Am I too old (and overweight) to do this? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Am I too old (and overweight) to do this?

bessie37 profile image
34 Replies

Ok. Here goes!

I am 65 and a lot overweight!!

I’ve just completed week 1. Yey!!!

I go out really early so I won’t see anyone. I use the local schools running track. I’ve invested in a good bra and a pair of trainers. I can do this! I so want to do this!

I had a sneak peak at what week 2 had in store for me 😳 run for 90 seconds!!!! Can I do week 1 again until I feel “lighter” and more proficient or will that mess up the whole programme? Or should I push myself to attempt week 2 and hope for the best?

Your advice would really be appreciated from your experience. Thanks so much!

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bessie37 profile image
bessie37
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34 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Welcome. Sorry, you’re not too old of heavy to do this 😂

If you completed the runs fully, moving on is good... what’s the worst that can happen? It’s up to you if course... it’s your journey. Enjoy it.

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Ok. Thanks. Yes what have I to lose! Except fat !! I did complete all the one minute runs but it wasn’t easy. I’ll give week 2 a go ! Thank you!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply tobessie37

Just run slow and steady... with every run on here the worst that can happen is you just miss out on an interval, that’s ok, you walk and go again at the next one, get a good workout, that makes you stronger and you repeat it the next time. Nothing to lose at all. Believe in yourself though, you should surprise yourself quite a few times during this journey.

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate in reply tobessie37

I agree with UNM: I too am very overweight and unfit and every week I surprise myself! Give it a try: you can always repeat weeks if you feel you need to but I have been amazed at what the programme does and how I’ve been able to progress! Just take it REALLY slow 👍💕

Of course its entirely your choice but if you coped with week 1 without pain or feeling like you were overdoing things then I would give week 2 a try - you can always stop if it gets too much, or go back to week 1 if you feel 'out of your depth'. A good bra is a great purchase, don't want to be having anyones eye out 🤣. Well done on making a start, you won't be sneaking about for long, I'm sure; once you get going a bit more hopefully you won't care who sees you.

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply to

Thank you so much! I so want to improve my fitness! Not a natural runner but I did get through week 1 so maybe I should believe in myself and push me a bit harder! Ok week 2 here I come then!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Never too old to start C25K Bessie, I was 71 when I began C25K and graduated 3 weeks after my 72nd birthday🎂. Great that you can practice your runs🏃 on the local school🚸 running track before the 🧒 children 🚶 come to school🚸. Don't worry about week 2, however, if you want to repeat week 1 or any other week then that is OK. 😊

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply toAlMorr

Oh goodness i thought I would be the oldest by a country mile! Thank you for your support and for sharing your experience!

Love the #thisgirlcan ethos

Weather permitting I’m going to do this! As i live in Wales that’s a real issue! Did you run in the rain!?

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply tobessie37

I will make a confession to you Bessie, no, I have never began any of my cycle🚴 or running 🏃runs when it is raining,☔ but on a 101 occasions I have been caught in the rain☔, but I have never stopped when the rain ☔began, some people love ❤️running🏃 in the rain☔ but to me it just makes me feel miserable😂, I never cycle 🚴or run🏃 in the dark🚵 either.

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduate

C25k is very "satisfying" - as you progress through the weeks that you previously had thought that you would never be able to do, you will get this feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction :) BUT - this is a running programme - not a weight loss programme. They do go hand in hand but are two separate things. Diet/lifestyle programme =80% and running programme =20%. Notice that i used the words/diet and lifestyle together - because we do not need to change our diet only when attempting weight loss but changing our entire lifestyle.

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply toBazza1234

Got it! Thank you so much.

sHAYM4N profile image
sHAYM4NGraduate

No need to repeat if you've aced that first week! Very well done!! Many will say that starting week 1 is the hardest of them all, so embrace the next challenge - you can beast those 90 seconds, just learn the old mantra of slow & steady! 😊 Over the course of the program you'll find your happy pace.

I too was hoping to lose a few lbs on CT5K and have done (8lbs now over 9 weeks) but don't be watching those scales after every run, like many say its better to use a tape measure every so often because it can be a case of fat turning to muscle to start off with and it can fluctuate for a bit.

Running early on an empty stomach is supposedly best too for burning fat, but see how you go - I ended up doing this after about week 3, I suffer from acid too so it seemed to work out better for me, but it can be harder if you're lacking in energy (Was my excuse for a supper and a brunch anyway) Well done again, and Best of luck!

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply tosHAYM4N

Omg thank you! Great tips too. I’m going forward! Week 2 here I come! It won’t be easy I know but #thisgirlcan 😉

sHAYM4N profile image
sHAYM4NGraduate

Oh and age is just a number. I've been bested by runners double my age, and see a guy in his sixties fell running round these parts up muddy hills I struggle to even walk on!

