30 day shred

Do what you can. If you can't go all the way down then only go as far as you can. If you need to take a rest, do it then start back again. If you don't push yourself to do more you'll never get so that you can do it.

I never push myself harder than I can do. If you can't go all the way down for a push up, don't! I don't! Also if you've just started, slow it down a bit so you can complete the whole work out and you can speed up as you get used to it, it does get easier the more you do it! Good luck and keep trying!

Just keep it going. Do what you can each time. You'll get stronger and stronger each time you do it and it'll get easier and easier.

Just do what you can! Your not supposed to be able to do all of the moves exactly like Jillian or as many. Doing something even if it's just a couple with the proper posture/ stance makes a world of difference! Evenutally after each level you will be able to do more and will see how much stronger you will become and it will get easier! I started the 30 DS when I was around 205-210 pounds and I couldn't even get through all of the jumping jacks! It was EXTREMLEY difficult but it got easier and by the time I was at level 3 I could go back to level 1 and do everything without feeling like I was going to die! Just keep going!!!

Oh and don't forget to take your measurements! That's where you will notice the biggest change!

Just keep at it, I'm doing this again after having a break from it because of injury and I'm much better at it 2nd time round, so you do get better with practice. Saying that I'm not doing it today as my thighs are hurting so I've just been walking today as there is no way I could manage doing 30ds it's a killer! But in a good way :happy:

This is echoing everyone else but just keep going. Did Level 3 Day 2 today and I still do push-ups on my knees but I am definitely stronger. Also, for level 1, I would do one set of push-ups on my knees and the other standing against a wall. Little less resistance but still, as Jillian likes to say, still effective!

It's hard! When I first started 30DS, modified push-ups took a lot out of me, and by the time I got to the jump-rope portion of level 1, I felt like I was dying! The important thing is to just keep going! I can't always keep up with Jillian or do some of the exercises as fast as she does them, but if you keep moving, you will see progress! Like she says, take a 5 second breather if you need to, and then pick it back up. If you can't push yourself as hard as she pushes it, just do what you can. Even if you do one squat in the time it takes her to do 4, your body is burning calories and getting stronger. If you stick with it, it will get easier.

Just do your best. Don't use weights if its just too much. Don't go quite as low on the push ups ( I can't do a full one myself) Take a breather for a moment if you have to but do make sure you push yourself! Its SUPPOSED to be hard. That's how it works. Don't hurt yourself of course but really give it your best. You will get stronger if you stick to it. I just completed day 2 and no lie, its hard. I thought I was going to throw up afterwards. I'm so sore and I know I'm going to be dying tomorrow. But no pain, no gain right? Good Luck!

I just finished Day 1 about 30 minutes ago...oh my gosh! I'm sitting here in the chair and my legs are shaking lol. I couldn't do the entire thing without breaks. When I had to, I stopped for 5-10 seconds and then got right back on it. I'm very proud of my self. You can do this, just don't give up!!!! And, I hope I take my own advice!!!!

Just keep it going. Do what you can each time. You'll get stronger and stronger each time you do it and it'll get easier and easier.

This!! Great advice!! I literally just finished Day 8 of Level 2. When level 1 first started, I couldnt even do ONE pushup!! I kept going and by the end I was able to do the whole workout with no breaks! The first day I couldnt even get through the warmup with no breaks. It is amazing to me what is happening to my body!! I also just slid a pair of jeans down last night to take them off without unbuttoning them or unzipping them!! Seriously amazing!! don't give up! If you cant do a pushup, get as close to doing one as you can and then do it again. You will build up strength and it won't take as long as you think it does!! Also, I have a lot of mental hang ups about what I can and cant do so if you do to, try to erase those out of your mind!!

I attempted it and had the same problem. I couldnt get through probably 3mins before I was out of breath. I plan on starting it again March 1 so Im reading and taking everyone who posted in heres advice.

I agree with everyone that you should do what you can, listen to your body, and (most of all!) be kind to yourself - it's a tough workout. I'm only on Level 1 and plan to stay there for 30 Days before moving up a level. I find Circuit 1 to be toughest, and when I get through that, I sail through the other two circuits.

I first tried the 30 Day Shred six months ago, and I couldn't keep it up. Like you, I had to quit about 10 minutes in. Up to that point, my workouts had been elliptical only, 60mins per day, 5-6x per week. I was discouraged that I wasn't yet ready for the 30 Day Shred, and figured my strength and endurance needed some serious work. I did some reading about interval training, and bought a heart rate monitor. I began interval training on my elliptical using the hrm to guide me. 5 minute warm up and then 1 minute at highest intensity I could muster, then 2 minute normal / slow rate, etc. I did that for 2 months, and ignored my Shred DVDs. On Feb 1, I tried the Shred DVD again, and this time, I did great! Still super tough and still sore for the first 4 days, but I'm doing fine now and plan to continue. My advice is that you try to figure out a plan that feels right for you to help build up your strength, and then work toward it. You can do it!

I just finished it over the weekend. You will find that it does get somewhat easier with time. I kind of jumped around on the various levels. I only did a few days at level 1 and then went to level 2, but if I was really tired I'd select level one even towards the end. I got some nice results after the 30 days!

When I started the Shred, I, too, was struggling with pushups. Even the modifies ones were too hard for me.
One month later I was able to do a few of the REAL pushups. That's how much stronger I got. This was the first time in my life I was able to do a real pushup. I was so thrilled.

I suggest that you do your best. If you manage only 4 of the 10 pushups, so be it - in the beginning. Slowly but surely you'll feel able to do 5, then 6...

You could also try doing pushups in standing position against a wall.

I started Level 3 today. When I started Level 1, I always needed a break during the second set of jump rope, and I couldn't do a pushup if my life depended on it. I also started with 2 pound weights, and started using the 3 pound halfway through Level 2. Just do what you can. As someone mentioned in another thread when I was starting, if you modify or take extra breaks, Jillian isn't going to break in and beat you up