Starting 30 day shred... Any advice?

Im attempting to complete the 30 day shred for and was wondering if anyone had any advice? I always seem to give up quickly since I cannot do a single pushup or lunge (its sad, I know). This time around Im just going to do as much as I can even if I technically cant do those moves. Any advice on how to get good results while completing the 30 day shred or any moves to replace (specifically) lunges?

I've not done Shred because the high impact would do me in.

This is a low impact circuit workout I like (you could sub jumping jacks for some of these moves): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzuvoDIO5J0

Re: lunges......take it slow. Don't try to keep up with the reps.....knee pain can stem from bad form too. You don't have to start with full lunges.....just do mini-lunges & build. I started off all wobbly.....have a chair handy if you lose your balance.

From what I read.....it's not 30 consecutive days. Pace yourself.

For pushups, start with wall pushups then gradually work your way down to the floor...next do them with your hands on a counter, then a chair seat, etc. Doing them on your knees to start is fine..but...it doesn't really train your core to do them on your knees. Also, when working the push ups (And lunges), make the range of motion smaller. You don't have to take the chest all the way to the floor in the push up to start. Just a couple of inches and go from there...same with the lunge. Get the position and move it up and down a couple of inches.
Jessica Smith has a video on youtube for modifying exercises such as this, look it up you may find it useful. Better to start somewhere and be successful than to quit feeling unsuccessful.

Push-up's - You have to just do them, even if it's just one and on your knees. Eventually that one push up will become easier and then you can do two. Just work up to it and always "engage" your abs, meaning contract them.

Lunges - Keep your legs a little more apart for balance and do what you can. Try to get the back knee close to the floor. Even if you can't look at yourself to see where your knee is, try to get low. Also, don't let your front knee go past your front toe.

It will happen, you just have to do it and don't be hard on yourself.

I am also wanting to do it. I started and made it through like 4-5 days and stopped. Not positive why. I'm not sure I can do it for 30 days straight though. Good Luck!

I just started night one tonight. It was ok, definitely doing it again tomorrow so that says something! X

I ordered this a few days ago and hoping it will arrive today, can't wait to start it!! x

Don't beat yourself up over anything. If you are moving, you are doing something right. I am starting the 30 day shred today 5/20: I reviewed it yesterday and joined this group a moment ago.

Accountability--- is my weakness---

I have an injured collarbone, I can do 8 modified pushups, before my bones ache.... I can do wall push-ups and on the arm of my couch.... it is all about finding what works for you and working up to what the trainer is.

Good Luck-- you are not alone-- push through the blahs and the soreness-- reach out to the community we are all working toward the same goal, just some are on a different path....

Getting ready to go press play...

I started on May 20th

I am on L2D6 of the shred and man, it is kicking my butt! I definitely feel it, and it wasn't as if I started the shred having not worked out in a while! I wasn't able to do more than 2 regular push-ups in the beginning, but now, I am able to do several and climbing to more. It is a great workout and I've lost a ton of inches, so it's definitely working. I do it in true 30 day fashion, meaning everyday and with no break days. It's been worth it so far! Start slow and modify the moves as much as you need to in order to accommodate your abilities, meaning if you can't do push-ups or even the modified ones, start with wall push-ups and as for lunges, get your form right and only go as low as your body is comfortable with! Good luck!

Just quick back story: I am 22 years old. I dislocated my knee when I was 12 because my teachers forced me to participate in track and field. (I asked not to.) Since then, I've always had knee trouble. I hadn't exercised properly since I was 14 (the last mandatory gym class in high school).

I started 30DS with 2 lbs weights (water bottles). It was incredibly tough. I couldn't even do a single push up (I would just collapse on the down bit). I followed Anita almost exclusively. Lunges were really scary for me, because in the past, they had hurt my knee (not in the muscle-growing way, but in the painful-injury kind of way). Eventually, by level 2, I was using 5 lbs weights. (I actually had a cold for the entirety of level 2.) After level 2 (and the cold), level 3 was a joke.

Then I did Ripped in 30. Then Killer Buns and Thighs/6-Week 6-Pack. I do No More Trouble Zones when I want a longer workout. I'm up to 7 lbs weights for most exercises. (I use 10 lbs for renegade rows and deadlifts. I probably could lift more, but weights are expensive and I am poor).

Today, I just redid level 1 of 30DS because I have a cold (again) and I wanted something quick and easy. I'm using 7 lbs weights. I totally forgot that push ups were the first move, so when she's like "Let's do push ups!" I groan, get into position, and away I go. I easily hit 15 push ups (I couldn't follow their count because my head was down). I couldn't remember the pace, so I just keep going until she says we're done.

My advice is to JUST KEEP GOING. It doesn't matter if you don't hit the same amount of reps as them. It doesn't matter if you use lighter weights than them. It doesn't matter if you have to take a break in the middle--just keep going. If it takes you more than 10 days to feel comfortable at level 1, then take more than 10 days. If you can't do back lunges, do front lunges. If front lunges hurt, do side lunges. If side lunges hurt, go back to squats. If you can't do any lower body moves at all, just stick with the upper body (and maybe get a trainer from a gym who can find lower impact stuff for your legs). DON'T BE DISCOURAGED IF YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW ANITA. Follow Natalie when and where you can (because you'll see faster results), but do what you can.

Finally, for fellow knee-problems people: I use a yoga mat AND a very thick, folded up towel for any move that requires me to be on my knees. (E.g., modified push-up, donkey kicks, fire hydrants, etc.) I also use a knee brace on the previously dislocated knee. That usually takes away any discomfort I feel while doing those moves. Even though I have these knee problems, I listen to my body while still trying to push my limits. Can I do a jumping scissor lunge (from Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 2)? You bet I can. If you never try to get out of your comfort zone, you'll never get anywhere.

Most important thing to take away: After exercising regularly, I now have lovely muscles on my legs. This build up of muscles on my legs is EXACTLY what my physiotherapist wanted to see. (The muscles around the knee are much bigger, holding my kneecap in place.) I no longer have pain in my knee that wakes me up in the middle of the night. So those scary lunges? Not so scary anymore.

Hi there! I'm only on L1D2 of the 30DS and the biggest thing I've discovered is that I SUCK at doing lunges! I'm thinking I should practice my form when I'm not doing the video so I'm more prepared for my workout, but if I continue to struggle I will probably substitute the exercise with squats.

The way I see it is if I'm feeling the burn and have that great "I worked out so hard I can barely move" feeling post-workout, I've done something right! :bigsmile:

I am on level 2 day 9, I took one day off each level so far so started 20 days ago. I am seeing a HUGE difference, I checked after the first level and I think I was down 3.5 pounds and 4", it will likely be a bit more after I check tomorrow when I complete level 2. I would say try to do it every day, don't take any days off. I took two because I was sick (I have Gastroparesis), I would recommend doing it first thing in the morning. I work full time and have two kids to get to school so I set my alarm early and do it before they get up so it's out of the way. Like someone else said, take the modified option at first and try a little harder as you go, if you don't get there totally who cares, at least you did something! I couldn't do a push up a month ago, I can now! I found the first 4 days of each level I was wiped by day 5 I was fine, by 8 I found it easy and by 10 too easy, it's pretty amazing! Just keep telling yourself it's less than 27 minutes, you can do it! Good luck!