Is it supposed to be this hard?

CherryOnionKiss

I've been sendentary all my life. And I began training monday. My trainer says I should do 30 mins of cardio twice a week, for now. That I should burn 300-400 cals in 30mins. But I can't make it! It's too hard for me, at this time. I only made it to 276 cals and I'm at work (gym at workplace) and I don't know if i'll have the energy to walk home and get milk and bread or just sleep here under my desk.

Is it normal that it's soooo hard and that I can't reach the target set by my trainer?

scottb81

Keep at it. Soon you will find burning that many calories in 30 minutes will be very easy. The first few weeks are hard for everybody.

htoliver

Wow that seems crazy. I do Zumba, kickboxing and a spin class for an hour each class and according to my heart monitor I only burn 450 calories in the hour of each class. That seems a bit extreme in my opinion.

mmstgr

It's not going to be easy, that's for darn sure.
You didn't get this way in a day, and you won't change it in a day.
But one single day can start you on the right path.
So what... you burned "ONLY 276 cals"? That's a hell of a lot more than zero, wouldn't you say?
Keep it up. You're gonna get there!

cyclerjenn

Start out slow. Just do as much as you can and do it multiple times a day (Before work, after work and at lunch) and as you see an improvement in your fitness it will be easier just add 2 minutes to your time each time to work up to the 30 - 40 minutes at once.

gugalligator

Well my first day at the gym I couldn't do half what they told me. And they knew it.

Just keep doing it, push it to your limit but do not cross the line. When you see it's way too much, stop it, because if you just keep doing it you'll get so beaten you won't go there for the next 7 days or so.

So train hard, but know your limits. Eventually you will do much, much more than you think you could.

sarahbetherck

Definitely keep going! It will get easier and soon you will be amazed that it ever felt this hard!

littleworm23

It can be really hard if you have never done it (or if it's just been a long time since you have). It does get easier. Keep at it and you will be glad that you did.

marylouise123

I started out doing just 20 minutes of workout a day & after 2 (almost 3) months I am up to anywhere from an hour to 2 a day.. You will get there.. Just be patient. Give it time.. It is not easy but it gets better...

staps065

It is tough at first but will get better as you develop the habit and start making some progress with your cardio and other fitness routines.... Keep it up!

JNick77

I've been sendentary all my life. And I began training monday. My trainer says I should do 30 mins of cardio twice a week, for now. That I should burn 300-400 cals in 30mins. But I can't make it! It's too hard for me, at this time. I only made it to 276 cals and I'm at work (gym at workplace) and I don't know if i'll have the energy to walk home and get milk and bread or just sleep here under my desk.

Is it normal that it's soooo hard and that I can't reach the target set by my trainer?

If you've been sendentary it'll take a little time to get your body in-shape but with patience and persistence you'll get there and it'll be sooner than you think.

The trainer is putting too much pressure on you, the "calories burned" trackers are typically accurate anyway, so don't worry about it. Make your 30-min's, if you can't do 30-min's do as much as you can and then try to improve the next time you do it. Once you get to 30-mins, up the intensity a little. Good luck!

sassika

I would say, you should only do as much as you feel confortable with and can manage, and build up on your training. You will be surprised how quickly you will manage the 30 mins.
Maybe try getting some extra walks in. (to the shop, park, beach, or even walking around town, it all adds up)

Oh, yes its hard in a beginning, but than everything is if you start something new.

But if you keep struggling with the 30 min, have a word with your trainer, surely they are there to support you.

bdhoward87

Start out slow. Just do as much as you can and do it multiple times a day (Before work, after work and at lunch) and as you see an improvement in your fitness it will be easier just add 2 minutes to your time each time to work up to the 30 - 40 minutes at once.

^ This or you could, if you have the time, break your workout into two 15 minute sessions. You might not get the full benefit of doing a 30 min session but you will build up your stamina needed to to eventually do 30 mins straight. When I started out 30 minutes was my limit but now I find myself constantly adding 5-10 minutes extra just cause.

Hang in there and just don't get burnt out. You can do it!

sevencallmemom

Wow. I almost never burn that many cals in a half hour. Just keep working at it girl!

Jennyisbusy

It's hard but you have to listen to your body too. Especially if your knees or feet are hurting. If you are using a trainer try to communicate how you are feeling etc.

Some people thrive in a gym setting and others don't, if you find yourself hating it try something new. Just don;t give up and do nothing at all:flowerforyou:

Dayna154

If you have lived a sedentary life it will be hard at first.
Be honest with yourself, it is physically hard to do or do you feel unmotivated?
Eitehr way, just keep going, it will get physically easier and the weight coming off besides the great support you can find here will help with the motivation..
You have to want change more than you want to still live a sedentary life

BlueEyesXoXo

Most of us have been right where you are today. Don't give up! I promise it will get easier. Just take it slow and build up tp 30 minutes. If you can only do 10 minutes to start, that great!! It's still a start! **hugs**

Pebble321

Build up slowly.... you don't have to be able to do everything at once.
And don't get too hung up on 24 calories - it's all an estimate anyway, it sounds like you're doing really well.

lizjames1971

Every minute spent moving is a step in the right direction!! My friends & I all burn vastly different numbers for same activities. A heart rate monitor gives me a more accurate reading than the treadmill by over 100 cals!

akgrl1020

Are you using a HRM to count the calories burned, or the gym equipment? If you are using the gym equipment, are adding in your age and current weight? You will get there! You are taking the first steps, and should be so proud of yourself!

