So I thought I’d update you on my Shred progress. First of all, OW. I know, I know, I was warned. But. OW.
Second of all, I admit it. I was dubious. What on earth kind of results can someone get from 20 minutes? Well, I can tell you this much. I have worked out with heavy weights, strength training for 30-40 minutes PLUS ab work PLUS 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise, and I am JUST as sore from 20 minutes of combined strength/cardio/abs with Jillian as I was after an hour and a half at the gym.
I don’t know if sore necessarily equals results, but if it does, I should be buff by the end of the month. Did I mention, OW!?
The first three days were the toughest. I knew they would be; they always are. I did the workout Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Then I decided to take Sunday off and let my body recover a bit. I did take a LONG walk Sunday night, though.
Monday got away from me, and before I knew it, it was 9PM. But I did NOT want to skip the Shred two days in a row. I was afraid if I did, I’d never go back to it. But I had been dragging all afternoon and evening, and the LAST thing I felt like doing was working out. But at 9PM on Monday night, I turned on the DVD. I barely made it through, but I was determined. I took several a lot of water breaks and admittedly didn’t give it my all, but I made it to the end.
Tuesday morning, I got up, and after fueling myself with several cups of coffee, I laced my sneakers and put the DVD on. And you know what? I felt great. I could feel myself doing the movements more thoroughly. I was jumping higher. I was punching more furiously. I was squatting deeper. The rest of the day, I felt strong and energetic for the first time in, well, months. I almost forgot how good that feels.
Today my muscles feel tired, but not painfully abused. I’m actually looking forward to it. Sorta.
Let me tell you what I like so much about it. I mean, the 20-minute thing is hard to beat. I have never watched The Biggest Loser, so I wasn’t familiar with Jillian Michaels before now, but I like her style. I am not generally a fan of exercise videos, but this one is full of traditional, tried-and-true exercises that I’d be doing at the gym.
She combines ab-work (like crunches and such) with cardio (jumping jacks, jumping rope, punches) and strength training maneuvers that work both upper and lower body at the same time (lunges, squats, push-ups, etc.) She rotates through the cycle so that right about when you think you are going to DIE. IF. YOU. DO. ONE. MORE, it’s time to do something else.
She talks you through it and tells you how to do the moves properly, and she is very motivational. It really doesn’t get old, and as soon as I’m comfortable (read: bored) with Level One, it will be time to move on to Level Two.
As far as results are concerned, I’m not expecting miraculous weight-loss records to be set here. I’ve always maintained that exercise doesn’t do much for my weight management. I think it’s because I find a way to use working out as further justification for enjoying my culinary delights. But if I can feel better and maybe even tone up a bit, I will be a happy camper.
And really, for 20 minutes? That’s quite a return on the investment, if you ask me.
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Please tell me you love Something About Mary. Sadly, that is the first movie my husband took me to in the movie theater (11 years ago) AND he had already seen it. He had no excuses.
Well, in that movie, one of my favorite scenes is when Ben Stiller is talking to the hitchhiker/ murderer who wants to create 7 Minute Abs (vs. 8 minutes). Hilarious. Oh so funny. It is amazing what you can do in 20, but 7 sounds much more enticing!
I just finished Day 3 and… woof. I am trusting you when you say it does get easier… and hopefully soon!
Oh, I guess I might have to try this shredding out. Too many good reviews!
I’ve been doing the shred for a couple of weeks (I’m dragging each level out a little longer, and I have to take breaks mid-week or on Sundays to give my body a break.) I’m at the end of level 2. It does get more challenging, but you do get the hang of it by the second or third time of doing it. Congrats on sticking with it!
I’m one of those that isn’t losing weight with this, but I see a difference mainly in my arms. (I’m a runner, and my legs are fairly strong. I needed abs and arm workouts.) If only I could give up carbs….I’d looks just like the girls working out with Jillian!
You know, regular exercise never helps my weight mgmt either. I like the look of toned limbs, and I know it’s good for me, but if weight just dropped off when I started exercising, it sure would be easier to stick with it, eh?
Sounds like the kind of kick butt kind of workout I need. A few friends have been trying it, too and all the reviews seem good.
Maybe it’s time to spend those Amazon GC I have been saving up!
