Just done day one of 30 day shred

[neonrose]

I fucking hate it!

Anyone else shredding?

I'm going on a walking holiday in the summer - 15 miles a day for 10 days over some decent hills, so I really need to get fit(ter at least! And lose weight.). I'm now wondering why I ever thought it was a good idea, I'm much more suited to holidays that involve leisurely meals, gentle strolling and ice-cream!

Ive had the DVD for years but only ever done maximum 5 days at a time. I've never even got out of the first section.

I'm only working a couple of days this week and next week so I'm determined to do it at least 5 times a week for the next few weeks. Even though I fucking hate it! I really hope it will be getting a bit easier after a couple of weeks. Please someone tell me that I will notice a difference in my ability/stamina in that time?

I suffer a bit with shin splints/pain, it's one of the reasons I've stopped in the past. It's particularly the butt kicks, and to a lesser degree the jump rope exercises that I can feel triggering it; so I find myself holding back a bit on these. Maybe I'll just have to do more jumping jacks instead - they don't seem as bad. I don't want to get really sore because that will stop me getting the miles in with the walk training. I'm hoping losing weight will help.

Day 9 - OMG when is it going to get easier ? I felt as if I dragged my self through it tonight !

Can I join the 'party'?

Just did Day 1. In fact, the first ever workout DVD I've done.

I did it over an hour ago and can still barely use my legs

No swimming for me tonight, the roads are muuuuuch too slippy. So I made myself do a shred instead. I moved onto level 2... Its definitely harder! I love the twisting planks though.

Hi unusual, well done on getting started!

Thank you beela!

I have woken up very sore

Keep going, it will get better

Well done ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual I agree with beela it will get better!

That said, I've just done Day 9 (level 2) but it was a bit of a half-arsed effort really. I just don't feel 100% well today so I struggled. Never mind, tomorrow will be better!

I need to get back into this as well. I've got the DVD but my player is broken. Is it on YouTube or something I can download on my iPad?

If so, I'm joining you all #help

Just done Day 2. Easier than I thought given that my legs are barely working . I'm hobbling around even worse now though. Damn those squats!

I love this DVD need to start doing it again. I would be cursing at her but I loved it. I've gotten so lazy and fat. I use to do it 5 days a week and after a few weeks I noticed a change in my fitness and my shape. I did it for my wedding 4 yrs ago now and did keep it up for awhile after but life got in the way and I'm lazy 😂 I lost a stone doing it and from eating healthy. Me thinks I will have to start again cuz once I do it I love it. Level 2 was my favourite. Wish you luck with it!

I’m starting level 2 today. Strange because when I was unfit I used to fin these 20 minutes like torture, now I use them as a ‘rest day’ from running! I don’t recognise myself!!

I have only done a couple of these sessions but I so already feeling my muscles in places that aren’t from running. My poochy stomach is almost gone!

The new average that's amazing! It's my poochy stomach that I am doing this for primarily. My last baby was 10lb and let's just say he left his mark

How long do you all stay at a level for before moving up?

It’snice i don’t know if it’s a posture thing as well? I was very ‘slouchy’ before! I have been running too, and sugar free, but it’s definitely made a huge difference overall.

Just did level 2 for the first time! She’s a cruel mistress isn’t she?!

Loved the planks exercises and I can definitely feel muscular ‘usage’ for want of a better word! I think I’m doing planks wrong though, I can’t get that really straight back. My only concern is that I’ll injure myself if I do them wrong?

Congrats!

I've never done a plank in my life so can't help there I'm afraid 😬

Just did Day 3. Definitely easier. I even managed to do a push up (modified version, naturally 😂)

Just done day 2 of level 2. Omg, chair squats and v raises nearly finished me off!

Beela yep the squats are tough aren’t they?

I did Day 10 yesterday. Level 2 is definitely harder but I mostly enjoy it. It's just the plank position I'm struggling a bit with, I have pathetic wrists (injured in a car accident a few years ago and I'm really noticing it now I'm trying to exercise) and I'm also unsure if my form is right. I'm going to try just practising the plank position a bit when not doing the dvd I think.

