Other benefits of running. Has getting into running inspired you to make other changes , maybe take up something new?

[boptillyoudrop49]

We all know about running improving your health, fitness, body shape. I think it is quite well known that it can improve your state of mind, combat anxiety and increase confidence. Has it done anything good for you beyond improving fitness? Have you been looking into trying any other new activities or reviving long forgotten ones?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

How long have you got...?

I simply dare not respond to this, yet...you know how I ramble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will write it all out then spend a while editing it...

I think this is going to have so many replies...

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I've got all the time in the world for your rambling chook. I feel much more positive about things and more "can do" generally. I joined a small and laidback choir about the time I started the c25k so don't think I can say running got me into singing. I take lessons and am making progress, this has been going on alongside the running. Just joined a second choir and I think running gave me the energy to fit it in and the confidence to go in there and sing completely uninhibited from the word go. Am thinking I'll try getting up earlier and get back into yoga. Before my daughter was born 15 years ago I did about 2 hours of Iyengar yoga a day and was miss strong-and-bendy. Maybe I should get back into it. I have a beginner's book somewhere.

[Rignold]

Running, and doing C25k specifically, was the gateway drug to a whole new life, tbh.

Kinda like Neo taking the Red Pill in The Matrix, and then finding himself in Alice in Wonderland.

Only with squats and fish oil.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

It is hard to imagine you were ever not action man or are you always a 100% person when you get into something? I'm thinking more about what I eat and the effect it has on my body (not as in dieting for weight loss but what is actually good for my particular body) and when you focus on your health in one way, like taking up running, it makes you think about a lot of different aspects of your health. I can imagine it's a real life changer for a lot of people.

[Rignold in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Hah! It's only two years ago I was a fat drunk slob who got breathless going up the stairs. My second runniversary is at the end of the month, in fact.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Wow. I seriously can't imagine it. That's a total turn-around. Amazing transformation. Have always been a bit in awe of your dedication to fitness but hearing where you came from - even more so.

[Slookie Graduate in reply to Rignold]

You are an inspiration!  

[Irishprincess Graduate]

It's made me appreciate my body more for what it can do. Before I ran I took it all for granted. It worked, I liked it, my husband loved it ☺️ it didn't let me down, etc etc. But since running I am so aware of how my body actually works and I've done much reading/research about the ways to feed it, cross train it, etc to keep it all strong and healthy for running. A consequence of this is that I now see food as fuel and am aware of every single thing I eat. I still eat goodies but I try to eat a balanced diet with a little bit of everything (apart from crisps which are my weakness but we won't go there) but now I think about my food and what it does for me.

[secan Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

"I now see food as fuel" is probably one of the saddest statements I've ever read; food can be a great pleasure even when you follow a balanced and healthy diet.

[Rignold in reply to secan]

I am afraid I don't follow your logic. Food can still be a great pleasure and be fuel at the same time. The more important it is to you as a fuel, the higher the quality you will demand of your food. If you had a Ferrari, you wouldn't put cruddy fuel in it.

I find it much sadder when people do not appreciate the purpose of food as fuel and just shovel any old rubbish in as long as it gives them a short-term gustatory kick. Is there anything sadder than empty calories?

Just because people see food as fuel, it doesn't mean they see it solely as fuel.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Hear hear!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to secan]

Ah c'mon now, we can't all be Italian. To be honest I prefer simple food now and if I didn't have a family to cook for and pamper at celebrations, I could pretty much live on salad, steak and fish.

[secan Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

You don't need to be Italian (actually, real Italian cuisine is based on few high-quality ingredients, simply prepared ).

For example, fresh mature seasonal fruit is a joy for the palate and does not require any preparation.

[Rignold in reply to secan]

fresh mature seasonal fruit is also an excellent source of fuel for the body. "High-quality ingredients, simply prepared" generally are good sources of fuel. Which, y'kow, might be what one expects. It is cheap processed, addotove filled crud that is not good fuel.

[secan Graduate in reply to Rignold]

I've the impression we might be saying the same thing and this is just a case of "lost in translation"...

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to secan]

It is true, food can give a lot of pleasure, make people feel welcome, cared for and provide a cosy ambience. I don't know that I have always given much thought to the components of what I've eaten though and how they might affect my performance, energy levels. I know now if I have wheat, I'll feel bloated and headachey but at least I know now and don't eat it much, just when I really want it.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to secan]

Aw bless you! Do you have an image of me sitting down with a few lettuce leaves and a carrot? Haha! Don't be sad secan. I've always enjoyed my food. I've never been on a diet, I've always been slim and healthy, I eat every two hours and I can eat whatever I want and not put on weight but I don't want to eat rubbish junk food or sweets. My favourite food is Italian and I adore pasta and eat it a lot so there! My body is my temple and I'm very particular about what goes inside it. 😊

[secan Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Absolutely not! After all you're a princess and we already established princesses are young, beautiful and full of joy, haven't we?

As long as you stay away from spindles, nothing can change that.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

I think it is great to be aware of what you're eating. I always liked crisps but it is basically like eating a bag of sugar so best avoided. Still very crunchy and satisfying. I also read a long time ago that in the coating on the crisps something is ued (forget what) which is addictive. So if you eat a bag of crisps, you'll find yourself craving them. I try to break with any food or drink that is addictive. Gave up coffee a few years back and had nasty withdrawal symptoms - shaky legs, pounding headaches etc i did drink strong coffee but was still surprised at those bodily reactions. Gave up alcohol 16 years ago to support a friend who was alcoholic and had to give it up. Gave up sugar mostly but I'll still have a sauce with sugar in it, occasional piece of fruit or a slice of birthday cake, just not much and not daily, or even weekly.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Oh I know crisps are bad but they are a little bit of a weakness for me. Years ago I rememberer scoffing six bags all at once! Yummy but hell I felt like sh** afterwards!

Good for you for giving up alcohol and sugar. The only thing I probably couldn't ever give up would be tea..... oh and running!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Noooooo, never give up running! I'm even trying to get my dad into it and he's in his 70s.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

How fab! Make sure he posts here so we can meet him!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

He's an amazing man and quite a character. He's put on some weight since Mum died (mostly round the stomach) and although he keeps active and watches his diet, he thinks he's too heavy to run.

[pilch in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

I'm in my 70s and running is incredibly important to me. I have a chronic lung condition caused by whooping cough when very young. It helps keep my lungs clear - both my doctor and respiratory physio say ' don't stop'. Just wondering if I could try asking for new shoes on prescription!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to pilch]

Oh hello and welcome! Are you doing the C25K? Please post as I'm sure loads of people here would love to hear from you and be inspired. 

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to pilch]

That's fantastic pilch. I will have to show my dad your post. Have you been running for long?

[pilch in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Sorry not to have replied earlier. I'm not sure I should really be on this lovely site as I've been a runner for over thirty years. However I found the site as I'm on two other health unlocked communities for what I suppose are more serious conditions. I love to read all the posts however as I think it's great to see so many people taking up and enjoying running - and getting such benefit. All I can say is keep it going as long as you can. I can't imagine not being able to go for a run but no doubt a point will come. 

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to pilch]

More experienced runners are a great inspiration for the rest of us. I always really appreciate it if they find time to post here with us.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes ☺ I'm sure I once saw this quoted as "I don't diet and exercise. I eat and run"

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Love it!