30 Day Shred Recommendations

LilacDreamer
LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
edited November 8 in Health and Weight Loss
did anyone wait until they had lost a decent amount of weight (and gained some muscle) before doing the shred?

*I cant do the push ups (no upper body strength) but i also cant do the modified push ups because of a knee injury that i got from high school. i couldn't even figure out how to get into the modified push up position without putting a lot of pressure on my knees (scares me)

Replies

  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    If you have a bad knee, don't even bother with The Shred. It's tons of lunges and squats and jumping. You'll probably hurt your knee even worse.

    It's a great workout, but not for everyone.
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    If you have a bad knee, don't even bother with The Shred. It's tons of lunges and squats and jumping. You'll probably hurt your knee even worse.

    It's a great workout, but not for everyone.


    i feel like as i get used to a little, i can probably do the lunges and squats, because thats not putting direct pressure (leaning) like the modified push ups are.

    I can't even figure out how to get into the modified push up position, which i feel is kind of pathetic. and she says "i have 400 pound people doing this" and i'm 254, so (not to be offensive) but shouldnt i be able to do something someone 150 pounds more then me can do?


    Edit: i meant to put this thread in fitness and exercise. i wish i could move it
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.
  • lisabruce12
    lisabruce12 Posts: 77 Member
    If you have a bad knee, don't even bother with The Shred. It's tons of lunges and squats and jumping. You'll probably hurt your knee even worse.

    It's a great workout, but not for everyone.


    i feel like as i get used to a little, i can probably do the lunges and squats, because thats not putting direct pressure (leaning) like the modified push ups are.

    I can't even figure out how to get into the modified push up position, which i feel is kind of pathetic. and she says "i have 400 pound people doing this" and i'm 254, so (not to be offensive) but shouldnt i be able to do something someone 150 pounds more then me can do?


    Edit: i meant to put this thread in fitness and exercise. i wish i could move it




    You can do the push-ups off of the wall. Stand close to the wall facing it. Then push yourself away from the wall. When I hurt my knee that is what I had to do. Then once you get stronger you can do the regular push ups...
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.

    you can do pushups against the wall?!
  • fimary
    fimary Posts: 274 Member
    I have never had anything wrong with my knees or my legs and i am on L1D6 and boy its certainly tells my knees they are old.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.

    you can do pushups against the wall?!

    Absolutely. See Lisa's post for specific directions. :-)

    You can also do them with your hands on a step or piece of furniture, which also makes them easier than directly on the floor.
  • kelika71
    kelika71 Posts: 778 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.

    you can do pushups against the wall?!

    Using the wall or kitchen counter is what I was going to suggest, too. Yes, it works. I've had to seriously modify things with this workout due to a hereditary condition with my kneecaps.

    There will be people who tell you it's cheating. The way I see it, I'm not doing it for them. If I can work those muscles, even the slightest, it's better than not doing it.

    Good luck!
  • SafireBleu
    SafireBleu Posts: 881 Member
    Google modified pushups if you need a visual but you can do them just as was describe, up against the wall.
  • tlccwill
    tlccwill Posts: 6
    you could try a plank.....ti works the total core muscles...hold for 10 seconds...then 20 and keep moving up.....it is hard but is a great excercise for core muscle....
  • jaeone
    jaeone Posts: 649 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.

    you can do pushups against the wall?!

    Using the wall or kitchen counter is what I was going to suggest, too. Yes, it works. I've had to seriously modify things with this workout due to a hereditary condition with my kneecaps.

    There will be people who tell you it's cheating. The way I see it, I'm not doing it for them. If I can work those muscles, even the slightest, it's better than not doing it.

    Good luck!

    This^ Do them using the wall! Just as effective! Don't let push ups keep you from this amazing workout!!
  • alexandria412
    alexandria412 Posts: 177 Member
    (This may be incorrect, I'd double-check online), but I think that pushups use...
    ... your triceps if you keep your hands below your shoulders or
    ...your chest/shoulders if you keep your hands wider.

    So, when JM is doing pushups, you could do either tricep extensions or chest flies to help build muscles there. It's not quite the "full-body workout" that pushups will give, but it's better than injuring yourself. Maybe toss in some squats if you're feelin' it.
  • iishnova
    iishnova Posts: 259 Member
    I do my push ups against the wall or the counter.

