Jillian Michaels 30 day shred - are we allowed a day off?!!

Is anyone else on or done the 30 day shred??? Currently on day 5 of Level 1. I have just completed the workout but noticed my thighs don't seem to have the good 'burn' any more - today was actually kind of painful on the tops of my thighs!!! So much that I dare not lunge too far!!!
It never mentions if we are allowed a day off over the whole 30 days or not?? Did anyone else take breaks? I'm also worried that if I take one day off it will snowball into another day....then another...then another...if that makes sense!!

Anyone else feeling the burn?!?!?
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Replies

  • I started off doing the 30 Day Shred every single day. By day 5 I was burning out. I took a day off. I am now doing it every other day and fitting in other workouts on the other days. It's going to take longer than 30 days, but am more willing to do it now. I have seen people post many different schedules they use for doing this workout.
  • I think it's recommended that you take one day off, but I think that might even be extreme, and considering you burn less than 200 calories doing it, it's not really worth it (the exhaustion, fatigue, sore muscles, etc) to do it every day, you're just going to burn yourself out. So I used it more for toning than for weight loss. I'd usually do it in combination with a cardio exercise. Take days off from 30 day shred but not from working out, still do your cardio; always do your cardio.
  • dlbinin
    dlbinin Posts: 66 Member
    I was told to cut 30DS down to 3-4 days a week and it's working so much better. I currently do 30DS on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday and on Saturday I do Yoga Meltdown. Weight and inches started coming off when I switched.
  • paulaviki
    paulaviki Posts: 678 Member
    Apparently Jillian Michaels recommends doing it 5-6 days a week and it's the marketing people who wanted to position it as something to do without a break. I did it with at least one day off a week and still got great results!
  • ebonie101
    ebonie101 Posts: 95 Member
    yes! with any workout program you need a rest day for your muscles to just recover and rebuild from all the strain the workout puts on it. 5 days a week is great but i go for 6 days and rest one day
  • Mellie289
    Mellie289 Posts: 1,191 Member
    I took one day off minimum when I did this, and now also for Ripped in 30, but sometimes two. With 30DS, I felt better when I did the workout 3 days, took a day off, then did it 3 more, etc.
  • tinydancer4
    tinydancer4 Posts: 114 Member
    I do 4 days on, 1 day off. Bit early to tell if it's working yet.
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    I've had lots of days off. I don't think you need to seek anyone's permission - just do what's best for your body.
  • I did the full 30 days without a day off and became much more toned!
  • Jaegur
    Jaegur Posts: 80 Member
    I just started about 45 minutes ago. I'm 400lbs, and made it about.... 10 minutes in before I thought I was about to die. It will probably be a few weeks before I can do the entire workout in one stretch, as embarrassing as that is to admit. I just did what I could, pushed myself a few more minutes, then did about 15 minutes of wii boxing to keep my heart rate up a little longer >>
  • Jaegur
    Jaegur Posts: 80 Member
    scratch that, i went back and finished it.
  • susie6785
    susie6785 Posts: 25 Member
    I think you just need to listen to your body and do what's best for you. As paulaviki said, Jillian suggests 5-6 days and 1 day of rest. I think if you need to only do 4 days, then that's still a lot better than nothing! Of course the more consistent you are, the quicker the results, but don't push yourself over the limit, if you need a break, take it! And Jace1100, I just started today and wanted to die too! You're not alone! I did make it through the 3 circuits, but definitely took a few breaks that were more than just 5 seconds that she recommends. As time progresses the endurance will come. Kudos for doing it at all, that's what I say! MAN did she kick my butt! I'm gonna feel it in the morning!
  • Vyshness8699
    Vyshness8699 Posts: 390 Member
    I'm going to try and do the full 30 days w/o stopping I'm currently on day 14 and yes the first 7-10 days I was extremely sore especially in my legs my poor poor legs lol but now I'm ok ! But like everyone said listen to your body and do what's best for you
  • I think she'd be like "Oh you want a day off? That's fine. NOT. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE? get up. I will kick you."
  • arrawyn79
    arrawyn79 Posts: 275 Member
    i am taking one day off week - so I just do 6 days, and then take 1 day off from a tough workout (but i still do gentle cardio lie walk my dog!).

    today is my 'rest day'. and tomorrow i'll be back at it with level 2 day 1! :)
  • ktmmom189
    ktmmom189 Posts: 132 Member
    Is anyone else on or done the 30 day shred??? Currently on day 5 of Level 1. I have just completed the workout but noticed my thighs don't seem to have the good 'burn' any more - today was actually kind of painful on the tops of my thighs!!! So much that I dare not lunge too far!!!
    It never mentions if we are allowed a day off over the whole 30 days or not?? Did anyone else take breaks? I'm also worried that if I take one day off it will snowball into another day....then another...then another...if that makes sense!!

    Anyone else feeling the burn?!?!?

    I have had this same issue. I don't know why. I took a day off, then the next day did Zumba and it was a little better. So I have been doing every other day, Zumba 3 times a week, kickboxing once a week, and walking. Seems to be working.
  • rnhoppe
    rnhoppe Posts: 111 Member
    I do it everyday except Sunday. One day off a week sounds reasonable to me.
  • 80Ben
    80Ben Posts: 119 Member
    I think she'd be like "Oh you want a day off? That's fine. NOT. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE? get up. I will kick you."

    LOL! Bring it!

    I did it without days off, but I know that many people took a day off and got good results. I'm currently doing Ripped in 30 which is somewhat of a follow-up, and she says to do it 5 or 6 days a week and take a day off.

    The best thing is to listen to your body, but she does say over and over that results don't come cheap. And she just might kick you...
  • I think it's recommended that you take one day off, but I think that might even be extreme, and considering you burn less than 200 calories doing it, it's not really worth it (the exhaustion, fatigue, sore muscles, etc) to do it every day, you're just going to burn yourself out. So I used it more for toning than for weight loss. I'd usually do it in combination with a cardio exercise. Take days off from 30 day shred but not from working out, still do your cardio; always do your cardio.

    I burn 225-300 each time a do a 30ds work out --- I'm 5'3, 148 pounds, and with 24% BF and that's according to a pretty accurate HRM - so the basis for your advice here is (likely) inaccurate unless the OP is super fit/not doing the program properly (ie pushing hard and keeping up). 200-300 calories IS definitely worth it because you're working less than 30 minutes. That is, if it is only soreness and not PAIN.

    I did 30ds 30 days straight - but I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard. I did ripped in 30 5 days a week because more HURT and not hurt so good. Like everyone else said, OP, listen to your body. If you genuinely hurt and are in pain, not soreness - don't push it. Your results won't be lost taking a day or two off, it might just take you extra time to get to the goal you want to achieve. But I think that's totally what the fitness journey is about -- making choices you can live with.
  • chicadejmu
    chicadejmu Posts: 171 Member
    I started off doing the 30 Day Shred every single day. By day 5 I was burning out. I took a day off. I am now doing it every other day and fitting in other workouts on the other days. It's going to take longer than 30 days, but am more willing to do it now. I have seen people post many different schedules they use for doing this workout.

    That's what I started doing too, for Ripped in 30. Doing it every day is just too hard on my body.
  • PuggleLover
    PuggleLover Posts: 261 Member
    I just started about 45 minutes ago. I'm 400lbs, and made it about.... 10 minutes in before I thought I was about to die.

    You did a heck of a lot better than me. I said to myself - 20 minutes, I got this, no problem. I was checking the time at 3 minutes in! I made it to 5 minutes and I had to take a break. You should be proud of yourself. :)

    PS - good for you for going back and finishing it!!

    Edit: I did it 30 days non stop... lost 2.5 inches around my waist and 1 inch on my hips. I just wanted to see if I could do it. I am doing RI30 now with one scheduled rest day.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    I did it Monday to Friday and on the weekend, I'd go to the gym on either Saturday or Sunday. I think your body needs a break but it really depends on how much you can do :)
  • petiteLady89
    petiteLady89 Posts: 198 Member
    I'm going to do the 30 day shred in combination of her 6 week 6 pack for six weeks after I am done my current routine. I will have two days off each week.

    I'm exercising six days a week right now and want to go down to five for a bit.
  • I do this workout 3 days a week (every other day) and couch 25k 3 days a week (every other day) and take one day off where I just take a little walk... Right now I can't do c25k and 30DS on the same days. I also do Pilates once a week, but that's on a c25k day, or I skip 30DS depending on how hard we work
  • http://www.livestrong.com/article/322448-how-many-calories-does-30-day-shred-burn/?utm_source=RELARTICLES_R1

    hope that helps clear things up as to where I get my information from! Not saying it's accurate or not. Just to clarify, you can burn 200-300 calories in 20-30 minutes on the elliptical or swimming, or doing just about any moderate-level physical activity. If it's less impact on someone who is still in the process of getting back into shape to do the elliptical, or go swimming and then ease into Jillian Michaels, then that's all I was trying to encourage. These work out videos make a lot of promises and then push people harder than their fitness level can take them and then they give up and continue to perpetuate the unhealthy cycle of lethargy that caused them to be overweight in the first place. As long as you're moving, you're becoming more fit and that is really the point isn't it? Eat less, move more, be patient, and stick with it.
  • I did 30 day shred over 30 days without a break with good results. In fact I loved it so much I still do Level 3 every day! I have just started Ripped in 30 and I am combining Level 3 30DS and Ripped in 30. Doing one after the other on a daily basis. I have found that Ripped level 1 is just a little too easy after doing 30DS level 3 for so long.

