I'm going to begin C25K on Tuesday. I've never ran before. I'm not fit and I need to lose 2-3 stone. I'm 49 and really want to be fit and healthy because I hate feeling tired and unfit all the time.
An old newbie: I'm going to begin C25K on... - Couch to 5K
An old newbie
Written by
Jay5loth
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40 Replies
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LessToLoseGraduate
Yay, you can do it, I began at 4stone overweight (3 now!) and am a mere 54, so don't worry, it is possible. Just take it steady at the beginning, go as slow as you can and don't beat yourself up if you can't manage the full runs (I couldn't) and have to repeat some, it WILL get easier - and you will feel fantastic!
Love the shoes!
Thank you I will do my best
I was like you a few weeks ago. I'm 54 and have 12 year old very active twins, and I also felt unfit and tired, lethargic and low mood as well. I have never run before, I always thought it too hard. I wanted to feel fitter to play football with my kids and keep up with them. I had c25k a long time before I started it and now i wish i had began it a lot sooner. I feel much better all round and lost some weight too. I'm sure you will benefit too, go for it and see how much better you feel.
Jay5loth in reply to
Thank you. Yes I've had the C25K app for a long time now. I'm ready to give it a go
You have come to the best place for support, questions and motivation and the preverbial kick if you need it.
Take each run as it comes , go as slow as you need to complete each timed run, as LessToLose said don't worry if you can't complete them all to start with and need to re run some. You done the hardest part by deciding to do something positive
We all started at week 1 run 1 and came through it, if we can you can, yup you really can do it, trust the program and beleive in yourself 😊
Good luck with your 1st run and the rest 😊
jt24Graduate
Welcome 
The forum is a great source of support and inspiration.
C25k along with a healthy eating plan is a great way to change things. Don't get too hung up on the scales though as you will develop muscles and a different shape in the process. I didn't do it but I recommend measuring things now at the start too as your progress won't just be weight loss.
Best advice- slow and steady. If you start out and wonder what the heck you're playing at- don't panic! The run is to be as slow as it takes to complete each section.
Come back and post after, the feedback helps to keep you going.
Good luck
Thank you. I do feel good about it now
boptillyoudrop49Graduate
I was 49 when I started too. Don't look back, you won't regret it. It isn't always easy, especially mentally but the battle is half won when you have your running kit on and goout the door. I thought the programme was really good. You build up gradually and it gives you such a buzz when you notice how you're progressing. Keep posting and let usknow how you're getting on. We're here to help you through
Thank you I will post on Tuesday once I've had a go at the first part
OldflossAdministratorGraduate
Welcome to possibly one of the best things you have ever done.
This forum is the most supportive and friendly place. You will get support, empathy, sympathy and advice...good advice... and even an odd push if you need it!
I started this last year, when I was 65... (66 now)... just feeling sluggish and a little under par... I started in October and graduated the week before Christmas.. am still running three times a week too, usually!
You can do this...try not to think about weight loss too much. This programme will build up your stamina, and make you much healthier, stronger and fitter, both physically and mentally. It works!
Follow the programme, make sure you have your rest days and tailor it to suit you. It is YOUR journey. Slow and very, very steady is the mantra, and you will get that advice constantly. It is sound advice.
Keep posting... we will be here to follow your journey and get you through
This is the beginning... and remember, on Tuesday, "...you start to become the person you want to be."
Looking forward to your post!
davelinksGraduate
Go for it! I did it last year at 60, and have'nt looked back, a great bunch on here for motivation, my wife is currently on it at w7 and doing very well, but has had a heavy cold, so postponed for a few days, she's 61...😊
heavyhorseGraduate
great you are going to do it! You are in good company here many of us are over 40, some well over, and many of us have some extra baggage to carry round with us! Just remember the best piece of advice everyone gives on this forum, which is take it slow! When you feel its tough, slow down and slow down even more! Slow gets you through!
Thank you I will take all this advice
poppypugGraduate
Welcome aboard Jay ! You've come to the right place for sure !
I was 54 when I graduated , I hadn't run since school, and I didn't even run much then . I was too busy hiding behind the science block having a fag !
What kicked things off for me was watching the Great Manchester Run . I was determined that I wanted to do it, I downloaded the podcasts and that was it ! I was hooked !
Doing C25k and joining this forum are 2 of the best things Ive ever done. The support , advice and encouragement on here is amazing . They are lots of lovely, lovely folks on here . Definitely go for it, don't worry if you have to repeat any runs, you are doing this for YOU , the physical and emotional benefits are immense .
Take your rest days , they are very important , and do the cool down stretches after . Oh and post on here , it really helps in keeping you focused and motivated and don't be afraid to ask any question , no matter how " daft " you might think it is, it really isn't and there will always be someone along to help.
