I need some running and/or JM30 Shred Success Stories!

I don't have any pictures and am still a work in progress, but I've been doing JM dvd's for a few years now and LOVE them and have definitely seen results with it, but I wanted to encourage you that true motivation comes from within. Sure, we can get a quick motivation from reading others stories and looking at their pictures, which I also do often, but for lasting motivation you have to look within yourself. Seriously consider sitting down for 10 minutes and writing out your goals. CLEARLY define your goals. Then write down down WHY you want to achieve those goals. What will you benefit from losing, say 20 pounds for instance? Remember to be specific in all of this. Then when you need that boost of motivation, or even in the middle of the workout, remind yourself WHY you're doing what you're doing. You have to create an emotional connection with your goal. If you do that then you can endure the HOW of getting to that goal a little easier. Seriously, that was a life changing thing for me. I always gave up on my goals until I got this revelation.

You CAN achieve your goals and I believe in you!

I've posted these before but I've always alternated 30DS with running. In fact I've never finished 30DS in less than 45 days! I'm going through it a second time now and Level 2 is definitely the hardest. You just have to push through and not give up (Jillian actually says that many times on the DVD).

I will say though, that before you head out running or any of that stuff make sure you nail your calories....my diary is open and "most" of the time I stay at or near my allotted cals for the day. There's a saying "abs are made in the kitchen" and it's definitely true. If you don't hit your cals you'll eat through your efforts when it comes to running or 30DS. You'll be running 2-3 miles 3x a week and doing 30DS and go, "I don't see any results, why?"...it's because of your diary. So make sure you get that right first.

I don't have anything to offer on the Jillian side, but here's my running story:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/971842-it-was-an-accident-pics

Hey!

I did JM 30 Day Shred then RI30 and completed C25K consecutively. Loved it all

Here is the link to the thread I posted my 30 Day Shred results, pictures and measurements:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/973809-30-day-shred-results-and-my-story-so-far-with-pics

I'm now 75lbs down, here is my profile pic in a bigger size my 'before and current' so to speak!



Best of luck with it all

I have not done 30DS, although I do own it (hey, at least I've taken the wrapper off! :ohwell: )...

When I first started last year, I would walk on my treadmill. At first, just 10 to 15 minutes walking was a challenge. I did my first 5K in May of last year--took me an hour.

Just this past Saturday, I ran my 6th 5K, and have essentially taken 22 minutes off that hour. I'm definitely still a work in progress... I didn't do any sort of running program, although I have friends on my FL who have done C25K with great success. Me, that's much too disciplined apparently. I just run until I can't any more, walk a little, and then run some more. I have progressed to doing 10K's on the treadmill, but have not yet done this distance in a road race.

I would highly suggest a good running shoe--do not skimp on this as it will save your ankles, shins, knees and hips. I learned this the hard way. Replace every 6 months. I know, its annoying and can be expensive. But an injury is more so.

One day I will post pictures, but first I have to get to goal! I have some progress pictures, but not ready to post them yet.

The majority of my weight loss is from an improved diet (and calorie deficit) and running. I used to hate running, because of PE teachers always telling me that I should be able to run faster since I have long legs. Years later, after PE was out of my life, I met my now fiance who loves to run. Last year in January when I finally decided I needed to lose weight (after hitting 210 - my highest weight ever), I also decided to try running again. I used to swim in high school and I was a long distance swimmer (500m races!), so I thought to myself, "maybe I'm a long distance runner too?" So I started the C25K program, and in March 2013 I ran my first race. I came in 4th for women, 5th overall out of 50 other racers with a time of 32 minutes... WHAT?! I felt so accomplished! Here's the progress I made with running.

Left: January 2013 (210lbs.)
Right: September 2013 (170lbs.)



I need to take new progress pictures, as I started to do strength training 2- 3 times a week starting back in January 2014, and am now trying the C210K program. So far I love it.

Just be careful when you start running. Don't do too much to fast and get the right shoes (go to a running store to have your gait analyzed.) I tried to run at a 10 minute mile pace when I first started, and everyday, and got REALLY BAD shin splints. They can be incredibly painful and if you do get them, you pretty much have to stop running until they go away.

These posts are just the motivation I need to get back on track. I was almost running 6 miles and then the winter came and family issues and bam, 10 lbs. back on and I feel like my endurance is gone. I signed up for a virtual 10k next month and know that I won't be able to run the whole distance, I hope I can at least run the first half. Hearing these wonderful success stories are great! Congrats to all of you. I hope to post that by the end of spring that I'm down the 10 lbs I gained over this awful winter, back to running 6 miles and working towards losing the last 10 lbs for good!

I lost 4 pounds in the first level of 30DS. I didn't notice a huge drop in measurements, the biggest were 1/2" from both my waist and chest.

I've been doing the shred 5 days a week, walking every night for 30-40 mins and various activities on the weekends, hiking, snowshoeing and this weekend will be skiing.

I definitely feel the workouts getting easier and have been able to complete more reps of each exercise since the start. That is the biggest measure of success for me.