30 Day Shred?!

Will it still work if I have to take a break for a few minutes?

If you mean will it work for fat loss, yes. Your body burns almost the same amount of fuel whether you break up exercise sessions or not.

Extreme dizziness isn't good. Make sure to eat a meal with carbs 1-2 hours before. If that doesn't help, you might need to try an easier workout.

For the arch pain, try this stretch hourly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEintoiiqSg

Totally agree with the other ladies - a short break is fine - you'll soon find you improve!

Im on day 13 I just started level 2 a few days ago. When I started I was also having to take quick breaks, I just did before and after shots today of my back and even with me being a total exersize newbie, I'm seeing results already.

I just finished Level 2 today and it was exhausting! I take five-second breathers quite a few times on that one...maybe a little more than Level 1. But I try to do something while I'm taking that breather. For example, if I need a break during the double jump rope (although I do single to follow the modifier), I may march in place and/or drink water. If doing plank jacks or plank twists, I just drop into child's pose (yoga) for those few seconds.

I've gone up a couple of pounds since starting the Shred, partly because I have now just decided to get serious about my diet again, but I have noticed that my clothes are starting to feel a little looser and that I don't look as large-chested. The biggest thing is to never just stop moving, but I realize that may not be sustainable with your foot issues.

Good luck!!

Hey! Glad to hear you're trying the Shred - I just finished it early this month and now I'm experimenting with alternating Banish Fat Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones, which are much longer workouts. I kinda miss being in and out in 20 minutes, but that's what Ripped In 30 is for (yes, she's got another one if you like the Shred!)

If you're feeling dizzy, make sure you have something to eat before doing it. Not immediately before, since you'll risk nausea and stomach cramping, but you don't want to be doing this on an empty stomach. I don't care what some exercise scientist cooked up in a lab as an experiment, exercising without fuel is a good way to feel sick, dizzy and generally hate life. Have a light to medium meal somewhere between 40 to 60 minutes before you exercise. Also, don't be afraid to sip a little coffee - the caffeine actually helps you get through the workout and the inevitable muscle soreness afterwards (please note, I'm not talking about slamming back three red-eyes. Just a simple, humble cup of coffee, about 200mg worth of caffeine).

Also, I don't care what the marketing says - you don't want to try to complete this program in 30 days. That's a good way to burn out. Play with it and find a rhythm that works for you - I found that two days on, one day off was a good pattern for me. Just keep in mind that your day off doesn't mean that you sit on your butt; find something low impact that you enjoy. My low impact exercise of choice is walking and I just got a Fitbit to help me with that, but there are a lot of options out there. You might enjoy a bike ride through your local park, or swimming if you have access to a pool. If you enjoy the stretching portion, you might want to look into yoga. Again, play around with it - fitness is very personal and it's going to take you a little while to find a rhythm. Move up a level when you begin to feel more comfortable with the previous level. If it takes you the full thirty days to get through Level 1 without taking a five second beat, then stay at Level 1 those 30 days. The 90 Day Shred doesn't sound as catchy, but it'll get the job done.

As for your feet cramping, are you wearing shoes? My biggest mistake in the beginning was trying to do this barefoot. If you aren't doing it in shoes, try putting on a pair of either walking shoes or cross trainers that you feel comfortable in, lace them in a pattern that supports the arch of your foot (you can look up different lacing patterns online) and see if that helps. As for the breaks - she says take no more than a five second beat and for the most part, try to stay with her on that, is my advice. It's extremely uncomfortable, yes. But by not letting yourself rest for more than a five second beat, even if you have to keep taking that five second beat throughout the exercise, you're getting used to that pattern and it's easier to gauge your progress by how many beats you're taking as a rest as you work through the exercise. I remember being really excited when I could get through Level 2 without taking any five second beats and it helped me get through a bad week on the scale because I could see progress in a completely different area.

I hope I was able to help. Have fun and good luck!

I've been using JM's workouts for years. When I started( & every time I restart) I don't usually make it all the way through. Just the fact that you are doing it is great. you'll improve the more you do it.
As far as good carbs- veggies & whole grains are the key. try making your own & not use things that have added chemicals to them. High Fructose corn syrup is in everything (HFCS) that's a BAD carb. BIG time. It doesn't take that much extra time to make them. It's not hard.
Good job on doing more difficult exercises. you will astound yourself when you are doing what you can't do now.

Hi, guys! I've just finished day 6 of level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. I'm wondering if it'll help me build up my cardio skills? I'm a vet student and there is lots of walking involved in "field trips" and I don't want to die of exhaustion everytime we go out. I chose 30 Day Shred because it's very doable and it makes me feel a acomplished everytime I finish a workout but, would you recommend any other of her workouts that'll better acomplish what I'm looking for or did I choose the right one? Thanks!!

I just started using MFP today but I'm on day 9 of level one of the 30 day shred. I need some inspiration. I gained a large amount of weight in a short period of time (roughly 20 pounds in a little over a month) due to stress and over eating sweets and other empty calories. My sisters wedding is at the end of September and being the maid of honor, I really want to look my best. I took my measurements on day 5 prior to my workout and today measured my waist and abdomen and it appears that I am gaining inches. I've read that this is a temporary thing because of the muscles sucking up water to repair themselves. Does anyone else have experience with this and how long did it take to straighten out? I have not been drinking nearly enough water for my weight so today I ramped it up to ten 8oz glasses and plan on continuing. Any and all advice/inspiration/motivation will greatly appreciated. Good luck to everyone on their weight loss or gain goals!