30DS Ease in or All in?

JulieDee14
JulieDee14 Posts: 4
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

Looking for opinions here on the 30 Day Shred. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I've started and stopped this program at least 3 times and have never gotten past the first level. Recently, I've decided that I've had enough of feeling gross about myself and realize I need to up the exercise in addition to making healthier food choices so I've decided I'd like to start again and really commit to finishing this time - really. That said, I do currently do some level of exercise (mostly cardio - walking elliptical etc) and have been much more active in the past so I'm not a complete fitness noob but I'm far from being in "good shape" fitness wise.

My question is - do I ease into 30DS and take some rest days or do I go all in and see it through to the end this time? My concerns about easing in is that I'll take the rest days when I feel I need them and something will come up and I wont start again and my concern with going all in is that I'll push myself too hard and end up hurting myself so that I can't start again.

I know I need to do what is best for me, listen to my body and really commit if I want to get myself back into shape - I'm just interested in your thoughts on which approach you would think would be most successful.

I just really want to get through it this time!

Thank you all in advance :)

Replies

  • TilKingdomCome
    TilKingdomCome Posts: 89 Member
    I'm all about routine so I don't take rest days when I think I "need" them as, like you, I will find any excuse not to get back into it.
    I have been doing 30DS every second day, 5k run on off days. Doing it this way I have never felt it too hard to complete or guilty for how long it is taking. Despite me going slower than others I am still seeing and feeling the results. I have just started Level 2 and am feeling good. This works for me and my lifestyle though, it may not work for you. It also breaks things up so I don't get bored.
    Ask yourself why you pulled the pin the last couple of times you started 30DS and then maybe do the opposite! By identifying the shortcomings you can move forward with a better plan.

    Good luck.
  • mrzportet
    mrzportet Posts: 1
    Hi! I started level 2 of the 30DS today. I only did 8 days of the level 1 because I was able to do the workout twice a day without any pain for roughly 3-4 days. I use 3lb weights with the exception of 2-3 exercises. In the first few days I was able to tell a difference in how my jeans were fitting but then I began gaining weight (5lbs in roughly 2 days and I was eating the same way I was when I first began the workout) now the weight seems to be stuck at 140 and I am no longer able to tell a difference in my jeans or appearance. I usually break a pretty good sweat with eat workout also. Anybody with any advice on what I might be doing wrong???

    Also, I have heard people comment that if you do not eat your calories back that you have burned from exercising then you will not lose weight? Is this true??? My goal was set by MFP at 1,200 a day and once I exercise I roughly net 300-400....
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Are you saying "all in" as in 30 days straight? Jillian herself has been quoted saying that she never intended it to be done that way - and in subsequent workout vids, she always recommends at least one rest day per week. Rest is important in the whole health & fitness process too. :smile:

    When I did 30DS I did it 3-4 days per week, with walking or other workouts in between. I did each level for a couple of weeks maybe? Depended on how I felt. Not matter what the next level is going to feel tougher in the some ways because it's going to be a whole different set of moves, which is good.

    Plan your week (or two weeks) out, which days you're going to do the 30DS, and maybe pick something else to do other days. Planning ahead helps with sticking to it.

    As for MFP and calorie settings - remember that the daily goal you're given already has you at a deficit. That means you could eat TO GOAL every single day, do zero exercise and you'll lose weight. When you burn off more cals with exercise, you make the calorie deficit much larger, too large, and this can cause you heaps of problems in the long run. Eating too little is generally what leads to burn out due to lack of fuel, leading to "falling off the wagon" and yo-yo dieting. It can also screw up your system pretty good, messing with your hormones, metabolism, etc.

    So eat your calories, and at least a portion of those exercise cals back. Drink water, take rest days, get good sleep. And have patience. It takes time to build healthy habits and make those changes that you can stick with for life - lose the fat and keep it off. but it's worth it to do it right.

    Good luck!
  • niamhbob
    niamhbob Posts: 3 Member
    I didn't get passed level 1 first time around and dvd has been gathering dust for past 2 years. I restarted yesterday with a commitment to myself to see it through this time as I just realised how untoned I have got.I took pics to motivate me. I started out by saying Sunday would be my rest day. I don't care if it takes me more than 30 days I'm doing this . I am trying to get back into the habit of exercising . Only on day 2 and I feel the pain! I think as long as you start out committing to doing it on certain days of week and stick to that you will do it.
  • xCylencex
    xCylencex Posts: 159 Member
    Are you saying "all in" as in 30 days straight? Jillian herself has been quoted saying that she never intended it to be done that way - and in subsequent workout vids, she always recommends at least one rest day per week. Rest is important in the whole health & fitness process too. :smile:

    When I did 30DS I did it 3-4 days per week, with walking or other workouts in between. I did each level for a couple of weeks maybe? Depended on how I felt. Not matter what the next level is going to feel tougher in the some ways because it's going to be a whole different set of moves, which is good.

    Plan your week (or two weeks) out, which days you're going to do the 30DS, and maybe pick something else to do other days. Planning ahead helps with sticking to it.

    As for MFP and calorie settings - remember that the daily goal you're given already has you at a deficit. That means you could eat TO GOAL every single day, do zero exercise and you'll lose weight. When you burn off more cals with exercise, you make the calorie deficit much larger, too large, and this can cause you heaps of problems in the long run. Eating too little is generally what leads to burn out due to lack of fuel, leading to "falling off the wagon" and yo-yo dieting. It can also screw up your system pretty good, messing with your hormones, metabolism, etc.

    So eat your calories, and at least a portion of those exercise cals back. Drink water, take rest days, get good sleep. And have patience. It takes time to build healthy habits and make those changes that you can stick with for life - lose the fat and keep it off. but it's worth it to do it right.

    Good luck!


    I completely agree with this.

    Hi, I'm currently on 30DS and I started level 2 on Monday. I've also been known to start and stop the routine because I overworked myself... You definitely need a rest day or two. I try to do the video Mon-Thurs, leaving Fri-Sun to do other exercising or, if I want, to not do a damn thing.

    Listen to your body. Push yourself, but don't overdo it either.

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