Walking/Running Routine

[llama112]

Hi everyone,

To start out, I'm not completley unfit, but I don't do anything "intense".  I'd like to be more fit.  I have one month left before it's crazy cold out so I'd like to start now so I am more comfortable in a gym or something (anxiety; I can't go there now when I'm this bad).

So there is this thing called "interval" training.  Basically I'd start out walking 20 mins.  Then running 2.  Then walking 10.  Then running 2.  And gradually increase.  So I'm wondering if there is a way that my Fitbit can do this.  So it beeps or vibrates after the 20 minute walk. Then beeps after the 2 minute run.  You know what I mean?

I have a Charge HR.

Any advice?

Thank you all! 🙂

[llama112]

OR!  Is there a way that I can set up alarms?

I'm thinking I could do an alarm system. For example:

8 AM - start walking

8:20 AM - alarm goes off. Switch to running.

8:22 AM - alarm goes off. switch to walking

etc.

That would be a lot of setting alarms and I wouldn't do it at the same time each day either. :S

[JamieS_Wisco]

Good Morning @llama112,

I would suggest looking at one of the C25K apps.  I am doing one that gradually gets you up to running a 5k.  I don't know about the others out there. But this one starts out with a 5 min warm up, then cycles between 60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes and finishes off with a 5 minute cool down. Gradually getting you up to running a full 5k.  If you want to start slower than that.. maybe just use a timer and decide what your "run/walk time" will be.   I train a lot but I don't know that it is "intense".  It's made to pull someone from being fairly inactive to running a 5K, hence "Couch to 5K".

Also, try not to beat yourself up about not being at a certain fitness level at the gym.  People normally go to the gym to get and stay in shape, so I would imagine everyone has been where you are at.  Just go, punk in some headphones and do your thing!

Hope it helps and happy stepping.

Jamie

[shipo]

@llama112, as far as I know there is no way of configuring any Fitbit device to prompt you for interval training.  As an alternative, I suggest you download a C25K (Couch to 5K) program to your smart phone and use that as your guide.

As a side thought, where do you live where it gets "crazy cold" in early September?

Edit: looks like @JamieS_Wisco beat me to the C25K comment.  🙂

[llama112]

LOL okay maybe not September but October!! 😛 I'm in Toronto Canada. I hate the cold 😞 😞 ahaha I need to move to San Francisco (I was just there two weeks ago..... soooo lovely!!!). Toronto has eight months of winter, three months of summer, and half a week each of spring and autumn.

Ahhh I know there are a few phone apps but, if I'm walking/running outside, I don't really want to carry around my phone with me. (I'll keep in mind the one you both recommended!!)

My current exercise routine is:
- hula hooping (inside my house)
- walking (which I literally only bring my keys when I go out)
- dancing on weekends

I'm not super lazy but not fit and would like to try to get a bit more fit.

Hmmm... are there other Fitbits that have this? Are we allowed to trade in a Fitbit and pay a difference in cost plus a slightly used fee?

It just seems pretty impractical to have to lug my phone everywhere.  IDK how to carry my phone while walking/running, is there a secret athlete way that people do it? 😛

[shipo]

@llama112, I guess you and I have very different definitions of winter.  🙂

I live in New Hampshire almost directly east of Toronto and we don't typically have weather here which inhibits running outside until late December or early January.  Even then most folks around here are able to continue running outside until March when the freeze/thaw cycles cause ice to form in the most dangerous places.

[llama112]

No way! So awesome!

LOL yeah we must!  As soon as it gets to be 15C, I'm frozen. I have no clue why.  But good point, no one else in Toronto thinks that.

I seriously need to move to SF where it's a lovely 20C all the time.  I also hate the heat.  😛 😛 lolol

I do have a friend who bikes to work even in February.  🙂

[JamieS_Wisco]

I do most of my running at the gym.  I am in Wisconsin and we have the same weather as you! 9 months of winter 3 months of spring, summer and fall.  Plus, lots of humidity from living so near the Great Lakes!  I just find it easier if I plan on running to go to the gym.  If I plan on walking I'll take my dog and we'll walk outside. 