    However! I don't know if this will help anyone else trying to build up that strength. I try to take some time to do push ups randomly on the floor. I don't have to change clothes or start the DVD and I'm not under any pressure to do a certain amount. I do as many as I can and I'm finding these little sessions really do make a difference when I go to do them during the 30ds work out.
  • Georganna1962
    Georganna1962 Posts: 38
    I like it but I did modify the jumping jacks - I do jack arms and one leg to the side at a time - with my knees I am not where I can jump yet - except in the water. I do the modified push ups on my knees. When there is something I cannot do I will either gently jog in place and do boxing moves with my arms or grab my weights. Overall I can do 90% of it and I like it. I have no idea how someone at 400 pounds can do jumping jacks. I am down to 288 from 347 and I cannot jump off the ground like that. I am hoping when I get about 50 more pounds off that I can. Have a great day!
  • hmcminton
    hmcminton Posts: 49 Member
    I have been doing the Shred and many of her other workouts and when i first started i couldn't do a pushup. Definitely start by doing them against the wall and you will be surprised at how quickly you will be able to start doing non-modified pushups. i have a bum knee and actually find it easier now to do non-modified moves instead of putting pressure on my knees. also, instead of balancing on the knees with your ankles crossed in the air, try just kneeling on both knees with legs touching parallel on the floor. if you are putting most of your weight on your arms, your knee shouldn't be bothered in this position. good luck!
  • sandislim
    sandislim Posts: 264
    For the knees, keep the weight in the heels and if the knees start to hurt don't go so low.

    If you can't do kneeling push ups on the floor do straight ones on a window sill/mantle piece and as you get fitter find lower and lower things to do push ups on until you're back to knees. If you can only do a few just rest and carry on when you catch your breath.

    Edit: I reread your posts, scratch that about going back to the kneeling push ups - you don't need to - find a low surface like a coffee table and do straight legged ones until you can do straight legged on the floor.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    She says that about the jumping jacks, not the pushups.

    If you think you can handle the rest of the exercises, then just do something different when they do pushups. It's only those two parts of the first level. No pushups in level 2.

    Actually, it just popped into my head. :-) Do the pushups against the wall. It's not as much effort, but it will work the same muscles with no pressure on the knees.

    you can do pushups against the wall?!

    Using the wall or kitchen counter is what I was going to suggest, too. Yes, it works. I've had to seriously modify things with this workout due to a hereditary condition with my kneecaps.

    There will be people who tell you it's cheating. The way I see it, I'm not doing it for them. If I can work those muscles, even the slightest, it's better than not doing it.

    Good luck!

    Do people really tell you you're cheating? Seems to me, you're just trying to get the best workout you can wothout causing yourself injury. Good job!
  • sche1amy
    sche1amy Posts: 86 Member
    Push Ups against the wall work really well when have a knee injury :0)
  • fallenangelloves
    fallenangelloves Posts: 601 Member
    I have bad knees, a hurt shoulder and plantar fasciitis... And just finished my second round of 30DS. I had to modify the heck out of it the first time around. The second time I started doing her Yoga 2 days a week and the 30DS 5 days.... But I was able to follow Natalie most of the time. (except the jump squats... Those were still too much for me) I built up slowly and although the plank moves hurt my shoulder, it stretched my foot and helped that. The muscles around my knees strengthened and the knee pain has subsided... Slow and steady is the key... But modifying is a necessity!

    No excuses!

    Always do the shadow boxing if you can't do the jumping exercises.... Just add weights!
  • calcorn1
    calcorn1 Posts: 28
    Here's a link to better demostrate the alternate version for a pushup... http://exercise.about.com/od/exercisesformusclegroups/ss/howtodoapushup_3.htm

    I also have bad knees, and low upper body strength. it's key to do QUALITY over QUANITY. And get some light weights 5-10lbs so that you can do some upper body training and get yourself a better chance for increasing your strength to get to a regular style pushup.

    Good Luck!!
  • angelajmrn
    angelajmrn Posts: 63 Member
    I use my exercise ball for most of the things in the shred. This way I am not putting any pressure on my knees for the push ups. I also use it when doing the sit ups because it makes my back feel better.
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