I hate cardio because I can't do it...... how do I learn?

You can do it. You just haven't challenged yourself. Get some awsome music and start small. Don't try for an hour. Do 15 instead. Than 20 after a couple days, until you can go for longer periods. You CAN do this!!

Start slow,baby steps until you get used to it.
I couldn't go up on the stair machine for 5 minutes when I started. I would get out of breath and stop it, but 2 weeks after I was doing 15 minutes and then a month later 30 minutes.
You can do it! Just keep trying and don't give up!

I love to dance with my kids. Put on some great music and dance for15 min at a time. you will work up a sweat.

I am starting the C25K program tomorrow. ) It is a program that starts you off slowly to be able to run a 5K. It sounds like a good program. I'm not much into cardio either so I need something structured as well as something that starts out slowly. The first week you do a 5 minute warm up walk then jog for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. Each week it gradually increases )

Just remember, find something that you think is fun. You can dance, walk, jog, run, swim, bike, climb, rollerblade (skate), box, anything as long as it gets your heart rate up and you enjoy it. :O)

Good luck getting started !!!!

Walking is a great way to start. Gradually increase your speed and your stamina will follow. I also love the Richard Simmons videos. They are easy to do even if you're not in great shape. That's how I got started. Now I'm doing the c25k program. I was able to run 16 minutes last night because it progresses so slow and your stamina increases as you go through the program. Google c25k if you're interested.

I am starting the C25K program tomorrow. ) It is a program that starts you off slowly to be able to run a 5K. It sounds like a good program. I'm not much into cardio either so I need something structured as well as something that starts out slowly. The first week you do a 5 minute warm up walk then jog for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. Each week it gradually increases )

Just remember, find something that you think is fun. You can dance, walk, jog, run, swim, bike, climb, rollerblade (skate), box, anything as long as it gets your heart rate up and you enjoy it. :O)

Good luck getting started !!!!

I did this too and found it was really THE springboard for me to become more active. Before doing the Cto5K, I could handle going on a long walks at either a leisurely or moderate pace. Walking my dogs was the extent of my exercise. Better than being sedentary - but not exactly a cardio challenge. I was actually SCARED of pushing myself to exertion during cardio. (Flashbacks to gym classes, athletic practices that made me run until I wanted to die... I never really mastered it, so believed I just couldn't "do" cardio). So deciding to face that fear was a huge challenge for me.

Cto5K is a structured program, I found a thread on here with other newbies, learned about a great podcast with music and spoken encouragement, and.... I went for it. I can now run/jog 3.1 miles at a decent pace - something I NEVER thought was possible. I have gradually mustered the courage to sprint UP the hills - which really pushes my lung capacity and my comfort zones. Some days I do better than others. Sometimes I think "I sucked today" - other times, I feel like a total badass.

Just my 2 cents... but if you've ever had a hidden desire to really break through your own self imposed limits - listen to that voice and go for it. You'll never regret it.

Thanks! I guess I'm annoyed that I'm 40, not 20 anymore!!! Patience!!!

I'm 43 but I felt 60. Now I feel like I'm in my 20s again thanks to all of the great workouts I've been doing since November.

Leslie,
I was never a runner. A couple years ago, for some reason I decided to try it. I started out at a pace so slow I probably could have walked faster. I think I only went a mile. Definitely with an iPod - the music helps distract my body from the pain From there I just built up soooo slowly, and before I knew it, I could run 2 miles. Just keep it up, taking baby steps, and your body will adapt. I would also try to cross train because running all the time does get boring after a while. Elliptical, rowing, swimming, dancing...anything helps!

I was the same way 10 weeks ago. I really hated exercise, especially cardio/aerobic workouts. My problem was I didn't find it enjoyable and if your not having fun doing something, you ain't gonna do it for very long.

Finding an exercise that you can do long enough to reach and stay within your target heart rate for at least 30 minutes AND be something you enjoy doing is the key.

For me, it was Nintendo Wii. I have fun EVERY DAY playing Wii games like Walk It Out, WiiFitPlus & Just Dance. I'm burning between 400-600 calories a day, my heart rate is right where it is supposed to be, and best of all, it so much fun, I forget that I'm exercising.

Other's have mentioned rollerblading, swimming, dancing etc....THESE ARE ALSO GREAT IDEAS!
Basically, ANYTHING that gets you off the couch, gets your heart pumping and is fun to do is a great cardio workout.
Experiment with different activites and choose the ones that you enjoy the most. Getting into a good pattern or routine of doing daily exercise is important and in time, you will find that you will have more stamina and endurance to do a little more each week.

Start of with small goals, like 15 minutes a day or 1/2 mile or whatever, and then gradually increase these goals as your ability to do more increases.

good luck to you in what ever exercise you choose. :flowerforyou: