Can only jog 3 minutes, is that horrible?

HeatherSLosinIt
HeatherSLosinIt Posts: 79 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm just starting, as you can see. Today, for exercise, I was only able to jog for 3 minutes before my lungs felt like they were going to burst and I was going to collapse, and later, I did 5 minutes on the stairs.

This is only 8 minutes of exercise, but I feel totally exhausted.

I am 5'1 and weigh 225 lbs. Should I be trying to ignore the feeling and push myself for more? Does anyone have any other recommendations I could try? Like other exercises I can do at home with zero equipment?

Thanks all.
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Replies

  • Zythe
    Zythe Posts: 5 Member
    If you can't jog for long then just walk, nothing wrong with that, its still exercise. Don't push yourself too hard since you are just starting out. You're better off easing into a workout routine if you aren't used to exercising often.

    More importantly, make sure you have your diet in check. Its all about calories in vs. calories out when losing weight. Make sure you are consistently eating in a calorie deficit.
  • shellsrenee01
    shellsrenee01 Posts: 357 Member
    Don't give up on jogging!

    The first time I tried to jog, I made it 30 seconds before I wanted to die. I stuck with it though and I can now jog comfortably for 25+ minutes before I have to take a walking break. It takes patience and dedication. Try walking next time for 5 minutes, then jog for 1 minute, walk for 3 minutes, jog for 1 minute, etc. Do that until you reach a moment where you are jogging and you don't feel like stopping! Then increase the jogging intervals from 1 minute to 2 minutes.

    Stick with it.

    As for day to day exercise, instead of doing 30 minutes straight, maybe try doing 10 minutes at a time, 3x a day :flowerforyou: Take a walk some point in the morning and in the evening and throw in 10 minutes of the jogging/walking described above and poof.

    By the way, I am currently 5'6" and weigh 233. I jogged/walked my first 5K when I was 265 lbs (finishing in 42 mins). It is doable! :flowerforyou:
  • CaseRat
    CaseRat Posts: 377 Member
    Have a look at the couch to 5k program :)

    http://www.c25k.com/
  • svalot
    svalot Posts: 1 Member
    Don't feel bad! Everyone has to start somewhere. I can only jog about that long at a time, but I do walk-jogging and am building up slowly. (If I build up faster, I end up with shin splints, so better to go slow than not at all.)

    I have actually been following this program to build endurance... http://www.firststrides.com/startmyself.html It seems sensible. And you choose what's slow/fast for you.
  • mjhedgehog
    mjhedgehog Posts: 249 Member
    everyone has to start somewhere. a couple years ago when I first started I could only walk and jog for a little bit and now I run all the time and can run for quite a while. dont give up!
  • Healthy_4_Life2
    Healthy_4_Life2 Posts: 595 Member
    Don't give up. This used to be me. I couldn't run if my life dependent on it. I had bad knees and just plain ol' out of shape. I started C25K. This amazing program taught me how to run and I now actually enjoy running. I went from not being able to run even 3 minutes to running 35-40 minutes straight. I feel great. Give this program a try and see what it can do for you too. :)
  • chubbygirl253
    chubbygirl253 Posts: 1,309 Member
    try other types of exercise. I've just started jogging and I'm on week 2 of c25k. I can't jog 3 mins yet without stopping. Yet I do 3 hours of cardio almost every day. Jogging is hard! Its ok to start slow.
  • beekuzz
    beekuzz Posts: 428 Member
    That's at least 250% better than me. I'm still working on 30 seconds at a time. :flowerforyou: you're doing awesome.
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    That's much longer than what I can do! Don't give up :heart:
  • beekuzz
    beekuzz Posts: 428 Member
    Don't feel bad! Everyone has to start somewhere. I can only jog about that long at a time, but I do walk-jogging and am building up slowly. (If I build up faster, I end up with shin splints, so better to go slow than not at all.)

    I have actually been following this program to build endurance... http://www.firststrides.com/startmyself.html It seems sensible. And you choose what's slow/fast for you.