Not today however, after Shredding yesterday I decided I'd try some yoga (also a struggle due to the wrists, but I thought it might help me to strengthen them) and I don't know how because I didn't really even notice it happen, but I've pulled my neck (previously injured in the same car accident as wrists!), it was just sore all of a sudden. I spent all yesterday evening with a hot water bottle on it, it feels slightly better today but still sore, so having a rest day.

Overall feeling a bit annoyed at my useless body today!

I agree re. the chair squats beela, I didn't feel my hamstring muscles at all during level one but they are sore after level 2, I think it must be these.

I really like the cardio bit with the oblique twists and the skater things. Makes me realise I'm definitely getting fitter as well, I never could have done that for 2 minutes on day 1.

First off - well done for getting started and for working at it so hard.

Here comes the “but”. I’ve had a look at the shred exercises and think I know why they hurt so much - it’s all to do with the type of muscle contraction. You’re not being asked to work harder than any other workout, but it seems to be designed to cause a bit of muscle soreness. There is a lot of high impact stuff which also might hurt more. It frustrates me a bit, because this is the best known video and i hear so many people - who are working their arses off - in so much pain.

There are other videos out there that get you exercising but don’t cause so much pain. My go to is Jessica Smith - I have a soft spot for her as her videos got me on the path to fitness when I was struggling like mad.

Please feel free to ignore me. I just hate seeing people put so much work in and not enjoy the post-exercise results. And the people that love it, just don’t listen to me at all, you’re doing brilliantly.

neon perhaps you could try doing some of the plank exercises on your elbows if it's hurting your wrists. It wouldn't work for all of them but maybe e.g. the twisting planks?

It's not so much the squats, more the V raises that are killing me. I must have very weak shoulders

kiki it's interesting what you say about the muscle soreness. Personally I think it's more about what your body is used to. Whenever I start shred from level 1, I feel it the next day. But after a few days of doing it, it's fine. I've not heard of Jessica Smith, I'll look her up. I like the Joe Wicks workouts. I guess different things suit different people

beela you’re right that it’s a lot to do with what you’re used to, but if you want to dig a bit deeper have a look at DOMS and the difference between eccentric and concentric muscle contractions. I honesty think there are more gentle ways to get started and to carry on - I see so many people do a few days and stop because of pain and there are other options.

I’m going to have a look at Joe Wicks now you’ve mentioned him, have heard his name but really want to see what he does.

I'd be interested to hear what you think kiki.

I was thinking some more about this and I also think that she rushes the cool down and doesn't hold the stretches for long enough, which is not going to help with the DOMS either.

beela I’ve had a very quick look. He seems like a nice chap. The videos don’t seem to suffer from over-production and I like that he uses body weight, which is a good place to start. I saw one where he was just about to start swinging a kettle bell, then he said, “Warm up,” and I thought that might throw someone brand new to exercise.

I think you’ve nailed it too - new starters need to build confidence and I know that people have got to start somewhere but, for me, it’s a bit too much for a first session.

Have you had a look at Jessica?

Day 11 done 😃

I was feeling a bit despondent beforehand, and that I couldn't do it. But I worked really hard today, I will admit I did bicycle crunches instead of the plank exercises at the end but other than that I did I followed it all.

I tried a plank on my elbows beela, could feel that way more in my abdominal muscles! Will just keep working at it. I think a GP visit may be in order re the wrists, I've ignored it really for a few years - my non-dominant one is worst, but maybe could do with some physio or something.

I had a quick look at Jessica Smith kiki, I notice she has a short video for wrists actually!

I am going to finish 30 day Shred, just because I feel it's as important mentally as physically for me to see it through, but after that I will mix it up a bit with some others from YouTube.

I'm with beela in that, even in my very unfit state, I only ached for a couple of days at the beginning of level 1. For level 2 my hamstring muscles (which have never ached before in my life and I can't even figure out which exercise is doing it) have been a bit sore - but not extreme, so that doesn't put me off. I also agree that I don't think the cool down stretches are long enough and I add some of my own in. You're right that a lot of it is quite high impact though, there is a bit of a history of knee issues on one side of my family so I'm cautious of that.

kiki yes briefly. I see what you mean about a gentler way of going about things! The exercises I saw would certainly make a difference though.

Like neon I am also going to complete 30 day shred, but I will look forward to trying out some of the jessica smith routines after that. Thanks for the recommendation