I just bought the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.. I tried it for the first time today and within 5 minutes I was dying.
I do it in my basement, should I still wear shoes? Or put a mat down.. even though I have carpet?
My knees are so weak aswell.. should I still push as hard? Esp with the knee curls, lunges and whatnot.
I guess I'm just having a hard time adjusting.. I haven't had a good work out in a long time, and I'm frustrated with myself.
Any advice on how I can get pumped up, instead of down on myself when I do this.
Make sure you wear sneakers, it will help with the 'shock' of the 'pounding' movements. Be careful if you have weak knees, try modifying the move to what works for you.
Don't worry about not being able to do it all at once. Do what you can do, if it made you sweat and breathe heavy, guess what, you were burning fat! Soon enough you will build up endurance and before you know, you'll be able to finish that whole workout.
Don't give up, you should be very proud of yourself that you did the best that you can, can't expect more from someone than their best!
And, I agree, do what you can. As long as you're working out and doing some of the moves it is good. Since, you just started and the level is intense, try doing the easier versions of the same moves. If doing squats, don't go all the way down but enough to feel a slight burn and if they're doing 10, you can do 5 and slowly build on it. I did the 30DS for few days and I know it is hard. If your knees hurt (mine do too) then I suggest investing in a good knee brace. I bought a knee brace for myself and for almost a year I used to run or do any cardio with the brace on.
Have you looked at other DVDs that might be slightly less intense? There are hundreds of fitness dvds available and you can try those first, build on your workout level and then go back to 30DS.
I had trouble with my knees and thought I would have to give up on her work outs my husband bought me a gym mat you can buy them at sporting goods stores they are not cheap but so worth the money$$$ I use mine for everything and it saves on your body parts...Mine comes apart and is like puzzle squares {6} they are about as thick as a thong{shoe}dense it is about 4'x6' when put together. It is great for PLYO kickboxing yoga floorwork you name it great investment!
When my knees were weak there were definitely some moves I could not do, especially lunges, squats, and any floor work where I would be on my knees. I would try doing the moves but I would feel pain so instead I would do jumping jacks or walk in place while the video trainers are doing squats etc. Eventually I strengthened my knees and I am able to follow along with more of these moves but I still walk in place if an exercise is still too hard for me.
But remember, there's a difference between "my knee hurts" and "I don't feel like doing this exercise 'cause it's hard."
You don't have to have dumbells per say, but they use them. My step daughter likes to do it with me, and I have her use bottles of water for her weights. But if you are going to go out and buy them, I would suggest a set of 2, 3 and 5 pound weights.
Some exercises are hard with the heavier weights, and some are too easy with the lower weights, so I switch dumbells depending on the excercise.
I bought this DVD when it first came out and it was too difficult for me then. 10 months and 40 pounds later, I'm committing to trying it out again. It still going to be intense, but hopefully I can handle it now. I found that the jumping jacks hurt my knees when I tried them on carpeting. But if I do them on my tile floor, I had no problem. Shoes are a absolute must for this video.
I first tried 30DS after I'd been doing cardio at the gym for 5 months or so. And it kicked my butt. It does get easier. Do what you can do, take short breaks if you need to... Do as much as you can, as hard as you can, for as long as you can, and you'll get better. Keep at it!
I need some help!
Soon enough you will build up endurance and before you know, you'll be able to finish that whole workout. 
that's the spirit
It does get easier. Do what you can do, take short breaks if you need to... Do as much as you can, as hard as you can, for as long as you can, and you'll get better. Keep at it! 
