So far so good...

[SkiMonday]

OK, so back in August I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Since I was already into power walking shorter distances, I started walking into work 2 or 3 times a week (10K there and 10K back). With that and a stricter diet, I succeeded in getting my blood sugar back to a healthy level (and power walked a half marathon in around 2 hours 40 as part of it).

From the start, I figured that the walking would give me the health boost that I needed but it's impractical to dedicate the time required over the medium to long term. I'm therefore trying couch to 5K. Although I felt that I was already reasonably fit, I had no idea if I could skip the first few sessions so I've been following the programme right from the start.

I've now finished W7R2. I've put off W7R3 until tomorrow morning because going running after the New Year celebrations seemed like a bad idea.

For what it's worth: I'm 58.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting your health on track, good luck with r3

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done... follow the plan and no skipping...unless it is with a skipping rope

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome and very well done with the fitness regimen. I’d be happy with that HM time running first time out! Good call not skipping sessions, conditioning the legs to running is a gradual process. Enjoy closing this plan out.

[Hidden]

Got to admit SkiMonday you are an inspiration. I was diagnosed Type 2 last January. Have changed diet and power walked. I went from 107kg to 95kg but have stuck there. The one thing I hate is the time consumption so about to start on C25K. Looking forward to reading more about your progress. Oh, I'm 58.

[SkiMonday Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That's good to hear! I think success helps a lot with motivation: I was told I was pre-diabetic a few years ago. I got my weight down then by controlling my diet and with short power walks (1 to 2 miles). That dropped my blood sugar reading but not by much.

Anyhow, fast-forward to summer 2018 and my weight had crept up to the point of full diabetes. That kick-started me into power walking 13 miles several times a week and being more careful with my diet. My weight now is similar to what it was after I cut back a few years ago. I think it's the level of exercise that I'm doing (combined with the weight loss) that's got my blood sugar down to a healthy level.

Going off my experience of a few years ago, I think keeping the weight off is going to be a challenge. However, being aware of that will help (along with knowing the consequences of letting go). I guess that's where the running comes in.

Good luck with your C25K.

[SkiMonday Graduate]

W7R3 didn't go so well: I completed it but it seemed much harder than some of my previous runs. I think it's because I tried to run faster. W8R1 went well.

I've heard that it's OK to work on endurance or speed but not both at the same time. Since C25K is building endurance, I'm going to keep to my original pace until I've graduated.

After that, I've got an Endomondo subscription so I'm planning on trying out the coaching function on that to see if I can speed up a bit.