one barrier for me though is feeling like I'm being judged by everyone/watched I'd rather run when nobody's watching because I'm quite a big person and I don't wanna embarrass myself! Then again when I see someone else running when I'm on the bus or bike I think good on them for getting out and staying fit or trying to lose weight I guess some people might think the same about me when i start doing it properly but I'm still really self consious.
Motivation or lack of!
Apparently it's good to have a playlist to keep you motivated when your running. Also getting a running partner...I hate the gym for the same reason I really need a running partner it would just make it so much easier to have some one with me.
Today I'm supposed to be doing my second run as yesterday was my rest day i don' really feel like doing it but maybe I should I hope it will make me feel a bit better about my next run anyway as it's meant to get easier as your fitness improves..
Finding the time!
Most people have really busy lives it's not that im not physically active it's just that i have college or work and sometimes it's hard to fit in the time. I'm not a morning person but I've read online that it's great to go running in the mornings before work or college it's meant to get you going for the day. Probably read these things a thousand times and since I'm just starting out I'm just sharing a little bit about what I find hard or what stops me from running on those days.
Too tired!
After a long day i might be too tired to go for a run or in the mornings i just might not feel like it apparently running is supposed to help get your energy levels back up.
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Cwatts
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You are not alone! So many people feel self conscious; no need, as you say non runners will wish they could do what you are doing and the runners will feel supportive. Over time, running will improve your confidence and in a few weeks you really won't care
Motivation; comes from you. What is it that you want to achieve? This is an amazing programme that will take you from no running to running for 30 minutes in about 9 weeks, improve your fitness and help with your weight. We can be your running mates if you keep popping in we will help to get you out the door.
Time; I have a family and run my own business. I never have time. Oh, but now I make the time to go running because I have come to love it and it is a priority.
Too tired; exercise is tiring at first but as you get stronger and fitter you will find that running boosts your energy. I am also sleeping better than I have for years.
Seems like you should download the App, read the Guide to C25K (under pinned posts), put your gear on and follow the instructions. Run very slowly! This might just change your life
Good luck and come back to tell us how you got on.
ThankYou! That is amazing I just don't know how everyone does it haha I want to join the RAF that's my motivation it's just forcing myself to get out the door when Its a run day this is only day 3 so I suppose I haven't given it a chance yet I'm gonna do my wk 1 run 2 today and then rest for a day then on Tuesday is my 3rd one I need to find a good place to run my estate is literally just hills
Get a running buddy on here. Find someone at the same stage as you and keep in contact with them. I buddies up with a lovely girl called Nicola and we contacted each other before and after every run encouraging, moaning, cheering each other on past the finish line. Both now graduated and still doing the same to keep each other motivated x
I have had the same fears but am conquering them by disappearing into my own little world which makes me feel invisible. I do this by listening to music which gives me something else to think about other than my legs, wearing a sun visor pulled down so no one can tell it’s me, and running in a park where there are so many other people doing exercise I just fade into the background.
Other runners have in turn become invisible to me.
I'm glad to hear that! My local park is about a 15 minute walk away so I'd be doing that then running but my intention is to not care and feel invisible 😂 music defitnitley sounds like a good idea
Absolutely feel the self conscious part, living in a small village I've told no one I'm doing this just so no one's looking out for me! Silly really. But with helenwheels, non runners will only wish they could be out there with me😁and the only runners will either be out there already or getting ready to go, and they started somewhere!
Being too tired at the end of a day...is exactly why I run in the mornings if I can. Lately I’m waking not long after 6am and get up and out. One of the "benefits" of being older is I sleep less. At the end of a long day it’s harder to motivate myself to run. But, as others have said, you will find doing a run energises you. It’s is completely counter-intuitive, but it works. I did my hardest, longest ever run yesterday and I felt energised all day.
Anxiety...is real and harmful. I’ve been fortunate to have no catcalls or abuse despite having a belly on me that doesn’t fit the image of a runner. Over the course of this programme I have become much more confident and now, frankly, don’t care what other people think. "I'm a runner; what’s your problem?"
You’ve started Chelsea, that’s the biggest hurdle you have had to take. I don’t think I feel that anxious, but I run on a treadmill in a gym. People there are helpful and supportive, as all understand the ‘wanting to get fit’ goal. That, for me, is the upside of a gym. They are my ‘running partner’.
