30DS payback policy

I started MFP five weeks ago, and knew after the first week that I needed to incorporate some exercise into my daily routine. However, being at home with two kids under 2, I knew that this would be no easy feat, coupled with the fact that I have a very short interest span. So after a few weeks I was likely to get bored of my exercise routine and give up, as I have done so many times in the past.

Having read numerous inspirational posts about the 30 Day Shred, I decided to try it and I was resolute that I would complete the 30 days and post a thread about my experience (whether it was , good, bad or just plain ugly) hence, my payback policy. I must say the idea of reporting my success or failure to everyone did play a significant part in keeping me motivated, especially on the days where I was tired from being up all night with the baby and pressure of daily life.

I am 5ft 7 and 3/4 (does anyone know whether I should base my measurements on the height of 5ft 8 or stick to 5ft7?), and I started 30 DS at 259 lbs. I was initially worried that I would be too heavy to put too much pressure on my joints, but I started with the modified version, progressing to the advanced when my fitness built up. I must say that after about Day 5 on Level 1 Jillian makes a comment that you will start noticing your fitness increase - I didn't! Just put it this way- at times it wasn't just my fat crying. Only when I reached the middle of level 2 did I really feel like WOW I really am getting fitter. So perseverance does pay off. Nevertheless, I consistently lost weight and inches.

Many people make comments that this programme is hard on your knees, and I found that to be true. During level 1, my right knee was agitated and I was almost hobbling, so I stopped doing the jump rope exercise and jogged on the spot instead. Through the other levels I did a different exercise for double jump rope and rock star jumps and found that I didn't have any more knee issues. I also focused a lot on form making that my priority even over the number of reps done.

The final point to note, after a while 20 mins did not seem like enough exercise to me, coupled with the fact that I wanted to condition my body to do 1 hour of exercise I started to do the levels back to back, so after completing 10 days of level 1, I then did 10 days on level 1 followed by level 2, and the final 10 days of level 1, 2 then 3. I must admit that this did not always go to plan especially the last few day of the programme but I always completed the level that I was supposed to be on. I also did have two complete rest days- which I really believe I needed.

All in all, I lost a total of 13.5 inches and 13 pounds.

SW: 259
CW: 246

Neck - 15" - 14.5" (-0.5)
Arms- 17"- 16.5" (- 0.5 each)
Waist round belly button 43"- 39" (- 4)
Hips 54" -51 (-3)
Thighs -34"- 32" (- 2 each)
Calf -20.5- 20 (-0.5 each).

Having completed this I have decided to do an exercise video for a month and then change it. My next video will be Nell Macandrews Cardio one before I move on to Jillian Michaels ripped in 30 in May.

All that I would say to anyone starting this or hesitant to start. Don't wait until the beginning of a new month, start it today (it's also nice to feel as though the end will come sooner) and to persevere. I started by doing all the modified versions and ended up being able to do many of the advanced ones- though not all- and using light hand weights (0.5 kg throughout). My biggest achievement to date, however, is: I can now do girly pushups and few proper ones!

Being able to write this today ( also as my first community success post) makes me one very happy mummy