And by challenge, I mean I am challenging myself (and any readers who would like to join me) to start, stick with, and finish the 30-Day Shred. (Because I need accountability partner(s) – stat!).
People often compare personal finance to physical fitness. Success in both areas require discipline and motivation, and is subject to the immutable law of arithmetic. To save, you must earn more than you spend. To lose weight, you must expand more calories through exercise than you eat. Unfortunately, though I manage my financial situation well enough, I always seem to find an excuse to forgo a run but give in to cake, delicious cake.
But really – no more excuses!
I first heard about 30-Day Shred a few months ago, then promptly put it out of my mind. It’s a program developed by Jillian Michaels, one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser (see here for a YouTube excerpt of the Shred). After Kelly of Centsible Life ‘s ringing endorsement of the Shred, I looked into the program. I googled some results for the Shred, and read about all the amazing results that women had with this program (see here, here, and here).
The consensus seems to be that the workouts are tough, you will be sore (and you will wish all sorts of ill-will on Jillian. And you will want to curl up in a ball and not move for a month), but if you stick with it, you will get results. Which is what we’re after, right?
Losing weight isn’t a big priority for me, but I’d like to focus on gaining muscle tone, a stronger core, and a trimmer figure. I have a petite frame, and though my metabolism has held up for the past 20 years despite my very deep and abiding love for butter and sweets, it won’t do that forever. Besides, I want to be healthier and fitter – oh, fine, and I won’t lie - it’d be a nice bonus to look sleeker in slinky tango dresses.
The program only takes 20 minutes a day, although from what I’ve read, that is apparently more than enough time to develop a hatred of Jillian and her perky exercise companions! Even though I’m not a big fan of exercise (while I’m a HUGE fan of food – great combination), I can stick with it for 30 days, right? It’s only 30 days.
Plus, the price is right – only $8.99 on Amazon.com (disclosure: that is an affiliate link. I get a few pennies if you decide to purchase from that link!). You can also see if Target or WalMart carry the DVD. Since I don’t have any free weights, I’ll also need to put some money for a few light weights – I’m going to go for the 5-pounders.
Who’s with me?
I am going to start next Monday, January 11 (Over the weekend, I am going to buy the DVDs, go get some weights, and get a tape measure so I can keep track of my progress). If you’d like to join the Well-Heeled Blog 30-Day Shred Challenge, drop a comment here and let me know. Only if you are comfortable with sharing the information – you can share your starting statistics.
I’ll make a list of participants and post it next Monday. Then we’ll do weekly progress reports and hopefully keep everyone motivated and accountable! I’m also trying to think of a good prize for one participant… but even if the prizes are lame (right now I have 3 mini Sephora lip glosses in mind?), we’ll still all win with fitter, healthier bodies, right? 
image source: amazon.com
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I will join, I need some motivation!!! Got to get ready for this wedding!
Woohoo! Our first Challenge participant.
Glad to have you on board.
Uh..I'm going to pass on this, but I have used a couple of Jillian's videos before and she is tough. It seems like she's talking (yelling) only to you. You feel like you're on biggest loser. Good luck. If you keep with it, you'll do great!
I got the 30 Day Shred DVD from my mom… she bought it and thought it was too hard, so I brought it home. It's been sitting next to the TV for a couple weeks now– I'm scared!
I'm scared too. But I figured I can always do The Shred, say, 5 days out of 7, if my muscles need more time to recuperate. Jillian is not REALLY there to make sure I do all 30 days, right?
I have the 30 Day Shred – I tried it on Christmas and nearly died. No, not really, but I LITERALLY (yes, LITERALLY, and TMI, I know) screamed everytime I had to pee becasue I was SO SORE that it hurt like hell just to lower myself onto the toilet. …But I think I might do this with you. I happen to have an ear infection right now that hurts whenever I do any sudden movements, but if it’s all clear by Monday, consider me on it!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..January 2010 Net Worth =-.
Okay you've officially scared me.
And you say you might do this again? You're brave!! I hope your infection clears up.
I'm in! I don't have the video but I do go to a nice gym that I need to utilize more! I'm going to look into the video, but either way, I need an accountability partner!!!
Yay for accountability partner! I'll add you to the list.
Woohoo! and i went ahead an order it, along with another video that amazon was offering a double deal on!
I love Jillian's workouts, my husband and I try and do them at least a few times a week, as our cable on demand has them, but I'm considering buying them as well, since they're really cheap and awesome! The 30 day shred isn't my favorite, I love no more trouble zones, and I also want to try her boost metabolism and banish fat one. Good luck!
