Shreddin' Eleven, Week One

Just finished day 1 of level 1 and WOW what a work out! I have never had my butt kicked like that. Jillian strikes the right balance between motivation and sympathy- she's awesome!
During the workout, though, I realized how much I wanted to lose weight and how much I had let myself go- leading to an emotional moment in the middle of it. But I loved it! Why? Because it showed me I'm changing on the inside AND on the outside!

Just one question- how do you calculate the calories you burn? I'm not sure what to file it under on my exercise entry...

Welcome, and congrats on finishing Day 1! I've been logging my calorie burn under 'circuit training - general'. I don't have an HRM, but after some research on it, this seems to be what a lot of others log it under as well. It seems to be pretty close. I have noticed such a mental/emotional change in myself too, right along with the physical changes. It's just amazing!! Congrats on your emotional moment!

BTW this is an awesome thread, so much motivation and energy and positivity from everyone. All of a sudden D3L1 tomorrow isn't looking as bad

Thank you, and welcome to the group!! Nobody's ever too late to jump on in here. I hope to keep this thread (well, a new Shreddin' Eleven thread each week) going for as long as possible... see if we get more people to join us along the way, no matter where we start or end up -- it's just a matter of keeping with it, seeing it all the way through and supporting one another along the way!

Leela -- thank you for helping me welcome everybody!! You rock! :-D

Hey Everyone! Just finished day 5! Halfway to level 2! The soreness is starting to ease up a little bit, and did todays entire workout without any pauses. Unfortunately, my pushups have a long way to go! I can't believe how weak I am in that area!

I've been logging 200 calories for my workouts and using 20 minutes. I don't have an HRM and didn't want to OVER estimate.

When is everyone weighing in? I "weigh in" in a lot because I sort of have an addiction to the scale, but am thinking my official weigh in days are going to change to Fridays. Just wondering...I can report progress whenever every one else is planning to. I took before pics and measurements so hopefully I will have some progress to report at the end of the month.

Going on a tropical vacation next month so will wait until after the 30 days to pick up a bathing suit!

Day 5!!! Me too!! Looking forward to Day 6 in the morning, and definitely looking forward to a change in the routine on Tuesday, when it's time for Level 2! I've noticed I'm not nearly as sore as I was two days ago. Great job on the no pauses today, that's awesome!! I too am pretty weak in the pushup area too. Still doing the modified ones.

I have generally been weighing in on Thursdays for MFP and the Pound for Pound Challenge purposes -- I may well stick with that and just include my weekly weigh in as part of my Thursday post around here. I'd say weekly weigh ins would work for most -- those of you who weigh in less often, that would be perfectly fine too! Each of us can pick our own weigh in day, since most of us seem to have a day set already, that would be absolutely fine! I can't wait to see everyone's before/after photos!!! :-D

Oooooh, a tropical vacation -- enjoy!! That sounds just wonderful!!

Day 6 Level 1 complete this morning. I'm to the point where I'm no longer sore, yet I can tell this workout is still making a difference. To be honest, I'm really ready to see what Level 2 has to offer. But, I'm sticking with 10 days on Level 1 first. I truly believe this workout has done wonders for my running, too (well, that and the new pair of running shoes! lol). On Tuesday, I almost bailed on my 30 minute treadmill run within the first five minutes, but then I remembered Jillian, during the Level 1 workout, saying that we're stronger and more capable than we are given/give ourselves credit for. I knew then I had to push through and I finished my 30 minutes, feeling GREAT about it! The cross training that the Shred has given me is proving invaluable to the running routine. I'll be SO ready for my half marathon by September, for sure!

This will officially be my first weigh in for this thread as well, since my usual weigh in is on Thursdays anyway. I only just yesterday updated my MFP weight ticker to reflect my holiday gain. I was at 168.4 last Thursday, and today's weight is 168.9. Yep, another half pound gain. But, I cannot and will not let this get me down. I've been working HARD this week... so, I'm putting this slight gain down to strengthening muscles, plus (sorry guy...) TOM is due to arrive any day now, plus my sodium was a little on the high side yesterday. I'm certain the weight will start dropping again in the very near future, which is why I'm not going to fret over this small gain.

I got a tape measure today (thanks to my mom!), so I will be doing measurements this evening, to have another comparison at the end of the Shred... I'm excited about seeing everyone's before/after photos!

Keep Shreddin' everyone... you're all doing GREAT!!

I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning for the first official time since starting the shred, but am not expecting much since it's that TOM. Will just make next weeks weigh in even better hopefully!

Would anyone be up for a challenge within the challenge?! Here's what I am thinking. We could do a daily challenge within the challenge group...for instance...today I did hip bridges in conjuction with the butterfly presses (so as I brought the weights up, I did a hip bridge...where you squeeze your butt, hold your abs tight, and lift your butt/hips off the ground). Chandra, what do you think? Just for a little extra fun! It doesn't necessarily have to be things like that either...we could have a pushups challenge (how many can you do in the time given) or it could even be related to water intake or food or whatever!

Also, for those that are not on my friends list (feel free to friend me by the way)...I made a "salsa" today with rinsed black beans, corn, avocado, tomato, onion, and a hint of fat free italian dressing that is delicious and pretty healthy! I ate mine with a few flatbread whole wheat crackers and it hit the spot!

That's what I'm hoping about next weeks weigh in too! TOM should be here any day now for me, too.

I like your challenge within a challenge idea... I'm hoping to keep this weekly thread going throughout the year, people can join in whenever throughout the year that way. And, a daily challenge sounds like a great way to keep the motivation and support going even further. Since it sounds like you've got a plethora of ideas for daily challenges, I wonder if you'd mind helping me handle this aspect of the group? I'm thinking you could send me an email with a few ideas for the upcoming week, or we can brainstorm some together... decide together which ones to do on each day of the week... and then either you or I can post each day's challenge -- perhaps the day before so everyone knows what the next day's challenge will be... again, great idea, and we'll work with it for sure. Thank you! :-D

Your salsa sounds great!! I LOVE avocados!!

D5/L1 complete! Just me this time. Daughter needed a night off. I'm trying to use heavier weights on the exercises I feel able to. Pushups are getting easier. Oh, and I did actual butt kicks for the first time tonight! Still can't balance on the lunges to save my life.

Well done!! I'm going to start using 5lb weights tomorrow, to replace the 3lb ones I've been using so far. Just for that little extra challenge before I jump into Level 2. Not sure how you feel about yoga, but in practicing it myself for a while now, I've found that my balance has improved a LOT (still not perfect, but.. much better). I'm still doing the modified pushups myself, but they are getting easier for me as well. Great job on keeping up on this!!

Still battling the sore throat. Little sleep last night but still ended up getting my workout in and even managed a nap. Did some more kickboxing and yoga, now it's off to take some more medicine and then get some rest so this goes away quickly whatever it is.

Way to go on sticking with your workout routine even with that throat still bothering you!! I hope you've been able to catch up on your rest and your throat begins to feel better very SOON!