Newbie!!

[Sparkin78]

Hi! 40 this year and thought it was time I took my health seriously and also wanted a challenge to see what I can do! Just about to start week 4 and loving it!! Can’t believe how my fitness has improved already, not to mention my confidence😎

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate]

Our body’s are amazing aren’t they in how quickly their fitness levels change. Well done up to now. Keep posting 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Liz x

[Sparkin78 in reply to Lillybeth30mins]

Hi Liz, it’s amazing isn’t it!! I’m just sorry I didn’t start sooner. I’ve always said that I’m ‘not a runner’ nonsense!!

How was your 30 minute run?! I’m on my first run of week 4 tomorrow🤞

Sarah x

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate in reply to Sparkin78]

First 30 min run tomorrow (icy roads permitting 🙄) loving it!

Liz x

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

That's fantastic well done 👍

[Decker]

Well done Sparkin! I started C25 when I turned 50 and its been so successful in so many ways I wish I would have started earlier in life, so you are in good shape. 👍🏼🙂

[Sparkin78 in reply to Decker]

Yes I wish I’d have started sooner too, it’s great!! 😎

[ToniCR Graduate]

I'm turning 40 this year as well and I'm just starting week 5. I'm completely new to running. I didn't think I would like it this much. I started running to improve my health. I had no idea how addictive it was! And how quickly I could improve at it!

[Sparkin78 in reply to ToniCR]

Absolutely!! I find rest days hard as I just want to get back out there!! It’s amazing the confidence it gives you too...never thought I’d run further than the end of the street!!

[Sparkin78 in reply to ToniCR]

Absolutely!! It’s great isn’t it?! I find rest days really hard as I just want to get back out there!! Even the frost hasn’t put me off😊

[RuthL Graduate]

Well done and stick with it. Gets better and better 😄

[Sparkin78 in reply to RuthL]

Thankyou Ruth! I continue to be amazed at what I can do, I’m absolutely loving it! First run of week 5 tomorrow so that’ll be a total of 21 minutes running...a month ago I was breathless and tired after 2!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done... I began this at 65... Graduated 2015

The physical and mental benefits of this are amazing aren't they?

You are doing so well, take it very steady and slow as you head into this week

[Sparkin78 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thankyou old Floss!! I love hearing from people that began running a bit later in life, it gives me confidence that I can definitely do this!!

[pixiepickles12]

Hi, I am turning 40 this year as well! I was about to start week 5 two weeks ago but came down with a really bad cold but hoping I can get back into it today. It is nice to see how your body chances so quickly and allows us to move on at a pace. Good luck with the program

[Sparkin78 in reply to pixiepickles12]

Hi, hope you’re better and you’ve managed your run, if so how was it?! I do my first week 5 run tomorrow😊

[pixiepickles12 in reply to Sparkin78]

Hi, I did my run after work W4 R3 it was hard work and not as easy as it was before I was ill but I got through it and glad I have not had to go back and do any runs again. W5 R1 tomorrow for me now let me know how you get on.

[Sparkin78 in reply to pixiepickles12]

Good for you!! It’s not nice when you have a bad day but we need to remember that things will change and take it in our stride ( no pun intended!)

Yep, run day for me today, I’m on a training day til 5.30 so will need to do it in the dark and the cold but I’m going to do it!! 💪🏻 Sarah x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

The mental benefits of running are often a surprise.

Have you read the guide to the plan? healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which has lots of general advice.

[Sparkin78 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Great thankyou! I shall have a look. Absolutely, I work in a stressful job and am hoping that my new found love of running continues and helps with my stress levels too!

[Jules1968]

Those milestones in life seem to push us to challenge ourselves which is only good. I’m 50 in 8 weeks time and just reaching the end of week 7 and enjoying the feeling it’s giving me .

[Sparkin78 in reply to Jules1968]

Fantastic!! It’s so nice to feel the confidence it gives you when you feel like you’re too old to start! Life begins at 40 and 50!! 😂

[Clairecandothis Graduate]

It is an amazing programme and has filled me with confidence in what I can do. Enjoy it

[Seasidepanda Graduate]

I am 41. Never ever done any exercise in my life! But I’m a health care professional so I see how aging wrecks bodies daily, and have older sisters struggling with menopause, so I thought I should put some effort in!

