30 Day Shred in 40 Days

I throw in some toning videos now and then but my primary work out for the last 2 1/2 years has been cardio.  Mostly the elliptical.  Mj kept telling me I need to diversify my work outs and I finally listened.
 
I've never been on any kind of work out program.  I don't typically like to commit to a particular work out but The 30 Day Shred seemed very doable for me.  It's an effective total body work out that includes toning AND cardio. The best thing about it is that it's all packed into 22-25 minutes.  You really can't beat that.  There are 3 levels and you do 10 days of every level.  Each work out has 3 circuits that include 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minutes of abs.  I used mostly 2 1/2 lb weights but also had 5 lbs available for certain exercises that felt too easy to make it more challenging.  I didn't specify how many days a week I would do it.  The only rule I set for myself was that I couldn't let more then 2 days pass between work outs.  The most days I did it in a row was 8 and it took me a span of 40 calendar days to complete the 30 work outs.  According to my handy dandy Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor that I got for my Birthday I burned between 140 and 220 calories each time. I've been working on my splits so I did my own stretching at the end of every work out and went a little bit longer then she did so I spent a full 30 minutes from warm up to cool down.
 

Level 1 wasn't that difficult for me.  I didn't even get sore right away.  By the 3rd work out I started to feel it mostly in my upper body but not nearly as bad as I expected it to be.  It wasn't total body soreness.  It started with just my chest, then spread to my arms and then my calves by day four.  I was kind of excited that maybe I wasn't in as bad a shape as I thought I was.  The push ups were the hardest.  Being a former gymnast I have always done "man" push ups.  We weren't allowed to do it any other way so I could do them but I found that I had to modify towards the end when I got tired.  I was so proud to be able to do them all by the end of level 1.  

Level 2 was definitely more challenging.  I was enjoying the workouts but by the 14th one  I started to get really tired of the whole thing.  I was barely half way through level 2, it was harder and it just felt like forever until I'd be done.

Level 3 was even more challenging.  My upper inner thighs got a little sore after Day 1.  I can't do the jump lunges because of my bad knees so I did the modified version on that.  The level 3 work out always seemed to go by really fast for me.  I think it's because it was harder to tell the difference between the strength, cardio and toning.  They all seemed to blend together so before I know what I'm doing the work out is over.  I was so ready to be done that I woke up early on a Wednesday morning to get a work out in because I knew I couldn't do it after work.  Turns out it's a pretty nice before work video.  It's so short and without a commute to the gym I didn't have to wake up that much earlier but still got my work out over with for the day.

Each level builds upon the next so well that by the 8th work out on every level I really started to feel like I was mastering it.  I didn't need any stops or modifications and I felt ready to move onto the next one.  I loved it that even though it's short I didn't feel like I was wasting my time.  She packs a lot in and my body feels really fatigued afterwards even if it's not making me sore.  I think it made me work even harder to know that it was ONLY 20 minutes and I just had to keep pushing myself for that short amount of time.  Some people said that Jillian's commentary got on their nerves but it didn't bother me.  She kept saying that if you want to work out for 20 minutes you have to earn it.  Sometimes it was the extra kick in the pants I needed to keep pushing.  
BEFORE // AFTER

BEFORE // AFTER
I was so glad when my 30 work outs were done.  Not because I didn't like it.  I just wanted it to be over so I could get on with whatever else I wanted to do and not feel tied down.

My before and after results are not very dramatic.  I hesitated to even post them at all but hey, my body is what it is.  I'm really critical of myself and sadly I will probably never be completely satisfied, but I'm proud of finishing the video and what I accomplished. The pictures may not show it but I can definitely see more definition in my abs, arms and thighs.  The best part is that I FEEL stronger.  My husband loves the results too.  It makes me feel really good when he tells me that he can see a difference and that I look good.  The only downside (for him anyway) is that he can't manhandle me any more like he used to and he knows it.  He better watch out!!

If you couldn't figure it out already, I highly recommend Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred.  I sent it to my little sister to try.  I like it so much that I'm still doing it.  I went back and did level 2 and I could feel the difference.  I'm much stronger now then I was when I started. It's going to be a go to work out for me especially during the work week when time is limited, but I'll be mixing it in with other videos and trips to the gym.

15 comments

  1. Umm I'm confused as to how you can look any better just from your before pictures. Damnnn girl. P.S. I got to day three of this and quit. whoops!

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  2. You looked in great shape before you even started this! I would love to do the 30 day shred, to tone up at the very least, but I don't think I could handle it! Lol.

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  3. you look fabulous! you were obviously already in fantastic shape, but we all still need a new workout now and then to challenge us. i'm awful at pushups and upper body things so maybe i will check this out. great work lady!
    -- jackie @ jade and oak

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  4. um yeah you were so fit before you even started!!! holy crap your arms are amazing.
    I've been doing jillian pretty consistently the past month and a half. its perfect to do during my lunch break (we have a small gym at our office). i havent taken before or afters but i know it is working bc i was able to wear pants that i haven't worn in like 2 years!! even though i haven't lost any weight, i def feel stronger and more fit. I like Ripped in 30 better than shred (I watch the videos on my phone)

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  5. Ditto what everyone else is saying! I'd be thrilled to look like your before pictures :) but of course, I don't work for it. Lol. Gotta change that!!

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  6. You look amazing! You are officially my inspiration to lose this baby weight :)

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  7. i can see a difference in your abs in the first set of first pictures...

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  8. You look freaking incredible! Even your befores are fabulous! I feel motivated!

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  9. Yeah, I agree with Faith, you look amazing in your before and definitely did a great job with the after. Keep up the good work

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  10. Looking good girl! You have motivated me to keep going.....I'm currently doing the Insanity workout and I'm about halfway through. Pray for me..... :)

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  11. You go girl!! :) I have one of jillian michael's workout videos, but haven't done a very good job of being consistent with it. I should take a cue from you!!

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  12. umm you look amazing already! girl you are in fantastic shape!

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  13. I have this DVD and I have never did if for 30 days. I need someone to hold me accountable and my boyfriend is just as lazy about exercise as I am. Right now, I am doing Insanity with my co-workers...lets see how long that will last.

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  14. I'm going to drive to Cali and force you to make me workout while you eat a burger! A CHEESEburger! :) Ok not really, but you look great! You already looked great but I can tell more definition in your abs and arms for sure. You go girl!

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  15. Wow, you look great on the before AND after sides.

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