Minimal cadio for beginners

[Vi3tcong]

Hey I'm pretty out of shape now considering I haven't been really active for a few years and during those years I smoked and partied like a mad man. I haven't smoked in over 2 years but I still drink occasionally and go to the gym almost everyday for a couple hours for body sculpting. I also do kickboxing about 3-4 times a week but I gas out still pretty bad. Even though I just started going back to kickboxing a few weeks ago.. I wanna get my stamina up quickly as possible. I can barely run a distance before becoming out of breath and I was told to run about 2 miles at the least each time I go for a jog. Since I can't run that distance without stopping constantly... is there something I should start with instead? And say I start jogging tomorrow... can I start off with like running a couple blocks at first then gradually increasing the distance each week or something?

[duker41]

Sprints. Learn to love them.

[Revok]

See the FAQ. Check out the Couch to 5k plan.

Sprints are well and good, but most are better served building up the aerobic base before bothering with HIIT.

[Ian Coe]

Find a forest or wooded area and run. Go and do that first and introduce fartleks. You'll love it

Then play about with sprint protocals

[Vi3tcong]

For sprints... how far or how long do I have to go till I get a sufficient enough workout?
Also.. when I'm jogging and I gas out.. is it okay to just walk for a bit to catch my breath? Some people told me not to stop at all. Now that I re read that it sounds like a really stupid question but meh.

[Revok]

Again, I strongly suggest working up to a level at which you can keep your legs running for at least 30 minutes (preferably 45) non-stop. This is rung 1 on the cardio ladder, and it truly pays to be patient and do it right.

Without the leg endurance, aerobic recovery, breath control and willpower you develop with LSD running, you won't be achieving optimum results with sprints or any other HIIT-type training. I speak from prior experience on this. Get yourself some good shoes, hit the nearest park and run for as long as you possibly can without stopping. Forget about speed, just move faster than walking pace for as long as you're able. Two days later, go again, and try to go five minutes longer. Repeat until you can go for 30 minutes.

[Ian Coe]

Plus to be fair running in a forest/wood is fun and relaxing once you get good at it

[Vi3tcong]

Yeah I think things will turn out fine ... it's just a matter of getting off my ass and doing it.
Thanks for the advice guys

[vince89]

Get into some kind of grappling, go to a club where they push you hard and you train for the whole session rather than sitting around talking.

My Judo club is basically 1 and a half hours non stop anaerobic exercise, first 2 or 3 times I almost threw up but Im used to it now and its seriously improved my Cardio.

[vince89]

Get into some kind of grappling, go to a club where they push you hard and you train for the whole session rather than sitting around talking.

My Judo club is basically 1 and a half hours non stop anaerobic exercise, first 2 or 3 times I almost threw up but Im used to it now and its seriously improved my Cardio.