Friday, May 14, 2010

The Shred, by Jillian Michaels - Review

Jillian Michaels - 30 Day ShredI recently completed the 30 Day Shred, by Jillian Michaels. In my attempt to lose the last half of the baby weight, I was really excited about the prospect of losing "up to 20 pounds in 30 days." I convinced Jeff to do the workout with me through whining and some more whining about how it wasn't fair that I had to work so hard to lose weight gained from pregnancies. Besides, he had a pesky 5 pounds of "sympathy weight" that he was looking to lose.

The DVD includes 3 different workout levels, each about 27 minutes long. They are supposed to be 20 minutes, but the timer on my DVD player said 25 minutes plus every time. I looked online and even joined Jillian's online "team," but was still unable to find concrete information on how long a person should work on each level and what size of weights to use. I ended up asking some friends on FB who I knew completed the Shred. They each worked about a week to 10 days on the levels.

We started with level one and it was definitely very difficult for me. Before this I was doing my T-Tapp or pilates workouts 6 days a week plus walking 3 times a week. I couldn't even do a sissy push-up! I did level one for a week and could make it through the push-ups with my knees on the floor. I advanced to level 2 on day 8 because I was curious what was next and I had heard rumors that the exercises were not actually harder, just different. I would agree, although level 2 is challenging in that many of the movements are done from the plank position. Level 3 has a lot of jumping which really hurt my knees, although made me work really hard. After working through all three levels, I ended up doing a rotation, each day doing a different level.

I saw immediate results, after I made it through the grueling first few days when I thought I would die. I lost 4 pounds in the first week. I threw myself a party, (there may or may not have been a tub of ice cream involved) rejoicing all the way to the scale. Then I gained it all back plus 2 pounds. Arg. Arg again. My husband said that it was all muscle and I think I actually agree. I felt more toned and stronger. Plus I took my measurements every week and was seeing losses there. I would deffinetely recommend you take your measurements if you start something like this. It's as gratifying when the numbers on the scale say nothing is happening!

These are the measurements recommended by T-tapp:

  • Pecs
  • Bust/Chest
  • Ribs
  • Waist
  • Abs
  • Hips
  • Right Upper Thigh
  • Left Upper Thigh
  • Right Lower Thigh
  • Left Lower Thigh
  • Right Calf
  • Left Calf
  • Right Upper Arm
  • Left Upper Arms
I lost 4 and a half inches total, mostly from my hips and legs. Yay! I am wearing one size smaller in my jeans and had to break down and buy one pair even though I haven't met my goal. The scale, on the other hand, says that I am one pound heavier than when I started the Shred. Scale or no scale, I am happy with my results from the Shred and feel better about myself.

Jeff's review would be positive as well. He did the levels right along with me, using 11 pound weights in each hand (I used 3 pounders). He's a stud. His favorite level was 3 and mine was level 2. He saw definite toning in his arms and chest and his stomach is flatter. Keep in mind that he didn't have a weight issue to start with. But the number on the scale was bothering him and didn't match his driver's license information. * What woman's weight matches the DMV info? If I was going by that, I would be a runway model. * Anyway, he lost that pesky 5 pounds. The DMV records can rest easy now.

I'm ready for something else. The Shred was good. The Shred was fine. But I am ready for another hurdle. I just can't decide what to try next. Yoga? Px90? More Zumba? More T-Tapp? I still have 15 pounds left to go (pre-pregnancy weight). Not ready to give up yet....



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9 comments:

Coleson & Tate said...

I cant believe you lost 4 pounds in the first week?! I did the shred for a week...although, I guess not every day. oops. maybe that is clencher :) anyhow. good for yor and over 4 inches lost! awesome.I love that. I need that. I am working on that ;) I am doing a stroller fitness class at the Y a couple days and trying to get out to walk/jog at least one day or do the eliptical and weights one day. Tate is almost a year...I will lose the weight! :)

Unknown said...

Way to go increasing the exercise and for your faithfulness at it! You will probably drop that weight through the summer and when you stop nursing and aren't hungry all the time. Keep us posted as your progress. Cheering for you! Jenni B

Carissa said...

I have been wanting to try PX90 but it is so expensive. I think it is one that Ryan and I could do together and he would not feel all girly! lol

Unknown said...

Nice work!! I would recommend p90x for sure. We are doing it over here and it has tons of variety including yoga (which is great). It'll definitely challenge you!

Take care and happy exercising!

Stacy said...

Jonathan ordered P90X and decided "we" are doing it together. Not sure how I got signed up for this, but as soon as we get somewhat settled we'll get cracking. I'll let you know what I think.

joyq said...

Brett has P90X and he got in GREAT shape doing it! I think I might give it a whirl... Even though the last time I ran was to the bathroom.

Melanie said...

I resolved that discomfort about my license weight being a lie by moving to a state that doesn't put your weight on your license!

Linds and Manda said...

Phew, glad that DMV can rest easy. And you! Way to go! Lindsay was reading over my shoulder and is super proud of Jeff and those pesky five pounds. He also recommends you guys should buy a Wii Fit. Here's the link to the advertisement we saw the other day. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYBmAVuBns

Heather Davis said...

I have both p90x and Insanity... Th only reason I like Insanity better is because it requires NO equipment!!
Like you husband I have no need to lose weight but am insanely out of shape (despite that I can pass the armys physical fitness test) and in desperate need of some toning..
I'm on my third week of insanity and when I began the warm up was a challange... now I am making it through the warm up and not stopping to catch my breath quite as often...
highly recommend it though... just start slow and rest when you need to... you don't have to keep up with them to see awesome results... best of luck