What was your biggest barrier to getting healt... - Couch to 5K
What was your biggest barrier to getting healthier and fitter before coming to HealthUnlocked?
Please select all that apply:
Not self conscious about how I looked from a vanity perspective but from insecurity and low self esteem. A big jiggly body takes a lot to 'put out there'!
That was how I felt too. I'm nearly one year on from starting c25k and still have that wobble (literally and figuratively!) before going out for a run but I just remind myself that I feel like that every time but it doesn't compare to how I feel when I get back home knackered but happy. And fitter!
Low self esteem and motivation. I have a terrible confidence issue that blights my running progress.
'motivation' is a very general category in which I would include being locked in a negative mindset. The couch can have a very strong pull when you're not in a good place mood-wise
Yes, it comes under "motivation" for me too. I am quite pressed for time, but have made running a priority before, and am not doing so at the moment.
Motivation and time for me, but I do feel self conscious about people watching me hence at the moment I run on a treadmill at home.
I echo all of these and yes treadmill for me until I feel ready to come out ( as one post stated )
Afraid of how painful it would be too. It was but it was worth it and a year after starting I have no problem running 4 miles three times a week. The app was a great idea.
I tried C25K many times before and gave up after week 4 or 5 usually. Found it boring and found it hard to be motivated. It all changed this year due to 2 reasons. I found this amazing forum and also found Parkrun. Now I'm motivated to run as I am trying to get faster, fitter and find that I am enjoying running.
I couldn't agree more - this forum is what (eventually) got me to the end of the C25K programme. Like you I love Parkrun and even though I'm on the IC (so can't run for a while yet) I'm down there every Saturday volunteering when I can.
I did achieve 5K but I don't run/jog any more as I never got over feeling everyone was looking at me and laughing. I'm 70 by the way....
That's a shame! I'm 72, graduated C25K earlier this year having not run since I was 14 at school! I also joined a beginners' running group at a local running club and started doing Parkrun. I've met loads of great new people who aren't the least bit concerned about welcoming a snail-like oldie.
Oh that's really sad. My mantra when I feel like that is if you want to stare go ahead but when was the last time YOU excersied and what gives you the right to look down on me.
The sad thing is, these people we think are laughing or staring at us are probably just thinking they wish they had our courage to go out there and do it.
Don't give, find a local running club and see if that makes a difference x
Maybe instead of laughing at you, they may admire you, seek your autograph, and be inspired by you. Try it.
That is how I would look at any aged person on the road. Inspired!!
Nooo, if I saw a 70 year old jogging I'd be in such awe. That's so sad. Xxx
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I keep this to remind me that you're never too old! 
I have just done my 5k through a local couch25k group. I am 62 and seriously overweight, there were one or two very fit looking older people there and I was always last in the sessions. I knew I would be last in doing the 5k, and I was, but I did it and I want to keep on going.
I had been running up to 5 mins on the treadmill but couldn't seem to do more than that. Thought maybe 5 mins is my limit (I'm 54). Then found C 2 5k, and lots of people older than me saying they could do it, so I felt the system might work for me. I'm on Wk 4, so haven't broken that 5 mins barrier yet, but I believe I can! 😊
You definitely will - I'm 53, and I'm on week 6. (Taken me more than 6 weeks though!) I couldn't run for 60 seconds to start with, but on week 5 I ran for 20 mins straight. If I can - you can!
I answered motivation but the real benefit of c25k was realising in getting back to running was understanding it was ok to just run for 1 minute and then recover and building up from that
Motivation, i was a lapsed runner and even now don't really know why or how. But a programme and the forum, that combination has worked for me. Early days but I remain confident of sticking at it. The best bit the 60 seconds starter run. Even though like most I struggled with it, it seemed doable even at my level of unfitness.
Motivation, self confidence and health. I was a committed gym attendee and was doing around 10k 3 times a week on the tread. I had a hernia op and after recovery could not get my mojo back.
Found this app via a friend and started my road to recovery on an out of the way/back of beyond muddy path as I was convinced I'd be embarrass myself while running in public.
Still have those doubts after a stretch on the IC
Not knowing how to get started. Once I heard about c25k at my Rosemary Conley class and downloaded the podcasts with Laura coaching it was easy.
For me it was self conscious many of the local councils run courses but they have several younger people who look a damn site better in their running gear than me
I liked the fact that I could time it so I could run when it was pretty quiet so know one could see me
Had back surgery last year and put on a lot of weight. Still struggling with motivation. Only done the one run so far
Maybe it's also a bit of fear in the back of your mind re your back surgery. Have you been given the all clear to run by the doc? Maybe it's not the best exercise for now? Someone said that running puts a force of two and a half times your weight through your knees (not sure if this is true, mind). Or what about swimming then gradually introducing running? I'm no expert, but have suffered from sciatica in the past due to a collapsed vertebra, and occasionally feel a familiar twinge after running and think 'oh oh'. I then leave 3 or 4 days before going out again, sometimes longer. Most times I don't wait to think about going out, I 'just do it', otherwise I'd always find an excuse not to go!!
