred L2 down - and as promised by many of you, yes it is getting easier - I managed the plank jacks today!
I finished off with the first circuit from RI30 just to get a feel for it. Hoping to start doubling up like lots of you do, when I get the energy time.

Also watched some of Killer Buns to get a feel for it - cant wait to have a go! Wow doesn't Natalie look good compared with Shred! But I still want Anita's abs .

Does anyone else have an audience while they exercise? My DH often arrives home when I'm half way through. He does offer lots of support - "keep going! only a few more to go!" and advice - "keep your chin up!" - which is great, but I could do without the chortles and the rush for the camera to film me when I'm struggling!

[themaltesecat]

Ponks, I'm aghast at your DH. Really, that is appalling!

Am now in England, haven't Jillianed for nearly a week, what with that sleepless 35-hour door-to-door journey from NZ and lack of space in my father-in-law's house (how many side-tables does one man need, for heaven's sake? It's faffing ridiculous!). Will have to sort it out today because I can feel my arse expanding and my lovely, lovely leg muscles are already vanishing, it seems. There is always someone asleep and not to be disturbed in this poky house, and only two rooms are warm enough to be in for more than ten minutes which also happen to be the only rooms with enough room for exercise, which makes despatching DH and toddler difficult. And the only weights available are 1kg each (if that- they feel lighter), which just seems like a waste of time.

Will try whatever happens to get in at least a Shred today, or I'm going to go fucking insane.

[Alligatorpie]

Ponks - my 7 month old watches me, but doesn't bother me!

Those of you doing 2 different workouts, do you have a lot of weight to lose, or are you just maintaining where you are.

Just finished the shred, i would die if I had to do another workout!

[gingercat12]

Ponks Shocked at your DH. He sounds really funny though. I had to ask my toddler not to watch me at weekends. Since he is in school, he is quite all right just stuffing himself while I exercise. (How do they make them so ravenous in that school?!)
You should see Natalie and Anita in Body Revolution! Anita's arms are real commando-like. I half-expect her to get a gun out and shout "Everybody down!". (I must have read and watched too many violent stories.)

Go themaltesecat!

threesteps Sorry about your back...
From what I understand BR is like Turbofire and Insanity, just a lot shorter. Mind you she always says 30 minutes, and it was 35 today. So I think it probably creeps up gradually. It is quite gentle yet, but I cannot lift my arms at the minute, as she keeps shouting "bigger weights, bigger weights, get the biggest weights you got". Well, I did. Can't open the (fire) doors or wash my hair easily, but I'll get there.
I like the idea of having 3 different routines for a 2-week period, and exercising in a (virtual) class.
Also it is amazing how quickly it goes. I always put on the coffee at the beginning of the last circuit, and nearly missed it.
We often have two options to make the exercise harder. You can either do them with weights or do them with jumping. So far I went for jumping as I can do with lots of cardio. What do you think is the best approach?