36 male - used to be sporty - now a fat dad. A... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,190 members159,536 posts

36 male - used to be sporty - now a fat dad. Ashamed of myself.

DiscoStu profile image
19 Replies

Says it all above. My diet is the issue. Need some inspiration as I feel low.

Want my daughter to be proud of me.

On week 9 of CT5K but because of work and what I eat hasn’t really done too much for me - haven’t ran since September 11th. Signed off work with stress. Been on 3/4 long (8k power walks in last few weeks)

Seems like it’s one step forward, 2 back. Desperately want to lose body (belly fat)

Written by
DiscoStu profile image
DiscoStu
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
19 Replies
Turquoiseunicorn profile image
Turquoiseunicorn

Go back to a week where you feel comfortable hun. You've got this! Don't put too much pressure on yourself and try to enjoy it. Your daughter will already be proud of u for making a change. Good luck and hold your head high 😀

You do sound quite low, hard to motivate yourself when you feel like that. But the fact that you recognise that your diet isn't helping is half the battle. A good place to start with dietary changes is to keep a food diary for a couple of weeks, help identify the problem areas (doesn't have to be anything formal, just a note on your phone) - then you can start making improvements ( smart swaps, cut out snacking, reduce sugar intake, reduce booze, whatever your particular food excesses are). Its not about eating less, its about eating better. As a longtime member of a well known slimming club I could bang on about healthy eating all day long but this probably isn't the place but there is plenty of support out there if you want to use it. As far as the running goes, don't undersetimate what it has done for you so far, it will have improved your fitness level and it will have started to tone muscles and improve your cardio fitness. I would agree with turquoiseunicorn about going back to a week where you feel able to do it, even if its week 1 orv2, just make the effort to put your running shoes on and get out there. I tend to go first thing in the day, less likely to talk myself out of it. Give it a go, and then come back and tell us how you got on. You can do this for your daughter, but mostly for you .

Beccym profile image
BeccymGraduate

The exercise will help with the stress.

You have started doing something that is the main thing.

Even if you've not lost weight you will be fitter.

It took me 2 years to finish couch to 5k properly, try not to be too hard on yourself easier said then done.

Jen68 profile image
Jen68Graduate

I didn’t get my weight under control till my husband had a heart attack and survived. I then read a book called Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. It meant going on a Whole Food Plant Based no added oil or fat diet. My husband is off all meds and without trying I lost 30 kilos without being hungry. Do some research there are loads of lectures by Dr Esselstyn, Dr John McDougall and a psychologist Dr Doug Lisle. It also helps save the planet. You are not alone and it is not your fault. The food industry studies how to make us addicted to their so called food. Good luck. By the way I was 67 when I started the way of eating and at 70 I have never been in better health and physically strong with no pain. Try it for 30 days and see how it goes.

uncle_wiggy profile image
uncle_wiggyGraduate in reply toJen68

Wow.... Amazing....Awesome.... Massive well done & bloomin inspirational!

SnailRunner71 profile image
SnailRunner71Graduate

You started the programme. You got to week 9. Both great achievements. Hope you can continue soon. Good luck.

uncle_wiggy profile image
uncle_wiggyGraduate

DiscoStu, at 36 and used to be sporty, this is still totally changeable. Don't beat yourself up for stuff that ain't your fault or for stuff that you can't change. But also don't blame someone or something else for stuff you can control.

Your daughter is no doubt already proud of you.

Once you have decided to take back the control in your life, you will see big improvements to your health....then your daughter can be proud of you for many years longer! 😊

Don't fear your challenge Stu, embrace it!

Good luck bud, we've got your strings.... 🍀

Razouski profile image
Razouski

You can do this and I think it will help with the stress too. You can start again from one of the earlier weeks.

Started C25K after a mastectomy and lumpectomy which left me very depressed. I felt I’d lost complete control over my body, and that my surgeon and cancer had taken over. I was seeing a Macmillan psychologist as I felt so bad.

Macmillan provides me with a PT to help me with arm mobility and get moving. After a while she suggested a bit of interval running on the treadmill as part of my warm up in the gym.

I explained that I’d never run in my life and wasn’t intending to start...

That was two years ago. Last Saturday I ran my first half marathon.

I feel fantastic. Really helped.

I’m sure running will do you good and combined with eating healthy you’ll be able to shape up.

Go fo it. Good luck.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply toRazouski

😁💪👍🏃‍♀️🏅 Raz is proof positive that running is so good and ticks many of the boxes towards sustained good health - mental and physical

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Aww Stu, please try not be so down on yourself, although I realise that’s easier said than done. Life throws curveballs at us sometimes, and we do what we can to swerve them. Sounds like you’ve been hit by one or two of them. ☹️

How about you press the reset button and give the programme another go, starting from an earlier week (or even the beginning if you wanted?) It’s not renowned for its weight loss properties, but you will tone up and lose inches, which in itself is a great boost.

