First time 5k runner: I was 21st 8 when I... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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First time 5k runner

poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881Graduate
51 Replies

I was 21st 8 when I decided to change my ways for the kids blood pressure at 176/102 diabetic sugars at 9s to 14 s. I’m on week 6 of 5k to couch. I’m now 19st 9 bp now at 126/66 and sugars below 7.0 all day

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poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881
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51 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress

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

Enjoy your journey

poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thank u

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate

Great work ! What else are you doing apart from running to help shift the weight ? Any tips welcomed 😀

poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid

Walking n diet control rice n meat for tea at work breakfast poached egg n toast

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate in reply to poohbear40881

Sounds virtuous but dull ?

poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid

Works for me losing weight

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate in reply to poohbear40881

Clearly - you’re doing great ! I’m looking to change my lifestyle, not just lose weight, so I need changes that my family will also go with. Really impressed with your progress though. All the best with it x

Anna675 profile image
Anna675Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid

That’s what I’ve just started BCK. I wanted something sustainable that wasn’t a quick fix plus something my kids would try 😊 downside I have is I’m not a fan of cooking and have little time in the evenings after work and ferrying the offspring around 😂 so I’ve found Joe wicks “lean in 15” cookbooks are great! Lots of choice and variety and a massive bonus for me is the majority of meals only take 15 mins from scratch! I don’t follow his exercise plans as I’m happy with my running (slowly 😊) since I graduated in December.

ButtercupKid profile image
ButtercupKidGraduate in reply to Anna675

I think I’ve seen those books advertised - must pester the librarian for them ! The Hairy Bikers’ diet books are very reliable if you want a change.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Great work, exercise and careful eating you will do well kept it up 😊

damienair profile image
damienairGraduate

Well done on your great progress. Fantastic results. I’m on a weight loss journey and a running journey too. I’ve gone from 14 stone to 12 st and 8 pounds. 12 pounds to go. I’ve also dropped my 5K times. I’m getting faster as I get lighter. The health benefits are huge.

Damien

Lazymum profile image
Lazymum

That’s amazing! Well done and keep up the good work xx

angelbetty profile image
angelbettyGraduate

Fantastic work! Well done you! Xx

Kimbov profile image
KimbovGraduate

As a Nurse, I am really impressed with your reduction in weight, BP and Blood sugar control.

How fantastic for your health.

Really well done and good luck with the rest of the programme!

Coolcookingteacher profile image
CoolcookingteacherGraduate

Just read 8 week blood sugar diet by Michael Mosley an excellent read. Highly recommend.keep it up you're doing really well.

Jen302 profile image
Jen302Graduate in reply to Coolcookingteacher

I agree and recommend the 5:2. Really works. Also doing the whole 8 week programme could get rid of blood sugar problems.

seaspaniel profile image
seaspanielGraduate in reply to Coolcookingteacher

His new one fast800 builds on it nicely. The plan is to get to a Mediterranean style diet via 800 then 5:2 and then Med. He also introduces time restricted eating which may also help with Type II but there is no trial evidence to back it up, yet.

What I like about his approach is that the Science comes first then the opinion. He references all his sources so you can check.

He is clearly trying to earn some money from all this with the books, the lecture tour and the website but it isn't a hard sell and the book(s) are relatively cheap and the information very useful.

alpacagirl profile image
alpacagirlGraduate in reply to seaspaniel

I like his Fast Exercise book (borrowed it from Dorset e-library books) also based on research. So now I mix up my 30 mins slow steady runs with using week 1 podcast for intervals of faster running for 1 min, walk

90 seconds x8. ( no I don’t run flat out for 60 seconds but try to run fastish uphill for those bits)

Pete1w profile image
Pete1wGraduate

Good for you on the weight loss. Keep up the great work.

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

Remarkably good start to what will be well worth any effort to improve your health. Slowly but surely will get you there. Wish you very good luck with it all.

cadoganm profile image
cadoganmGraduate

Fantastic work, keep it going 👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Jen302 profile image
Jen302Graduate

Your doing really well.

I'm starting my second week today.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate in reply to Jen302

Did my 1st run of W2 yesterday and it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be! Good luck!

Jen302 profile image
Jen302Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns

Thanks!

Jen302 profile image
Jen302Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns

I was also apprehensive about this run, thinking I wasn't ready.

I found the second run difficult then tip to keep breathing well while running really helped me.

Jos_jogs profile image
Jos_jogs

Well done! Keep it up ...

ClareFC profile image
ClareFCGraduate

Well done, amazing results.

