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

notyummy You are a credit to the British Army!

alligatorpie 30 push-ups is nothing to be ashamed of.

threesteps BR Week 2. Still loving it. Nothing exciting to report. Although weirdly my legs really hurt today. In a good way.

5 full push ups would be a klaxon moment for me!

Gingercat the 'good hurt' is a great feeling isn't it!

L2 done again, each time I do it I add weights to at least one more part. So today 3 kg with the squat jumps, and 1.5kg with the lateral jumps and star jumps at the end.

Happy JM'ing all

Hi all, busy busy busy on here!

Despite me posting that I might have to do double sessions at the weekend, I didn't. Like others on here, if I post it, I feel I have to do it. I still did Julian though (Jacksterbear - this is what my young DC believe she is called), still on L2 of killer. Rather enjoying it now, but I can't seem to keep track of the circuits. Are there three or four? Threesteps - I am also trying to use my 3kg weights where I can. I do finish it with a healthy sweat, which is good, and my 'buns' are actually aching right now.

Not yummy - good idea re the push ups, although I'm not sure I could do it! Bob H sounds a toughie!

Alligator - thanks for the Yoga Meltdown rec. No harm in having another JM under my belt.

CHST - I hope to just maintain one day soon, but I also like the mental challenge of having completed something, so I can see why Insanity and Chalean are attractive (? Doesn't sound right!) Hopefully there will always be something else fitness-wise just coming out to keep us all interested. I'm guessing though you don't keep still for too long between DVDs?

Well, MissT has a hot 'n' sweaty date with ShaunT tomorrow morn at 6! Yo! Wassup!

And goodnight!

missT, hope this morning's workout went well, and thanks for the Julian explanation!

gingercat I'm pleasingly achey too (biceps and buttocks!) after yesterday. And 3steps, loving your weights additions to KB.

Only just time for a quick 20 mins on the exercise bike (fast/slow intervals on medium resistance) before legging it into shower and racing for train to work (still slightly sweaty now... nice ).

notyummy did u have your MRI? Did it go ok?

Yes MissT - Shaun T at 6am sounds hardcore - hope it went ok!

MRI went fine thanks but I wont know what it shows for another week or so. For some reason my back has been really bad yesterday and today so I am being careful exercise wise - just 30 mins on the crosstrainer yesterday and some pilates. I am thinking of trying a slow jog today, although it is so grey and cold outside that I will have to run fast enough to keep warm!

Hi everyone, I did level 1 of S+S today for the first time and actually really enjoyed it! I don't why I was so surprised but I expected to hate every minute of it. Absolutely loved the kick-boxing part, visualised everyone who has p**d me over the last week - it was great!

I wasn't expecting all the philosophical stuff at the end though about making the most of yourself, etc...

Definitely need to get proper weights though - am still on the baked bean tins. What weight does everyone use for S+S?

Guitar- really depends on how much other stuff you have done. I had a mixture of 3 and 5kg for Shed and Shred, but I have been working out for a while and am a 5ft 10, 10 stone Amazonian! If you are newer or smaller then perhaps 1.5 kg or 2kg?

Guitargirl I could do with some (virtual) kickboxing, sounds real fun

Thanks, yes, I think I might order some 1.5kg ones to start with, I am 5 ft 4, have been doing 30 day shred for a while but again only with baked bean tins. Have just been watching level 2 S+S and even DP said he didn't think that was going to work with beans!

Afternoon all!

Guitargirl, if you can stretch to a set of weights I'd definitely go for a set that ranges from 1.5 kg to at least 2 kg. You'll surprise yourself at how quickly you'll want to move up and then they'll be ready and waiting for you!

I love S&S too! I have to admit I tune out a bit at the motivational blurb at the end, but I really love her comment which goes something like just being you as "everyone else is taken". S&S warm-up also seems a lot longer than her other DVDs, or is that just me lol?

MissT hope your early morning date with Sean was fun

Notyummy I really hope your MRI scan helps to identify the cause of the back troubles, poor you

Am dithering about whether to have a rest day or not today... Having said I would do 1 day on 1 day off I've done 3 days on the trot and wonder whether a rest today would be beneficial just in case... hmm...

Have a good day everyone

Hi everyone,
I had a couple of days of not shredding (rode DH's horse instead which believe me left me with aching biceps) but tonight did Shred L3 for the first time.
Phew.

Not ashamed to say I followed Anita for good portions of the session. It felt hard but I am looking forward to that wondrous day when suddenly it starts feeling a bit easier - as it did gradually with L2.

Positive moment of the day - DH commenting that my work trousers looked looser!

Ooh Ponks! I love that moment when you realise your clothes are getting looser. I am having such fun clearing out my old clothes! Begone, and don't darken my wardrobe again!

Hi all. Gosh notyummy, you ARE an Amazonian! If I may be so bold as to compare myself to Julian herself, then you would be Anita. She seems huge when Jillian walks over to her (sadly, I know Jillian and I are the same height).

Now Jacksterbear, when I saw that you wrote you only had 20mins this am, I immediately thought, why, that's enough time to fit in a bit of Shaun!
I did have a rude awakening with him this morning, but it was worth it.

Did you have a good rest today after all, threesteps?

Guitargirl - glad you liked S&S. I didn't really give it much of a go. I will return to it though as I usually end up liking all of her DVDs. Fom what I remember, I thought it too bitty, too much chopping and changing with weights and styles. Although I could do with kickboxing a few stresses away!

