I’ve heard so much about Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, I just had to see what it was all about. I didn’t want to commit to buying the DVD until I at least had a preview first, so I went searching. It turns out that Level 1 and Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred are on Exercise TV! Wahoo! 
I previewed Level 1 (for free) last night and it looks like a fairly challenging workout.
I was planning to “shred” this morning, but Mr. Mal brought our friend Andy home after the Celtics game last night, so I didn’t want to disturb him while he slept on our couch in the living room. Shredding is on the agenda for tonight though! I’m actually really looking forward to it! Do you ”shred”?
Breakfast
I changed it up again with breakfast this morning. I had yogurt instead of oats. What can I say, I’m crazy! 
In the mix: Stonyfield plain yogurt, CNC Muesli Mix (from MixMyGranola), Peace cereal, pumpkin seeds, and pecans.
I also ate a very juicy grapefruit.
With iced coffee…
Lunch Preview
I wasn’t sure if I would have time to blog at lunchtime later today, so I figured I’d throw in a quick lunch preview this morning.
Today’s lunch: Lavash’s bread with a thick layer of peanut butter, Medjool dates, banana, Pure Bar, and diced tomatoes mixed with wasabi horseradish.
Get Zesty
Check out Zesty’s new clothing line: Zesty Clothing Line Launched, Charity, and Giveaway. Profits from the clothing sales will go directly to a food bank. It is a great cause and the clothing is pretty cool! You can also enter to win a shirt or apron from Zesty.
Question of the Day
Do you use exercise DVDs to stay in shape? Do you think that you get a good workout from them? Which DVDs are your favorite?
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I just started “shredding” as well, and the first two days made me SORE!! THe good sore though
I have really liked it for something to do when you dont have a lot of time!
I also have heard alot about the 30 day shred (all good things) but didn’t want to buy it without trying it first. I’m totally going to try it when I go home this weekend!! (At school I don’t have On Demand, but my mom does at home!)
I have tried alot of workout DVDs in the past, but for as much as they cost I get bored of them really quickly (they get easy pretty quickly). Then I found “My Fitness Coach” on the Wii and I LOVE it! Its basically an exercise DVD that increases its difficulty according to your progress and mixes up the routine every time you do it. As much as I enjoy Wii Fit, it really annoyed me that there were no actual workout “routine” option. My Fitness Coach doesn’t use the balance board, but I figure its a good stand-in until EA Active comes out (which will use the balance board and will have workout routines)!
I’LL BE HAVING A BLUEBERRY PURE BAR TODAY TOO!!
**Favorite DVDs = Sara Ivanhoe yoga series:
http://www.naturaljourneys.com/Ultimate_Yoga_Makeover_5_DVD_Set_p/gh3619.htm
I started “shredding” LONG before it hit the blogging community. I bought the DVD the day it came out and have been using it off and on ever since then. I have upgraded to her newest DVDs though, which are basically an HOUR of shred! It’s craziness, but it’s great!
I like Total Body Workout with Gilad on FitTV!! His workouts are short, some are “eh…” but if you find the good ones you will feel it the next day!
I have the Shred DVD but haven’t tried it yet b/c I am worried about waking up our neighbors on the floor below us. My absolute favorite workout videos though are P90x, seriously these kick my butt, but I have seen great results
I just started the 30-day Shred about a week ago after hearing so many other bloggers talk about it. I think it’s funny how much buzz it’s getting now, even though it was released a few years ago. I’ve really enjoyed it so far–level 1 is not a killer workout but it is a great supplement to the running and yoga I do. I was looking for something that would sort of jump start my weight training routine (I’d been slacking and inconsistent recently) and I definitely found it! I already feel like I’ve gotten stronger.
I don’t use exercise videos much, but the ‘shredding’ looks good! And I’m liking the XBox 360
I do have the Shred dvd, but I’m going to wait until after finals next week to start doing the actual 30 Day Shred
I also have the Biggest Loser’s Weight Loss Yoga dvd which I really like — it’s a nice way to start the morning instead of battling traffic to the gym.
I’m on day two of 30-day Shred and I am incredibly sore! I am looking forward to the next 28 days!
Hey Tina –
I do one of Jillian’s ON Demand exercise videos twice per week after work. It’s convenient on nights when I don’t feel like walking over to the gym. I started with her shred videos, but moved on to the 60 minute “No More Trouble Zones” the other day. Fantastic workout! I used 5 lb weights, and was one tired girl at the end. I’m counting on Jillian to whip my arms into shape for my upcoming wedding
I am kind of an exercise video junky! I asked for and received Jillian’s Shred dvd for my b-day, but haven’t tried it yet…Jillian scares the crap out of me LOL! My favorite is a decades old Jane Fonda step aerobics video. I know it by heart and could probably do it in my sleep. The 80′s hair and workout clothes crack me up!
