Weight loss : I'm at week 6 and had been feeling... - Couch to 5K

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Weight loss

Amandalawrence74 profile image
Amandalawrence74Graduate
11 Replies

I'm at week 6 and had been feeling great about it all until I weighed myself this morning and haven't lost a single pound. I knew it'd be a bad idea to look but felt so sure I'd lost weight that I went and did it. Now I can't stop crying and I'm so angry with myself.

Is it normal not to lose weight?

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Amandalawrence74 profile image
Amandalawrence74
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11 Replies
Jonesycat profile image
JonesycatGraduate

Never mind your weight - have you lost any inches off your tummy? I'll bet you have. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat, so as you're toning up you won't necessarily see what you hoped to see on the scales. Please don't be down-hearted and upset, and think it's all pointless - I've only been running since about May and the change in my body has amazed me even though I weigh only slightly less than before, and I suspect that's down to eating better and drinking less wine rather than exercise per se.

Chin up and at 'em - you're doing brilliantly!

Scruffy64 profile image
Scruffy64Graduate

Please don't be upset - yes it's normal, especially during the early weeks of the programme when the runs are quite short. Some people lose weight during C25K but many do not - what you should notice though is a change in your shape and posture, so you will look very much healthier and leaner. If weight loss is important to you then you will need to make some changes to your diet. But now you are a runner, so don't be downhearted, follow the programme to the end and slowly build up the distance you can run and that will make a big difference.

melly4012 profile image
melly4012Graduate

I totally understand. I was the same - had tried everything diet wise to shift those last few stubborn kilos and was told that basicalIy I needed to exercise. Began C25k and was gutted to find two months later that I'd put on weight in spite of eating very healthily! I would have been absolutely devastated until I suddenly remembered how much I now enjoyed running and how much fitter and healthier I was! Also, (if you're not too squeamish) google 1lb of fat vs 1lb of muscle and you will see that, even though your weight may not have altered, you will more than likely be slimmer and more toned because the fat which takes up a lot of space is replaced by muscle which doesn't take much at all! Also exercises helps reduce visceral fat which is the internal fat around your organs (very dangerous). You may be shifting that fat but you won't be able to see the change so easily.

If you carry on running and eventually make it to running longer distances (10kish) then you really will lose weight as you'll be burning a load of calories! Don't be disheartened. You're getting fitter and healthier and that is what you need to keep in mind! :)

I'm not sure at what stage you are at in your weight loss. I know with me I am sort of stuck on about 10 stone 8 lbs which is about 6 lbs above what top end of what my normal BMI should be. I was 13 stone for last 12 years and dropped nearly 2 stone in last years and lost 10 lbs over the 9 week C25K programme. I'm now running 6K regularly 2 or 3 times per week. But sometimes my weight would go up by 1 or 2 pounds in a week over those periods but in long run it came off.

But as others have said you may be gaining muscle whilst losing fat and some weeks may not lose weight. I would like to get to my normal BMI but am not worried. It will eventually go but will still not worry about it.

When I look in the mirror I cant see where I can lose any more weight on my face or I would look odd and at most I can only pinch at most 2 inches of my belly.

I am happy with my physical and mental well being. As long as I'm into the good habits with my exercise and eating I know I am getting there and I'm sure you will if you stick to the "Cunning Plan" of C25K.

ench0 profile image
ench0Graduate

Also on week 6, haven't lost anything. I actually gained almost 5 pounds in first few weeks. But people started to ask me if I've lost weight because as it was mentioned above I actually gained some muscles, toned my body and improved the posture. Patience is the key, the scales will follow soon.

SillyLilly profile image
SillyLillyGraduate

Same here..going onto week 9 and still no budge in scales. I haven't measured myself yet but at times i swear my body looks slightly different. I don't know if it's my mind playing tricks on me because i want to see results or not. Diet is 80% of the equation. You can't outrun a bad diet. So I suspect that's where I'm hitting a wall. Gotta get a handle on my eating and then results will come.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Crying! No need for that. It is normal NOT to lose weight so soon. Not given yourself much time have you. If you continue to run and eat HEALTHILY your weight will shift. It's bound to! Try and walk more and be more mobile in general.

Don't eat any extra on C25k as you are not running long enough to burn off any extra calories. it's not until you start running longer distances that you can think about additional food

Think you about this as a long term project, same as getting fit. It takes time but it's so worth doing. You just have to stick with it. Stick like glue! You have to eat healthily though. It's no good trying to lose weight if your diet isn't healthy.

It's no good being angry. You have to channel your energies into formulating a plan. A healthy eating plan. One which will give you the right foods to fuel your runs, keep you healthy, active but satiated. Once the weight does start to shift you will be more enthusiastic. There will be ups and downs but once you have "the knowledge" you'll be all right.

Hang in there and you'll crack it!

Running changes your body shape. You get smaller but it takes time. If you are very overweight (and I'm not saying you are) it takes time to lose the spare tyres etc etc and then as you keep running/walking/swimming blah blah you start to tone up.

Dusky-Chicken profile image
Dusky-ChickenGraduate

I didn't lose any weight either until I was doing the longer 30 min runs. Now I have lost nearly half a stone so I'm well pleased. I also feel fitter and more toned so healthier in the long run

lightweightkate profile image
lightweightkateGraduate

Hi there - I have just completed C25k and not sure I have lost ay weight BUT I have lost inches around my waist and thighs and have just dropped an almost dress size. This is not a weight loss programme as I have found out well, certainly not in the short term, but many will tell you that a year or so later they are 2 or 3 dress sizes down.

What you are doing on this programme is improving your all round health and fitness and in the long term it will lead to weight loss especially if you change your diet too and run regularly

Please do not feel down - you are doing a great thing that will change your body shape in the months to come if you keep going....forget the sad step (scales) and start to feel wonderful about how you feel and what you are achieving - melly4012 made a brilliant point about the fat around your organs - thats dangerous fat and you are working on moving that so well done :-)

Amandalawrence74 profile image
Amandalawrence74Graduate

Thank you all so much for the support and advice. It's my first ever wobble and I had been feeling on such a high.

That said I still don't want to give up and yes I do feel my body has changed - and my periods are all over the place now which I think made me more emotional today lol!

I feel really supported and boosted by you all, bring on the next training day!

hilampoline profile image
hilampoline

Yes i have the same problem- though I ‘m only on week 2 but I need a sign of weight loss to motivate me . Have just tried drinking a glass of diluted apple cider each day to burn fat and reduce appetite - will report back. Any other tips on reducing calories so much that it makes a difference to weight . All diets i’ve Tried make little difference - though they do stop me putting on weight!

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