30 day shred. Every day or not??

Hi everyone. I started the 30 day shred yesterday. I felt fine afterwards just a little bit tired. Did it again this morning and my thighs, calfs and upper arms are sore. Calfs are the worst it's hard to walk (but I'm continuing to walk about.) I was hoping to do the shred every day, and my friend who's an avid gym goer says i should be pushing through the pain in order to get results. However, if I'm in pain, it's going to be harder too do it tomorrow and surely i won't be able to do it effectively if I'm I've got sore muscles?? My main question is should i have a rest day or just man through!? And will my muscles ache after each go and level?!?

Bit of background about me. I'm 176lb and i don't do any physical activity at all usually just a bit of walking probably about 2 hours a week

Replies

  • rahlpn
    rahlpn Posts: 551 Member
    Push through it. I did 30DS in March and day 3 I could barely get on or off the toilet and stairs were torture. I did take one rest day a week, 6 days straight then one day off. Try a light 10-15 minute walk outside then come in and do the 30DS, once your muscles warm up you can stretch them good and you should be able to power through the workout. Being sedentary and "resting" will just stiffen your muscles even more. Eat some protein, some potassium and drink plenty of water (your muscles need it to repair) or Gatorade. Ibuprofen is helpful too. Good luck! I lost 11 lbs with the 30DS :)
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    You probably won't hurt yourself if you push through and continue. I'd say keep doing it, but have a rest day every few days.

    ETA: If anything but your muscles is sore (knee, ankle, etc), take a day off and let it get better.
  • Shagilmore
    Shagilmore Posts: 5
    I'm going to start my 30 Day Shred today. Really looking forward to it but I know I'm going to be sore.....

    Good Luck Everyone
  • meganfoster12
    meganfoster12 Posts: 411 Member
    I push through the pain; I take a 1 day break between each levels....
  • BJJGirl79
    BJJGirl79 Posts: 6
    Push through it. The soreness is lactic acid that has been released from your muscles due to inactivity. It's going to last for a little while, but after a few days, the soreness will wear off. Drink plenty of plain water, take ibuprofen as needed, ice sore joints, and heat sore muscles.
    The warmup before the workout is extremely important too. Warm up before any stretching, and don't stretch too long, or the warmup was for nothing.
    I promise it gets better, and no, you won't be sore after EVERY workout. It's only in the beginning. It sucks, yes, but no pain, no gain! Stick with it!
    Starting the first day is an amazing step to your goals!
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Jillian Michaels herself said that she never expected people to finish 30 Day Shred in 30 days straight. Only you can decide what your body is telling you, but yes the system is meant to have a few days off here and there.
  • nabzilla_uk
    nabzilla_uk Posts: 45 Member
    I did it every day for about 20 days, but I spoke to someone really ripped at work and he said you shouldnt do any muscle training for more than two days in a row. I'm not sure how accurate this info is, but he's really beefed up so I was going to give it a try next time i do it.
  • Thanks for the replies everyone. This is what i was hoping you would say :) . I didn't feel like her warm up "warmed me up" enough, so i think tomorrow I'll do her warm up then do my own!! I've been drinking loads of water and eating plenty of carbs and protein!!! It's just my muscles that hurt but if anything else hurts I'll stop.
  • My wife and I just started and we're looking to do it on weekday mornings. We have to get up and out for 6:00am daily so getting up at 4:20 and having it done by 5:00 gives us a nice boost in the morning. We don't plan on doing it on the weekends as that's our only chance to sleep in :P
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    I think 3 times a week, but I have heard of people going for 5 once they got used to it.
  • LisaD1025
    LisaD1025 Posts: 74 Member
    I power through it. After day one my calves are always KILLING me (all those damn jumping jacks), but pushing through it and not taking a day off right away helps me and I feel better on day three.

    You'll see amazing improvement super fast with that program. I love it!!
  • Becks41319
    Becks41319 Posts: 156 Member
    I'm probably just repeating what everyone else has said, but I say power through! I'm on the third day today and I'm actually feeling a lot better than I was yesterday. I'm pushing through you can too! Also, I used to play sports in high school, we didn't get rest days other than of course the weekend but I suspect if the coach could have, he'd have had us working out those days too.
  • GRUNO
    GRUNO Posts: 98
    I started 30DS again on Saturday. I did it three days in a row. After the first day I was a bit stiff and sore. Doing the work out again actually helped ease some of the pain and stiffness. I do think you need a better warm up. I get on my exercise bike or elipitical for about 5 minutes before starting the video and doing her short warm up.
  • Becks41319
    Becks41319 Posts: 156 Member
    I started 30DS again on Saturday. I did it three days in a row. After the first day I was a bit stiff and sore. Doing the work out again actually helped ease some of the pain and stiffness. I do think you need a better warm up. I get on my exercise bike or elipitical for about 5 minutes before starting the video and doing her short warm up.