NoriDupuis

the hader you push the easer it will get.
I know that sounds weird but trust me.
Dont half *kitten* it because you will not loss the weight as fast you will not get more energy as fast and you will get discouraged. but if you push harder just for a little longer will feel all the benifits and feel great.
Dont worry we all feel this way at first

dayhadley

Before I moved across the country, I was working out 5 or 6 days a week, more than an hour at a time, jogging, elliptical, core exercises, etc. and I was pushing myself, but it wasn't super-hard once I built myself up to that. Fast forward to now - I gained 30 lb's in the 3 years I've been in the southwest. When I started exercising for real a few months back, I couldn't even do the Kinect Adventures Reflex Ridge for a half hour straight w/out feeling like I was going to have a heart attack.

You really have to find what you like. I go bicycling every weekend now (and will after work when it stays lighter later) and this is now my favorite form of exercise. Throw on some tunes and let the wind blow thru your hair. Do it at your own pace... whatever it is. I've lost about 17 lbs (give or take) since December 2010 and I tried so many forms of exercise, from P90 to L.Sansone walking dvd's, the Kinect Adventures and Dancing games... it really helps to change it up so 1.) you don't feel like you're killing yourself, and 2.) to keep it fun and interesting.

The $170 I spent on my bike might have been the best $170 I've ever spent! Good luck to you... you will get there if you keep at it - don't lose hope and if you continue to do any kind of exercise - big or small, long or short - you will eventually build that stamina you're hoping for.

taramaureen

Yes, it's going to be hard. I'd focus more on time instead of calories burned. I can sometimes burn as much as that in a half an hour depending on how fast I'm running or how much I'm exerting myself. So focus on 30 mins twice a week, and yeah it's going to be hard. You've been doing nothing physical your whole life, give it time.

SalishSea

You CAN do it. Don't ever give up. Ever. Also it gets easier.

tdmcmains

Yes.
But it gets easier.
My husband, who has pretty much always been fit, told me something once that SHOCKED me. It was earth shattering. When i was huffing and puffing and feeling like, after a year, this is still just so HARD for me, he said it's supposed to be. When you're working hard, you're working hard. But what changes is how long it takes you to recover. I think he's right.

You know... you can take a little break, catch your breath, and go back to it. Do your best. And one day, maybe you'll find you can go longer without a break or your breaks are shorter. You can do it. If it was easy, though, we'd all be 110 pounds of lean muscle.

jbakerak

Yes. When you are that out of shape it takes a while to build up strength and stamina. Me and my sis-in-law started at only 15 minutes on the elliptical trainer. We slowly pushed ourselves 5 minutes more each workout. Now we do 30 on the treadmill, 15 one the stair stepper and 33 on the elliptical. We have also recently added weight training, and again, starting small and building up. It will get easier and you WILL feel a lot better, it's worth it, keep up the good work!

RAFValentina

It's not going to be easy, that's for darn sure.
You didn't get this way in a day, and you won't change it in a day.
But one single day can start you on the right path.
So what... you burned "ONLY 276 cals"? That's a hell of a lot more than zero, wouldn't you say?
Keep it up. You're gonna get there!

She said it. Burn the extra 30-100 buy doing some extra jumping jacks through the day. 1 minute = about 8 calories burned. so break it up and do small sets of them in the day and you're on to a winner not quite as exhausting but if you go at them hard you'll be doing yourself a world of benefit. Do inclined pushups on the workbench/kitchen top when you have a moment standing around... !

7funnygirl7

Unfortunately everyone has to learn how to "crawl" before they can "walk/run"...Chin up, you'll get there at your own pace!!!

SoozeE512

If you've been sedentary your whole life, you should probably start out slow and work your way up. Expecting a straight 30 minutes right off the bat seems like a bit much. I think someone already suggested this but splitting it up to do 15 now and 15 later does help in terms of starting out - it's helped me anyway! And don't worry about the calories you're burning at the start, just worry about keeping your body in motion. So long as you're on your feet and moving around, you'll be working to get your body in a better place than just sitting around.

jbakerak

Wow that seems crazy. I do Zumba, kickboxing and a spin class for an hour each class and according to my heart monitor I only burn 450 calories in the hour of each class. That seems a bit extreme in my opinion.

It really depends on age, gender and height/weight. I work out with someone and they always burn more calories than me no matter what the work out. Once she gets down to where she wants to be, we will probably burn about the same.

BeckaT79

It will get easier as you go along. Try doing 15 minutes 4 times a week or 10 mins 6 times a week and that way you get in 1 hour per week. Just remember to pace yourself (but don't cheat yourself) and listen to your body... You'll get to the point where a half an hour isn't long enough. Keep it going :-) Best of luck in your weight loss journey.