Could only work out ten minutes... Will I improve?

ghmdm8utb
ghmdm8utb Posts: 5 Member
edited November 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I just started eating healthy 6 days ago and have gone from 211lbs to 206lbs. Thought I would add in some cardio, I was so excited and determined, but then after 10 minutes I felt like I was going to die and I stopped. I am so upset that I didn't keep going, 10 minutes is nothing, I was aiming for 30-45.. Did this ever happen to you? Is a 10 minute workout even worth it?

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    If 10 min is all you can do, then do 10 min. Next week make it 11 min, and the week after that 12 min. At 301 lbs I was VERY limited in my abilities when I started, but I did what I could do and was surprised how quickly I improved.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    10min to start is fabulous! You'll be surprised at how fast you get stronger and your endurance increases. I always feel like I'm dying when I start working out if it's been a while too. But each time I do it I find I can do just a little bit more. Don't push yourself too hard. Just keep at it. Add a minute or two each time you exercise, and you'll see how fast you improve. :)
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    Yes and yes, you will improve over time and the 10 minutes was definitely worth it :) I started at 15 minutes and that required me to get up and dressed and driving to the gym. Over time I added more time, not intensity just minutes. If you can only do 10 minutes keep that up, maybe do 10 minutes of bike and 10 minutes on the treadmill (if you feel like you need to make it worth your time), give it at least a few tries maybe up to 2 weeks (depending on how often you workout) then increase one to 15 minutes. It will happen, just don't push yourself too hard, I have seen way to many push themselves, get sore - don't come back, etc..
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Its 10 minutes more than being sat on the couch. ASccept where you are in terms of fitness and keep it up, then you will improve and be able to do more.
  • caci88
    caci88 Posts: 53 Member
    As long as you keep improving then you're improving :) sometimes when I'm struggling I drop the weight down or reduce the intensity of the cardio so next time if you're walking for example at a particular speed, after 10 mins slow it down and do another 5.. Only if you can of course :)
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    if all you can do is 10 minutes- that's all you can do. then next time you do 10:30. Then 11. Then 12. Then soon you're up to 15.

    But honestly- I would slow down a little- what kind of cardio are you doing? are you going for a walk? take small bites- no need to climb Mt kiliminjara today. Just walk to the corner and back. Do that for a week- then walk to the next corner and back. Seriously- baby steps. Anything is literally better than nothing.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    Progress is not measured by one data point.

    Like the others have said...shoot for 11 minutes...or even 10:30 next time.

    The other thing I would consider is intensity. It certainly wouldn't be uncommon to be all gung ho and excited about starting a new exercise regimen that you don't set a sustainable pace. So...for example....if you can only go 10 minutes at 5 mph, maybe scale back to 4.5 mph next time and try to extend your duration
  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    Maybe start a program like C25k. I struggled with all cardio when I first started (5'7, 230 lbs).
    It really helped me get used to jogging and eventually got me running a 5k with ease! Be patient with it and you will see progress.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    Yes, you'll improve. We all do! Just keep setting reasonable goals for yourself, and try to find an activity that you enjoy! I've improved a lot over just 8 weeks. I'm excited to see where I'll be 8 weeks from today.
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    Could only work out ten minutes... Will I improve. Yes actually quicker than you think. keep at it,.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    you'll get better. your endurance will vastly improve. just keep at it.
  • ghmdm8utb
    ghmdm8utb Posts: 5 Member
    Thank you all, this has made me feel a lot better. I will keep trying to add 30 seconds each day!
  • momasox
    momasox Posts: 158 Member
    You'll get better. When I look back to a few months ago I can't believe how far I've come. Just keep at it and over time you'll get better and stronger.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    Yes, 10 minutes is worth it. And if you stick with it you will get better very quickly.

    But...I don't know what cardio you are doing, but if you dial back the intensity you can sustain it longer. For example, if you are running try jogging instead...or jog slower, or add in some walking breaks every few minutes.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    youll be able to go longer and longer over time. when i started in january, 10 minutes and i thought i was going to die. Now, I do an hour of cardio plus strength work.

    keep at it, youll get better!
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    Absolutely it is worth it! and Absolutely you will get better as long as you keep at it! What kind of workout were you doing?

