Best advice I ever got when I started running - walk when you need to, but never for longer than 2 minutes - ever.

Second best advice - the first mile is always the hardest. Your body's breathing has to get into rhythm with your body. Once your breathing settles down, it's much easier.

Try a run/walk schedule. And slow down.

I just tried to start running again -- i used to run in my 20s and 30s. Well now I'm in my 40s and haven't worked out since my daughter arrived (and that's been a few years). I started walking every day in January. I started the C25k program a few weeks ago - but even that moved too quickly. So I'm kind of just taking it at my own pace. SLOWLY. We'll see what happens. Good luck OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read about couch to 5k programs.

Yes to this, a million times!
I had the same experience you did, felt like death on my first try, then downloaded the app, and it really worked. In a month I was running 5K with no problems.
As others have pointed out, it starts with run/walk progressions and slowly ramps up. Do it!

+ another 100

I'm doing a C25K right now, and on Week Five, I'm just getting comfortable with running for five minutes straight, a few times a run. (Week 5, day 1 is 5 minutes if running and 3 minutes of walking, repeated three times.) It's a great program for endurance.

Anonymous wrote:I guess you need to take it SLOW, and slowly ramp up.

+1 Start very slowly. I have a heart rate monitor and I adjust my pace to keep my heart beat under a desired maximum level (about 150 beats per minute for me, but this number varies based on your goals, age, health, etc.). If you don't like a heart rate monitor, you can count your heart beats for 10 second and multiply by 6. If my heart rate starts going too fast, I slow down or start walking. When I started this, I could barely go 14 minute miles (which is barely a walk) and stay under my desired rate, but now I can go much faster.

Even if you decide running is not your "thing," try to keep doing it because you will really feel great. It is amazing not getting tired when you climb steps or have to do some physical work. I do other activities (biking, swimming, etc.) but nothing makes me feel as good. I feel like I just breath easier/better. If you really don't like walking, try some fast walking. Some of the skinniest women I know are power walkers (they tell me that if you are out walking a lot, you cannot be eating at that time).

Benefits of distance running:

https://www.freeletics.com/en/knowledge/endurance-benefits-running-training/

Uh, I highly disagree that "there is no benefit to running 3+ miles." Please don't give advice if you are so clueless.

Download the couch to 5k app. It's fantastic. You will not like running at first. You may never like it. But if you ramp up slowly, you may actually enjoy it!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. I will be downloading that app. Never heard of it before. I will admit that because I am average weight, I assumed I would be slightly better off when I got around to working out. I was wrong. Thanks to the jump rope idea too! Running is boring to me and I tend to focus on the time so something like jumping rope is awesome to distract me. Any other ideas?

I think it's great you've finally learned of this misconception so you no longer contribute to it. I weigh 50 lbs more than you, in great shape, and am a fast, capable runner. Just a bigger one that carries quite a bit of muscle too

I personally find running kind of boring too so I stick to sprints mostly. Unless you really enjoy it, there is no benefit to running longer distances (3+ miles). Go for the couch to 5K for sure and try different things until you find what you like.

For fitness apps that don't require running or even weights, download Nike Training Club. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:C25K is great. I used it to get back into shape after I had my two kids, a year later was doing sprint triathlons, and 5 years later regularly run 3-5 miles. I say this as a total non-runner too (I was the kid coming in at the back of the pack when we had to run the mile in middle school).

See if you can find a friend to do it with you - the accountability helps.

thats awesome. Did you lose any weight?

You wouldnt go to the gym and start lifting 100lb weights. Start slow and build up. Your body and knees will thank you

Anonymous wrote:Read about couch to 5k programs.

This! I never imagined I could run for miles without stopping before this app. I love it!

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I thought running gets the blood flowing and heart pumping? I do not mind running and want to do it but I guess like others said, take it slow. I guess I am just shocked with how bad of a shape I am in.

The problem is that you've never used the muscles in your body this intensively. You need to slowly retrain your muscles for the heightened exertion.

A good way to start, especially since you have a treadmill is to start with walking for a set distance/time. Every day, either add distance or shorten the time for the same distance. When you get to the distance you want as your regular routine, then continue shortening the time to cover that distance until you start jogging. Then continue until you get to a pace that you feel comfortable with for a routine. If you skip a day, use the last distance/time without changing. Once you've gotten yourself into an exercise pattern, you can also add increased inclines (steeper runs) to help increase the exertions for the same time and distance. If you gradually ease into it your body will adjust gradually and acclimate to the increased activity. Too often people try to get into exercising without easing into it and set themselves up for failure because their bodies do not adapt to the change in exercise. This is especially true for people who have never exercised before.

C25K is great. I used it to get back into shape after I had my two kids, a year later was doing sprint triathlons, and 5 years later regularly run 3-5 miles. I say this as a total non-runner too (I was the kid coming in at the back of the pack when we had to run the mile in middle school).

See if you can find a friend to do it with you - the accountability helps.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. I will be downloading that app. Never heard of it before. I will admit that because I am average weight, I assumed I would be slightly better off when I got around to working out. I was wrong. Thanks to the jump rope idea too! Running is boring to me and I tend to focus on the time so something like jumping rope is awesome to distract me. Any other ideas?

You know the heart is a muscle. You can be as skinny as you want but if you haven't exercised in years, your heart muscle is going to be weak and out of shape.

I did C25K and I still hated running when I finished it. If you don't like it, find something you do like. I like walking my dog so we just go for longer walks now.