I am actually not going to do the 30 Day Shred, but am here to wish you good luck. I also wanted to mention, are you ok with 5 lb weights? They might not provide enough resistence if you are looking to tone more. Definitely pick up a set and see if you can lift about 10 times with moderate strain. I know Jillian is also a fan of the doubling up, so you want to make sure that if you are going to go higher than 5, that you are able to put both those weights in one hand.
Sounds like a good program (although Sarah's comment kind of scares me!)… I would participate if I hadn't already started a weight loss program myself.
For the first month, I'm going to do a modified version of the south beach diet, just to lose the initial weight, then go to a conservative one where I eat higher quality food in smaller proportions throught the day, and then augment it with moderate exercise.
Good luck! Sounds like it should be pretty effective!
How funny, I just started this on Monday! However, I'm not doing it 30-days straight b/c it's not practical with my schedule, and my muscles really need time to mend themselves in between workouts. That being said, I did it MOnday and have been sore Tuesday and today! It must be doing something!
Wow sounds pretty intense. I love Jillian on TBL. She was so sweet last night when she was so compassionate for those three guys who were 484lbs and more, thinking it is dangerous for the show to keep getting bigger each season.
I have a gym membership that I rarely use so I will be doing that, I may even calculate my measurements to see if there is any difference after a month. Now wouldn't that be motivation if there was a difference!
Be careful–30 Day Shred hurt me. I mean, not in the, I'm sore because I had a great workout way, but in the, WOW, I pulled a serious muscle, I couldn't walk up stairs for over a week way. No thanks. The No More Trouble Zones DVDs aren't too rough, though.
I'm in too – another lurker.
Are hand weights the only thing we need? Looks like you can also get the 30 day Shred for $8.99 on itunes store.
Good tips.. thanks! As for the luck, I do believe I will need a lot of it.
It should be effective. Unless I die.
Are you doing it once every other day? Or 4 days a week? I wonder how necessary it is to do all 30 days in a row…
I'll add you to list of accountability partners if you'd like. I haven't seen Jillian on TBL, but everything I've heard about her makes me think she's 1. fascinating, and 2. terrifying.
Oh no! I'm sorry you got hurt. That's my fear. I'll have really listen to my body and hopefully that doesn't happen. How are you feeling now?
Thanks for delurking.
I think hand weights are the only things, but you'd need a mat if you don't have carpet in your house.
do you not also need a jump rope? Looked to your recent update about Day 3 of the shred and you mentioned jumping rope. A bit confused…
Nope.. it's jumping with an imaginary rope. Although you can do it with a real jump rope as well. I don't have the space for it, nor do I have a jump rope.
Got it, thanks! I am going to try to get it soon as I have a Borders gift card. I've heard too many good things about these videos to pass on it any longer. :]
HI, I learned about your blog after reading your response to Tea's financial post.
I think I'm in… I already have Dr. Ian Smith's book that fat smash and it is FANTASTIC but it wouldn't hurt to try this too!
PJD
I have this video, and although it isn't easy, it's do-able. It is a tough 20 minutes, but it's over pretty quickly, and I didn't get too sore (I do exercise pretty regularly, but more endurance (long power walks) than intense intervals like these). With all your dancing, you might find some of the weight training parts tough, but not the cardio. Actually, with respect to the weights, contrary to another commenter, if you haven't lifted weights before, 5 lbs might be tough. Jillian does a lot of reps, so although I prefer heavier weights and fewer reps generally, lighter weights might be in order for this workout, depending on your existing strength. Sorry for the dissenting opinion!
I will gladly cheer you on in this quest, but will pass on joining in. My friend and I just joined a gym for a month (we usually exercise outside, but weather in Southern Ontario is not cooperating these days!) and we will be doing a tough 50-60 minute class 5-6 days a week, so I don't think I can fit in "the shred" too. Good luck though-like anything, if you stick with it, you'll absolutely see results.
Man… I so want to… I wouldn't be able to get it from Amazon in time to do it with you. I'll see if the library has it.
Okay, it is available from the library on the 13th, so I'll start two days late.
Yes! Another one joins The Shred Challenge. This will be great.
I ordered the DVD. Do we just do the video every day? 30 times? The same workout? Are there multiple workouts?
Hi PJD – welcome! I hope you stick around.
(Feel free to out First Time Here? page at the menu bar). And welcome to The Shred Challenge. I think my abs hurt a little just from talking about it.
