Fitness for beginners

kforster86kf896
kforster86kf896 Posts: 13 Member
edited December 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, this is my first week of trying to be healthy and get in shape.
I'm struggling with cardio, I just seem to hit the wall after a few minutes. I find it boring and don't look forward to it at all.
Has anybody any advice on how I can make it more fun and enjoyable

Replies

  • hazcad
    hazcad Posts: 41 Member
    Music gets me through cardio. I couldn't do it without. Sticking some headphones on an just having your mind wander away. Just try not to sing aloud as it can get embarrassing lol
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Cardio is boring ...fortunately the recommendation is 2x 20 minute sessions per week for cardiovascular health

    Elliptical and watch something on a tablet or TBH monitor
    Running and loud pounding music

    Ignore traditional cardio and just go superset

    Dog walking and playing

    HIIT is easier and quicker and equal effect on cardiovascular health
  • cecsav1
    cecsav1 Posts: 714 Member
    Definitely a good playlist! Also, running outside is more mentally stimulating than using a treadmill or such. For me anyway. :)
  • Unknown
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  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    What are you doing? I think the dreadmill, elliptical, indoor bike, etc. are mind numbingly boring even with music. I prefer to run outside, bike outside, swimming, spinning/indoor cycling classes, barre, pilates (reformer and mat), yoga, kayaking, and boxing. Find something that you like or else you're not going to stick with it.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Cardio isn't my favorite to begin with and I certainly can't do indoor cardio. It bores me to death, so I got a bike. In the winter, I'll probably just not do much cardio at all.
  • Fitamdshiit
    Fitamdshiit Posts: 31 Member
    Try jump rope. It burns a ton of fat but it is hard and you'll have to work at it. The good thing is you won't have to do as much to get results.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    kforster86kf896 wrote: »
    I just seem to hit the wall after a few minutes. I find it boring and don't look forward to it at all.

    if by "hit the wall" you mean you run out of energy you need to improve your cardio vascular fitness but gradually increasing your workload. This, unfortunately, means breaking through that wall.

    If the limiting factor is boredom you can experiment with different types of cardio (swimming, cycling, running outdoors etc). If that doesn't appeal you will just need to suck it up and get on with it.

    TLDNR version; Man up.

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    do stuff you like to do.
    dancing. hiking. bike rides.
    exercise doesn't have to feel like exercise
  • dahliacats
    dahliacats Posts: 11 Member
    It's really important to find cardio that you like to do. Do you like to swim? Hike? Ride a bike? If you hate all cardio, then combine it with something you do like, maybe ride a stationary bike while you work or watch tv. Hopefully you can find something that you find engaging to do as well. Perhaps sign up for a free week's trial at a gym and try out all kinds of different classes. My husband was amazed how much he liked water aerobics when he tried it. Or you mike find spinning or yoga enjoyable. You never know until you try it out. Also, sometimes increasing cardio can simply involve parking farther away at work and walking more, climbing the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator. Also remember to start slow with your cardio. You can't expect to run a mile the first time out if you haven't run at all in years. You might have to start with walking and slowing increasing speed and distance, for instance. or doing only 15 minutes of a vigorous class and gradually increasing your time and intensity. It is really easy to lose one's conditioning, but it takes a long time to build it back up. The older you get, the slower you have to start.
  • jbatinker
    jbatinker Posts: 313 Member
    Instead of music I listen to a good book on my Ipod. I get so engrossed in the story I forget that I am doing cardio.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    Try HIIT. Shaun T. is a motivation master. As for the wall, we've all got one. When you hit it, slow down, allow yourself to recover,then get back to work. Sorry, you won't get better at cardio without some suffering!
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I love cardio now but didn't at the start. I injured my shoulder lifting so I started walking and built up the time/miles. I play music from google play and hit the "I am feeling lucky" selection so I don't have to deal with playlists and listen over bluetooth headphones. Then I started playing Ingress which caused me to ease into running from portal to portal. I ended up running about 5 to 7 miles a day. I then couldn't get enough of of running and really loved to get out at 4:30 AM. Now I sign up for any half marathon, 10K, hair of the dog (new years) and turkey trot (Thanksgiving) I can find. I lost 50 pounds and am in the best shape of my life. It takes about a month of pushing before you get the runners high, so stick with it.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    darebee.com has lots of different workouts you can try for variety and to maybe find something you can enjoy
  • BillMcKay1
    BillMcKay1 Posts: 315 Member
    Not a big fan of cardio myself so I don't do it. I go for a 30min walk every morning then lift heavy weights 3x per week. Along with a calorie deficit since May 15 I've lost 31lbs and gone from a 42 to 36 waist doing just that.

    Look up some beginner strength training programs. Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5 are good places to start.

    You do not "need" to do cardio to get "in-shape". What you need is to find something that you like doing so you can stick with it.

    Now if your goal is to run a 5k or bike 100k or something, then yes you will need to train for that and that will require cardio.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    kforster86kf896 wrote: »
    I'm struggling with cardio, I just seem to hit the wall after a few minutes. I find it boring and don't look forward to it at all.
    Has anybody any advice on how I can make it more fun and enjoyable

    Take it outside. Enjoy the breeze and the scenery. And the endorphines when you're done.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    BillMcKay1 wrote: »
    You do not "need" to do cardio to get "in-shape". What you need is to find something that you like doing so you can stick with it.

    ^^good point
  • kforster86kf896
    kforster86kf896 Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks for all the advice everybody, I'm going take a few things onboard and hopefully improve both fitness and mentality towards cardio.
    Will post an update in a few weeks.
    Thanks again
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