    It is true - listen to what your body wants :)
  • http://www.livestrong.com/article/322448-how-many-calories-does-30-day-shred-burn/?utm_source=RELARTICLES_R1

    hope that helps clear things up as to where I get my information from! Not saying it's accurate or not. Just to clarify, you can burn 200-300 calories in 20-30 minutes on the elliptical or swimming, or doing just about any moderate-level physical activity. If it's less impact on someone who is still in the process of getting back into shape to do the elliptical, or go swimming and then ease into Jillian Michaels, then that's all I was trying to encourage. These work out videos make a lot of promises and then push people harder than their fitness level can take them and then they give up and continue to perpetuate the unhealthy cycle of lethargy that caused them to be overweight in the first place. As long as you're moving, you're becoming more fit and that is really the point isn't it? Eat less, move more, be patient, and stick with it.

    Right, but as Jillian says it's not just about burning calories, it's about toning WHILE you're burning calories :) and I agree, it doesn't come for free! you have to work at it :)
  • pandoraparadox
    pandoraparadox Posts: 4 Member
    When I did the 30 day shred (I only stopped because I lost my video right before I was heading back to college) I would do it 4-5 times a week, alternating and/or supplementing with other workouts (mostly light jogging and yoga). I definitely saw great results even with the slightly reduced amount. I lost 2 inches off my hips and waist through about a month of this sort of routine, but the biggest difference was in my lower belly "pooch" (you know, that annoying pocket of fat just above your hips?) where I lost about 5 inches total. I'm also a lot stronger (e.g. I can do REAL pushups now lol) and just more physically capable in general. Just listen to your body and do what it needs to do. You can take a rest day now and then, or even go every other day, and still get great results.
  • http://www.livestrong.com/article/322448-how-many-calories-does-30-day-shred-burn/?utm_source=RELARTICLES_R1

    hope that helps clear things up as to where I get my information from! Not saying it's accurate or not. Just to clarify, you can burn 200-300 calories in 20-30 minutes on the elliptical or swimming, or doing just about any moderate-level physical activity. If it's less impact on someone who is still in the process of getting back into shape to do the elliptical, or go swimming and then ease into Jillian Michaels, then that's all I was trying to encourage. These work out videos make a lot of promises and then push people harder than their fitness level can take them and then they give up and continue to perpetuate the unhealthy cycle of lethargy that caused them to be overweight in the first place. As long as you're moving, you're becoming more fit and that is really the point isn't it? Eat less, move more, be patient, and stick with it.

    Not really, because you said under 200 your original post, implying the effort isn't worth the calorie burn when that's not accurate. The thing with 30DS if, unless you have a medical issue like knee problems, you should be able to do everything, even if it is the modified version - maybe not as fast or without taking breaks but the exercises themselves aren't advanced. What makes it effective is the mix of cardio with strength training - because it's fat burning AND toning as somebody else mentioned. What perpetuates lethargy is lethargy. Workouts, especially in the beginning, are uncomfortable. You have to learn what is normal and what isn't.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I think it's recommended that you take one day off, but I think that might even be extreme, and considering you burn less than 200 calories doing it, it's not really worth it (the exhaustion, fatigue, sore muscles, etc) to do it every day, you're just going to burn yourself out. So I used it more for toning than for weight loss. I'd usually do it in combination with a cardio exercise. Take days off from 30 day shred but not from working out, still do your cardio; always do your cardio.

    I burn 225-300 each time a do a 30ds work out --- I'm 5'3, 148 pounds, and with 24% BF and that's according to a pretty accurate HRM - so the basis for your advice here is (likely) inaccurate unless the OP is super fit/not doing the program properly (ie pushing hard and keeping up). 200-300 calories IS definitely worth it because you're working less than 30 minutes. That is, if it is only soreness and not PAIN.

    I did 30ds 30 days straight - but I didn't feel like I was pushing too hard. I did ripped in 30 5 days a week because more HURT and not hurt so good. Like everyone else said, OP, listen to your body. If you genuinely hurt and are in pain, not soreness - don't push it. Your results won't be lost taking a day or two off, it might just take you extra time to get to the goal you want to achieve. But I think that's totally what the fitness journey is about -- making choices you can live with.

    I agree with this. I am doing Ripped in 30 (similar to 30DS in my opnion) and I burned 351 calories last night. I really gave it my all and did the advanced versions. It's definitely worth it for me to do it at least 5-6 days a week. I want results for working this hard! Of course diet is really important too.