I joined Slimming World in January this year and achieved my target weight the end of March. I have lost one and a half stone , and feel amazing . It was tough at times, I had to kick all the chocolate, biscuits, cakes and all the rubbish stuff I used to throw down my neck, but I eat really healthily now and feel loads better !
Good Luck and I look forward to following your progress . You can do this , we are all behind you cheering you on ! xxx
poppypugGraduate
Thank you so much Jay, that is so kind of you xxx
Hey, I forgot to say, I LOVE your runners ! xxx
misswobbleGraduate
Hello Jay
Welcome to the fold. Just keep running! Slow is fine. Walk more too! Walking is a great aid to weight loss and will help your fitness. Aim to leave the car at home as much as possible and get out there on two legs. You see so much more! I borrowed a dog and it really paid off as it was that which got me running as I had to learn to run to keep up with him. I got turned onto C25k by a young lady at WW class. I never looked back. Nor will you
Good luck. Just go very slowly. Slowly, slowy is the way to crack this thing!
Thank you. I'm getting a puppy soon so I'm hoping we grow and build our strength together
Jacqui-fit450Graduate
Also 49, unfit, never run before. Tired, unhealthy, diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, underactive thyroid, depression, blah blah blah... 5'2" and 17.10 when I started this mid March 2016. Currently 16.4 (hopefully less, weigh in tomorrow) and about to start week 9. My last run was 43 minutes (only supposed to do 28) and I covered 5.4k running (6.4k with warm up and cool down). I'm walking on my rest days and have started swimming again. Absolutely loving it. I put it down to C25K and logging all food and exercise on myfitnesspal.com (if you're not on it, sign up, it really helps!), and some change in approach to life that appeared from nowhere and I can't help anyone with, but it has to come from within.
The results will keep you motivated to continue, along with the encouragement from others here. As others have said, keep it slow... and take your rest days. Good luck. Enjoy it.
Wow You are doing amazingly well 😊 I have under active thyroid too. Thank you for sharing with me it means a lot and will really help me stick with this. I'm looking forward to feeling good
Well I said you needed a change in your approach to life, and by starting this it sounds like you've already found that inner something. After every run, just say to yourself 'I did it, and it didn't kill me, and I feel proud of myself'. Shed any inhibitions about how you might look or what others might think and just focus on how bloody proud you are of yourself for just doing 'something'. If any week feels too much for you, don't give up, just repeat the week until you're comfortable with it. I only repeated week one, and I'm glad I did. Sadly there wasn't a 'bed to couch' week, which is what I needed really, and the sheer shock of being able to run for one minute bursts without dying stunned me. I think I also used that first week to overcome inhibitions. I actually stopped 'running' and pretended I was just out walking every time a car drove past, in case they laughed. By the second week, I was pretty much grinning and waving to passing cars. I'm sure many of us on here will say how much C25K has helped our confidence and had a change on our personalities, not just our bodies. I no longer feel like a useless slug. It's great.
It's so good to hear all of these things, it really helps me and your support is just fabulous. Knowing about repeating a week is great because I have thought what if I can't make that jump to the next step. Thank you that's valuable information for me x
ju-ju-Graduate
Brilliant... You can do this. It's not easy but you will find you will gain strength of character and grit too, as well as enjoying feeling fit and healthy... It's a win win situation. Good luck 😎
SammullyGraduate
Good luck, you can do it xx
GirlyswotGraduate
Well done on starting C25k! It's a great programme (trust Laura) !! Lots of support on this forum - keep us posted on your progress. I started C25k in August 2014, it's one of the best things I have ever done. Good luck !
Hi!
Good luck with it! I did my second run of week 1 on the weekend and managed to actually enjoy myself - definitely felt better afterwards which helps with motivation I think.
S
Hi Jay! Welcome to this fantastic forum which is a never ending source of inspiration, moral support and great advice on running. Keep posting and go slow. You will do this!🏃🏃🏃
I'm glad you posted this as I feel just the same and now feel motivated by all the wonderful replies you've had - thanks everyone!
Yes I have to agree, everyone is so kind as supportive which definitely helps with motivation.
SuebguineapigGraduate
Well, I have to echo other people here. You certainly can do it! I will be 58 next birthday and have seen myself for a long time as someone who cannot run in a family of runners ( even my husband was a County level cross country runner in his youth and my Dad and son are marathon men). I feel this programme has helped me to teach myself to run. Just done week six run one and feeling positive. So long as you keep making progress, however slow, you can build motivation and gain so many benefits. I truly believe this is as much a mental as well as physical challenge! Good luck!
Paola100Graduate
You are in the right place! 🙂 Start running very slow and go three days a week and take your rest! If you have problems, we are here! Welcome!!!
AnnacadsdenGraduate
Welcome to the friendliest club around! Put those shoes on, and go for it, however slowly at first...good luck!
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