Im 22. SO out of shape. Can barely run 1/2 mile. Am I a lost cause?

Question

I'm about 160 lbs or so, and 5'7" - 5'8". I'm not overly huge or anything. The gut's a little big. Completely out of shape. Help!

Answer 1

No. Start slow. If you're really out of shape try starting out with brisk walking. Increase your distance everyday. Over time you'll build up endurance and they you can start running.

Answer 2

Basically it's probably has nothing to do with your speed regardless of your weight...stamina is the problem. I'm sure if you ran at your top speed the entire time you would make it below the 13 minutes so what you should do is not really a good thing in the sense of being an athlete but might help you in your case. Over train. Run way more than the 1 and 1/2 mile. Once your stamina is up to par with these events you will not have only gotten in better shape but you would easily be able to run it in under 13mins.

Answer 3

Of course not. Anyone can gain strength and endurance, tone muscles, lose weight, improve skills. The first time I tried "running", I was totally out of breath before I even walked fast for 1/2 a mile. I barely made it back home! Yet every day I tried again, and did a little better. In less than 2 years I was participating in Marathons -- never came close to winning any, but I always finished the course.

The same goes for weight training. I see other ladies at the gym for the first time doing overhead presses with 3 pounds in each hand. It doesn't take many weeks for them to progress to 5, 7, 10 pounds -- a 300% increase in strength!

When I was 19, I was literally a 98 pound weakling. My bicep was no bigger around than my elbow. I couldn't do even a single pushup. Then I started a program of running and weight training and within 2 years I weighed 125, could chin myself 20 reps and do 100 push ups. Now I am nearly 60 and still run 5 miles once a week, still wear size 5 pants. I have to be a little stricter with the diet than I was 30 years ago, but I feel GREAT.

Get out there and build yourself a new body. It's fun, it makes you better looking, it builds health for your old age. Who knows, someday you may NEED strength and endurance to be able to save someone's life or do some other glorious thing.

Answer 4

No you are not a lost cause. You have to have some willpower to keep trying and actually do what you need to do. If you want to run, start out running less than 1/2. Start out 2 times a week and run how ever far you can. In a few weeks start running 3 or 4 times a week and run farther. Keep working up until you can run as far as you want. You don't have to run as fast as you can find a nice pace. For the gut try doing sit ups or crunches. Don't use those machines do it the old fashion way. Have someone sit on your feet or stick them under the couch/coffee table. Do as many as you can and each day try to get more and more. It'll work. Also try to eat healthy. Limit fast food and junk food and alcohol. Eat a well balanced meal.

Answer 5

No you arent a lost cause. Not until you have drawn your last breath. I am 5'6..and a yr an a half ago I weighed 270 pounds. I couldnt walk through the grocery store..had to use an electric wheel chair. Now I am 153 pounds and training to run the boston marathon next yr. If 'I' can do it...anyone can. Just dont give up. Getting healthy and staying healthy is as much a state of mind as anything else. Start slow and get yourself to the point where you can do more and more. You didnt get out of shape over night...and you wont get back into shape over night either. But the end result is VERY much worth the wait and the effort. Good luck! Dont ever give up!

Answer 6

Even when I was in top shape, I could never run very far. I'm just not a runner, but I could bike 20 miles. Try bicycling. I find it's much more low impact and far more enjoyable. It's great exercise, but still feels far easier than running.

Answer 7

Im starting my own diet plan today. Diet and exercise. Whats even worse is im going jogging with someone who doesnt even need too. Im going to being dying the whole way Im sure. But dont give up WE are not lost causes.

Answer 8

stretch! every day, touch your toes. seriously. It'll help get you back into shape. at first, you may be angry cuz u can't totaly reach them. but, if you sit down and stradle sit and reach forward, it helps. every day, try to go a bit farther. Jumping jacks. Push ups. take it slow, one at a time. same with sit ups. try this stuff. it really helps, on males and females.

Answer 9

keep on trying, I was a fat heffer and could not run for bus. I kept on with it and finished a half marathon..and it rocked!
Running is fun (if not a little pointless, but who cares, i can now wear nicer dresses!)

Answer 10

1 800 go army