Does anybody else feel this way?

[Love2run1969]

Good morning I know I posted about this before and I'm using voice to text so there might be spelling mistakes I started running back in January of this year and then I just stopped of course because of pandemic but I kept it on and I managed to get to 5K but I'll be at extremely slowly and I'm always in a lot of pain days after when I run so I don't know if it's like a psychological for me but I do know one thing running does make me feel good even if it's for that 1 hour a couple of days a week and there's this book I read called jog on that someone in this group recommended which is an amazing frog but I keep coming back to the same question I've been out there since January at what point do I just give up I mean let's face it I haven't lost any weight as a matter of fact I gained I run slow at you would think I read the post on here and I watch our other brothers and their like fit trim they've lost weight but it all makes sense but for me I don't understand it at all I talk to my doctor she set me up with a registered dietitian I'm eating better and I still look like I'm 9 months pregnant I'm very frustrated right now I'm tired I don't even want to keep on running I don't see the point sometimes I don't even know if you call it running I'm just walking fast after what 8 months....so frustrated..is there anybody else out there like me?

[RunRabbitRun40]

I think you need to ask yourself why you want to run. I run because for that time while I'm out there, I feel great - my mind is clear, I feel relaxed. At the same time, I know that my general health will benefit immensely. So if running makes you feel good, then you should carry on with it.

There's lots of discussions about whether running will make you lose weight, and in my own experience, it hasn't had any impact on my overall weight. I'm a little firmer in places (!) but if I go on the scales, it's the same ballpark. I believe that if you combine running with a healthy eating plan, or calorie controlled plan, then you may see results on the scales, and if you're under the plan of a dietician, they can advise you on the best fuel for running and weight loss.

Don't give up!

[damienair Administrator]

Hi,

I've been running now for 3 years. I've learnt over the 3 years that running is hard. Running can be painful. Running can be demoralising. And at times I have fallen away a little. But I have also learnt that running although hard, is extremely rewarding. The first year is the hardest, but stick at it. When I started I was 43, completely unfit, almost 3 stone over weight. I had been a couch potato for years and wanted so hard to be fit. I struggled just like you for the first year. I lost a little weight, but it came back even though I was running.

In my second year a few things happened. I set myself goals. I wanted to be able to run 5K in under 28 minutes, I wanted to lose the weight and I wanted to fall in love with running.

I lost all the weight, not by running, but by eating healthy. No snacking between meals, no sweet treats, and portion control. The running of course helped. The 2.5+ stone came off me over 7 months. Weight loss I have learnt is 90% food related. And it's really hard.

I managed over time to get faster, I was running more, runner further. I went from a 5K time of 33 minutes average to a parkrun 5K PB time of 25:36. But I can honestly say that as the weight came off I became faster and fitter and running became easier.

And I fell in love with running.

Now here we are. One whole year later. COVID-19, no 5K or 10K road races to train for, no parkrun every Saturday morning. I kept running but I've slowly slowed down. I'm back to 33 minutes for a 5K run and I have put back on 12 lbs in weight over the past few months. But I'm back again this week. I have a goal and a focus again. I'm going to get back to running 5K in under 28 minutes and I'm going to shed that weight again.

Stick with it. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.

Damien

[Love2run1969 in reply to damienair]

Thank you so much for your candour. Everything you said is true and it's just a good kick in the butt that I need to keep going I know it's hard but to be honest I love running Iran Altura Elementary School and I came in first place every year and I'm not bragging it's a fact I was a phenomenal Runner and I know I can be again and I think what you're saying is flic part of the weight the weight holding me back I know that but the weight holding me back and I did lose 45 lbs two years ago by eating though I cut out all the junk but the problem that I found be in 51 years old and losing weight gaining weight losing weight gaining weight is that when this time when I gained it back I gained it back and then some anomaly. I deprive myself of things that I enjoy like cookie so I guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and have no pleasure🤣

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Love2run1969]

🤣 I'm sure you could still have 1x cookie per day. Imagine... making a packet of cookies last for 2 weeks!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Love2run1969 in reply to Katnap]

Now that's the right attitude! Having one cookie a day is what got me into this mess🤣

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Love2run1969]

...and run a mile every day in all weathers! 😃😅🤣

[damienair Administrator in reply to Love2run1969]

My treat at the weekend was 2 glasses of wine on a Friday night. I was as good as gold all week. I had also given up bread for weeks. I remember one Saturday morning before parkrun I had a coffee and a slice of toast with jam. Oh my. It was so delicious. When you get into a weight loss rhythm you stick to it much better, especially when you see the pounds come off. And you appreciate the nice things so much more.

I had fruit for breakfast this morning and a 3 egg omelette for lunch. I’ll have a lovely stir fry for dinner this evening. I will sit down, relax and enjoy those 3 meals. It’s just staying away from all the junk. All that bold but lovely junk.

Damien

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Sorry you are feeling so down about your running. Running alone wont make you loose weight, consuming fewer calories will so hopefully working with your dietician will help with that. You say you are always in pain after running. What is causing the pain, where do you feel it? Is it the running causing the pain or do you feel pain more on days when you aren't so active? I know my hips hurt when I've sat too long. Why do you run? Is the high you achieve from being out enough to keep you going? Fast is an arbitrary thing, we all have our own fast and far. If I look at those in their 20s or 30s then I'm really slow, if I look at marathon runners I dont run far. However I see the bigger picture of the mental and physical benefits of running post menopause and regularly so relax and end enjoy what I can achieve. I hop you find some answers, all activity is better than none. Take care 🤗

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Doing anything that pushes us outside of our comfort zone, and is hard, makes us grow our resilience. I think your question is about weight loss? Running alone won't do this. If you want to lose weight, then following a plan alongside the running is your best option. I would encourage you not to give up on the running as it has so many other benefits too.