Get Physical and Run!
What type of exercise is best for weight-loss? Running.
Before, if I went to the gym (which I hardly did), I'd choose either the elliptical machine, bicycle or the cross trainer. I did them but my weight never went down. I stayed big and even got bigger at times. I saw the treadmill machine but always stayed away from it. Running seemed too much of a hassle. It would be a pain to run with my weight and after trying it once, I felt dizzy and didn't want to ever do it again. I couldn't even remember the last time I ran..I might have been 10 or 11 years old.
Anyways, it wasn't until Alex explained to me the benefits of running did I opt to try it again. My metabolism had been slow from my lack of activity for years and I needed to boost my metabolism so that it would burn more calories. Running burned the most calories and revs up your metabolism, so why not just run if you have limited time at the gym? For example, if you have only 30 minutes at the gym, you might as well do the exercise that gives you the best results. Makes sense doesn't it? Minimize your time at the gym and do the exercise that burns the most calories.
So I started to Run....actually, I started with just walking on the treadmill. I took it slow and did Interval Training. This is when you alternate between walking and running. This is to increase your metabolism.
I walked for 5 mins at a pace I found comfortable..(5km/hour). Then I increased the speed to 1 notch above my walking speed (6km/hour) and ran for 1 min. Walk for 1.5 or 2 mins then run again for 1 min. Keep alternating for a total of 20 mins.
In subsequent weeks it will get easier, so run a bit longer and alternate with 2-3 mins walking. Also try upping the speed, but don't increase it too fast if your body isn't ready. Make sure you can run comfortably before you decide to run faster. You don't want to injure yourself.
If you feel dizzy after just walking in the first session or two...don't run right away. Your heart might not yet be used to exercise. Keep walking until your heart gets a bit stronger then start running when you feel ready. Listen to your body.
I assure you that the first minute you run will feel like the longest minute of your life. I was out of breath, I got completely red in the face and my body just wanted me to stop after less than a minute of running. My brain kept shouting at me "stop torturing yourself and just walk!" With A LOT of mental effort I had yell back at my brain and tell it to "STOP being a LAZY bum. Push that lazy person aside and just RUN. No Excuses.
The lady on the treadmill next to me was approximately 60 years old and she could run 30 mins at 8km/hour without stopping. Why couldn't a 30 year old do it? After months of pushing the lazy person aside, it is now easier and easier for me to run. I can now run around 30 mins non-stop. If I do interval training, I can go up to 10km/hour. Imagine, I used to feel like I'd die after running 1 minute at 6km/hour. It feels good to have a stronger heart that can pump more blood easily and a lung that can expand more. Run for your heart and lungs! :D
Before, if I went to the gym (which I hardly did), I'd choose either the elliptical machine, bicycle or the cross trainer. I did them but my weight never went down. I stayed big and even got bigger at times. I saw the treadmill machine but always stayed away from it. Running seemed too much of a hassle. It would be a pain to run with my weight and after trying it once, I felt dizzy and didn't want to ever do it again. I couldn't even remember the last time I ran..I might have been 10 or 11 years old.
Anyways, it wasn't until Alex explained to me the benefits of running did I opt to try it again. My metabolism had been slow from my lack of activity for years and I needed to boost my metabolism so that it would burn more calories. Running burned the most calories and revs up your metabolism, so why not just run if you have limited time at the gym? For example, if you have only 30 minutes at the gym, you might as well do the exercise that gives you the best results. Makes sense doesn't it? Minimize your time at the gym and do the exercise that burns the most calories.
So I started to Run....actually, I started with just walking on the treadmill. I took it slow and did Interval Training. This is when you alternate between walking and running. This is to increase your metabolism.
I walked for 5 mins at a pace I found comfortable..(5km/hour). Then I increased the speed to 1 notch above my walking speed (6km/hour) and ran for 1 min. Walk for 1.5 or 2 mins then run again for 1 min. Keep alternating for a total of 20 mins.
In subsequent weeks it will get easier, so run a bit longer and alternate with 2-3 mins walking. Also try upping the speed, but don't increase it too fast if your body isn't ready. Make sure you can run comfortably before you decide to run faster. You don't want to injure yourself.
If you feel dizzy after just walking in the first session or two...don't run right away. Your heart might not yet be used to exercise. Keep walking until your heart gets a bit stronger then start running when you feel ready. Listen to your body.
I assure you that the first minute you run will feel like the longest minute of your life. I was out of breath, I got completely red in the face and my body just wanted me to stop after less than a minute of running. My brain kept shouting at me "stop torturing yourself and just walk!" With A LOT of mental effort I had yell back at my brain and tell it to "STOP being a LAZY bum. Push that lazy person aside and just RUN. No Excuses.
The lady on the treadmill next to me was approximately 60 years old and she could run 30 mins at 8km/hour without stopping. Why couldn't a 30 year old do it? After months of pushing the lazy person aside, it is now easier and easier for me to run. I can now run around 30 mins non-stop. If I do interval training, I can go up to 10km/hour. Imagine, I used to feel like I'd die after running 1 minute at 6km/hour. It feels good to have a stronger heart that can pump more blood easily and a lung that can expand more. Run for your heart and lungs! :D
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