*Challenge* 30 Day Shred? We'll see!

OK so I've read tons of posts about Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout DVD, and was really excited to get it to try it out myself.  Supposedly it's super hard, it kicks your ass, people hurt so bad they can't do it after 3 days, and everyone who's done it loves it!  However, I've yet to read a post from anyone who's finished the video all the way through or who has done it for 30 days straight. 

So, I've got my DVD.  ($10 at Walmart!  What a steal!) 
November is 30 days. 
I say, let's get together and do it! 

Here are the Challenge parameters:

• Everyone involved does the workout every day, starting Nov. 1 and ending Nov. 30. Workouts can be whatever time of day you like, and can be the only thing you do that day or can be in addition to your normal routine.
• *EDITED to add this ADDENDUM: I figure cheat days are bound to happen for some.  If at all possbile- DON'T.  But I'm not going to banish you from the thread if you miss a day! :)  Try to keep it down to, say, no more than 3 times this month, k?  And if you do miss a day or two 'fess up at the end so we know how complete your 30 days really were.
  
• Participants should check in at least once a week to report their progress.  (This can be in the form of weight and/or measurement stats, complaints about how their ass or thighs hurt, comments of encouragement and how much they're loving the workout, discussion on how annoying the music is, etc.)
• We can decide as a group or individually about when it's time to move on from Level 1 to 2 and 2 to 3.  All 3 levels should be done by the end of the month, though.
• Report in on Nov. 30 with how it's gone for you and how much weight you lost.  Any advice for people just starting out with the video?  Anything you found particularly challenging?  Any tips or tricks for fitting it into your schedule? (ie Time of day it worked best? etc.)   Put it all here. 
  

At the end of it all we'll all be a little thinner, a little lighter, and hopefully fantastically shredded! I have my doubts that we'll actually lose 20lbs in the 30 days as she claims, but I'm curious to find out.

Who's with me!?

Just to answer a couple of questions:

In Level 1 - strength moves 1-5 I used 5 pound weights

                  strength move 6 I used 3 pound weights

In Level 2 - strength moves 1-4 I used 5 pound weights

                  strength move 5 I used 4 pound weights

                  strength move 6 I used 3 pound weights

                  ab move 2 I used 10 pound weights

So far these are starting weights & I will be increasing them as they get easier. I do my regular (60 minute) workout 5 days per week, then I follow that with the 30 day shred. My workouts are in the mornings (about 1 1/2 hours after waking up. I also walk (round trip 64 minutes) or ride a bike (round trip 30 minutes) to work.

Nov 9   Level 1 & Level 2 (weight 141.4)

Nov 10 Level 2

Nov 11 Level 2 (twice)

Nov 12 Level 2

Nov 13 Level 2

Nov 14 Level 2 (twice)

Nov 15 Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3 (weight 140.6)

Was sick for a lot of yesterday so didn't feel like sitting at the comp to type.  I'm down to 214 as of this morning... I think I'm beginning to plateau a bit, though it's hard to tell for sure 'cause next week is ttotm.  Next week's weigh in will show me for sure.  On the other hand, I did do my monthly measurement reading this morning and I'd lost an inch off both my hips and waist since last month.. whether that's from Jillian or not I'm not sure but it's not too shabby!

This week's question- How are you keeping motivated?  I'm finding it harder and harder to get off my butt and do the work out.. especially when it's the same thing every time, the same script, etc.  I even switched to Level 2, but it's still seeming monotonous now... 

that is so awesome! an inch is a huge accomplishment!

um. my progress has been..not so good. i am hesitant to admit it but i got busy at work last week and came home not wanting to do the shred. luckily i was also too stressed to overeat, so my weight is stable, but i feel so bad for messing up the challenge.

you are definitely right about it getting old. that was also a factor in my failure. i am determined to get back on track the rest of the month (esp. with thanksgiving coming). tonight i did level two on mute with my ipod on. i love to workout to good music so it definitely helped. i think i might switch off every day 1 / 2 and keep using the ipod.

good luck this week :) and dont be mad at me!

Nov 16 Level 1 & Level 2

Nov 17 Level 2

Nov 18 Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3

Nov 19 Level 1 & Level 2

Nov 20 Level 2

Nov 21 Level 1, Level 2 (twice) & Level 3

Nov 22 Level 3

No weight change but I only did these workouts & none of my regular workout. I have had a cold all week so hopefully I can get my weight moving down again.

yeeeeah... so really tough week this week.  LONG days at work that totally drained me.  I think i did the workout twice?  it was all so long it blurs together.. so I pretty much failed my own challenge.  Sorry, guys.  I will continue to try to do the workout when I am able and finish out the month.. and hopefully my work schedule will be back on track soon. 

ilovedietcoke- maybe I'll try your mute/music version of the workout and see how that goes.  Maybe that will help get me motivated too.  It's especially hard after an already long day to pop that DVD in when you know you'll be doing the same damn thing and hearing the same damn coaching again.

buggyhair- you are a rockstar.  Seriously, way to go! 

And, on a personal up note, even with lack of workouts, I'm down 1.5lbs this week.  That's still postive, no? :)

Nov 23 Level 2

Nov 24 Level 2

Nov 25 Level 3

Nov 26 Level 2 (twice)

Nov 27 Level 2

Nov 28 Level 2

Nov 29 Level 3

Nov 30 Level 2

Final weight 140.2  I think I will continue to keep this in my routine. The variety has tightened up my abs as well as giving my legs, back & shoulders some definition especially with the increase in the dumbell weight.