Just started W1R1

Hi, I'm 42yr old mummy of 3 and very new to all of this and am very shy lol. I hit rock bottom in April with my depression, and thought the only way to get better was to help myself. My mum took me to slimming world where I've lost 2 stone so far, another 4 to go, (I'm 5ft 1 and now am 14st 7 😳) and I'm 9 weeks off the smokes. My moods are getting better and I thought this would be the next step. I'm so proud of myself that I completed my first session without collapsing lol, long may it continue anyway, sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to say Hi

[lexi6 Graduate]

Well done on your fantastic weight loss and giving up the ciggies. I’m an ex smoker and overweight too. The running really helps me. Brilliant start, Sweetpea, keep posting here, everyone is amazing on here, so supportive. 👍

[Hidden in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi6 for your kind and positive reply 👍🏼

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Wow!

Firstly welcome!

Second, very well done shedding two stones, the rest will follow.

Third, congratulations on defeating nicotine addiction.

So, if you have the will power to do those two things, you can certainly get through this course. Just take it nice and slow, then slow down a bit, slow a tiny bit more, and you’re set. This isn’t about speed.

Running will help with depression, we have had a couple of people commenting on good results with that here in the last few days.

Don’t expect miracle weight loss, especially in the early weeks. Your body will change, it will build a little muscle, and muscle is heavier than fat. The tape measure may be your best friend as far as the running side of weight loss is concerned. Stick with the, hopefully, healthy eating that you have used thus far for continuing results. There’s a weight loss forum on here too if you want added support. Eventually jogging will turn you into a fat burning machine.

Well done beating run 1... you have everything it takes to get through this and beyond.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks UnfitNoMore

I got measured for a bridesmaid dress in April and I took my measurements again in July and I'd lost 20 inches overall so far. I did this because the weighloss slowed down. I'm hoping this all help a with the depression, and it's reassuring to know that it's helped people in here.

Many thanks for the encouragement

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

We got you, you got this. We are all here to help, don’t be a stranger to the forum!

[Stixs42]

Oh well done to you for starting it. You will be energised each run you do it really does work. Believe in yourself and you will get through it. I’ve learnt that with the help and support of everyone on here. Good luck x x

[Hidden in reply to Stixs42]

Thanks

It's support I need as it's lacking at home, so to hear that is great xx

[RobW73 Graduate]

Great news.

You've taken the first big 3 steps:

1. Deciding to do this programme.

2. Getting out of the front door.

3. Joining the forum.

You will make it. Keep posting progress after each run. Make it a diary and you'll get support and advice along the way.

This programme works, so trust it and it really, really does help with fixing depression.

Happy running.

[Hidden in reply to RobW73]

Thank you

Believe it or not it was joining the forum that was the hardest thing to do lol. And I'm glad to hear it'll help with the depression, that's one of my targets.. along with getting fit

[EL82 Graduate]

Good luck in all your goals and congratulations on your first run. 😀

[Hidden in reply to EL82]

Thank you

[Robert_IS_a_Runner Graduate]

Wow that is so impressive - well done. 🌟

Take it easy with the programme - don't exhaust yourself as that can be de-motivating (I speak from experience) and concentrate on slowing down. That's the secret - learning to run slowly.

Keep posting and tell us how you get on - good days and bad we are very supportive.

PS there's really good evidence for the power of running in combating depression too!

[Hidden in reply to Robert_IS_a_Runner]

Thank you! I'm hoping, along with weight loss and getting fitter, that this helps with the depression. That's encouraging to hear that it proven to help 😊

[Little-runner Graduate]

Helloooo Sweatpea! Just to echo what others have said..Well done on the weight loss, well done on giving up smoking, and well done on being brave and lacing the trainers up and going for your first run!

On the BBC news this morning there was an item about the benefits of exercise and mental health, so keep going and you will see many improvements to well being, stamina, confidence, this running malarkey can be addictive too!

The support here is amazing and please keep posting, it's one of the loveliest communities online 😍

And I agree about the slow down bit, it's very common for new runners to start off too fast, so run slower than you think is possible!

Good luck! You've got this!! 👍👊

[Hidden in reply to Little-runner]

Thank you so much! I think I am running slow, but what speed should it be out of curiosity?

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hey Sweetpea...sorry for belated reply! I thought the same thing as you about speed, and for everyone it will be different due to different factors such as stride length, male / female, terrain etc.

A guide generally through for easy running is to run where you can hold a (perhaps somewhat breathy) conversation and you're not gasping for breath. So I run alone and have tested this out by, yes basically talking to myself! And I realised I was running too fast. So I slowed down. For me, that speed is around a 12-13 minute mile for a really slow and steady run, and I can run for much longer at this pace. I can run faster of course but I can't sustain it for as long. For other people, it will be a slower pace, or quicker. Just experiment with how you are running and find out what feels comfortable for you...and just stick at it!

The more you run, you will find your slow pace get's quicker without thinking about it. Mine definitely has. I did get a bit hung up on speed right at the start as I knew I was slow in comparison to other people. BUT I soon realised that this was not really the right approach. In the early days when your body is adjusting to this massive change in activity, the key thing is just to keep doing it, making sure you take rest days, and for me stretching is really important after every run other wise I'll have aches and pains the next day.

I hope that helps!

x

[Hidden in reply to Little-runner]

Thanks so much Little-runner. That's great advice and guidance x

[Runningroni Graduate]

Well done on quitting the fags. I smoked for 40 years before starting this programme and I am cross at myself for not quitting before. Just follow the weekly runs and you will be amazed by what you will achieve. Go for it.

[Hidden in reply to Runningroni]

Thank you

It's not the first time I've quit them bit I'm hopeful it's the last

[Carolinemcd Graduate]

Hi and welcome. Great weight loss and kicking the fags!

[Hidden in reply to Carolinemcd]

Thank you 😊

[Emmajane71 Graduate]

Hello and welcome Sweetpea!

Amazing weightloss! As for giving up smoking that takes real strong willpower, I say that as a smoker who can't find the willpower to quit! So well done, you should already be extremely proud of yourself. I really hope you enjoy doing C25K, I'm sure it will do wonders to lift your spirits, it's a great feeling slaying those pesky little gremlins when out on a run!

Take it slowly, hydrate well but above all enjoy it 😘

[Hidden in reply to Emmajane71]

Thanks so much Emmajane71 x

Its the determination and willpowet that will hopefully see me through the c25k.. fingers crossed lol