    I need to check into shin splints, that must be what's happening to me.
  • Thena81
    Thena81 Posts: 1,265 Member
    that's how I started!! Now I'm up to amile and a half... You'll get there!! great start!!!!!
  • FishingFan123
    FishingFan123 Posts: 48 Member
    Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is 42.5, thats a lot. While I applaud your motivation, but you could be doing serious damage to your joints (not just now, but future arthritis, & early joint replacements in your future). Why is the worry about a joint replacement important? Because they only may last 10 years, & revisions dont work so well. That means after the replacement is shot, you are looking at a wheelchair for the rest of your life possibly (ie: a joint replacement at 45 or 50, means at 60 you may be in a wheelchair. The average lifespan in the USA is 78 for a female. That means you are looking at 18 years of a wheelchair potentially. What that means is you are now on disability: ie you are in poverty, having to live in a cheap urine smelling nursing home [unless you or your family are independently wealthy], away from family, no friends come to see you, its pretty awful). These are generalities, but something serious to consider.

    I would say, do not jog or run. Walk. Walk or nonweight bearing exercise (bicycle, swimming, or elliptical), until your BMI is at least in the "overweight" range.

    Most important, take your motivation to your physician, & get the go-ahead for which exercise & how much, how long to do it.

    Also, get a heart rate monitor & use it to moitor your calories burned during exercise. They are cheap at walmart.

    Keep in mind too, that exercise is only 10% of weight loss,the other 90% is how many calories you are eating, so use Myfitnesspal for that. Ask your doctor, how many calories in 24 hours you should be eating.

    From a person with a hip replacement. HTH
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    Your 8 minutes jogging lapped everyone sitting on their couch...I started walking before I jogged, as I became more comfortable with my walking I would jog in short bursts. If you want You Tube has exercise videos on their site, I do Zumba from there, I bought a set of bands and do stuff with them too. I do lunges and squats, push ups and walking in place. Good Luck...
  • PiggySweet
    PiggySweet Posts: 60 Member
    I can't jog at all... i ride a stationary bike because it's easy (i do it at a VERY slow pace...) i'm 5 feet 164 lbs so the added weight makes everything i do an exercise, from walking around at work, to climbing the stairs. it's like walking around with a 50 pound backpack at all times. I'm sure alot of people here know the feeling. the more weight i lose, the easier it is to move. it's a very liberating feeling. I say keep it up. if you can walk for 30 minutes a day at a slow pace, you'll be fine!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Should I be trying to ignore the feeling and push myself for more?

    Ignore pain when running? Nope. When I ignore pain I end up with bad injuries. Take it nice and slow. Over time your pace and endurance will naturally improve. It's ok to walk more than you run at first. That's how most people start - including me way back when. Slow and steady wins the race. :flowerforyou:
  • kristenstejskal
    kristenstejskal Posts: 107 Member
    Oh my goodness lady, 3 minutes isn't terrible at all for first beginning! Why are you beating yourself up when you just took the biggest step of all by getting out there. You should be so so so proud!
    Awesome job! Keep it up. It doesn't get easier necessarily, but you get better ;)
  • samigirl1975
    samigirl1975 Posts: 62 Member
    When I was on my treadmill, I would only do 10 minutes of brisk walking then I worked my way up to jogging. Start slow like everyone said and then move yourself up to jogging :) best of luck!!! I miss my treadmill as it's in storage, and my bf has a stationary bike that I now use. I'm doing 15 minutes for now, but want to work my way up to 30 minutes with a more harder level that makes you push harder.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    There's absolutely NO shame in walking. Get out there... walk for 30 minutes at a stretch consistently for exercise. Power walk. Push hard. You'll get all the burn you need. When you've taken some pounds off, do the Couch to 5k program.
  • HogSandwich
    HogSandwich Posts: 146 Member
    I jogged once. For 1 minute. And then I fainted. Yep, very glamorous.

    There's LOTS of other factors - for me I have very low blood pressure which drops drastically when I exercise. I assumed I was just a fatty and that was why I couldn't jog; turns out my ultra fit little sister (professional dancer) can't jog either. Blood pressure, good times.