    When I started at 250lbs, I was horribly out of shape. Pack a day smoker, did not exercise AT ALL...hell, I would be sweating just getting dressed in the morning.

    I first started doing Leslie Sansone DVD's. I kid you not - 7 mins into it (walking in place)...I felt like I was going to die. DRENCHED in sweat, red, couldnt breathe normally...tapped out. Next day...I made it to 10 mins. Following day - I did a whole 15 minute mile, with 1 break.

    I have come a far way. I did a highway bike ride a few days ago - I went for 6 hours. No way could I have pulled that off if I did not keep up with exercise.

    Just keep going, you will get better and shock yourself years down the road! :D You can do this - just find something you love and enjoy doing.
  • strangesoul79
    strangesoul79 Posts: 84 Member
    I started my time doing just 20 minutes at 367 lbs. Now I am pulling hour workouts after only a month and a half. You will get better at it as your muscles, heart, and lungs get better. If you need a short 30 second to 1 minute break take it. Towel off and get a drink of water then jump back into it.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    You've done more cardio than I have deliberately done in months, so good on you!
  • debubbie
    debubbie Posts: 767 Member
    If you keep working, you WILL get better! I started with 15 minutes on a stationary bike a few times a week and can easily go for an hour or longer now (depending on if my behind goes numb!) Since those first few weeks almost two years ago, I have lost 70 pounds, I have run several 5k races, and am working on 10k races. I am doing things that I never thought possible because I started with a little bit of exercise and the persistence that I would keep adding more time and increase the intensity when I thought I was able to do it.

    You can do this! I recommend that you keep an exercise journal with your accomplishments, body measurements (chest, bicep, waist, hips, and thighs for starters), the date and a brief description of how you felt during and after the workout. It is an amazing motivator weeks and months down the road when you can look back and see exactly how far you have come and how much you have accomplished!
  • kramrn77
    kramrn77 Posts: 375 Member
    10 is totally worth it! Anything you do is totally worth it. And we all have to start somewhere. We don't just get up and go run 10 miles. We all had to start somewhere. This isn't your ending place, it's your starting point. Don't give up yet, you have great things ahead.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    An added 10 minutes helps a lot if done everyday!

    If this workout is at home, you can also try to do another 'set' later or earlier, like one in the a.m. and one in the p.m. if you like. Sometimes the rest between helps a whole lot.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    The human body is amazing. 10 minutes is a great start. Have patience. If you have been sedentary, it will take time to get your body used to activity, so don't overdo it. A journal is a great waay to keep track of your progresss. when you look back after a while you'll see the difference.

    You could try, after a week, doing two 10 minute sessions in a day and work up to three. Then put them together.

    Our bodies want to be active. As you lose weight, it will become more responsive.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    ghmdm8utb wrote: »
    Thank you all, this has made me feel a lot better. I will keep trying to add 30 seconds each day!

    The other method you cna use, its just break it up by taking short breaks, so 5 minutes, rest, 5 minutes rest etc. Fitness gains can be quite fast in the first month, so keep a record.
  • KittensMaster
    KittensMaster Posts: 748 Member
    Gradual improvenent

    You make progress, not reach perfection.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Now that you have taken that step, the goals are to continue and to improve. To continue is to improve.

    Well done, Grasshopper.
  • ModernRock
    ModernRock Posts: 372 Member
    ghmdm8utb wrote: »
    ...after 10 minutes I felt like I was going to die and I stopped....

    If you are struggling to find the right intensity--not too high and not too low--think about hitting a level where you are just barely unable to smoothly recite the ABCs. If you are so out of breath that you have to spurt the letters out a few at a time, then dial down the intensity a notch or two.
  • ghmdm8utb
    ghmdm8utb Posts: 5 Member
    Thank you again for all of your kind and encouraging words, today I worked out again and did 13 min, took a 10 min break and did another 5! I can't express how grateful I am for all of yalls advice
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    Good for you on keeping on! Don't be afraid to try new things as you feel stronger, you might really surprise yourself. :)
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