need help with a cardio routine

tndejong
tndejong Posts: 463
in Fitness and Exercise
i started this journey jan 1st. and i did not give up like most do when they make a new years resolution! here is my problem. when i started, i was not working. i had lots of time to exercise and go to the gym. things have changed. i am back at work and i dont have tons of time or the energy to spend hours at the gym. how do i develop some type of cardio routine that will give me good results. in the beginning, i used my at home elliptical a LOT! it gives the biggest calorie burn. but i also like the stationary bike and spin class. i am trying at my own pace to do the couch to 5k app on my phone. but im having problems with my knees and shins. so im doing that very slowly. this sounds so stupid. but im the type of person that if im given a schedule, i will try to stick to it. but if im not held accountable, i will slip. because i started so strong and had the time to use the elliptical for an hour and now only 20 minutes, i tend to be hard on myself and feel like im not doing enough even though i just worked 8-10 hours that day. at work im on my feet and at a desk. but overall, not very active. so its hard to know where to set my stats.

does anyone know of any sites or phone apps that will help you map out a schedule? any advice on where to start?

Replies

  • crux
    crux Posts: 454 Member
    I find having a goal event always helps the most. Specifically you then can find a suitable schedule to train towards your goal event..

    If you like spin, and are learning to run, then maybe target a future sprint triathlon as your goal event, this is not as hard core as it may sound, most people can complete a short triathlon and will often get great satisfaction in completing one.

    If you give yourself sufficient time to work up to it, then you will find lots of advice on schedules to follow. That helps to motivate you to make the best use of available time and if you tell your friends about the plan, it will help motivate you to stick with your goal.
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
    If you have less time to work out, make sure your workout is more intense using interval training. You'll get a great burn, and it will continue throughout the next 12-24hrs.
  • tndejong
    tndejong Posts: 463
    i started searching training programs and found some with elliptical training and bike training. looks like a good start.
  • 1184cjs
    1184cjs Posts: 52 Member
    You don't need to spend hours on a machine to get a good cardio workout. A 15/20 min intense session (something like a 30 seconds as fast as u can, then 1min slow to recover and repeat etc) is just as good if not better.

    As other posters have said, having a goal will help keep you motivated. Simply keeping a schedule of workouts and being able to tick it off when you do it can help a lot to keep motivated.

    Do you have a friend that can go to spin classes with you so you can keep each other motivated?
  • tndejong
    tndejong Posts: 463
    that is the hard part. my fiance is wayy more in shape then i am. he goes to the gym 4-5 times a week. rides a bike to work. and had no problem running a 5k in like a month. when i started i was 265lbs! so everything im doing is a lot slower. i had friends start with me and now im on my own. i cant seem to motivate anyone and they all will comment about my commitment. yet i cant get them off the couch lol! so i know i have to keep myself going somehow. even if its on my own.

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