I'm an absolute blob, but...

This running thing...well it's good isn't it!

I have to be the most sedentary person I know, I work nights in a sit down job, and I haven't done anything resembling exercise in about 3 and a half years. Also, my diet is terrible, but since starting C25K everything is slowly starting to fall into place.

I've just got in from running W4R1 and i have to be honest, I found it quite easy, my breathing was nowhere near as erratic as it was in the earlier weeks, my legs feel a lot better (except for a slight twinge around my knee caps towards the inside of my legs) i'm pretty sure I haven't lost any weight, but my body as a whole feels different (good different) and just in general I feel much better within myself.

I've never been a runner and have always admired people who were able to do it, but apparently, i'm turning into one of those people, and it feels good! Really good!

I've always struggled with self worth, I tend to think im not good enough to hit that target, or get that thing, or to ask out that girl (that last one still stands true) but the simple act of moving your legs and arms over and over does wonderful things to your mind that I just was not expecting! For the first time in a long time i'm genuinely proud of myself and what I've managed to do so far (I haven't missed a single run, Tuesday Thursday and Saturday for almost an entire month!) so much so in fact, i'm off to treat myself to a gait analysis today and hopefully purchase a new pair of running shoes. 🖖

I wanted to write this to let anyone whose struggling in the early stages know that it gets better and easier, you just have to be consistent, that's all it takes, consistency is the skeleton key!

Good luck to you all, whether you're at the beginning of this wonderful journey, or just about to graduate!

[misswobble Graduate]

Good for you!

I described my former self as a blob! Not now though! This programme changed my entire life! Being overweight and drinking too much were ruining my health. You get to a point where you just can’t do it anymore, and feel so crap, that you have to act

It is a great way of changing things for the better, for mind and body. The elation you get from completing a run is real, and it carries you through to the next. Go slowly and carefully - as there’s no need for speed for this - and you’ll graduate injury-free.

While you are doing the programme overhaul your diet, get more sleep, drink more water, as it all helps to make those runs easier. You can amaze yourself at just how much you can change but you have to be in it for the long haul. It’s such fun though so i hope you will keep running for the rest of your life now you’ve started. There really is no limit to what you can achieve 😃💪👍🏃‍♂️

Go to a dedicated running shop for your gait analysis, not just a general sports shop. Don’t be afraid to ask for last year’s models as they’ll be cheaper.

[damienair Graduate]

Great post. Well done. Keep going. When you graduate and keep running you may find new goals. I like 5K, but trained last year to get up to 10K. I was not fast but I was thrilled with myself. I improved my diet and was more conscious about what I was eating. My resting heart rate went from 80 bpm to 55bpm, blood pressure was spot on and I lost 1.5 stone and toned up. Fell in love with Parkrun every Saturday morning and worked hard to improve my 5K times. This is an amazing plan. You will amaze yourself. Well done on your success so far.

Damien

[Hidden in reply to damienair]

Thanks for the reply, honestly, I've already amazed myself! Just getting this far is something I really didn't think I'd do, but to also see the improvement, it's incredibly addictive!

[Emz1587]

Totally agree! I’ve always hated running, even just the thought of it but starting C25K is literally the best decision I’ve made. from struggling to run for one minute and going to running 20 minutes within 5 weeks proves that it does work and that we can all do it at our own pace in our own time 😊🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️😊

[Hidden in reply to Emz1587]

That's part of what is so good about this, seeing and feeling the improvement, it makes it so worthwhile when you realise you can do it!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done - I can relate to everything you say. Prepare to feel even better with the longer runs to come. They’re not all going to be easy but the sense of achievement is fantastic.

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

I'm already enjoying the jump up to 5 minutes, it was the first early ish week I was kind of dreading! With all the beautiful weather we've been having recently also, puts me in such a good mood!