    I usually do the walk with my dog and a run beforehand so I have already gotten a lot of cardio in before starting.
  • GRUNO
    GRUNO Posts: 98
    That's a good idea, I walk my dogs most days anyway. I think part of the reason the warm up so short is because the producers wanted the routine to come in under 30 minutes. I also do some additional stretching at the end.
  • lynnelynsey
    lynnelynsey Posts: 20
    thanx for this post.i have terrible pains in my legs after 5 days and couldn't do it today.will push myself tomorrow now i know its normal.lol
  • crowesnest16
    crowesnest16 Posts: 58 Member
    Just finished Day 2 and can really feel it - felt better than I did yesterday though and recovery was quicker - downing lots of water and did more stretches after.... my plan is to try and do it every day at least for Level 1!
    Good luck - I keep hearing it gets better and you actually want to move onto Level 2 by the time you have got to day 8/9 - I'll believe it when I get there!!
  • Becks41319
    Becks41319 Posts: 156 Member
    thanx for this post.i have terrible pains in my legs after 5 days and couldn't do it today.will push myself tomorrow now i know its normal.lol

    It is very normal. I have experience with heavy everyday work outs from high school, sadly I got out of that once I didn't have a coach pushing me to run faster, climb the steps quicker, do more push ups, etc...soreness is a good thing. It means you are doing something right. It'll fade, which usually means it's time to take it up a notch (if you are not where you want to be of course).
  • Becks41319
    Becks41319 Posts: 156 Member
    Just finished Day 2 and can really feel it - felt better than I did yesterday though and recovery was quicker - downing lots of water and did more stretches after.... my plan is to try and do it every day at least for Level 1!
    Good luck - I keep hearing it gets better and you actually want to move onto Level 2 by the time you have got to day 8/9 - I'll believe it when I get there!!

    From what I've read and what I know from my history in training, doing the same thing over and over for days upon days will slowly bring your muscles up to par with that work out and you'll know you've hit it when it stops burning so much which means you will be ready to move up of course because you are not working as hard anymore. It's like learning to run a mile. You run a little ways over and over and over until it gets so easy you hardly get winded then you know it's time to up it and push yourself again with a little more distance.
  • katinachaos
    katinachaos Posts: 90 Member
    If your muscle pain isn't allowing you to do the exercises properly, take a day off. I know occasionally my quad pain made it so my lunges were super shaky, so rather than topple over or not have proper form, I'd take a day off or replace that particular exercise with something else. Sometimes muscle pain isn't because you just need to "power through it". You could be doing the exercises incorrectly in the first place so pay attention to what hurts and what causes it and check you're not doing any damage.
  • cwaters120
    cwaters120 Posts: 354 Member
    I'm on day 6 and I've been doing it every day. While I was sore from the first day, and couldnt' always do the moves "top notch", I didn't feel it was from a tear or strain (just new muscle use) so I kept going. In day 6, I did it IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING a Turbo Fire quick cardio and did fine (it was an effort, I won't lie but it was good). My endurance is easily twice what it was and the muscle soreness is leaving quickly. Unless you feel it was from a tear or strain (extreme pain during use - not just a little burn and fatigue) then I'd keep pushing. If you were doing heavy lifting or close, I'd advise the opposite, but you aren't so I think you'll find its good to go.
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    Soreness means you're doing something right... and I even believe Jillian says that a few times on the DVD. I say either do it 6 days straight (one rest day) or do it 3 days, rest one day (repeat). That is up to you. Even if you may not be giving it 100% because you're a little sore you are still burning way more calories than sitting on your couch. Enjoy! It's a great workout!
  • Septemberflowers
    Septemberflowers Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I have just finished level 2 of the Shred and start level 3 tomorrow. Here is how I spaced my sessions out.

    Level 1. Day 1-5 shred. Rest day (cycling 45 mins). Day 6-8 shred. Rest day, no exercise. Day 9-10 shred. Then onto level 2 the next day.

    Level 2. Day 1-3 shred. Rest day, no exercise. Day 4-6 shred. Rest day, no exercise. Day 7-9 shred. Rest day (5 hours decorating, too tired to do anything else). Rest day (3 hours decorating). Rest day 45 minute workout. Day 10 shred.

    My plan is to start level 3 tomorrow and hopefully keep it up for 5 days then take a complete rest day followed by the last 5. Easier said than done though. My bust and hips are down 3cm and thighs down 2cm. No change on my waistline yet but I'm a little bloated (hormones)! The changes are small but noticeable. It would probably help if I changed my diet but I haven't found that willpower yet :)

    I tend to do my own cool down at the end as I find Jillian's a little too short. Good luck with it.
  • salcha76
    salcha76 Posts: 287 Member
    i'm on day 18....I have done 3 days on, 1 off....or 4 on, 1 off....donated blood, missed a day....back at it.....i saw results in before/after pics at day 10....looking forward to day 20....2x w/in 12 hours may be a bit harsh....possibly space it out a bit more....
  • ms_leanne
    ms_leanne Posts: 523 Member
    I've just done day 10 so moving on to level 2 tomorrow. Have done it every day without fail so far as well as my thrice weekly exercise.
  • BrittanyKxo
    BrittanyKxo Posts: 62
    I'm only on day4. Just like you, the day after I started I felt REALLY sore. My calves are the sorest part of my body, but I think I'm going to try to do it every day until it's finished.
  • aeg176
    aeg176 Posts: 171 Member
    I just finished the shred last week and I was determined and ready for a challege by day 9 I could not walk, sit, stand, kneel, do stairs, really wasn't able to move at all because of the calf and muscle soreness. I had to force myself to take a break and on that day I did strictly cardio to get the lactic acid moving out of my muscles the next day I was SO much better. When doing strength training you have to let your muscles rest every few days (I forgot about that). My advice take breaks when you need to, to keep your sanity and push through when you think it may just be lack of motivation settling in. Good luck its a great program.
  • Thanks everyone your answers have really helped me :) . My muscle pain is definatly just from not using them i haven't injured myself.

    I think I'll aim to do it everyday but if i can't for some reason I'll replace it with 30 minutes of brisk walking. I really want to see results, im planning to do it for 60 days and ways. Doing the first 1,2,3 levels 10 day each then 5 days of 1, 10 days of 2 and 15 days of 3!!!
  • I did 6 days and had 1 day off. Usually a Sunday as that was my cheat day.