30-day shred | The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans

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Posted by april on May 22, 2009

Hey all of you Shredders!!  (or Shred the Second-ers!  Whatever you choose to call yourself!)  How goes the shredding?  You still better be shredding!  If you’ve had a rough day or missed a day, don’t get down!  Just get back to it. Now.

So, I did my first day of Level 2 today.  I missed a day last week, so I did an extra day of Level 1.  Just for kicks.  This is around the point in the Shred where I got a nice respiratory infection in Round 1 and was ordered not to exercise.  So, since I didn’t get the full effect of Level 2 here are my thoughts about it:

By now, I am not a fan of Natalie or Anita.  No one smiles that much while they are working out.  (You don’t, do you?!)  I love all of the plyometric (jump-training) moves that Jillian uses for cardio.  They are so good for you!  I still struggle with my knees so for a lot of the strength moves, I follow Anita.  But I am using 8 lbs weights!  That’s something, right?  Now, with the shoulder presses with a kick thingy, there are a couple of things going on here.  First, I really have balance issues, so I vaguely resemble a weeble while concentrating on my balance.  And my shoulders just shake when I’m doing the presses.  I heard on one of my other work out DVDs that feeling your muscles shake during strength training is a good thing!  It means you’re building new muscle fibers!  Oh, and I love, love, LOVE the walk out push-ups!  I could do those all day.  Then, we have the ab work.  Suck.  I hate them.  But I know they’re needed, so I do them.

During Level 1, I was a lot more sore than Shred, Round 1, I know this is because I’m using heavier weights.  Now, the soreness has leveled off some, so I’m curious to see how sore I’ll be tomorrow!  Also, I’m starting to see a little definition in my arms, and I LOVE that.  (At least I think I’m starting to see definition!)  So, as much as this work out sucks on some days, I do love it.

Now, how are you doing?  I want to know!!  Are you a Shredding newbie and interested in sharing your thoughts with a guest posting?  We’d really love to hear what YOU think of Level 2!!  Or are you a Shred the Second-er and want every one to know how much you hate love this work out?  Just give me a shout at [email protected]!

Keep shredding!

Posted by april on May 19, 2009

Hey Shred the Second-ers!  How’s it going?  Are you still Shredding?  Have you fallen off the Shred wagon?  You know it’s okay if you have, just get back on the wagon!

Brooke is one of our Shredding newbies, and today, she’s going to let us know what she thinks about The Shred!

Hi, I’m Brooke – a 28 year old newlywed. I’ve been playing at fitness since I was a little girl. My mom still has my “Get in shape girl” hand weights in the toy box downstairs. Growing up I was skinny, I just didn’t realize what I really looked like. Looking at the pictures, you’d question if my parents ever fed me.

I met my love on October 13, 2006 (it was a Friday – so Friday the 13th is now our lucky day). When we got engaged, I vowed to not be like those crazy girls (like my sister) who go crazy losing weight to be skinny on their wedding days. He fell in love with me the way I am, and that’s who he wanted to marry.

We were married on November 8, 2008. By January, I decided to get my act together. I started taking weight training classes twice a week and watching my caloric intake. In March, a friend asked if I wanted to run a 5K with her and we started the Couch to 5K program.

I’m to the point in my running/working out that I’m getting a bit addicted to it, so I was curious if the 30 Day shred would kick my butt. I was also unsure of where to start. I use 8-10 pound weights in my weight training class for biceps, but only 5 pound weights for shoulders.

Since I was uncertain, I didn’t want to go out and buy weights before I knew exactly what I needed. The first night, I consider more of an “active preview” because I used two large spaghetti o’s cans as weights – 1 lb 10 oz each.

The next night, my husband and I filled up two 32 oz PowerAde bottles with chat (heavy sand) that he had in the garage to weigh down his basketball goal. I took them to work and they weighed 3 lbs each. I wanted to challenge myself a little more (remember 5 pound weights are as light as I use in my 45 minute weights class) so Mr. Right filled them with water.

I’m on day 7 of level 1 and the presses at the very first as well as the anterior lifts are killer, but the chest flies and bicep curls feel too easy. I love the ab work. I was blessed with good genes and I can see results from very little work in that area of my body. I’m already getting two lines down the side of my stomach!!

