Read/post only if you can be bothered to, I will also be searching the forums myself for similar posts, seeking the advice I need from other peoples situations, so it doesn't matter if I get no replies.

I'm 20, 170lbs and 6'

I don't consider myself overweight or underweight, I am happy with my weight and physique. My problem is that for the past 3 or 4 years i have been totally inactive, lazy and had a pretty bad diet (high sugar 300 - 400% daily intake)... <-- mostly due to chocolate bars and soft drinks.

Anyway, now I get out of breath very easily. Maybe after 10 or 20 meters I have to stop running and get pains in my chest and pains breathing (lactic acid?)

I used to compete in cross country as a youngster but I am so far from that now, I would like to regain fitness levels to be able to feel the positive impact of it on my body, and with that regain confidence, and get out of the loop of being depressed and inactive.

Needless to say, I have taken the first steps and taken soft drinks & high sugars out of my diet... I was just wondering what sort of excersise if any would be appropriate to help improve on my breathlessness situation. Maybe I should concentrate on cardiovascular exercises?

Thanks for reading I shall be checking back regularly.

Definately concentrate on cardio exercises brother. However, the key is slow progres---if need be, try walking for 20-30 minutes per day. Once you're comfortable enough with that, try a very slow jog for as long as you can stand...etc. Progressively increase is the only way I can think of to make your cardiovascular system more efficient.

Enjoy!