Just Started

[Jon-1308]

Hi I'm Jon

I have decided to take up the 5k challenge to hopefully lose weight and get fit. My aim is to hopefully start 1/2marathon running.

[NIGHTINGALE1 Graduate]

Hi Jon I completed the programme on Friday and I am 63, overweight and hadn't exercised for years. So it is doable. Just follow the plan and Don't go too fast. Stick around here and you will get all the support and encouragement you need. Good luck, you can do this.

[PippiRuns]

Welcome aboard. If you want to lose some weight, I think it is necessary to combine the running with some calorie restriction. But get started on the running first, it will make losing weight easier. Or at least that is how it works for me. Happy running🏃🏃🏃

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Welcome and enjoy your running adventure. I have gained a great deal from running: improved muscle tone, breathing had improved and my heart is stronger together with better confidence too. However, from my experience, it is possible to run and not lose weight and I don't want you to be disappointed. In my case, the reason for this is that I still eat too much. In fact, I even sometimes reward myself for running with food! The best way I have found to lose weight was counting calories using an app called My Fitness Pal. It is totally free and allows you to monitor your calorie intake, log weight and there is a friendly and helpful forum there too.

Looking forward to reading your posts.

[neuropsycsci Graduate]

Hi, welcome! It's great that you've decided to start the couch to 5k.

I agree with others about the weight thing - I definitely gained muscle tone from running in my legs (and a firmer stomach too) but have not lost any weight (overall). I'm sure I have lost fat mass and gained muscle though. So don't rely on scales to track your progress - just be proud of yourself for each and every run you complete! You will be increasing your fitness every time

[Jmiss Graduate]

Good luck and enjoy the jogging. I never thought I would or could do it but I have just completed my first 25 min nonstop run. I am 57 and over weight too but I am fitter & more relaxed than I have been for many many years. I only joined this site about 2 weeks ago and and had been redoing w5r2 for a few weels due to lack of confidence but thanks to the all the support from everyone here I am now starting w7r1 this week...so stick with it and draw on the encouragement you will get from everyone here and you will achieve your goals. Good luck.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Welcome Jon. You've come to the right place! The programme is great and has got thousands of us off the couch now.

Just work through at a steady pace, take rest days in between and get into a good stretching regime after runs. You will soon find a difference in your fitness and body tone. Match that with a good healthy eating regime and you could be doing those half marathons in months!

[OldPossum]

I started this to get fit and initially the weight loss came as a bonus. As PippiRuns says you need to restrict calories too which for me happened naturally. Running made me feel good and as a comfort eater I no longer felt the urge to snack. I do now us My Fitness Pal as referred to by JoolieB1 to track calories and have lost 21lbs since starting. Just take it all at your own pace. Good luck 😀

[Ellymeg Graduate]

Great to see you Jon,

Finding this forum is a great first step, supportive, non judgemental and gently shoves you in the right directions!

Enjoy the pathway it really works! You'll be running, running, running.....

Waiting to hear of your experience. 🙂

[lessthanphil]

Good luck Jon! I found the weight loss came naturally as I started cutting down portion sizes etc as a result of not wanting to nullify my efforts with C25K!

Enjoy the journey and as others have said, take it slow. You should feel like you've expended significant effort at the end of a workout (else it would be pointless) but not so much that you a) can't complete the day or b) risk injury.

Keep checking in!

[melly4012 Graduate]

Welcome, Jon! The C25k programme is simply amazing, following it will change your life and be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.

In a few months, you'll be a runner!

Go slowly, stretch, listen to Laura, slow down a bit more, take your rest days and before you know it you'll be running for 30 minutes!

This forum is full of incredible, inspirational people so do use it for advice, encouragement and to let us celebrate your successes with you.

[sHAYM4N Graduate]

Nice one Jon! Think you've done the right thing registering here to start with, it will definitely help if things get tricky! I've just started Week5 (a tricky one), and really do believe in it now Give it chance and you'll definitely start noticing the improvements.

You'll have good days & bad days, don't beat yourself up if you have to repeat any of the runs, and try to get a pattern going with your running days!

If you use a tracking device, don't get hung up on your times, as many good folks have reminded me, its all about endurance for now.

Best of luck!