I take my phone wherever I go, It has a link to all my health information should something happen to me either at at the gym or outside. (kind of use it as my ID when walking/running)  Plus, I use Spotify for music which helps me to keep my enthusiasm.  Add that I have a 16 year old at home that normally doesn't come with and it's like a security blanket.   I recently purchased a decent arm band for my phone (less than $20 USD).  It has rubber to hold the phone at the corners in rather than a whole sleeve.  When running it felt sturdy enough. As in my phone felt secure and it wasn't flipping around.  Should fit about any phone, has a big strap for about any size arm and some slits to place a key.  I am a big fan.  I found mine on clearance at Wal-mart but I think they are available pretty much anywhere.

Hope that helps.

[mommo77]

Llama, I put my phone in my pocket.  I see alot of runners at the park though that have it strapped onto their left arms.  I could NOT walk without my music, so the phone is a must for me!

[JamieS_Wisco]

@shipo, I am already doing most of my cardio at the gym.  I get up at 04:30 and am at the gym by 5.  As it isn't light out yet, I just feel safer going to the gym to do my running if it is not light out yet. 

Wisconsin gets huge snow drifts to run around.  I see people running outside..I just don't join them 😄  I don't know what it is but I don't have a body built for cold.  Air conditioning even gives me goose bumps.  I seriously have a space heater and a designated work sweater for once I get a chill from AC.

[shipo]

@JamieS_Wisco, speaking strictly for myself, I can't do dreadmill work; if I couldn't run outside, winter/summer regardless of snow and rain (my two exceptions are lightening and ice), I'd just sit inside and get fat.  😛

[JamieS_Wisco]

Just goes to show you how 2 different people have very different ways of going about things. 

Outside in the winter makes me shiver just to think about it.  When it is -30° and we are canceling school because you can't stand outside longer than 10 minutes without fear of frostbite.  My butt is only gong outside to get to my car and back in to a building lol

[shipo]

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@JamieS_Wisco wrote:

Just goes to show you how 2 different people have very different ways of going about things. 

Outside in the winter makes me shiver just to think about it.  When it is -30° and we are canceling school because you can't stand outside longer than 10 minutes without fear of frostbite.  My butt is only gong outside to get to my car and back in to a building lol

---

Yup, we're all different; keeps things interesting.  🙂

For my part, I love going out on a long 10-15 mile run on our local snowmobile trails, even when the OAT is down below 0°F.  There's something about running in the snowy woods when nobody is around.  That and in the summer time I have to share the trail with other runners.  😄

[llama112]

Heh everyone is so different! Because my job is like 8 AM - 7 PM, I'm not really a fan of getting up early so it gets pretty cold at night. I absolutely hate winter and only kinda hate summer 😛

The strap thing seems like a good idea!!  I am okay with shelling out a few more bucks for this.  But not like hundreds 😛

I'm always attached with my phone EXCEPT if I don't have my handbag on me. Which is never. Except I'm not running with a handbag hahah 🙂

[JamieS_Wisco]

absolutely @llama112!  The $20 was worth it for me to have my phone on my arm.  I put my phone in it upside down, that way when I raise my arm up the phone is right side up when I look at it.

I thought that was a handy little hack lol

[emili · Accepted solution]

you can set alarms on your fitbit to go off at time intervals. I had mine set to buzz every hour to remind me to move, until it got annoying and I stopped it. Now I use it to wake me up in the morning instead of my clock. But you can set it if you go same time everyday and follow the same pattern. Meaning you can't set it to minutes apart, its actual time. So you would have to set it everytime you went out or pick a specific time each day and not deviate.

[llama112]

You are the best! Tried it this morning! Used the C25K app on my phone and carried my phone lol but I ordered one of those wristbands