W1R2 - I did it !!!: Hi guys. I'm an overweight... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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W1R2 - I did it !!!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate
43 Replies

Hi guys. I'm an overweight man in his fifties trying to get fit and lose a bit of weight for my Daughter's wedding in July. I started my first run on Monday (wearing a big coat and dragging my poor pooch along so it didn't look like I was trying to exercise). I was absolutely exhausted by the third 60 second run and had to walk/run (more like flollop!) through the rest of the session, so I was a little disappointed with myself.

I went ahead with my second run anyway last night, and....... I DID IT.... ALL OF IT!

I even enjoyed the five minute warm down!

No-one is more surprised than me. I was really proud of myself and am really looking forward to Friday night's run. This time, I may even take off the big coat!

Not really asking for help or advice, but just sharing my experience. Maybe to help others that may think that it's a bit too much after failing to compete the first run. Make sure that you do the rest day then get out there. You may be as surprised as me :)

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TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldMan
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43 Replies
mspapps profile image
mspapps

Good luck. I'm hoping to start it tomorrow.

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to mspapps

Nice one. Let me know how you get on :)

50up profile image
50up in reply to mspapps

Hope you are inspired by TiredOldMan . Good luck with W1R1. Remember to take it slow.

There are lots of friends here to help with issues and motivation :D

50up profile image
50up

Well done TiredOldMan , you made the most difficult step and got started. Now it's just about keeping going, but you sound determined and strong.

Try running without the coat though :)

Thanks for sharing

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to 50up

Ha ha, thanks 50up. I'll maybe leave the coat at home next time :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Ditch the coat....( you will need to anyway, as the runs get longer and the days get warmer) .... you are out there and doing it , and like so many of us before you...you are on the way! Yeay!

I know you said that you don't want help or advice, but on here......well, we cannot help giving it :)

Simply, take it slow and steady, take your rest days, do not push yourself too hard... this is a journey not a race and should be fun :)

If you were exhausted, then slow it down even more.. there is no such thing as too slow on the C25K programme... honestly!

Other exercise on your rest days is useful too... anything you enjoy , walking, swimming cycling.. etc.. strength and flex can help too on those rest days..lots of us used them in conjunction with the C25K programme and still do use them as needed:)

nhs.uk/Livewell/strength-an...

So.. keep posting and let us know how you are doing please? You have got to look great at that wedding :)

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks for the advice and encouragement Oldfloss. Yes, I'll ditch the coat, who cares what I look like when I'm exercising :O

What a nice bunch of people you are here.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to TiredOldMan

No one cares.. they are too busy thinking about themselves and their lives :)

And, if they do stare... it is because they wish they had got the, get up and go to do it... or they are runners too, and thinking... well done you!

One of my favourite quotes, and I love quotes... is

" Self-confidence is the best outfit, rock it and own it !"

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Brilliant :)

I'll remember that one. Thanks loads.

Bonkersbrit profile image
BonkersbritGraduate

Good for you TiredOldMan!!

You are well on your way. We are both winning at week one and remember -whatever you achieve by the big date in July, it's only part of the story. I've learned from reading posts on this forum that this is a life long journey and every step you take is a success.

As for running with your coat on, well, I'm running in thermals and a Salomon windproof fleece jacket! Then again, it's still below freezing where I am. I'd say listen to your body. I'm confident that one day very soon you will go out in your coat and decide part way along that you don't need it, then you won't take it next time. Simple. Don't rush this thing.

Keep posting, keep running and remember that, as one of the experts on here said " we may run on our own, but we never run alone"

🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Bonkersbrit

Thanks Bonkersbrit. The support I'm getting is really great. I think the coat will stay on its peg tomorrow night. I'll still take Rosie the dog though :)

Good luck with your journey too. We can suffer together online 👍🏼

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

Welcome to the forum , and well done for getting out there! Does your daughter know that you are doing this? I bet she'll be proud of you.

We all started out pretending that we were in a hurry to get somewhere, yet somewhere along the line you find yourself outside wearing garish colours and loving every minute of it :) Nobody knows that it's new for you, and honestly very few people notice you running, however conspicuous you may feel. The great thing about this is that the advantages are multiple - not only getting fit and losing weight, but also developing self esteem, motivation and determination. Go for it, and keep us posted!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to mfamilias

Great advice mfamilias. In fact, thanks to all the wonderful encouragement you people have given me today, I've just ordered the brightest pair of running shoes I've ever seen :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to TiredOldMan

Yeay.... but the rule is... we need a pikkie of the shoes when they come ... :)

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

No problem :)

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

I went to pick up my running shoes yesterday and found out that I'm a bit too heavy for them (something to watch out for newbies).

