I'M FEELING LOST

[Nanda-]

HI there

I'm new in here, i have been told by the doctor i need to loose weight for health reasons.

I started walking every day, but i would like to start running just don't know where to start.

Any suggestions or ideas please.

Kind regards

Nanda

[mfamilias Graduate]

Hello Nanda, pleased to meet you Well done for taking the first step. You've come to the right place - this forum is ideal to get the motivation and the occasion boot in the behind we all need to put our good words into action.

Walking every day is excellent -when you're ready, get yourself a pair of good trainers, download the C25K programme, and get out of the door for the first run. It's as simple as that to get started - the only things you need are the right shoes and the belief in yourself. If you need motivation, just post here and I'm sure you'll have a gaggle of supporters to wave their virtual pompoms within hours (and that's just the boys).

[Nanda- in reply to mfamilias]

thank you very much for your replay i do have the trainers.

every night when i go to bed i tell myself i started tomorrow then in the morning i cant do it so i walk.

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Nanda-]

Walking is better than doing nothing and it's a good place to start, but why do you say you can't run? Physically can't or just don't want to? If it's the former, carry on walking till you get stronger. If it's the latter, then only you know the answer. You'll get plenty of support here when you begin so what have you got to lose?

[Nanda- in reply to useitorloseit]

First i feel a bit shy of just starting running in the street, then is the fact i got a problem on my left leg, to answer to your question yes i can run,.

I think if i started to run tomorrow i would be fine because i have being preparing myself for a Race for life 5k soon

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Nanda-]

I think most of us felt a bit embarrassed to start with. I used to get up at 5.30 am to run round the park before anyone else got there! Have a go. Lots of people do running and walking in the R4L so you don't need to panic about running 5k all in one go. Good luck!

[Nanda- in reply to useitorloseit]

thank you very much

[Hidden in reply to useitorloseit]

Good advice, a lot want to run before they can walk

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to Nanda-]

The 'I'll start tomorrow" procrastination routine is one that everyone knows well here. We all have problems with those gremlins who whisper that we shouldn't, that there's no point trying. They serve up all kinds of excuses for not doing what we want to do because half of the time we're too scared to take the first step. So don't let the gremlins win- just take one day at a time. Whatever you do is better than doing nothing at all, and just imagine the kick you'll get out of beating your fears and getting it done.

[Nanda- in reply to mfamilias]

thank you very much i will try on Friday morning

[AdamB Graduate]

Nanda - go to nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/... and download the podcast for week 1 today (not in the morning). Load it onto your phone, mp3 player or similar and find your headphones. Put your trainers, player and headphones out by your bed for first thing tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow, get up and get out there. The forecast is good. Don't find any excuses. Listen to the podcast and do as Laura says. The longest she has you running for in week 1 is 60 seconds at a time. We've all been there, and whilst 60 seconds might sound like a long time to you now, as it did to us when we started, we all managed it. You can too.

Good luck.

[Peskymousie]

Hi , nice to meet you. You can do this. The trick is to be stubborn remember routine you set up. Keep it so for 6 weeks and it will be a habit.

[Nanda- in reply to Peskymousie]

thank you very much

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Welcome to our happy little forum. If anyone can help you get out the door it's the lovely members on here. We have all been in your shoes and never forget how those first few steps feel but once you have taken them you will wonder why it took you so long. We will be here to help you every step of the way. Happy running.

[lucieiecul]

Hi Nanda,

I used to fantasise about running from one end of my street to the other without getting tired. Last night I managed to run all the way home from work (over 3 miles) without stopping! At first it’s difficult, but you’ll start to feel like the bionic woman once you feel yourself getting fitter & fitter. The programme has improved my confidence & helped me to feel totally comfortable with running on the street, even though I was so self-conscious at first. Why not reward yourself with some cool running gear that you feel comfortable in as a treat after you’ve completed week 1? One of the best rewards I ever bought was a well deserved new pair of trainers. Little incentives make running much easier & give you a pick me up when you start hitting those milestones. Best of luck! I’m in week 9 now and can’t wait to graduate (although I will miss Laura!) Have faith

[Tomas Graduate]

Welcome on board, Nanda. You can do this, all it takes is that first step out of the door with your running gear on. Once you've done that, it will soon all feel normal and fine. Happy running

[Hidden]

Download the first week of the C25K podcasts and get them on a phone or MP3 player, trainers on feet and really that's all you need. Do what Laura (the voice on the podcast) tells you. For the first session there are 8x60 second blocks of running with walking in between. Even if you only manage one or two of the running blocks maybe the next time you can do 3 or 4 until you are able to do all 8 then move on to the next week of podcasts (don't worry if it takes you longer than an actual 7 day week to achieve this) Don't put it off any longer, it's going to do do you good and you might actually enjoy it !!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Hi Nanda! It all started with walking for me. Finally managed to stick to a weight loss programme and then, when I built a little confidence, I started running with C25K along the way. I lost 4 stone and now I'm running 10ks in under an hour! I'd never run a step before.

