Day 22:

I love level 4!!! This is my favourite level on the DVD, it's so hard but so enjoyable and I felt fully worked out by the end. My legs were shaking and I actually felt slightly light-headed. I said this on the last level, but when you see a level 1 workout move in the warm-up, you do start to get a bit nervous about what Jillian has in store. However, for my first time, I stuck with the beginner moves only and can't wait to work up to the advanced. The moves in this level have made it clear that I do need a more varied weight set that just my 2.5kgs. There were some moves where I could easily have lifted more (e.g. Supermans).

Day 23:

I was keen to do this workout again today and woke up not aching too much. By lunch time I was really starting to feel the burn in my arms and by the time I got home and tried to test muscles with a press-up I was seriously stiff! So I decided to take today as my day off and recover so I can go full force tomorrow. To be honest, I love how much I ache! Level 2 and 3 didn't do this to me so I think I'm going to get much better results out of this level. Bring on tomorrow!

Day 24:

I looked forward to doing this workout all day and it didn't let me down. I finished absolutely drenched in sweat (which is always very satisfying) and feeling like every single muscle had been put through it's paces. This level doesn't seem to have a focus on any one area of the body and my arms, legs, bum and tummy are all getting properly whipped into shape at once. There's one move, called Plié Hops, where you get into the Plié position and squat down then hop up. It's a plyometric move I've seen Jillian use before and I recommend you close you curtains when you do it, because, if you put your hands on your inner thighs or bum while hopping you can feel just how hard those muscles are working! It's very motivating to feel how solid the muscle gets I promise!

Day 25:

Had another good workout day today. I woke up feeling "ripped"....ok, not ripped exactly but skinny and un-wobbly! That gave me enough motivation to push through those damn burpees - Oh how I hate them! All for a good cause though...

Day 26:

There is an absolute killer bum/arms move (see below) on this level that i really love. It's so efficient getting all that done at once! Back when I was an avid gym-goer I never would have done moves like this and worked so hard that I thought my muscles would give out. There's definitely something to be said for working at home where you feel comfortable enough to push just a little harder than you think you can.

Day 27:

Another day, another workout! Not much to be said for today except what I always say as near the end of every level - getting a bit bored of the moves but it's the nearly the end! Yay!

Day 28:

I'm sad to be on my last day of the Ripped in 30 workout! I put extra effort into it today and enjoyed it so much! I feel fantastic today, really in shape and all my muscles are firm. My arms are looking great, definitely leaner and with some muscle definition. My waist is nipped in and a lot smaller. I don't think the thigh/hips area looks any smaller but my jeans fit way better, in fact, they are bordering on being a bit too big. I really want to keep up the progress that I've gotten so far - but there's no way I'm doing another 30 day of this in a row so I have decided to re-join the gym! I stopped going a while ago as I was getting bored but have found a better gym that does classes similar to a Jillian workout and so that's the next step. No rest for the wicked!

Conclusion

I love this DVD! It's tough at times but Jillian makes it easy to stick with and the results you see from the start keep you motivated. A lot people ask what to do after the 30 Day Shred - it can be boring, and honestly, not very effective to just keep repeating it - and this is the DVD I would recommend. Plus, the more in shape you are from the shred, the harder you are going to be able to work during this workout and the better the changes you will see.

I finished the 28 days weighing 141.2lb which means I lost 3lbs. I feel like I lost more because my body feels and looks much better - firmer, more toned and much stronger. Like all Jillian's DVDs it's a reasonable price although you will need (at least one) set of hand weights and a floor mat. If you're looking for a Shred follow-up don't hesitate! You can get it on Amazon here. Enjoy!!

.