Is weight a problem when starting this? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,413 members158,564 posts

Is weight a problem when starting this?

Xgetfitx profile image
25 Replies

Hi everyone dose it matter how heavy you are when you start this, I'm worryed I'm not going to be able to do it as I'm 19 stone .

Written by
Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
25 Replies
Rosherunner profile image
Rosherunner

Hello, I’m very inexperienced as I did run 1 last night. But I’m 16 stone and I managed it, I just kept reminding myself to slow down and keep loose as I kept tending up. And I did it! And felt great afterwards, I hope this gives you some encouragement.

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to Rosherunner

Thank you I just don't want to make a fool of my self , I feel really nervous lol I just need to do it Thank you for your reply x

Rosherunner profile image
Rosherunner in reply to Xgetfitx

I get exactly what you mean. I am only 5”5 so am quite big and my other top is plan your route as I didn’t and had to keep changing directions when I could see people coming up! I will plan better next time!

Woggle profile image
WoggleGraduate in reply to Xgetfitx

You will not make a fool of yourself quite the reverse. Just think how great you will feel in 9 weeks time.

Netball2018 profile image
Netball2018 in reply to Rosherunner

I’ve just completed week 1 run 2 and although it’s hard it’s achievable, I am 17 stone 5 ft 10.

Hi!

Well done for even thinking about the c25k. This forum is great and really motivating. In answer to your question, I don’t know if it depends on how tall you are! When I started I was 4stone overweight and I can now plod along for 10k. I take it very slow and steady. I also started just proving to myself that I could walk 10000 steps in a day and for an hour non stop, but that was just me - I like to check that I can at least walk to distance before I attempt to run it.

Good luck 👍

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to Runninginsingapore

Thank you that's a good idea x

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You can try it and see how it goes Shoes are going to be quite important for you but I,wouldn’t fork out much til you think you’ll to stick with it

To start with the programme is mostly walks with a few mercifully short jogs thrown in Don’t worry, you get told when to run and when to walk. The whole programme is best done SLOWLY, we can’t stress this enough for everyone!

Hopefully you’ll,enjoy yourself and want to keep going as running really helps with weight loss and fitness. Going slowly is the key to it all though, and those who go carefully will be the ones who struggle the least with breathing and injuries

As you work your way through the programme you can follow a healthy eating regime and do other exercise on your non-run days. Walking is ace, as is swimming, cycling, gym or home based exercise 💪😃

Good luck, I do hope you’ll make a start. There is a guy here today celebrating a one year runniversary and he’s lost a lot of weight en route, as have I 🙂👍

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to misswobble

Thank you that helps alot im going to start tonight Thank you x

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

Try it, and see how you feel. As long as you ONLY try and jog just above walking speed, you'll be fine. Slow & steady is key to you completing c25k injury free. If following a calorie controlled diet as well and the weight starts to drop, then your legs and knees will thank you for it, make sure you're well hydrated and do some stretching afterwards.. see the link below for essential info for newbies..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I think drinking more water helps with weight loss as well as hydration and you feel full. I drink a glass of water before meals these days

It’s fun by the way! 😃. If you go slow enough that is. The jog bits are very short at first, so hang in there 💪

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Saw someone, I think last night, saying they needed to lose 10 stone, and they just did run 1. It’s certainly possible for you.

As with everyone, don’t go too fast, and listen to your body, muscles need to develop and bones, ligaments and tendons need to strengthen. You can do this. Welcome.

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thank you x

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Xgetfitx

Also, crazy though this may seem so early, go check out your local parkrun. You’ll see all shapes and sizes there and they’re so welcoming. Maybe register in the site, take your barcodes and water bottle and walk the course. That was my first test on this road, I walked the 3.1 miles (5k) in just over my target time of 51 minutes, got cheered over the line and really felt better about myself.

If you get their early you may find a local running club, that may well have somebody who has been in your shoes and is now a runner. Local support can be good even though this place is so supportive.

Hi Xgetgitx

I too am over weight by approx 5 st and being 4”11 im like a little space hopper with legs lol. I haven’t found my excess weight a great problem, I’m on week 8 Run 1 tonight. I don’t exactly run I plod slowly lol. The only thing I’m finding now I’m doing the longer runs is chaffing and have started to use my hubby’s (he runs half marathons monthly) glide he uses it to stop nipple chaffing but I find it very useful on areas where I have excess skin.

