Morning fellow C25Kers... A year ago I made a decision to lose a bit of weight. I'd just finished a trip back home to Australia and had partaken of far too much of the "good life". In August last year I started a diet and managed to shift about a stone or so over the next few months... slow and steady weight loss through simple choices (salad over fries, burgers without buns) and counting calories was the name of the game...
As I lost weight I felt better, I could "move" more and I felt more alive... I wanted to get fit now and still had some weight to move... Enter C25K in March. Recommended by a colleague at work who ran, I eagerly downloaded the podcasts and let Laura take me on a journey that would change my life... 9 weeks later and I (who'd never run before) was running for 30 minutes non-stop...
Now I'm doing that much (and more) 3 times a week, I've finished a 10K race and entered a Half Marathon... and lost 3 stone (and 6 inches off my waist) in the process since this time last year!
I found something I love - and I found this place to share my story... Thank you Laura, thank you C25K and thank you to all of you... I love hearing about your successes and your trials and tribulations!
What a great job you have done! You should be on cloud nine You look healthy and happy. That's the best part of it. You inspire us all to keep going. A great example. Keep running!
This is such a successful scheme it's a big wonder we don't hear more about it. I heard it get a tiny mention on sky news one morning a couple of months ago - I wanted to get fit, but hate gyms and their monthly fees plus I wanted to do something any time with no equipment (hmm ... actually I should've bought shares in Sports Direct before taking this up ...). I presume that for each success story on this forum there have been multiple failures, but just look at how many of us are success stories. I couldn't run to the end of our road (about 20 yards) 2 months ago, and last week I ran 20 mins non stop. My joints feel better, my attitude has been a whole lot better, and (apart from this week when I'm having a little tiny MS relapse, which will pass) I've been feeling like a million dollars. If my experience were translated to the population, apart from a need for more sports physios (!) the nation would be much healthier, lighter and happier. It's a win win! Why doesn't it get more publicity?!
Thank you for sharing your inspirational story and the very encouraging photos, and congratulations to you for sticking to such a significant change - the results are there for all of us beginners to see!
I've joined here for exactly the same reasons as you. The major difference is that I DID used to be a runner but believe me, when one hasn't done it for a while it is no advantage when starting out on C25K (I'm scheduled for W2R3 today).
Perhaps the most important part of your whole positive post is where you say "I'm doing... 30 mins of running... and more, three times a week". There's no point in doing nine weeks of C25K and considering it "job done". This has to be a lifestyle change to have any meaningful impact on one's health and well-being. Fortunately, even from the start the benefits can start to be felt. The programme itself is well thought out and the non-judgemental support of the people on here a critical part to hanging on in there. Thanks again!
Fab posting Aussie, as you can see from all the responses you have become a fine example and inspiration of how C25K can change your life for the better. As you say you're feeling so much better, and I'm sure your family are rightly proud of you and appreciative of your new found energy and enthusiasm for life.
Aussie, you look like an athlete, mate and I would bet you are happier now, too. C25k has changed so many lives for the better. We really are a fortunate few.
How on Earth did I miss this post this morning?? You are looking really good my friend, all that careful eating and the wonderful c25k programme have made an enormous difference to you physically and, I'm willing to bet, mentally too. Keep sharing your story and inspiring the rest of us with your successes
Thanks for sharing your story and the before and after pics, you're looking really good - and happy! This programme really is amazing isn't it, and this forum is pretty good too!
well done Aussie you look great and have done brilliantly! its a lovely place this forum, full of a positive vibe that you don't see much anymore......... have fun on your trip abroad happy running!
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What a difference a few months makes...
What a difference a stone makes :o)
What a difference a year makes!
What a difference mr smooth makes!
a year on...
