W4R1 *high kicks*

Just done W4R1 and I cannot quite believe I —actual me— did it! The grin on my face was absolutely ridiculous as I finished that final five minute run. When you find that running groove it really is quite magical, isn’t it?

So far I’ve had no more troubles with my knees which is probably because of my running shoes, which I am absurdly in love with, and also the fact I’ve been doing a hundred squats a day. I’ve also been doing two hours of Pilates a week (Darcey Bussell ‘Pilates For Life’ DVD), and after every run I do a proper long warm-down. It doesn’t need to be as long as I make it (about twenty minutes) but I really enjoy all that slow stretching – it’s ever so zen.

I’ve also lost half a stone, which probably helps too. I’m doing that by just eating sensibly; smaller portions, fewer puddings, actual suggested serving sizes of cereal etc.

As I was running today I was visualising all the helpful posts here, a bit like Tony Stark’s Iron Man HUD, and I kept seeing Oldfloss’ “slow and steady” wisdom and that helped me so much. (Thanks, Oldfloss.) I really like the slow and steady thing. Tortoise and hare and all that.

[Glossy Graduate]

Yaaaaaaaay!!! Well done you.

Those trainers sound like magic, glad your knees are enjoying them.

Keep on running!

[Hidden in reply to Glossy]

I intend to! Thank you very much. 😀

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

WOW, well done mate, I'm so pleased that you are enjoying it so much.

[Hidden in reply to Martin_Rose]

I really am! Thank you. 😀

[Whatsapp Graduate]

When you find that running groove it really is quite magical, isn’t it?

Yep!

[Hidden in reply to Whatsapp]

Hurrah!

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Wonderful, what a lovely post! You are doing so well and it sounds as if you are feeling great generally. Glad also that your shoes are helping your knees. Well done on the weight loss too, and the very sensible and sustainable way you're doing it. xx

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Thank you very much! I can’t believe how much I’m in love with the running. The shoes are wonderful. (Brooks Ghost 10) And yes, I did Slimming World a few years back and although it worked, I wasn’t happy with their very low/no fat thing and their reliance on ‘diet’ products.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I have quite a few friends who have succeeded in losing a significant amount of weight, and those who have done so most effectively and kept it off long-term are all those who did what you are doing now - that is, making gradual, sustainable, enjoyable lifestyle changes rather than a temporary fix involving what feels like deprivation. They have focused on the journey rather than the destination and have all become much happier along the way, so I think it's definitely the way forward!

I don't have any personal dieting experience but it has been great to see friends flourish in this way.

[Hidden in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Indeed. I think that any form of structured diet plan makes you think about food far too much, and that’s not good. Certain foods are demonised and you can’t eat that and you mustn’t eat this etc. ‘Everything in moderation’ is an oldie but a goodie. What I am trying to do is ‘eat less and move more’ and it’s working. I think the most important thing is that I *want* to lose a bit of weight and get myself fitter. If your heart’s not in it, it’s never going to work out properly. As you say, I want something sustainable that doesn’t involve me obsessing over and weighing every item I put in my face, counting its points or working out its ‘syn’ value. You just can’t do that forever so you have to make lifestyle changes that are realistic and do-able for the long-term.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Well done great post !

[Hidden in reply to Wantorun2013]

Cheers!

[GiGill Graduate]

Well done! It's a tough one!!

[Hidden in reply to GiGill]

Ta! I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

[LexMis]

Well done you for reaching week four and the weight loss. Fantastic.

I've just started week 4. The second run was easier than the first and I found that it was over very quickly. Before I knew it I was listening to my favourite after run warm down music.

I've done Slimming World too and found that I was focussing so much on food that it was difficult for me think about anything else. May I ask how long it took for the weight to start coming off? I'm running for fitness but also to shed extra weight.

[Hidden in reply to LexMis]

Well done on your running!

I know what you mean about SW. you start to think so much about it, almost obsessively, and I don’t think that’s healthy when it comes to food. I started watching what I eat (I’m not saying ‘dieting’ because it’s not; it’s just being sensible) about four weeks ago. The weight started to shift just over a fortnight ago. I don’t weigh myself every day – just every third day or so. (Again, you can obsess about these things.) I go out for walks on my rest days too. Basically, I think I’m just doing that whole ‘eat less, move more’ thing and it’s working. Who knew?! 😀

[TJMazz Graduate]

Fantastic. Sounds like are loving your running. Im staring Week 3 tomorrow and a bit nervous about it. Keeping motivated by posts like yours where others are achieving. Good for you and well done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

Thanks! And I am indeed very much loving it. Good luck with Week 3. Three minutes sounds like an age at the start of W3 but oh, the sense of YES! when you do that first three minute run. And you will do it. Best of luck! 😀

[vlmiller1225 Graduate]

Wonderful Job!! Everytime I complete a "new" run, I pump my fist in the air!! That's going to be quite comical next week as every run is a new one (week 5!)