I’m on week 6, totally addicted and loving it!!

Here’s to our fitter futures!!

[Sparkin78 in reply to Seasidepanda]

Hi, I can relate to that! I’m a Nurse (well nearly, qualify this June!) and yes seeing the damage that people essentially cause to themselves is shocking, I hope in getting fitter myself that I can be a positive role model to others in my care😊

[Seasidepanda Graduate in reply to Sparkin78]

I’m a radiographer so I’m paranoid about my knees and hips for starters! I hope running delays the crumbling of them and doesn’t make it worse!!

Good luck with your new career!

[Sparkin78 in reply to Seasidepanda]

Thankyou! Running apparently strengthens bones so it’s a win win!! My knees hurt during week three and I was advised to get my ‘gait’ tested, so that’s what I did and bought some fancy (expensive!!) trainers and they’ve worked wonders! A physio at work told me to do squats to strengthen glutes too, good for taking pressure off the joints! Good luck!😊

[Seasidepanda Graduate in reply to Sparkin78]

The only issue I have is my knees. They are fine when I’m running but they hurt after, especially going downstairs...I got expensive trainers last week and they are fab! Have made my knees a bit better but not completely...I’ll get squatting!!

[Rignold in reply to Seasidepanda]

Running will not actually strengthen your knees and hips, I'm afraid.You need to do accessory exercise to strengthen your quads and hams and glutes and hip flexors which will provide the strengh to your joints to improve your mobility. You are quite correct with the squats though. A regular routine of squats (and lunges etc but most importantly squats) will futureproof your knees. Make sure you do them with proper form though.

[Sparkin78 in reply to Rignold]

Thanks! I’ve got a ‘squat challenge’ app that helps me keep on track👍

[Rignold in reply to Sparkin78]

LOL. Good. I wasn't about to do a gratuitous self plug there, honest. Just make sure you are doing them with correct form knees over midfoot, neutral spine, leading with hips and all that or you will be doing harm to your knees rather than good.

[Seasidepanda Graduate in reply to Rignold]

No but it might help me stay a healthy weight and that’s super important!

[Rignold in reply to Seasidepanda]

I wasn't suggesting you don't run. That woudl be a rather odd thing on here. Rather that you should run and do supplementary leg strengthening exercise.

[Jules1968 in reply to Seasidepanda]

Seasidepanda at almost 50 I know exactly how your older sisters feel. Perhaps you can encourage them to do this too. I honestly had not run for the last 13 years and felt past it and the menopause is hell . The physical symptoms are easier to deal with than the mental side of it and the lack of confidence is debilitating. Not only do I feel better physically since starting this programme but mentally I feel so much better and the real surprise is how much more energetic I feel x

[Seasidepanda Graduate in reply to Jules1968]

One is trying but struggles! She has a few health niggles which probably make it hard. The other prefers exercise classes etc...but I’m hoping it will help me when my turn comes!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Brilliant! Awful that realisation that we're on the flip side of young!! 🤣🤣🤣

It's such a great programme, really gives such a boost 👍😁

[Hidden]

Well done on getting to W4 and well done on doing it at a very young age! It’s a fab plan that helps your mind and body

[Razouski]

Hi Sparkin78,

Well done for getting through the first 3 week’s of the programme. I know rest days can be frustrating when you’re so keen, but remember they are an essential part of the programme too.

There are quite a few of us in here who are slightly kore life experienced than others 😉. I started 18 months ago after turning 52, and having breast cancer. It was annextension of my physio programme to get me back to health and get my arm moving properly after a mastectomy. What I hadn’t realised (but my Macmillan physio had) was the good it would do me emotionally/mentally.

T can be totally addictive, and listen to Rignold about joints - he is the king of Skwats. 🤣

[Seasidepanda Graduate in reply to Razouski]

That’s great that you took this on, good for you!!