starting the 30 day shred

I've been a big lurker on myfitnesspal and I've decided that I want to post on the forums to get some motivation. I am on day 7 level 1 of the 30 day shred and I can already feel the workout getting easier. I've done this program before (2 years ago) with great results, but it's incredibly hard and with being a busy student I have to constantly remind myself that it's only 25 minutes out of my day with great results!

I wish I had taken a before picture (wasn't really in the mood to do that at the time) but I did take my measurements. Can't wait to see the difference from day 1 to day 30. On day 5, I measured myself and I had already lost 4.5 inches (crazy!) which is a lot considering I don't have that large of a weight loss goal (I weigh 145 and I want to be back to 125).

Anyway. Go everyone! Motivation, motivation, motivation!

Day TEN!!! level 1. Tomorrow I find out how bad level 2 really is... *eek*


For those trooping through level 1, here's my experience that may or may not help you through:

For starters, I want it to be clear that I am NOT trying to lose weight, but I am trying to tone up some fat & regain the muscle loss that I've allowed to occur throughout my mid-late twenties. That being said, I hope it makes many of you who *are* trying to lose weight feel better knowing that a tiny girl is royally getting her butt kicked by level 1. I'm pushing through it, but I'm definitely letting some expletives fly, and I don't have any extra weight holding me back. So yes, even level 1 is hard, so remember to pat yourself on the back for simply doing as much of it as you can to the best of your ability. Focus on what you got right that day & where you've gained a bit of endurance, rather than feeling like you failed because you had to stop at points, or couldn't fully do some moves. Each day you *will* find that you can do just slightly more than the day before, and no one said you had to do it gracefully or without some major curse words. In my opinion... curse words tell me I'm pushing myself & that I'm forcing my body through what my mind wants to talk me out of. Curse words are your friend.

That being said, I can tell you that days 1 & 2 were hard for me on the cardio, where I did give up a few times, but I flew through the rest of the routine thinking, "oh, this isn't so bad"... then came the mid days where I began to see my cardio improving, but my muscles were finally getting pushed & I realized that it was the arm lifts, pushups & situps that were really going to put me in my place. Day 7 I thought I was really showing that dvd who was boss, but day 8 kicked me right back and made me feel like a complete wimp, day 9 I was doing ok again (albeit the curse words, mind you), and today (day TEN!!!, yippee), I really took the time to focus on how far I'd come. & while it was still kicking my butt, I realized that unlike day 1, I was able to get through the whole routine, with semi-decent form, ALL the cardio & at a faster pace, and a few less curse words. Still no cake walk, but if level 1 was good for anything, it was really great at showing me that I am capable of pushing through more than I think I can, IF I don't allow myself to talk myself out of it.

Long story short: DO NOT talk yourself out of it. Do as much as you can each time, and don't give up simply because you can't get through some parts. If you need to, improvise another exercise in place of something you simply can't do, but do push yourself to do the best you can each day & do feel good simply because you stuck with it. It really does get easier, but remember that it isn't supposed to be a cake walk.

I keep reminding myself during each routine when I think, "this is too hard, I can't do this".... It's SUPPOSED to be hard, otherwise you'd be gaining nothing from it. & if it *really* helps, just keep reminding yourself that you are doing something today that at least one tiny girl is getting her a** kicked with.

Thanks pbair! I noticed above in the thread that you are going on to day 3. I can tell you that for me, day 5 is when I realized that whoa, I CAN do this and my body is making some big changes! You can do it!

I am on L1 D3 today It was very hard... Made me sweat alot.:noway: ..I really hate the jump rope and i can only do 6 push ups. But I love it so far...Can not wait to see the end result. :happy:

day 3 level 1 - did this before work
Rest day yesterday as I am doing 2 days on, one off as recommended by Ms Michaels. continued with tins of beans (400g weights) as arms/shoulders are protesting a little, today did some real push ups first time round plus easy option for the rest. Made all the cardio ok plus snapping from one exercise to the other much better than on day one.
Can't believe that only on day three I can already feel some progress. Have had frozen shoulder for past 3 weeks, v.painful but can already feel it easing off following this routine. Roll on day 4 tomorrow, hope I wake up in time

Level 2 day 3 (or is it 4?) this morning. Today was definitely better. I did have to modify the plank exercises - instead of hands on floor I do hands on a low coffee table. I can still *definitely* feel it but I'm able to do more than 2 moves before resting.

I had my non-food reward last night for finishing level 1: a 60 minute massage! It was amazing! I already booked my next massage for 3 weeks out, so I am going to keep doing level 2 until my next massage.

Keep at it! You're doing great!

Finished L3 D3 tonight, and I'm not going to lie to you all......it was rough this go around. I drug myself through it though!

Hi there, I wouldn't mind starting to do this 30 day shred but what do I have to do exactly?

Type in 30 day shred level 1 into youtube and a 30 min or so video should pop up.. thats level one if you wanted to have a look at what it involved.

level 1 day 4 today, should be rest day tomorrow, I may do the shred if I wake up in time in the morning, this was the worst one yet but it feels good for the rest of the day if I get it done before work

Day 1 of Level 2... I don't have the words to describe how much I hate it.

9 more days.

lol I was only able to do 5 min on my first day!

Even the warm-up is a bit harder but I def enjoy it more than level 2!

Even the warm-up is a bit harder but I def enjoy it more than level 2!

I really didn't enjoy level two as much. Looking forward to level three though! (I think!)

Just done day 5 of level 1.... feeling alot better doing it now! still curse during jumping jacks and jump rope but after ive finished im glad i got through it! 27 minutes has never gone so fast!!
I'm now having 2 days off from it, will try and jump on exercise bike at some point over weekend, but am dreading starting again on Monday! will use the heavier weights as got lightest ones to 'ease' in at moment!

It won't be all good hard work gone to waste will it? how many of you take more than 1 day off from it?

Day 1 of Level 2... I don't have the words to describe how much I hate it.

9 more days.

I'm so glad I am not the only one who feels this way. Today is a planned rest day for me, and I have never in my life been so relieved that I don't have to do something.

I'm struggling more with motivation for Level 2 because it is SO difficult for me. BUT, I am still committed to doing it. I just need someone to drag my big @$$ out of bed in the morning to do it.

I'm going to do the BL Cardio Max work out tonight. Your prayers are appreciated.