    But for the MOST part, I'll side with everything said above. Take babysteps. And walk, don't run for the time being.
  • magairlin
    magairlin Posts: 93 Member
    I started this plan a week ago. The first day I jogged 3 mins on treadmill and then walked for another 30 or so. The next day I did 4, the next 5 and so on. I can now do about 15 after only one week. I expected it would take me 15 days to get to that. My plan was just to add 1 minute a day until I could do about 30 and then perhaps I'd try to do more. Currently I would be very happy to be able to jog for 20 mins and I think I will be able to very soon. Keep it up- don't be disheartened. It isn't easy while you are doing the exercise but afterwards you feel great!
  • freya33
    freya33 Posts: 149 Member
    I did a beginners running course. We ran 1 minute, walked 1.5 mins for 30 mins. Those at the front kept lopping round to the back so eevryone was leading at some point. We then had to do that 3 times a week our homework. The next week we ran 3 mins walked 2 for 30 mins then each week slowly increased it.
    Celebrate that you have started and just slowly increase running time but the main thing is enjoy it if you do not you will not keep it up.
  • kat191
    kat191 Posts: 35
    you can do both jogging and walking I manage 10 mins on the treadmill i walk for 2 then run for one it really helps and pushes you more each time because you wanna improve and go for longer each time :)
  • tigertchr23
    tigertchr23 Posts: 418 Member
    When I first started exercising, I could only do 2 minutes on the treadmill. A year later I completed my first marathon and I was NEVER a runner at all. I always had to walk my miles in PE due to my asthma. I promise if you keep at it and don't give up it will get better . . . notice I didn't say "easier." If exercise is "easy" then you need to push harder.

    The best thing you can do is intervals. You can start at 30 seconds, even. Walk for 1 min and then jog for 30 sec. Repeat. You will be amazed at the results you get. Don't do it longer than 15-20minutes total and no more than 2-3 times per week. If you want to do cardio on the other days just do walking or low impact. Here are some HIIT workouts for the treadmill: http://walking.about.com/od/treadmillworkouts/a/treadmillhiit.htm *If you are unsure about being at a fitness level where you are comfortable doing them . . . just give yourself some time and gradually work towards it.*

    If you don't have a treadmill at home, you can time yourself on a stop watch or kitchen timer doing it in place or around the kitchen. You can also use the same concept for exercises like squats, lunges, up-downs, push-ups, sit-ups, planks, jumping jacks, etc. and none of those require equipment.

    Best wishes :flowerforyou:
  • leesehm
    leesehm Posts: 117
    run for 3mins then walk, then run for another 3mins, then walk, etc etc, soon you'll increase your running and need less walking.

    at a later point you will need to push yourself somewhat. i can run 90mins on a soccer field, but running on a treadmill takes some mind power!!! I want to stop after 3mins too!
  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    Have a look at the couch to 5k program :)

    http://www.c25k.com/

    ^^^This.....I did this and it works. It is a 9 week training program but it may take you longer as you may need to repeat some weeks but most importantly do it at your own pace. I started it in Feb this year and did my first 5km in May and I've just done 10km. Considering a half marathon next year.
    Good luck - and remember....baby steps!! x
  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    This is fine, completely normal when you are first starting jogging. Try running one minute then walking a minute and repeat a few tim es. Alternatively walk more to start with to get you fitness up. you can't rush these thing, it happens gradually but you will see an improvement if you stick at it!
  • Corsetopia
    Corsetopia Posts: 307 Member
    Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is 42.5, thats a lot. While I applaud your motivation, but you could be doing serious damage to your joints (not just now, but future arthritis, & early joint replacements in your future). Why is the worry about a joint replacement important? Because they only may last 10 years, & revisions dont work so well. That means after the replacement is shot, you are looking at a wheelchair for the rest of your life possibly (ie: a joint replacement at 45 or 50, means at 60 you may be in a wheelchair. The average lifespan in the USA is 78 for a female. That means you are looking at 18 years of a wheelchair potentially). These are generalities, but something serious to consider.

