Hi! A little problem..: Hello guys! So back in... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Hi! A little problem..

Monique1 profile image
13 Replies

Hello guys! So back in the summer, I had completed week 3, I found it a bit rough but I was beyond happy that I made it! Since school started in September though, I completely stopped:( I did a bit of strength training too, which felt also great, but since I don't have the time- or that's what I like telling myself- I let that go too. Also I started eating uncontrollably, I don't know if it's because of the stress -and trust me I have a lot- or anything else. So to sum up, I can't find the time to go running, it's also cold outside, but I'm not feeling very good about myself right now, I've put on weight, and I just miss how running used to make me feel! (it was the first time I did it). Do you have any tips, any motivation? So sorry for the long post:(

Thank you in advance, only saying it made me kind of relieved.

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Monique1 profile image
Monique1
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13 Replies
JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

You have to think really long and hard here. What do YOU want? You can carry on as you are, getting fatter, unfitter and unhappier. Where will you be in a year's time? What state will you be in in 10 years' time? Do you want to go down this path? What are the consequences of carrying on as you are because you "can't find the time?" Because to be honest you can find the time if you really want to. You say it's cold outside. So? Dress up warmly. Get up half an hour earlier and get out there. Instead of hoovering get out there. Run in your lunch break. Run after work. Be creative. Think hard!

Good luck and let us know!

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny

I'm afraid I don't agree with your rather apocalyptic vision here, JaySeeSkinny. Nobody wants the future you describe. But it is sometimes difficult - for a million reasons - to achieve what you do want.

MickGj below has the right idea, in my view. Baby steps, stop feeling guilty.

And good luck, Monique. This tricky phase won't last forever. You made a start before and you can do it again. And no apologising! Keep posting. We are with you!

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate in reply to ruralfrance

That’s how I motivate myself anyway! May not work for everybody. No offence meant!

ruralfrance profile image
ruralfranceGraduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny

Thanks for replying. Don't worry, no offence taken. Have a good day.

MickGJ profile image
MickGJGraduate

Baby steps. Tell yourself you are just going to do one little run.

Above all stop feeling guilty and don't try to force yourself to do this. Try again out of curiosity as to how it will feel to be running again. It's just one run...it's not like you're signing a gym contract.

You're not a bad person or a failure but you are missing out on a lot of fun. Once you get going again time and motivation won't be an issue.

Cornet-Carolyn profile image
Cornet-CarolynGraduate

It's often hard to find time but how about setting aside just 30 mins a week and do the programme really slowly. You need to make time for you.

My New Years resolution is to make sure I have a lunch break on at least some days! I'm my own worse enemy.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

I know,from your previous posts that you have struggled a bit with motivation before.. but, you were persevering, because it was helping the way you felt.

That hasn't changed..you are feeling like a few folk here, that it is a bit tricky, right now... but you do have to try to take a big breath and go,

As JaySeeSkinny says...there are ways. Yes, it takes effort but it will be so worth it...somewhere there is time.. start small, start slow and just go.

Plan ahead... when are you going to do the runs.. before school, after school? Late afternoon after school..it is getting lighter :)

It is cold, but only if we stand still... layers.. that is the answer, a beanie, gloves and a Buff!

Come on. you can do this and you want to... that is why you have posted :)

Remember, sometimes we have to struggle to find the person we are...:)

We are all right here with you... :)

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate

What helps me with motivation is posting here, as it keeps me accountable; reading posts from other people usually makes me want to go for a run as soon as possible. Sometimes I look through Pinteres running motivational quotes. For me the biggest struggle is to change my clothes and gear up. So sometimes the good trick is first to change, put your running shoes on, buff, headband (or hat), gloves, and then decide if I want to go oit running or not. This small technique 'failed' only once that I was so tired, lazy, etc, that after sitting on the floor close to the door, all ready to go, I decided that it's really not the day for me to run.

Another thing that helped me a lot was a small compromise between 'I don't have time' and 'I want to run' was decision that I don't have to run every other day. My goal is to run at least 2x per week. It's only 60 min during all week, well for me it's a bit more including additional long cool-down with stretching at home, but it's always less then an hour ONLY 2x in a week. Usually once in a weekdays and once during weekend (when I have more time, but also more laziness in me).

When I accepted that I will not finish the programme in 9 weeks or even 9 months (because of ill breaks and injury couch), but the important thing is just go out there regardless the week I'm working on, do my best with the run, and be happy from all those advantage that it gives me. This huge stres relieved :) At the moment I'm running for mental benefits with some addition of fat loss ;)

Hope that wil help you. Good luck and keep posting!

VictoriaRuns profile image
VictoriaRunsGraduate in reply to IgaT

That's a good idea from IgaT, maybe tell us when you plan to do a run so you have that accountability, but since it's not someone from your every day life, there wont be the pressure if you end up not going? Just think how good it will feel to tell us you're going running tomorrow morning, then getting up, doing it, and being able to tell us not only that you did it (!!) but telling us all about that experience - the good, the bad and the ugly. Think of your future self as often as you can.

Razouski profile image
Razouski

A friend of mine who is a teacher has started running once a week at school in the dinner hour. She now has a small band of children who are running with her. I'm not saying that this would work for you, and it also depends on what facilities you have for showering etc. Another friend in the same school runs at 4pm from school and back before starting on her marking and prep at school before going home.

I think you just need to find a time that will suit you and even if to begin with it's once a week you will start to feel the benefit and maybe then extend it to more often - e.g. 3 times a fortnight.

Good luck with that and let us know how your first/next run goes.

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate

Running is the best stress-buster and depression-banisher I've ever found. Make the time for 3 weeks worth of runs and then decide. You *can* fit it in: I try to think honestly about the time i spend procrastinating/beating yourself up and feeling rubbish, and use some of that for a run or a bit of mindfulness meditation or something else constructive instead. Good luck!

Redbillie21 profile image
Redbillie21Graduate

I agree with JaySeeSkinny, although it might sound a bit harsh. But, Monique1, this is your life so do it for YOU. I can totally understand why you procrastinate. Your mind is putting things in the way and it’s easier not to do something than it is to do something. In this instance, this “something” will lead to a better life; you will feel better and will be proud of yourself.

Try to ignore all those negative thoughts. Tell yourself that you can do it and you will. Do as IgaT says and start off at only twice weekly and gradually build it up.

This isn’t a race. I’ve had to back to week 2 twice and gone through the programme again due to injury but it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that you are doing this for you. I hope you enjoy it - you derserve it 👍

Monique1 profile image
Monique1

Wow, guys! Thank you so much. I wish I could give you all a big hug. I already feel warmer and now I'm actually considering to fit it in my schedule somehow. School, anxiety and depression are driving me crazy but it's very nice to know that I have people who'll listen and help. I'll let you know. :)

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