Excersise gurus, I need your help!

[monkeyandbunny]

I have never been into excersise as a hobby, I took the random yoga class or played black top with my friends in college. I was able to eat whatever I wanted and not worry about weight. Since graduating from college 5 years ago I have put on 20lbs. Going on birth control and having a desk job has expanded my ass. I'm by no means obese, (I'm 5'9 and weigh 155) but I would like to lose 25 lbs and gain some muscle definition. My entire family is fat and I don't want to end up like them, so I need to do something now.

Here's my problem, I have decided to take up jogging in addition to weight training and a yoga class. I start out, I'm ok but I can only jog one block before I start feeling dizzy, lightheaded and queasy.I push myself for the quarter mile but I stop to barf then walk back to my apartment defeated. I spend 25 minutes warming up, drink plenty of water and breathe properly.

Could I be allergic to running? What the hell is wrong with me?

[Rie]

Jogging is not one of those things must people can just pick up all of a sudden. It's best to teach your body to jog.... it takes control of breathing, etc. When I learned to jog a 5k, I did a 9 week program. You learn to jog in intervals. By the end of this, you're more in shape and have taught your body how to jog. I'd suggest some weight lifting and maybe some stairclimbers or other machines as well.


http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

[Faery Girl]

monkeyandbunny - I so totally understand. My rear expanded quite a bit after I started my desk job and started on birth control!

I totally agree with Rie. Jogging isn't something that you can just pick up. I tried for quite a bit, but it just isn't my thing. I'd also suggest trying some machines, if you have access to them. I've found that cardio in addition to weights, yoga etc. is a really good combo to get in shape. When I first started out, I saw results really quickly - in about a month. I'm 5'6", and I was 130...now I fluctuate between 115-118...I swear I carried the extra bit of weight all in my rear! darn desk jobs!

good luck!

[Coney]

Congratulations for wanting to do something about it. I think there are two types of people: the ones who gain weight around 30 and don't care--just start buying larger pants; and the ones who gain weight and realize it and want desperately not to look like the rest of their family (that's me)

Start taking long walks at night. 2 or 3 miles if you can. Every night at a brisk pace will slowly start burning the fat. Then when your body is used to having a faster heart pace, start running.

Stop eating simple carbs--white bread, white rice, and sugar. If you can do that (although I'm not sure what you eat or avoid) those pounds will come off quite fast. Eat a ton more fruits and veggies. Along with some excersise, you should be taking off a pound or two a week.

It'll take a couple weeks to start showing up, but stick with it. it'll pay off.

[monkeyandbunny]

Thank You Thank You Thank You for your suggestions everybody! Rie, I'm really jazzed about that article on www.coolrunning.com. I have just printed it out, I'm going to start tomarrow! I can't wait!

Jwnyc- I don't eat white bread or rice, but I am guilty of consuming the white death. (sugar) I have a bad sweet tooth and I've been subsituting fruit for sweets. So far it's been working.

[CaptainSwab]

When I first read your post, I was going to put down the same exact link as Rie. I highly recommend the cool running couch potato to 5K program. It works. Plus they have boards just like veggie boards where you can disscus your progress with other people who are also on the same program.

Don't worry, there is nothing wrong with you. It is not normal to just get up one day and be able to run a few miles with no stops, without any problems. I think the program on coolrunning has you on day one walking 90 sec, run 60 sec or something like that...

If you don't want to follow a specific program, then try running 10 min, walking one. Or something along those lines. In the last half marathon I ran, I was neck to neck with a woman for awhile who was running 1mile, and then walking for one min. Theres a whole bunch of ways you could do this, but don't push yourself too hard or else you will end up hating running.

Good Luck! Post in the hamster thread and give us updates how it turns out!

[CaptainSwab]

Oh, and I just thought of something else...before I started getting into running, I bought an exercise bike and would bike while watching tv. I feel that this helped build up my endurance for running. Before I had the bike I could barely run a mile. After I used my bike for awhile, running seemed to get easier. Maybe something like that could help you too?

[on roasties]

monkeyandbunny -

I wouldn`t say you are allergic to running. Running is one of the most simple and natural things that we can all do (unless we have some physical disability). All children run when they are young don`t they?
It feels bad because you haven`t been doing it for very long. If you can only run for say 5 minutes without stopping, fair enough. If you keep doing this within a week or so you will probably be able to run for 10 minutes. Within a month I bet you will be able to run for 30 minutes.

I first started running 2 years ago and HATED it! But I kept at it. Soon it became less painful and after a while I started to enjoy it more and more. A year ago i started running competitvely and now I run about 70 miles a week and love it. If anyone had told me I would be doing this now 2 or 3 years ago I would think they were crazy!

So my advice is, be patient and keep running.

[Rie]

I just wanted to emphasize what everyone else is saying here about other forms of exercise in addition to running. Cross-training is very helpful... it keeps your body on its toes, and it keeps you from getting bored.

[SouthernSky]

Jogging is really tough at first. I'm not going to lie, the first few months SUCK.

When I started jogging I was out of shape. I couldn't do more than a lap around the track (slow jogging) and then I'd have to walk some, then jog again.

A jog/walk program is actually the best way to start. You won't be able to cover long distances at first. Try jogging one minute, then fast-walking two or three, then jog again. As you get more fit, you'll be able to shorten the fast-walking breaks and you'll be jogging most of the time. Don't worry about distance for now. Think about time instead. Commit to thirty minutes, and do walk/jog intervals until the time is up. You may be walking most of it, but that's ok. You'll be able to incorporate more jogging as weeks go by.

Getting through the initial weeks and months is key. After that it starts to feel good.

I've been running a little more than a year and I'm totally addicted.