Just find your comfortable rhythm and go for it. And remember you’re running faster than those sat on the sofa, you’ll be surprised in just a few weeks you can do things you struggled with before. When I go into Liverpool with my hubby we park at his works carpark and walk into the city easy on the way there it’s downhill but what goes down must go up and I always had to stop half way on the way back and brought up the rear after 3 weeks of the plan I could do it in one go and lead the walk. Keeping going you’re doing fab. X

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to

You are my insparation reading how well you have done thank you x

Manxmezzo profile image
ManxmezzoGraduate

I'm definitely a 'heavy horse' rather than a thoroughbred and I worried that I was just too heavy to run, but ten weeks down the line and I'm still going. I deliberately haven't weighed myself as I want this to be about well being and fitness rather than weight, but various folk have told me how well they think I'm looking, so I say slow and steady, listen to your body and you'll be absolutely fine!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Good comments there folks It’s al ,good innit 👍

We can’t wait to hear how it went can we Gang!

Good luck and Bon voyage 🙂

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Weight should not be any problem Xgetfitx, just take your time when running, slowly is better, no need to try to break any sort of records. There was someone yesterday that was 20 stone, he told us all that he had to lose 10st and that would make him happy, so don't worry, while your doing C25K, if you wish you could go on a 'controlled diet', that's up to you.

pegasus2512 profile image
pegasus2512Graduate

I started this and I was 21.5 st and to be fair I was worried also. I’ve repeated some runs as mentally I thought I couldn’t do it however last night I did w8r1 that’s 28mins non stop. I was a mess and my legs hurt today but you know what I am glad I’ve started it. I have found I’ve lost more weight since w6 and I have stuck to 2000 calories a day there’s an app called my fitness pal where you can track your food it’s really helping. I have lost nearly stone now so keep going and just take it slow. I’m jogging about 9 mins per km so that’s really slow but don’t care as I doing the motions and feeling the change. You will never know unless you give it a go. Good luck.

Xgetfitx profile image
Xgetfitx in reply to pegasus2512

Thank you and we'll done x

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate

I need to lose another 10lbs before I can be free of the ‘obese’ label and merely overweight but I did the programme, graduated last month and started Park ‘run’ at walk at the end of week 2. As other have said, go slow, be especially careful to keep your hips over your landing foot and avoid heel-strike, ie. feel like you are pushing the ground behind you as you run rather than picking up your knees and your legs will thank you! Look up ‘Slow running’ on YouTube, and happy running 🤗

Matilda2903 profile image
Matilda2903Graduate

Hi, I'd just say 'go for it!' but stick to your own pace. I can walk faster than I run, but I find if I take it slowly I can manage fairly well. Sometimes it is a bit hard going, but if you pace yourself you can do it, there's great support on here too. Good luck! 😋

KN25 profile image
KN25Graduate

You are out there and doing it so good for you! I know it is hard when you are overweight especially that feeling of what will people think. Who cares what people think you are doing this for you! Nice people will think wow look at her go and I have nothing but admiration for you as it would be much easier to sit at home but you have taken the first step of actually getting out there and that is the hardest bit. This app really does work though. I'm needing to lose some weight and I've never really done much running but have only got 1 more run to complete week 9. I remember my very first run where I thought I was going to die after 1 minute. It was hard to imagine being able to run for 30 minutes but it is totally doable!!

Archer1 profile image
Archer1Graduate

I am so pleased you are getting out there. I have found that the weight is dropping off since I have started running. I'm only on week 4 but I didn't think I would be able to get through week 1. I don't think anyone thinks they can do it when they start this but as the weeks go by your confidence grows. Believe in yourself, you can do it.

Good on you

You may also like...

Experience on weight loss when just starting out?

retaining some fluid. Is this pretty common when starting the program? Its my understanding...

Back to my starting weight...

kettlebells that take me back up to my starting weight. Blimey - I don't know how I could even...

Starting C25K when overweight?

preparation. I'm not terribly sore, it's actually that quite pleasant \\"sore\\" when you know you...

When's it start to get easier

running. I feel like I'm doing something wrong some how. I really think I'm going to repeat this...

When to start recording

strava off when my cool down walk is over. So is this the usual way to record the run or are you...