W1

[lauraham]

Hi

i just wanted to encourage people who are maybe struggling with week 1. I am a large girl, i am currently wearing a size 24 in clothes. it took me 3 weeks to do week one fully without any stops/pauses to the program. it doesnt matter if you dont get to finish it in week 1. people you need to go at your own pace. i have just moved up to week 2. and feel great doing it. yeah its hard but having trained for 3 weeks previous i feel i have strenghtened my muscles, ankles and knees my taking my time. i havent had an injury.

so yeah! keep with it. and take your time. we all progress differently in different ways.

In 3 weeks, I have gone down from a size 26 to a size 24. so hope is out there for the big people.

Enjoy this training programme. and make time to spread it over at least 12 weeks.

[runner56 Graduate]

Well done on starting and maintaining the programme.

You are correct. We are all different. Different sizes, sexes, ages etc., and we all have our own individual fitness levels. Some will do the course in 9 weeks, others will take longer but this is not and never has been a race. It is about taking control of your own health.

Good luck with the programme Laura and please keep us posted on your progress.

[paul2014 Graduate]

Well done you. Taking three weeks to complete w1 is absolutely fine. It doesn't matter how long it takes you, you've started the journey and every walk/run you complete will be making you stronger to tackle the next one. Keep at it and let us all know how you get on.

[tomlertoos Graduate]

Hi Laura, so pleased you are feeling good and enjoying the journey....be sure to let us know how you are getting on!

[SuzeQ Graduate]

Lauraham thanks for this post. I just completed week 1 and I know I need to repeat it as I am only just completing the 60 second runs. Moving up to the 90 second runs now will be setting myself up to fail. It's good to know I am not the only one that struggles a bit ( after a lifetime of avoiding any exercise that made me a bit puffed).

[lauraham in reply to SuzeQ]

Keep going suzeQ you can do it. My first week, I couldn't even run for 30 seconds. Now i am coming to end of week 2. Don't move on until u are ready. So keep going girl!!!! Your doing great!!!

[lauraham]

Thanks for all the encouragement you guys have given me, it means the world.

[YJB1 Graduate]

Everything you say is true, running is a very personal journey and all that matters is that you stay on the road. Keep it up - you will be such an inspiration to so many people. Well done.

[karlotta Graduate]

You're an inspiration! I wish I'd had the confidence to start running years ago - I've been a size 24 in the past and have more recently lost 5 stone (before I started running) with healthy eating and just walking so I'm sure you'll be successful with all your aims! Good luck and well done!

[waletta Graduate]

This is fantastic. I bet you feel great. It takes a bit of patience when you read what others are doing sometimes. I'm nowhere near doing but some of the Grads are doing but I love it. I'm pretty sure slow & steady is the way because not being able to run because of injury is so frustrating. Well done you.

[Dalexbaby]

Hi Laura, thanks for posting this, I've come on here to see if I'm on my own as I'm not ready to move onto Wk2. I've done about 6 runs on wk1 and today I felt I struggled more than the last few. I also have about 3-4st to lose and in reality its like carrying a 5 yr old child on your back, constantly!! So good luck and happy running