As you may recall, I had been having troubles with the cardio portion of the 30 Day Shred, Level One. I had to keep stopping, especially in the first cardio section, because it was just too hardcore.
Since my last update, I have been having a much better time of it. I figured that I wasn’t having progress in the cardio because I kept stopping. So rather than stop, I decided to do a simpler kick move instead. This way, I was still exercising constantly like Jillian Michaels wanted me to do.
That seemed to work!
Now I can get through the entire workout in Level One. And it’s getting pretty easy. I’ve decided to move on to Level Two on Friday, which will be Day 16.I’m excited!
Here’s my daily progress so far:
- Day 1: I could barely breathe through the cardio and had to stop frequently. Afterward, I was insanely tired for the rest of the day.
- Day 2: I was able to do more of the cardio and wasn’t tired like day 1. My arms, specifically my shoulders, ached in a good way.
- Day 3: I wasn’t nearly as achy after this workout. It seems my muscles are getting stronger and getting used to the strength exercises.
- Day 4: I woke up from 9 hours of sleep to feeling like I needed 9 more. I slept for most of the day, but took a break to go do the shred. I half-assed it in the cardio, but that’s better than nothing.
- Day 5: Was almost able to get through all of the workout without stopping today. The first section of the cardio is the worst. Jumping Jacks/Jump Rope/Jumping Jacks/Jump Rope, all without stopping in between each move. Ouch!
- Day 6: Still doing alright with the workout. I really busted out the move for the final ab section: bicycles. Unfortunately, I overdid it. I have a delicate neck and constantly holding up my head for 1 minute straight made my neck hurt for the rest of the day.
- Day of Rest
- Day 7: Back in the saddle! Decided to alter the Bicycle moves and am doing alternating oblique moves with transverse ab moves in between. That means my neck is saved.
- Day 8: Though I made a concerted effort, I STILL couldn’t get through all the cardio.
- Day 9: The strength is starting to be easy. I even upped the size of my weights for the lying chest exercise. If it weren’t for the cardio, I would feel ready to move on to Level Two.
- Day 10: Really busted it out in the workout, never stopping. I think I might have overdone it and I ended up with a headache for the next two days.
- Day of Rest
- Day 11: Things are much easier now that I’m not stopping during the cardio portions.
- Day 12: I’m doing better at the butt kicks. Also, Valentine’s Day.
- Day of Rest
- Day 13: Since it’s gotten so much better, I made the decision to begin Level Two on Day 16.
- Day 14: I’m feeling good and not at all sore like I did in the first week.
Have you done the 30 Day Shred? If so, how did you like it? I feel like it’s really doing what it promised as far as toning me up and improving my endurance.
I started the 30 day shred last week and just finished my 5th time. I took a day off after day 1 because I was unable to sit down let alone jump around! You sound like you’re getting pretty strong. It’s funny how different people find different parts of the program hard… I can fly through the cardio easily but the pushups still bowl me over. I have really weak wrists and they hurt really badly whenever I do the pushups which is why I’m planning on waitng a while until I start level 2. Those plank moves will literally kill my wrists. Although, I looked around online and was told by some people that it would still do the trick if I balanced on my forearms instead of wrists during those moves. I don’t know.
Either way, I’m impressed by your dedication and new strength. I hope I get stronger soon. For some reason I am exhausted today and had to cosntantly convince myself to keep doing the dvd. I felt like giving up before I’d even started. Just tired I guess.
Anyway, good look on level 2!
My husband and I started the shred last week too and today we decided to give level 2 a go. It really put the burn (and I mean burning fire and brimstone burn) into my shoulders more than anything else. Well, that and I gave up halfway through those plank squat jump things, and had to go along with Anita’s gentle step version. Oh well. Last week it was all about my calves feeling so tight and shredded that I could barely walk properly. I have a feeling this week is going to be about not being able to lift my arms. C’est la vie! 7 days down, 23 more to go!
Anyway, I’ll be trying to stay on top of posting my own shred experience here if you care to check in! http://mysticvalleymusings.blogspot.com/2010/02/30-day-shred.html
sarah´s last blog ..30 Day Shred
Janice: My mom and I are doing this at the same time. She had a similar situation as you having an easier time with cardio and harder with strength. It’s neat how people can differ like that!
There are a LOT of planks in Level Two. I can see how you could do it on your forearms for some of it, but not all. It might be challenging for you. If you figure out how to modify it, come let me know!
Sarah: Good for you going into Level Two so soon! And it’s awesome that your husband is doing it too. It always helps when you have support like that.
I’ll keep an eye on your website!
Janice - I wonder if those push-up handle things you can buy would help your wrists? Supposedly they help make push-ups gentler on your wrists, so it seems like they would help for any plank position moves.
sarah´s last blog ..30 Day Shred