I love the Shred! I’ve been doing it for about a month now (roughly every other day). Sometimes I’ll do level 2 and then level 1 for a more challenging workout – I have to start with the harder level first though or else I’ll poop out! I LOVE IT! I’ve gotten so much stronger and I can now do the whole thing with my 5 pound weights instead of the 3 pounds.
I’ve been tiring of oats lately too. Your breakfast looks very good, especially that grapefruit!
I just tried the Shred the other day after hearing all the buzz. I don’t think I’ve ever done another workout DVD, they’re just not my thing. I did level 3 and it did get me sweaty. I thought it was good, I just don’t really like workout DVDs much.
I finished the shred challenge and it is great i notice a big diffrence in the way i look and feel, but oh is it a challenge:), i also have all the biggest loser dvds (cardio max,powersculpt and yoga that i do as well, have a good time shredding!
I have indeed shredded from time to time, but never regularly. I also have Jillian’s other DVD’s but I’ve only had the courage to try one once and it was REALLY tough. She scares me a little.
I’ve sort of fallen out of love with DVD workouts lately. I have a few that I use (30DS, Yoga Booty Ballet, some belly dance and yoga ones) but I never do them regularly. I find them to be a wee bit boring after awhile…
I bought the shred and have added it to my round of DVDs that I use when I can’t get to the gym, but I don’t do it every day!
I tried the Shred once but I like her longer dvds much better.
I have tried the Shred, but something about the moves don’t agree with me… but I’m going to try it again! I love my Tae-Bo DVDs, I know… so 1990s of me.
I love the 30 Day Shred dvd. Level 1 is a moderate challenge, but Level 2 is definitely challenging. I haven’t tried Level 3 yet.
Quick question about your blondies: is the 1 cup of sugar brown sugar or regular white sugar? They sound delicious, I want to try them!
I was one of the first around here (by here I mean Halifax blogland) to get the Shred. I heard about it from a fellow Canadian blogger and asked for it for Xmas. I loved Level One and did it about every second day…but HATED Level Two and it totally turned me off. Not to mention we don’t have much room for that kind of thing in the house, so when FH is home I can’t really do it and would rather go to the gym.
We have the same Ikea shelving….I also have mine turned on it’s side and use it as sort of a buffet in our living room.
I don’t like DVD workouts because I get bored too fast! I like spontaneous and being connected to others for workouts. So I’d rather go for a group class if I can.
I’ve heard much about shredding lately, too and I’d kidna like to try it myself. I’ve been doing TaeBo lately and I’ve discovered I enjoy working out to DVDs like that … it motivates me and I end up working out harder than if I was just working out to music or something.
Maybe I’ll have to shred soon!
I have the 30 Day Shred and I really like it. I actually like all the Biggest Loser Videos.
I really enjoy The Firm workouts. The music is too cheesy but I know the moves well enough that I mute it and put on my own music. Finding one with decent music is hard, but I find that I work out harder with a DVD rather than just doing bicep curls on my own…
I actually just bought the shred and tried Level 1 yesterday. It got me sweating but I didn’t find it anywhere as challenging as I thought it would be. In fact I found it somewhat easy to be perfectly honest.
Having said that I also have “Banish the Fat, Boost Metabolism” and that one KICKED MY BUTT!!!! I thought I was going to die. In that one there is a lot of cardio type stuff, lots of boot camp style exercises, and strength stuff using your own body weight.
I will have to try Level 2 of the Shred tonight. I’m guessing it will be better for me!
I’m on Day 4 of the 30 Day Shred, and it’s not easy. The first two days made me SO SORE, but it’s gotten better. Jillian is tough, but she makes you want to keep it up. I’m on Level 1, but think I’ll be moving up to Level 2 in the next week or so. Gotta get that bikini body …
As of last night I am exactly halfway through the Shred and loving it. It’s very challenging, and I can definitely tell a difference in my arms and abs already. I have some big events in early May so I’m trying to look my best!
I heart 30 day shred! my favorite is level 3. I also really like her two new DVD’s and her old Kickboxing DVD which is short so I use it when I need a quick workout.
I did day 5 of the shred yesterday. It is way harder than it looks! I could barely walk after the first couple of days!! I’ve been reading about a lot of positive results, so I’m really excited to keep going with it. Do I hear another 30 day challenge coming
?
I use to do the Shred video, but now I am on the “Banish Fat, Boost Your Metabolism” and “No More Trouble Zones”, both of which are free on On Demand now. To me, they are much more intense than the Shred.
I don’t actually purchase any exercise DVD’s but I love utilizing the free Exercise TV workouts On Demand!
I do not Shred because my knees can’t take all of the impact from all of the jumping. But I do here other strength training videos and I really like them.
Just started shredding as well…I figured it was a matter of time til the DVD popped up on your blog! I found it on Amazon for like 9 bucks, so I figured why not. I actually like it quite a bit. I wish it was a bit heavier on the ab work, but the strength stuff is great. I often do level 1 or 2 after getting back from the gym or in the evening after work, and save level 3 for when I don’t get any other exercise that day. Level 3 is TOUGH!
