Seriously struggling

[ButtercupKid]

I’m just not making any progress ! Since I’m carrying Ethel (a person’s weight in extra fat) I’m not entirely surprised. How well would you run if you were carrying another person the same weight as yourself ?! I’m getting massively bored with week 1 (now on my sixth repeat) but I’m still nowhere close to being able to even jog all the running sections. Giving up is not an option, but I feel very down about it all. Any advice ? 😔

[Hidden]

I know a few people when they started did a few weeks walking then faster walking for 30 mins until they felt comfortable to begin jogging.

Also, when you are jogging, go very slowly! I remember some times I was jogging the same pace as people walking in front of me and could barely overtake them 😂

Please don’t give up!! Xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Curlybird. I’m wondering about doing the 9 weeks as a two-pace walking programme and then going back to the beginning and trying to do it again a bit faster !

[Melissal Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Slowing down worked for me - I still run slower than I walk (I'm a fast walker and a very slow runner), and used to laugh every time Michael would tell me to slow down to a walk at the end of each running interval, as I would actually get faster walking. The advice I followed from this forum was to focus on keeping the running motion going for whatever time the programme had scheduled for that run, and not worry about speed, that would come later on. Go slower than you think is possible, and see if that helps. You can do it.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Melissal]

Thanks for that - sounds like good advice. I’ll give it a try. Know what you mean about walking faster than you run - I’m there too !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

You’re progressing for sure, maybe slowly but this isn’t a race. Those who finish this in the minimum time end up just as fit and healthy as those that take months.

Are you completing some of the run sections? I’m thinking that maybe a little switch could help a little. Can you do 30 seconds each run? What about 40?

You make up some amusing mantras, they even pop into my head during some runs now, you have a very positive attitude towards everyone’s progress on here. So, it’s all about loving you now... look how much more you can do now than at the start... you can do this, and once you’re into week 2, you’ll be amazing yourself.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

At first I couldn’t run at all. For the last three weeks I’ve been managing to jog the first 15 seconds of each run, but I can’t seem to get past that. The harder I try the more anxious I get, and that affects my breathing (and makes inventing mantras much harder !) I refuse to give up, but I wish I could move on.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Have you tried any relaxation techniques? I find meditating really helps me in all that I do. We need you to come to a run all relaxed.

15 seconds from zero is big progress... so it has been working. If you were only to be doing four runs could you go further in each do you think? In theory you should be able to. I’ll be adding distance one day and speed on another, maybe that theory will work for you too... try 4x20 seconds one day and back to your 8x the next run?

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Worth working on - thank you !

[Hidden]

Dear Buttercupkid you are way way ahead of me! Sixth repeat is brilliant all progress, I can't even contemplate the idea of attempting to run. I have an absolute block/fear of even thinking I could do it. So well done you carry on you're doing this for real. 👍

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you ! You will get there and so will I. I moved from walking to jogging by counting - I jogged the first 16 steps of the run sections ! Now I can jog 4x16 each time, but I’m stuck there !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Mental barriers just need smashing! Just had a look at your profile and one journey that you’re on takes determination, well done demonstrating that you have the biggest skill to get through C25K.

You can do anything you focus on, running would be no different, it’s 90% mental... maybe more on the plan here.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That’s quite perceptive of you. I carry a lot of mental baggage as well as the physical stuff, and I’ve always been harder on myself than on others. Maybe the attitude is more than half of the problem ?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Maybe... be proud of what you’re doing... there’s no failure unless you go sit on the couch and stop trying.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Not going to happen 😬😄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Exactly! You’re a winner.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

A stayer, anyway ! Watch this space 😀

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Slow down!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Not sure it’s physically possible to go any slower ! 😄

[RedNanny]

Hi lovely,

I'm only on week one and am finding it tough - and I'm only carrying 3st of extra weight, so I'm impressed at how well you're doing! Whether you are running or walking that's six weeks of great activity that will be doing you good - and has probably reduced the size of "Ethel" already. As your weight goes down your fitness will increase so please don't worry about progress because you are making good progress for sure. I am so happy to see so many helpful replies on here and hope you keep going and being kind to yourself! You can do this x

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to RedNanny]

Thanks RedNanny - a friendly voice from another beginner means a lot. Well done you for getting out there !

[RedNanny in reply to ButtercupKid]

You're so welcome! Keep going and believe in yourself <3

[Tartancat Graduate]

I was so thrilled for you a couple of weeks ago when you said you'd been able to jog for the first time. You've already made great progress, and you can do this, tiny step by tiny step!

I can't add to the advice above, but I know we're all cheering you on every time you step out the door. Go ButtercupKid!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Now I’m all weepy 😊 Thanks, Tartancat x

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Now now, dry those eyes or you'll start me off as well!

Just keep us posted on your progress 😊

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Would you like a hanky ? I feel all braced up for next week now. You’re all lovely people 😊

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Well done you! Showing such determination! An example to many, thank you. You have a fair few ideas to try in the advice given, so all the very, very best for your onward running journey. Bye, bye to Ethel!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you ! Your support gives me another reason not to quit x

[over61andstilltrying Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Hello again ButtercupKid,

I have been thinking about you and Ethel. I expect there are perhaps 8 or 9 stone of her. I can imagine that losing her seems like a massive battle. So to have started shows such resolve. Well done again!