Linhert profile image
Linhert

🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🎊🥳🥳🥳

Amazing results Poohbear! Good luck👏👏👏

Knitruntalk profile image
KnitruntalkGraduate

I started a low fat diet part way through my C25k journey, because of gall stones and lost almost 2 stones. I have had my gall bladder removed but have stuck to a lower fat diet because I feel so much better on it and after over 6 months eating low fat options it has become a lifestyle choice rather than a diet. Good luck on both your running and weight loss journeys, you have the mental capacity to succeed with both.

That is brilliant!

Silvanus profile image
Silvanus

Awesome keep going

Karenog profile image
Karenog

That’s brilliant- well done you. I feel running is not the easiest exercise especially if we have a bit of weight to carry round with us. I bet you are feeling fabulous and proud 🤗

jayval70 profile image
jayval70

That’s brilliant. Well done - you should be proud. And so much better than fixing things with tablets.

Kashaw profile image
Kashaw

Well done! That's amazing progress. I'm about to start the c25k but a bit wary as I have pain in hips and knees. Is it likely that this will ease as I lose weight? I'm currently about 4 stone overweight. Any advice greatly appreciated. X

Richyrunslow profile image
RichyrunslowGraduate in reply to Kashaw

Unfortunately my pain is still with me six months after starting this C25K. I wear a knee support which makes it easier and i am building muscle around my knee so it is not as painful or weak as when i started, I am happy with that and i would now not let it stop my running.

Kashaw profile image
Kashaw in reply to Richyrunslow

Thank you. I appreciate the advice. I have to try I guess and see what happens. Fingers crossed I'm hoping to start this week all being well. Just trying to get over a nasty cold I've had then that it, I'm giving it my all! Thanks again.

Richyrunslow profile image
RichyrunslowGraduate in reply to Kashaw

I just wanted to update you Kashaw. I am now out there doing Parkrun and 5k runs midweek twice a week. My pain is now barely there and i have found that if i warm down after my run with a little walking and some stretches the pain is minimal. I hope it is going well for you.

Kashaw profile image
Kashaw in reply to Richyrunslow

Ah thanks for getting back to me. Good to hear your progress! You're doing really well by the sounds of it and inspire me to continue.. I am going to be starting week 2 tomorrow so feeling positive about. Had a bit of a niggle in my ankle on Sunday but went away after stretching at the end so I might put an ankle support on if it happens again. I'm really enjoying it so far and feel better for it. Although I am nursing a toothache at moment so visiting dentist tomorrow. But I'm not going to let it stop me getting out there for week 2.

Good luck with your park runs. That's my aim eventually so fingers crossed.

Take care and good luck.

Richyrunslow profile image
RichyrunslowGraduate in reply to Kashaw

LOl...It was not long ago I was saying and feeling the same as you are now. I cannot see myself not running regularly now. Good luck to you also....Take it steady and if it hurts too much get some proper advice.

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate in reply to Kashaw

My advice, get decent footwear and check in with your gp. If you are ok to start then remember to go slow. This may be slower than you normally walk, that's ok :)

Kashaw profile image
Kashaw in reply to Jogunlikely

Thank you for the reply. Apologies for the delay in replying. I started week one on Wednesday. Will be doing run 3 of week one today. So far so good. Was a bit achey after 2nd run but were off now. Fingers crossed for today. I'm taking it steady though and not over striding or going fast. (I don't think my legs could do fast if they tried anyway!! ). Thankks for the advice.

beccah56 profile image
beccah56

Wow. Well done you. Keep at it.

Biddy62 profile image
Biddy62Graduate

Fabulous progress!!! You should be proud. Enjoy your running!! 😊

Paulineeee profile image
Paulineeee

Well done! Amazing achievement

Jandys profile image
JandysGraduate

Fantastic! Well done!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done pooh bear. It won’t be easy but it is so worth it! I had been on high blood pressure tablets for 8 years before starting c25k . I have now been taken off the tablets. A very emotional moment. Just take it slowly and you’ll get to that 30 minutes

🏃‍♀️👏👏

poohbear40881 profile image
poohbear40881Graduate in reply to Dexy5

I struggle take tablets so I got on this fitness journey proves tablets are the easy answer to everything but make other illnesses they should make people get fit not load up with tablets

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply to poohbear40881

My doctor put my story in the practice newsletter to promote c25k as a means of improving fitness and health. Many drs don’t know about the programme, which is a shame. So do spread the word.

Elcee81 profile image
Elcee81Graduate

That's amazing, not unlike my own story well done you it's amazing

Jogunlikely profile image
JogunlikelyGraduate

Fab job 👍 keep up the good work

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