Motivation to do cardio

I run on a track...and it's boring!!!
Maybe run in a neighborhood and just go at your own pace
Trouble breathing might be the same as me until u catch your second wind
Hope u find your way!!!

CM_73 wrote: »

As far as motivation goes, my only bit of advice is to try and find something you enjoy, and can do regularly.
For me, it's cycling. I also love kayaking but it's just not practical to do it frequently so I hit the bike as often as I can. Useful transport too, so it fits in well with everyday life.
Good luck!

Great advice. And if you can't find something you enjoy, the good news is you don't have to do cardio for very long in order to reap heart healthy benefits. I don't enjoy flossing and brushing my teeth either, but I do them regularly because my health is important to me.

Morgues and ICUs are full of people who didn't exercise their hearts. I don't plan on being one of them.

@paulinavdl

I used to run track in high school. I ran distance, such as the mile the 2 mile and the 800. I hate running but I hate off season more. The trick to running is to breath correctly. The way that has always worked for me is that I breath in through my nose for 4 pulses and breath out throgh my mouth for 4 pulses. Then I take a quick breath in and out through my mouth. Then I go back to 4 pulses in through my nose and 4 pulses out through my mouth. This is what always worked for me. The quick in and out breath is actually a cheat and they say that people should just do the controlled pulse breathing.

Also, when I am running, especially a long distance run, I focus on taking long strides or large steps. Really focus on stretching your legs with each step so that you are covering more ground than you would with baby steps. You will find that you are actually faster.

Posture is also pretty important. Try keeping your back straight and your shoulders back or in other words stick your chest out. Also keep your head up as though your looking up at your partney for a kiss. This helps to open up your lungs so that you are better able to breath while running.

While you are doing all of the other things that I just listed be sure to keep your arms moving as well. Your hands should not be clenched into fists. I keep my finger bent but loose. I read once that a good way to make sure to do this is to hold a package of 2 crackers in each hand (the kind that you find at a restaurant) and try not to break them. I never actually did this but just imagining the crackers in my hands worked for me. You want to be relaxed when running or your entire body will just feel more tired and you'll end up being more sore later.

There is a thing called the "second wind." When you are getting really tired and feel like you can't go on push through that and your second wind will come. You will suddenly have an energy burst and be able to run further and faster and your breathing, if you've really been controlling it will get much easier.

Once I am about to reach the end of my run, I always try to sprint the last block or so. It won't be a good sprint as you will be tired but by sprinting that last little part of your run you will feel more accomplished.

I hope this helps! Good luck with your future running! You can totally do this. Also, remember that the more you do it the easier it will be and eventually you will start to crave your runs!

It just occurred to me that perhaps ALL cardio is similar to learning to run. If you're having trouble with stamina because of your breathing, you're probably going too intense. Slow down to a pace you can keep up with and work on your form. Once you can do your cardio of choice for a full 30 minutes, continually, THEN work on speed - and don't lose your form.

Best thing to so is find something you enjoy for me it's boxing & circuit training I find I look forward to working out rather than finding it a chore
Good Luck