30 day shred question

you don't need to rest every other day but you have to rest at least one day a week. if you can, workout 4-6 days a weeks

I've been doing it every other day, but been doing Tae Bo or Zumba in between.

In my previous life, I was a personal trainer-and NEVER did the same workout 2 (or 5!) days in a row. Normally you're supposed to take a day between identical workouts to let your muscles recover. The workouts are short enough, though, and if you're only doing 30 days, you're probably ok. That said, I had my best results when I was doing 30DS Mon/Wed/Fri, and C25K on Tue/Thu/Sat.....I would stretch each workout into 2 weeks, instead of cramming 5-6 days of the same workout with no break on the muscles/joints.

One other hint for the 30DS, one that I wish Jillian would mention-a lot of the upper body work can be done without any weights at all, esp if you're just starting out. The weight of your arms is probably plenty (especially for those 500 front raises!!), and you can add weight as you get stronger. It's better to have good form and do full sets of the exercises correctly, rather than strain your low back/knees because you feel compelled to use 5-lb weights with every exercise (and probably only do a fraction of what she's doing on the video anyway).

A tip if you're sore from the 30DS:

I never work out so starting the 30DS was huge for me. I started it 1 week ago and had every intention of doing it everyday but I didn't. I did it 4 out of 7 days. The first day, I drank a protein smoothie and even though I *did* feel like I'd worked out, I didn't hurt too bad. The 2nd day, I was running short on time, got through the workout but didn't do the few minutes of slow down at the end. I also didn't have my protein smoothie. OMG! I was in agony for 2 days! That's why I didn't work out the 3rd day. By the 4th day, I was a little better and worked out again and had the smoothie. No problems at all! I will try not to ever do the workout without my protein smoothie waiting for me! I don't know if that's what helps me not be so sore or not, but I believe it does.

@Sambo - I was most sore after day 2, and it had nothing to do with protein or not. Your muscles would be sore if you didn't work them like that before. Not saying the protein isn't good, it is. But I wouldn't skip a workout now because I didn't have protein shake available. You won't be as sore now that your muscles are getting conditioned.

@Mischa - there are jumping jacks, and jump rope (without the rope) in level 1. In level 2 there are squat thrusts and plank jacks (that is like jumping jacks but you are holding yourself up on the floor with your arms and jumping your legs. In level 2 there are modifications for those moves that are not jumping, but you still have to do jumping jacks and jump rope for cardio.

Just bought this today and i'm going to start tomorrow....I'm really glad i read this thread first :flowerforyou:

I think i might try every other day with zumba wii in between and Saturdays off, as thats my busiest day at work.

Anyone living in the UK, this dvd is on sale at Tesco at the moment for £5 if you're thinking about giving it a go xx

Cardio isn't necessary, it's optional.

A lot of people would debate that point.