Obese and Oval

[Hebshed]

Starting the Couch to 5k tomorrow morning, I have 6 Stone to lose, anyone in or been in similar position? Your support & advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Sallyal Graduate]

I started c25k last October, graduated in December, now running 4 times a week training for a half marathon in March. This morning I ran for an hour and a half covering more than 10k. I'm a 45 year old woman over 17 stone.... This programme is amazing, listen to Laura, follow the plan and anything can happen good luck

[Hebshed in reply to Sallyal]

Wow that's great encouragement, what an achievement for you too. Cheers

[Turtle525 Graduate]

I'm in the same situation as you and I started c25k in November and graduated in January I'm training for an 8k run in March...just listen to Laura it doesn't matter how slow you go and listen to your body and recognize your growth.

[nextjenn Graduate]

I started c25k in Oct 2012, I had over 5 stone to lose. I highly recommend taking measurements now; chest, tum, hips, thighs, calves and waist. Keep them somewhere and start the program. You won't see much loss for a while, it took until I was doing regular good distances 3 times a week, but its working combined with a better diet. I have only lost a stone, but the inches I have lost is amazing (hence recording your starting measurements). Stick at it, use the forum and you will see results. Just don't get hung up on them in the early stages, I'd hate you to be disappointed. Its such an amazing journey, really excited for you any help you need, just ask!

[Hebshed in reply to nextjenn]

Thank you very much

[Suzie40 in reply to nextjenn]

Good tip about the measurements. I'm going to do that, too x

[nextjenn Graduate]

Ps: there are all sorts of other results too - lower blood pressure, feeling more energetic, breathing has improved etc. All good and will make you feel amazing

[weighty80 Graduate]

Good luck, and congrats for starting!

Although I'm sure it's a great oversimplification, the formula "calories-in minus calories-out" is basically what determines weight loss - it takes an awful lot of oxygen and hard work to turn body fat (or "stored energy") into water+carbon dioxide in order to get rid of it - puffing, panting and sweating therefore seem like a good idea to me! That's why I decided on running - a way to work towards extended, sustained periods of elevated heart rate, see more country, get more air, etc... Like many folk though, I worry about niggly pains, overuse, injury. Especially as I'm enjoying the running so much, I just don't want to stop!!

I understand that it's necessary to live at an overall, average calorie "deficit" to lose weight, so the calories that one does put in better be good! I read that 'toxins' are often stored in fat cells so losing weight can put the body under additional load as one processes and eliminates these over time. I don't know if this is true, but increasing water intake seems sensible/natural.

I had something like 3 or 4 stone to lose (BMI was 30-31), and had been grinding down, looking pale, feeling slow, foggy, really crap - was affecting work, home, everything. GP took bloods, nothing showing other than high cholesterol. Having started C25K a few weeks before, just before New Year, I went rather radical with a 7-day juice fast (no food, only fruit/veg juices, mostly veg - google "Joe Cross"), which has TOTALLY changed my palate and food habits (I was CRAVING a cold, crunchy carrot so I'd chew one down, suck the juice out and spit out the pulp!)

For me, that fast was about a "reboot" and a "turbo-boost" of nutrients - a bit of an experiment, too - at times it was difficult, but I started feeling better after just a few days and stuck to it pretty well. For the past 3 or 4 weeks, I've been continuing to have a juice a day, eating less, eating healthier, running more and losing weight. I'm 1.5 stone down in 6 weeks, and feel and look so much better than I did - but know that I'm still overweight and not quite half way there. However, it kicked off something in me that is helping me with my immediate weight loss and longer term planning. Week 8 of C25K start for me tomorrow... the feeling of "being onto a good thing" is wonderful - it's what motivates me. But like I said, the route I took to where I am now was pretty radical.

Whatever you do - you won't be short of support on here - good luck!!

(Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, not advocating any particular diet or regimen, just relaying what I did - it's working for me so far...)

[thinlizzyIwish123 Graduate]

Ye I am in similar but need to lose 3 stone. Started this last week and already I feel the benefits of and I've lost 4lb in weight since original weight. So I know it's working and I'm enjoying it as well. I'm eating a lot better than I was as well so it's really helping.

[Hebshed]

Thanks for all the advice, tomorrow is a new day for us all. With the support of this forum it will be a great help to staying focused. Cheers

[crox Graduate]

I started in march 2012 just before my 40th weighing 17.5 stone, I have no idea how long it took me a long time to get to running for 30 minutes, I stuck with it and ground it out. Since then I've lost 5 stone 3 lbs, run a half in 2hrs 53 seconds, 5km in 23 minutes 10 seconds and lost 12" off my waist. (It was a bit more, but xmas got in the way :->)

My best advice is take it slow, it's not a race. You might enjoy it, (I know I still don't ;-> I do however enjoy the results of the effort).

My 2 mains support mechanisms were this and myfitnesspal, can't rate both of them highly enough.

[Suzie40 in reply to crox]

That's amazing - you've done so well! X

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Hi! I'm another 'loser'- I started just after joining weight watchers at the end of Sept 2012 weighing 18stone 9lbs; I graduated C25K in Feb 2013 (break in Nov due to car crash then unrelated operation & post-op infection); slowly and steadily lost at about 1lb a week, changed to myfitnesspal in July, aiming only to be 'fitter & healthier' by my 50th birthday at the end of Nov. I made it by being 3stone 9lb's lighter, and did my pb for 5km at a bit over 33 minutes for 5km (my first official 5km was 46 minutes in March).

