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

Gingercat, it sounds great!! And yes similar to Turbofire with the 'virtual class'. Her classes ranged from 20 mins to 45-50 mins, perhaps BR is the same?

Ooo, jumping vs weights , you could do jumping, then weights, then both together ;) No, I do think jumping is harder. The last cardio bit of Killer - you have to go from a little ball into a star jump and repeat for ever and it's sooooo hard!

Malteasecat I feel your pain!!! I stayed with my mum for 5 weeks last year while she recovered from an op and I nearly went mad! (And there was plenty of space to exercise). I think it was the lack of personal space and having to work with tv or radio on full blast! Hope you manage to find some Jillian space you can call home :)

Hello to everyone else

2 days of rest for me as back still niggly today...hopefully tomorrow will be better. At least I am getting some exercise though! Dog (91 years in our years) is bombing along on our walks and I'm having real trouble keeping up with him so I'm getting at least an hour's full-on power walking every day (minus the silly arms)

Hope I'm back in the saddle tomorrow. Have a good evening...

Hi everyone ~ sorry not to do names but am on phone.

About to do day 5 (I think) of L1 My right knee is starting to complain. This is what did me in last time I tried the shred - my previously happy knees became really unhappy. Tips and ideas please??!! I work out in trainers, not overweight... Maybe mixing the levels up a bit so it's not like RSI for my poor joints?? I await your wisdom

Hi everyone, I haven't been able to do any JM this week. DP has been on holiday which means he is at home the same time as me and I refuse to exercise with an audience - ponks - I don't know how you do it!

He is out at the moment though so am just about to do shred level 3. I miss Jillian! My S+S is still winging its way from Amazon - peggyo - have you started yours yet?

Hi all, checking in. I had a day off yesterday so I need to make sure it doesn't turn into three! Gracelesslady when I first started shred I had a terrible time with my knees doing L1. I was advised on here to check my form doing the lunges, and I alternated some of the cardio - jumping jacks mainly - and once I was into level 2 it got better. Now my knees don't bother me at all so I think all this Jillianing must have strengthened them.

gracelesslady I alos had bad knee problems the first time I did the Shred. I was forced to abandon it, and re-start a month later. I just could not walk or get off the train. No real advice here, sorry. Maybe my form improved by the next time Unlike you, I was overweight though.

Bless your dog threesteps! Obviously feeling better then.
I hate star jumps, too. DS has just learnt them in reception class, so we keep having to do them. Love KB though.
You are right. Jumping v weights. There is only one way to decide, FIGHT! I miss Harry Hill so much.
BR is supposed to be 30 minutes every day. No more. I can go up to 40-45 minutes, but any more than that and I would have to get up before 5.50 and I do not fancy that.

Today was BR Cardio day. It just repeats the same sequence 3 times. I got quite sweaty, but it is quite gentle (now that I conquered running man). Next time I'll do an extra circuit to make it over 30 minutes. I feel hardcore just writing this [giggle].

Go gingercat with your extra circuits!!

Graceless sorry to hear about your knee. Are you exercising on a mat or something soft? (although if you're wearing trainers it may not make much difference).

Only other thing I can think of is form - it's damn hard to get it right sometimes when you're going fast, try and think no knees over toes (although again you probably know this already!).

If it's the cardio that's bothering it, good idea to substitute for something lower impact. I do that when my side of knee thing happens (not knee but like a tendon or something below and on side of calf).

Hope it gets better...

My last KB L1 today, woo yeah! (bum definitely looking a bit perkier!) L2 tomorrow and then the fun really starts from what I remember

I can do all this stuff as I have been for a few years now, but I just seem so completely spent by the end nowadays. I've done the occasional double level (S&S), but generally the thought of doubling up makes me want to hide under a blanket!!!

Have a good evening all...

Thanks folks - sound advice. Work out on a carpet, in m'trainers, try hard to keep good form and actually I don't have much pain at all while I'm working out (although maybe I'm just distracted by the heart gargling...) it just hurts the rest of the time. Like now, I'm sitting on the sofa, and I'm aware of discomfort inside my knee joint. It's weird. I think logically the sensible thing to do is take rest days but if I do that I'll lose momentum and never finish the sodding 30 days! So I'm powering through - one of the kind advice-ees up thread said their knee pain went away when they got stronger. That's going to be me too

Hi all

Very nearly didn't Jillian tonight but thought how could I face you lot otherwise? So did L1 RI30. And have to thank you all for giving me the motivation to do it after a bit of a rotten day. to all of you.

