Need some advice

[Flab2fab]

Hi everyone!

I need some advice. I've never ran before and tbh I'm terrified

I'm an overweight 5ft6 and 15st female and don't want to make a fool of myself. I like walking but wanted to step it up in order to loose weight.

Thanks everyone!!!!!

[Chris141 Graduate]

The last thing you will do is make a fool of yourself! If you feel ready and are used to walking give it a go. The first couple of weeks are quite gentle so you will see quite quickly if you are fit enough to do this. Speaking for myself, I am 60 and weighed over 16st and had just been diagnosed with Type 2. I joined Slimming World and lost 2 stone before I embarked on stage 2, I.e this! I have now lost over 3st and am in remission with my Type 2.

[Flab2fab in reply to Chris141]

Wow well done! I'm 26 and is slimming world really good? I keep hearing great things but have been putting it off 🙈

[Chris141 Graduate in reply to Flab2fab]

I’ve lost 3st since last Sept! It works and if u do it right u cannot go hungry! If you want to lose weight join up! It will change your life!

[Irish-John Graduate]

A few things that helped me get over the fact that I "couldn't run" self consciousness

Remember - usually nobody really knows if you have just run a hundred yards (which about did me in first day lol) or a Marathon distance

Can you REALLY read people's minds? 'Course not So, instead of thinking that they are thinking negative things about you, realise you usually haven't any real idea what's going through there minds

On the rare occasion that some asshats said something derogatory, I just imagined them dying of COPD or having to haul a wee oxygen tank around in a few years - while I would be fit, trim and laughing at them through the ICU window

Get a tee shirt made that says "Sahara Death Race Survivor 2010". The If you cannot blind people with science, baffle them with BS technique

Most importantly - remember that you are doing this for YOU and you alone

Read the beginner posts of Graduates - you are definitely neither alone or unique here. Take it slow and steady and you too will be laughing down the line at how you feared the beginning of this Wonder journey. That's a promise BTW

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

If people have something to say about a person running the adult thing to do is ignore it. Laughing at someone dying with COPD , well that's just pathetic. Think you need to give better advice than that

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Buddy34 - I believe you are taking what I said out of context. Please read what I wrote again, I hope you see what I actually meant there.

If not, no reason for us to continue discussing this imho.

Wishing you many happy miles in your future.

[Hidden]

go at your own pace and you'll be fine.

there's plenty of support here to help you achieve your goals.

All the best for your first time 👌

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome to the home of many who hadn’t run in decades, if at all, and were unfit and overweight as they started this plan... you’re not alone!

The only way you won’t complete this plan is by not getting out there and crossing the start lines. Run at the recommended conversational pace (you’ll find this yourself it’s different for all of us) and repeat any run that you don’t fully complete.

Running will tone you up... if your nutrition is right you’ll lose weight nice and slowly too. Enjoy your journey to a fitter, healthier, happier, lighter and smaller version of you.

[SmashedPotato Graduate]

Hi Flab2fab I was very self conscious weeks 1 to 3 and still have my moments. I bob up and down as I run so I focus on distance rather than speed (I have a physical disability with feet/lower legs). Whilst not an efficient running technique tis great for expending more energy and helping my weight loss efforts! Now I mostly do not think about what others think as I am focusing on Laura, my pace, where I place my feet, breathing deeply and my music. Any comments and laughter positive or otherwise get a grin and a wave (I can't speak as I am too busy breathing which is probably just as well!). Go for it girl and see you over the finishing line.

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to SmashedPotato]

Same here SP Born with deformed foot bones, have to wear steel inserts permanently, will never be "fast" but man isn't it fun

It's also fun to knock off distances that were literally unimaginable when we started. I honestly thought that 3/10ths of a mile would be AWESOME for me to ever be able to run non-stop Now I'm aiming at my first HM in April (and am almost as nervous about it as I was in week one 😂)

And anyway - it's not just the actual running that's great, it's the benefit of feeling a LOT better in body - and in mind

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Hallo I-J I was sorry to hear about the challenges you have had to overcome regarding your feet, and agree totally with sentiments in your post(s). I chuckled at your earlier post - particularly the T-shirt suggestion! Fantastic that you are aiming at your first HM in April - wow! Wishing you all the best on that front. Me? I am happy to have completed W7R2 today and I still have a long way to go before even contemplating a HM, but you have inspired me to perhaps take a peep further down the road. During my run today I had a flashback to junior school sports days when myself and E*** Smith would slog it out to the finish line with the inevitable last or last but one place recorded on the scoreboard! As a rule I try not to look backwards, but it would be nice to go back and pat us both on the back for getting over the finishing line and for not quitting! Happy running. SP

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to SmashedPotato]

This Running lark is the best thing ever SP

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate]

Hi I’m similar in size, only experienced positivity from other runners ..finished week 3 yesterday day, Give it a go! Good luck we can do it ☺️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and full of tips.

