When I described the Shred workout to CB – 3 sets of a 6-minute circuit composed of 3 minutes of strength training (squats, lounges, pushups, arm presses, etc.), 2 minutes of cardio (jumping jacks, jump ropes), and 1 minute of abs (all the variety of crunches you can imagine) – he paused, then said, wow, that sounds really hard.
That, my friends, is a very accurate assessment of Jillian Michaels’ the 30 Day Shred (affiliate link).
It’s hard and it hurts. I am only using 2-pound weights, but those are plenty hard for me. The good thing about the Shred is how short it is – only 20 minutes a day. Throw in time rolling out the yoga mat and listening to Jillian’s inspirational-but-tough pep talk before the beginning of the video, and I’m still clocking in at under half an hour.
The surprising thing, though, is how much I like Jillian. I’ve always thought exercise video gurus as either too cheesy faux-upbeat or too in-your-face, but Jillian is a nice balance between the two. She tells you like it is – “abs like this don’t come for free”, but somehow you really believe that she is rooting for you – “I’m 100% committed to results”.
She’s no-nonsense and she dispels all sorts of romantic notions I’ve had that going on a leisurely walk after dinner or taking the stairs is “enough” exercise. After all, I’m moving around, right? This is the type of advice I see a lot in lifestyle magazines, i.e. just make these small little adjustments to your routine – take the stairs, park the car farther from the office, walk your dogs – and you are being good to your health. In fact, Jillian says advice such as these sends “a false message of lethargy.” Zing! I think that might have been my favorite line from this entire video.
All I know is that I am working harder in her 20-minute workouts than I have ever worked during hour-long gym excursions. And I’m only doing Level 1, the easiest level, and following Anita, the lady doing the “moderated versions” of harder exercises, i.e. not sinking as deep into the squats, push-ups with knees on the floor, etc. But it’s still the hardest workout I’ve ever had in my life. If I ever win the mega lotto, I am hiring Jillian as my personal trainer. For real.
As for results, well, 3 days is too soon to tell. I’ve decided not to measure myself until I’m done with Day 10, lest I get too discouraged by the lack of progress. But I do know that I have discovered muscles in my arms, shoulders, and calves that I previously had not known existed. They now make their existence known with pain.
Shredders, tell me how your Shred is going!
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Sounds like a great program!!! I have a few of Jillian's other exercise DVDs. If you would like to borrow them for a while once your done with the Shred just let me know. I won't need them until after my half marathon.
Thanks for the offer! I'll let you know. Congrats again on doing the half-marathon… that's 13+ miles. I think I'll start with a 5K. ;0
Yay! Congrats! I just finished day 5 today. I skipped this past weekend and maybe Friday to go to the gym. I agree with you, level 1 is tough. It gets better, but I still haven't moved on. I'm thinking when I'm closer to not having to modify (don't know if that will happen with push-ups) I will move on to level 2. I am beginning to feel not so sore the following days.
Good luck! Oh, I gave a shout-out to your challenge at my blog. Maybe more people will join the shred.
Thanks for the mention on the blog. I have to say.. this might be the longest I've ever stuck to a real exercise program. Which is quite sad considering it's only been 3 days. Congrats on your Day 5. You're 1/6 done with the program!
Well put! It is seriously the hardest workout I've ever had! I'm only just getting to the point where I can sink a little deeper in the moves and push a little harder in the crunches – but I'm still doing pushups on my knees. I have a feeling I will be for a WHILE! I'm on Day 12 of exercising, but only 6 of those have been The Shred. I plan on using that from here on out though, because like you said, this is kick butt!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
The bicycle crunches are the worst. I can't believe Jillian said those were her favorites. Haha.
"a false message of lethargy.”
^totally agree with this part of the video.
My triceps and biceps were sore day 2, but day 3 I'm feeling great – lol – wonder if I'm doing something wrong!
I hate the push ups the most. I'm SO GLAD that they are at the beginning. After that first weight set is over and the push ups are gone I know I can do the rest.
I've been using 3lb weights for all the exercises except the squat thrusts. For some reason I get worn out with those not even using weights. So weird…
I think the squats + arm presses are most difficult. I must have really weak arms. I kept thinking – Anita is so fit.. she's not even breaking a sweat!
I made it through 12 minutes the first day. Tuesday I was so sore I couldn't do it. Today I wanted to do it after I did the treadmill, but my back was giving me fits on the treadmill, so I didn't do it. I'm going to try it again tomorrow.
I'm overweight, but I work out for an hour at a time. But I am struggling hard!! It's worth it though!
That was about the reaction I had.