L1 seemed fairly easy? Well easier than Shred anyway. Perhaps because you chop and change a bit more? Perhaps because I am using tiny weights? Hmmm.

No audience tonight - DH is out.

Wooohooo Ponks! Always makes me feel better after a shite day too. Hope tomorrow's better xx

Hi all,

Did day 5 of KB this morning, but I'm thinking of going on to L2 before the 10 days are up, need a bit more of a challenge. Threesteps - good to hear things step up a gear on L2 (best be careful what I wish for).

Grasslesslady - I too have a slightly weak right knee and wear a support when Jillianing. Maybe that would help? Though I probably ought to wear trainers.

Fadingblonde - good for you for making yourself workout today. Same to you Ponks! I found L1 of RI30 not very challenging tbh, so quickly moved onto L2. Hope you have a better day tomorrow, remember Jillian is always there for you (and as are we, of course!)

Haven't done any Insanity F&F for a week, maybe I'll do that in the dark tom morning. Will certainly give me a rude awakening. I think I need to up things a bit as I'm still sugar shovelling!

Night all!

Good morning all!

I went for a freeeezing cold run yesterday followed by 6W6P L2. This morning I did L1 6W6P using my new weights - I managed 4kg for pretty much everything (wasn't brave enough to go that heavy for the diagonal get-ups so used 3kg instead!) I'm still rubbish at spider plank push-ups...

Guitargirl, I haven't started S&S yet - I think I will do my first session next Wednesday as I finish my 6 weeks of 6-packing next Tuesday. I'm really looking to starting something new! Do you have an estimated delivery date for yours?

Congratulations Ponks for Jillianing after a tough day, what a brilliant achievement. This thread is such a great motivator.

Threesteps, well done on the perky bum I'm looking forward to joining you and MissT in KB&T-ing next week!

gracelesslady, hope your knee feels stronger soon.

Afternoon all!

This thread really is a great motivation, 100% agree

Ponks well done on starting Ripped!

Alligator I'm not really trying to lose so guess I'm maintaining - I've been trapped in my Jillian addiction for a few years now (I'm with you on the double sessions btw!)

PeggyO well done you, the added weights must make it an excellent workout...not long til KB!

I did L2 KB today, and yes I do think it's a step up from L1, I'll be interested to hear what you think MissT? I'm doing 7 days on each level for this as I agree 10 sends you a bit insane...
As far as I can make out L2 has much more plyo stuff (jumping lunges, squat jumps, burpees on one leg, lateral jumps and something else but I've forgotten!), and I'm adding my 3 kg weights wherever possible.

Sorry if I've not name-checked everyone - am still on an endorphin rush after my workout!

will check in tomorrow

Morning everyone :)

I totally agree that this thread is really motivating, it's what got me into Jillian in the first place and it's kept me going when my will power has been lacking.

I did L1 of killer yesterday, and reading threestep's review of level 2 I think I will be staying on it for a long time. I so do not like doing jumping lunges!

I've just done the first circuits of level 1 and 2 of 6w6p, I'll never finish it at this rate but my form is terrible doing it double time. Even with circuit 1 I keep sliding out of position, especially with the side plank stuff. Anyway I'll try to do either killer of S & S this afternoon. I try to do double Jillian when I can to compensate for the days when I do nothing!

Don't worry fadingblonde You are not the only one who took a while to master the side plank thingies. I could only really do them the second time around.

ponks Hope you have a super day.

Still going on with Body revolution, so nothing exciting to report. Totally addicted.

Can I join? I'm currently trying to lose at least a stone of pregnancy weight and am just getting back to exercising. I'm not Shredding every day as it's hard to find the time with a baby and a toddler, but maybe 3 times a week, plus running once or twice a week. I've Shredded before though, and found the results really good. I also got 6W6P for Christmas, so I'll be looking to give that a go at some point. How does it compare to The Shred?

Level 1 day 1 this time round had me in so much pain afterwards (mostly arms and chest, from the press-ups) that I could barely get to sleep! Day 2 was easier though.

