How long to stop getting out of breath

[mrsfennel]

I want to stop getting so out of breath when I walk up a hill etc. How long before I might notice an improvement does anyone think/know?

I have a steep hill by my house that I am going to start walking up everyday, it is only a short one though.

I also have a bike I am going to start using.

Hard to predict exactly as it will depend on how overweight or unfit you are, eg/ how long does it currently take for your breathing and heart rate to return to normal…

But on my personal experience of being unfit a few times in the past and returning to exercise regularly the good news is it doesn’t take too long before you notice an improvement. I think you will start to feel the benefits after a couple of weeks of doing it daily

Good luck

Well, how fit/unfit are you now? Are you starting from a low base level?

Thank you @Incognito2023 @Templebreedy . im not overweight but my diet is awful, ready meals, take aways (couple of times a month) I treat myself daily, I think im actually addicted to dairy products.

I walk the dog for 20 mins once or twice a day, but as they are only a puppy its not fast walking, its walking slowly so they can sniff everything.

I live rurally so drive everywhere .

Thats the only exercise I do.

In the past I used to walk an hour day, but thats a good while ago so I guess im starting from scratch.

3 weeks should do it for a noticeable improvement and just keep building up.

Good time of year to start

Be patient and enjoy the positive change OP

I think also its learning to accept a certain amount of discomfort is OK. It's easy to disconnect with your body when you haven't been doing much exercise. Getting a bit out of breath/ sweaty when walking up hill is a good thing and will gradually increase your level of fitness.

Thanks everyone, starting today. yes I definitely need to accept some discomfort rather than immediately stopping.

I live in a third floor flat at the very top of a very steep hill. I walk up it at least once a day. After 8 years it is pretty easy but I will still sometimes experience discomfort - if I am carrying heavy shopping bags, if I am not feeling 100%, if it is very hot etc..

As others have said the trick to getting fitter is to accept and work through initial levels of discomfort.

I don't have a car so I have no choice but to walk up the hill if I want to go home!

I really think it depends. Are you otherwise well? One of my first symptoms of an overactive thyroid was breathlessness on exertion (and then absolutely racing heart rate). It only went away when I was treated.

Could download the C25K app and instead of running walk faster instead. It will give you a structure and you'll have something to aim for each session

Walk the short hill once a day

Then can you do it a few times up and down?

You will improve. There's a hill I had to cycle up when I started cycling to work. I still call it heart attack hill coz honestly it was horrid for a little while.

I'm 18 years older than when I first tried heart attack hill. One day I realised it wasn't difficult any more. I mean, it's an effort, but it doesn't kill me like it did the first few weeks.

@BatshitCrazyWoman did you have other symptoms if you dont mind me asking?

@lljkk do you remember how long before it got easier?

I suffer from a lung disease and my physio told me its not about the length of walk its about the quality. A fast paced 5 minute walk is better than a 30 minute amble for instance. You need to get your heart beating and your lungs expanding for it to be of any benefit...otherwise all those trips from sofa to biscuit tin in kitchen would count and I'd be superfit 😂

@Pixiedust1234 yes same for me too!😂

You need to walk at a fair pace, preferably at an incline, for it to be of benefit. Key is getting out of breath and getting your heart rate up. And doing so at least 5 days a week.

But to be truly fit you need to work out, especially resistance and weight bearing exercise. Try Growingannanas, Heather Robertson, Sydney Cummings and ultimately aim for Caroline Girvan.

I started to walk into town (40 mins each way) briskly (because I'm invariably late!) with my son in his pram about 3-4 times a week, starting when he was about 4 months old. Anything before that felt a bit too much, too soon.

A few weeks ago I started running again, and I was surprised that it wasnt as hard as I thought it would be on my lungs, and I do credit all the walking for slowly getting me fitter again.

It wasn't a conscious effort, but I reckon in all it's taken me about 2.5 months of regularly walking up the hill to our house to notice a difference.

I dunno how long, Fennel, probably 2-3 months of taking the hill 3-4 days/ week, then I realised that I had stopped really noticing it or finding it a big deal.

Thanks @lljkk