I am notyummy's height, but sadly not her abs or weight. But that is why I am here!

In BR Jillian's petite stature is even more pronounced. There are 3 of them who look tiny, and the others are just really tall. I never knew whether Jillian was small or Anita and Natalie tall.

Ponks Good luck with L3. It is real fun!

I think Jillian is quite short.

Just about to give NMTZ a go for the first time in ages. Back really bad today (pains in buttock and all the way down right leg...), so will be taking it easy with the weights and stopping if I think IU have done the wrong thing.....

I just Googled Jillian's height (not that I'm a weird stalker, or anything... ) and she's 1.57m tall - so 1cm taller than me! I had always assumed she was smaller as she looks so teeny compared to the others in her videos...

Well, I have finished 6W6P. It's been emotional. Still no 6-pack, but definitely more definition in my abs. For the next month or so I am moving on to KB&T and S&S - hooray! I'm looking forward to a new challenge. Guitargirl, we can compare notes on how we are getting on! (MissT and threesteps, since you're ahead of me on KB&T you can just keep all the upcoming nasty bits to yourselves )

Alligatorpie, thanks for the Yoga Meltdown recommendation - I did it after my run this morning and really enjoyed it. It's not one to get your heart rate up and the sweat dripping, but it was perfect for stretching out my stiff post-run muscles. And how hard are those chataranga push ups?! I had to go to my knees for those, and can't imagine being able to do the full version!

Well done on reaching L3 Ponks - you're nearly done now! I always love the rockstar jumps.

notyummy, hope NMTZ didn't make your back any worse, it sounds really nasty.

PeggyO Congratulations! It is such an achievement to complete 6W6P.

Careful notyummy and have fun!

This morning was Cardio 1 for me. At the end we do the strecth your thighs-thing, and Jillian uses Natalie as "If you need to, hold on to a piece of furniture", and at the end she just pushes Natalie over totally Miranda v Stevie-style I mean if Miranda was short and Stevie quite tall. It is all very good-natured, and there are a lot of jokes in these dvds.

Well done on the 6W6P completion Peggy. I am 177 cm so quite a bit talker than JM!

I did NMTZ and if there is one thing to say for Bob Harper and his Pure Strwngth workout, it is that it asked NMTZ seem really, really easy. It felt great in comparison. I couldn't do the windshield wiper things because if back but could do everything else. I dropped from5kg to 3 on the surrenders to be on the safe side as I think they put quite a strain on ur back.

Oh- if you hate those Chatyanga press up things steer clear of Ripped as there is a circuit with lots of them irrc. I can do full ones (though I find them bloody hard) but was helped by having to do then in Pilates before I encountered JM.

Even by my standards there are a lot of typos in that last post. Apologies and I hope you get the gist!

Thanks gingercat and notyummy!

I was intrigued by the Bob Harper workout so checked it out on Amazon - oh my word, there are a load of reviews by people who use JM DVDs as an 'easy' option saying how tough they found it! I might give it a go after I've done KB&T and S&S. How often are you supposed to do it notyummy?

He talks about doing it everyday and DH and were in agreement- 'F**k that.'

It is well over an hour inc warm up so I would not have the time. I think you would see real results if you did it 2/3 times a week with a couple if shorter cardio based things in between.

Afternoon all!

PeggyO, yay!!!! 6W6P, done! Off to pastures new now...

If you like rockstars, you will love L3 of Killer Buns S&S 1 also has sun salutation where you lower yourself in the chataranga(sp?) position, what larks! Have to say in the short time I was doing S&S my arm definition improved quite dramatically...I'm hoping swinging around weights with Killer will maintain them.

Notyummy glad to hear NMTZ went well. I really hope you get your back sorted soon - down the leg and bum, is that indicative of sciatica? (sorry if that's a stupid comment, but it did strike me when you mentioned the bum and legs as that's exactly what my stepmum has and she has sciatica...please feel free to ignore me if unhelpful!)

Anita looks like a giant in Killer, and not nearly so tall in Shred bizarrely!

I did rest yesterday so will be doing day 5 of L2 in a while. Decided I will go until Sunday on L2 then up to L3 next week.

Have a good rest of day everyone

Day 5 done!

Oooo that was good today, feel like I put everything into it and it showed in the colour of my face by the end! After chat of chataranga, I've modified the burpees into superman so that I go from plank to the floor with chataranga arms. Those, and attempting proper push ups, I'm sure have really improved my arms

I'm also still walking at serious speed with the dog! I had to buy an extending lead a few days ago as I just cannot keep up with him...he is bionic!

Also remembered by zaggora hot pants that my friend gave me a while ago (unworn!) - might start wearing them again. Has anyone used them? I've used them a couple of times but not really for long enough to notice any difference....

see you all tomorrow

Everyone seems to be getting on well here! (though ouch for anyone like notyummy who is suffering)

Another Shred L3 day and slightly more completed I think - more proper rock star jumps rather than hopeless shuffles! And maybe a couple more jumping lunges (oh my god I thought plank jacks were hard until I tried the jumping lunges ... they go on For Ever).
Today DH decided to join in rather than go for a run - think he is impressed by Anita's abs! Unfortunately his coordination isn't so good so I had to talk him through some of the moves when I desperately needed the breath myself!
Am hoping he doesn't want to make this a habit as I like my moments with Jillian & crew and prefer to be in my own little zone with them.