Ripped In 30 - July Challenge

Rest day today - thank goodness! Did W1 D4 yesterday and was so knackered I didn't make it to badminton in the evening :grumble: I'm finding this so intensive on the arms - I feel like the planks aren't really working anything else because I'm working so hard on just holding myself up! 3 more days of W2 (decided I'm going to have to pace myself or I'll collapse!) - or maybe 4 as the day i'm meant to start W3 I'll have juust stayed over at a friend's and will most likely be hungover :ohwell:

Also decided to cut down on my carbs as although my muscle is toning quite happily, the fat is stubborn stubborn stubborn, and I know that feeds off my carbs (I love carbs - this is going to be hard for me!) Trying to up the protein and not forget those essential fats, plus lots of non-starchy veg. I hate dieting, much rather eat what I want and burn it off, but I know full well it works best when you combine the two. This allows me to go to al my bbqs and eat as many burgers as I like... but no buns ;o)

Hello to those who've just joined us - welcome We're a very relaxed group, just sharing experiences and encouragement, so the more the merrier!

I measured myself before I ripped this morning (W2D6 done) and have lost another half an inch round my waist, but that's it (so I'm not going to post all my stats again). I've found it so hard to get to grips with the abs workout in W2, I feel like I haven't really worked them that much (I actually paused it today once I finally got it co-ordinated so I could actually get a decent number of reps done, still feel all akimbo tho and not sure my abs got that much out of it). I also feel like I'm managing W2 ok after 6 days, which I didn't with W1, maybe the types of exercise are just easier for where I already had muscles (legs mostly - jump rope and the side lunges with leg raise I have to work hard to feel like I'm really pushing myself). Quite tempted to go back and do a couple of days of W1 again to see if I can manage it now.

Thanks for the tip about using the weights to prop ourselves up for the table, last two days I've actually managed to do that one properly! And I may not have lost much size, but I can almost(ish) get through the plank cardio just dropping to my knees in between each set of reps, so my strength and endurance is definitely improving :happy: Same with the spiderman pushups, first set all the way through, second set only need one rest now *l* I feel like such a wuss!

nh2576 - I have no kids to destroy my workout area, just a hubby! Every day when I get up to work out I have to pick up his gaming controllers and wires (not having much space means it has to be as clear as possible for me to have the room to do it all) - he comes to bed after me so it's not like I can ask him then and there, and his response if I ask him to clear it off the floor is that he just needs to put it back when I'm done anyway *sigh* Anyway.

I'm wondering if there's any way I can work my arm muscles during the day to try and make them stronger without having to spend any extra time on it - any suggestions? I walk to and from work, but I sit at a desk all day and I get tennis elbow if I don't rest my arms on the desk while typing so I normally try and keep them static. Maybe once an hour I should pop to the ladies and do 5 push ups *l*

THEN, I'm going to do W2D1 - FINALLY! In the meantime, DH and I did 3 miles again tonight...lame, but better than nothing. I'm so glad he's getting active!

Really cool than you're exercising together, even if it's only gently! It'll also help him to support you when you need it most because he'll be understanding of how you're feeling, and hopefully kickstart him into getting into more activity - way to go! :drinker: I wish I could get my hubby to go walking with me - any tips on how I can get him away from running round a CG wasteland killing mutants and into walking round a south london suburb?