Jillian Michaels Beginner Shred - PAL UK - New for 2015 [DVD]

I hadn't worked out in over a year because of a foot injury and was terribly unfit. Jillian's '30 Day Shred' is a DVD I go back to time and time again because I get noticeable results with that, but it's quite difficult for me at first so I needed something to ease me back into exercise so I decided to purchase this DVD.The DVD contains three different workouts, each lasting for around 25 minutes. You spend ten days on each level just like the '30 Day Shred' with each level getting progressively harder. I know there's been some confusion about whether or not you're supposed to do the workout for 30 days in a row but make sure you don't do this, take days off to give yourself some time to recover. I did this work out 5-6 times a week and spent 10 days on each level.The beauty of this workout is that it's short and let's be honest, we can all find 25 minutes to spare. Before my injury I always struggled getting to the gym before or after work and that really stopped me from working out regularly, but there's no excuses with this and the best part? You really feel like you've worked out! The workouts consist of lifting weights and some cardio and ab work too. The cardio is relatively mild in the first two levels but definitely takes it up a notch in level 3.One thing I really like about this DVD is that it features the demonstrators Natalie and Anita who also appear in the '30 Day Shred' DVD. It feels familiar and comforting seeing those two faces again since I've done the '30 Day Shred' so many times before! Anita demonstrates the harder exercises and Natalie shows the modifications so it's good to have the option to make it easier if you're struggling.I have to say on the first day I found it quite tough and could only make it half way - an indicator of how unfit I was, but with each day it became easier. I found level 2 easier than level 1 and was able to use much heavier weights. Level 3 is way more challenging as there's more cardio involved. You really do need to work up to this level as it pushes you a lot more. I'm drenched in sweat by the end and according to my FitBit, this level makes me work A LOT harder. You'll work up a sweat with each level though.I definitely recommend giving each level a watch before you intend to do it just to familiarise yourself with the moves and to decide what weights to use so you're not faffing around as sometimes there's not much time between exercises. I prefer this though so that my heart rate doesn't drop but if you're not used to it, it can be confusing. It's also good to have a selection of weights if you have them as some moves feel too easy with lighter weights so it's good to increase the intensity if you can manage it. I used 2kg weights for the harder exercises and 3-4kg weights for the easier ones. If you're truly a beginner, you need to make sure your form is correct as you want to avoid injuries. It may be worthwhile doing a run through in the mirror before you officially start. Even if you feel like you're not going as fast as the demonstrators, just make sure you are doing the moves properly, the workout will be much more effective this way.I am a big fan of Jillian and hers are the only DVD's I stick to. I finished this DVD and although I haven't seen a huge difference in my weight, my body has started to tone up and my endurance and fitness levels have improved massively. I completed the '30 Day Shred' straight after finishing this one without any problems. Don't get me wrong, it was still hard work, but I didn't struggle like I always do when I restart it and this DVD also has a few of the same moves so it was good preparation.This DVD was the perfect reintroduction to exercise! I recommend it to beginners and the unfit. Compared to Jillian's other DVD's, this one is less intense and will be too easy for people who love her other workouts. To beginners and the unfit, you may struggle at first but stick with it!

This DVD is awesome if you'd love to do Jillian's other workouts but feel like you're going to wreck something because you're very unfit.I was a dancer and good at sports as a child, but had M.E./CFS for 30 years. I'm now recovering and looking for feasible workouts. If you are here you may have made the same mistake as me: start running without realising that it's just too much when you've spent years on the couch (or for me bedridden most of the time). I pulled a muscle the first time I tried to run (about 6 weeks ago) and I've reactivated the injury while starting dance workouts (I am far too unfit for those, so I would do 10 mins max including warmup) and there is no way I'd try to follow any of Jillian's other dvds, I've looked at some a friend has, and just looking at them I'm hurting - I'll injure myself if only because I'll be tense worrying about not injuring myself.Well, for this DVD, this is great news. The keyword here that we are all looking for, is LOW IMPACT. It means no jumping, no running around, nothing that you worry you will hurt yourself with (although I'd be careful with shoulder issues with the half push ups, just do what doesn't hurt really). Of course you do worry though, that you will be able to do the workout. Well do not! It is hard for us untrained people, so you will not feel like it's a doddle, but it is feasible. Do what you can, and keep going. These past few weeks I have done the warm up exercises from an old Jane Fonda video, a lot of yoga (the one for stress/relaxation, nothing drastic), and just starting Qi Gong so I have done a bit of movement prior to this video. I would advise you do the same if you have health issues or worry about being too overweight, because it probably wakes up your muscles a bit. And with the little activity I have done in the past weeks, it has been enough - just about! - for me to finish the first session of the DVD the first time I tried it. Some of the poses are influenced by yoga poses that I have practiced (the bridge for example) so nothing felt impossible.Don't think, however, that your muscles will not hurt, just because the 20 min session is feasible, it is a serious workout for ex-couch potatoes!! It's very exciting and it makes you feel good, to be able to do it, and provides the encouragement to go on. So I can't wait to go through the sessions during this month. I may consider doing it every other day and alternate with Qi Gong/Tai Chi if my muscles feel sore (one issue people with M.E. have, so do not use this as an excuse for yourself if you are relatively healthy!!). One thing I have used for M.E. is D-Ribose, which helps with muscle recovery, I take it before and after exercising. I think it works as well for healthy individuals to shorten the muscle recovery time of about 30% if I remember well. It's quite a cheap supplement you can find online and probably in the one high street shop that sells supplements, so you might want to try it.If I think about it I will come back here to give a full feedback once done with the whole month, but I already know that I will be able to recondition my body to good healthy fitness with the dvd, and if the other sessions happen to be too hard, I can stay on the first one longer, so all in all I know I will achieve my goal of regaining good fitness with the DVD.Also, note that on this DVD she is encouraging, but there was no bullying, just enough motivation speak at the right time to get you going. You'd think she's an absolute softy!As a sideline, remember that diet is important too if you are here trying to lose weight. The paleo diet was the most successful for me (but I am thin normally, so it wasn't exactly what I wanted when doing this diet to help with M.E., but a side effect) , and removing sugar, flour/wheat/grains and dairy, were the most effective to lose weight with. Loads of green salads, good fats (yes, fat is OK contrary to what people say) like salmon, organic grass-fed butter, organic virgin coconut oil (Biona make one slightly filtered to remove the taste). Your brain needs this.Anyway, see what works for you but I just thought it was important to mention it.Good luck, and if you work on your body you will see results.