Jillian Michaels' 30 Days Shred Workout Review

Dear Readers,

Now that Ramadan with its feasting during suhoor and/or iftar is behind you and the Eid and its associated sweet indulgences and socialising have taken its toll on your waistline, I'm sure you are thinking it is time to get back in shape ready for school,work normal life.

I was away last year doing my Masters and during the months that I wrote my dissertation I also pretty snacked as much as I typed so in the end I put on a few kilos/  a lot of pounds! When I came back I was looking for workout to help lose the 'dissertation bulge'.

I tried this workout programme in March/ April to great effect-I lost 4 inches and 3 kg/6 pounds, it really works! So dear readers I thought this a good time to share it with you as a sorta 'Back to School' gift ;-).

You could use it to use the 'post-pregnancy baby bulge', the post Ramadan feasting bulge, the post Eid I ate too much candy and cakes bulge, or the I've been lazy all summer and sitting on my ever expanding booty eating junk bulge...hey I'm not judging just sayin.. :-p. Or to get in shape for school/work/special occasion like a wedding/engagement/reunion/holiday or just taking a new FB profile pic to make your frenemies jealous..

I discovered Jillian Michales 30DS (30 Day Shred) workout program online, and the reviews convinced me to give it a go. I like to see results fast so programmes that promise results in 3 months usually see me losing interest after the first few weeks of enthusiasm and novelty wears off.

I've been a fan of Jillian Michaels since seeing her on TV on The Biggest Loser and in the past I have enjoyed her kickboxing work-out. You can buy the program on Amazon for around $8/ GBP 4/SR30.

So what is the program all about?

The 30DS contains 3 workouts, Level 1, 2, and 3. You do each level for 10 days consecutively and then take a rest day before moving on to the next level. I have a confession to make though, I couldnt't do that due to rather busy weekends, I usually did 5 days(week days) and took 2 days off (weekend), so the program took longer for me to complete. But I have to tell you it works!!!!!

Each Level consists of 3 circuits and each circuit has around 2-3 minutes of cardio, weights, and ab exercises. the cardio does involve high impact exercise such as jumping jacks and high kicks which you may want to substitute with something else like jogging in place if you have bad knees and injury.
There are plenty pf planks, push ups and lunges to make you cry....but the result is worth it
It is based on the concept of muscle confusion and there are no rests resulting in an immensely hectic and effective 20 minute work out

With each level there are modifications to exercises to make it easier for beginners or more difficult for advanced users. I often started each level doing the wasy modification and by day 4 or 5 I could do the normal one.

Level 1 is quite easy if you regularly exercise, if you don't well the first day you might think of stopping after 10mins but keep with it if you are panting and dying stick with it..it gets better..trust me it does. Day 2 you will want to cry after 12 min and Day 3 will be much much better.

Pros: 

1. It takes only 20 mins so with a bit of willpower and time management you can fit it in your schedule-no excuses!
2. No equipment, you only need a set of weights, bar that you cn use water bottles or cans instead!
3. You don't need to spend on a gym membership and the time it takes to go there and come back.
4. You don't need to follow a meal plan, but if you buy the DVD from Amazon there is a suggested meal plan, but as long as you watch what you eat( calorie count and eat clean) it is still effective.

Cons: 

1. If you don't like Jillian the commentary and/or the music might irritate you esp if you have to listen to her say the same thing for 10 days in a row, I suggest muting her and playing your own work out music (personally I don't mind-I like her she motivates me).
2. If  you have a knee injury it might take the fun out of cardio portion of the circuits.

MUST DO: 

What you must do is measure yourself at the start of each level !

You will start to see a difference as early as day 5 for some people (I did). I feel this really helps to motivate you and keep you going. 

Personally I found Level 2 to be the hardest, and I've read reviews online and I think a lot of people wonder why Level 2 is so hard, but once you get through it Level 3 seems so much better.

Results

Overall for me I lost 4 inches and 3 kg/6 pounds  mA which is pretty good for me and more than I was expecting ( I am 5'4.5 and now weigh 51.5kg/113 pounds.)
 
The earliest difference I saw was my waist where I lost an inch pretty quickly, and where it was pretty noticeable everyone could see I looked different. and got plenty of compliments yay!

Links

If you would instead like to watch it on Youtube: 

You can watch Level 1 here, 

Level 2 here, 

and Level 3 here.

To get an idea of your ideal weight/range according to your height click here.

*THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST* It really worked for me that's why I decided to spread the love!

Please do leave feedback if you try out the workout and don't hesitate to ask any question in the comments or email me mishaican'at'gmail.com.