I got myself another pair especially designed for, erm... "persons of a certain weight" ahem! Can't wait to use them tonight though.

I haven't a clue how to post pictures on here so.... imagine a pair of bright blue canal barges with laces and you'll be close ;)

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to TiredOldMan

Fantastic! Bright blue sound like the bees knees. You will shine tonight, in every sense of the word :D

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You are not old!

If you get in shape, eat and drink properly, exercise regularly - not just for summer weddings 😃- you can start turning back the clock. I am sure your wife and family will be delighted 🙂🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃💪😩

Walking the dog is great exercise - for both of you.

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to misswobble

To be honest, I'm kinda hoping that the wife will eventually join in. It will be nice to live longer with her (soppy I know) :)

resolution profile image
resolutionGraduate

I think all of us start out feeling like awkwardly waddling pygmy hippos, and because we think this we assume that other people seeing us must think this too - but this is just us projecting our own feelings on other people. The truth is that nobody can judge you but yourself, and in the end it's yourself that you've started this for! So screw all the opinions that don't matter and don't contribute to your success, put on your colourful running shoes, I'll put on my awkward slogan t-shirts, and together we'll show ourselves that we can do anything! Keep on waddling! ^_^

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to resolution

Love it 😂

AndyD profile image
AndyDGraduate

Well done!!! I think it takes a few runs for the body to stop saying "Hey.. what the hell do you think you're doing" after that I'm sure your body knows what's coming and is more prepared both physically and mentally.

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to AndyD

I'm sure my body will hate me in the beginning but love me at the end. Fingers crossed 🤞

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I hope she will too! cycle, swim, gym, walk the dog, dance. The possibilities are endless 😃 Stick with this programme and you can really make changes to yourself. Our resident He-Man, Rig, is testament to this, so do read his recent post for his story

My husband has an old fogey gene which does my head in. I would like him to get his ass in gear but he would rather browse the Damart catalogue 😩

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate in reply to misswobble

Ooh, Damart. Warm and wonderful.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

My thermal tee is black with sparkly bits. Not from Damart 😀

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

It's posts like yours which make this all worthwhile! Go for it!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to useitorloseit

Wow. I said it above... what a lovely bunch of people. Thanks Useitorloseit. Love your username btw. I'll mention it to the wife 😁

Shorty7 profile image
Shorty7Graduate

Fantastic - well done what a great start 😊

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Shorty7

You too Shorty7 😃

kesmcg profile image
kesmcgGraduate

Great stuff. Does it matter that it looks like exercise? I couldn't care less who sees me in my Lycra. Be proud!

Jacqui_999 profile image
Jacqui_999

Well done. The first step is always the hardest and you've already completed two runs. I'm just about to start week 7 - you will be so surprised at how quickly your body adjusts to a new challenge. I've never been a runner & i've just turned 50 so I'm no spring chicken either 😂 but I'm running a 6k iron run tomorrow. I'm a bit scared to be honest but I'm going to give it my best shot. Keep up with the running you'll be at 5k before you know it and your daughter will be so proud of you xx

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Jacqui_999

Thanks for the support Jacqui_999. Good luck with your 6K.

CJ24 profile image
CJ24Graduate

Well done you TiredOldMan you're on your way. Listen to Oldfloss and the other members of the forum, they know what their talking about and have supported many of us in our running journeys. 3 tips;

"Take it slow and steady"

Leave the coat on the peg!

Enjoy it!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to CJ24

Thanks CJ24. SLOW I can do :)

NetShee profile image
NetShee

Well done!

I'm 60 and just about to start W3. I feel very virtuous and proud of myself for doing it - though I can't say I enjoy the "running" bits yet!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to NetShee

According to all the comments, we will both be able to enjoy the running if we keep going. Good luck with W3, can't wait until I get there :)

NetShee profile image
NetShee in reply to TiredOldMan

I hope so! - but the enjoyment hasn't arrived yet, I still find it just very hard work! - although I do feel a warm glow of smugness at the end!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to NetShee

Ha ha smugness is something I'm really looking forward to!

Katie1920 profile image
Katie1920

I'm just starting my journey... well I haven't started yet BUT you've spurred me on.. good luck with the rest of C25K.

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Katie1920

Nice one Katie1920. You go for it! I hope you enjoy your journey.

I'm getting all excited about my run later :)

Katie1920 profile image
Katie1920 in reply to TiredOldMan

I'm away for the weekend but I've downloaded the podcast and am listening to it at the moment! Not out doing it! I've ordered the sports bra though and am gearing myself to start after the weekend... pleased to hear that you're looking forward to the next run!

TiredOldMan profile image
TiredOldManGraduate in reply to Katie1920

Ha ha good for you. Have a great weekend and let me know how you get on. Good luck :)

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