Is running for me?

[JT489]

Just wondered if running is for absolutely anyone? I’m large, over fifty and have never got into running before. Worried about doing my joints in. Losing weight I know would help but I have and put it on so need to be mindful of how to proceed. I think it’s a mental battle that I lose frequently.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This is absolutely for you!

Carrying extra weight does put extra strain on the joints, but many graduates of this plan have found that running motivated them to sort out other parts of their lives and have had stunning success in losing weight and keeping it off.

This guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... explains how it works...........and it works!!

You will be joining loads of other overweight, over fifty year olds who are getting their health under control.

Join us.

[JT489 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for that, my family are all fit and run easily and I compare myself with them. Stepping out of my front door is both the easiest and hardest thing to do. I do like reading these posts and it starts to make me believe...so thanks for your great words.

[sarah65]

Running is for everyone including you 😊 If you read the posts on this amazing forum you’ll see that’s lots of us started at the same point as you are now. I’ve just started week 8 and I still can’t believe how far I’ve come. I started the plan running in the dark in very quiet side streets where nobody would see me, clutching my chest because I didn’t trust my new sports bra!! I didn’t even know how to run or how to position my arms - I was a complete beginner at 52!

I’m feeling much more comfortable now and it didn’t take that long really. The support and encouragement you get on here is amazing and I have learned so much from the experience of others.

Give it a go - you won’t regret it!

Good luck x

[Amarigue1976 Graduate]

I have struggled with my joints/back for years and have a vitamin deficiency and am on blood pressure medication (my dosage has halved since I completed C25k).

I can honestly say this is the best thing I have ever done, I have lost weight, toned up, gained amazing mental strength and physical stamina. I am addicted to running!! 🏃‍♀️

Don’t even give it a second thought just do it. It will change your life for the better.

Good luck and welcome to the first day of a new you 👍

[JT489 Graduate in reply to Amarigue1976]

Inspiring, I’d love to be addicted to something so positive!

[Jude1963 Graduate in reply to JT489]

I’m addicted. It’s great. 👍🏼

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Welcome and yes you can do this. I started at 58 and just thought I would be trundling along gently doing W1 all winter. To my surprise I kept trying the next week and then the next until I had worked my way through this brilliant program, encouraged by the lovely people on this forum. My husband has been running for over 40 years so I am happy to accept that I am a different type of runner ( he is a happy gazelle, I am a happy snail) so I don’t compare myself with him! I also didn’t look ahead because it was too daunting. I just went out with Laura’s voice on the podcast and let her talk me through the program one run at a time.

Give it a try, keep posting and we will cheer you on! 😀

[Rua8 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Elfe, I love your “happy gazelle / happy snail” comparison. I am the happy snail’s slowest cousin And yes, I stopped reading forum threads from people who are further along in the programme because it was making me a bit anxious about what was ahead. Concentrate on one day at a time

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Rua8]

Nothing wrong with we snails- as Oldfloss would say, “snails rock”. There is plenty of information saying slow running is very good for us! I used to worry that dog walkers would over take me, but they haven’t yet! 😄

[Rua8 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Haha, I haven’t been overtaken by a dog walker yet, but possibly only because I haven’t seen any out and about yet!

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Rua8]

Imagine how ridiculously pleased I was the first time I overtook a dog walker!!😂

[Rua8 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

hehe!!

[Rua8 Graduate]

I have back problems and was also worried about possible joint issues due to running - I started last week. I would say (having done all of one week, so not exactly an expert!) that you should just listen to your body and if you’re in pain don’t do a run the day that you had planned, wait a day or two until you feel better.

[misswobble Graduate]

Losing weight will be the biggest thing you can do to help with your joints, and giving up,or cutting down on alcohol. Exercising more, walking is fab, and an excellent starting point for getting fitter

You do need to do something! Doing nothing is not an option is it 🤷‍♀️ Walking is a great start and a good lead-in to learning to run. Us older women can make real inroads into getting fitter and stronger, we can lay down new bone apparently 😃👍 Good food is more important now too. Sounds like a great time to overhaul yourself and it’s never too late to start.

Don’t delay, start today 😃👍🏃‍♀️

It’s not onerous to start with. It’s only walking and slow jogs for one minute. Plenty of walk breaks 👍 there is no hurry or need to push so is great for those new to exercise of any age

[Jacks66]

Absolutely for you 😊. I am over 50 too and just started week 3. Just remember your run doesn't mean sprinting. My run is no quicker than my walk. No expensive gym fees and lots of fresh air. My worst thing is the motivation to get up and go on my own so I go first thing in the morning when I wake so I don't find any excuse why I can't go. Once out, I love it, people out running and walking dogs, it's quite friendly out there.

[Bridget007 Graduate]

You can definitely do it! I am over 50 and overweight by two stone and I am plodding along in week 3 now 😊... go for it!

[Kimterry Graduate]

Agree with everything that has been said - I graduated last August at the age of 56 and 3 stone overweight. Have only lost about half a stone ( that’s my next goal, to get the diet under control) but feel fitter and more toned. I also sleep much better and generally feel better in myself. Go for it! 👍🏃🏽‍♀️

[DawnRun]

I still believe "Running is not for me" too, but I have been doing it a year nearly now. It is a challenge to stick to it. But getting into running opens other avenues, changes the way you approach other sports and activities. My advice would be to do running with another activity. The only time I questioned why I still run is when I focused on how other people are better than me , seem to run without effort, or are faster etc . So now i don't focus on that at all. I just go out for a run. I still have time goals but I wait till I am in the mood to run fast which is about one run in three. The thought of not doing exercise and how its not good for you to sit around being sedentary is also stopping me from stopping running. For the joints, I find that running on the flat is fine as long as you don't stride too long, as opposed to hills especially downhill running seems to put joints at more risk.

[JT489 Graduate]

Thanks for all the comments, I never expected to get any replies.! I’m a gardener, so used to some physical activity, but running is out of my comfort zone. I will give myself a chance and accept it’s a challenge and that sometimes the good things aren’t always the easiest to achieve. Thanks.