Alright. I am overweight and really trying to lose weight. But I get so discouraged when I am jogging on my treadmill because I always feel like I cannot breath. My body wants to keep going but when I try to take a deep breath it hurts. I dont understand it. Please any advice at all will help!

Hi!!

I am no expert......Here it goes...Have you been running for a while? Maybe you should just try walking fast to work up to the running/jogging. I would also suggest taking some yoga. Usually there is a lot of breathing exercises within yoga, that really helped me expand my lungs. Just practice taking deep breaths so your lungs get used to it. Do you live at a high altitude? That has an effect on me sometimes, I live at 7000 feet.

I just dont understand how my body can want to keep going but I cant breath. No I do not live at a high altitude. I really really am trying to get fit. Just really dont know how to get myself built up. Its like everytime I jog/walk, its like the VERY first time. I get so tired.

I don't have problems with breathing when I am doing the treadmill but I dont try to jog for long periods either. Try walking and then adjust the rate so you jog for just a minute and then take it to a slower pace. I walk for about 4 minutes and then jog for 1-2 minutes. I wear a heart rate monitor and that shows how hard I am working.

Is the pain on your right side around or just below your diaphragm?

I feel the best way to exercise on the treadmill, is just to pay attention to my heart monitor. Maybe jogging isn't the best thing for you. Try walking, first and go a little faster each time. I am not a jogger, either. Quite frankly, it hurts my knees and my breathing isn't that great because I have asthma. But I get on the treadmill and walk, sometimes a little jog, until my heart rate gets to 80% of maximum, then I'll slow a little and speed up again. My goal is to keep my heart rate up through the entire workout. I do jog in spurts, but my heart rate goes up too high if I continue too long, so I slow down a little. I hope eventually to be able to jog a 5K. It might take me a whole year to get there, though. Don't worry about jogging, walking at a brisk pace will get you where you want to be.

If you belong to a gym, you might want to try an elliptical machine instead of a treadmill. In my experience it seems to be easier on the lungs and legs, while still providing a good cardio workout. I've also noticed that regardless of what type of cardio I do (I mix it up between running outside, treadmill, elliptical, bike, rowing machine, etc.), it usually takes me about 12-14 minutes to get into a good breathing rythym. Once I get past that point, I settle in and everything gets easier.

The pain is in my LUNGS. Not my side or anything. I cant breath in hardly at all and this is after only jogging for 30secs to a minute. Thanks for the replies.

I weigh about the same as you and the most I have ever jogged without getting really out of breath is 3 minutes. I also have asthma. My main concern is that my heart rate goes up too high, so I slow down to maintain a healthy rate at about 140 bpm. I continue though to do short spurts of the jogging hoping that in time my body will get in shape. I think with continued weight loss and exercise we can do it!
Cindy

Depending on what kind of pain your having and where it is..could be a runners stitch..very comon..slow down catch your breath and keep a slower pace..breath in pushing belly out ..breath out pulling belly in..keep your breathing controlled. If it's a stitch this will help. If your just out of breath and your body still feels good i would suggest slowing down your pace or doing intervals or walking and running. I started running a few months back and my breathing slowed me down at first but as my fitness improved so did my breathing a little at a time. Good luck..don't forget to listen to your body!!!

Oh sorry i see you say the pain is in your lungs..not sure..slow down for sure..evenif you run for 30 sec..then walk to recover and catch your breath then run again..this will help you build up...i'd be careful if your in that much pain.

My workout buddy has the same problem, but she has exercised enduced asthma. Maybe you have the same problem?