Review: Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred
April 22, 2009
OK so you ladies (and gents) know I’m a gym-rat and I love fitness and working out. But I gotta say, Jillian Michaels kicked my ASS! And on Level One no less!
I do think I need lighter weights than the 8 lb. ones I have because I was struggling with some exercises and form is more important than the amount of weights being lifted.
I like how Jillian talks to you, and found her encouraging, not annoying like some fitness instructors are. I genuinely felt like I didn’t want to (ha!) let her down.
And what I like best is it’s under 25 minutes so I can do it start-to-finish three times a week without necessarily needing to go to the gym at the crack of dawn.
That said, I only burned 125 calories with the workout (Mon and Tues) per my HRM, so not sure how one can “lose 20 lbs in 30 days” doing it as the DVD cover claims. I mean, it’s definitely not something I see myself personally doing as a stand-alone workout since I do love the gym still and don’t have little ones at home demanding attention.
But combined with my usual cardio, it could be a nice complement … and because it’s a total body workout, it will probably be more effective than my trainer’s super-setting routine.
In fact, soon I’ll be doing P90X (once it arrives, “on or around April 27″ according to the estimated shipment date), so I won’t be doing Cristi’s training routine anyway, which is quite time-consuming and means I need to be at the gym to do it.
Now that it’s getting nicer out, it’ll be nice to do these workouts at home whenever/wherever I want to, plus still have the freedom to work out outside biking/running/walking and/or the gym (where my beloved Precor lies). And when my hubby doesn’t have class, he can join me.
In the meantime, I’m excited to do a few more sessions of shredding at Level One, and then bump up to Level Two and, eventually, Level Three.
I don’t see how anyone can “lose up to 20 lbs in 30 days” on her plan — like I said, I only burned 125 calories doing it — but I do think it dovetails nicely with the cardio I already do.
All I need now is some lighter hand weights, which will probably come in handy anyway for P90X. 
Entry Filed under: Weight Loss, exercise. Tags: 30 day shred, fitness, gym rat, jillian michaels shred, P90X.
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1.
allisonleigh | April 22, 2009 at 6:30 am
Im not trying to be rude, but why does it matter how many calories you are burning- especially if you feel like you had a heart-pumping, kick-a$$ workout?? With this DVD you are increasing your strength overall- and yes while there is a bit of cardio- I’d say for 25 minutes- you have yourself a deal. I know you are trying to lose weight, as am I, but steering away from “how many kcals did I burn???” and switching more to, “Wow that was great!” might be a better way to look at it. Our society is so consumed with numbers- kcals, the number on the scale, how tall I am in order to be X weight, pounds to go, the number of ounces of meat I can have for a portion…etc.” What if we all just went by how we FELT, not by the numbers?? ( I realize not all people can do this because some of us would surely be overeating to cure some feelings, but in the grand scheme….)
Just a thought.
2.
kilax | April 22, 2009 at 6:36 am
The first time I did Level 1, it kicked my butt too! But it gets easier. I still need to do “real push ups” before I go to Level 2!
3.
lissa10279 | April 22, 2009 at 7:14 am
Hi AllisonLeigh, I was just using it as a reference point for my usual gym sessions; burning 125 is not a workout for me, personally –for lifting, maybe. IT’s a great workout and I didn’t mean to imply it wasn’t.
It feels good, sure, and someday it might be enough, but for me personally, I like to get in 400-500 a day. And even by how I felt after … I wasn’t sweating and for me, I need to sweat to feel like it’s “worth it.” I see your point and admittedly I am someone who likes numbers, knowing … and maybe on Levels 2 or 3 I will feel like it’s “enough” but for me, it’s a great complement to what I already do. And maybe someday it will be all I can fit in time for. We’ll cross that bridge when I get there.
I need to do real push-ups too. I still do them on my knees, but am working on engaging my core.
4.
lissa10279 | April 22, 2009 at 7:20 am
Also, she says on the front, “Lose up to 20 lbs in 30 days” and burning 125-150 a session … that’s pretty impossible (unless someone is nearly starving themselves)
5.
Jody | April 22, 2009 at 8:35 am
Level 1 in the beginning never got me to work up a real sweat either. Levels 2 and 3 though, they get you sweating. I find myself now switching back and forth between 2 and 3, though I have to say I like level 3 the best because I really get a great sweat going with that one.
6.
Holly | April 22, 2009 at 9:12 am
I completely agree - while it’s a GREAT workout, I don’t think it should be advertised as a rapid weight loss plan! I try to Shred 3-4 days a week (I’m still at Level 2), on top of my normal workouts. I really do feel stronger since starting, and I’m up to “real” push-ups! (Although my guy friend informs me I’m not going “low enough,” hell, I’ll take it).
I’ve heard her other (1 hour) videos are good, too. Might have to work up to those!
7.
lissa10279 | April 22, 2009 at 9:22 am
(I edited my post a little) I am thinking I’ll do another couple days at level 1 and then switch to 2.
I need to sweat!!
Way to go Holly, real push-ups! I admire that!
8.
allisonleigh | April 22, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Thanks for your thoughts Melissa- I appreciate the feedback and I understand what you were trying to say now!
Have a great night!
9.
Sara | April 22, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m excited to hear that you are going to be trying P90X. I have heard so many great things about it and will be curious to hear what you have to say!
10.
Lara (Thinspired) | April 23, 2009 at 4:34 am
I’m scared of Jillian but this review was helpful. From what I’ve heard, it’s definitely more of a strength workout than cardio, so I see what you mean about 125 kcals. I’m suer it would still kick my @$$ though!
11.
lissa10279 | April 23, 2009 at 7:18 am
Thanks, Allison — and I tried to modify my post; I forget that not everyone feels the same way about fitness as I do and for some, 125 might be plenty or not counting might be better for some.
Thanks Sara — will let you know!
Lara, don’t be afraid, she’s a sweetie
(HA!) I’m still only on Level One and it’s not cardio like I’m used to — but I love the 3-2-1 method she uses (3 min strength, 2 cardio, 1 abs).
12. Skin and Bones — Wh&hellip | April 24, 2009 at 9:07 am
[...] know, I have been shredding for a couple days now and I admit, I really admire the tight abs of Jillian, Anita and Natalie on [...]
13.
lara | April 28, 2009 at 11:14 am
Been out of town and just getting caught up on your blog now!
One thing to keep in mind–you shouldn’t exercise to burn x amount of calories per se. You diet to put yourself in a calorie deficit and you exercise for health and well being. trying to burn a lot of calories through exercise can actually be counterproductive. Weight loss is 90% about diet. HRM calorie counts aren’t even all that accurate. Bottom line, the amount of calories burned is not a good measure of a workout’s effectiveness and exercise should not be used as the main wayof creating a calorie deficit for weight loss.
14.
lissa10279 | April 28, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hey Lara and welcome back. I was just using the cal burn as a comparison for my traditional workouts. So many people have commented about this and I guess I didn’t make it clear enough; I do realize weight loss is more about diet than exercise, but I tend to still eat at my RMR and cut calories through exercise, something I need to work on.