First time on a treadmill

I’ve read all this with great interest and feel inspired. I’ve been doing 15mins 2 times a day, so far so good. I think I over done the first time so am going a bit slower. I’ve learnt a lot from all the posts and hope my stamina will get better the more I use it.
Lots of useful tips here. Thanks 🙏

I am 80 and try to do what exercise I can, but with a bad back, I am limited to what I am able to do each day, and have to see what I can manage on that day. so my best thing is going swimming. It is easier to do exercises in the water and less painful to try and stand more erect and try to raise my arms above my head and drop down in the deep end after about 4 lengths to straighten myself out more. I try to do some walking whenever I can and at this time of year, I try to go out whenever it is dry and a little sun. Housework can wait, the weather wont! I also use my love of music on radio three to have some more enjoyable exercise. Whatever I am doing if there is a vienniese walz or a quickstep or a quick march, I drop whatever I am doing (not literally of course!) and then either dance or march around the flat in time to the music. It is a bit of fun, more enjoyable than a set exercise , and even if I need to have a hand on the back of a chair a bit of on the spot marching, raising the knees as much as I can , is still exercise. The postman may consider I am one of his madder calls as he passes the window with me stomping or dancing around with no one else in sight!! So I think in the beginning, having much shorter episodes on your machine in the beginning would be best. Perhaps you could use a timing way, so perhaps plan to try to do 5 minutes every hour, or listen to the news or watch it whilst working away, to let your body just learn how to do this exercise whilst your attention is on the news. Once your body is used to it , it will relax a little and get the habit and you could then increase it. Good luck. Another little idea is that you could have a couple of little, same sized glass jars and every time you use your machine drop a counter/dried pea/ button or whatever into the jar. At the end of the week, change to another jar, and over time hopefully you will see that you are doing more as you can compare this weeks level with previous weeks, to hopefully encourage you to keep going! Let us know what works for you and hope all goes well.

The last time I used a treadmill the rhythmic plodding sent me into a bit of a trance. I lifted one foot to pull my sock up. That wasn't a good idea.

Cath9

I try to find time daily to walk up a steep hill. The whole walk up and down takes me just over an hour

Thinks....if I come up big on the Premium Bonds - my favourite town has got a distinctly steep hill. Thinks......hmmm...I've just been watching videos on Totnes - and their main street is a distinctly steep hill.......would be perfect for that (and my sort of food shops and cafes en route too....hmmm...).

Oh well - between the Welsh weather and the Welsh milder hills.....= treadmill indoors it is....

I try to find time daily to walk up a steep hill. The whole walk up and down takes me just over an hour

It depends how you use them. I walk the dog over fields and foot paths which is great exercise and good for proprioception but not everyone lives near to nice places to walk or run. I have to drive to the gym so I use a ten minute warmup on the treadmill just to get warm and ready for exercise. If someone is very unfit and unused to exercise a treadmill is a good way to get started and you can listen to music, watch TV etc if it's a bit tedious. Surely anything that helps to get people moving and active has it's place. My extremely elderly mil used a little pedalling device as she watched the tennis on TV. This was the object of many family jokes but it gave her a little exercise although laughing at the mistakes in the autocue was probably more effective exercise. My extremely fit daughter is pregnant and has bought an exercise bike to help keep her active during pregnancy as she won't be able to do her usual CrossFit sessions. We were designed to move and be active anything that encourages us to do that is IMO good for us.

Crikey! I bought myself a treadmill recently and am trying to psych myself up into using it.

Am I wrong as regarding it in the same light as "going for a walk"? I see these comments about "not more than 15 minutes" and wonder how that can be - given that a walk (to me) is at least 30 minutes? Does walking on a treadmill take more effort than walking by "going for a walk" ? I'm puzzled by why only 15 minutes?

Is it extra effort to use a treadmill than walk on a street? I thought it was the same thing - unless one angles the treadmill upwards as compared to walking on a flat street.

To me I just bought it because I'm in Wales now - ie colder than I'm used to from Devon and rain/a lot more rain and wind than I'm used to from Devon. I bought it because back where I'm from I could just decide to go for a 30 minute walk daily and do it every single day - ie because the weather didnt stop me - and so I'd go out for that short walk every single day (and not get rain or wind stopping me) and then go off to get on with my day - ie go to work/have social life/etc. I just got it to counterbalance the fact that back in my home county of Devon I'd just decide to go for a walk - but here in wetter/colder/windier Wales I find I often decide to go out as per normal - but then take a look at the Welsh weather and change my mind and I don't want to be fatter and less fit because I'm living here now...

So - is there more to walking on a treadmill than going for a walk out on the pavement as per normal? Is it more effort or something to walk on a treadmill rather than "going for a walk"? I'm confused now...

Great advice from everyone and I am feeling inspired to buy a treadmill now as going outside for walks seems too difficult.
I know exercise on a regular basis works as I did it in my forties and managed to lose weight as well as feel fitter.
(However post menopause will probably make weight loss slower).

There’s lots of tips on Instagram from “older” folks about keeping moving and helping improve your balance… these will help in attaining your fitness goals…

As
Previously posted build up slowly and you will see results, if your treadmill has a safety button that you clip on yourself ensure you use it and once you get comfortable using the treadmill make sure you are walking without holding on to the handles

Getting slightly out of breath is good for you but gasping for breath isn't, so be mindful of your body and try not to be impatient.
You need to build up g r a d u a l l y . Good luck.

