Review: Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVD

A few months ago, I was browsing the videos at Costco and came across this workout DVD: Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. It looked interesting, not because of the "promise" to shred up to 20 lbs in a month, but more so because it offered 20 minute workouts in timed intervals that focus on cardio, strength and abs. Now, I do not have time to go to the gym and work out for hours like I did in college, but I thought to myself that I could definitely try to commit to 20 minutes a day. That didn't seem too bad! In fact, it seemed very appealing. It's been very rainy outside this winter, so trying to workout outside has been more of an impossibility--not to mention non-motivating! This DVD seemed to be the solution.  This week I finally decided to dust it off and try it out. 

Here's my review of this DVD, so far:

1. Jillian Michaels is a tough trainer! I did not know about her before I bought this DVD (i.e., I did not know she was on the show "The Biggest Loser." In fact, I've never even seen that show). Anyway, the level one workout starts out easy, with some simple stretches. I thought it was very basic and possibly too easy, but then she got going with the workout and man alive, it was HARD! 

2. If you are just starting out, Jillian should warn users to start with lighter weights, like a 3 pound dumbbell instead of making my mistake and trying 5 pounders!!! I had a hard time with the 5 pound dumbbells because the workout is constantly going! There are no REST periods at all, so your arms start burning right away! With all the reps she works into each interval, there was no way I could keep up with her pace with 5 pound weights. So, the next time I tried the video, I switched to 3 pound weights and it was much better! I've never done cardio combined with strength training, so using lighter weights as a beginner has been very helpful for me.

3. Overall, I like this DVD except you cannot forward through the beginning talk session she has and that can eat up valuable minutes after you've heard it already. I mean, come on, I just want to get the 20 minutes over with! Solution: I made a copy of the DVD without the code restrictions, so now I can forward through the infomercial and jabber that she has at the beginning of the DVD. Now, the DVD is perfect since I can get right to the workout menu and forward through the undesirable parts! What a time saver! BUENO!!!!

4. I think mentally, the structured intervals make it much less daunting to workout and I like how she keeps motivating the user to keep working hard because "these results don't come for free" (her catch phrase). For me, knowing that the strength training goes for 3 minutes, followed by 2 minutes of cardio and then 1 minute of abs makes me stay focused because I can see the endpoint! All the movements that Jillian chooses provide the maximum results in the shortest amount of time (i.e., squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks).

5. Even though there are no variable workouts to choose from within each level (1, 2, 3), I can deal with the repetition of the workout since I am still easing myself into it. Plus, this is a great supplemental video to use along with other cardio workouts like jogging or walking. I love to run, but it's very high impact and hard on my body and I usually develop shin splints if I run too much.

What I like about this DVD is that it's QUICK! It just saves me so much time because in the time it would take to drive to the gym, I am already done with the workout! It's a no brainer and it really works your entire body, more so than just running. I'm not trying to lose weight, per se, but I'd like to be more fit, leaner and healthier, overall. I don't really go by what the scale says anyway, because for me, it's more important that I can walk up 20 flights of stairs and not feel like crying or even more so, it's a matter of economics--it's more economical if I can stay in the same clothes I've had since college rather than buying new, eh hem, bigger sizes (which I refuse to do!). So, that's why I don't really obsess about the scale--it's just a number. I'd rather my clothes fit and be able to run 3 miles than be a certain weight. My long term goal is that I'd like to be able to do this DVD without feeling like I'm dying! 

Since I'm a beginner, I am modifying the workout a little bit. I am starting out with a level one workout every other day, instead of every day. So far, I've done three workouts and I can already see a slight improvement in my ability to keep up with Jillian. I must say that after the first workout, I felt my muscles were worked to the burning point, which is a good thing. That just means that it's working. I swear I can already notice a small difference in leg strength and arms already (which makes all those squats worthwhile!) I'm on day four, so keep your fingers crossed that I can keep it up!