Complete novice!

[Chubby_runner]

Hi, I am a novice runner and very overweight, I was just wondering if anyone else has successfully completed the programme, and whether you can repeat weeks as needed? I am following a slimming world diet as well x

[Irish-John Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The above link will give you an idea of what this programme can accomplish.

Read the beginner posts of Graduates - you will see how we were all 'novices' and certainly not in the 'lean, mean running machine' catagory

The programme is designed to get us slobs off the sofa and running continuously for thirty minutes at our own pace, in our own time,

forget about the 'nine weeks' and the '5K' Less than 30% of Graduates made it in anything like either of those

Use the programme for structure and as a guide - about the ONLY 'unbreakable' part of it is, NEVER run on a Rest day. It's also a good idea not to run for more than the recommended time as you progress.

While it is not a 'weight loss' programme - it sure as hell will make whatever weight you have look a heck of a lot better My body looks 'fitter' than it ever did - and if weight was the measure of 'looking good' anyway I would have put Johnny Depp to shame when I weighed 88lbs after becoming rather dangerously ill in Asia quite a few years ago LOL Needles to say, I did NOT look good LOL. nor did I look good when I was at a 'healthy' weight because it was the 'wrong kind' of poundage. Nowadays I am quite content to catch a glimpse of my reflection in a window or whatever - before running that would depress me.

anyway - you seem sincerely desperate Give this programme a go. Hang out with us here. The hardest part - and there are days even still when I find it hard and every other Graduate has those days also believe me - is going out the door to run. Once you start the days run, it takes care of itself. There are 'success' runs and 'practice for success' runs. We do NOT use the 'F--l' word here

Becoming a Runner from where we start will change EVERYTHING. There is no way to explain that in words but we here all know what I mean. I bet you a million dollars you have heard the promises before - 'this will change your life for the better' etc.

Well - on my word of honour I can make that promise. C25K will.

Around here we may run on our own - but we never run alone. Welcome for however long you decide to plod along with us, slowly and steadily.

[Chubby_runner in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, I'm going to get my act together and give it a whirl, thanks again x

[SC1472 Graduate]

I cannot add anything to the words that Irish-John has put together, apart from to say welcome and to let us know how you get on. Report your successes and your practices- there is plenty of support on this forum.

[missmiff]

Hi. I am a complete novice too. I hated sport in school and haven't exercised seriously for at least 20 years. I am also about 3 stone overweight. So you are not on your own! I have just got back from my first run of week 3 and am delighted at how the programme is going, thanks most of all to the support of the lovely people here on this forum.What is making the difference for me is that I am running for me, nobody else. I run as slow as I dare, I take in my surroundings and am learning to see running not as a punishment but something to enjoy. If I could say one thing to you it is that the programme works and if you just follow the instructions you will find yourself achieving more than you ever thought you could. Do it for you because you deserve it.

Good luck!

[kesmcg Graduate]

I hated sport at school and was very overweight. I've lost five stone, now run four times a week and cross train. I feel amazing. I started with small changes and now find myself at 'target' with a gold Slimming World Body Magic award. It's all possible. Consistency is key. I have just to complete my final week 9 run to graduate couch to 5k. I repeated weeks particularly when I was time poor. No problem with that. You are still lapping everyone on the couch. Good luck!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Loads of folk!!!

Welcome... this is a great place to start your journey! Irish-John has given you a great insight into what this is all about... he is one of our most inspirational and supportive members of the forum family ...

Follow the programme, take your rest days and more, if you feel you need to...your journey at your own pace, which should be, always, slow and steady Keep posting too, successes and set backs

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

You may want to peek at this forum... many of the folk on here, are on there also and they find it works brilliantly!

The only thing now for you to do...is begin!

[Jewel84 Graduate]

Hi 👋 I've just this morning graduated. Am very overweight (4 stone) and dodgy knees. Trust in the programme and you will do it. Let us know how you get on

[Sadisand1967]

Hi , I'm a complete starter , very overweight and never run more than a bath , but I'm on week 1 and just done my second run . I'm on sw too and lost 2 1/2st since May and decided I needed to up my exercise. I'm extremely conscious of my size and running in public scares me but I just tell myself I'm doing this for the best reason and that's ME 😀. Good luck , enjoy and take everything at your pace x

[kesmcg Graduate in reply to Sadisand1967]

Don't worry about what others think. You are doing it for you. It honestly works combining SW with exercise. See my profile page! Good luck x

[AngeScott Graduate]

Hey Chubby_runner. In April I was a complete novice, I too am overweight. On Saturday I completed the programme. It took me 16 weeks. I repeated weeks whenever I needed to. It is hard at times but just take it slowly and move on when you feel ready. I try to run the same days each week so it has become part of my routine. You can totally do this! 👟

[TwistaRuns Graduate]

Hiya! I've been doing c25k since January. I've really took my time since I'm prone to injury, was super unfit and am 4 1/2 stone over weight! Ive been doing slimming world for a year and have lost 3 1/2 stone. I did some weeks 3 times and stuck to 3km for about 5 weeks. I'm doing 30 minutes so I guess I'm officially graduated!

Might be worth mentioning that I only jog twice a week and then go on a cross trainer 1 day and swim 1 day a week. My knees and hips get sore when I'm doing too much. I assume that's due to my weight.

Really hope you enjoy it as much as I'm enjoying it 😄

[fatboytorunner]

I started around 2 years ago and I have lost 3 stone am now a proud run leader at a running club ... proud owner of 3 half marathon finishers medals and I have signed up for Brighton 2018 for my first full marathon .... and it all started from couch to 5k .... anything is possible I never expected to get anywhere near what I am doing now! Good luck and I can't wait to see your progress 😊

[Razouski]

I think Irish-John put it so well there's not much more to add. I started the C25K programme a year ago and haven't looked back. While weight was not the issue I had plenty more issues to overcome and running is now a real therapy for me.

Welcome to the group and we look forward to hearing all about your runs. Whether they go well or are tough share with us, as there is always someone to congratulate you or commiserate and offer advice when the going gets tough.

[Beastie_MCCXIX Graduate]

Still over 300lbs, completed C25K, completed 10K and now training for half marathon, it's all in the mind. You against yourself, make sure you beat your own gremlins.

[Chubby_runner]

Thank you all for the replies, time to dust off my trainers and get on with it I think! x

[Redbillie21 Graduate]

Repeat each run as many times as you want. You will probably find that you will still lose weight even during the early weeks (as long as you follow the slimming world diet, of course).

Good luck 😉