And I’ve come to find that I make my running moments more and more a priority, the better it goes.
I’m only on week 4, but I see the progress (you’re going to LOVE seeing the progress).
I’ve put running in my calendar every other day, so over time, life gets planned around it.
You can do it! It’s really hard work, but where’s the feeling of accomplishment and pride if it all comes easy, right?
Hi hope so I'm feeling motivated (ish) at the moment I have a goal and I've set it out to do a run every other day so I get my rest days but still improve that's what I'm hoping anyway
Ok, im no expert (currently on week 5, 45 years old, and never done any kind of exercise in my life!!) but for what its worth, heres my take:
Anxiety - Seriously, and i mean this in the nicest possible way, NOBODY else cares what youre doing, what youre wearing, what size you are ... Other people are too busy going about their own lives to be judging you. Ask yourself this ... do you judge every person you meet on a day to day basis? Im gonna take an educated guess that you dont, right? Yeah well neither do the rest of us 😊
Motivation - Personally i wouldn’t recommend a running partner, you will both have a different “happy pace” and one or both of you will end up frustrated with the other (trust me, i tried it ONCE 😂)
Have a fun hour compiling yourself a playlist of your fave, upbeat tunes.
Reward yourself for a job well done. My immediate gratification is a large cup of uninterrupted coffee and a ciggie (i know, i know 😱) on my return. Mid-term reward, some nice new running gear, shoes, whatever. Long-term reward (and this is my biggie!) my health!!
Finding the time - Yep, i absolutely agree, its hard. I work full time with a 6am start, so on my 2 days off its easy, i run at 6am because im up anyway. The 3rd run is more tricky to fit in. I generally dont enjoy that run as much because the roads/pavements are busy and im tired after work. However, it has to be done. Maybe a different route or whatever would help
Too tired - As above. My motivation is my health. My mum had cancer at 29. Her sister died of cancer at 45. My dad was diagnosed with cancer at 45. Im 45 (you see where im going with this 😐) I’d be a lot more tired if i was fighting cancer in an unhealthy body! Hopefully the smoking will be next to go (30 years ive been smoking, and i know it wont be easy, but, my health!!)
Im guessing that practically everyone that has ever done c25k has made the same excuses .. i dont know what to wear, people will look at me, i dont have time, blah blah. I know for a fact i did!!! Realistically though, there are no excuses for taking your health back. It will be worth the effort soon. I promise you 😊👍🏻 x
I totally get that! My vice is smoking and coffee well I'm just as addicted to that so the first thing I did when I got home after run 1 was have a ciggie and well I've cut the caffeine I only drink juice or water now but doesn't make it that much easier I will get there I just need to force myself to get out the door and run Sarah is my coach on the app and she's been so encouraging so far
I have Sarah too 😊 I remember wk1 when at the end of each run she used to say, “now go have some water and maybe half a banana”. Yeah, right Sarah!! Ive got a large coffee and a pack of cigs waiting with my name on them 😂☕️🚬🚬
I'm graduating tomorrow hopefully and I no longer feel self conscious. It did take a few weeks, I can see now that other runners are just focussed on their own run and not what I'm doing!
I need music to run to. I'm also lucky I run with my sister. It helps with motivation. We arrange a date and time and stick to it.
I think I'm quite unusual in that I don't really enjoy running in the morning! I do enjoy evening runs. I have all day to do what I need to do then run around 8pm. Winds me down and I sleep well!
I also feel like people are watching and judging my snail's pace but after my 20 minute shuffle this morning I think I'm over it. I'm impressed with my achievements so I no longer care 😁😂😂😂
Everyone has to start somewhere I see people running all the time here bit they go so much faster but at least we can say we're trying really hard to get there even if we are like snails😂 I may as well have just been walking it would probably be just as fast
Interesting I have done an afternoon one so far never done it in the morning and never done it evening but the last thing I need is more sleep I am that much of a couch lover I could literally stay at home all day if I didn't have college haha 😂 but I do need to start being a morning person
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When's it start to get easier 
W4R2 - morning vs evening run
Back off the couch - slowly
Running with asthma. 
Stepping up to the big TWO-OHHHHHH!
