Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

Brila09 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 02:39 PM

Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

I need to drop some lbs before this wedding. I know that running is the most effective form of cardio for weight loss but I can't for the life of me imagine how I'll be able to do it for more than a minute.

I know I'll have to build up my stamina but does anyone have any tips on how to do so?

Any type of advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

IrishBrideASmiling Posted: Nov 13, 2008 02:55 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

When I opened this I was thinking you were askng about aisle runners lol.

Stamina definitely comes with time. I never used to be able to run for more than 2-3 min, but now I can run up to 15 min without stopping.

ETA: sorry my boss came in and had to quickly respond.

As for your question on how to build up stamina, I would walk to warm up, try to run for as long as I could, then reduce the speed little by little and walk to cool down. Keep at it and you can build yourself up!

MrsDrinkh20 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:00 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

Run for a minute then walk on an incline for a minute if you are using a treadmill...if not, run then walk. Try to increase the running intervals..like move up to 2 minutes running, one minute walking. etc.

christophersgirl Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:09 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

like kristen, i thought aisle runners when i saw runners lol

but yea, you just have to build it over time, start running for a couple of mins and then walk and then run again until you can build up more running time w/o stopping, shouldn't take you too long to get to 10-15 mins, push yourself a little bit more each time...

i don't run much, but i do a lot of cardio via dancing and aerobics...

good luck!

FutureMrsD09 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:14 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

LOL, I thought this was about aisle runners as well!

I would definitely suggest walking...it's still GREAT exercise! Slowly build your distance and speed, and before you know it, you'll just want to run! It's kind of a natural progression. Even if you just stick with walking, it's so great for you!

VickiR510 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:18 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

well im an avid runner & the only way i could say to do it is:

Walk for 10 minutes
then run at a slow pace for 2 min
walk again for 5 minutes
run at moderate for 2minutes
walk for 5 min
run moderate for 3 min
walk for 5 min
run high pace for 2 minutes
run moderate 1 min
run slow 1 min.
walk for 2 minute

cool down for 7 minutes.

start like that until you could keep running during what would be walking. Even if its at a slow pace. But you must pick up the pace eventually.

Good luck!

Autumnbride03 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:25 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

start off with intervals (which is VERy effective anyway!) run a minute, walk a minute, etc. and work your way up! now I interval train running and jogging.

Future Mulligan Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:36 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

its easier on the treadmill than running outside - especially now that its getting cold out.....you can DEF build stamina....i thought i would never be able to run and i can run a whole mile now without stopping - which is about 12 minutes - and sometimes i continue until like 15-20 minutes....stretch a lot first and make sure you are hydrated - you'll be less likely to get cramps - then walk fast, put on a good song and when youare warmed up (i walk fast for like 5 minutes first) try runing, try to find a good pace - for me its 4.6 - my FH runs at like 6.5 or higher i think but since he is over 6 feet tall and i am only 5ft tall we are actually running at the same pace when we run next to eachother at the gym - i guess b/c my legs are super short - but its weird because our feet are hitting the treadmill at the same time - but anyway im going off on a tangent - but start at a slow speed - i started running at 4.0....then run/jog for as long as you can - for me, in the beginning, i kid you not i could only do like 2 minutes tops and id be like dying and id have to take a break - but if you are consistent and try running every day or every other day eventually it will get easier and easier and before you know it you will be able to last a lot longer - i thought i would NEVER be able to run 1 mile without stopping and now i can do it....but start off slow, take breaks and walk fast if you need to catch your breath and remember to stretch before and after....

debzy Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:37 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

Actually run-walk-run-walk intervals are more effective at burning calories. If you look at machines, the 'weight loss' programs are always intervals. This is because it lets you bring your heartrate up over and over again, strengthening the muscle.

For building up stamina, try googling 'Couch to 5k'. It trains you to go from not being a runner to running a 5k in weeks or months, depending on how you decide to train.

MrsList09 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 03:51 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

I'm not a runner myself but I tried it a few years ago to get in shape and was fairly successful (until it got cold out!)

I think the key is to pace yourself. Just run at a trot for awhile and see how long you can go.

All through high school I used to DREAD the mile run for the physical fitness test. I would go all out the first lap and then have to crawl the rest of the way. I found when I started running a few years ago that if I did a nice steady pace, I could run like 2 miles. It would take FOREVER but I did it and it's the time that counts, not the mileage.

ELluvsMB Posted: Nov 13, 2008 04:08 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

I run about 5 days a week but I've been really sick and haven't been to the gym in abut 2 weeks. It always takes me time to build back up. Sometimes I'll do the elliptical ( and if you never work out I suggest that at first) and then work back up to running. Or try and run a little everyday and add a little time untile you can run for about 10-15mins non stop. I wouldnt do the intervalls until you are up to that because you won't be ready for them.

HTH's

Brila09 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 04:56 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

Thanks ladies!

I appreciate all your advice. The hardest part for me is actually putting on the gym clothes and going to work out. Once I'm there I'm fine.

This running thing seems like the best way...I'm trying to get my FH to do it with me. I just need motivation.

I should tape a picture of the model in my wedding dress to my fridge.

IrishBrideASmiling Posted: Nov 13, 2008 05:27 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

Posted by Brila09

Thanks ladies!

I appreciate all your advice. The hardest part for me is actually putting on the gym clothes and going to work out. Once I'm there I'm fine.

This running thing seems like the best way...I'm trying to get my FH to do it with me. I just need motivation.

I should tape a picture of the model in my wedding dress to my fridge.

I was going to laminate a pic and bring it with me to the gym ha ha!!

lauraandrob2009 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 07:02 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

You definitely can do it. I was in need of losing weight as well and hadn't worked out in forever. I started slowly about 3 weeks ago like some of these ladies have recommended and this week made it up to running a mile without stopping. So slowly but surely it will happen. I'm down 20 lbs and still going so don't get discouraged!

ANT-N-BON-09 Posted: Nov 13, 2008 11:31 PM

Re: Runners....I want to get my a$$ in gear.....need advice.

I would tell you to try and get a friend to do it with. The day you dont wanna do it, she can push you, and you can push her on the other days. I couldnt find anyone, so recently i got a treadmill and put a tv right in front of it. I would be to bored if i didnt. Good luck!