As I said on twitter, I also started the Shred last week, so I’m with you on the OW! I’ve done my fair share of exercise videos in the past but this is the only one that has left me feeling nearly as exhausted at the end. Unfortunately, we were out of town this weekend, and while I took the dvd with me, of course I didn’t do it. So I haven’t done it in 4 days now. I’m sure it will be like starting all over when I do it tonight. And I WILL DO IT TONIGHT- do you hear me, self???
just think how hot we’ll all be at the end of the month?
It’s good that you made yourself do it and not skip two days in a row. I haven’t been so diligent, and it’s HARD to get back on this wagon! But I’m not giving up – oh no, I won’t let Shred beat me!
I really need to buy this DVD
I’ve been thinking about buying the Shred DVD – I get bored using the elliptical for 20 minutes (even with a book). Do you need any extra equipment, like weights or anything?
LOVE Jillian! My trainer is very similar. I LOVE working multiple muscle groups at the same time – and with cardio too! I didn’t know she had this DVD, I have the one from The Biggest Loser.
I’m still not clear to work out til after my post-op appointment on June 16th (hopefully) but I’ll be using this DVD to help get back to my pre-op stamina! Thanks for the referral.
Good for you! I maintained an exercise routine for about six months, then fell away from it. I know what you mean about not losing much weight through exercise; my muscle tone definitely improved, but the scale wasn’t reflecting that.
I’ve been doing the shred for awhile on Exercise tv on demand on my digital cable. Love it. What can be better than 20 minutes?? I hate working out for hours. Will my abs EVER look like Jillian’s though. Doubtful. Has she even had children??? Grrr…
I did The Shred for 15 days and hurt my knee. I’m recovered now so I need to get back at it. It is TOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the shred! I’ve been doing it for ~a week and it’s great. Have you seen the progress pictures on hotbyblogher.com? Very inspirational to me!
Wow, I’ve never even thought of this exercise routine and now I want to go out and buy it! Good luck!
This works for me too. I’m on day 19- I was doing it just about every day in the beginning and have gone done to about 3-4 days a week, but I still like it and feel great. I’m up to level three now and I can see results. My abs are more toned (they’re not perfect, but after having 3 kids in 3 years I think they are approaching half way decent which I’m happy with). My arms are also more toned. I haven’t lost any additional weight (I’m right at my target weight thanks to Weight Watchers), but I was looking for toning and not weight loss so I’m okay with that.
I prefer watching everybody else shred – lol! Since I just started back to Weight Watchers, I couldn’t keep up with shredding too and it would mess with my weight going down. Right now I’m doing some Wii Fit every day. I’ll go for more serious fitness after I get rid of a lot more lbs.
Looking forward to how you do with it. You GO girl!
I did it for about two weeks consistently and then went on spring vacation and haven’t been back. I definitely felt and saw the difference just with the two weeks. Perhaps when I return from Key West I’ll get back on it. Keep up the great work!! Did you take a picture before so you can see the results of your labor?
I’ve been thinking about doing the shred for awhile now, especially since I found it on On Demand
We’ll see…
Thanks for the comprehensive review, Jo-Lynne! I’m not typically an exercise DVD kind of girl, but your review may just have won me over. The fact that it’s only 20 minutes is definitely appealing and I’m impressed by the number of positive reviews on Amazon.com. The other added benefit of a DVD workout is that I can do it inside in the air conditioning – a definite plus since I live in Arizona where summer temps are often 90+ F.
Yep. The inside thing def works in the summertime (and here in the winter). I just can’t get to the gym this summer, so this is the best I can do for now. I’m hoping to hire a trainer at the YMCA this fall when the kids are in school.
I just stopped over from WFMW and your reference to the Shred. I just started it this week, so you’re ahead of me. I’m loving reading others blog posts about the Shred (some are HI.LARIOUS.) so thought I’d host a Mr. Linky for anyone who’d like to link up a Shred-related post, or ANYTHING related to fitness. Anything written in the last week.
Looks like your blog is pretty popular, but if you’d like to link up and play with the little guys, come for a visit.
Anyways, if you’re interested, I’m at http://www.muddybootsblog.blogspot.com . If not, best of luck with the Shred!