    I would say, do not jog or run. Walk. Walk or nonweight bearing exercise (bicycle, swimming, or elliptical), until your BMI is at least in the "overweight" range.

    Most important, take your motivation to your physician, & get the go-ahead for which exercise & how much, how long to do it.

    Also, get a heart rate monitor & use it to moitor your calories burned during exercise. They are cheap at walmart.

    Keep in mind too, that exercise is only 10% of weight loss,the other 90% is how many calories you are eating, so use Myfitnesspal for that. Ask your doctor, how many calories in 24 hours you should be eating.

    From a person with a hip replacement. HTH



    This scares me!!! I wonder if I should start walking instead of running now. Anyone else with joint/bone probs from running while in the obese range?
  • anemoneprose
    anemoneprose Posts: 1,805 Member
    I agree with the advice to watch joints and listen to your body. You can get further than you think with moderate walking, and, do it for years to come. Save jogging for later, by then you'll have built up a capacity.

    (Yes, have had injuries, spent a total of 4 months on and off the bed. Hugely demotivating.)

    I know it's hard to take it easy when everything tells you to go for it, and you're ready. But it's really best.
  • TrekkieChic
    TrekkieChic Posts: 109 Member
    Seems like you and I started at around the same place, if anything, you started off better than I did!!

    I started at 5' nothing and 224lb... And could only jog for 15 seconds. Every time my trainer made me run I thought I was going to die. Right now we're not doing long runs, we're focussing on intervals, but the last time I ran I went for 17 minutes non stop!!

    Keep your focus and you'll be able to do it.
    Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is 42.5, thats a lot. While I applaud your motivation, but you could be doing serious damage to your joints (not just now, but future arthritis, & early joint replacements in your future). Why is the worry about a joint replacement important? Because they only may last 10 years, & revisions dont work so well. That means after the replacement is shot, you are looking at a wheelchair for the rest of your life possibly (ie: a joint replacement at 45 or 50, means at 60 you may be in a wheelchair. The average lifespan in the USA is 78 for a female. That means you are looking at 18 years of a wheelchair potentially). These are generalities, but something serious to consider.

    I would say, do not jog or run. Walk. Walk or nonweight bearing exercise (bicycle, swimming, or elliptical), until your BMI is at least in the "overweight" range.

    Most important, take your motivation to your physician, & get the go-ahead for which exercise & how much, how long to do it.

    Also, get a heart rate monitor & use it to moitor your calories burned during exercise. They are cheap at walmart.

    Keep in mind too, that exercise is only 10% of weight loss,the other 90% is how many calories you are eating, so use Myfitnesspal for that. Ask your doctor, how many calories in 24 hours you should be eating.

    From a person with a hip replacement. HTH



    This scares me!!! I wonder if I should start walking instead of running now. Anyone else with joint/bone probs from running while in the obese range?

    I started out in the obese range. Hell, who am I kidding, I'm STILL in the obese range.

    I only started 100 days ago, but so far no joint/bone problems. If anything, running makes me feel sooooo much fitter and healthier. I HATED running when I started (still do, in fact) but now I love being able to race my colleagues up a flight of stairs or tease my baby brother and run away. It's an awesome feeling. Oh, and I LOVE the way my legs look in a short skirt! They didn't look bad before, but now they look even better!

    I guess one has to weigh up the consequences of prolonging one's obesity versus the potential to develop joint problems and make that decision. I chose what I feel was the right decision for me, others may feel differently.
  • Bus2012
    Bus2012 Posts: 13 Member
    That was me although I don't think i lasted 3 minutes! I signed up to take part in the London Marathon and my first 'run' was awful and demoralising but i tried again... and again ...........and again! Walk a bit run a bit, mark a spot and aim to run to it or run for a certain amount of steps or a certain amount of time.

    I built up slowly and am very proud to say I completed the London Marathon and raised over £2000 for charity. Did i run it all? Hell no! Running isn't natural for me but I ran and walked all the way and it was amazing!

    Stick at it and good luck.
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