Although I’ve been running and doing a million squats/lunges in my weights class – the side lunges that we do along with the anterior lifts have found a new part of my inner thighs. At the end of each workout they are screaming in delight! How cool would it be to run and not have to worry about “chub rub” as my bloggy friend Katie calls it?
In one way I love the video – I love having something to do on the weekends that doesn’t take up much time, something to keep my body moving. As drenched with sweat as I am when I get done, I know I’ve worked hard in those 21 minutes.

On the other hand, I question if it’s enough by itself. I’ve programmed myself that I have to work out 30 minutes at least, 45 if I really want to see results. So last week, along with starting the 30 day shred, I also ran 4.2 miles, did interval training, went to my weights class X2, and took a 45 minute spin class.

Don’t worry, I’m not a mother. No children were neglected in this crazy workout schedule. Although a sweet loving husband probably did get his head bit off a time or two.

Thanks so much, Brooke!!

If you’re loving or hating the Shred  and  would like to do a Shred guest post, just let me know! You can contact me at [email protected]

Posted by april on May 13, 2009

Hey all of you Shredders!!  We’re in Day 3 of Shred the Second!  How are you doing?  I don’t know why but I am WAY more sore this time!  Anyway, today we have another Shredding newbie’s thoughts for you!  Tirah has  volunteered to tell us about herself and give us her thoughts on Day 3.  Enjoy!

My name is Tirah and I am a 23 year old Medical Assistant. I have struggled with weight issues as long as I can remember. My Mom always told me I wasn’t thin enough so in 7th grade I decided to stop eating. She never even questioned why I wasn’t eating and when anyone did I told them I had made the decision to stop eating meat.

In 10th grade I met a wonderful man who made me realize the stupidity of what I was doing to myself. I started eating again and realized that food tasted REALLY GOOD. Then I married this wonderful man and started working 2 jobs. About 8 months later I quit my second job and then the weight started adding up; I gained 40 pounds in 2 ½ years. (40 pounds?? Some women don’t even gain that in their entire pregnancy!)

I have finally decided to take a healthy control over my life with the help of SparkPeople. My family started a biggest loser competition on May 1st and I would like to lose those 40 extra pounds by the competition’s end on November 1st. I also came across The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. When I saw they were looking for guest posters I emailed Christy to see if they would consider me. I was thrilled when she asked me to do the day 3 post because now I am being held accountable by someone other than me (and all that money I could win from the competition!).

And while I’m being held accountable can I just say that Day 3 of Shredding kicked my butt! I woke up early this morning to exercise before work instead of after because I wanted to give you all something to read during the day. I am writing this at work barley able to keep my eyes open. It actually hurts to sit down; I didn’t think that was possible.

I am not sure if Day 3 was so hard because I did it at a different time than normal or what. The push ups were harder, the squats were harder and towards the end of the anterior raises with side lunges I had to stop lifting the weights to my eyes because I thought my arms were going to fall off. I sweat like crazy each work out and I definitely feel it. My arms are sore. My legs are very sore. I notice it all day every day since I started Shredding. But I like this sore feeling because I know that it means it is actually working.

I know it is hard work everybody but we CAN do this together! Tell me how you are doing and/or if you noticed some of the same challenges that I have.  Most importantly: keep it up!

Posted by lisa on

I’m working on losing my muffin top….Are you?

This will be a short post- I am so incredibly crazy busy today.  I think I’ll do this “bullet-style”.

  • This is Week 7 of our Shrink Into Summer Challenge- there is only ONE week left.  How are you doing?  Are you nearing your goals for this challenge?  Are you ready to make that final PUSH to next week’s weigh-in?
  • Quite a few of us have decided to take on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred for a second round (Wahoo!), some are doing it for the first time.  Isn’t she the best?  Don’t you love to hate her?  I do.  Even though this is my second round, my body still hurts like it’s the first round- what’s up with that?!
  • Did you lose weight this past week?  Have you even weighed yourself yet?  Just get the agony over with and step on the scale!  Post how you are doing on personal blog, then come back here and leave a link in the comments section.
  • Don’t forget….everyone who comments on the Weigh-In post is automatically entered into our weigh-in giveaway:  Eat This No That (supermarket version) AND Eat This Not That (restaurant version).  That is TWO books, folks!  I have the supermarket version and it is awesome and a real eye-opener!  Thank you to Pat and Missy for sponsoring this week’s giveaway.  You have until 11:59PM PST to comment, so go ahead and leave a comment with your weight stats : ).
  • I am sure I am forgetting something in my haste….Did everyone have a nice Mother’s Day? 

