30 Day Shred Drop Outs

dshalbert
dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I am on my second attempt with the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I am about 2/3 of the way through and am taking breaks every 4-5 days, so I am not doing it 30 days straight. The first time it aggravated my lower back and I had knee pain and had to stop. This time I had decided that I would listen to my body more and take days off as needed and spend a few more minutes on the warm-up and cool down. The second time I joined a “Shred Challenge” around I began to recognize a pattern. People were dropping out and complaining about back and knee issues around days 10-15. I checked a few other "Shred challenges" and this seemed to be consistent. People were dropping out midway due to similar complaints or they just disappeared and stop posting.

Today I received an email from Amazon that had the 30 Shred DVD on sale for under $8.00. I went to the site to order some for Christmas gifts. This DVD consistently gets high ratings from customers (4 1/2 stars). Out of curiosity I decided to read reviews from people that just gave it 1 star. The first one was from a doctor that had seen 3 patients in one week with herniated disc flare-ups after doing the Shred. Most of the 1 star reviewers complained about serious back and knee issues and lack of enough warm up and cool-downtime and the implication that the program is supposed to go for 30 days straight without any breaks. While this is never stated in the video or the packaging most people assume that it is suppose to go for 30 days with 10 days being spent on each level. It would be really great if Jillian Michaels would shed some light on how this is supposed to be safely done. I feel that with this program people should take the disclaimers seriously about getting Dr's approval before tackling the 30 Shred, especially if you have back, knee and shoulder issues.

Well with all of that being said, thousands of people love The 30 Shred, including me and many have had really great results. But the percentage of people that actually complete it in 30 days non-stop AND are still in one piece is still a mystery. I'm personally making it the 45 Day Shred and some of those moves that are aggravating my back and knees will be replaced with something else. Just wanted to share.:flowerforyou:

Replies

  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    Oh, here is the link from the "1 Star" reviewers. http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-30-Day-Shred/product-reviews/B00127RAJY/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addOneStar
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    Damn good post! I am still plodding through it - had knee problems (no history of knee problems until I did this) so am doing it more 2-3 times a week now as endurance training to complement strength training.
  • fridayjustleft04
    fridayjustleft04 Posts: 851 Member
    I think in the tips section on the menu it says to workout 5 or 6 days a week (I can't check because a friend is borrowing mine currently), but I'm almost positive I remember seeing that. I did it in 32 days, taking 2 off because I was sick, and managed to make it out in one piece. I'm not a huge fan of her videos, though.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    luckily i havent had any back or knee problems from doing it. i havent finished..but the first time i was serious i made it 14 days and then just found excuses not to do it..."holidays" mostly. the next two times i tried, i got sick after 1 or 2 days. this time around im 16 days in, moving up to level two tonight..
  • mssweetjay
    mssweetjay Posts: 142
    thanks for sharing!!! I think I will wait on purchasing this until I lose more weight. Already have problems with knee and lower back.
  • deblc6836
    deblc6836 Posts: 59
    I had knee and shoulder issues with Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred (and quit), but later went on to P90X and found that it was less likely to aggravate old injuries or cause new ones. I think Tony Horton does a much better job with warm-up and cool-down, and the 1-2 days of Yoga per week really help work out all the kinks. P90X is a big time commitment (and not cheap), but I don't think the 30 Day Shred is a good choice unless you are already in great shape and not at all prone to injury.
  • msmayor
    msmayor Posts: 362 Member
    funny i did it in 34 days along with cardio as well....but I think you should really listen to your body - I thought I heard dr's say get at least 30 minutes a day of exercise.... but really listen to your body......I'm on my second round!!!!
  • jennifer3998
    jennifer3998 Posts: 144 Member
    You are definitely doing the right thing by modifying some of the moves. I also lowered from 5 lb to 3 lb weights and had practically the same results.(from a time before) Also, I have horrible knee problems (ACL recon three times and almost no cartilage left) and I, too, modify certain moves. I'm just wondering if people are just continuing on when they should be listening to their bodies. I'm not in super shape or anything but I find it kind of elementary compared to most workouts. (in NO way is that meant to come off snotty, you know how these things are hard to word on email!).