And wonderful job on losing half a stone! (How much is a stone exactly? Haha!) I hav yet to lose any weight, but I can see *very small* changes in my tone. I'm hoping that will continue to improve!!! Trying to eat healthy, but honestly that's harder for me than the running!!

[Hidden in reply to vlmiller1225]

Woohoo! Good luck for W5. And I *might* have done a celebratory leap-n-whoop at the end of today’s run. Might.

I’m not majorly overweight (I was just over a stone overweight) but I read about how losing just 5lb can have an effect on your running and stamina, so I think losing a bit is bound to help. As I say, I think it’s more the eating habits affecting my weight as opposed to the running right now.

To be honest, I don’t know who the hellheck I am anymore; eating sensibly, running, perving over running shoes and gear and ‘engaging my core’. That is not the me of old. 😀

[vlmiller1225 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Haha I feel you on that last bit!! I'm always super involved in WHATEVER I do.. but running has never been one of those things! My friends can't believe i'm running at all!! I was super athletic in high school, but once college started that all went down hill! I'm only 25, so there is loads of time to make up for those few years, and i'm so thankful for that!

[Hidden in reply to vlmiller1225]

Good for you! Great stuff. 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you..on all levels

You are doing wonderfully! Keep it slow and steady and you will be totally amazed where you can get to..

That happy pace, yes, it is quite magical...my feeling exactly!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, Oldfloss! You’re like Yoda to many of us here. Thanks for all you do. X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Do or do not..there is no try!

I look like Yoda that is for sure... except I have abnormally small ears

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha! That made me giggle.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

My ears would!!!

I once had a small boy who was reading to me and standing by me, when I taught.. and he was peering at my ears.. and announced to the whole class. that Mrs B had the smallest ears in the whole world!

Ear measuring followed Yep, they were smaller than many of my childrens' ears!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Ha, Well, the New You is doing brilliantly... 😊

It does feel great when you hit that running zone doesn't it Ims.

Keep going Onwards and upwards 😄x

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks so much, Jan! And yes, it sounds daft but when everything is just right —the pace, the breathing, the focus— it’s a bit like how I imagine flying would feel. X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That is so odd... I had a run a while back and it was in that happy pace, and my legs were literally carrying me, but I felt like my feet were not touching to the floor!! Wonderful!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Yes! Exactly that. Doesn’t happen every time but when it does it’s wondrous. Gets me all emotional. 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Me too.. spooky! But great!

Just wait until you get to the longer runs.. you are really going to enjoy those

[fayecheshire]

Well done. You will fly thru now. I never thought i would manage it either.

I may look at darcy bussells pilates.

I am still keeping up gym membership but unless i go bk to spin may give up. But only £19 pcm.

At the beginning i thought 5k would be wonderful but am definately going to go on to 10.

Keep up the good work

Faye x

[Hidden in reply to fayecheshire]

Thank you, Faye. And 10K? Wow, good for you! Best of luck.

I have never even been in a gym – the thought of it terrifies me. Darcey’s DVD is great; not too challenging but you can really feel the benefits. It’s also mighty relaxing.

All the best for your future runs! 👍

[angemum Graduate]

Oh, congrats! I did it yesterday as well. And again couldn't quite believe it. Like you, I expect, am beginning to actually believe I can do the whole thing. Slow and steady works for me too. Such a confidence builder. Once W9 done (can't believe I actually said *when* & not *if*) there's a whole running life to increase distance/speed. Good luck with R2. Will be a breeze

[Hidden in reply to angemum]

My feelings exactly. I don’t want to be a sprinter and I don’t care about speed right now (which is why I don’t use anything like MapMyRun or Strava yet) and that will all come in good time. I’m learning to run before I can, well, run! Best of luck with the rest of W5! We’ve got this. 👍

[Lesleycm]

Well done - this run was a real turning point for me as I thought there's no way I could do the step up from week 3. It's a fantastic feeling when you discover you can!!

[Hidden in reply to Lesleycm]

Absolutely! I approached it with an “I can do this” mindset and I was delighted when I did. The future runs seem a little less daunting now. 😀

[Ritmo Graduate]

My W4 R1 is tomorrow... looks like I may be doing it in the rain