Keep on, keepin’ on- WE’RE SHRINKING!!!!!!

Posted by april on May 11, 2009

Well, here we are into Round #2 of the 30 Day Shred!!  Shredding pro, Lisa posted about Day 1 of round #2!  But when we decided to do a second round of the Shred, we wanted to get a Shred virgin’s point of view on the pain most excellent work out that is the Shred.  Allison has volunteered to be our first guest poster!  Here’s a little bit about Allison and her thoughts on Level 1, Day 1 of  the 30-Day Shred!

First off, I want to thank everyone at The Sisterhood for everything that they do and for giving me the chance to be a part of it! My name is Allison. I live in central Indiana with my boyfriend, Derrek and our son, Colby. I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life (it runs in my family). I’ve always been a bit overweight compared to people my age. It wasn’t until after my son was born that my weight really started to bother me. During my pregnancy I did my best to eat healthy and I walked everyday, but I still gained almost 40lbs. After Colby was born, I quickly lost 20lbs. But the rest of the weight stayed on and over time, I gained a little bit more. My son recently turned 2 and is a very active little fellow! Everyday I struggle to keep up with him. I want to be able to play with him and run around outside without being out of breath in 5 minutes! I want my son to have a healthy mom! I am so glad I stumbled upon The Sisterhood, right in time to start the Shrink Into Summer Challenge. The Sisterhood has helped me become more confident in myself that I can shred these pounds and be at the weight I want to be. There are such wonderful, positive, encouraging people involved with The Sisterhood and I feel lucky to be a part of it!

I bought The 30 Day Shred for the first challenge, but I didn’t receive it until a few days after it had officially started. I will admit, I tried it one day and I never did it again. That’s when I saw the post about the second challenge and The Sisterhood wanting a guest blogger to share their shredding experience. I sent Christy an email and I told her I had tried it one day, but never did it again, so I was almost a newbie at shredding. So here I am, sharing my shredding experience with all of you.

I just finished day 1 of shredding. WOW. I am a nasty, sweaty mess! I never knew I could sweat this much! I’ll be honest, I was ready to quit before the warm-ups were over! The cardio kicked my a**!! But I will admit, I love the strength training. While doing the punches, I pretended it was Jillian that I was punching and it made it a lot more fun! What I would like to know, is why don’t they have an average person doing the workout instead of women who are already buff and thin? I bet none of them weigh over 130 pounds! Is that supposed to be our motivation? That if we keep this up, we’ll look like them? (I wish!) So, after all the complaining, I have to admit, I feel really good about myself. I actually finished the workout today. Will I feel good in the morning? Probably not! I already know my legs will be extremely sore and I’m already dreading all the steps I have to climb at work every day! But, I know I will see results if I stick to this. I will stick to this. I know it works because I saw all the feedback from everyone last week at the end of the first challenge. One final thought to myself: get a new sports bra to control the girls!!

Posted by lisa on

Today was Day 1 of Level 1- Round 2 of Shedding for me. That means this is the SECOND time I am putting my body through this torture exercising for 30 days straight.

I had the notion that it would be easier this go round, but I was mistaken.

True, I am in better shape than the first time. True, I can lift heavier weights than the first time. True, I can make it through the cardio segments without having to stop. True, I can do “Natalie’s” version on all of the ab work.

True, I did NOT collapse huffing and puffing at the end of the workout.

I actually found myself working harder and smarter this time around.  I paid attention to my form and really made sure I was doing each exercise correctly.  I squatted lower, jumped rope higher, and squeezed my abs even time Jillian told me to.

By the end, I was sweating nad my breathing was a little heavier, but I wasn’t huffing and puffing.

I like this Jillian chic.  She knows what she is doing.

How did your first day go?  Is this your first time Shredding or is this a second dose for you?

Posted by lisa on May 7, 2009

Jillian Michaels- 30 Day Shred Results

She may be the devil, but her training is superb. Do what she says to do, work through the pain and you will have results.

Promise.

Are you wondering why I am wearing maternity pants in Day 1 and shorts in Day 30? Even if you aren’t wondering, I will tell you why……BECAUSE I threw out the damn maternity pants- they are too BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In 30 days time, I have lost 2.5 inches from my waist, 2 inches from my hips, and 1 inch from my thighs.

Good-bye too big maternity pants.

I’m going to take a few days off from Shredding and begin again on Monday, May 11th.

Are you in?