New and looking for help!: Hello everyone, new... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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New and looking for help!

jameshanks50 profile image
27 Replies

Hello everyone, new here.

My name's James, I'm 26 and looking to loose around 2 stone (I currently weigh 14.5 stone). Any suggestions in regards to this?

I have seen the 12 week couch to 5k plan, but little bit worried, never ran before and not sure If I'm able to do it. :/

Any kind of help would be appreciated x

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jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50
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27 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Hi James,

You can do couch to 5k... run slowly as you do. It may or may not deliver weight loss... but it will turn on fat burning, and coupled with good nutrition it’s formidable. Our couch to 5k (one you C25K app) is only 9 weeks... maybe less if you rust run every other day.

Be sceptical of the scales... measure yourself everywhere (well, anywhere you may see toning 😂) and do that every time you weigh yourself. The reasoning here is you’re going to build some muscle, muscle is denser than fat, and so you could lose no weight (even put a little on) and yet be smaller. Running will make you fit and healthy, which is better than being a certain weight.

If you need help shifting the pounds you want to lose too, join Weight Loss NHS on here... they’re very supportive, and they’ve forgotten more about weight loss than any diet book author ever knew.

Enjoy your journey.

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thanks for the advice bud!

Yeah, if I can turn fat into muscle, It would be even better. I would love to tone up and lose the flab!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply tojameshanks50

Sadly, for me too, your fat isn’t located where the muscle will come, so we have to move it as well! It’ll come though... I’m down 10 stones on my peak (took a while) and I got through this 30 years after my previous run.

Gordon173 profile image
Gordon173

James I was over 15st. Could barely do a minute to start with and on week 4 now and down to 14.5! Keep to the programme and persevere with it. It’s incredible. Keep it slow but enjoy it!!

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toGordon173

Oh wow! Grats on the amazing weight loss there Gordon!

Gives me more motivation to foresee this through :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Welcome... Huge Well done to you for beginning this!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Please check this FAQ post out..

You can do this...many folk have started out feeling exactly like you...and many, many more who achieve C25K and move on t more running... :)

This is not a weight loss programme.. but..linked with a healthy eating regime... it may help you to lose weight. Take a peek at the sister site, Weight Loss NHS... :) Many friends on this forum are there too...and it works really well:)

You are young... :) and you want to do this.. we will help.

Slow and steady and keep posting. The support on here is amazing!

lyndsruthers profile image
lyndsruthers

The couch to 5k plan is a great way to start for beginners. I know as I have done it before. I am too in need of losing weight and after completing couch to 5k before I let all my hard work go. So not starting from scratch and need to focus on maintaining once I progress. I am new on here too z

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply tolyndsruthers

Yes! It's gonna be a hard but motivational journey.

Best of luck on your weight loss goals. :)

chandler227 profile image
chandler227Graduate

I’ve recently graduate C25K. When I started out I struggled to plod for 1 minute and now I can keep going for half an hour. The sense of achievement is amazing. I’ve combined the programme with weight watchers and so far I’ve lost 17lb still got a long way to go but I feel I’m heading in the right direction and can even say I look forward to my run days now! Good luck and try not to become too obsessed with the scales as the sense of well-being you get from the programme is amazing if you don’t become consumed by weight loss x

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50

Yeah, I suppose people see it as a 'thrill' after doi9ng it for a while and that's what I'd like to have... 'Can't wait till tomorrow's run!'

PeteB1961 profile image
PeteB1961Graduate

Half a stone heavier than you my friend. I wouldn’t say that I’ve lost weight using this programme but feel 100 times fitter and believe me fitness is the most important thing as it means less fat around the heart which is where it really counts. I’ve only just completed week 3 but can really feel the difference and finding each run easier and easier. I really thought I would hate running but it’s quite the reverse for me I absolutely love it, you don’t need to join a gym so it’s free. Go for it, would thoroughly recommend.

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toPeteB1961

Hi Pete!

Nice work on getting to Week 3! Starting tomorrow myself, so I'm hoping to get to week 9 and feel great :D

Jiw1968 profile image
Jiw1968Graduate

Just stick to the plan slowly and steadily and you will be surprised how your stamina increases week by week.

I am on week 8 now and never thought a few weeks ago I would be running like I am now.

Just take each run as it comes and you will do just fine.

Good luck!

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toJiw1968

Thanks Jiw1968!

Cannot wait to see the results at the end. Best of luck on week 8 & 9!

jayval70 profile image
jayval70

You absolutely can do it. I did it so anyone can - honestly I was a hopeless case but I graduated on Saturday. Just take one run at a time and don’t look too far ahead would be my advice.

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply tojayval70

Hi Jayval. Grats on graduating!

My only issue is nerves. I hate seeing people watch me do things, so in my mind,my option to exercise is before work (at like 6am in the morning) or after work (which is still busy about)>

jayval70 profile image
jayval70 in reply tojameshanks50

Yes I didn’t like people seeing me at first, but after the first couple of weeks that gradually faded and I started to not care. Which is unusual for me. It’s hard to get motivated before and after work, but if you are anything like me you will feel better for it.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thankyou!

Debbiecosso1 profile image
Debbiecosso1

I’m 48 never ran in my life

If I can do it anyone can it’s so good you will feel great after every completed run

Go for it

It’s a start

Good luck

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toDebbiecosso1

Thanks Debbie, and congrats on finishing!

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Hello like you I'd never run before either and I thought I wouldn't be able to run . All these thoughts are just that , thoughts . I'm now on week 5 and loving it , so give it try I'm sure you'll soon love running like I do good luck

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toBuddy34

Thankyou :D Best of luck on your journey!

Schofield profile image
SchofieldGraduate

Hi, I joined 12 weeks ago ish and have maintained my weight but have toned up so definitely measure yourself, I also did a well known weight loss program 🙈which helped me lose weight prior to staring to train, you can do it 👍👍

jameshanks50 profile image
jameshanks50 in reply toSchofield

Thankyou! & Grats on finishing!

SmartyArty profile image
SmartyArtyGraduate

I am 54 and was 16 Kg overweight when I started. I finished C25K in July and am plodding slowly on with the ambition to reach 10K by Christmas. I have now lost over 8kg in weight. It is a slow process but you will find that as your muscle tone improves and your diet changes that everything looks better - posture, energy and ambition to improve your overall fitness. My running speed now is beyond what I could have imagined when I started C25K. You can do this. There is tremendous support out on the streets when you are running. It does not matter how slowly you move or your weight. Other runners always smile and wave to encourage. Just keep at it - you will do it.

ELSW73 profile image
ELSW73Graduate

Great that you’ve taken the step.

I graduated a few weeks back and it felt great - especially when I remembered how unpleasant the first few runs were.

I’ve lost almost 10kg since June - combination of Two Meal Day meal plan and HIIT training, then followed up C25K.

Be careful of too much change and remember to pace yourself with the exercise.

Take a photo of yourself in your running kit each week, and you’ll see the improvement in posture and muscle tone.

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