Too Obese?

[Lisabelfast82]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of starting the couch to 5k, but am a very big girl (22 stone) I cannot run at all and never have but would love to be able to. Just wondering if anyone is very big like me completed it or currently?

Many thanks x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We have had plenty of big girls on this forum who have gone on to become accomplished runners and, in some cases, to become small girls. I can't give specific advice regarding your size, but would recommend you download the app or podcasts and give it a go.

Remember that this training plan puts you in control. If you can't finish a run, then simply repeat it til you can. There is no rush and some people take many months to complete the plan. You won't find a better place on the net to give you advice and support than this forum which is populated by people like you, wanting to get fitter, as well as graduates of the plan, who get a real kick out of seeing someone else discover the joys of running.

Give it a go Lisa and tell us how you get on.

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much for your encouragement and advice I

[misswobble Graduate]

There are folks of all shapes and sizes here. When you watch biggest loser on tv you notice that very overweight peeps are running, but they are doing so under medical supervision

There is a website run by a larger lady called julie creffield and she covers this issue in detail. I read her kindle book and it was very good

it's up to you whether you run and try and lose weight at the same time, or lose some weight first. do you feel like you want to give it a go?

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to misswobble]

Thank you so much for your encouragement. That is very true about the biggest loser. I love that programme! I will have a look at Julie's books started with ww in the new year and joined gym, but think the couch to 5k would really give me the drive I need

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

Hi. Why not try. You may just surprise yourself or start off walking. Walk faster during the running bits maybe? Just build it up slowly. Do what feels right for you but well done for posting and wanting to do it!!! That's a great start!!!! Good luck!!!! Let us know how you get on! Xx

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to Toonlou24]

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouraent I'm sure u will see me about over the next few weeks (probably complaining about all my aches and pains lol x

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to Lisabelfast82]

Complain away! We have all been there remember!!! Great comments on here. This is a great group. We all want you to succeed!!! Now go shoe shopping!!!! Xx

[Heggers Graduate]

Hi Lisa, I'm a big girl too and a graduate! C25k took my 14 weeks to complete, I'm really slow and I was no where near 5k when I finished. I'm now 22lbs lighter with still a lot of weight to shift and last week mostly ran (with a bit of walking) a whole 5k in 47 minutes.

The worst problem is the pain in my shins and I think it's the excess weight. I had gait analysis done and am doing strengthening exercises but am sure the pain will lessen as I lose more weight.

As long as your heart is healthy and there are no glaring medical issues, I say go for it. I've become a bit obsessed with running now and have to hold myself back from running every day even though my shins are killing me!!!

Keep us posted on how you get on - I hear your worries but it can only make you healthier. Every single person on here says take it slowly, and they're absolutely right. That advice is perfect, no matter what size you are.

Best of luck. Xx

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to Heggers]

Thank you that is great weight loss, u must be so pleased . Well done!!

[Slookie Graduate]

Toonlou's advice seems very sound to me. The crucial thing is to get out there and do summat and if you walk the run bits to start with, well, so what. You can pick up the running when you feel ready. But do try it to start with just to see and you may surprise yourself in a good way.

Try Miss W's advice too and google Julie Creffield. Then let us all know how your first session goes because we will be cheering you on.

Good luck!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Why not have a go. Nice and slow. I was 18 stone when I started and combining C25k with a sensible diet, I'm now 14 stone 4 (having been less before Xmas....) and I just love running. It's never a race unless you want to make it one and we are all with you.

Come on in. The water's fine.

[AngieS Graduate]

Hello Lisa. Welcome to the forum!

If you are worried about starting C25k, you could check in with your GP for advice on how to ease into exercise.

If you're not sure if you're ready to run, you could always try using week 1 for a few weeks for walking. Perhaps you could start with an easy pace walk and in the 'run' bits, you could just increase your walking pace to a brisk walk? It might help build your fitness and get into the routine of the programme without putting too much stress on your body to begin with. When you feel ready to run, you could keep using week 1, but add in one or more very slow jogs till you reach the point where you are jogging all the run sections. There is no rush to complete the programme in 9 weeks, so take your time.

I hope you enjoy the plan if you decide to give it ago - its changed my life completely. This time last year I was very overweight and through healthy eating and C25k have lost nearly five stone (and still losing) I now can't wait to get out the door for my next run

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to AngieS]

Thanks angle! That's a great weight loss, hope to say the same myself someday

[AngieS Graduate in reply to Lisabelfast82]

Thanks, Lisa! Good luck. Jase's point about getting decent running shoes is a must as well.

[Fixer-Upper]

Hey Lisa.

I am on week 2 and was 22.5st when I started. Dieting and exercising has helped me lose 8lbs in the first three weeks. As everyone says, give it a go if you feel that you can, and if you can't run, then push yourself to walk faster in the run bits. i am proud of you for making the start and giving it a try.

Keep it up.

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to Fixer-Upper]

Thanks well done on your weight loss and good luck with the rest of the programme.

[Rignold]

I would say unless you know of a specific medical reason why you should not, then go for it. It might be worth checking in with your GP for peace of mind if you have any concerns but otherwise full speed ahead (full speed being slowly, of course - starting at a very slow and sensible pace is the golden rule of C25k, regardless of what size you are).

I have a friend in the Obstacle Racing community who lost 200lbs, having started with a C25k programme and gradually added more and more varied exercise as she got used to it (obviously in conjunction with a sensible food plan). It's the decision to start and the determination to succeed that are the key thing - everything else can be worked around.

