30Day Shred- Too Hard

BKatyB

I felt the same way! The first day killed me! But, I have done it about 12 days now, bu only 5 days in a row and my endurance is getting much better. I use to take a lot of breaks but now I really only miss a few of the lunge reps because those take a lot out of me. The cardio is hard but the longer you do it, the easier it gets. I'm now even doing some of the advanced moves instead of the beginners. I still don't think I'm ready for Level 2 yet but I plan on starting it in a few days and then trying her cardio work-out. Honestly, her work-out is super hard. Just don't be afraid to take breaks if needed or modify or switch out some of the cardio exercises-- for example, the butt kicks are tearing my ankles up so I will do the other cardio work-outs instead.

I felt like a failure to but luckily my dad and a lot of my friends helped motivate me and once I got past the first few work-outs I noticed a difference in my endurance and that I was toning up and it kept me going and I am super happy I stuck it. But if you really don't like it, try a different work-out that you do enjoy or even work yourself up to this one. There are a bunch of free work-outs on youtube!

kimimila86

The first time I tried the 30DS, I was so sore that I couldn't move and I thought I had torn my right bicep. I kept with it, modifying it as I saw fit. It's amazing to see how fast your body adapts to what stress you put it through. The jumping jacks are hard, but keep at it. You're only cheating yourself by saying it's too hard and quitting. (not trying to be rude or mean)

mondesa

Keep at it. Modify the jumping jacks if you need to - I know JM says "there is no modification for these" but honestly, I modify to do high knees and do the arm movements associated with the jumping jacks - it keeps my heart rate up, and I'm fine.

If you arent ready to move on to level 2, dont worry about it, stick with the first level as long as you need to, and move on when/if you are ready.

Good luck to you!!

This is what i did in the beginning and by the third set up jumping jacks sometimes even the second I adapt still. For the first week i thought i was going to throw up thru the whole video. It gets easier. Then level 2 kicked my butt again. So on days i feel like i just can not go another minute (today for example) I went back to level one and I felt like i was giving myself a break

igora_soma

I really struggled with the cardio too the first time around. Don't give up! You have to build the endurance up. Don't compare yourself with others - just do the best you can do and like Jillian always says "keep moving!"

skinnyinnotime

If it was easy everybody would do it. Don't give up, do it at your own pace, don't try and keep up with the girls on the dvd, just make sure your form is good and it honestly will get easier....you will be proud of yourself for doing it and amazed at how much stronger you get in a short time.

Go on, you can do it!!

75Juniper

Try alternating every other day between 30DS and something else. And don't feel bad if you can't keep up. When I started it, she mentioned something about taking a 5 second rest break if you needed it, so I did that A LOT. Just keep doing what you can, and if you find that you really aren't enjoying the program, it's okay to move on to something else.

BOLO4Hagtha

I've done P90X and thought my first week of 30 Day Shred was tough! Yeah, it is hard.

Edit:

PS. Try breaking it down by the intervals. I found that when I did the first the mins, then and hr later the next ten mins and an hr later the last 10mins, I was able to do everything with good form without stopping.

zacksnana

I think keep at it. Honestly, it is amazing how fast your endurance improves. And if by day 10 you're not ready to move onto level 2 then don't. Take as much time as you need. If you need a break or need to modify a jumping jack, then go ahead and do it (regardless of what Jililan says). If you keep working at it, it won't be too long until you get all the way through level one with no problem and you will feel such a sense of accomplishment! Good luck!

^^^ THIS!!!

modify all you need when you need!! When i started i could not do much without modifying! But every day i kept at it and was proud when i could do a little more. At first i could not do the jumping jacks without modifying all of them. Then i could do a few then a few more then a few more.

I am now on level 3 doing the jumping jacks with 5 pound weights.

I did not see how old you are but i am 56. I bet you can do it too. You may find something else to do and that is great too but the results you will see with 30ds are amazing!! Even starting out modifying!!

Let us know if you decide to stay with it and share your results. HINT: take a before photo in a tight outfit. My photo was very enlightening! I did not realize how many inches i had lost!

paulaviki

I've just finished the 30ds and it was tough. I was doing no exercise before and properly unfit but you know what? It's only 20 mins and if it's not hard then it's probably not going to do anything! I lost 7lbs and 9 inches doing it do the results make the pain and sweating do worth it! I'm doing JM's kickboxing fast fix now which is really hard too but I just keep telling myself it's only 20 mins!! Each little bit is only 30 seconds to 90 seconds at the most, and if you break it down like that YOU CAN DO IT!!

debb1010

OK, let me say I am direct...I promise I am not being mean with this comment...It is very hard...but I guess you have to ask yourself how much you actually want it. I am almost 40...never exercised a day in my life...and not only finished 30 DS ( and hated EVERY SECOND OF IT!) I went straight into P90, C25K and now so lifting heavy...not bad for an old lady...so...ask yourself how much you are worth? And just do it!! Stick with it...and I promise it gets a lot easier- NOT EASY- but easier!

Oh my goodness...if you are "old" at ALMOST 40, whats that make me at almost 50???!
OH..BTW...I just completed 5 days of the 30DS and I'm not a fan of pain but I'm trying to keep in mind the end result. My first day this bus came around and tried to take me out,..day two...the bus came back and I thought pretty much finished off the job...thats how much pain I was in. Thanks to ibuprofen and a good nights rest, day 3 was a breeze and I've not had much pain since. I have a boat load of arthritis in my body and if I can do the shred, I think anyone can even when I wake up and feel like I'm 90 instead of almost 50!! LOL LOL

mzhokie

That 30 day shred IS tough, I don't care what 'they' say! LOL

I did it once and couldn't walk for 4 days...sitting down made me cry, and the stairs??!?!? OMG!!

