Building endurance...

Ok, I am so out of shape... I have the energy of a 90 year old! I have a hard time following a workout because I get so winded so quickly... Of course, after a while I just get frustrated and give up! I look and feel like a spazz when I'm working out lol...

How do you build up endurance so you can build up your workout and stick to it in the long run?? I don't feel like I'm getting any benefits from my workouts because I can't stick to them long enough.

Anyone go through this when they first started out?

Please help! Thanks!!!

Re: Building endurance...

The more often you force yourself to do it, the easier it gets. Endurance comes by pushing through discomfort. Then comes the feeling of accomplishment...then comes the want to better yourself. Once you have the want, you no longer need to force yourself and you don't mind the discomfort of a good workout because your goal becomes the challenge of pushing through it. It takes a lot of time for these changes to happen...months and months in my case but I know I will never not be fit...not until Im no longer phisically capable or die!! Fitness is my life and it has improved me in SOOO many ways. Sometimes I wish I could explain or make (unfit) people feel how great it is...it is so worth every single ounce of effort you feel when you start out. Good luck!!!


Eta: energy levels improve as your workouts do and eating well is key.

Message edited 7/30/2012 9:44:13 PM.

Re: Building endurance...

I am 100% with you, and struggle with the same issue. I think you have to push through it and not do too much too soon. If you try to tackle something too physically challenging at first, you will likely give up. But if you take small steps and try to push through a little more each time, you will build endurance.

I am SO ridiculously out of shape (I haven't worked out at all in about 2.5 years), but just started couch-to-5K last week, and I am liking it a lot. Never thought I'd like running, but I find that I don't get bored outside. The program seems manageable and doesn't take a crazy amount of time/commitment. And I found a friend who is doing it with me, so it's a chance to chat/socialize, too.

I used to do zumba and liked that a lot, too, and may go back to it.

Overall, I am not anyone who has ever enjoyed exercise, but I think the key is finding something you like (even if it's tough at first), and not being afraid to take baby steps. My friend and I are repeating week 1 of the c25K program again this week just to make sure we don't overdo it by going to the next week. It's getting easier every day, so I feel like I am slowly but surely building my endurance.

I am very goal-oriented, too, so having something to work toward (in my case, the 5K race) helps me stick with it even when I feel like I can't do it. I think goals like loss of a certain number of lbs or inches, or even just getting through a workout without stopping, can help. But the key is to make the goals incremental, so they are realistic and achievable, and then you can set a new one.

Re: Building endurance...

You have to push through it...set small goals for yourself. Everytime you reach that goal add a little more to it. Keep it realistic otherwise you will give up for never reaching the goals. It is not going to happen overnight and you have to remind yourself of that. If you have a "bad" workout remember that is better then then not working out at all.

Once you start to see the results you will enjoy it more and keep on pushing yourself.

Re: Building endurance...

In December when I decided to give myself a body and lifestyle makeover I started small. I started doing P90 which is the basic level precursor to P90X. I remember at the start that this beginner level, low-impact workout had me winded. It really didn't take long (maybe a couple weeks) before I started noticing that I was taking fewer breaks and pushing harder. By the end of the 90 days I had added an extra workout to the program because I found it too easy! Now, 9 months later I run and do the workouts from the Insanity program. Endurance needs to be built over time but I have found once you start and commit to it it comes faster than you think! Start with a basic level program and do at least one workout the same each week so you can track your progress. (For example - if you do a dvd, do the same workout every Friday so you can see how you improve, or if you decide to run, do the same distance each week and watch your time improve). It WILL happen. When I ran my first mile straight I almost died of pride (and exhaustion), and my mother almost died of shock Now, that's an easy warm up for me! Good luck! You can do it!

Re: Building endurance...

I was exactly like this less than 2 months ago. Walking up stairs made me tired, and the thought of exercise was excruciating. I decided just to try c25k, not really having much confidence that I'd stick with it.

It starts off really slow, so even if you're totally out of shape (which I was), you can still get through the first day (and move on from there). I finished the program this week, and I can't even compare where I am now to where I was a couple of months ago, both physically and mentally.

I definitely recommend downloading a c25k app and giving it a chance!

Re: Building endurance...

Thanks for the advice... I have heard of c25k, but never really considered it because I'm just too out of shape... not to mention with my bad knees the thought of running has me so worried of injuries It must feel like such a great accomplishment though!

Message edited 7/31/2012 6:03:44 PM.

Re: Building endurance...

Re: Building endurance...