The Shred is incredibly well designed. It's a series of three workouts. Each one is the same length (28 minutes) and consists of the same elements. There's a warm up, then three circuits that consist of 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs, at the end of the third circuit there's cool down. The total minutes is 27-28 minutes, even though Jillian is telling you the entire time that it's a "20 minute workout".
The concept is to do the level 1 workout for days 1-10, then move to level 2 for days 11-20, then level 3 for days 21-30. I had worked into a good routine and was working out daily for an hour a day before I started using the video. I decided to use the video to get my weight loss going again and hopefully start working on some definition.
I was amazed that after the first day of Shred, I was majorly sore. That continued for the first 5 days or so and by day 8,9,10 I was recovered and feeling really strong... Then level 2 started and I was really sore again... then by day 8,9,10 I was starting to think I can do this... Then today, I started level 3 ... As I'm writing this I'm sore again and in new places. My upper back is sore, parts of my abs are sore, my hamstrings are sore.
I think it's a really well designed workout and highly effective. It will be something I will return to and have in my toolbox, even after the 30 days are over (we're actually doing it for 45 days, as the end of that 45 days culminates in our 20th wedding anniversary and we're heading to the beach. )
Here's a blog entry I wrote after the first day or two of Shred.
http://hayneshealth.blogspot.com/2008/05/sore-agai n-naturally.html
My workouts vary a lot, but the most common are biking and running. If the weather is bad I do elliptical or Tae Bo. I've tried to add Shred on top of what I was already doing, but I am allowing myself a little lighter other workout. Today I ran 30 minutes and walked 15 instead of running 45 and walking 15, for example and then did the Shred level 3
I work out 6 days a week and then take a rest day. I try to stay focused on these four things: water, healthy foods, exercise, and rest. I figure if I'm keeping those four in line my body will respond and it will be a long term change rather than a short term fix.
Thanks for the questions. I love to tell people about what's been working for me. This journey is so interesting because a group of friends with similar goals like we have here is SO helpful... and it's such an individual journey at the same time.
Blessings, William
Need to focus
))) im very happy for you. i hope you have continued success!
