Tips for beginners...

[Determined_lady]

Hello, I'm 33 and still around 5 stone overweight! I started the NHS 12 week Weightloss plan and have lost 1 stone in the past 6 weeks. Now I have my diet under control, I want to step up the fitness and hopefully increase the weightloss. I've completed different exercise sessions over the past few weeks and feel like the C25K would be a good programme to follow. Can anyone offer any advice or tips to a non-runner? Thank you

[ChelleUK]

Hi DeterminedLady ☺ my advice..... Go for it! Its a great programme designed for us complete beginners. Take it nice and steady, the 'run' isn't a sprint, its just a real gentle plod, the key is to start slow so you don't wear yourself out and get disheartened. Its seems really daunting but just take one run, one day, one week at a time. I'm just about to start week 4 and if you'd told me 3 weeks ago its what I'd be doing tomorrow I'd have laughed in your face 😀 good luck. Oh, and do the strength and flex podcasts as well on alternate days, you'll find it really helps ☺

PS have you joined the weight loss forum as well? Its great 😁😁

[Determined_lady in reply to ChelleUK]

Thank you ChelleUK. I've joined both forums today. I've downloaded the podcasts and aim to do them on alternate days.

Well done on getting to week 4! and the support!

[funschine in reply to ChelleUK]

Hi what's the strength and flex podcast?I can't find it.

[ChelleUK in reply to funschine]

Hi funschine heres the link nhs.uk/LiveWell/strength-an...

[Bundoodle Graduate]

Welcome! You have made a good choice to go for C25K. First, congratulations on taking control, second you have made a fantastic move by coming on to the forum. You will get loads of good advice and encouragement from normal people who have been there before you and succeeded. The best advice for the first weeks is go slowley, and when it gets hard, go slower. 7 weeks ago I could no more run than fly to the moon but I am about to start week 8 and am loving it. Go out on each run with curiosity to see what you can achieve and remember you can always repeat a week if you want, it not a race to the end. Good luck and I look forwards to reading about your journey 🏃🏃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hi and welcome

Well done for starting the journey. C25K is great... just follow it and take it slowly and steadily.

It is not intended to aid weight loss, but in some cases it does have that effect. What it does do is improve all around fitness and stamina.

Keep posting and you will get lots of support and advice

[heavyhorse Graduate]

best advice is get a good sports bra and take it slowly, stamina builds up by going nice and steady, we often try to start too fast and its harder to sustain. But there are lots of us carrying a bit of extra weight and we have all done it so good luck with getting started!

[Kds101]

Good luck. Don't make the mistake I've made, go and spend some money in a proper running shop and get trainers that suit your feet, knees and back. At the moment I'm going to have to stop for a bit and am off to a running shop tomorrow to do things properly. You cannot just buy a pair from the shelf and run off

[Determined_lady in reply to Kds101]

Thanks

[Kds101 in reply to Determined_lady]

I hope Ididn't put you off . I really, really love it and I'm definitely not slim. Good bra is also worth the struggle trying to get it on😀

[Londonred Graduate]

You can do it!

I started off being 4 and a half stone overweight. I made sure I had a good sports bra! I did buy the cheapest running shoes I could get as I didn't believe I would stick with it, but here I am as a graduate! And am getting a decent pair of running shoes this week as the cheap pair are falling apart after 5 months!

Just take it really slow and don't beat yourself up if you have bad weeks and/or runs. Just keep going.

Best of luck, it's the best thing I've ever done and I'm still running, over a stone less so far!

[Hidden]

Take it nice and slow and if you have to repeat a week. No stress or pressure. It's a great programme. Keep us updated on your progress

[wine25k]

Well done on starting the c25k...I agree a good sports bra is a must...I found the ones that do up with a zip better than the ones you struggle with to get over your head....you are worn out before you go out after the fight with those ones !!

Good luck..nice and steady goes it.

[louisella Graduate]

Hi - nothing new to add really to what's been said about but just wanted to say well done for taking the plunge. It can feel a little daunting at first but have faith in the programme it really does work. I'm 3 stone overweight and graduated this morning - some days you'll have good runs and other days will feel that bit harder. When it's a not so good run, don't put too much pressure on yourself and just keep going. Good luck and keep posting

p.s. I definitely agree with good shoes and a good sports bra (I think i'd have black eyes without mine )