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Olympia Center Gym Jeddah

Dear Readers,

Picture this: It is a lazy summer afternoon; it's too hot to go outside. You've already hit the shops and exhausted what the sales have to offer. If you continue hitting the cafes and restaurants with your family and friends, soon you won’t be able to wear those cute sundresses that you bought as they will only emphasize your chicken wings; you will also have to shun your comfy yet figure hugging maxi dresses as people may suspect that you are trying to hide a baby bump. 

Yes, you painfully realise it’s time to hit the gym, lose some weight, gain some muscle tone, and get a head start against fighting the inevitable Ramadan weight gain( I know it’s a paradox), and of course, look hot in that gorgeous outfit you’ve got lined up for Eid. 

 

Olympia Center Gym Jeddah

Which gym, you might ask? Well why not try out one of the largest and longest running health fitness facilities in Jeddah-Olympia Center (adjacent to Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital).

I’ve recently been going to the Olympia gym, and I must say they really have something for everyone. They have a full schedule of various classes run by different fitness instructors for all fitness levels. Whether you are a hesitant beginner or a well-oiled fitness machine there’s a class for you. Classes run  Saturday to Thursday from 945am-830pm

Olympia's Features

Olympia has around 20 treadmills, many with an accompanying entertainment screen, which you can watch while you walk/ run; these seem to be the most popular method of working out, and are occupied most of the day. There are also the elliptical, the stepper machines, stationery bikes, single station machines with weight to work every part of your body-and boy do they work it.

Olympia has a designated area for spinning classes, as well Pilates classes, the apparatus looks like tools employed in medieval torture.

Going for a swim is the best way to stay cool during Jeddah’s sweltering summer, and enjoy a full body workout at the same time

Oh I almost forgot to mention, there is also a spa, offering LPG treatment, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, if you’d like to relax after a long workout.

There is also a beauty salon where you can get a facial, get your hair, nails and make up done so another incentive to go the gym, you can pamper yourself as a reward for working out.

Fitness classes

I have also tried the Aqua classes (with Eve), which are fun excuse to splash around in the swimming pool, and work out without getting sore, they are ideal for beginners and older women suffering from osteoporosis as you can exercise without straining the joints.

My personal favourite is the kickboxing class with Rosalie, who looks down at us mere mortals with a mixture contempt and amusement as she conducts, in my opinion, the most enjoyable workout I have tried. With fast paced music albeit from 90s, and punches, hooks, and sidekicks, what’s not to love? 

(Bonus: you can imagine you are kicking someone you don’t like, you’ll be surprised at how good it feels and how much heavier your blows are ;-)) Another motivator is that you hope if you keep up with the kickboxing you will end up being as toned as Rosalie who’s could be an Asian version of Jessica Alba minus the boob job.

If you are starting out and would like to go for a more Zen workout then Yoga with is the class to go.  She smatters her English with generous helping of Arabic but she’s friendly and has a suitable hands-on approach, giving every attendee personal attention, encouraging them and correcting their posture, if need be. She’s exactly like how I imagined a yoga instructor to be like.

If you are a hard-core exercise enthusiast, then I recommend Nicky’s notorious ‘Legs, Bums and Tums’ class. If you are not super fit, this class may make you cry- I kid you not. You find yourself wondering, am I masochist? Why am I doing this to myself, why? One look at Nicky is enough to tell you that she never met an exercise she didn’t like and probably doesn’t have an ounce of fat in her body. 

She flashes the biggest smiles, and that and her music keep you going through what seems like the longest workout ever. I was sore for many days after her workout, so you have been warned, only the foolish or the  fabulously fit should proceed.

Over all the staff is polite and friendly and so are most of the members.

Men’s gym section

In addition, to the swimming pool, treadmill, and machines there’s also a men’s spa, squash court, tennis court and more. Please check out the Olympia website for more information.

Children section

There’s a nursery day-care section, and special activity centre for kids, with a special offer running during the summer, great place for the kids to enjoy while you workout.

Trust me, do go check it, out not only will you look good, but feel great (once your muscles get toned and stop being sore, but it’s a good sore).

Timings

9am-9pm

Membership fees

Daily SR 100 for day visit

Monthly SR1320

3 months SR 2900

6 months SR 4235

1 year  SR6800

Special rates for students, couples, corporate customers

Contact information

www.olympia-center.com

Tel: 02 665 5000 Ext 1501/03

 If you haven't signed up for my email list yet, sign up nof for FREE so that you won't miss my healthy tips and recipes in the future – they will come straight in your inbox. Oh and do stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.