Runners are all shapes and sizes. I’m small and don’t carry excess weight, but I’m constantly overtaken at parkrun by people who, in theory, should be slower than me. No way!

So run your own race. Try to catch the awesome running bug, at your pace, no one else’s. We’re here to give advice, be sounding boards, shoulders to cry on - anything.

Your daughter WILL be proud of you. So should you. Come on Stu, she’s cheering you on and so are all of us bonkers lot! 👏👏👏👏👏🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃

Good luck! ❤️

I’m impressed that you used to be sporty! I never was, so you have a head start. Small changes to your diet can help, such as reducing processed foods and upping whole foods. You’ll feel better too. Like others have said, go back to a week you feel comfortable at and take it from there. C’mon, you can do it!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to

Me neither short, fat unhealthy ☹️

Not now though 💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

paul1960 profile image
paul1960Graduate

hi i know its hard last year i was in the same place as you i was 17st 11lb and 12months down the line gym 3 days a week for 90 mins and now am 13st 7lb not for from were i want to be 13st will do and now am on w9r2 heart bypass 9 years ago so if i can do it so can you come on do it for yourself

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Hi Stu,

The other forum that you posted in is the best place to help with weight. There’s more knowledge there than anywhere.

Your daughter is already gonna be proud of you, but I know what you mean. If you got to week 9 of this plan it must have done a lot for your fitness, and if you follow a good nutritional weight loss programme then exercise is required. Walking now good, running is excellent for toning too. We need to get you back out there and running, go run that stress off.

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate

DS first off be nice to yourself! What's done is in the past and can't be changed. We can learn lessons though and try again.

Maybe see a therapist. I know, I know it's not the done thing in the UK (especially if you are a bloke) but something is making you really unhappy. It then ends up being a vicious circle unhappy/stressed so eat. More unhappy because you're overweight and so it goes on.

If someone had a problem with their back they would not think twice about getting professional help. Your brain is just another bit that can go wrong. A quick tune up with a pro could set you back on track.

And i am sure your daughter already thinks you are amazing x

Good luck xx

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Walking is fantastic. Aim to do more of it. Make walking everywhere part of your get fit routine. Take your daughter for walks. She will love being out and about with you.

I did - and still do - running alongside weight watchers They go well together. I eat healthily now. I gave up boozing too We can an start by making small changes. Breaking the job down makes it easier. It’s like learning to run. One run at a time.

We know the foods and drinks that trip us up, the takeaways and too big portion sizes. We can get control of it though It does are effort but if a thing’s worth doing........ 💪👍😃

Good luck

BlueCal52 profile image
BlueCal52Graduate

I want to encourage you.

I am 52 am still classed as obese. At my worst I was 21st 8lbs. I started by cutting out all sweets, cakes and crisps. Then I cut out the fizzy drinks and cut down on alcohol. Eventually losing a stone, which took for ever.

At the end of August 2018 I decided to make September "Sweatember" and started doing some strength exercises (squats, push-ups, Lunges and crunches). Every week increasing the time and introducing other exercises. I also cut out Potatoes, Rice and Pasta out of my diet and stopped having snacks between meals. I only drink water and have the occasional glass of wine at the weekend. By the end of September I had lost 12lbs.

On 1 October I started C25K, and am about to get weighed again. I am sure I will be 18stone something.

You can do this. My daughter is 15 and is so proud that her Dad has lost weight and is able to do a lot more with her.

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

You must get the motivation back, it’s hard for all of us butattheend ofthe day it’s down to is all as individuals. You sound very down about it all so you must want to change. Take small steps, go back to week 1, persevere and big changes will happen.

Dac1966 profile image
Dac1966

Hi I was a 53 year old 29 stone ex rugby player when I started and had to repeat w2 twice and week 5 three times but I got there I am now 19 stone and spend a lot of time in the garden playing with the kids best thing i ever started

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Fit not Fat for 50: I used to be a wobble-jogger.

I started C25K about 7 weeks ago obese, unfit, nervous, running on a treadmill too embarrassed to...
Tapira profile image
Graduate

W7R3 and a note to myself

Do NOT try to run on empty! I finished the run but my God it was tough going this morning. Normally...
giddyaunts profile image
Graduate

Not to get ahead of myself but..

... I have started an Excel sheet (I love being organised, I love Excel – well, the Google Sheets...
Sadie-runs profile image
Graduate

A Gift to Myself

Running is the gift to myself I never knew I wanted. That unexpected present at the bottom of the...
Foxyblue profile image

Does anyone know if self myofascial release works and if so does it have to be a foam roller used?

Sorry put this in a blog but think it should be a question. It sounds feasible that this is what I...
karenmac70 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.