I am a little bit in awe of how C25K works its magic.⭐️
In just little under a month since I first started, I have reached the middle of Wk4, with the lovely Laura telling me I am now officially running more than I am walking. 😄Fantastic. I am proud of myself for staying on track (even on my "meh" days), I feel better physically and can't believe the difference it has made to my mood. That is all good!! There is however, one little thing that I have noticed which confuses me....
...my bathroom scales are going in the wrong direction 😐 🤔.
I am sensible about what I eat, but I now weigh more than when I started. Although weight loss is not my prime goal for doing C25K, I'll admit to hoping to lose a little as I went along.
I am curious if this has happened to others, why this happens, and if my scales will hopefully start heading in the other direction at some point?
And no, I am not secretly scoffing my children's Easter eggs!! 🐣
What I did notice was the numbers on the scales not going down as much as I wanted but my body shape has totally changed for the better . You may notice more once you are doing the longer runs hope this helps 😊
Yes same with me. I weighed myself today for the first time since before C25k and I’ve lost 3kg but I feel way better and I’m sure my body is shaping up
Remember muscle weighs more than fat and your not consistently running long periods to see weight fall off but the fat will start turning into muscle. Once you start running longer you may see a difference but I never weigh myself - just go with how my clothes feel. You will see your body shape start to change too along the way, don’t think I have lost a lot but can see definition and more toned.
2 weeks ago I received about 4 compliments in the same week re weight loss I had skipped the scales whilst on the program because it always has a negative effect on my mood..imagine my shock when I stepped on the scales and weighed more by a lb or so, a day of unproductive sulking followed. My body shape has changed my relationship with food is improving I feel like I can achieve for the first time in ages, the scales will now be used to weigh luggage only .... I’m sure my body will catch up, in fact I’m certain but for now I’m going to focus on improving...in all areas. Keep going sounds like your doing great 👍😊
Thank you!! I'm taking your advice, and that of RRR13. The scales are now confined to the back of the airing cupboard!!
I might do a sneaky weigh-in at the end of C25K, but I will be prepared for the gremlins just in case.... and I will concentrate on everything that is going well. Thank you 😊
Take a look at slimming world...you dont have to join a group, a lot of recipes are online. It is just about some healthy swaps eg the bechemel sauce in lasagne.
I dont eat bread often and only occasionally have alcohol
Sounds a bit dull, but truly it hasnt been hard...and more importantly is sustainable...so the stones wont come back. Totally worth it for the 2 and à half stones I have lost since Christmas...think the scales are still budging thanks to running. My husband hasnt even realised he has been eating healthier...until he got on the scales too...plus, you can still have treats.
Week 9.... Coming for my badge.
Im not a slimming World consultant...just a believer and someone it has worked for.
Plus I feel amazing...healthier than my twenties.
Thank you for the advice about the recipes, I will give it a go. I also have a husband who could benefit from it too!!
I have a big birthday coming up, so my aim is to do '5K by 50'. If I can lose a few pounds on the way it would be a boost.
You definately would with just a few changes...wouldnt feel like a diet either...all the best...warning though...it does be come very addictive...but like c25k!
I find I get really hungry after running (there is even a term for it - being "rungry"). Early on, it seemed like my increased appetite was more than the calories I would burn so even if you are eating healthy, just be aware of how much you might be eating and what you're eating if weight loss is important to you.
I found in the early weeks I was really hungry after running so I deliberately planned my runs to be just before meal time. Mostly I come home from work, quick change and go straight back out. By the time I get back it’s time to prepare dinner. That way I’m not adding extra meals or snacks to my day.
I have lost almost 2 stone but most of that has been after graduating. I’m not following any particular diet, just making healthier choices and no late night snacking!
From reading your post and others I am beginning to realise that weight loss seems to happen post graduation, when people consolidate runs and then step up to 10K. I have been really hungry since starting C25K and I have snacked, but carefully, however I've definitely snacked when I haven't been much of a snacker before!!
I know exactly how you feel! I just can’t shift my extra weight. I look back on when I did a half marathon 3 years ago and I really want to get back to how I looked then. Being able to do 5k a couple of times a week should help over time though so I’ll keep at it. Just started to track calories with My Fitness Pal as well so am hoping that will help.
Love My Fitness Pal, I’ve lost 5.3lbs in the month since I started using it. Link it up to Pacer n it gives you extra calories for your steps and tracked activities too. If I fancy a treat n it’s not within my calorie allowance I go for a walk or do some yoga to make up for it
It was 3 years ago and I was 54. I’d always wanted to do a marathon but never got there. Believe me if I can do it -anyone can. When I’m struggling ( on week 5 now) I keep telling myself that I’ve done it before and can do it again. It helps to play inspiring music as well. I’m encouraged by the people who’ve replied and said they haven’t lost weight but shape has changed- I could live with that lol 😂
I can completely see how addiction can set in! I know I am only a few weeks in, but I am surprised by how much I get out of each run, even on my off days.
It is brilliant to hear that you will be doing a marathon next year. I'm beginning to think very differently about my impending 50s after chatting with folk on here. Hope all goes well for you and thank you!
