Preparing to start week 1

[Deedee69]

I am getting ready to start week 1 next week following the weight loss program and doing the couch to 5k in 9 weeks - so looking forward to seeing a new me in 12 weeks!!

[trogdelight Graduate]

good luck. I'm sure you'll smash it.

[Deedee69 in reply to trogdelight]

Thank you

[Bells411]

You can do it- slowly but surely- stick with the program it really gets you up and running!

[Deedee69 in reply to Bells411]

Thank you

[DebbieRogers]

Good luck!

[Deedee69 in reply to DebbieRogers]

Thank you

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good for you! I was a complete couch potato before C25K, and now I cannot imagine my life without running, and go out three times a week for 30 mins of running minimum! I am hooked.

The best advice: go really, really slowly, stretch well after, get good shoes, and be patient. Rome was not built in a day, neither will your fitness - but you complete the programme and you will get fit. Be kind to yourself, be proud of yourself with every run, and be persistent!

Sadie-runs x

[Deedee69 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you

[Deedee69]

Am actually quite scared, I have a gym membership I haven't used in well over a year. I am very overweight and get seriously out of breath going up one flight of stairs. Living in a ground floor apartment for over 13 years its rare I use stairs anyway.

[Hidden in reply to Deedee69]

You will be fine. Just take it steadily and repeat runs if you need to. The first week is the hardest. I lost a lot of weight in the first weeks though. I think it’s the intervals, walk, run, walk, run. Apparently accelerating your heart then slowing it down like that really helps weight loss. Honestly, I thought I would die in the first week, puffing, panting, feeling dizzy, red face with white blotches. Now Ive run over 10k without stopping or walking, and 5k seems like nothing. Once you have done two or three weeks and know you are going to stick with it, do yourself a favour, go to a proper specialist running shop where they will test your gait on a treadmill, and get yourself fitted with decent running shoes. Also the world of lycra awaits you. Material that wicks sweat away from your body and keeps you comfortable and stretches and gives you a lovely streamlined look. You will be able to wear the sort of clothes you wouldnt have been seen dead in before, and trust me you will love them, it’s an addiction! Being the biggest teenager in the world, I just bought these:

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01...

[Deedee69 in reply to Hidden]

Wow.... I love those! I like the Andromeda pattern. Now there's an incentive!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Deedee69]

Don’t be scared. If you take it slow, you WILL get fitter. It’s science. 😀 But as I said, the key is patience. Who cares how long it takes you to get fit again?! It will happen if you practice patience and persistence.

If you do nothing, nothing will change. And I can tell, you want things to change. 👏👏👏

[Deedee69 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I do want change

[Lydia-jg Graduate]

I was / am vv unfit too, just take it really steady and take heart from fact a lot of us are doing it alongside you 😊🏃‍♀️

[Deedee69 in reply to Lydia-jg]

Thank you

[Sharonbagpi Graduate]

Good luck trust me I couldn't run at all but I'm amazed at how I'm a little fitter now then I was it takes take and you will get there Good luck xx

[Deedee69 in reply to Sharonbagpi]

Thank you

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

I am trying to lose 4 stone and signed up to this after finding myself breathless walking upstairs....! I spent the week before I started C25K doing lots of walking to start strengthening my legs, and it really helped with the week 1 runs. I bought a Fitbit and a second hand treadmill off eBay for £58 and after just 3 weeks I have so much more energy already! You can do this! X 😀

[Deedee69 in reply to oldwheezer69]

Thank you

[Jo-Jo-K Graduate]

Good luck Deedee,I've just finished week one and it was better than I thought so I'm now buzzing for week 2

In a week you'll probably feel just as good👍

[Deedee69 in reply to Jo-Jo-K]

Thank you

[SendWine Graduate]

Good luck. Have faith and follow the program and you'll smash it in your own time.

Look forward to following your progress.

[Deedee69 in reply to SendWine]

Thank you

[Run-Granny-Run Graduate]

DD

All the best , just take it one step at a time and one run at a time. 🙂

It might seem impossible now but you can do this 🙂

We believe in you 🙂

RGR

[Deedee69 in reply to Run-Granny-Run]

Thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

The guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[wez70 Graduate]

Hi Deedee ... you won't regret it and although at times you will wonder if you have it in you, you do and you CAN do it! I was never an athlete of any description ... running was only for escaping if you were being chased etc ... but as each week was completed, you do start to believe that you are achieving something so positive for your health both physical and mental, that you continue, you beat the hurdles but above all you take it one day at a time, one run at a time, slowly and surely ... no medals for speed, no words like 'failure' mean anything ... each time you go out, you've achieved more than many and your confidence in yourself will improve no end ... I completed the programme just over 2 years ago and am still running ... I've run distances I only ever watched people in shorts and vests on TV cover in races and events ... but it started here and without it I wouldn't have achieved what I have. We're all here for you, every step of the way and I look forward to hearing how you're doing!

