I realize it’s been a while since I’ve posted a Shred update, but I’m still going strong! If going strong means huffing and puffing and panting my way through Level 2. Rather than do the Shred every day, I’ve been switching it up by going on a 20-25 minute run/walk by myself some mornings and occasionally taking a brisk walk-and-talk with a neighbor who has longer legs and more stamina than I. It’s a challenge to keep up with her, but I need that motivation. I like to change up my exercise routine so I don’t get bored.
I love that the Shred works my abs and arms, which running and walking don’t do quite so much, so I try to do the Shred at least 3 times a week. At first I thought Level 2 wasn’t so bad, but Jillian uses a lot of the plank pose throughout, so by the end, my arms and shoulders feel like I’ve been interrogated by Jack Bauer. I’m anxious to see what Level 3 is like, but I’m SCAYARED. I can still barely make it through Level 2, and I’m going to be out of town for the next 2 weeks, so I’ll probably just wait till I get home and get back on track before starting the final phase.
I get a lot of questions about if I see a difference in my body, my weight, etc.
I have to say, I am slightly disappointed in that. There MAY be some improvement in my overall muscle tone. I didn’t take measurements, but my clothes are definitely not falling off me, so I don’t think my measurements have changed much. I haven’t lost any weight, in fact, I’m having a really hard time just maintaining with the 5 lbs I gained last winter. I don’t know if it’s age or my thyroid, but it’s definitely frustrating. I was hoping to “shred” that weight right off, and that hasn’t happened. I’m eating less and more healthful (I even gave up my beloved Coca-Cola!!), exercising more (which isn’t saying much, mind you; I think I darkened the door of the gym all of five times in the past year), and I’m still struggling. I may have to follow Lysa’s lead and give up all sugar. I’m not there yet, but I’m getting close, especially after reading the chapter on sugar last night in Real Food.
ANY-WHO.
What I DO notice is that I FEEL GOOD. When I’m done with the Shred, I feel invigorated and energetic and proud of my accomplishment. It’s been my life’s goal to avoid exercise as much as possible, and I can’t quite say that I like it now, but I do like how I feel when I’m done.
The biggest difference between this and the exercise I’ve done in the past is the time factor. While I like the camaraderie at the gym, the time commitment is overwhelming to this busy mom. However, ANYONE can find 20 minutes a day to exercise, and I feel like I’ve gotten a full workout in that amount of time after Jillian’s whipped me around.
That said, I’ve heard really good things about EA Sports Active, and I’ve got half a mind to try it. I was talking to Jessica in Boston last week, and she had great things to say about it. The price tag is a bit daunting, though, so maybe I’ll wait until I get through Level 3 of the Shred to try something else.
If you’ve done both Shred and EA Sports, I’d love to know how you compare the two. If one is much more effective than the other, I’d like to know about it before I make an investment. The nice thing about the Shred, in addition to the intense 20-minute workout, is the price. I mean, six bucks!? Come on? There is NO excuse not to try it. NONE.
So what do you do to stay in shape? If you have any other suggestions, I’m all ears!
Obligatory disclaimer: all links to Amazon products are affiliate links. That basically means I make 4% on your purchase, if you buy when you click through on my links. I appreciate it anytime you make a purchase through one of my affiliate links. I promise, I’m not buying cavier and champagne with the proceeds. I think I made enough to buy a package of M&Ms last month. Or a dozen farm-fresh pastured eggs. *wink*
12 Responses
I started running last fall. I can’t tell you how much I have hated running my entire life. I wanted to do a 5k with our local geek community. I did the 5k in a slightly embarrassing 39 minutes (considering how long I’d trained).
FF to May when I learn I’ve had asthma my whole life and it shouldn’t hurt to be out of breath, go figure. I’m proud to say I’ve shaved 7 minutes off my time since I’ve got a way to control it. As far as changes in body? I’ve been lifting weights in addition to running and I’m not seeing much change. I’ve probably gained a couple lbs muscle mass, but I feel much healthier.
Just because we’re not seeing a whole lot of outward change doesn’t mean we aren’t making great strides. Keep it up!
I have lost 2.5lbs. doing The Shred and have lost inches also. I can tell a difference in my clothes and my body is a little more toned. Good news!! I HATED Level 2 but Level 3 is so much better. It’s hard but the time flies by. After I get through my last 10 days of Level 3, I’m going to start on another Jillian DVD…the one about no more trouble zones. I might still be trying to lose this last 10 lbs. next spring but it does make me feel better.
