out of breath on cross trainer, how far to push myself?

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fatgirlslim

0
Hi,

I am currently on a weight loss/tone up mission. I have lost three stone so far and am hoping to loose another one and a half stone. My BMI is currently 24.

I joined a gym 8 weeks ago and am doing well so far. I go three or four times a week and always start with the cross trainer. At the beginning I could just about manage five minutes with low incline & resistance but I found it really difficult as I was so unfit! . I am now on the highest incline and have resistance at around 28. My problem is that I have tried to increase my cardio on the cross trainer but when I reach around 13 minutes I start to get really really out of breath and occassionally dizzy. At this point I slow down as I don't want to pass out! I am frustrated as I don't want to stop and really want to push myself to burn those calories. I don't fel achy in my muscles or pain anywhere just very out of breath.

My questions is, how is the best way to increase cardio fitness, am I correct in stopping when I struggle to breath? am I doing something wrong? what level of breathlessness is acceptable during exercise? :confused:
I get dissapointed when I have to stop because I really want to keep on going and burn those calories. Really want to get rid of my weight!!!

I usually do ten to 15 mins cross trainer, 15 mins exercise bike, 10 mins walking at steady pace high incline on walking machine. Then 20 mins in the weight room and finish off with a 20 min swim ( breast stroke)

Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks :)
 
fatgirlslim said:
Hi,

I am currently on a weight loss/tone up mission. I have lost three stone so far and am hoping to loose another one and a half stone. My BMI is currently 24.

I joined a gym 8 weeks ago and am doing well so far. I go three or four times a week and always start with the cross trainer. At the beginning I could just about manage five minutes with low incline & resistance but I found it really difficult as I was so unfit! . I am now on the highest incline and have resistance at around 28. My problem is that I have tried to increase my cardio on the cross trainer but when I reach around 13 minutes I start to get really really out of breath and occassionally dizzy. At this point I slow down as I don't want to pass out! I am frustrated as I don't want to stop and really want to push myself to burn those calories. I don't fel achy in my muscles or pain anywhere just very out of breath.

My questions is, how is the best way to increase cardio fitness, am I correct in stopping when I struggle to breath? am I doing something wrong? what level of breathlessness is acceptable during exercise? :confused:
I get dissapointed when I have to stop because I really want to keep on going and burn those calories. Really want to get rid of my weight!!!

I usually do ten to 15 mins cross trainer, 15 mins exercise bike, 10 mins walking at steady pace high incline on walking machine. Then 20 mins in the weight room and finish off with a 20 min swim ( breast stroke)

Any advice would be appreciated. Many thanks :)
Click to expand...

First, a caveat: Breathlessness is usually from being muscularly stressed but can be from an inherit cardiovascular disorder, so you are always well-advised to seek medical approval before starting an exercise program, regardless of age.

Second, you are doing great, but I have a few suggestions. Don't stop when you get winded, walk until you catch your breath. Triathletes do this. Also, I would recommend using a heart rate monitor and use zones. If you stay in a zone of 70 - 85% of your max heart rate, you will develop fitness and lose fat. If you get winded at this level, back off on the intensity, without stopping, until your heart rate goes back to 60 - 70% of your max heart rate and repeat. You can estimate your max heart rate as 220 - your age = 196 in your case.

Good Luck!
 
g8r80 said:
If you stay in a zone of 70 - 85% of your max heart rate, you will develop fitness and lose fat. If you get winded at this level, back off on the intensity, without stopping, until your heart rate goes back to 60 - 70% of your max heart rate and repeat. You can estimate your max heart rate as 220 - your age = 196 in your case.
Good Luck!
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Thanks ! :)

They do have heart zones on the machines & heart rate monitors that measure your heart rate when you grip the handles. When I get really out of breath I look at my heart rate and it's usually around 145-152. I am 31 yrs old ( it's my bmi that is 24 :) ) so my max rate should be (220 - 31 = 189) so if I aim instead for say 75% of max heart rate ie 141 which is just less than what I have been doing then I am getting fitter & burning fat still? Have I understood it correctly?
 
fatgirlslim said:
Thanks ! :)

They do have heart zones on the machines & heart rate monitors that measure your heart rate when you grip the handles. When I get really out of breath I look at my heart rate and it's usually around 145-152. I am 31 yrs old ( it's my bmi that is 24 :) ) so my max rate should be (220 - 31 = 189) so if I aim instead for say 75% of max heart rate ie 141 which is just less than what I have been doing then I am getting fitter & burning fat still? Have I understood it correctly?
Click to expand...

That's a big 10-4
 
fatgirlslim said:
Sorry, not sure what you mean?
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Sorry, I guess I'm showing my age and nationalism. 10-4 is used by the police and CB radio enthusiasts to affirm.

10-4 is the standard US affirmative. Equivalent to "Roger that" or "that's an affirmative". In order words, "yes".
 
g8r80 said:
Sorry, I guess I'm showing my age and nationalism. 10-4 is used by the police and CB radio enthusiasts to affirm.

10-4 is the standard US affirmative. Equivalent to "Roger that" or "that's an affirmative". In order words, "yes".
Click to expand...

aaahh right! Thanks :eek:
 
g8r80 said:
That's a big 10-4
Click to expand...

What's your 20 good buddy?
 
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