[Deedee69 in reply to wez70]

One step at a time.... I will keep that in mind as I start.

[scalmac]

Good luck, I've found that taking the time to find good footwear (Salomons for me), a good playlist and running like no one's looking helps keep me focussed..... It does get easier as you complete more sessions, you'll be fine!

[Deedee69 in reply to scalmac]

Thank you

[johnm12 Graduate]

Welcome. Take it steadily and listen to the admins. It takes perseverance, but I do predict that you will soon stall feeling better and fitter. It really does work.

Take care and let us know how you get on

[Deedee69 in reply to johnm12]

Thank you

[Jullaly Graduate]

Its great to combine both the diet and this ..its working for me ..I had lost quite a bit but came to a stand still ..started this and the weight is coming off again ..besides how well it makes me feel, Ive found the first proper exercise in my life that I absolutely love and keep wanting to do

[Deedee69 in reply to Jullaly]

Thank you

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t lose on week 1 and/or 2. Apparently the aches in your legs are due from teeny tears which fill with water so you have water retention weight. Then after that you’ll see things move well! Well done!

[Deedee69 in reply to Tasha99]

Oh wow..... thanks for the warning

[quirkybee Graduate]

Hi Deedee,

Ooh I'm sure you will crack it lovely. I'd run it with you if I was near too. We all need encouragement. I'm running with my friend who is on her 3rd run of wk one and she's finding it brill so far. Let us know how you get on and post some pics. Good luck x 😊👍

[TedG Graduate]

Good on you, you’ll be OK. We were all in the same situation as you’re in now, starting out on W1R1. The key is slow and steady, if you run out of puff you’re going too fast, slow down!

The most important part of your running kit is a quality pair of shoes. Best use a specialist running shop where they’ll do a gait analysis to sort out the best type of trainer for you.....Up & Running or Sweatshop are good.

Good luck for next week, you’ll be glad you started out on this journey 😊

[Deedee69 in reply to TedG]

Thank you

[MsFickle]

Good luck Deedee you can do this - the first run is the scariest but you will be so proud of yourself and buzzing - take it slowly and don't get disheartened if the weight doesn't come off immediately - it will be assured x

[Deedee69 in reply to MsFickle]

Thank you

[furlmouse Graduate]

Hi Deedee69 ! Don't be scared, you can do this. Slow and steady. And if you have any wobbles, everyone on here will support you and encourage you, and answer any questions you have. (About C25K, anyway - not sure there are any qualified astrophysicists on here....)

Enjoy! x

[Deedee69 in reply to furlmouse]

Thank you

[brumatmed]

Hi DeeDee69,

I have done the Couch to 5K and found it hard going - I have found a better idea may be to get hold of a 'fitbit' or similar and do some maths which means you can work out how many of your steps are in 5K and then start out by walking then jogging and improving the timing at your own pace. It is always worth remembering that you should pace to 'keep it fun'. No-one expects you to do a 5k in under 20 minutes until you have practiced for some time (I would suggest that you join a low impact club as walking/ running on your own can be demoralising - but make sure you do it with fellow exercisers of your own age/ fitness as this prevents you getting demoralised by seeing people disappear into the sunset as you are warming up).

You should be aware that although my icon is Captain Scarlet, I am a 17 stone (no idea what that is in Kilogrammes) bloke who is approaching T2 diabetes and I am nearly 55 years old - not the fittest of specimens, still I found it easier to run against technology rather than a competitive human. As well as Fitbit, there is also several free apps which can be downloaded to a smartphone which do the same job (and that way you don't have to pay for the watch). Good luck but don't push yourself too far, too fast - Try and find a flat, undemanding route.

Kind regards

Bru.matmed

[c1air3 Graduate]

Good luck Deedee69

Slow and steady wins and you will amaze yourself and what you can achieve 😁

[GibsonBBKing Graduate]

My sis in law is a Deedee too! Despite initial concerns about starting the C25K programme I managed run 2 of week 1 yesterday solidly and I feel better today than the day after run 1 so I would really, really encourage you to put any concerns to the back of your mind and look forward to your first run.

[AliHC Graduate]

All the best to you and good luck with your journey. 🍀