I do plan to start doing it again once I am a little fitter (for instance, when I can run for 2 minutes without stopping).

If you want to keep doing it, I would do the jumping jacks but just slow them down. What killed me was all of those damn lunges.

OMG I'm so glad someone else said that about their thighs! Not only was sitting down and standing up bad.... going to the bathroom hurt like hell! Seriously, she destroyed my legs in less than 30 minutes.

I need to do it again but the memory has stopped me. I keep thinking but I need to be able to walk for the next two days, I can't do it now! hehehe Modify it and if you have to do level 1 until you feel like you have mastered it. Who says you have to move on to Level 2 after 10 times. Slow down the jumping jacks, if you have a heart rate monitor use that as your guide as to whether or not you are getting the right amount of cardio.

I will listen to my own advice and get the DVD out this week!

waiting_for_dragonfly_wings

Try alternating every other day between 30DS and something else. And don't feel bad if you can't keep up. When I started it, she mentioned something about taking a 5 second rest break if you needed it, so I did that A LOT. Just keep doing what you can, and if you find that you really aren't enjoying the program, it's okay to move on to something else.

Thank you guys so much! I really hope I didn't sound whiny I knew it would be hard but that cardio kicks my butt. I do think I will alternate every other day with something I like. I found I love step areobics and I can add weights to that too.

Your been there done that stories have really lifted my spirits!!

reneelee

Do what you can and you will become strnger in time.

mzhokie

BTW - Jillian Michaels has said that this was not intended for you to do it every day for 30 days. The marketing people came up with that. So you can do this every other day or three times a week.

Vercell

I did 30 day shred for 5 days and ny siactica started acting up. I could not walk for a couple of days so, I will probably not be doing it anymore but it is a great workout if I did not have back problems.

rcthale

I don't know why people badmouth that DVD so much. It's great, and you can use it for quite a while before moving on.

If it's too tough, you might injure yourself if you force it. The best preparation could just be brisk walking. Maybe start with 20 minutes and try to walk longer each other day or so. Then try the DVD next month.

Sbehlmer

This is for true beginners. It is going to be hard. Nothing is going to be easy. I couldn't even complete 5 minutes the first day I did it. By day five of pushing myself, not giving up, and making myself do it it became SIGNIFICANTLY easier.

Don't give up because it's "too hard" for you. You are only putting limits on yourself and your progress.E

I've gotta completely agree...it is hard at first, but every day you will notice it becoming a little bit better (you might not have to take breaks as often or feel as winded)....

Everything new is hard at the beginning (if it wasn't everybody would be in tip top shape)....It was hard for me too when I started, but just recently I completed the series feeling better than ever...& moved on to her "Ripped in 30" series....you will definately notice a difference at each level if you just stay strong & keep at it.

One of my FAVORITE quotes is this "STRENGTH DOESN'T COME FROM WHAT YOU CAN DO...IT COMES FROM OVERCOMING THE THINGS YOU ONCE THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T".....You can do this!!!!

abbylane35

I did 30 Day Shred last spring and it did get easier as I went through each 10 day rotation (1st few days of a new rotation was harder again...but it's a change for your body!) I did, however, mute Jillian because I couldn't stand to hear her voice after the first few days! Keep at it! It will get better and you will start to notice differences! I was just thinking about starting it up again!

gemmalouise85

Can anyone tell me if you got big bruises on top of legs 1st time you done this? I'm now 2 days after I first tried it and stair walking still close to impossible and all my legs are bruised! I googled and normal with running etc but 30ds?

kandrews24

There are modifications for jumping jacks and all of the high impact moves. You can google "jumping jacks modifications" and many youtube videos will come up.

What I do is jumping jacks for as long as I can and then switch to the modified jumping jacks. From a calorie burn perspective, low impact gets you about 80% of the benefit of high impact without the strain on your joints. There are low impact ways to do any high impact move.

Also, other sorts of cardio exercise, such as cycling and swimming, will build up your stamina so that the jumping jacks are not so challenging. Still, they are challenging and you are not alone!!!!

shannon0401

"it may not get easier, but you WILL get better"

lorettaasmith

Aaah! I just ordered it. Now you all have me scared to try it! I'll be fine with the cardio (I think) because I've been walking and running....but I haven't done any strength training since...well....never. Wish me luck!

karijoeide

Dont' give up!! You can do this and believe it or not it will get easier. Even if the next day you can only do 2 more jumping jacks than the day before....that shows you are making progress and building up your endurance. I too thought I was going to die, it does get easier and now I look back and laugh at Jillian Michaels!

HeatherHoskins

Keep it up it will get easier and you will feel great when you can finish without dying. If jumping jacks are the only thing stopping you, there are ways to modify them. Keep trying though, today do 1, next week do 2. I promise it will change sooner then you think it will.

wayne4825

Keep at it. It will get easier. My fiance and I completed the 30DS approx. a month ago and now are doing it again. You'll never get stronger if you don't push yourself. I HATE every second of it but I know it's making me stronger and I'm proud of myself for completing it. Find a buddy to do it with, someone who truly motivates you and keeps you going. I have that and can say that if it wasn't for my fiance I would have quit myself but in the end it's only making us stronger.

ShreddedTweet

Keep at it! I was an absolute beginner when I started it too and I did think I was going to die but I kept at it and my endurance increased rapidly! Just make sure you're not doing it barefoot or on a hard floor! Best of luck!