I got it last year but I need to get the barrel shape out in the 2010. I am down…I need to get my measurement done too. Amen to accountability!
I am in! I am a lurker on your blog and really enjoy it.
I have been talking about this for about a week…now I just need to go purchase it!
Awesome! Would love for you to join the Challenge. I actually just kind of decided on The Shred on a whim – but I know I won't stick with it unless I had people to keep me accountable.
Oh nice catch on iTunes! Instant satisfaction!
Welcome aboard.
Oops, I should also check to see if I can get it from Amazon.com in time. Or else I might have to start late too.. which is a little embarassing as I started this challenge.
Haha that would be a little embarrassing. =)
p.s. I haven't been very active in long a time, so feel free to take my comment with a grain of salt.
I'm a semi-lurker, I think I've commented a handful of times before
I'm in! I actually already started though, so I won't be doing it right alongside you, but I'll definitely be commiserating, haha. I bought it last May, did it for a week, then got all caught up in finals and crazy that I never picked it back up.
New year, new goals, right? I've just finished day 2 and I have to say, wow. I forgot how intense it was. It definitely makes me realize how out of shape I am.
My piece of advice? Use the weights you can handle. I think Jillian recommends 3s, so 5s are probably fine…10 might be a bit much, but then again – it just depends on YOU, right? Also, make sure you have a softer surface (carpet or a mat) because it's a lot of up and down, and quick. Finally, do it at your own pace. I knew somebody who tried to get through all 3 levels in the 30 days, and she walked like an 85 year old woman. Just do what you can, and even if you don't do it every day I'm sure you'll get results.
At least, that's what my thighs are currently telling me
I am in (I think). I have been feeling like crap for several days, but I bet I'll be ready to go by Monday! First I need to research this and see if I really want to commit to it. . .
I'm in chica!
Sorry, but this routine is pretty sub-par. Not even $8.99. I recommend http://www.stumptuous.com/, which has weightlifting routines for women for free.
Getting in shape is a life-changing endeavour, not something you can do in 30 days.
Count me in! I bought the DVD a few months ago and have tried to stick to it with regularity but have never done it 30 days in a row.
Another lurker here. I was just talking to a co-worker of mine about this and I think I'm game. The only thing I really do now is the elliptical at the local rec, so I think I'm in because I definitely need to get a full body (better) workout. I need to look into where I can get the DVD from the quickest.
"New year, new goals" – yes, definitely. I am excited about starting The Shred. Scared, but also excited.
Great. This is going to be fun! (famous last words, no?)
I completely agree that getting in shape is a lifelong endeavour, but I think I need Jillian's brand of motivation to get started. The rapid results are good motivators too.
30 days in a row, here we go.
I just won a $10 Amazon gift certificate through a contest at Wisebread…I'm in! I still have to order the DVD though!
30 Day Shred and all of Jillian's videos are available on Netflix.
I was doing this before the Christmas holidays (and need to start doing it again.)
Jillian is a terrifying beotch, but whatever. She kept me doing the exercises, so she must be doing something right…
I think I'm in. I'd love to see some quick results. My once tight tummy is slowly getting mushy. I'm not sure what happened! I'll check out the video through your Amazon link and check back here this weekend. If my tummy could look like Jillian's (it used to!) that would be great. Oh, I have a Wisebread Amazon gift certificate, I can use it on that!
What got me intrigued about The Shred is the quick results that I've read about. As long as I don't drop dead of exhaustion, I should see the results, no?
Hi WellHeeled – today was my second day of the shred. I haven't even used weights yet and my arms are still pretty sore from the push ups! I just went and got 3lbs today. But that said…I'm in too! I am doing the Shred every other day and running every other day.
I bought 30 Day Shred tonight! Plan on beginning tomorrow. Though, I'm not committing to 30 days in a row, b/c 1) I may mix it up with the gym (I like running on the treadmill…by no means tho, am I a great runner), and 2) classes begin for me soon, and I will be super busy. But, since the workouts are only 20 mins long, I figured I can squeeze them in. Let's just hope I don't get so sore, I'm unable to function when it comes to work! I can't wait to read about your results. If all goes well and I stick to it (for the most part), I will blog about mine as well.
I will do it with you! I have the DVDs but haven’t really used them.
I have recently gained a significant amount of weight so I need a good kick in the booty!
I'm going to try it too. I hope I don't get too sore because I'm starting school again on Monday :S.
Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe!
. I’ll go and read some more!