Knowledgable athletes I need help!

thegongshow
thegongshow Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I grew up athletic and was really into weight lifting and sports all through high school. I was diagnosed with overian cancer at 18 and have had tons of heath problems since. The last 5 years I went through a very deep depression where I pretty much didn't get out of bed other then for work. Last year I pulled out of it and have made some amazing changes in my life to get healthy again.
I became a stay at home mommy 8 months ago and with me no longer working and the dessert heat my activity level has really dropped.
I joined a boot camp to get my butt moving again and I started this week.

The problem I'm having is I get winded extremely fast! We open with laps around a football field, and after just a few mintues i'm gasping for breath and have to stop. My lungs seem to give out way before my body does.
I've always been very competitive when working out, and I'm getting really frustrated that I can't seem to push myself as far as I know my body can handle, all because i cant breath.
I've never experienced a problem like this and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to fix it?

Replies

  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    That all comes down to cardiovascular conditioning. You just have to keep working up to it until you condition yourself and keep pushing your limit.
  • kill3rtofu
    kill3rtofu Posts: 169 Member
    Yes, what AJ_G said. Your body isn't accustomed to cardio training yet. Just slowly ease yourself into it and you will be there in no time. Try not to push yourself beyond your current limit.
  • thegongshow
    thegongshow Posts: 26 Member
    Thanks guys! Guess I'll just work on my patience till then.
  • SadFaerie
    SadFaerie Posts: 243 Member
    Try this maybe http://www.c25k.com/ -- many people on MFP swear by c25k.

    If you push yourself too hard, you may become discouraged and just quit. I would suggest you build the form slowly, when you see even small progress it keeps you going.
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    Yep, unfortunately being a former athlete you tend to expect a lot from yourself. Since you've had such a big break it'll take a while to get your cardio conditioning back to anywhere near what it was before. Although the good news is that having been there before it'll be easier for you to get back there than if you were starting from scratch. Stick with it, it's worth it in the end.

    Everytime I have an extended break I tell myself, never again because it feels so hard when you start back :)
  • tjthegreatone
    tjthegreatone Posts: 324
    I grew up athletic and was really into weight lifting and sports all through high school. I was diagnosed with overian cancer at 18 and have had tons of heath problems since. The last 5 years I went through a very deep depression where I pretty much didn't get out of bed other then for work. Last year I pulled out of it and have made some amazing changes in my life to get healthy again.
    I became a stay at home mommy 8 months ago and with me no longer working and the dessert heat my activity level has really dropped.
    I joined a boot camp to get my butt moving again and I started this week.

    The problem I'm having is I get winded extremely fast! We open with laps around a football field, and after just a few mintues i'm gasping for breath and have to stop. My lungs seem to give out way before my body does.
    I've always been very competitive when working out, and I'm getting really frustrated that I can't seem to push myself as far as I know my body can handle, all because i cant breath.
    I've never experienced a problem like this and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to fix it?

    What everyone said. Like you I was very athletic at school (and skin and bone). After a 10-year hiatus, when I tried to exert myself it was pitiful to behold and I was even mocked by my friend :explode:

    You have to ease yourself in VERY gently. There is no rush, you have the rest of your life to get fit and stay fit.

    My golden rule - AVOID INJURIES. A torn ligament or stress fracture can wipe out months of training when you could have just taken it easier. Not worth it. What exercises are you doing? If you're running - try intervals: walk 3 min, run 1 min etc and slowly alter the balance until you're just running, then slowly increase speed etc.

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