Dude. I just wrote a *book* of a comment and it didn’t go through. Ugh.
Basically I said that while I love how Jillian kicks your (my) butt, not so much a fan of level three because she uses too much jump training and it is killer on the knees. I have to modify too many of the exercises. That’s no good.
I alternate between running, shredding, and doing Gilad’s Total Body Sculpt. Keeps me from being bored.
Also, for what it’s worth, I’ve noticed a change in my body. Mostly my arms. Due to the weights I’m sure. So keep at it.
And the last thing I said was that I was proud of both of us (collectively) for making such healthy changes, even though we’re doing it far from each other! 🙂
If this one doesn’t go through I’m gonna be bent.
Thanks for the update! It was on my list to email you and ask about it! 🙂
I’m also on level 2 of the shred. I do notice tone in my legs and arms, but no real improvement in my abs. I try to do the shred 4-5 times a week and I’ll try to do extra ab work every few days.
Level 2 is kicking my butt big time! I feel like jelly when I am finished, but it feels good to get it done.
Keep going, don’t phone it in!! 🙂
My tip is to take measurements – the changes happen slowly but are a WAY better way to gauge change than the scale.
And I tried to give up refined sugar once – BRUTAL! I was literally in bed for 3 days with a killer headache. The withdrawal is tough and to be honest I wimped out because I didn’t want to live in a world without pastries, ice cream or chocolate mousse! But I am always in awe of people who can!
Keep at it! I know a lot of girls who are doing the shred right now, and though they’re not seeing much weight loss, they are feeling and looking better!
Love your blog! Glad to have stumbled upon it via blog hop!
I tried Level 3 once, and it wasn’t so bad. But, I only did it once. I’ve been going to the gym a minimum of four times a week, doing hour long classes that are a mix of cardio and strength training, so I think that has really increased my fitness level, making level 3 of the Shred not so bad.
I have got to pick up the running again. I keep saying I’m going to run another half marathon in December, so it is time to start training. But the classes are so easy to go to, because I don’t have to think about it and I get a great workout and the time flies.
I keep hearing that listening to an audiobook while running makes a big difference, but I haven’t tried it. Partly b/c I would have to take all my music off my iPod to make room. I wish I could get a new one with more memory.
Hey 🙂 I’ve been reading for a while, but this is my first time commenting.
I have Wii Fit and EA Active. I thought Wii Fit was fun, but after trying EA Active, that is my new favorite workout. It’s fun, and it actually gives you a good workout. The next day, after I played the first time (you hear that?! PLAYED. Not worked out. I like this :]), my thighs were like jelly and they hurt when I walked. I dunno about you, but for me, my workout philosophy is: If I am not in pain the next day, I didn’t do anything.
The cool part of it is that you can go through and select different types of workouts to do, and leave out the ones you don’t like or can’t do (like lunges *shudder*). I highly recommend it! Let us know if you try it! If you already have a Wii Fit board, I think you could probably borrow the game from Blockbuster to try it out. Or borrow the entire game! I’m sure you know someone who’d be willing to hand it over for an afternoon 🙂
You don’t need to have the game Wii Fit to play EA Sports, nor do you need the balance board (but you can use it). EA Sports comes with this little thing that kind of resembles an ace bandage that goes around your thigh, and you put the Wii controler in a little pocket on that. This is used sort of like a little pedometer to track your movement on the screen. Plus, when you get tired, you can just sit down on the couch and shake the controller up and down and the game thinks you’re still feeling the burn. Which you will be. Not that I do this…
Oh, and I wanted to tell you that you have an awesome blog, and I’ve been reading all three of your blogs ever since I read a little blurb about you in the MainLine magazine a few months ago. You apparently must live someplace nearby. Anyway, thanks for giving me an entertaining read during all my breaks between classes every day 🙂 I look forward to your posts daily!
I just jumped to Level 3 – and it terrible (in a good way…I guess). It is super hard and I actually do scream during it. Not to scare you or anything. 😉
I think I would have better results with The Shred if I actually hit the Checkout Button on my Amazon shopping cart!
EA Sports Active sounds like something I would prefer…so it is on my birthday wish list. Lets hope DH remembers!