Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred - Day One

After reading rave reviews from some of my favorite bloggers, I decided to take the plunge, and yesterday I publicly declared (on Twitter) that I was going to start Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. Today.

So, even though Michael kept pushing snooze, I forced myself out of bed at 5:40 and turned on the TV. I haven't yet purchased the DVD, but levels one and two (there are three levels total) are available right now for free on Comcast On Demand. The verdict?

I enjoyed myself! Her plan is based on the premise of 3-2-1. Three minutes of strength training, two minutes of cardio, one minute of abs. This series is repeated three times and is sandwiched by warm up and cool down/stretching segments. The total workout was only 20 minutes. By 6:15, I was outside walking the dogs.

The pain level was not as great as I expected, and I am NOT in shape. I was slightly sweaty, breathing heavily, and my legs felt weak when I was done. I think I'll jump up to level two pretty quickly. My legs (thighs, really) still feel kind of tired, and it's now 10:30am. I think the real test will come tomorrow and Saturday, since I know that muscle soreness often has delayed onset.

Finally, why am I doing this? A lot of people at work kind of rolled their eyes at me when I mentioned embarking on this 30 day program. I'm not overweight, and I don't think I'm fat. I'm a small person. That said, I can't button some of my favorite jeans, and that pisses me off. I don't necessarily want to lose weight, but I want to lose my belly pooch and have a more defined, more toned shape. I'd like to have a kick-ass body, not just a slim body. I want to be healthy.

On Twitter yesterday, a few people told me they were going to start the 30 day program along with me, and I hope some of my other blog readers will join too! Hopefully we can chat about this here in the comments. I think it will be fun. You in?

Comments

[Sundry]

Yay! I am the biggest fan of this workout. I'm also dying to know how you'll feel tomorrow, because if you don't sob little tears of pain every time you sit down, I am going to feel like a major wimp. I may have, um, needed like 3 days of recovery after the first time I did it.

[ikate]

I'll join you! I just have to get the DVD.. I have it on top of my Netflix list but there is a wait.

I've lost 15 lbs. in the last few weeks with weight watchers (my employeer just started paying for us to join!) and I need to get back in to some sort of work out plan. Since the 3-day is over I'm not walking the 5-8 miles a day I was while I was training. I plan to do Shred along with walking and another DVD I have (Moxie's famed t-tapp which I do like but I want to sweat some more).

Keep us posted on how it goes for you!

[melissaS]

Does it require weights or other equipment? I hate hate hate when I start a dvd only to realize I don't have everything it requires.

I should really try this.

[BethanyWD]

I actually started last night! My story is pretty much your story - although I wouldn't mind losing 5-10 pounds (I've lost about 15 since January 1). I'm a bit sore today - esp in my legs. I need to get 2 pound weights (I used my Wii remotes), so that should help my arms catch up. Here's to 30 days of "fun"!

[foodmomiac]

So excited you guys are joining me!!! Melissa, it requires really small hand weights, which I didn't know this morning, so I just held imaginary weights (which might explain why I didn't throw up my lung, which I think almost happened to Linda). Tomorrow I'll use the tiny weights that are on my treadmill, but I'll probably pick up 3 pound weights over the weekend.

[Stacy]

And with this I begin my 30-day Shred.
Shred Me!
http://tinyurl.com/5xje9z

Also: hand weights-- the first time I used 7lb because that is what I had and that is also why I died. I then bought 4lbs and they work well. Have used 2.5 and 3. I think 3 is the best. Keep all your weights close by and use whatever feels right.

[kdgriffin]

Hmmmm. I've just started doing cardio again after a hiatus so this might be something good for me to try. I just looked it up on Amazon and price is very reasonable. I think you can count me in.

[whoorl]

If you don't hurt tomorrow, I am going to feel like the weakest loser human EVER. ;)

I'm so glad you're doing it! Jillian is my HERO.

[Pam]

I JUST today received the DVD in the mail. Unfortunately I have to wait to start because of an unexpected medical situation - but I can not wait to hear another review of this and try it myself.

Good luck!

[deb]

Congratulations. It makes perfect sense that what you want is to get toned. And Jillian's workout will probably be a great step for you.

The workout breakdown? more strength than cardio than abs sounds IDEAL to me.

Take a photo of yourself today wearing those jeans and a tshirt. then photo again after the 30 days. The visual effect of exercise will show up best that way.

[Kyooty]

My question is about your hernia? how is it handling the Ab work, I need a "redo" on mine and I am a feared of the ab work

[Nicholas]

Well folks, I am new to this site but love the recipes! However, on the topic of exercise I do need to add a few cents.
I am a HUGE P90X fan.
That program, and I have tried MANY, changed my life completely.
I must say that from the exercise viewpoint, try p90x. It is not for the weak at heart, but my results are more then words can say. P90X is truly one exercise routine that genuinely brings me happiness.

I did the 30 day shred and had ok results. I lost nearly 10 pounds in fat. Then a friend turned me onto the p90x program and, seriously, I feel like superman. From this day forward I will have to say, p90x is the best workout program I have ever, in my whole life, tried. I cancelled my Ballys membership, Kudos For Excercise!

[naomi]

Hi, I was wondering how the 3o day shred worked out for you? I am just starting my second week on this program. I use it every other day and take Sundays off. So basically I do 30 day shred, next day I do 40 min cardio and keep alternating it with Sunday off. I have noticed that I am becoming more toned and have lost 5 lbs.

[Jillian Michaels]

I took mine back to the store. I couldn't even get mine to work with my Fit Board, and it was SUCH a yawn.

[K.]

Just finished the first workout. I am 36 yrs old, 5ft 7", 130llbs and looking to get fit and toned. I have joined gyms, gone for a couple of months and then I quit. I have wasted more money on memberships than I care to admit! Partly because I hate going alone...it's well, boring. I am fine once I get there but just getting there is a pain. I think that's why I enjoyed Jillian's workout... felt like she was in the room with me kicking my ass! lol As far as eating goes I have kept off 22llbs for the last eight years doing Somersizing (the Suzanne Sommers thing) It really does work. I lost all that weight without exercise. I would like to take off maybe 8-10 more llbs and tone up or shred as Jillian says....

[Hannah]

"Finally, why am I doing this? A lot of people at work kind of rolled their eyes at me when I mentioned embarking on this 30 day program. I'm not overweight, and I don't think I'm fat. I'm a small person. That said, I can't button some of my favorite jeans, and that pisses me off. I don't necessarily want to lose weight, but I want to lose my belly pooch and have a more defined, more toned shape. I'd like to have a kick-ass body, not just a slim body. I want to be healthy."

Finally! Someone who understands me!! Everytime I talk about working out, my friends bring out the same discussion. "You're not fat!" "OMG, You're not anorexic are you???" "Really? Really?? Have you seen my fat?"

And ya know, it's kinda depressing. But I'm doing the 30 day shred now because small does not have to mean weak or out of shape =)

[erikoro]

I tend to keep doing the workouts at my own pace I usually use a heart rate monitor to keep my pace going