I am 50 but have played sport all my life especially rugby and as I retired from that, I took up golf and play a lot of it !
I have always been active with sport and/or dog walking.
But I noticed that however much exercise I did (I have a Fitbit and track it) I was just gaining weight.
So as well as my diet I came across C25K and thought that would be good for me.
I am currently on week 5 and sort of enjoying it and would like to make running part of my regular life if only to get a sweat on three times a week !!
We have smart scales that track our weight and back on June 10 I was 96.2kgs - a proper tub of lard !
The first benefit :
Seven weeks after starting my diet I am now 88.5kg - a loss of 7.7kg (about 1st 3lbs). The running has played a major part in this.
The second benefit :
My thigh and leg muscles are developing well and now starting to get real definition again after a few years away !
My back is getting stronger and my joints are feeling great
The third benefit :
My recovery time after each run is getting better which proves that I am getting fitter and my overall wellbeing has improved hugely too and that it not to be underestimated.
The fourth benefit :
I have always been a pretty determined chap with tons of positive attitude flowing but never ever thought that I could be a runner - with this simple programme you can be. I am starting to be one !
I want to continue running so much so I treated myself to some proper running shoes for my gait and stride.
I am sleeping better and my concentration at work has greatly improved even doing shift work.
Concentration is important in my line of work - I drive trains to and from London packed full of commuters.
The fifth benefit :
I now have a real goal in my life, both weight wise and running wise and for me there is nothing better than having a target.
I want to shed another 8kgs and eventually run in a 5k RACE.
C25K has motivated me to become the best that I can be, get fitter, take regular strenuous exercise and think about what I eat as that may affect my running !!!!!
I am so excited about the new slimmer fitter me that is only a few weeks away and shall hit 51 in far better shape at the end of October - my birthday present from my OH is the running shoes !!
What other benefits are coming my way ? I have no clue but it is an exciting future.
So if you are not sure whether or not to do it, whether or not to go for that run because it's too hot, too wet or whatever, come back and read this and get out there.
Finally, what a forum this is - advice, encouragement, knowledge and boundless support and enthusiasm.
This is a community at its finest and shows what can be achieved working together - you are not alone.
Written by
richardvc
Graduate
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First thought as a response, apart from agreeing with you, is to say that your target of running a 5k race is a piece of p***. I'm sure that within a few weeks of completing C25K, you'll be in fine shape to enter a 5K. Why not set a more ambitious target like a 10k or half marathon? I'm 58. I completed C25K at the end of March (having never been a runner before), did a 10K race on Fathers' day (June), there's a 5 Mile race this Sunday, another 10k at the end of September and the Oxford Half Marathon on Oct 11th.
Just believe - one of the things C25K does is to give you confidence. You've done fantastic, you're just a couple of weeks from graduating.
Great post and well done on all your achievements, sounds like you are pretty hooked if you ask me. Welcome to the club.. The world will be your oyster when you graduate. Happy running.
As others have said, a fantastic post! I think many people will identify with those benefits. It is funny how this running bug creeps up and takes a hold on you. For me the emotional benefits are massive - running helps me keep my anxiety in check and has had a massive impact on my self- esteem. I also sleep so much better when I run regularly. The 5k goal is also mine (although I did one a few years ago, I let the running slide) but so many people on here go so much further. It really is a great place to come for advice and support. Good luck with your journey wherever it takes you!😀
Welcome to the club Richard, sounds as if you have caught the running bug as well
I would also add on the endorphins you get from running. Having a bad day, feeling a bit down/anxious/wound up, get out for a run - I have always felt better afterwards.
Also, maybe the sense of acomplishment and achievement you get from suceeding in something you didn't realise you were capable of achieving.
Absolutely fantastic post, your enthusiam just shines through and I am sure you will complete the programme no doubts about that .
The worlds ya lobster after completion. Just to think that I can get my trainers on and go for a run still gives me a massive buzz, this programme is just amazing and the benefits are immense .
Oh you could do parkruns, 5ks 10ks HMs , the sky is the limit . Ive done three 10k races this year , yes me, a ex chain-smoking, lager swilling couch spud who couldnt even run a bath ha ha !
The programme, this forum and all the lovely, lovely people on it have changed my life for the better.
You are doing brilliantly with the programme and your weight loss . Keep going , you will be giving Stanley a run for his money ha ha
Oh and yes I agree, once you enter a race , you will be completely addicted. Its like " Hotel California " you can check in anytime you like but you can never leave !
Good Luck Richard and looking forward to reading your next write-up xxx
Wow, that's a lot of weight loss. I've probably lost about the same in about double the time. (So I have great ambitions of one day becoming a proper tub of lard for starters , and then maybe even just plain overweight).
Great post, anyway. You really sum it up well. Learning how much you can achieve by just going about it the right way makes you realise that other things might also be possible. Just take small enough initial steps to be sure of building success upon success, and try if possible to make the thing its own motivation, and that's a lot of impossibility pushed out of the way already.
And yes it really helps not being alone in this. I came to the forum a bit late, but better late than never.
Week 5 is (to me) the top of the mountain. From here, it's not all downhill (and who would really want to go downhill, eventually?) but it looks very much like from here on you get the gremlins comfortable with the idea of just taking the day off while you do your longer runs. But your plans say you've already got this figured.
Wow! Well done!!!! A Parkrun is 5k and you can race against others. It's free and there's bound to be one near you this Saturday morning. It's great fun. You have to register up-front I understand. Their website explains all
Good luck with your running and your continued weight loss. Healthy eating and running will deliver a slimmer new you
Whoohoo!! Great post. Sign up for a 5 k in the not-so-distant future, they're great for having a post-graduation goal and it keeps you running once the structure stops.
I loved this post, so positive and up beat, one of the things I love about this programme is it gives you self esteem, I feel good about myself for getting off the couch and doing something positive. well done to you, keep it up!!!
That's fantastic! I've just seen the before and during photos of you and the change in you is incredible in uch a short time.
I'm at the same stage of C25K as you - I finished W5R2 last night. I've lost 6 pounds so far, but the thing I'm happiest about is that when I had my BP checked last week it was the lowest it has been for 13 years!
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If you are new - so were we Graduates" :) 
New starters hoping to lose weight - take your measurements instead!
Completed week 1 - newbie runner
If you're thinking about trying running, do it, it's awesome