Many years ago I was referred to the gym by my doctor to help with high blood pressure. The fitness instructor told me not to go above 3mph as I'm very short and 'only have little legs!' He told me when that got too easy to increase activity by adding an incline. I was initially told to warm up for 5 minutes on a recumbent bike then do 5 minutes treadmill, 5 minutes rowing and finally 5 minutes cool down on the bike. The first time I went I couldn't do 5 minutes on the rowing machine - I was exhausted after three and a half! I gradually built up to longer on the rowing machine, which is really good exercise. I found my limiting factor was boredom rather than stamina!
After moving to this area I didn't really find a gym that suited me so I bought my own rowing machine, but after using it for a short time found it took up too much space having it out in front of the TV so folded it up in the kitchen with my son's help. It hasn't been used since as it is too heavy for me to move on my own!
I try to go for frequent short walks, just along the street and back, and once a week I go on an hour's walk with a 'simply walk' group. It makes it a more sociable activity and we end with a coffee at the local community hall. If you can build your fitness a bit I'd really recommend joining a group. The one I belong to also has a group that do a shorter walk, just a kilometer round the park and a longer time for drinks and chat. I joined them for a while after I injured my knee and took a while to recover, but now I'm back on the 'long walk' again. Most of the group are retired and some are over 80 so hopefully there will be something suitable in your area.
I've also increased the amount I walk by parking further away from my destination when I go out so I get a short walk. Every little helps! Once it becomess a habit it gets easier. Good luck!

I'm so glad you posted about this 'Marketkat', as I've too have been thinking about buying a walking machine to improve my fitness. Like you, I am very overweight, although have recently lost just over a stone by doing 'Slimpod', Google it if you would like to know more - it's a different way of losing weight, and not all about counting calories, or points, etc. but more about listening to a podcast each day, and retraining your way of thinking about food. It's really good, and very cheap compared to things like Weight Watchers, etc. Having said all that, due to your post, I now have a good idea of what I need to do when I get my machine, which I'm hoping will be my Christmas gift. I figure that during the colder, wetter days, I'm far more likely to do a bit of walking on a machine, than I am to go outside and do it, and then hopefully by the time the nicer weather returns, I'll be fitter and able to get out and pound the streets. Do come back and let us know how you're getting on, I'll be thinking of you.

I also add that I no longer use it (nor the exercise bike I bought previously that I didn't find comfortable) so if anyone lives near me you can borrow either one and if one suits you you are welcome to make me a reasonable offer (with the bike - little used - you can have it for free!).

I bought and used a treadmill a few years ago both to improve stamina and movement and to lose weight. My golden rule was to start gently - in both speed and duration. Even 1 kph is good enough at first. Switch it up a little after a minute and see how you go. My treadmill could also be adjusted to slope upwards and after a short while I did that - and never laid it flat again.

Also after a while you can try ratching up the speed for a minute or two, but dropping it down again before repeating that.

I would also say that 5 minutes is a good enough spell for a newbie. Several (four?) times a day is then not too formidable!

I persevered in this way for around a year and lost almost 3 stones, strengthened my legs and hips and improved my stamina.

A few bits of advice are to wear supportive non-slip shoes (not your slippers) and make sure you use the safety chain - my DH didn't bother with the latter and had a nasty fall. Also, if the machine tracks your pulse (heart rate) do not go over the level for your age - deduct your age from 220 to get the maximum but personally I wouldn't want to go even that high. Also ease off at the end of the session to a slow speed and let your body recover a little after stopping, before you step off.

Good luck!

Did you take any professional advice before buying a treadmill? Yes, walking is good if you feel you are below par on that type of exercise. Take it gently, 5 min sessions at a time building up to longer. I did consider a treadmill but was advised by trainer that an exercise bike would be more beneficial. Any exercise is better than none, keep going.

When I first started on a treadmill I struggled after 2 minutes.So I suggest just do little and often. 15 mins is too long to start with.
I aim for 10 mins minimum now, but can do 15, 20 or more if I’m distracted by the tv in front of me.
Maybe start with 2 or 3 mins and persevere

I try to do 20 minutes on my treadmill most days, albeit not very fast (3.5kph). To make it less boring I read a couple of chapters on my Kindle. 20\25 minutes goes by much quicker . I also do 3 Aqua classes and a chair yoga class a week at the gym. I am 76.

First lose weight and check with your GP if ok to do 15 minutes on treadmill. Then try again building up gradually. It could give you a heart attack, wear joints out etc otherwise.

It might be worth looking at going to a gym and doing some guided activities? I started off this year at a dreadful state of unfitness but under the supervision and guidance of the lovely instructors at my gym, I have seen a marked improvement, now do a variety of fitness classes, and - bonus - have made some lovely friends and we reward ourselves with a tea or coffee after classes and exercise our jaws and lungs, putting the world to rights!
I am shortly to be 69 years old, if that's any help.

Start slower, and work your way up to 15 mins.

I think the first thing you should do is check with your doctor, something may be causing your breathlessness.

As boring as it is, it's so much easier for me at any rate, to walk at a reasonable pace on a treamill. Don't make yourself breathless start off at a speed and maybe incline and duration you feel comfortable with.

If you are regularly breathless when walking around you may wish to have a check up with your GP as recurrent breathlessness may be a symptom of something needing attention, My OH aged 80 has this problem and is having GP-ordered tests, x-ray, etc.

I know it might be difficult on a treadmill but try to do one minute fast then two minutes slow.