I eased off over Christmas but have joined Jantastic so am back running 3 times a week; then will be doing the 5x50 challenge from March; have signed up to run Sport Relief 6 mile race in March then a half marathon in June (EEK!) :-0

I plan to lose another 2 stones this year which will get me close to the upper weight range for my height; but I am going to carry on slow and steady as I feel that will make it sustainable for the rest of my life. Oh, I have also got both my daughters and son-in-law into running via c25k after they saw how I benefitted; and younger daughter and her hubby have lost a few stones each too! My 4 year old grandson also joins us on Parkruns too!

Good luck! Keep running and trust C25K- it's a great programme!

[Jaqs99 Graduate]

Thanks for this thread. I'm inspired by these posts. I'm feeling great about achieving the running thing (W4R2) and discovering all the benefits mentioned.. BUT I keep rewarding myself with a big bar of chocolate!! I'm trying to not get too cross with myself as that would perhaps make me feel like a loser and give up running too. I'm hoping the habit will dissipate as I get to running more and become more motivated to feel good from that, than from a bar of choc. So I'm just saying watch out for that feeling of rewarding yourself! Well done tho, and good luck. x

[Hebshed]

I have added my fitness pal and have found it very beneficial in the past. It's great to hear how everyone is doing in their different stages of fitness and a true inspiration to us all. I have recorded my measurements too, a great tip! Well it's Monday morning and it looks like I'm going to get blown along the road when I head out!

[mehitabel Graduate]

I'm another success story: 45 years old, three stone lost and I am now a fortnight away from running my first half marathon. The one thing no one has mentioned so far is the "run hangover". Every time I get out there and run, I come back feeling achey, breathless... and FANTASTIC. The good mood and euphoria lasts the whole day. Running truly saved me from depression in 2013 and has changed my life. Wishing you all the joy of sore knees and rain-ruined hair... and deep personal satisfaction. x

[Tizzie Graduate]

Well done to all of you. I'm now in W3 with first run done Friday . I'm 50 at end of the year and 16 st 9 lbs ( only my weight watchers leader knows that as well). I like the idea of taking measurements so will hunt out the tape measure. Due to do run 2 tonight but am currently off work with high temp and terrible cough/ cold. Do I still risk it? I really don't want to mess it up as I usually run fri/ mon/wed to fit them in.

[weighty80 Graduate in reply to Tizzie]

I didn't take any measurements at the start when I finally decided to start losing - first waist measurement I took was 4 weeks in, and I was still two inches large in the waist than I thought I ever had been in the first place (I was clearly in denial - hadn't bought trousers in over 2 years!) That was a shock - but again, I knew I was onto a good thing and that it would come down further, with time.

You may risk developing it into chest infection if you go at it with a cold/cough. Some may argue wait it out, others have run while under the weather. It's up to you. Good luck - get well soon!

[Tizzie Graduate in reply to weighty80]

Thank you weighty80

[runningnearbeirut Graduate in reply to Tizzie]

I would strongly advise against running when you have a temperature. Once that has gone, but if you don't feel up to running then I'd get out for a walk every day if you can. When that is comfortable, then go back to running. If it's been a while then I'd drop back a week and then move on if that was ok.

[Hebshed]

Thanks, these inspirational stories will keep us going.

[Tattoojunkie30 Graduate]

I'm currently the same boat as you and I'm doing week 4 now! Just a few tips I might share with you 1) when Your jogging breath in and out slowly. 2) it's not a race, a slow steady pace and it is very important you keep going right to the end of time period as this is what will push your fitness along 3) you legs are going to hurt when you first start so if you need to take more than a day between runs this is ok and will help you in the long run xxxxxx

GOOD LUCK!

[Hidden]

Good luck on deciding to start the programme. If you combine healthy eating with the programme you are most likely to lose weight at a sensible pace. I find that Pilates tones the body and works well with the running.

Other health benefits have been mentioned. Last year (February) I was diagnosed with elevated platelets and pre-diabetes. Not much I could do about the platelets but so far as the pre-diabetes was concerned I was advised by the diabetic nurse specialist that if I lost weight and got some exercise I could reverse it, although it was also easy to tip over into full type 2 diabetes. One year on, I have lost two stones (although put a bit back on since moving home) and recent blood tests have shown that my blood sugar levels have returned to within normal range. Amazingly, the elevated platelets have also returned to within normal range. I've been a bit complacent since moving home but have now started back on the running programme and healthy eating again. I've also now found a Pilates class that I intend to join. Boy, did I feel good yesterday when I came back from W1 R1.

Good luck with your own weight loss and C25K programme. Best wishes.

[Dusty345 Graduate]

Hi how did your run go? I am on week 1 too! Its hard to get started but feels great when you reach the end and realise you made it through. Good luck!

[Hebshed]

Thanks for your comments folks, unfortunately I got off to a bad start as an old knee injury has began to bother me. So my week 1 is only going to consist of walking and I'm managing great like that. I then plan to repeat my week, I'm also eating healthier and have a spring in my step. Good luck folks.xx