Over the years I have lost 1½ stone, so very little compared to Ethel and although I am not overweight I would love to reduce my waist by about 3 inches, which must mean more pounds as well as exercises that target the middle. I have found, as is well documented, that as you grow older you need to consume fewer and fewer calories in order not to gain weight. I do still eat a portion of dessert but to control my portion size, I eat it from a diddy ramekin dish and use a tea spoon! Beginning to think that even that will have to go as well. Perhaps once or twice a week only. I am sure my portion size is just a third of what it used to be.

But If you are going to lose Ethel, I seriously have no excuse but to tackle my much smaller target. I shall be 62 (yikes!) on Thursday and your resolve is inspiring me to set a goal that by my 63rd birthday these unwanted inches will be gone! Thank you for acting as my spur.

Are you getting any advice on weight loss? There have been quite a few posts on the forum pointing out that the amount of running the C25k programme is not enough to shift many pounds, although it is a start. I think quite a few people have mentioned benefitting from Slimming World. Whatever your method all the very, very best with both it and also with C25k. And thank you again.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks for your advice, 61at. I’m trying to set a good example to the kids, so eating more fruit and veg, less sweet or junk foods, but at the moment I’m prioritising fitness over weight loss. Muscle is heavier than fat, so I know at the moment I’m likely to get heavier for a bit before things start to improve in that direction !

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I have such respect for those who run carrying extra weight..........I know that even a couple of extra stones would stop me in my tracks.

Each workout is building strength and stamina, but if you are getting bored it might be better to try something else for a while. In the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... there is a link to the Active 10 walking programme, which may be more appropriate for you to build basic stamina before tackling C25K.

Keep going.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I did look at Active 10 but I do quite a lot of walking and really want to challenge myself to get fitter and faster. One reason I’m doing this is to show my kids that things can change and unfit can become healthy and active, so it matters that they see me choosing to do something different even when it’s hard ! Thanks for your advice and support - you’re such a useful person !

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to ButtercupKid]

Setting this example to your kids is a brilliant reason to do this, so if you are sticking with C25K then just slow it right down. Many people can walk faster than they jog, but it works your body differently and will build stamina and ultimately you will be able to increase your pace.

Keep us posted, because you will see progress soon.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Will do. Thanks again 🙂

[Amandana]

Stay with us here ButtercupKid and keep at it! We are all rooting for you and here to support you. There’s no pressure to move any faster than you’re comfortable doing.

How is briskly walking? I’m just thinking a brisk 30 min walk is challenging for some folks and if that’s the case, adding running intervals in there is impressive! If that were the case I’d think things would improve if you stick with it, and adding brisk walks without any running intervals or a non-impact exercise like bicycle or swim on non-running days might help?

What do you think would happen if you told yourself next time our you’re going to run for 18 steps each interval? I bet you could do two extra strides!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Amandana]

Funnily enough, even with Ethel I can do a reasonable 30 minute walk, and I often do walk on rest days. I seem to have some kind of phobia about running ! You’re right about increasing a very little at a time, and I will try this week to do that. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂

[icklegui Graduate]

Ethel. May I address you directly, Ethel? Look. If you're not going to help our ButtercupKid with the running, can you do something useful, like maybe choose a nice audiobook or some relaxing music to take her mind off the running? Am thinking that might help calm her breathing and get her running to her current potential, and stop the boredom with repeating setting in.

ButtercupKid - How's your posture? Straight up with shoulders back, open up that chest and get air in? I know you've been given a wealth of advice and also you've got an amazing attitude so I think you'll keep going and you will, will will progress. You have done loads already! Have that little conversation with yourself every time you do the runs and feel like you need to go from running to walking, "are you sure? does it hurt? can you breathe? then maybe just another couple of steps".

Also - do you know really that it's 15 seconds of each minute? Does that mean you're clock-watching? If you are, I would suggest... not clock-watching? I forget, are you using the app/podcasts, which will tell you when your minute is up, so you don't have to watch the time.

Keep going. You're not only doing well, you're a great inspiration to all the other people who ask "hey I can't even do week one, what should I do?"

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Ethel is not noticeably chastened, but at bottom she knows she can’t have it all her own way any more ! 😄 I did ask about posture in an earlier post and got some great advice from various people which enabled me to do the little bit of jogging I’m managing so far. Thanks for your support. I’m sticking with it, so watch this space !

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Keep going! I like the idea of varying your walking pace. And when you run, don't push it at all. Just go as slow as you possibly can. And then slow some more. It really works. Good luck! 😁👟👟

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Thank you ! Every little helps, as they say 😄

[Lucyfur Graduate]

Have you tried w1 to 3 of the zombierun c25k? I started with it but then changed to this one at w3 (as zr both gave me too many options and wanted money to move forward). it builds you up to the 1min more gradually (just walk during th3 freeform bits) and then you will be ready for w2 and increasing that minute. And well done for persevering, that attitude will lead to you doing this

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Lucyfur]

Thanks for the suggestion - I’d like to stick with this if I can, but I’ll bear the other option in mind.

[Kimba66]

Repeat as many times as you need, do you Listen to music were your running ? This is a must for me when I’m running it takes my mind from what I’m doing

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Kimba66]

I know music is a great help to a lot of runners, but I’m autistic and I find music more a distraction than a help when I’m outside. I also have a really weird headphone phobia, so I have to run with Sanjeev on speaker. I get some very interesting looks at times ! 😄