I have just started and will be doing wk1 rp3 tomorrow it seems so daunting for someone like me who is overweight and older (51) any tips

[suew123]

I have read such a lot of your reviews and I am full of admiration I know that you have to try to be positive and that will be my downfall if anything

[crox Graduate]

Take it slowly, it's not a race. I started 18 months ago (just before my 40th) I've lost 5 stone and can now do 5km in 25mins.

There's no shame in not being able to complete, it was at least a month before I could do week 1

[suew123 in reply to crox]

thanks crox that's fantastic with the weight loss I will take your advise and take it one day at a time it is abit demoralising to realise just how unfit I have become but at least I am now taking steps to put that right

[Iwant2run Graduate in reply to suew123]

I know what you mean re demoralising, but try to feel proud of what you are doing, and don't beat yourself up over what you're not doing. Well done for trying, especially if it feels like a huge challenge.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I started 3 weeks before my 60th birthday, 2 stone over weight which was a huge amount for someone 5'1" short!! You don't have to TRY and be positive you just need to put on your positive pants and get out there. Take it slow, speed can come later, don't get up tight, it will be a bit hard to begin with, you will feel short of breath, that's normal and improves with every run (honestly) and after all that just enjoy yourself, you have a new life starting which will lead you in all sorts of directions you would never have believed possible, but it will be

[susan22 Graduate]

Speaking as another older (57) and overweight new runner you are already positive for starting this program and doing the first two runs!! We all struggle at times but just know that this running is good for us and makes us feel sooooo good!

[Runvicarrun]

Well done, you can do this, you are already choosing to be a fitter healthier person and I am full of admiration for that choice!

[Twizzle53 Graduate]

Another oldie here and I started the C25K just after my 60th birthday. I thought I was going to die during week one and was convinced the programme was wrong. I thought expecting couch potatoes to run for 60 whole seconds was ludicrous. However I took it slow and steady and survived. I have been running since July and I can't believe I can now run for a whole three miles without stopping ( most of the time)

So my advice is to stay positive and be proud of yourself. Take it nice and steady - its not a competition and give yourself a huge round of applause for just stepping out of the door and making the effort. Good luck and don't forget to come back onto the forum to let us know how you are getting on.

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Hi! I started C25K last October a couple of weeks after my daughters signed us all up for Weight Watchers - I completed C25K in March (or was it late Feb - I'll have to look it up!), carried on with WW until July then changed to MyFitnessPal and have now lost 3 stone 2 lbs (with almost that much still to go!)

Both my girls gave up WW a few weeks in, but having seen my persistance and results the eldest restarted and graduated C25K a few weeks ago, so it is challenging me to stay ahead of her (I am 50 in November & have reached my goal of being fitter & healthier for my birthday already I think) The younger one has done week 6 run1 today, and she has lost over a stone since starting (but has a very long way to go to get to a healthy weight! I am proud of both of them; and myself!

C25K is a fantastic program and I promote to all my workmates etc, and have got at least 4of them started! Take it slow and steady, realise everyone has rubbish runs at times for no apparent reason; but look forward to the good ones and keep going! Good luck!

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to Poppy2010]

I forgot- my tips are go slow and steady; don't worry about breathing patterns, as long as you are breathing that will do! Rain doesn't stop you running - you can only get so wet then you're wet, and a hot shower afterwards is great! And I loved running in frost ice and snow - the hot weather was much more challenging! HTH

[Fiwini Graduate]

Go for it but go gently. I'm 49 and started last Sunday. Finished week 1 yesterday. Personally I think I found run 1 the hardest. By r3 I was starting (very much starting) to relax into it - a little less self conscious in the park, and it felt much better. I love the programme.