Yes, I was disappointed in the first 8 weeks of C25K that my weight didn't go down. I noticed around week 6-7 that my waist was trimmer and people complimented me on losing weight.
When you get to week 9 and you're running for 30 minutes you will burn a lot more calories with each run, so from there it gets progressively easier. If you start to analyse your runs (what went well, what you might do to improve) you'll find yourself reviewing what you eat and naturally reducing unhealthy foods and eating more veggies and fruit. There's an excellent book, 'Born to Run' by Christopher MacDougall, which inspired me and influenced a few significant lifestyle changes, all for the better.
10 months after starting C25K, I'm down from 83 kg to 67 kg and have shed 4 inches off my waist, so it works if you stick with the programme. Good luck!
Thank you for recommending the book. It is good to know that the 15 year old mummy tummy I've been carrying has a chance of disappearing eventually, even if I still weigh the same for a while. I'm now understanding that muscle is heavier, hence my slight weight gain.
You have done brilliantly on the programme, so I shall stick with it. I have put the scales in the back of the airing cupboard, and they will stay there for a while....😊.
Thanks for your kind words. Just stick to the programme and follow the instructions and you'll be fine. As for your 15 year-old mum tum, with C25K, I now fit into (and wear) a suit I had made to measure in 2000, so anything's possible!
I have just completed w4 r3, alongside slimming world, and I agree, my weight is quite stable despite eating properly. At weigh in yesterday I was advised that you retain water when changing your exercise regime, so I’m keeping going, and loving it I may add!
I have been drinking a lot of water! That makes me feel better. I’m also enjoying this C25K malarkey far more than I expected to! We are at similar stages. I do my last run of Wk4 on Tuesday, then it’s on to the Wk5 that everyone goes on about!! Good luck with yours 😀
Stick with it kiddo and the scales will move eventually.
I lost masses of weight initially but I did a radical diet change plus started walking around 5 miles per day. However, I'm sure my shape has changed much more than the scales say it should have.
I have no doubt that as your general level of activity increased through and beyond the programme, you will get into the needed calorie deficit.
I just couldn't understand why my weight had gone up and not down since starting a few weeks ago. Everyone's posts have been really helpful in understanding why this might happen and more importantly, telling me not to worry about it. Losing weight wasn't my main driving force behind doing C25K, but I was kind of hoping to finally shift the mummy tummy a little as I went along. What I have gained so far from running every few days is more than I could ever have imagined, and the folks on this forum have contributed to that more than they could know.
On another note entirely.... How is the Grand Tour of the Park Runs going? You are a little towards my old stomping ground in the North West before I became a Southern Softie down here in the beautiful South Downs.
I'm only touring once a month as I'm rather fond of Marple parkrun, and somehow it feels like I'm being unfaithful!! Lol Also, I have piano students Saturday mornings so want to limit the number of times where I'm home later than usually.
So only one new one done yet, but very much looking forward to the next one.
Remember it's only a number and I know you feel as many do that its an important one. The main thing is how you feel about yourself and as others have said your shape will change as you progress through this adventure.
I didn't lose any weight through running alone. A change in what I was eating - and how much - has made the difference. Running is now helping me to maintain. Good luck !
Take some measurements and ditch the scales. Two years on I weigh exactly the same as I did when I started but have gone from 12 to size 8 jeans and size 14 to size 12 on top, without any dieting. Unless you wear a sign advertising your weight, no one will ever know!
I don't think muscle weighs more or less than fat but it takes up less space (think about the old question- which weighs more, a tonne of feathers or a tonne of lead?
😊 I put the scales in the back of the airing cupboard yesterday. Taking measurements is a much better idea - thank you.
A lot of people put on weight when they start stuff like this, you probably only burn an extra 250-300 calories or so in the run for the first few weeks. almost equal to one chocolate bar or half a small lunch. A lot of people will ‘refuel’ after a run and so eat the calories they burned in the run if not more so. that’s fine to do, you probably feel more hungry after a run and it’s good for your body’s recovery but if you eat more calories extra because of the run than you burnt in the run you still put on weight.
If you ate exactly the same as you did before you wouldn’t even lose weight very quickly as the burnt calories aren’t really that much of a deficit anyway. The bonus of doing this is much much more about getting fitter and a little stronger.
You will burn more calories as your runs increase so if you don’t eat any more calories you may start to see some weight loss once you are running for the half hour.
Your welcome, I was worried it would come across as harsh but wasn’t meant that way. One pound of weight loss is generally know as 3000-3500 calories, so to lose a pound a week you have to eat that much less than you usually do or burn that much off. A mix of both is good but weight loss is mainly eating less tbh. For your strength, fitness, mental health and generally feeling good about yourself stuff like the couch to 5K is much better I think and can only help in general
I can also recommend Slimming World..I’ve started the C25K program as a way of keeping the weight off and toning up. I’ve lost almost 3 stone since just before Christmas and am now in week 6 and starting to see some definite shape change. The ‘pinch of nom’ website and book are great for lower fat healthy but substantial meals 😊
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Weight gain??!! 
The 1st run in C25K is harder than a marathon
Clothes size verses weighing scales
You're all amazing! 
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