i just feel like a carthorse when i run

[ThatVikRinA22]

im off to the gym in a min as its chucking it down. im really just not getting into running at all - ive been at it 12 weeks now and still cant manage 5k - i just have to stop after about 20 mins.

i feel so slow and such a carthorse - im top end of my ideal BMI so probably not great, but after 12 weeks of running and weights training ive not lost a single pound. i eat sensibly though dont diet. i go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week, and do one body pump class per week.

will this ever get any better? or should i just forget running and try something else?

ive got my second stab at the fitness test coming up so really need to work on general fitness and upper body strength. i could do with a massive kick up the arse tbh....please feel free to spur me on!

im struggling with the push -/pull test - have had hypnotherapy and i have to imagine a whole crowd of people cheering me on! please feel free to virtually cheer me!

thanks and any tips on keeping running would be gratefully received! ta!

well.

i did 5k tonight. walked a bit of it but ran most of it. just got a twingy back now but body pump will sort that out tomorrow! i do wish i could drop a few pounds though and build strength at the same time.

Well done Vic, I keep meaning to get back on the C25k but I keep getting ill. You've done really well to keep at it.

About 80% of weightloss is mainly down to diet I'm afraid and it can be quite hard to build muscle and therefore increase strength whilst cutting calories as your body needs the energy in order to lift heavy and therefore build muscle. If you are looking to lose weight, do NOT cut any more than 300 calories a day from what you eat currently, expecially on the amount of training you are doing. Make sure you are still eating enough protein and maybe cut the amount of carbs you have slightly and up the vegetables. Make small changes and give it a few weeks and see how your body reacts.

Don't put yourself down so much though, you have made huge improvements in your fitness and strength since you started training 12 weeks ago. And you WILL pass your push/pull test easily this time, we are all cheering you on

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I too am a plodder when I run - interval training (5 min warm up, fast run for 2 minutes, slow jog/walk for 1 minute, fast run for 3 mintues, slow jog/walk for 1 minute, repeat several times then warm down) can help with improving your speed and calorie burn. However, if its weight loss you're after I'm afraid you do need to combine exercise with diet/portion control. And I'd up the weights work with the cardio so 3 cardio sessions a week and 2 weights session a week.

Vicar - have you tried running on the roads? Some people just aren't suited to treadmill running - I can do 10k on the roads; I haven't ever managed to do 5 on a treadmill. I feel uncomfortable and can't get into a rhythm at all. Give it a go outside. If I'm in the gym I just do 10 mins uphill @ 6.5k an hour speed on the tread then do rowing and cross trainer.

And bloss is right about the weights - are you doing lots of reps/light weights or heavier weights withh just 10/15 reps x3?

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I know your routine at the moment is mainly aimed at you getting through your test but if you are looking for another programme to follow when you have passed (and you will) then I can recommend the one I've been following which I found in a bookshop in the states. It's a six month programme where you lift three times a week, the only cardio it includes is after every other session you do 15 minutes of high intensity interval training (eg jog for two minutes, sprint for one), after the other sessions you do a hateful combination of 24 squats, 12 lunges each leg, 12 jumping lunges, 24 jumping squats. The programme changes every 3 weeks or so so you don't get bored of doing the same thing and it uses mainly free weights, and some cable machines which I think is what you are using mainly now? I am half way through and don't weigh myself but have dropped a couple of dress sizes and have definitely gained in strength and have muscle definition etc. Let me know if you are interested and I will find a link.

lostgirl that sounds good. id not mind a look at that link.

so, maybe i should forget about my weight until ive passed my fitness test. im not overweight - just top end of my BMI so i could really do to drop about 7lb or so to be happy.

bloss - im doing heavy weights 3 times a week because ive got to pass a push/pull test. i actually wouldnt mind putting on a bit of muscle - id love some definition in my arms and legs and a six pack would be nice too!

the way im training at the min is to do heavy weights (using cable machines and free weights) one day then doing cardio/running the next. so tonight its weights cos i ran yesterday. tomorrow will be cardio again - probably running again as ive got a bleep test to pass. i may well do some road running if it s not peeing it down.

you can definitely tell im doing something, i would just like faster results really with a bit of weight loss thrown in for good measure. im being greedy!

No such thing as fast results I'm afraid, not if you want it to last anyway

The book I'm using is this, might be worth seeing if you can flick through it in a shop first to see if it's the sort of thing you're after.

Any date for your test yet?

Oh and I meant to say I wouldn't pay too much attention to the scales, the numbers can be misleading, use the fit of your clothes and how you are feeling as a better judge of what your workouts are doing for you.

in that case my clothes are all falling off and i feel very well!

yes ive got another test date but im not going to tell anyone yet. if i pass ill yell it from the rooftops!

Fantastic, throw away your scales you are clearly looking fabulous. Best of luck for whenever you take the test, I will watch for the thread announcing your success

blardy nora....went for a practice at the push pull thing - aced the push but flunked the pull again by 2kg!

am now seriously hitting the gym. got my own dumbells on order - its my biceps that are letting me down apparently.

so, a bit more hard hard work and i should get there. test date delayed now - no point in going next week only to flunk it. but no probs, staying positive and i will get there i just no it!

no it!!!???? oh dear...

know it!

vicar have you thought about spin? high intensity cycling on the spot, with music and pretend hill climbs and sprinitng?

After your tes have a go at either spin or cycling outside - this will lower your BMI and along with pump classes it will lower your BMI in the right way. Most cyclists have a low - around 18-19 BMI.

If you look at this though

home.fuse.net/clymer/bmi/#bodyfat

as it take measurments and takes into account body fat

really fancy a go at spinning class. will look into when. cheers!

jut make sure you don't get addicted

really? is it addictive? might have to replace that with the wine then!

Have you heard of something called Crossfit?

www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-how.html

It started in the US from what I understand and is v popular with military, police etc.

I've been dabbling in this for a few months (thought I had started a post about it, but can't see it...hmmm) with a trainer friend. We don't do it in a gym and she makes it much less complicated sounding that the workout of the day noted on the website.

It has improved my strength and fitness dramatically. This twice a week and fartleks once, then a run at the weekend. It's intense and tough but also short and sharp, so you're not slogging away for an hour at a time. I really love it and along with better portion control and no bad snacking during the week, I've lost 2 stone since start of March.

I'd love to join a Crossfit gym but I live overseas and so is just a bit intimidating in a foreign language... Google it and watch some vidoes on You Tube. Seriously, some of these people are AMAZING (and v inspiring). Maybe there's one near you..?

Good luck in the test anyhow, it sounds pretty hardcore!

Ash