Best of luck, AintnoBolt.
Hi JenniferCMS
According to Physio booklet I got when leaving hospital it said I should be able to start running about six months after the op; its now almost 9 months. However I have an x-ray due in Oct so I think I'll wait and see how the metal is doing and then consult with the surgical team. Was really eager to get going, but since first run have had some twinges in my spine/muscles. Feels like a bit of a setback. Thanks for the advice.
ANB
Good luck at the consultation next month - let us all know how you get on (I think you're brave for even putting your trainers on)!👏
Never having Me time ... the washing ironing housework kids grandchildren work dog etc etc always came first and the thought of it's never gonna happen I can't even walk up the road with out complaining it's too far too old too unfit almost 2stn overweight but lost the extra weight and woke up one morning and decided to try to get fitter... loved running for the school cross country and 800m track in my younger days and thought hey why not try again.... I love C25K the members are now keeping me motivated and focused... slowly n surely I keep running and keep smiling! X
Motivation, definitely. But also finding the time and energy to run. I do a standing-up job (though not for much longer - yay!!) sometimes on my feet for 9 hours a day and I literally physically can't go running on those work days. So straight away that limited when I could do it. But we got there (my hubby and I) by motivating each other and being very firm about running on my non-work days.
Being busy and getting some exercise in my work, I didn't realise how unfit I still was and needed more until I started c25k, now being retired I had more time to concentrate on the programme..and an excellent programme it is to, I keep motivated with Parkrun and virtual running.. oh, and of course reading the great posts on here from fellow members..
My asthma has always been problematic; I wasn't allowed to run at school for fear I'd just die on the spot. I was always in and out of hospital as a child. But medication is so much better now, although my lungs still played up. I tried C25K two years ago and wow what a difference it has made to my life. I have had to return to week one twice after infections but I ran for 25 mins tonight and feel great! Bit wheezy but great! 😀
You can't smoke and run, and l couldn't stop smoking. Then, after some soul searching l simply quit, there and then, on the spot. The next thing was me running in the park I convinced myself that should l smoke another cigarette l would simply die immediately, lol. Amazing what fear can do 
Mine was more inclination rather motivation with an element of family pressure. Once I got ill and the recommendation to be more aerobic was made the family pressure diminished.
I had no idea how to get started and C25k gave me that very first building block to do that and believe in myself too 😎
Exactly. I needed a structured plan that was do-able. In Phys Ed they never taught you to run, they just made you run long distances and scolded you for walking breaks. When I tried ages ago to run I took the same approach - get out the door and just start running. The idea of a run/walk was novel to me, and a life changer.
All I needed was just guidance and a plan to follow and after that everything went smoothly
C25K did exactly what I was looking for
It needs a "none of these" option. I was already fit when I started running, I was just changing my form of exercise. (I didn't vote BTW)
It was motivation for me, and finding exercise boring. I started C25k before finding this forum, after I had put on weight and couldn't walk up the stairs without being out of breath. For me it was a huge help doing the programme with a friend, as we motivate each other. The structured nature of the programme is good, and the forum is great for extra support along the way. I have noticed a big difference in my levels of fitness since starting.
I put due to health conditions, but I meant mental health. I always wanted to be fitter and healthier but just never felt up to starting something like this; routine and sticking to things has always gone out the window for me. Then I convinced myself it would actually help my mental health, so I'm finally giving it a go.
No idea where to start until I found the C25K programme & Laura. That combined with this fab forum go me running for the first time in my life. Just waiting to escape the IC so I can enjoy it again.
Nine weeks from C25k, I don't think so!
Unfortunately, I still don't like running. I joined a c25k club but I didn't like running with dozens of other people as I run quite slowly.
I look like a raspberry when I exert myself so I was conscious of that...but do you know what? Who cares??????!!!!!
The parkruns are excellent at removing these barriers towards being more healthy. One becomes accountable to ones self seeing your time weekly displayed! Showing your fitness for your age. There's no place to hide! The age graded percentage has also helped me understand my level of fitness. I also do parkruns with a friend so there is a measure of accountability.
This community is great, helped me loads with my confidence in respect of my self image, and in my own ability to actually be able to complete this ....
Look at me now, half way through week 5, nearly ...
I couldn't tick any of the poll options!
"Could always think of something much less healthy, more expensive and less fulfilling to do with my time" would get my vote...
Anxiety doesn't help me, am better now I run, but still have some battles which hinders my progress..