I loooove exercise TV on demand…Since I live in the lovely city of Chicago which has tons of yoga studios that will run ya about $18 a class, I found a perfect show on exercise TV under the yoga category. I think it’s called Yoga Fitness plus and it’s with this personal training named Elise Gullian. I pretty much know the serious well enough to do it now with music (Jack Johnson of course) playing in the backround. I’ll still put her on from time to time though, she holds some of the poses longer which makes it more challanging
I ‘shred’ when I can’t make it to the gym. I also do a kettlebell DVD for weight training days I don’t feel like going to the gym…
I shredded all summer long! I would usually go for a run and follow it up with a shred
I found level 1 fairly easy, level 2 a bit more challenging and levell 3…straight-up burning! I was not a fan of level three because of the burning of my muscles (but did it anyways) haha.
I generally don’t ues cardio exercise videos unless I have no access to the gym. I use videos for pilates and yoga though.
I love the Shred. I never did it for 30 days straight because I didn’t want to get sick of it, but I think it’s an awesome workout and I still do it several times a week. It’s also great for motivating your personal strength sessions, as you can apply the same concepts based on the video (i.e., perform high intensity circuits).
Get Mal to do it with you…my hubby does it with heavier weights and it kicks his ass, too!
your yogurt looks awesome!
I don’t “Shred”, but our gym membership is up in May and I don’t know that we can afford to keep going just for BodyPump classes, so I may have to get the Shred tapes! I heard great things.
I “shred” – did it this morning for the first time in a couple weeks! I used to do it every day. I stick with Level 1 basically because I find it challenging and it doesn’t make me miserable, plus it is the only one I have room to do in my boyfriend’s living room. I make it harder by using weights during the cardio.
I recently started doing the Core Fusion Body Sculpt DVD (I also bought their Pilates Plus) because I am currently obsessed with these type of workouts — quick, small repetitions that BURN. The abs are especially killer.
I prefer to take a class and workout in the gym, but these are good for a time crunch!
that is really such a pretty grapefruit! haha i notice random things but wow – whenever i cut open grapefruit, it turns out a little odd.
I like using workout DVDs because they’re cheaper than a gym membership and I can do them in my old ratty sports bra in the privacy of my own home! I bought 30 day Shred and it was WAY cheaper than some others I bought, and a great fast workout. I just started doing level three and it kills me, but so did level two! I also love Cathe videos, which you can get from cathe.com, she is in amazing shape and has strength training, step aerobics, boot camp style, and kick box style dvds. She’s very, very tough!
I did Day 2 Shred this morning! Day 1 is obviously less of a challenge and Day 3 is more of a challenge. It’s not a super long workout, but she keeps you moving.
If you really want a challenge, try her Boost Metabolism or No More Trouble Zones on On Demand for free. They are about 50minutes + 10min stretch/cool down. Those get be huffing and puffing. Love it!
I did the 30 Day Shred Challenge last month. I did it for about 23 of the days and loved it! I increased my level each week and it got extremely challenging by the end but I noticed improvments in my strength. I have not done it in a week but want to get back into it! I also do Core Fusion Pilates and Body Sculpt! Love them too!
I got the Shred DVD for Christmas and have been using it about 4 times a week ever since. I have definitely noticed a difference in my abs and arms, and I think that I am a faster runner from all of the plyometrics! This DVD has been perfect for me because to commit 20 mins is NOTHING! It’s not long enough for me to get bored, but I need guidance when it comes to quick cardio bursts and lifting.
Since then, I have bought Jillian’s “No More Trouble Zones” DVD too, which is great! It is strictly strength and abs, no cardio bursts, and is about 45 mins long. This is a great workout, too! I LOVE JILLIAN!
Also, if you want to buy, the dvds are super cheap on Amazon.com
I’ll do the Shred occasionally, but I always do at least two of the levels at a time – I don’t feel like one is enough. No More Trouble Zones is longer and also a decent workout. I will also occiasionally do a Billy Blanks Tae Bo video – they are great for travel b/c a lot of them don’t require additional equipment and offer a decent workout if you put enough into it!
Good luck with the shredding! I love it!
I used to Shred, way before it was the Rage. Honestly, Jillian annoys me. I can’t handle her, even for 20mins. And I hate how at LEvel 1, she just kinda walks around and doesn’t really work out.
Lazy.
Now that I go to a gym, I MUCH prefer it to at-home dvds.
I tried the Shred once on Exercise TV (level 2) It was a decent workout, but I think for weights, the sets/routines that I do with my 10 lb weights are building more muscle/definition. I think of the Shred as more of a bit of toning mixed with cardio. Let us know what you think.
The shred is a great workout. I’ve only started on level 1 and I haven’t found it TOO challenging, but it’s definitely a workout!
Also…its available on Youtube
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