I Did It! (or How I survived the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels)
As a regular blog reader and somewhat of a regular exerciser, I was intrigued about all of the buzz surrounding the 30 Day Shred workout DVD with Jillian Michaels. I had purchased the video about a year ago and I sort of followed the program once with mediocre results. Then in the fall of 2008 I was faced with an invitation to my upcoming high school reunion in June 2009. At the time, I was pushing my maximum weight and I was feeling tired and flabby. I knew my “ho-hum” workouts were not enough and I decided to change that with the New Year. I decided to start 2009 by completing the 30 Day Shred.
Here was the plan: I would work out for 30 days with the DVD. I would do 10 days at Level 1, 10 days at Level 2 and 10 days at Level 3. I would start on January 2nd and finish my 30 days on January 31st. (On a side note: we had scheduled my son’s birthday party at a local indoor pool for January 31st. That extra pressure to wear a bathing suit in public was extra motivation!) I would modify my diet by tracking my calories on FitDay.com and try to eat whole, non processed foods as much as possible. I also decided to only eat one or two starches per day.
As Jillian says, “That is enough talk”. Here are my measurements and my before and after pics (click to view larger versions):
(Please ignore the “no make-up / bad hair” post work out look. Ugh!)
Overall, I lost 7 pounds and 8.25 inches. I am pretty pleased with those results. Was it hard? YES! I have a husband, 2 kids, a job and all kinds of commitments. But I kept telling myself “It’s only 20 minutes”. Honestly, by the time I was a few days into Level 2, I really started to look forward to my workouts. There were days when I was sore, tired, and unmotivated. But for once, I really wanted to stick with this commitment. I am so glad that I did it too. Did I lose “20 pounds in 30 days”? No. Am I “totally shredded”? Not yet. But I am stronger and fitter than I was only a month ago. Now I am off to my next challenge. Hmmm, “Visible results in 10 workouts”? We’ll see . . .
– article by Jill
Tags: 30 Day Shred, Jillian Michaels
February 5th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Wow! Color me impressed! Congratulations and keep it up!
February 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I’m with you in the Two Kids and A Job boat so to see you get through this and have such great results is way motivating. Thanks for sharing your progress! You look great!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Awesome progress!
How much space do you need for this workout?
February 5th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
yea to my big sis! you look great!!!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
What an awesome difference in 30 days! Good job!
February 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Jennifer:Thanks for the compliment.
I workout in a small area in my basement. You don’t need a huge amount of space for these workouts. You need to be able to do a full push-up and lunges. Most of the cardio is jumping jacks, running in place, etc.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
[...] This weekend will be a much needed getaway for Mark and me. My lovely sister (the one featured over here) is taking M for the night so he and I can spend the night in Columbus. Thank goodness for free [...]
February 5th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Good for you! Stick with it! I’m on day 9 and already feel better (not looking any different yet though) and plan on starting level two tomorrow or Saturday!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Your story could be my story! I’ve been doing the 30DS in January, but not every day. I’ve been modifying cals… Oh, I really want results like yours!! Congrats! I’m going to have to try it, 30 days with no excuses.
thanks for posting this, and the pictures! You look awesome!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:40 am
You really don’t need much floor space to do it, but you do need some ceiling height (I mean, normal ceiling height) — I was going to set up a little space in our basement, but the lower ceiling down there is not really compatible with windmills and jumping jacks. So I hop around in the living room like a goon.
I’m only a couple of days into it, but I’m feeling good about it!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I’m trying to think if I have enough room in the bedroom. I don’t want to force my 3 guys to watch all that jigging.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:44 am
And my jigging, I meant jiggling!
February 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Jennifer,
I live in a teeny studio and manage to do it! Just lay down on your floor and see if you have room to do pushups and you’ll probably be okay
February 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
You’ve singlehandedly inspired me, Jill. Just curious, did you do anything like just drink water, no or minimal alcohol, or did you just do a calorie count (and if so, what number)?
February 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Motherhood: This is what I did for my food intake: Only drank coffee (in the a.m.) and water, ate lean protein and fruits / veggies for breakfast and lunch and I added a whole grain starch or two at dinner. On the weekends, I allowed my self one “cheat” meal BUT I paid close attention to portions. I also used FitDay.com to track my calorie intake as well as my protein / carb / fat ratio. I was still in “holiday eating mode” at the beginning of January and FitDay made me realize that I was eating 2500 calories a day!! Now I usually eat between 1400-1600 calories per day.
As for alcohol, I rarely drink, and if I do it is usually a glass of wine or two. I did not drink any alcohol during my 30 days. Hope this helps!
BTW, FitDay is a free web site!
February 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
That is completely awesome. Thanks for sharing your results – what a great motivator.
I started in with the 30 Day Shred in November, working up to Level 2 in December, and tentatively adding in Level 3 starting last week. I’ve only skipped a couple of days in all that time. In spite of not having much control over my eating (can’t.resist.carbs), I can feel a definite difference in my body and my clothes (I need new jeans now). Maybe now I can get myself going on the calorie counting, I can really make some progress.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Thanks for stopping by my personal blog and sharing your results. You look fabulous.
I am tracking my weight loss results whilst doing the 30 Day Shred plus an hour walk 5 times a week at the blog that is linked here.
I am in week 2 and found that I am losing inches but not really losing pounds. Hopefully that will come soon.
February 7th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
This is terrific. Those photos show that you not only lost inches, you lost some body fat percentage, “tightened things up.” That’s great!
I did about 20 days’ worth of 30DS in December (before I got the 30-day sinus-cold from hell), and I noticed arm definition and upper-abs definition right away. I guess that’s because I’ll never make myself do that abs torment on my own, but Jillian makes me do it (and the pushups too!) I seriously think that Level 1 with 8 lb handweights is the best workout of all three!
Your photos are motivating me to get started with it again. Thanks.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Awesome! I’m on day 1…this post came at a great time! Consider me motivated!
February 17th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Good for you! YAY!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I’m a 40 year old man who’s just started this workout and I can report that it is indeed challenging. I’m really glad I spent the $10 on this video. I should have done something like this years ago.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I just started this yesterday and have been scanning everywhere trying to find someone with a real review and results. Thanks for posting this! Gives me hope that I will see some results in the 30 days
March 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I’ve been hitting the 30 Day Shred here and there. The most I did it was three days in a row at Level 1. I re-started it tonight and WILL do 30 days. This post inspired me and I LOVE that you posted before and after pics.
You look fantastic!! Thanks for the motivation and the tip on the free website
March 27th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Congrats on the great results! I am doing the Shred too but not sticking to 10 days on each. This is motivating!
April 16th, 2009 at 11:08 am
So inspiring! I started the Shred yesterday & thought “I wonder what is going on at Bodies in Motivation” and I am so happy I found this post. Of course, I can barely move today but managed to do it again this morning.
We live in a small apartment and I have plenty of space as long as I move the coffee table out of the way.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
You look just wonderful! Thanks for all the information on the “shred” and pictures! I just started it and Boy, ….do I feel the burn! I’m only on day 3 but I feel like my body is already ‘tightening up’.
Again, congratulations on your results and thanks for the motivational blog.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Wow! first of all, great job! Your starting waist and hip measurements are the exact same as mine. I’m starting the shred today, so I hope to have lost at least half of what you lost. GREAT JOB!!!
October 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am
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October 30th, 2011 at 2:38 am
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November 14th, 2011 at 7:34 am
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