All it needs is determination and a little discipline and you can do it. The folks here will cheer you all the way!

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

Just begin. People may stare but really, unless they're also running, you're ahead already and their judgement doesn't count. Go slow and steady and be kind to yourself.

My fitness pal is quite handy for tracking calories if you're trying to change your weight as well - good for making you more aware of what you're eating (I need to gain half a stone and it's been quite an eye opener actually recording what I'm eating - our ideas of how much energy something contains are often pretty inaccurate). If you also use runkeeper for your running you can synch them up and it'll calculate what you've burned etc.

And besides all that boring waffle, realise that running is joyous and life-affirming and addictive, regardless of weight/body stuff. I wish I'd started way sooner!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

The key thing is that podcast. It's nearly 3 and a half years since I stood on a tow path in my normal clothes including light-ish walking boots, dog on the lead, usual everything but the kitchen sink backpack on my back. And I told myself this was mad and that I didn't have to do it if I didn't want to. Made my acquaintance with the lovely Laura (who is a real person and used to post on this forum sometimes) and the sort of music I don't usually listen to as I walked along and when she told me to run, well I tried my level best to run until she told me I could stop.

And *we* are all dying to hear how you get on.

[MarkyD Graduate]

Welcome Nanda- it is nice having you join us. I'm afraid you've gone and done it now! You mentioned on this forum that you'll start on Friday, and so we will hold you to that now.

I was so embarrassed that I would be seen by my neighbours that I went out at dusk (it was this time of year, last year). And I deliberately dressed in some hiking trousers and a cotton t-shirt (so that I could pretend that I wasn't running if I was seen). BUT once you've got out for the first time, and accomplished the 60 seconds of light jogging, followed by a 90 second (?) recovery walk (8 times) you then don't care, because now you are a runner.

Good advice from AdamB about getting everything ready the night before. For these early days in the program you'll not need to eat before starting, maybe a _small_ glass of water 15 minutes beforehand. You'll do a 5 minute warm-up walk before starting the light jogging, so your immediate neighbours won't see you.

We're now officially your running buddies, here to help you with answers, encouragement, motivation and generally cheering you across the finish line (mfamilias has her pom-poms out already). Summer 2015 is officially the year you achieve your aim of being a runner, and taking on that Race for Life.

If not now (with all our support), then when?

[50NotOut Graduate]

I hope your first run goes well. Just take it as slow as you need to.

This forum is brilliant.

You can use the index on the right hand side to search for posts by other people also starting week 1, and see how they are getting on or swap notes. Or look at posts by people in the later weeks to inspire you and give you confidence that all sorts of people have used this couch to 5k programme and IT REALLY WORKS!

x

[Coddfish Graduate]

Please do start C25k. The advice above is sound, but I particularly recommend the post which suggests getting all your stuff ready the night before. The first run/walk will only take 30 minutes of your time but will hopefully start you on a great journey. The programme really works, the many graduates who post here are testament to that. Many of us have seen big changes in health and happiness through making the small change of adding running into our lives. Good luck.

[Terrorrun Graduate]

Hey Nanda, Welcome. When I started I remember thinking not about the whole Couch to 5k program, but only about week 1. My thoughts were even if I do week 1, then repeat, repeat repeat it is still more than I was doing, and will do me good. Thinking about it one run at a time really helped. I am now on Week 6 and really enjoying it - mostly ! Good Luck, can't wait to hear from you on Friday.

[Rainbowsmurf Graduate]

So what happened?

If you are worried about looking a bit of a twit then see my post here:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5.......

[happyharris Graduate]

I was hugely overweight when I started - you CAN do this!!!! Stick with the podcast and believe what she says, it will be so good for your self esteem and you won't believe the difference it makes xxx