Losing motivation: Okay guys, it's officially... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,118 members159,475 posts

Losing motivation

lucieiecul profile image
18 Replies

Okay guys, it's officially been 7 days since my last proper run. I'm going to TRY and fit one in tonight. It's week 9 and I can't lose total motivation now, right? Any top twips for getting back on that horse?

Hope everyone is having a great week! xx

Written by
lucieiecul profile image
lucieiecul
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
2ndTimeAround profile image
2ndTimeAroundGraduate

Know exactly how you feel - see my last post 'Procrastination'! I think you've probably already dealt with it by writing your post - now your problem is 'out there' you can't escape it.

Of course you'll be reminding yourself of all the health benefits etc etc

We found one way to make it more interesting was to change our route - going round and round the same park was becoming v tedious.

And you're sooo close to graduating!

lucieiecul profile image
lucieiecul in reply to2ndTimeAround

So true! I'm going to change my route because right now I keep reminding myself of the 'tricky' bits I encounter on my current route.

I've also found the B210K plan and I'm interested in continuing with that! Thanks for the wise words! xxx

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

Oh, no no no you don't, you're so close to graduating! Think back to what went through your head when you started out on week one, and remember what motivated you and how much you looked forward to being able to run even 10 minutes without coughing your guts up. Then imagine running along beside yourself at that time explaining that you eventually got to week 9, lost your mojo and didn't want to get out of the door for the last three runs. Hmm. Then imagine your week one self chasing you down the road with a big stick and a mouthful of abuse :D C'mon, girl, shake yourself up! Download week 9 with the possibility to put your own music on instead of Laura's musical choice (Sticking my neck out here, but in week two it was either the music that left, or me), cobble together a motivational playlist of stuff that fires you up then GOOOO, girl!

cmcadams profile image
cmcadamsGraduate in reply tomfamilias

mfamilias - Love your post :)

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply tocmcadams

Thanks :-) I'm the proverbial gob on a stick....

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

How about this one? I've got shapely shoulders, no back boobs, those nice sloping defined bits on my midriff, and the return of the knees from the fatty blobs they used to be. I wasn't overweight to start with and haven't had the added impetus of weight loss that many on this forum describe, but the difference in my bod and my head (no depression so long as I keep running) is amazing, after only 1 year of being a runner, thanks to this programme.

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

"...nice sloping defined bits on my midriff"? Wahey! Nine months to go then maybe I'll have some too.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate in reply tomfamilias

I wish!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply tomfamilias

Ha ha !

And if your bum gets anymore perkier you will be wearing it across your shoulders ha ha :-) xxx

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply topoppypug

I've still got TERRIBLE cellulite though. I had it even when I was skinny in my twenties. My bum and the top of my legs will have to remain hidden forever more, I think, unless someone comes up with a cure for cellulite that doesn't involve smearing your thighs in coffee!!!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

Yup me too ! :-) xxx

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate in reply touseitorloseit

Can we just get over the "cellulite is ugly" shit that big business uses to try and sell us things? Women have cellulite because of how our fat is laid down under the skin. It also keeps us alive longer in cold conditions when boys conk out and die. And it doesn't mean we're old, or fat, or unfit, or ugly - I'm 28, wear a size 6, can outrun most of my friends, and have plenty of thigh dimples. It's one of those learn-to-hate-your-body-because-some-male-run-multinational-can-then-waste-your-money-on-wax-and-razors-and-acid-peels-and-other-forms-of-slight-mutilation-as-you-try-to-hate-it-less and really, you know, f*ck that. Hard. With a hot poker.

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate in reply tothe_tea_fairy

*stepping off soapbox* sorry.

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply tothe_tea_fairy

No need to apologise! Regardless of why it's there, I am shallow enough to think it looks horrid on my otherwise pretty good body and I'd get rid of it if I could. Mother Nature is cruel. My husband eats crap and sits at a desk 16 hrs per day and has a peach of a tushy!

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

You've put so much time and effort into it already. So sure, if you don't have what it takes, then just go ahead and drop out. BUT here's the deal, you can only quit after you have done the last three runs. So how about it? Get your shapely backside back onto the horse for just three more runs, and THEN come back if you really want to quit.

I'm willing to bet you won't want to ;)

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

For me, I think there's sometimes almost a fear of finishing the plan, because after that it's up to me! I absolutely recognise the loss of motivation right at the end, so how I deal with it is by allowing myself to not *want* to run, as long as I still get out there and try. I can grumble to myself all the way through changing, putting shoes on, finding keys etc., and even going out of the door. And usually, by the time I've been running for a few minutes I'm so glad I went!

If you're worried about losing the structure of the plan, make your own! Either work on B210k (although I wouldn't recommend going straight into it - the first two weeks are a *huge* leap up from w9, and it hurts!), or use the C25k+ podcasts, or plan some new routes, or try your own playlists, or whatever you like! Just keep getting out there, and keep running! :)

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate

Step 1 has been achieved by admitting your problem and asking for help. Step 2 will be agreeing to tell everyone whether you did the run or not.

Think back to why you are doing this and think over how hard some of the early steps were. You don't want to go back to where you were / have to go through all that again, do you? Lace up those shoes and off you go!

Debener profile image
DebenerGraduate

I am starting W9 - or am trying to but R1 was sabotaged today by a combo of gremlins and catarrh. I managed 16 minutes which I did enjoy. How to re- capture your motivation? So many good tips here already but I would suggest the following: 1.) plan a really interesting route 2.) pick a really interesting play list 3.) diary your runs like any other appointment/ thing you do that is important ( pub night out; cinema; work stuff may be; family stuff) 4.) remember how great it feels to accomplish a run every time. I have never felt as well as I do now after 2 months of running - leaving aside the catarrh. Good luck. Get back out there.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Losing motivation

Havn't posted or really been on in a while. Still struggling with Week 4. Finally got to run 3...
PRS38 profile image

Losing Motivation

Hi everyone I touched on this briefly in my W7R1 post a couple of days ago but I’m really...
kirstyt88 profile image

W9R2 losing motivation 😩

Having read today’s posts of fellow runners completing the programme spurred me on to have a go at...
Dups profile image
Graduate

Losing my motivation

Hello it’s been a while since I posted. I graduated about 2 months ago now and I’m starting to lose...
Pinkybee profile image
Graduate

Help! Losing motivation

It is the most ridiculously hot summer I've ever witnessed here in Mumbai. Feels like 42 degrees! I...
Shivani05 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.