Hi Earnest, welcome to the thread

Well done on getting stuck back into Shred - I think Level 1 is deceptively hard on the arms (the squat and raises and the last strength with weights are really tough I think!).

6W6P is longer than the Shred (35 mins?) and for each of the 2 levels, it goes through the same circuit twice - second time round faster than the first. (Level 2 is pretty hectic!). Stick with us - there are plenty of 6W6Pers around (not me though )

Fadingblonde, yy, jumping lunges are my absolute nemesis!

I've made a decision to Jillian every other day - too many parts of me twinge and twang when I exercise daily, even with a rest day or two, so I'm going to try doing every other day and see if things improve. It's a pain but I think it may help, and hopefully avoid injuries that linger on...

So today is a rest day

Friday, yay, hope everyone has a great weekend

I am also just getting to grips with the side planks in Level 1 of 6W6P. I think those are the types of move that are really effective but are also the types of move that can do damage if you don't have the correct form. If your body and hips aren't straight and you're a bit twisted I think you could easily do something to your back.

I posted at the beginning of the week saying that I had twinges in my back. I actually think it was just that I'd worked muscles that I obviously hadn't worked very much before and I was aching. There is a lot of sidey stuff in 6W6P that isn't in a lot of the others so i'm hoping to see some more definition on my obliques.

I'm still slightly in awe of those of you that do more than one session a day. I like to exercise but I don't think i'm as motivated as you lot. .

Having said that I had a really bad morning this morning with DS (4) before the school run. He was really naughty and I found myself shouting at the kids by 8am! Was a struggle just to get out the door and when I got home I was so upset that I just burst in to tears. I had a brief chat with DH to unload and then just thought, do you know what, i'm going to do some Jillian. I did and unsurprisingly felt so much better and not angry and upset and stressed anymore. Exercise really is a total de-stressor isn't it?

Hi Earnest! Hooray, a fellow Jillianer / runner! I've nearly finished 6W6P and although I struggled to get into it at first I now really love it. It's definitely a step up from the Shred and it is more varied than the name might suggest - I expected it to be mainly mat work and crunches but it's a really good cardio workout too. Like threesteps says you are meant to do it faster on the second go around, but to start with I wouldn't worry about that and just focus on keeping good form.

fading, in the words of Jillian herself, 'do not be discouraged!' Side planks are really really tough. I have slight inner ear damage which makes my balance a bit rubbish. When I first did 6W6P I couldn't do the beginner version of that move, or even just hold the side plank for the full 30 seconds. But I gradually got stronger and now can do the move with a weight in my other hand. If I can do it I really believe anyone can!

Rollergirl, I'm sure you will see a change in your obliques from 6W6P. I've done 5 and a half weeks now and it has definitely slimmed my waist and defined my obliques - DH put his arms round me the other day and said that he could feel that I am smaller than I was when I started.

Ohh, threesteps, sometimes it sucks being sensible doesn't it! It's so important to listen to your body though, so you are definitely doing the right thing.

Have a happy Jillian weekend everyone!

Ohh, I meant to add - Rollergirl exercise definitely de-stresses me! I'm having such a manic time at work at the moment, but working out in the morning really releases all that tension and makes me feel so much more calm and on top of things for the rest of the day. It's like magic!

Good evening everyone!

Rollergirl - I totally agree with you in that exercise is a de-stresser. It really focuses your attention and clears your mind.

Threesteps - I am on L2 of KB now after a day of Shaun T. I am still getting used to it, so it seems a bit odd at the moment. I don't mind the plyometric stuff, I suppose my body has got used to the lunges and squats so I am not finding them too bad at all (would have been a different story a few months ago). I admit the one-legged burpees are a little hard, but I think I'll conquer them! I quite like the chair stuff, what else? Can't remember. I too am using 3kg weights, and I think I'll do as you are and add them in wherever I can.

PeggyO - I hope you enjoy KB. Would be interested to hear if you will also start L2 sooner.

Hello Earnest. This will be the best thing you ever did (again!). Love the aches and pains! I really enjoyed 6W6P. I like the format of going through the exercises once, then at a faster pace. I like it how the music cranks up towards the end and Jillian gets shouter and louder! Hmmm, maybe I'll treat myself to L2 of that tomorrow together with KB, not done a double session in a while and you peeps keep mentioning it! See how motivational you all are!

