I've just turned 50 and am fed up being severely overweight and unfit. I've just discovered the C25K on the NHS site. I really NEED to change things, is this for me? To give you an idea of my (self inflicted) situation I'm 5ft 9 and 20 stone and suffer from the usual fat bloke conditions; type 2, osa and also fibromyalgia. Can I jump into week 1 or will it kill me?
Many thanks in advance for any advice given.
Can you get the all clear first from the GP? I think there is a walking programme you can do before hand someone may be able to fill you in on that.
If all fine and OK with GP best thing to do is.... DO IT. Even if you complete half of week1 run 1 then have to redo a few days later it doesn't matter. If you have to redo again doesn't matter. The thing is you will be doing it.. Some people take months to complete the programme. Its so transformational. Keep posting and I wish you all the luck in the world. X
Hi there. I agree with michele2017. Get advice from your gp first but you do need to do something. Swimming can help too.
Go at your own pace and keep posting ☺
Hi, I bought myself a Fitbit at Easter and set myself a target of 10,000 steps a day. This was really tough for the first week as I was so unfit and 5 stone overweight. The second week was easier although I was still out of breath going up stairs. After a third week (also adding in some swimming) I started the C25K. The first few runs were hard, I mean really hard, but I am now in week 5 and looking forward to my 16 minutes of running tomorrow morning. So yes, do it, it will definitely help your fitness, but only you can decide whether to go straight into it or whether to do a couple of weeks prep first - walking, swimming etc. Keep us posted with your progress 😀
Well done for wanting to do something about it - you won’t regret it. There is so much support and advice on this forum to keep you going. Ditto the advice already given. If you’ve got someone else to walk with at the beginning it might help .
You can definitely do this!
You could do a couple of weeks of walking 10, 000 steps a day before starting if you want but I’d say just start! Remember to slow down and slow down again in every run! There are plenty of us who have gone from nothing to running with this amazing program. Use the bbc get inspired C25k app (one you) so you can play your own music at the same time. Stick to this forum. Post everything you do on here. The support is fantastic! Good luck!👍🏽
Well after a 4 week wait for an appointment my doctor has given me the all clear to start this. Running shoes have been purchased so I now have no excuses! Tomorrow I'm going in... wish me luck.
Well done. That first step is the hardest. Take it slowly - the aim is to make it to the end of each running phase, regardless of speed.
I’m a little older than you and started 5 stone over weight. I found the first runs really hard. Expect that. Good luck.
Well, one year later and I've finally started! I kept putting it off and making excuses but I'm now doing it. I'm only on wk1 but have just completed my second run; so one left this week. Although it has been hard its not has hard as I thought. I really didn't think I would be able to run for a full minute let alone repeat it 7 more times. Onwards and upwards!
So good to hear you are doing this program. My hubby is like you, but would be too nervous to try anything like this. Keep at it! 😀
I kept telling myself that I couldn't do it. Thankfully I was wrong! Hopefully hubby will come round like I did.
Thanks, Phil. He is probably at least six stone overweight, and has been for years. It would require a huge shift in his thinking, I fear, to even get started.
Wow. So similar to me. 20st and 5ft 9 inches so I'm probably 7st overweight. It's hard but if I can do it anyone can. I've just completed week one, third session this morning. I feel self conscious, I feel very fat (I am) and i worry what people think when they see me running. But you know what? I'm worth more than that so I don't care anymore; I'm doing this. Tell hubby he can do it and there's a lot of support out there too.
Thanks, Phil, although he won’t be pleased I’ve been discussing him in public! 😟
Well done remember just get round.
Am I too unfit to do this?
Unfit, fat fifty one year old
Still Fat, unfit and 61
Frightened I’m too old and unfit 
Too fat!
