Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just go for a walk— 10 mins or 20 mins whatever

I do that already… I walk most places at this point and when I go to the office it’s 1.2 miles each way (which I’ll start doing again in a few weeks). Walking isn’t an issue… but as soon as I get on the elliptical I just want to cry.

Walk more.

What is your max heart rate and what is your heart rate when you are walking? I am in shape and a brisk walk gets my heart rate up enough to be a cardiovascular exercise even though it feels easy. My max heart rate is 183, so my walking average: 110, is actually great for a cardiovascular exercise that increases endurance. It is also more sustainable than interval training because there is a smaller risk of injury, you can exercise for more time, and you don’t have to mentally push as hard.

This is how elite endurance athletes train, by the way. They intentionally spend a lot of time training at a pace that isn’t hard.

https://www.runnersworld.com/beginner/a20812270/should-i-do-heart-rate-training/

I do that already… I walk most places at this point and when I go to the office it’s 1.2 miles each way (which I’ll start doing again in a few weeks). Walking isn’t an issue… but as soon as I get on the elliptical I just want to cry.

To build skills walking that will transfer to the elliptical, use a fitness watch to gauge your waking speed and increase it, or do some hill repeats. A leisurely mile isn’t the same as a speedwalked oner one uphill.

To improve with just the elliptical, stop focusing on the time or level—do level 1 until you get tired, then take a minute break, then go again, even if it’s only 30 seconds. Slowly increase the total time.

Also be aware that the elliptical may just not be for you. Running for 30 seconds feels like the end of the world to me, but I gladly suffer through a 30 m8n HIIT session. Find what really brings you joy in movement and do THAT.