Ripped in 30: Level 1 Update
(Today’s post comes to us courtesy of Kathie – @dapbim)
So, we’ve managed a week of Ripped in 30, and Level 1 is complete. I thought it was a good starter level, not too easy but not so difficult that I am demotivated for the higher levels.
As will probably be the case with all of the levels, some exercises came pretty easy to me, whereas others were absolute killers from beginning to end. The first couple of days showed me just how unfit I was, but my stamina increased pretty quickly, so that by Day 3 or 4, I was doing all of the cardio exercises without resting. I didn’t progress anywhere near as quickly on strength or abs, and must confess to still not being able to do a full set of push-ups on my knees, or being anywhere near doing that ab exercise where you just hold your legs a few inches off the ground for 30 seconds – if I manage 10 seconds, I’m highly impressed with myself.
As far as my diet is concerned, I stuck really closely to Jillian’s meal-plan for the first couple of days. I was pretty hungry at first, and as Kristen mentioned in her recent post about Weight Watchers, I was concerned that my milk levels were dropping, so I upped to 5 meals a day, including a snack from the plan in the morning as well. I also noticed something I’d almost call a refined carbs crash around Day 3 as well, when I felt really tired and sluggish all day. The past day or two I’ve been using some of my own recipes for dinners, making some stir-fry chicken and veg type dishes, which I’ve served to my family with rice, and I’ve eaten on their own etc.
So, down to the interesting part: the results!! I haven’t taken any pictures, as I don’t feel that the results are all that visible yet, but I have lost 3kg (about 6.5lbs) in the past week, which is a good start. The main effect, as I said before, has however been a rapid improvement in my stamina once my body has adapted to exercising regularly again.
So, Level 2 tonight! I’m kind of disheartened by the idea of starting a new level so soon. As I said, there are some exercises where I am still doing the modified version, and over all, I am just starting to feel confident during my workout at Level 1. I realise that in order to see real results, I need to be permanently challenging my body to work at a higher level, and pushing it further each day, but I must say that I preferred the 10 day levels in the 30 Day Shred. After 10 days, I felt ready to move to the next level, as the current one was getting too easy, whereas now, 6 workout days in, I still find Level 1 challenging, and think another couple of days would do me good. Still, what Jillian wants, Jillian gets, so it’s onwards and upwards – Level 2 here I come!!
-Kathie
How was your first week? What did you think of Level 1? Are you seeing results?
I just finished day 8 of level 1 with similar results. Today is a weigh in and I have dropped 2.5lbs and 1.5-2% body fat. The problem? I wasn’t really looking to lose weight. I’m treating this as a get as ripped as I can for the upcoming season and not so much as a weight loss tool. I’m following the meal plan and I think that’s part of my problem. About mid-week I had dropped 3 lbs already. I was hungry. I ended up getting sick (took Wed off) and knew that there’s no way I’m eating enough. I track my calories & workouts via Livestrong.com. I upped the overall calories a bit and gained that .5lb back in 2 days. I know I’m probably the exception to the rule, but I’d love to hear what Jillian would fix in my case.
One thing of note: I thought I’d be anxious for the day of rest, but in reality getting back at it after that day was torture. I’d rather suck it up for the full 30 days straight and then rest. That’s probably not the best idea and I’m sure I’ll change my mind once I enter a new level, but I’m just getting used to level 1.
I am a couple days behind you but I agree that Level 1 is not too easy but not too difficult either. I smiled about the abs portion as I too have such a freakin\’ hard time with that one particular abs move keeping my feet just inches off the floor.
Oh. My. Back.
But all in all I am enjoying this level and happy to see that I am keeping up with bad ass Basheera…well, mostly keeping up with her.
I\’m still doing at least 20 minutes of intense cardio (running or elliptical) every day before I do the Ripped in 30. Jillian is definitely challenging me and body parts I didn\’t know needed to be challenged, but I still feel like I need even more of a calorie burn since last month I was running and training for another half marathon.
No weight or measurements to share here. I see subtle changes but I am sticking to my routine of monthly weigh-ins.
Can\’t wait to try out level 2!
@Laura – Monthly weigh in?!?! Fantastic, I am obsessed with the scale. Just today after telling myself I was waiting a week before I got on the scale, I got on it. Disappointed myself with no weight loss, in fact I think I actually gained a pound or two and I am on week 3 of the 30 day shred. That being said though after finding this site last week, I heeded their advice and took before pics, in one week I can see a considerable difference in my body, if I could just stop getting fixated on that damn number the scale tells me.
Wow! This is really great to hear! I’m doing 30 day shred this month, and it’s really neat reading about people who have already done it and taking on another 30 day jillian madness. I can’t wait to see end results from all the participants and see the numbers drop! Keep up the great work, everyone!
can you share on what the meal plan is like?
I’d like to get ‘ripped in 30′ but can’t find the UK version of the DVD. Any idea when it’ll be released?
I was gone the first part of April, so I’m just starting out the 30 days. I am kinda the opposite–I like that each level is just 1 week…I guess I get bored easily. Not to say I’ve mastered it all by any means, but I won’t be sad to move on. My body seems to be fighting losing any weight. I have modified my eating, but haven’t been able to do all of Jillian’s plan. Payday and grocery shopping is this weekend, so hopefully next week I’ll see that result too!
I’ve just started doing Ripped In 30 after doing 30 Day Shred and also trying some of her other programs (6 week 6 pack and Yoga Meltdown, both of which I use for variation).
I can do level 1 of this on advanced except for two things: I’m still rubbish at push ups – although I can do one or two of the advanced ones now whereas I could barely do the ‘lady’ pushups when I started 3DS. My other problem is running man. For some reason this makes me feel REALLY sick. Seems to be jiggling my stomach inside terribly! So I’ve subbed it with double jump rope which I hope is a viable alternative.
Wow… good to see that you guys are getting results! I have decided to try Jill’s plan instead of going to my gym- seems like I’m getting used to the equipment there/ training’s getting boring XD
Can’t wait to see how this does for me!