No motivation 😭

[LittleLauren]

Hi everyone 👋

So I started C25K in April...yes friggin APRIL!! Haha the shame 😂

Now and again I will do the next C25K jog but last week after a month doing nothing, I went straight back to W5R2 lol omg it was so hard!! But i did it 👏

I really dont want to go back to easier weeks as I will feel I have failed so I'm thinking of starting W5R1 tomorrow and just going for it!

I really want to start jogging lots but as I'm still unfit I feel i need to slowly progress through the app. Im just so fed up of jogging...walking...jogging...walking...jogging...walking haha 😂🙈

I have a dog who i could go jogging with BUT i find i get more exhausted when jogging outside as i must go fast?? I seem to get on better on the treadmill as i can set a pace ☹

My aim is to complete C25K then start jogging outside with my dog 😁🐕

Any motivational tips will be wonderfully appreciated 😄

Lauren x

[Hidden]

I can only suggest going back to week 1, and do it all outside. And make a commitment to it. The plan is designed in that way and you really will do better for yourself if you do it all properly. Just my opinion, of course. Go for it!

[Tartancat Graduate]

I agree with Avocado123456. And there's nothing to stop you running with your dog while you do the running/walking sections - after all, your dog's fitness may need building up too!🐶

But the main thing when running outside is to go as slowly as possible. You'll read a lot of talk about snails on here, they really can be your best friend! 🐌🐌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Up the Snails! 🐌❤️🐌❤️🐌❤️🐌

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You have been around this forum long enough to know that we can supply advice, encouragement, support and solace............... but motivation has to come from you.

What motivated you start in the first place?

Have those reasons changed?

Have you tried writing them down, so that every time you are tempted to miss a run, you can reread them and reinforce those driving instincts.

Your approach to the plan is not very realistic.........not running for weeks, then expecting to pick up where you left off.

Getting fit is not a tick box exercise it requires continued effort.........use it or lose it.

Where did you get the idea that you have to go fast?

The most common advice given on this forum is to slow down. You should be jogging at an easy conversational pace, at which you can speak clear ungasping sentences, as detailed in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

You can stay inactive and then with each passing year your statistical risk of a whole host of life limiting conditions will increase and no doubt at some point actually catch up with you...........or you can get active, feel better physically and mentally, improving your life expectancy, self esteem and love of life.

It is a no brainer to me.........

[Hidden]

Motivation is a strange thing - I retired in April from an office based career in IT and my ambition was to do loads of active things such as cycling, hiking, golf, climbing Snowdon etc. and I see C25K as one of the steps to getting fit enough to do them comfortably so I am very motivated. My wife (who unfortunately still works) thinks I am barking mad and says that when it comes to getting from a to b she has a car for that! However, I'm now the only one fit enough to go bike riding with my daughter and grandbaby in the child seat - a real source of pleasure. In a couple of weeks I am going riding with my son and his 2 small children - real fun. I "climbed" Snowdon in August with my 3 Son-in-laws and we had a great time. My brother-in-law (also retired) puffs a lot when we go on walks but thinks to "get fit" is boring and a waste of time and effort. So you need to figure out what motivates you because with the cold and dark hours now with us, without motivation you will understandably stay indoors in the warm!

C25K is also about discovering you can actually achieve far more than you ever thought possible, but don't torture yourself by feeling bad about any of it!

[Uphill-downhill Graduate]

Try to look at it as a 3x a week habit rather than about motivation. Use some tricks like home from work, don’t sit down, change and straight out. As for any whispering in your head, say ‘thanks for that, but I’m off for a run.’ 3 runs a week helps as the improvements become very evident providing further encouragement. Good luck 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Hey Lauren, I know it’s hard to find motivation sometimes, which is why I personally want to enjoy all my runs and appreciate them for what they are.

I’m a confirmed snail and happy in my shell. If I ever do a PB, it’s more than likely by chance. I ran my first ever 10k last week in 1hr 26m and loved every moment - it was virtually effort free. I’d lose motivation too if I knew I was going to feel out of my comfort zone every time.

So what I’m trying to encourage you to do is slow right down, complete the programme in your own good time - outside or inside - then you’ll have the freedom to run as you see fit, and hopefully get back to loving it again. Running is running, and everyone’s idea of it is different. I’m a snail and I embrace that. You can too!

Come on Lauren, you can do this, and your doggie will love it too! ❤️ 🐕 🏃‍♀️