Of course I know that if you start a programme such as C25K there would be health benefits. There are several reasons why I chose this exercise, firstly being overweight and self conscious this was something I could do on my own. The days of not being picked in PE teams at school are so long behind me, thank goodness. However, life goes on and there was my snap moment about my personal fitness about 4 weeks ago. Other than my farming activities my grown up job is a science teacher. We were studying the heart and we were recording our resting heart rates.
‘Miss, why is yours so high?’ Asked one of the students. Of course they being young bit things had resting rates of 55-60 mine was 80 on that day and yes I checked it a few times. I know I was quite stressed at the time and I realised I needed to do something to reduce that. Being a geeky science and maths teacher I love a graph and my Fitbit 2 has provided me with one. I know it’s not an exact science but look at the trend. Week one I started walking then started c25k and I’m about to do last run of wk 3. Over the past month my resting heart rate went down from 74 to 61 (this mornings reading).I am so sure you will all be able to tell me other health benefits for you and I look forward to hearing that. I can’t wait to get back to class and show my little cherubs this graph. I just can’t get over the difference in how I feel mentally and physically. Thank you to all the support on here, you’ve made it possible.
Written by
Jullaly
Graduate
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Hello fellow teacher 👍🏽 I’ve found my asthma has practically gone since doing this. As well as that, the obvious weight and toning benefits, positive state of mind, my friends say I’m happier and more confident and my RHR has also dropped a few points 👍🏽
That’s brilliant news, teaching is so all consuming so it’s fantastic to have some time for myself. So thrilled your asthma has been kicked in to touch x
I’m running away from diabetes T2 hopefully. I’ve lost weight ( need to lose more) and running is toning me up. I get the results of my first blood check tomorrow so I’m hoping for some positives. 🤞🏻
Actually you are so right, run because you can. Also I know believe the saying to do with exercise..find something you enjoy ..how true that is because you do stick to it. I’d heard that expression but didn’t believe it until now x
I just feel soooo much better generally; lost weight, gained confidence, toned up, less stressed, fewer colds, fewer general aches and pains. I sometimes think I feel like a normal human now and this is how humans are supposed to feel!!
I have a fit bit too and have noticed my heart rate goes up and down with my periods - it falls dramatically on day 1 of my cycle and then gradually goes back up again. It ranges between 48 and 60 now (except when I'm running! Lol!)
wow ..you are an athlete .. i was explaining to my students normal ranges for heart rate vs age and fitness. An athletes resting heart rate is closer to 40 than 60.. good for you. As for me I'm well and truly menopausal but that blip in my graph corresponds directly to a hormonal menopausal moment!
One of the benefits of running has been for me the whole new set of friends/acquaintances that I now have . I know people from my own parkrun and others - and was very surprised and pleased at the reception I got at a local 10K race last Sunday. Basically my life has changed a lot since I started running.
That is fantastic to hear. Sometimes we lead such busy lives we don't have the time for friends as we should. As you may remember I had some problems with friends making some negative remarks at my attempt to do c25k, I have the confidence now not to discuss my progress with them as i get all the support right here. Im only at end of week 3 but absolutely loving it and i look forward to making new friends at park and charity runs in the near future
I thought I was the only one who got negative comments. Mainly taking the Michael. It doesn't put me off running, I'd just like someone to listen and be proud, rather than belittling me.
I can’t sympathise with you more, because I’ve always been the jovial ‘fat’ friend non of them took me seriously and I was literally laughed at when I told them if my ambition to complete c25k. I realised that many of us have had that sort of response see my post ‘laughed at’. However I am really enjoying this and family members are becoming more interested and being more positive..long may that continue. Of course my first port of call for encouragement and advice is right here. Everyone is brilliant and I know I would have lost confidence by now if it wasn’t for the folk here . Good luck x
I get constant comments like "Oh, how was your little walk this morning?" "Did you see any proper runners today? Bet they laughed at your effort!" When I was asked where I'd run, and replied "to and around Amerador," (the next village to here,) I got the response "Did you catch the tram there?" Oh yes, all hardy ha ha and very funny. But actually, could you all just PISS OFF RIGHT NOW?! So now I don't talk about it, and just feel proud of myself, rather than expecting any support. x
You will end up having the last laugh! You will show them, it must be jealousy or something that they are not looking after themselves as you are. It really upsets me that people can be like this. I am a teacher and I wouldn’t dream of laughing or making fun of a student learning a new skill. But we will show them. I am going to show them by running a race for life 5K in July x
That is fantastic news, its so easy to hear the messages that exercise is good for you until you actually find that special thing .. c25k for me .. and then you believe it when you feel the benefits
I feel that many benefits, sneak in almost unnoticed.... and this is heightened, if, for any reason you have to stop running for a while.
My hardest times have been when I am on the IC... ( not running related injuries really) and I am itching to get out again and have the happy pheromones kick in
I wish I had known about this before I retired from teaching ...