Well doen and look forward to seeing more of your posts.

[Jase44 Graduate]

Hi Lisa and well done for wanting to get out and do some running. You say your a big girl and I really really admire you for wanting to become fitter etc. just one thing I would say to you and this is important I think. After all the checks people have said above make sure you buy a proper pair of shoes before u even think about going out. My wife has just done 2 wks of this plan and now can hardly walk bless her. She is 13 stone and hadn't done any exercise like this before. She is in total agony with the pain. So yes well done for wanting it but be careful as we want you on this forum for more than 2 wks I'm afraid my wife has given up now because of what's happened. Listen to your body and Laura and take your time. You will get there

[Lisabelfast82 in reply to Jase44]

Thank you will make sure I have a decent pair of shoes!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Jase44]

Oh no Jase that's terrible! Tell your wife I was in agony with my knees and nearly gave up after Wk 2, but I rested up and got back to it and .... well you know the rest!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Lots of good advice above. Maybe speak to your GP first but take it slow and lots have gone before you. Good luck.

[Lisabelfast82]

Thank you everyone, you all have for me even more motivated! Just a quick question regarding shoes. I wear sketchers go walk for the gym, these should be ok for running? Or would you recommend running shoes?

[Hidden]

The MOST important things for comfort and injury prevention are running shoes and a good sports bra !! (If you're a girl...the bra is useless if you aren't !!)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

What do you mean a bra is useless if you aren't a woman? A goodly sized chap could use my mother-in-laws as a hammock!

[AngieS Graduate]

Definitely shoes designed for running! Fashion/casual trainers like sketchers won't have the support and cushioning you need. Its tough when you first start out to get the balance between not completely blowing the budget and getting decent shoes. You'll see lots of talk about gait analysis on the forum, which could be a little early days. But it still may be worth visiting a specialist running store and have a chat with them. If you explain you are just starting out with running and might also use them for the gym and walking, hopefully they might be able to recommend something suitable and not too pricey.

[Hidden]

Everyone's already given great advice, but just wanted to post and say give it a bash, you can't fail on this programme you do what you can and do it at your own pace. We'll all be here to support and encourage you xxx

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I was 20+stone when I started. I got down to 19 fairly quickly and started at the gym, just walking, the bike and the rower. I then read about c25k while researching and decided to go for it. down to just under 17 now. I'm glad I lost some weight before starting, but I'm an old and very unfit git. If you can get through w1r1 go for it. If you feel it's better to walk a bit first then that's great too. But get on the treadmill or start pounding the pavement. Your body will love you for it.

[frannyfran Graduate]

There is a thing called Gremlins who like to sit on your shoulder or in your head and give you loads of reasons for not running. Don't let them win!

Just take it nice and easy. First session will be very tough. Remember, it is the motion of running which is important, not the speed. You probably can walk faster than you will run, but providing you have no medical issues, you will get there in the end. Good luck.

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Those dreaded gremlins! They do exist dont they!!! Little beasties!! Putting it politely!!!!

[frannyfran Graduate in reply to Toonlou24]

Oh they do, and they have sooooooo many excuses!

[oldiebutboldie]

Hi Lisabelfast82

Have a look at this website:

toofattorun.co.uk/

Also a book which might help: Getting past the first 30 seconds, Julie Creffield.

Enjoy your running. Good Luck!

[Hidden]

You have made a start already by coming on here, and I congratulate you for that. That, along with the firts time out iof the door are the biggest hurdles. I'm not saying the rest is plain sailing, but it can and has been done by many people before you.

I have taken the liberty of putting a Youtube clip, which I find incredible. Rog has other ones out there which are well worth watching too.....a quick warning....you may want tissues to hand!

youtube.com/watch?v=btzJUYd...(Not working as expected?)

We on here wish you every success, and we willbe behind you 100%.We all started as on-runners, and we have made it. We KNOW you can.

[Slookie Graduate in reply to Hidden]

More tissues please ...

[misswobble Graduate]

Walking is a really good help with weight loss too. I borrow my neighbours dog and take him out over the fields, my niece's dog too. I hardly ever use my car, and walk virtually everywhere now. That's a good habit to get into. I have lost just over four stones but I still watch my weight and am very careful about what I eat. I don't do junk or takeways, given up booze too. I don't want to be the obese person I was. I like the slim, able to run version. No going back!

Loads of folks on here cycle as well, either on the road or in the gym.

You get out of things what you put in and lots of folks fall by the way side because they under estimate the time and effort required to lose weight and get fit, or aren't prepared to make sacrifies needed to get there. I hope you are going to turn things round. You won't regret it!

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

How are you doing lisabelfast???!!!!

[chalfont_chump]

I've just joined and read your post. I'm 50 years old and 302lbs I've been struggling with weight loss for 20 years and just seem to get heavier and heavier. Have you started yet? If jogging seems too much, start by walking. Just to the end of the road and back will do as a start and try and do it as quickly as comfortable. From my experiences it is important to get the joints used to movement. It should also help you shift a bit of weight.

I've been a member of this group 24 hours and it is obvious to me that it is full of people exactly the same as you and me. If week 1 is too hard, maybe walk fast 60s walk slower 90s. Or just jog a few steps then walk. It's a 9 week plan, but if it takes 9 months so what? Do you think you can lose just albs each week? because if you can thats over 3.5 stone a year!

Good luck and share your experiences with me/us