    I guess I'm just trying to say that people should be realistic with their weights/moves if they are prone to certain conditions. Work out but don't try to be a hero at a detrimental cost to your health. There are times when I am stuck solely on an elliptical for weeks b/c of the stupid knees, but I know if I do more I'm going to pay for it later.

    I did get great results when I did it consistently, amazing for just a 25-minute workout! And I agree, the disclaimer is there for a reason.
  • lindalou0703
    lindalou0703 Posts: 226 Member
    I think I did it until day 26 with some days off. I have trouble with all the planks and I was getting some pain in the area between my shoulder and back. It still bothers me here and there. I do low impact now.
  • rayzerwolf
    rayzerwolf Posts: 203 Member
    I took a day off every 10 days, except I did miss one extra day in level 3 so I plan on going longer than 30 days, some of the moves were causing pain but I kept going and now I feel stronger and no longer feel the pains I had when I started, but then again age could play a factor in recovery time as well.
  • LoriB57
    LoriB57 Posts: 26 Member
    Being an avid exerciser, a P90X Grad & Turbo Fire, I have been told over and over 48 hours between weight traing the same muscles & limiting HIIT to 3-4X a week. All that said, I am halfway through 30day Shred, loving it & doing it everyother day for a week (4X) In between I run and do a good hour of yoga, alternating between the video. It's a lot harder then I ever expected! Going to start P90X2 after the holidays....Happy Sweating everyone!! BRING IT !
  • javamonster
    javamonster Posts: 272 Member
    I've got four days to go and I would have to say I think those are valid concerns. I was in pretty good shape starting out (and also at my goal weight) but I had to be careful about my knees (and I don't have knee problems!). I completely agree the "warmup" and "cool down" are ridiculous, and I do my own because I know I'd hurt myself otherwise! I don't think the program is entirely without benefit, but religiously sticking to it is probably not a great plan, IMO. Helps to use your common sense.

    That said I did have to take a couple of days off because I was sick, but other than that I haven't skipped a day, mostly because I get obsessive about stuff and won't back down from a challenge. :tongue:
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    I finished it once. I did have to take a day off here and there. Was, quite frankly, kind of disappointed with the results. My muscles got noticeably more toned (and, of course, bigger), especially in my thighs, but I didn't seem to shrink any of have any significant weight loss. For the 3rd 10 days, I had to go back down to Level 1. Level 2 bugged the hell out of my knees, and I knew all the bouncing and jumping in Level 3 would NOT cut it. My right knee is kind of bad, and I can't do any bouncing, lunging, or stepping up high with my left leg using the right leg for support. At one point, I did pull a muscle in my back, but I'm thinking I may have let my form slip on dumbbell rows. I attempted the Shred again, but just got disgusted with the pain level.

    I have a lot of joint pain from a thyroid condition. Climbing stairs can be horribly painful in my hips and down into my thighs and knees. It does hinder exercise attempts A LOT. I've started glucosamine. I hope it works as well as I hear it does.
  • ashleighjoy2007
    ashleighjoy2007 Posts: 150 Member
    Its a good DVD people just need to listen. She even says during the workout that "This can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be." I've had shoulder problems with level 2. So I do the first set of each move with my 3lb weights, and then do the second set with no weights at all. If I feel under the weather and think I'm going to die durning cardio, I'll jump rope or step clap instead of whatever she's doing.

    You can modify it and adjust it to work for you. But people too quickly say its too hard and use it as an excuse to quit rather than making it work for them.

    And if your body is having that many problems, take a break! I thought that went without being said as common sense lol.

