New (overweight) treadmiller questions

A relatively short (5'8', stocky/'big-boned' guy, I'm in my early-40s and, after having added a huge amount of weight and getting way out of shape in the past several years, have started reducing calories and recently joined a health club where I've been walking on treadmills. I would like to lose about 100 lbs. in all. Aside from the health issues regarding my overweight (which is serious enough) I have no other serious health problems that I know of. Right now I'm walking at a pace of about 3.8 mph at an average incline of between 6 and degrees. (I'm using LifeFitness programmable treadmills and the incline level I typically select is 6 or 8, which I *assume* corresponds to 6 and 8 degrees.) I have always perspired profusely when jogging and since I've been walking on the treadmill I have invariably been soaked with sweat at the end of my workout. (I've been doing squats, bench presses and a few other weight-training exercises after my treadmill sessions.) I've always considered myself to be a comparatively slow jogger/runner. Of course, so far (at 275+ lbs!) I haven't actually begun jogging/running on the treadmill yet BUT would be interested to know what a good pace to aim for would be. 10-minute miles? Faster? Also, any treadmilling suggestions/advice other more experienced and in better shape newsgroup participants could offer would be much appreciated.

Personally, Tony, as I resurrect my training yet again, I'm aiming for sixes.

Of course, it could be a while before I get there.

I would try salting the walk with a few short bits of running - and I'm talking about roughly 30 seconds at a time to start with.

It's going to be a long road, for both of us. But, I suppose, if you want to run, you have to get comfortable with the concept of a long road.

Hang in there.

Frankly I consider a 10 minute pace good even on flat ground. It would be a good training goal. However don't worry if you have a difficult time getting there until after you loose your excess weight. Slower is ok. With a 6% incline, especially with extra weight a 10 minute mile would be rather aggressive in my opinion.

I might add that I would not trust the read outs of any treadmill. Some are accurate and some are not. It seems we have come to accept anything that gives as a digital readout as correct. I might also add that in my personal experience I tend to sweat more on a treadmill than outside because I get less air circulation inside and the humidity in the room increases as I run, as does the temperature.

With that much extra weight, I would concentrate on getting it off, before worrying too much about pace. IMHO you are doing the right thing to lose weight, walking and weightlifting. If the weather is nice do as others have suggested: get outside, in your well cushioned running shoes, and walk a while, then jog a while, etc. Good luck, and keep us posted.