Bluescorpion profile image
Bluescorpion

You've just reminded me I will have to wear a bra!!!! Since not working in an office, where decency dictated that one should be endured.... I have used nothing or the vesty-type minimal anti bounce things. Think I have a Nike super lycra body compressor somewhere.... Good luck inspirational lady x

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate in reply toBluescorpion

I double up!! Decent sports bra with a bounce-minimising crop top over! It does the job but boy, it’s a relief to take it off 😂😂

Bluescorpion profile image
Bluescorpion in reply tomolly1973

😁 Good tip

Tony_68 profile image
Tony_68

You made me smile 😁I have now graduated but I tried to finish the week on a Friday, and always had a sneaky peek at the next, that initial feeling of tread does turn into into self determination by the time you hit the track for the next Week,

slow down if you need too and trust the programme but remember it is only a guide, You can extend your week beyond seven days or repeat a week, but keep those wagons rolling ;)

Well done for starting this, 👌

Well done completing week one 👌

Good luck !

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Good for you on completing wk1 . Continue with wk2 and see how you go if you find it too much there's nothing wrong with repeating a week good luck 😊

Neelie13 profile image
Neelie13

Well done Bessie37. That first week is the worst, week 2 is pretty awful too. Sorry! I was the same as you going out ridiculously early so no-one would see me. I’m a mere youngster of 62, but I decided I was going to repeat every single week allowing 18 weeks to do the programme. I didn’t want to push these old bones too hard. It didn’t work out that way, and before I knew it I had graduated! Just go at your own pace it gets easier, believe it or not!

steviej99 profile image
steviej99Graduate

Well done for starting this plan bessie. The great thing is each run and each week prepares you for the next. It works, I'm a testament to that! So be confident that you can do the next week. I approach each run on the basis that I CAN and WILL but if I can't well never mind I'll do it next time! Keep it up your doing great

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and in that you will see mention of an 83 year old graduate last year.

You can do this.

Enjoy your journey.

couchwheelie profile image
couchwheelieGraduate

go girl!

I am two runs into week 2 (last one today) and it is harder. But I am not a runner and have managed not to stop so far. I need to sort out some music which I think will help. My plan is that if I stop then I will just repeat that run until I do. Oh and I accidentally did 4 runs in week 1! I am slow but remember that poster and remind myself that I am lapping people who are still on the couch ! Good luck ☺️

Erddig profile image
ErddigGraduate

I’m 64 and overweight I’ve just completed week 2 . Keep going. We’ll get there.🍀

Bloodhound1 profile image
Bloodhound1

I am 68 and still overweight although have lost 3 st since June. I am ready for W3 on Monday having just completed W7. You will do the programme just follow the coaches, take it slow and don’t worry about being seen out and about. Good luck

ArtJones profile image
ArtJones

You must keep on going, I am 65 also and I am just about to start my week 4. Remember you can always repeat a run day.

Bear7 profile image
Bear7Graduate

Hi Bessie, congratulations on starting the plan. I'm a lot overweight too & when I started, I tried to run when people wouldn't see me as I was so embarassed. By week 3, I started loving it & didn't care who saw me. I graduated 2 weeks ago. I've lost just over half a stone over the 9 weeks. Chuffed to bits about that but I wasn't really thinking about it & that is definitely an added bonus. I've continued running & my next goal is to start doing parkrun & hit the 5k mark. Good luck with your running journey. You can do it 😁

4945 profile image
4945Graduate

Well done you just follow the program you will be amazed when you realise that yes you can do it. I started at 69 and I too used to go at the crack of dawn so nobody would see me, nearly 12 months on I go anytime and don’t care what people think....I can run. Enjoy the journey it’s the best thing ever.

LostRunner profile image
LostRunnerGraduate

Well done on getting out there.

You’re not too old or overweight. Sorry, no getting out of it!

Just think though, as you go along you will get fitter and the weight will start dropping off. So, at the start of this journey you were the biggest you were ever going to be. It’s all weightloss and fitness from here.

You’ve got this!

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply toLostRunner

Thank you!!!!

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate

Hi you are not too old or too overweight x as you complete each run progress to the next. If you don't manage to complete a run to your satisfaction then just repeat that one until you crack it 👍

And don't forget to run slowly. Slow slow slow 😁 you should be able to chat whilst you are running. The program is about building endurance not speed.

Good luck with your journey. Keep posting we'd love to hear how you are getting on 💪🏃‍♀️👍

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate

Hi did you get on, Bessie?

bessie37 profile image
bessie37 in reply tomolly1973

I repeated wk1 😳 I got to r2 in my repeated wk1 and decided this morning to have a go at Wk2!! What on earth has come over me!

I did it!!!!’ It hurt by the last 90 second run but I did it!!!!!

Cannot wait to do the next one on Saturday now. Crikey #thisgirlcan

Plus I lost 2lb in weight this week so spurring me on!

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate in reply tobessie37

Brilliant!! It will get better through the week, then you’ll be stepping up in time again! Well done 👍

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