Good to hear you are enjoying your BR gingercat. You ARE hardcore!

Do you know what, I am rather pleased with myself because I am actually finding Insanity F & F quite doable now! I still sweat like mad and can hardly drink my water in the break because I am breathing so hard, but I DO enjoy it! I can remember my reaction after CHST posted the YouTube link to it. At first I thought, no way, but here I am, stronger for having conquered it! (Trying to be motivational here, not boastful!)

If anyone else is thinking of doing Insanity Fast & Furious I'd say do it (and come on here and tell us!) Go on, go CRAZY!

Haha, MissTFied, I am exactly the same with the water break in F&F - the first time I managed to actually slow my breathing down enough to swallow a sip felt like real progress! I too thought it looked actually impossible when I first watched it, but it just goes to show that sometimes our bodies can do much more than we think.

I am still really tempted by the full Insanity programme, but am planning to step up my running over the next few months and have a few races planned this year. I'm just not sure if it's realistic to aim to do Insanity at the same time...

Hello to those that remember me! One of the originals. Yes I am that old- and that JM obsessed!

You may remember that I have a dodgy back, which is why I had to temporarily retire. It has eased slightly, but is still not right. I have an MRI booked on Monday and cannot sit for any long period of time without being v uncomfortable.

Having said all that I have been returning to exercise as I was just so frustrated. I am working out what j can and can't do and actually I can still do a fair amount. I can manage all of the shreds, and most strength work. I can't do twisting with weights and there are random moves that I really can't do because of what they do to me. Random stuff like the ab hold into table in Rin30 for example. That said, DH and I have started doing the Bob Harper strength DVD- it's pretty long at an hour- and OMG I love it! Really, really thought but he is just as watchable and motivational as JM and really works you out. Recommended. I have also bought the 60 second Promise which is another great workout- albeit slightly cheesy and looks like it has a production budget of 10p.

Some great stuff going on here- keep it up all! I did L1 Extreme Shed and Shred today- haven't done it since the back issues and wanted to see if any of it wasn't manageable. I found it fairly easy but decided not to push my luck and do L2 back to back as well. Did a tabata session instead on the cross trainer and nearly threw up.Nice.

Finally, I have also being doing Callenthetics as it was recommended to me as being effective toning stuff that was bad for back. I got a book from Anazon and have doing progressive workouts daily on top of my 'proper' exercise. Takes 30mins or so but can be done whilst watching tv with DH in the evening. The core stuff is TOUGH! My bottom has lifted slightly so I am happy.

Another one here agreeing on the positive effects of exercise - I have been feeling very tired and negative for the last couple of days - yesterday I was so wiped out after work that I went straight to bed for a few hours - but tonight I was Determined to Shred again - and Wow, I felt sooo much better afterwards! - much more energy and felt much more positive.

I am even contemplating Shred L3 this weekend ....

What weights does everyone use? I am evidently a spindly armed wuss as my arms are shrieking at the end of the 3rd circuit even with only 1.5kg! Mind you, I did start out with baked bean tins at the beginning of the year so I am at least improving on that. Respect to peggy and her 4kg weights

Oh- have stayed away from Insanity since back issues struck because Burpees cause me real issues and he does love them! A friend has bought the Chalean programme and is raving about it so I am tempted. Apparently it is designed to use fairly heavy weights though and j do f really want to have to buy new ones. I have 3kg ranging up to 7kg, all of which I use for JM but j don't think they would be heavy enough for me to benefit from Chalean.

I use 2k weights but feel like I should definitely move up. Am really liking Julian in less shouty mode in NMTZ, BFBM and 6W6P. Although I still find that she makes (what I consider to be) really odd comments about her co-exercisers (?) considering that it's about women with women watching? In 6W6P she says about the blonde one (is her name Maddie?) "let's pick on the barbie doll". Why is she a Barbie doll? Because she's blonde and pretty? I'm sure it's an in-joke. But every time I hear her say it I get a bit vexed. Why reduce her to a stereo-type? She does the same thing in Ripped, talking about them being "oh so pretty", like she's some 50yr old misogynist. It really annoys me.