    Good for you for doing it again, I think taking days of will be great and you can for sure get through it this time! I just finished day 7 of level 2 and it will end up being the 44 day shred for me =]
  • jaeone
    jaeone Posts: 649 Member
    I am currently doing the shred for the second time. I too feel the warm up is way too short, I ride my staionary bike to 10 min before to loosen up along with Jillians warm up plus I go both ways with the hip circles and knee circles, seemed crazy going one way. The plank jacks and moutain climbers had my hips sore for about 2 weeks the first go, this time I modify with another move. I alternate 2lbs and 5lbs weights every other day. So far so good this time! An awesome burn in a short period of time!!
  • star9401
    star9401 Posts: 34 Member
    I did the 30 days (skipping 4 Saturdays), I really liked it and was sore in general for like the first week of level one, 3 days in level two and only one day in level three. Now I am about a week and a half post shred... I went right back and started doing level one again for a week, and now I am in the second week and I am doing level 2. I don't generally have knee issues, I did pull something between my shoulder blades the first time through level two but my upper body is weak and all those planks are tough. I felt better the next day but it sure hurt at the time. I think it is very important to not let your knee go past your foot and the deeper into the move you go, I think the more it stresses your knees. Know your body and limitations, don't let anyone tell YOU what you can and can't do.
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    I've got four days to go and I would have to say I think those are valid concerns. I was in pretty good shape starting out (and also at my goal weight) but I had to be careful about my knees (and I don't have knee problems!). I completely agree the "warmup" and "cool down" are ridiculous, and I do my own because I know I'd hurt myself otherwise! I don't think the program is entirely without benefit, but religiously sticking to it is probably not a great plan, IMO. Helps to use your common sense.

    That said I did have to take a couple of days off because I was sick, but other than that I haven't skipped a day, mostly because I get obsessive about stuff and won't back down from a challenge. :tongue:

    LOL I know what you mean about not backing down from a challenge :wink: . That was my problem the first time but at least this time I'll get through it with no major issues ( I hope) :tongue:
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    This strategy seems to be woking/ dropped another 1.5 lbs and no lower back or knee issues.
  • lkm111
    lkm111 Posts: 629 Member
    I am one of those who had to stop after 10 days - well, day 12 for me. I started to have knee, back and hip pain that was so bad I had to stop and was not able to begin any other exercise for about two weeks.

    I switched to TurboFire and I am getting very good results with it. Glad to hear that 30 DS is working for you!
  • 321blueeyes
    321blueeyes Posts: 279 Member
    How strange... yesterday I completed L1D9 and noticed a bulge & pain behind my knee! Some previous times I noticed my knee felt sore/hyperextended at the end of the workout, but the bulge really freaked me out!

    After some research I'm confident it's nothing serious, but in need of some RICE treatment. And I think I was in reasonable shape to start with!

    Planning to take a bit of time off to ice/recover. Wondering if L2 might be a little less stressful on the knees? Seems to me the constant lunges are probably to blame...
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    Gonna give this a go again . . . Gonna taki it easy in the knees though.
  • cjgsmg
    cjgsmg Posts: 131 Member
    I love the 30 Day Shred, and have done it off and on for a while and I'm in pretty good shape. In November I tried to do a challenge and do it every day. At about day 10 something happened to my left knee and I couldn't walk without a limp for 5 weeks. It still bothers me, especially if I try to kneel, but I'm finally able to run again.

    I'm a huge Jeff Galloway (Olympic marathoner) fan and he talks about only running every other day and giving time for your muscles to recover. For me, at least, I think that it's crucial.

    I love the 30 Day Shred, but I think that I have to limit it to a few times a week.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I did about 7 days straight of it on level 1, and my knees were in excruciating pain (yes I did everything properly) and swelling. The jumping jacks were what hurt the most. I eventually gave up and just stick to doing circuits in my gym with machines (much less impact).
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    Someone posted this on another thread so I thought I'd share . .

    "I heard a JM podcast awhile ago where she said the marketing folks came up with the title... she actually doesn't advocate doing the same thing every day for 30 days. Her suggestion = 2 days of 30DS, 1 day cardio, 2 days of 30DS, 1 day cardio, 1 day rest... repeat. It will take longer to complete this way, but it gives your body time to repair itself and it helps with muscle confusion so you don't adapt too quickly to doing the same thing all the time. Others have suggested alternating 30DS with another of her DVDs (yoga or ripped in 30 or something) . . . . "
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