Very new to exercise

girlfd
girlfd Posts: 12 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am just beginning my journey to getting healthy. I need to get in shape to be able to take care of my children, to run and play with them. They deserve it. I am so out of shape I get out of breath trying to run even short distances. I need suggestions of how to start exercising, what programs to try, how much to exercise etc.

My thought is that even if I can't do every move to a 30 minute cardio program as long as I keep moving, I am heading in the right direction. I have some dvds but think even those might be above my current fitness level. I have done a 30 minute program on demand thru my cable company. Had a hard time getting thru as I had a hard time breathing after a few minutes (mostly just winded not like an asthma attack). I woke up very sore from the lunges. I thought a walking program would be a good place to start but the one I picked was more exercises than walking :( Now I am even more sore.

Should I exercise every other day or just push thru the soreness and do a walking program every day to built up my fitness then move on to some real cardio programs? Help please! (And be nice!)

Replies

  • JamesDanek
    JamesDanek Posts: 95 Member
    IF you are at that point my absolute BEST advice (from experience) is to take a walk... Seriously

    2 years ago i was 18stone (252lb) and hadn't done a seconds exercise in a decade. I started walking to and from work (4.5 mile round trip) 2 to 3 times a week.

    Bloody exhausted me!

    but it got easier. i started walking every day.

    then i started running

    Now, i still walk to work every day, via the gym 3 days a week to lift, and run between 4 and 13 miles one morning at the weekend.

    and i weigh 180lb (12stone 12lb)

    Do not rush this you are doing it for the same reason as me. my little girl turns 3 in November and every step i take is for her. but you need to do it in a way you find sustainable.

    The very very best of luck.
  • mookybargirl
    mookybargirl Posts: 165 Member
    I would agree too. Exercise doesn't have too be running around your neighbours like a bat out of h*ll. :wink:

    I would start up by walking too and build up by trying to get your walk done quicker by picking up pace or try to walker further in the time that you have spare. That will get easier the more you do and then when you're feeling less out of breath, maybe think about trying something else.

    Walking really is very good excercise and you can build it into your day. Walk your kids to the playground, take a walk to the shops, go out for a quick walk during your lunch hour.

    Try some of those DVD's you own if you're feeling up to it. At least you can do it in the comfort of your own home without anyone watching and take breaks as often and for as long as you think that you need them. There is no right and wrong.

    The important thing is to move more in any way that you can :flowerforyou:
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Start slow. Just walk down the block and back. Add a bit of distance tomorrow, then a bit more the next day, then so on. I've never done them, but I've heard Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds DVDs are great for beginners. I have done one of Denise Austin's walking workouts. It's not too intense, but there are a few other things besides walking. I found it on the BeFit Channel on YouTube.

    Starting slow is absolutely what's best. You don't want to burn out or get injured. Walking is an excellent way to build up a cardio base. You can always add in arm raises or arm circles or something while you're walking if you feel you need a tad more.
  • girlfd
    girlfd Posts: 12 Member
    That is the exact walking dvd I have - the Denise Austin one. My 8 year old started walking with me but that didn't last long. the dvd has 4 segments - 15 minutes light walk, 15 minute more intense walk and a walk with weights and of course a good stretch after. I used the option of a custom workout. I did the first two segments with the stretch. I felt a little winded but kept walking. I didn't go the little bursts of higher intensity work like running or jumping but kept going thru the whole thing! :D The other bright side is even though my legs were sore after the first minute or two the soreness went away. I am sure it will be back in the morning but I will do the same walk tomorrow and Friday. hopefully on the weekend we can go out as a family and run around or take a walk around the pond in town. We have done it a number of times. My calves kill me after 5 minutes of walking (I have short heel cords) but I just keep going.

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