Missing Motivation : Hi All, I started C25K... - Couch to 5K

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Missing Motivation

Mrs_F profile image
12 Replies

Hi All,

I started C25K 2 weeks ago and tonight I am meant to start my W3R1 but......... like many people on here I am also struggling with weight loss. I have done extensive research (scoured this forum) and know that this isn't a programme that is designed specifically for weight loss but to help raise your fitness level.

My worry is that I will be put off continuing with the C25K when the numbers on the scales start going up, so any tips on how to keep myself motivated even against the scales ?

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Mrs_F profile image
Mrs_F
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12 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Chin up.... are you on this forum also? Many of the friends on here are on there too and find they work well together... it is as friendly as this forum too... I often have a peek on there:)

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Otherwise... remember why you started this...?

It was because you wanted to; you wanted to make a change. That has not changed at all. There will be blips, for all of us... but the important thing is to keep doing it. Ditch the scales... seriously... they just make things worse. You are getting fitter and you are getting stronger.

Begin Week 3.... warm up well, and start slowly... then slow down :) Take it gently and as you run, think of all the reasons why you are running.... focus on the two weeks you have done... think how you are going to feel in a week's time... you will do it.

Take a good look at your eating regime and maybe work out a plan that fits with the running programme.. ( not a diet) but a whole new take on things ?

Do that run... please. Post your run too:)

" Change is never easy....but, always possible".

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

As OldFloss says ditch the scales, and I say so too especially if you can't take any increases as that happens with any weightloss programme (generally speaking losing weight isn't a linear journey, there are ups and downs - it's the overall direction trend you need to think about, not just one weigh in)You could take your measurements, including "odd" places like neck and knees because whilst running, at least in the early days, won't lose you weight - probably - you may tone up. It is possible to lose inches without losing weight. Best thing is a good eating plan with exercise. And don't forget, your muscles will fill with water to help the repair process which does add a few grams which disappear again. Good luck with your new running life and your quest to lose weight. Both will happen I'm sure👍🍀

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

Oh dear sounds a bad case of the doldrums, first of ditch the scales they really don't help at this stage.

The programme isn't designed for weight loss specifically HOWEVER by getting out there and following the programme you WILL burn off fat (I Have)

Look at what you see in the mirror, your body shape will change, you will lose fat but gain muscle and tone and as muscle actually weighs more than fat you could according to the scales gain weight ( so again ditch the scales)

Get a tape measure, measure your waist,hips,thighs etc and then in a couple of weeks do it again and you'll see a difference

On top of this there will be an overall improvement to your well being

YOU can do this and it WILL make a difference

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

I find weighing myself daily is helpful. That way I attach no more emotional significance to the fluctuations than I do to the pee I've just had before I step on them. I know this wouldn't work for everyone.

It sounds as though you are worrying about something that might never happen. Lots of us start the programme with a view to supporting weight loss efforts... but I don't think there are many who would say that's the main reason they carry on running. If you've been reading the forum you'll see that the way running works to support weight loss is not by burning calories per se but via a more profound, yet subtle, overall impact on your life. In both cases, it is about doing the necessary and gaining satisfaction from those things (the experience of running, the pleasures of healthy moderate eating etc) rather than being driven solely by immediate results...

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

It seems to me that overweight people are obsessed by their weight, to a great extent with the encouragement of the major weight loss big businesses. Forget the scales.

I went to hospital the other day and could not tell the nurse what I weighed. Why do I need to know that?..........I and they know at a glance that I am a healthy weight.

You can change your life by making simple changes to diet and lifestyle. Don't eat any processed food, cut out cakes and biscuits, never eat sweets, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and above all exercise.

These might seem like drastic steps, but if you want a healthy body and a happy mind then focus on making the positive changes and forget about the cursed scales.

This plan will build your self esteem alongside your stamina. You will feel good about yourself and you will want more of that feeling, so eating junk will feel like a betrayal of all your hard work. C25K can change you and the way you view the world. Regular exercise will reduce your risk of conditions associated with inactivity, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, all of which become statistically more likely as you age.

Motivation is something that comes from you. You have to want to learn to run to do C25K. You have to make the effort to achieve most worthwhile things.............this is really worthwhile and totally life changing.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

Running will help with your weightloss, getting fitter, improving mental health and so much more. What is there not to like?

Mrs_F profile image
Mrs_F

My biggest worry is I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS and my consultant wants me to lose a stone over the next 3 months . Reading this forum I think I may have confused losing weight with getting healthy, and in the long run I want to be healthier.

After reading all of these comments I think I will just stick to measurements once a month or so. Hopefully that will be enough time to start seeing a difference in my shape in time for my appointment. With all the positives to getting healthier I think I will just have to stop overthinking the number on the scales for a while. I may have to get the other half to hide the scales just to make sure though !!

RuthMargaret profile image
RuthMargaretGraduate

I purposefully hadn't weighed myself since about week 2, because I didn't want the weight to be an issue. I am definitely overweight, and it's been a nice surprise at the weekend to see the scales have dropped by half a stone since the start of June.

I think once you graduate, if you continue to run regularly, you are likely to see a bit of it drop off, basically because it's exercise you just weren't doing before! Anyone on here will tell you though that a healthy diet would spur things along - I haven't quite mastered that yet. I love my chocolate and cheese too much!

Keep at it. It's not an easy journey, but it's so worth it in the end. The hardest part was starting, now you just have to try to stick with it and trust your body that it can keep going!

If you're ever feeling down about a run, just have a good old rant on here (I have a few times) - we'll soon put you back on track 😉

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate

Forget the scales!! They are not important. You will soon see your body toning up!! Plus your fitness levels will be improving. Just go For It, you won't look back!!

Kippinsimpson profile image
Kippinsimpson

I too have an "issue" with my weight. I put a lb on last week and I ran 4 times and cut out most of the crap. However I am drinking lots more water- I feel amazing and I think well I'm sure it will come off when it's ready. Right now I want to get fit and run. I certainly couldn't carry this body around on a lettuce leaf and a tomato 🍅 I pass out in the 1st 60 second run 😂😂😂 when I'm fit and I can run 5km in 30 mins I'm then going to concentrate on losing this timber- and hopefully a lot easier than I would surviving on salad and fruit. You can do this. We can do this. 😊

Mrs_F profile image
Mrs_F

Well I did my W3R1 this evening and I feel stupidly proud. I've decided to limit weighing to every fortnight as I'm still paying for my slimming world membership but I have taken measurements so hopefully I will see an improvement.

I have to admit I found the run today to be quite a big step up from W1 &2 so who knows what I will be like by W5 !!!

RuthMargaret profile image
RuthMargaretGraduate in reply to Mrs_F

There's no such thing as stupidly proud - be proud of yourself after every run! I felt so chuffed every time I managed to push myself further, and still do! It's such a massive achievement to be up off the couch, I never thought I would enjoy running 😀

You're doing something to improve your fitness, and that's amazing!

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