Jogging and running adivce

I am trying to lose a little wieght. I am 5'2" and about 123-126 lbs. I want to go down to around 110.

I just started running/ jogging. I HATE it. I am only doinng this because I can not afford to go go to a gym and I know that I need to do something to drop those pounds.

I am wondering why it is so hard for my to jog? I can only do it for 20 minutes maximum or less and by the time I am done with that my lungs are BURNING. I do not understand it.... I am relativley active, I can go skiing for hours, work on an eliptical for about an hour and salsa dance all night long.....

Why is jogging so stressful?

Someone tell me it gets better in time.

It definitely gets better in time.  I used to be the same way, and now I really love running. 

What helped me was running in places that I enjoyed.  I live near the pacific coast trail, and lots of other trails in the mountains so I'd go out there for a run, or an attractive park.  It seemed a little silly to drive somewhere to run, but the motivation of getting out in the woods really helped me get started. 

Make sure you're not going to fast, the general way to find out is called the "talk test."  If you could comfortably talk to a partner, then you're okay, but if if you couldn't hold a conversation, you're going too fast.  Of course you're going to be a little short of breath, but not uncomfortably.

Hi. You are very similar height and weight to me. I've been running for about half an hour in the mornings but what I do is walk for a bit, run for a bit, walk for a bit, run for a bit. This way, you don't get puffed out. I can feel myself getting fitter as I find I'm now running further and walking less. You have to build up your stamina bit by bit. Two years ago, I was jogging like this about four times a week, for about 30 minutes a time and I was less than 8 stone and had a flat stomach! This is what I'm aiming for now and I'm getting there. Hooray!

I am hoping it gets better. Thanks for the encouragement.

The worst part of it is that I am living in the center of Prague..... People just do not jog or run here, most of them are just naturally thin and do not work at it. So I get a lot of nasty and confused looks and there are a LOT of tourists here so you feel like you are on a parade grounds, and you kind of are because there really is not much for parks around here.

I run for a minute and walk for a minute for a total of 20 minutes.  I gradually increase the speed of my run until the last run is almost a sprint.  This actually has been shown to burn more fat than running alone.  Over time I have increased both my walking and running speeds. 

Buddy, if you think running in Prague is bad, you should come to Vietnam. This country is awfully crowded, with gazillions of motobikes. This means I have to go running at 04:00 in the morning, which is pretty hard.

I hate running with a vengeance, but I motivate myself with a) how good it feels once you are done and b) with having a goal: the half marathon in Siem Reap, Cambodia at the end of the year. I run my first last year in just over 2 hours, my goal is to run in well under two hours this year.

Oh, the last thing that keeps me going is my IPod with some good music.

When I first began, I could barely go a few minutes! My advice to you is to start slowly....so have a watch or a timer and say "okay, I'm going to run for five minutes straight" Then do it and walk for a bit. Then do another five minutes. Keep increasing the time and you'll really see a difference in your endurance!! Like I said, when I first started, I could barely do a 1/2 mile and now I run for six miles straight :)
Yep, good music (if you're running outside) helps a lot and if you're on a tredmil, watch tv! I'm lucky that I go to a gym where all of the cardio machines have their own flat screen tvs and remote controls, so I can watch whatever I want to keep my mind off of running.
Also, even the most experienced, awesome runners still tire out--it's hard work! So it will never be EASY, but it will get better! Good luck! :)

My advice would be to alternate between running and walking at first.  Set a time goal for yourself and stick to it.  If your goal is 60 minutes and you end up having to walk for 45 of them that is ok.  Just stick to it and before you know it you will be running 26.2 miles.

try doing HIIT... it's short (15-20 minutes MAX) and it's something you can build up with. plus you're more likely to burn fat than muscle with HIIT than long cardio sessions.

Sounds like everyone in here has given you great advice.  Just keep it up and it will get better.  I am a grouch on days that I don't get to the gym and run.  I love it now ... maybe I am even addicted to running (though it's still tough to drag myelf out of bed to go jump on the treadmill in the early morning).  Keep on going...it will get better!

I wish I could afford going to the gym because I am much better with wieght training and I love going on elipticals . But I am a poor student so am stuck with running.

I think you are right about something, the burning in my lungs.... it is only when I run outside in the cold. It was like this when I ran track in high school too. I just feel like my throat and lungs are on fire.

Hi yall

Im a new runner - do spinning three or four times a week, swim occasionally, body pump occasionally, weights occasionally.   Ive always walked fast, very fast, on the treadmill, but after the advice I read somewhere a couple of weeks ago on this site, Ive upped the pace and my stamina has doubled. 

Im running 30 -45 mins,  with short fast walking on and off, less as time has gone on.   Ever since I bought one of the little MP3 players I can clip on, and downloaded Podrunner from I tunes or the Podrunner site,   they are free, a new one every week.   I use the slower paced ones 135 -145 beats per minute.

My kids think Ive totally lost it - cant believe old mum is listening to 'trance' music - they call it.   It like having a running companion.

Weight is totally stuck, Im going to get a doctors check, I must be doing something very wrong, loads of exercise, loads of water, eating good food, 1200 - 1500 max, no chocolate, cut my portions, loads of veg, down four pounds, up four pounds..... very frustrating. 

To dziewcyna - definitely, if you can go see a pulmonologist that speaks your language, please do.  I used to have cold/exercise induced asthma which was worse on race days - why?   We always raced in the morning when it was cold.  Anyway,  I keep my asthma managed now by staying on daily medications and using what's known as a "rescue inhaler" right before I run.  The inhaler is albuterol - it is generic and cheap, but it isn't good enough to use alone.  You must be on preventative meds as well.  Also, like you my symptoms didn't develop until high school and became worse as I got older.  I can't advocate the over-the-counter meds - they are simply epinephrine which jack your heart rate up even worse than the albuterol.  Good luck, and keep running.

Why would you force yourself to do something you hate? Why not think of something you like to do and do that instead? Running isn't for everyone, and if you really dislike it you'll have a hard time sticking to it.

Besides, I read in one of my running mags that brisk walking burns around the same calories as running. :)

I have always been told that burning in the chest/lungs is due to the lungs not being "built" up enough for the excercise you are trying to induce.  Therefore, by starting slowly and building your way up, your lungs will eventually get stronger and stronger and then you will be able to run like there's no tomorrow....

I have had this burning from trying too hard too soon.  Once I took it slower, they indeed did build up to where I wanted them to be...

Good luck!  :)

I agree with chocorific, why do it if you hate it? It is easier to do something you enjoy, walk, jump rope, get a video or a bike.

If you realy want to run or jog be sure to go slow. THere are many beginer programs you can follow. You should make mini goals as with everything else.

I hope to run a 5k the end of March, I may not be able to run the whole thing but when I started 90 seconds seemed like an eternity to me. It takes time. I just keep pluggin along.

Good luck!

btw, if you hate running you can swap it on your unmotivated days for jumping rope. If you do it right you'll get the same benefits and really tone your calves. 10 mins of intense jump rope is equal to 30 mins of running, i read that here on CC. 

is that really true...10 minutes of jump rope = 30 mins running?! Excuse me while I pull out my rope.......

i suggest salsa dancing more often so that you don't have to do something you hate... just a suggestion, of course :)