It is way harder than 20 minutes should reasonably be, but it's over quickly which makes it bearable to do it again.
I'm 5 Days into the Shred and my endurance has improved a lot. I use 2 lb wieghts as well and I find it very tough. I like Jillian too and sometimes I do the shred witn my mum and I translate (the video is not in Spanish and my mum doesn't speak English) what Jillian says so that she can get motivated too.
I'm starting to see my biceps get firm, the biggest change has been my legs. My legs just feel so firm and strong! My posture has improved too and while I still sweat like a pig after the work out ends, I don't get as sore anymore.
5 days hmmm… I'll be expecting more definition in my arms in another 2 days then.
I can't say my legs have gotten stronger… I just know that they are very, very sore.
Good for you!!
I just started the 30 day shred yesterday and I agree with everything you said about the video. "I've had 400lb people doing this, you can do it too" – It's as if she knew I needed to hear that, at that very moment!
Can't wait to see your results!!
I hear you on the results – that's the only reason I decided to do The Shred. It hurts and it's hard but at least it delivers results, right?
Congrats on your progress! The Shred is an awesome program but it will kick. your. butt.
P.S. Anita has the best abs in the world. She didn't get them by doing modified moves, I'm dying to know what got here there!
I ended up getting the video on Netflix. Those side lunges with the weights are the hardest for me. Well, that and the pushups. I started yesterday and my arms are sore today. I like the butt kicks and the jumping jacks.
I love Jillian. The shred isn't my favorite, so I stick to her other workout videos (which kick your butt just as much!). I understand that some people don't like her no nonsense attitude, but I need that. I need her to motivate me to work as hard as I can, and my favorite line of hers is "don't phone it in."
My husband likes to work out to her videos with me, so it's good to have a partner in crime. Especially when we both want to yell at her for not starting her countdown soon enough, and that our arms are going to fall off or our abs are on fire.
I so look forward to her countdowns. They make the last few seconds more bearable.
All of you have me wanting to try this shred!
Unfortunately I can't commit to joining the challenge (other "fitness" commitments right now!) BUT, I am very familiar with that workout!! My least favorite move was always the pushups, followed by the lateral arm raises with side lunges. While I used 5 pounds for most moves (and it wasn't enough for some) I had to do those arm raises with no weights! It was the only way!
Good times….some days I'd just wake up, do the workout, and Jillian would seriously piss me off….I think I yelled back at her a few times. lol.
Hmm….I'm feeling a bit left out. Maybe I should join you guys afterall? hehe…
Yes you should join.
Have you done The Shred before? Did you see results?
Hahaha, I think I live that "false message of lethargy." If only I didn't feel so damn lethargic!!! Lol! I've been considering getting a Jillian Michaels DVD, but I got pilates and yoga instead. (I'm so lazy!)
You have inspired me to do the 30-day shred! But I won't start until next month. I don't have a weight loss goal but I want to curb the metobalism slow-down that I've heard people complain of when they hit their mid and late twenties. Good luck to you!
Thanks! I am trying to work up the motivation to tackle Day 4…
Long time reader (*ahem, lurker), first time commenter. I was inspired by your post, and have started doing a vinyasa flow yoga DVD. It isn't intense in the same way as the 30 Day Shred (which I plan on cycling with the yoga) but it is a great workout as well. I'm on day 3 and I can feel it in my whole entire body! Thanks for the motivation and for providing me with a way to feel accountable for sticking with it!
Hi there! Thanks for delurking!
I haven't tried yoga DVDs before, most of the time I couldn't stay still for that long. But I think I'd like to get into yoga and pilates a bit more to improve my flexibility.
"A false message of lethargy" has me in tears. Well, not really, but it did make me sad. Just a little. Le sigh. I have totally been convincing myself that parking farther away or taking the stairs was helpful!
I started with 3lb weights on the first workout then used 5lb for the back row and chest flys by the second workout. I do my pushups from a stability ball where I can easily adjust the intensity just by rolling on the ball so my ankles are on the ball (more intense) to my knees on the ball (less intense). I've taken breaks where I need to, but no more than 5 seconds! Worth 20 min/day to drop a pants size (I hope, I hope).
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Congratulations.The only thing that concerns me is that I feel the program is not enough. It's 30 days and 20 minutes whereas programs like beachbody ones are an hour for90 days. Will I get results?
Brianna- Although its only 20 mins a day its a great workout but nothing stopping you doing extra I am on day 3 and yesterday i even did another 20 mins on the swiss ball maybe pushed it a bit too much. When you have done the 30 days you dont need to stop you would continue and mix up the exercises from the different levels etc.