Jogging

[Hova1]

Started jogging a few weeks back, it's the first time in my life I've took up jogging for any sustained period of time. I usually exercise for 40 minutes about 25 minutes will be jogging the rest walking. I've usually done almost 2 miles in that time which is really slow.


My question is, is this enough? I literally can't go any faster because I can't breathe if I do, my legs are fine because I have pretty big calfs they don't hurt but I just can't get any air in. I was wondering if I had something wrong with me because I read other beginners saying they were doing a mile in 12 minutes, I could never get close to that at the moment. I can go for about 10 minutes straight jogging if I do 6kph, about 6 minutes if I do 6.5kph, 4 minutes if I do 7kph and only about a minute if I go much faster otherwise I have to stop for a bit. Also if I jog for too long without stopping I get a horrible pain at the bottom of my back.


So I need to know if this is enough for my weight loss mission, my diet is fine at the moment. I've really sorted that out over the last 8-10 months and lost about 25lbs but I think I'm ready to take it to the next level.

 

[PLB]

It sounds like you might need to go to your doc to get some things checked out, especially the back pain and shortness of breath. If your doc says it's OK for you to exercise, then start off slow, with intensity that you can manage, then slowly increase the intensity when it starts to feel easier.

 

[Hova1]

Yeah I was considering that but I just assumed it's because I'm extremely unfit and overweight so it was pulling down on my back.


I find the cross trainer much easier I can really get my heart going and sustain it but running I'm just not good at. Maybe it's a mental thing that I don't like running but I'd like to become better at it.


Thanks for the reply.

 

[davidblunt]

I will at first suggest you the same to visit your doc. And for jogging i will suggest you to start with 5mins of walking and 1mins of running and as you will build the stamina decrease the walking time and increase the running time.

 

[PLB]

Originally Posted by Hova


Yeah I was considering that but I just assumed it's because I'm extremely unfit and overweight so it was pulling down on my back.



I find the cross trainer much easier I can really get my heart going and sustain it but running I'm just not good at. Maybe it's a mental thing that I don't like running but I'd like to become better at it.



Thanks for the reply.

It's possible that the back pain could be simply from being overweight and attempting to run, but it's better to get cleared by your doc than to cause any damage if there is something more going on. If the cross trainer doesn't cause any issues for your back, it's probably a good idea to start with that. Maybe revisit running after you've lost some weight.

Originally Posted by davidblunt




I will at first suggest you the same to visit your doc. And for jogging i will suggest you to start with 5mins of walking and 1mins of running and as you will build the stamina decrease the walking time and increase the running time.

This is a great suggestion to those starting running... start slow and gradually increase the length of time of the running interval.