Enjoy your journey.

[Hidden]

I felt daft when I first started. Then came the Lycra and all that jazz! But once you’ve gotten into the zone and realise you are doing it for yourself to get fit and healthier you will be fine. Just follow the programme as you should. You will be tired and have to push yourself. But the rewards will far outweigh the small short term negatives.

[Flab2fab]

Thanks everyone going to give it a go this evening I'll report back (just so you know I didn't die😂😂) have my playlist all set up I've got butterflies which is weird because exercise and me never went in the same sentence as excited

Thanks for all your advice!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Flab2fab]

When you are a member of this Forum F2F, while you might run on your own, you never have to run alone

Take it slow, that's vital I, and a lot of us, actually started off running slower than we could walk so don't put any pressure on yourself, don't feel you are automatically going to fail if you don't do it "well" and remember - you only have to do your first run once...after that, you are progressing as a Runner

NONE of us came here because we 'could Run'. The nature of and reason for here is - we really believed we could NOT run. And look at what a bunch of over-achiever running fiends we end up as LOL

You'll be fine - slow and steady will get you there, just like it did me and so many others

[E27M14 Graduate]

I was about the same weight as you when I started, but a fair few inches shorter! I’m 46. Like many others, I was reading self-conscious on those first few runs but honestly, people don’t even notice you. A few months down the line I am a stone and a half lighter, I can run 5km (very slowly) and the other day I ran through a busy park on a Sunday afternoon wearing Lycra...... no-one even notices!

Get your trainers on and get out there. You won’t regret it! Well, actually you will, in the middle of some of the runs you will wish you had never started this, but afterwards you will feel amazing and you won’t be able to wait to get out there and tick off the next one.

[Anna675 Graduate]

Well done for starting this! Looking forward to your “report” this evening!

I’m 5’6” and was about the same weight as you when I started this fabulous programme last October. I’m now steadily losing weight and more importantly inches! (I don’t tend to use scales just a tape measure 😊) and for someone who avoided exercise like the plague for over a decade I now love running and try to get out 2-3 times a week ...I even took my running kit on holiday at half term ...my kids thought I’d lost the plot 😂

This forum is a brilliant place for support and advice.

[Flab2fab]

Okay so maybe it didn't kill me (it tried very hard though) the first 60 second jog was surprising I feel like it was over to fast. But as for the rest.... Well let's just say that the first 60 seconds was a LIE! I also think I need to slow down as breathlessness was a big problem. If anyone has any breathing techniques is be grateful.

Oh and any way to reduce shin pain would be a bonus!

[Anna675 Graduate in reply to Flab2fab]

Brilliant! That’s the hardest bit out of the way ...actually getting out of the door on the first run so well done!! The best bit of advice I got on here was to slow down ...even when you think you’re going really slow you can always go slower. When I started I went too quick and got really out of breath, but after being on here and listening to other you realise your running can be slower than your brisk walking. Conversational pace is what you’re aiming for and embrace your inner snail. Good luck with your next run 😊

[theoldfellow in reply to Flab2fab]

1) Slow down. 2) Slow down some more. 3) take very short steps, so you slow down.

1st - you have to teach your fat brain that it is not in charge any more. 2nd - you need to say nice things to your leg muscles that they will find it easier next week. 3rd - you need to be proud that you are one of the very few who got off their arse and did something positive about their health.

Breathing - just let your body decide, and forcing it at this stage will not be helpful.

Shin splints - probably mean that your toe is hitting the ground a little before the heel, this is a GOOD thing, but the muscles have not done it since you were a kid (and a lot lighter). If you really want to know for sure, get a gait analysis at a running shoe shop - they will expect to sell you some running shoes though! I suggest you give it a few weeks before you do that. If it is really painful I use Ibuprophen Gel, but be careful with it if you are taking any other painkillers.

Welcome to the runners, we all started there...👏❤

[Jogunlikely Graduate in reply to Flab2fab]

Well done you for getting out there. I restarted c25k last night (Got to week 7 last time before stuff got in the way) and your post mirrors my run! The first 60 seconds were yes this is ok and it went down hill from there. The only difference is I know how quickly things progress. I know I can do this as I've done it before. Your mind will try all sorts to make you stop but the demons can be beaten. Your body is way more capable than we think.

So embrace your inner snail, be proud of yourself for being out there and enjoy the program. You are awesome, remind yourself regularly 🤗

Happy running x