My daughter is a teacher too and her school runs a staff 'boot camp' as part of that they are doing the C25k. She says it has been the best thing for busting stress. She still goes to those sessions but did the c25k last year. Since then she has ran many 5 and 10K charity races and is signed up for the great north run this year. More work places should introduce this level of support for staff ..we may have a lot less stress related illnesses amongst all professions.
Brilliant idea... I used to walk/run every morning before school... and we did have a staff keep fit session once a week.. I have been retired a loooooong time though, and I did not know about C25K...
My resting heart rate came down loads since doing C25K and keeping up the running 3 x a week. I also lost inches off my waist (the dangerous place to carry weight). 😀😀😀
PS how lovely too that you will be able to inspire children and teach them about the benefits of exercise by showing them your very positive results! You are fab.
Thank you, what a lovely comment. I am as enthusiastic about my teaching as I am my running, I love them both. I think be honest with children showing real results helps inspire them. Many of them admit to be computer game addicts and don’t get off the couch as they did when they were 10 and 11 years old.
For the first 18 months of running I didn't have a single cold, flu or other lurgy. I also found I stopped using my asthma inhaler as it was no longer a problem.
Thank you, I guess the biggest health benefit for me has been around mental health. After suddenly loosing my hearing and balance, and then a year later having a mastectomy, (and 6 months after the hearing loss loosing my mum) I was struggling to cope and very very low. Help from Macmillan was great, and it was sessions provided by them at the gym that got me started on general workouts and running. Running has enabled me to come to terms with my new self, and calling myself a runner is part of my new normal. It has given me back the feeling of being in control of my body, which I had completely lost with all the surgery, procedures and treatments I was undergoing. I feel emotionally stronger, and find even now, that running is extremely therapeutic. I think the regular time outdoors, not just the physical exercise, also contributes to the feel good factor.
You are one incredibly strong person and I admire you completely . But you are so right I am sure the running makes us mentally resilient. So many things can build up in your life to cause stress and constant anxiety, I wish I had this running tool to deal with life years ago xxx
My heart rate is down about 8bpm (it's also quite high, always has been since I can remember in my teens), my fitbit cardio fitness is up to "Fair to average". I'm getting more time in deep sleep and burning an extra 1000 calories a week. I haven't stepped on a scale in a few weeks but my pants are going on more easily, my calves have more shape and with the yoga I've also been doing, I can see some muscles in my arms again. All really great changes and just the beginning - I'm in week 3!
I think the biggest benefit is that my mood is much improved and so is my self-confidence. I am doing something for myself and I am sticking to it even though it's hard. I was a bit depressed over the winter and this is really helping to lift me up.
That is amazing and I’m in week 3 too. Depression is such a difficult illness to manage but if we could all prescribe a bit of c25k what a better state all of our mental health would be. I can’t agree with you more my self confidence and self belief had increased tremendously. Also I am being consistent and that is a big step forward in the right direction for me x
I’ve lost 6lbs in weight and can see my jawline again! My youngest son told me he’d noticed my tummy looked flatter! I hope to lose at least another 7lbs yet.
The Reynauds in my fingers and toes seems to have improved as well as I had no white fingers during the last cold spell. I’m hoping this also stops my feet swelling when it finally gets warmer.
My resting heart rate is about 62-64 but as I’m little I can live with that (apparently short=faster heart rates).
Isn’t it amazing and very well done you, 6 weeks done the line and already health benefits. I’m little in height but need to lose a couple of stone really to get to be where I really want to be. I’ve already lost just over 3 then took this up, so fingers crossed I will see some benefit
I haven't had a cold for 14 months and the last one only lasted 5 days. My heart rate has come down massively and is now often in the mid-40s (although I'm sure my watch can't be right sometimes). I've reduced my blood pressure and reduced my BP medication from 2 1/2 tablets to 1 (I'll get rid of them completely yet!). I have discovered the joys of exploring new places while running and have had the pleasure of the - virtual - company of many lovely people on this forum.
Not to mention not getting out of breath when running for a bus/train.
I can't believe how quickly my health has improved in a relatively short time. That is such good news about your BP medication. But I can't agree with you more the support on here is just amazing. I love the C25K community ..including the running!
What a positive post and great to hear you’re going to share this with your students, I’m sure they’ll be impressed too!
I’ve certainly found the running and going to slimming world have worked well together. I had already lost 1stone before starting C25K but in 13wks I have lost another 1 1/2stone 😊 my asthma has greatly improved and mentally I’m in a really positive place.
Who knew that starting C25K would benefit us in so many wonderful ways 👍
Yes I’m hoping my weight loss will get a kick up the backside, I’ve lost 3 stone before c25k but knew I needed exercise to get off the plateau! I have an auto immune disease and I’m hoping that improves with improved fitness
Hi - i too am in my 50's and a little over weight. I take medication for my blood pressure and last year started have an irregular heart beat. All tests were ok but i was feeling these extra beats/missed beats about 3 times per minute. Since about week 3-4 of C25k i have had none!!
Just need to lose some of this extra weight and maybe get off blood pressure medication.
C25k is amazing and the support on here incredible
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Wk9R3 -- anyone fancy adding to this list of the amazing benefits of completing C25K?
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What c25k has done for me
