indurance question

[knoxville68]

Cathe:

I had been exercising for years, but can't reach the level I want to, especially when I'm away from working out for a little while - then it's like starting over again (thank God for muscle memory). My question is, I always get discouraged b/c my endurance level is quite low. I can do weights no problem, b/c there are breaks in the middle. I don't have asthma I just can't seem to get though a whole cardio session without taking breaks . What can I do to help that?

Thanks in advance,
Jo

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Jo!

No worries at all. There is nothing wrong with needing a little breather and resuming your workout as soon as you have calmed your extreme huff puff's down to a more doable zone. Each and every workout you will be able to go a smidgen longer, even if it;s only 15 seconds, it's something and eventually all those 15 seconds add up to be the entire workout.

Stay consistent and be persistent....the two will come together and bring you to the finish line in flying colors!

Originally Posted by knoxville68

Cathe:

I had been exercising for years, but can't reach the level I want to, especially when I'm away from working out for a little while - then it's like starting over again (thank God for muscle memory). My question is, I always get discouraged b/c my endurance level is quite low. I can do weights no problem, b/c there are breaks in the middle. I don't have asthma I just can't seem to get though a whole cardio session without taking breaks . What can I do to help that?

Thanks in advance,
Jo

[knoxville68]

Thanks Cathe, it seems like I get discouraged easily lately b/c of issues with unemployment (too much rejection) and I am just plain down in the dumps, so it takes a lot to go workout. Your new workouts help, they are new and exciting, and LOW IMPACT so I can do them easier. But I still get winded with the slide and glide and my legs are on fire for some of it - not to mention spinning really gets my heart rate up and legs burn like crazy. I can't do the whole thing for sure on that one yet. I can't wait til I get where I use to be - no breaks and whole tape.

Thanks for you input Cathe!!
Jo

[RapidBreath]

Jo- just keep at it. I don't really know why we improve when we do. But, I do know that it seems to take me a couple of months of steady work to see improvement on the endurance. Don't be afraid to work at that higher heart rate. Those 'heart rate maximums' are really just based on other people, not our own abilities. I know that I can work harder, longer, at a higher heart rate than most people I know (not Cathletes, in person.) Also, if you are eating too few carbs, that can cause your hr to be too high. When I get plenty of omega 3s, my hr improves.

I hope that helps,

Alisha

[knoxville68]

Thanks Alisha, that does help. I'm on the 'flat belly diet' aka - mediteranian diet, so I do get plenty of carbs (good ones). I'll just keep at it and it should build. I guess it's taking longer b/c I'm older now, use to be easier.
thanks, Jo