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Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Results: Before & After Pics

July 31, 2009

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You know when you come home from vacation and can’t wait to look at all of the great pictures that you took, and then you come across ones of yourself in a bikini and you think, “Wow, I couldn’t possibly look any more toned in that photo…”, oh wait… OK, maybe more like, “Ohh bad angle! Or maybe I should work on getting a little more toned!” Yeah, that’s more like it. First, I want to say that when it comes to health and fitness how you feel is more important than how you look. But let’s not pretend that looking fit doesn’t feel good to many of us. Here’s my experiment with Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred results – before and after!

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred workout

Traveling wasn’t the best for staying in shape… being forced to eat amazing food, with no gyms in site, and conveniently leaving my running shoes at home. I know, I know, poor me. All fun things, but these are certainly not the ingredients for rockin’ abs. I did spend my days exploring on foot though, so it wasn’t the worst thing to ever happen to my fitness. Although, by the time March rolled around I was ready to focus on getting more toned. I decided to check out the much-raved Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred (currently only $1.99 on Amazon video)– you know I’m a sucker for challenges! Note: The object of this challenge was not to lose weight, but to tone up. I also didn’t do the Shred everyday because it’s important to have a rest day and I already had a workout program that I was enjoying twice a week.

Benchmark:

Before I started The Shred, I was going to the gym twice a week, one day to a 15 min abs class followed by a 45 min kickboxing class, and a second day to abs class again, followed by a 45 min spin class.

New Weekly Workouts:

  • 30 Day Shred – 2-3x a week
  • abs/kickboxing – once a week
  • abs/spin class – once a week

30 Day Shred Results:

The first week that I tried Level One, my shoulders were so sore afterward that I waited a week to try again! The second week, I did it twice, and then from there I just added it in two to three days per week, for the last two months.

  • Weight Loss: 5 pounds (quite a shocker — I wasn’t anticipating any!)
  • Waist: -1 inch
  • Butt: oh please, it’s not going anywhere!
  • Thighs: -1/4 inch
  • Arms: -1/8 inch
  • Calves: +1/8 inch

Before & After Pics:

Not a huge difference, but I do look more toned!

img_3308-1
30 Day Shred Results: After

Bottom-line: The 30 Day Shred is perfect for a quick at home workout. 25 minutes of “circuit training” in your living room is convenient and easy to fit into your daily routine. My main complaint was the soundtrack. It was so unmotivating that I created my own playlist and then just muted the sound. I’m usually more of an indie/alternative music fan, but alas, the gym is rubbing off on me, and I’m starting to like hip-hop .and pop to work out to! Jillian Michaels is all kinds of crazy — she’s like a machine or a drill sergeant — but it works!

Note: I forgot to mention that she says the phrase “phoning it in at the gym” about 20 times per level. ;) Another reason to hit the mute button. Ha! I love to hate it!

Have you tried the 30 Day Shred?

  • Alexis
    June 20, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    I was looking through sites for inspiration, and got to reading the comments, You are actually not suppose to do this everyday. Jillian said the name of the DVD was actually made by her producers. She recommends people do the dvd 2 days, than cardio the next day, than 2 days of shred, than cardio, and then have a rest day.

  • jacolyn
    February 26, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    The reason you didn’t see a big change is because you’re supposed to do this every single day.

  • jessica
    October 8, 2010 at 8:06 am

    I started jillians 30 day shred in March, and about 4 days ago have gotten myself to level 3. I just did each level until I felt ready to move up, an then when I moved up.. if I felt I really couldn’t do it, I stayed on the previous level.

    The only real change in my diet was more vegetables. Otherwise, I can still eat an entire large papa johns pizza to myself.

    I’ve gone from 158 to 126 since March. I’m only 5’0… so that’s a huge change on my body.

  • shadow
    August 6, 2010 at 11:03 am

    excellent.

  • fitgirl28
    July 4, 2010 at 9:13 am

    That is a huge difference, your abs are flat now! great job, I am doing the Shred as well. I hope I get those results. :)

  • Chrisandra Bauer
    June 13, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Lets see I have been doing the 30 day shred since March 27th, but I have also implemented Denise Austin Boot Camp workout, and Dancn with the Stars DVd’s, on the days that I wanted a little change. All of them are about 20-30 min max and since I do not have a scale currently I do not have any idea what I was before and then now. I had a baby (c-section ) last Oct and having this little muffin top is killing me and I am one size bigger than what I was pre pregnancy. The positive note is that my legs have much more muscular tone and my biceps and triceps are hard, even my hubby is impressed. I feel like her dvd works because I couldnt do push ups after I had the baby and now I can punch out twenty like nothing. I just think that there has to be some more cardio like running involved to see better results, or even speed walking. That is how I jump started the 30 day shred I walked for 3 miles with weights in the early morning 5 days a week for a month and since its so hot outside now and humid the last thing I want to do is go out there but since I know that my body needs the 20 min workout and the extra cardio I think I have to force myself to wake up at 6. This dvd will be hard at times and even the beginning but you will notce the difference in how stronger u are and it will get a little easier before u start the next level. I am currently level 2 because still during plank positions I have to take a 2 sec break. Anyway its worth it to try it and commit and of course eat right.

  • littlelady
    January 22, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I did the dvd for 2 weeks and lost 5 lbs I was shocked at how fast the weight came off.

  • SavingDiva
    January 10, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    I’m going to do this starting tomorrow. I’m excited!!!!

  • sarah ledoux
    November 3, 2009 at 10:42 am

    I found this page looking for results that would motivate me to keep it up with the 30-day shred.. and stayed to comment on jillian’s ridiculous banter! I hate that she comes off as so insincere and sarcastic.. “You’ll be looking like this in no time. Right? Sure.”

    I’ve done the non-modified level 1 workout for 5 days straight and so far it seems all I’ve gotten is sore. But I am motivated to keep it up and I’ll be duplicating your playlist for today’s workout. Thanks!

  • bodybuilding routines
    October 16, 2009 at 8:03 am

    Getting in shape involves three things (on top of a positive mental outlook)

    in this order:

    1. Eating right
    2. Lifting weights
    3. Cardio

    Making progress on your physique requires focus, discipline, and time.

  • Susan
    October 15, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Heh… my favorite quote is “you can’t get these abs for free!”… I definitely mute her too… Great results!

    • poweredbytofu
      October 16, 2009 at 12:31 pm

      @Susan ha! I forgot that one… definitely a fav quote too… and thanks!

  • Susan
    August 3, 2009 at 9:35 am

    I have only tried her random videos that I have found on exercise TV on Demand. I do think she is great though so I want to buy the actual video. I love your playlist by the way – I have been meaning to update my gym playlist and I never get around to it – thanks for the inspiration!

  • Org Junkie
    July 31, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    I love the 30 Day Shred and I agree the soundtrack is so dull. I do the same as you, mute the DVD and blast my own tunes, many of which are the same as yours. Love a good workout song!

    Congrats!