Starting 30 Day Shred 5/29/11 who's in?

I did L2D2 yesterday! My only complaint is that my diastasis rectii doesn't love the plank moves, and I still have to modify all the crunches, but I'm digging L2 overall.

L2D3 today. I'm planning on doing another workout after, but I'm going to see how I feel to decide what. If I'm feeling drained, I'll just do something low impact and steady for the cardio. If I'm feeling motivated, I'll do something more challenging -- day before yesterday I followed up with L1, and that was quite the challenge!

I'm feeling great, loving the Shred, and while I haven't actually dropped a size, my jeans are definitely fitting differently. Woo hoo!

I just finished Level 2, Day 2 today. I wanted to wimp out, but I made myself start and once I did, I always tell myself it's only 25 minutes. So I'm glad to have worked out today!

I was wondering where everyone is also

I've been having kind of a down couple of days (mostly likely due to TOM!!) where I feel discouraged and fat. I've made so many positive changes to my health, which I am really proud of, but I wish they reflected more on the scale. I joined MFP 80 days ago, and I've lost between 8 and 9 pounds.

Awesome!! I've noticed that the days I really just don't want to work out at all, I feel SO MUCH BETTER if I do it anyway. The fact that it's like 20 minutes helps a lot.

Honestly, I gave myself two days off for TOM... the day before and the first day I was just exhausted and miserable. I don't want to sabotage anyone who really wants to push through on those days, or who doesn't want that excuse to not push through, but also, sometimes you need a day or two off and you can't beat yourself up for it. Just have to hit it again right away!

I know it's not the fastest weight loss in the world, but 8-9 lbs in 80 days breaks down to about a pound every 10 days. That's not bad at all! That sounds like a pretty healthy, steady, sustainable weight loss. If you feel like you've plateaued or that there are still things you can change to improve your health, then you should look into making changes, but even so, you're doing great!!! Especially if you've gained muscle, which tends to keep the scale from showing big changes sometimes.

Colleen ~ thanks for the encouragement!

believeinmagic ~ Level 2 is not so bad. If you can handle level 1, you'll be fine. I got a little bit sore in my trapezius (?) muscles -- whatever is between your shoulder blades -- because she puts a lot of emphasis on the upper back muscles in this level. But thanks to all the squats and lunges from Level 1, my thighs were able to take it on Level 2.

Finished day 1 on level 2. I like that its different :-) I am finding the changing after 10 days is keeping the routine fresh

I just finished Level 2, Day 4 and it actually went well getting it finished at 7:30 a.m.! Of course I had to get up earlier than that just to be awake and moving enough to work out.

Level 2 Day 1 DONE! There are so many more shoulder exercises in this one. I'm going to have to watch myself on it. I was sucking wind thanks to this cold but I did it .

Had a couple of victories over the weekend. I pulled out summer clothes and a bunch that didn't fit me last year fit now And the scale this mornng was down 2.2lbs from last week. I'm psyched

Great job with the clothes and scale! Hope you feel 100% soon.

OMG, I can't believe that today will be L2D6! That's so exciting to me!

I'm noticing that my diastasis is MUCH better, and I've started attempting some of the core work she does (instead of my modified ab work) -- I am beyond ecstatic by the changes in my belly. My core is so improved. I also have been able to complete the military presses the past two days without having my husband spot me - a big change from a few days ago. (It helped that I figured out not to shrug, since that puts the stress on the neck muscles, instead of the delts.)

Overall, I'm still finding the workout really challenging, but I feel stronger and more able to keep up. Each time, I feel like I can make it a little farther in each circuit before I feel like I can't go on! I'm needing fewer breathers each time.

I've noticed that my best-fitting jeans are starting to sag on me, and I've lost a couple inches around my belly! Definitely tighter. Woo hoo!

Not all that bad... except for the plank jacks. LOL Those are the devil.

Not all that bad... except for the plank jacks. LOL Those are the devil.

I must admit I wimp out on the plank jacks and do the easier option. By the time we get there my shoulders are screaming from the planks and I have to modify them. I keep moving as hard as I can to keep my heart rate up though.

Nice job ladies! I gave up after Level 2 Day 2. I didn't quit working out completely; I've been doing other types of circuit training(thanks to ExerciseTV). They aren't as intense as Jillian Michaels but they keep me from feeling like a failure! Something about those jumping jacks just kills my knees...and my upper body needs more strength training to even do the plank stuff. I'm proud of all of you who stuck with it. I look forward to your results!

I felt SO GOOD after my workout today! It was funny, once I got started I started to feel a bit discouraged, like "Isn't this supposed to get easier? Why is it still so stinking hard????" but then I realized bit by bit that I was going further, taking MUCH fewer rests, and just in general doing better. By the end I felt like I rocked!! Still struggling, of course, but just being able to see that there have been improvements in how I can keep up and how much I can do was really rewarding. It's the little things... LOL

GMGirl, I'm so sorry you're feeling down about the PopTarts -- how did it balance out with the rest of what you ate? Did you end up way over? Hit it hard tomorrow, and just remind yourself that your body doesn't just take one bad day and everything is ruined. Everything is in a bigger picture, so just make sure that tomorrow is full of clean eating, lots of good stuff, and your body will figure it out. :-)

Level 2 Day 3 done today. I swear I'm sucking wind through half of this and my heart rate stays up for a good 15 minutes after it. I'm glad to have it done though:)

Level 2 Day 4 done. It's getting easier knowing that I'm actually making progress.

Completed L2D6 this morning. I felt victories because I barely modified ANYTHING. The strength training set that I'm have the hardest time with is the seat squat with a V lift. I cannot stay seated the whole time and I CANNOT do those V lifts with 3lb weights!!! Any advice.

Keep up the good work ladies, can't wait to see everyone's results!

Finished Level 2, Day 9 today! I am going on vacation for a week but bringing the DVD, the mat and my weights with me.