20 to 12

[Wanttobesize12]

I started on Sunday. I did my first run for 30 seconds - it was all I could manage. It went up from there every run until the penultimate where I only managed 20 seconds. The last run I did the whole 60 seconds. Yay for me! I was so proud of myself I cannot tell you. I did the run again today and managed 4 of 7 of the 60 second runs. I am going to stick with run 1 of the first week until I’m comfortable with it. So proud of myself

[Bunnyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations. With attitude and determination like yours, you’ll manage it.

[Wanttobesize12 in reply to Bunnyrunner]

Thank you Bunny x

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Well done lots of persevering and hard work , you can do this 😊

[Wanttobesize12 in reply to Buddy34]

I will do it. I will do it. I will do it! Lol.

[Fossicho]

WELL DONE!!! I just started week 2 this morning and i am thrilled,keep up the good work,week 2 gets harder but do not be afraid to repeat weeks.

[Wanttobesize12 in reply to Fossicho]

Thank you. I’m going to take one step at a time. I have a 7 year old that is going to come with me on run 3 of first week. She will ace me I’m sure but she will be running 5 k by the end of it x

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

You can do this! And you should be proud of yourself. Celebrating our successes and enjoying the positive feelings that come from running really help with the motivation for doing more. Every time you run further than you’ve run before - is a cause for celebration! Plenty of water on rest days and run days. And learn to run slowly if you need to - c25k is about learning to run for 30 minutes - how fast or how far can be worked on later - stay focused in duration and slow down to a pace that lets you finish.

This is an incredible journey - stick at it x

[Wanttobesize12 in reply to DiscoRunner]

I feel prouder of mysel than I have done in a long time. I’m also doing this for my mental health. I have walked with my head down for a long time now and after one run and only doing one 60 second I walked earlier today with my head up. I did 4 60 seconds later today. No way I’m giving up on this xx

[squiddley Graduate in reply to Wanttobesize12]

You should feel proud. What you say about walking with your head up rings true with me and probably many others. Doing this can change the way your body works for you. You find muscles that you didn’t know before and start to feel differently about the way you walk and feel about yourself. It’s not just about the fitness. I’ve been doing some strengthening exercises in between runs too which helps. I’m just about to start week 8 and have taken about 11 weeks to get here. Determined to finish now. 😀 x

[suegrace Graduate in reply to Wanttobesize12]

Hiya I want to be size 12 too. I'm running for my mental health too I'm on week 9 next used to be frightened to walk out door but now I know no-one looks at me! Well done youxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your approach and progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on the recommended easy conversational pace.

You can do this.

Enjoy your journey.

[Jerichomile Graduate]

Brilliant! That is so good to hear. Well done 👏😁 enjoy every minute....you have definitely launched into C25K in style! Keep posting.....cheering you on 👍

[Wanttobesize12 in reply to Jerichomile]

Thank you x

[Debston Graduate]

Well done! It's a brilliant programme, keep sticking with it, keep persevering, you WILL get there. How lovely that your 7 year old is going to do it too - you're inspiring her!

[Myzinnyboy Graduate]

Well done on getting started, the first week is the worst ! It does not matter if you repeat runs, the most important thing is that you are out there.

Keep posting on the forum, and keep reading it too, there are some inspiring posts here and plenty of encouragement too.

Good luck

[Zanzib Graduate]

Keep going, keep going, keep going. Well done you for getting started. That's the first battle won.

[LazyCat]

Keep going the plan works! Don’t be afraid to move on - well done you!

[orcadia Graduate]

Great perseverance. Keep it up - you'll get there with that positive attitude.

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

That is so great to hear! With a wonderful positive attitude like that, you will get there. Take it slowly and celebrate every positive step forward no matter how small. I look forward to hearing about how you get on 😊

[Evol Graduate]

That's fantastic. Perseverance is the key, you are doing this for you because you want to and you can do it!

[Hawke]

Well done you keep up the good work⛹️‍♀️⛹️‍♀️⛹️‍♀️

[Jasminflower59]

Absolutely well done. That first run for me was the hardest and i thought i was going to expire. It put me off as i convinced myself it wasnt for me and it played straight into my lazy nature. Any excuse eh? But the fitness does build up and the nicest feeling is when you realise actually it was easier this time. It does come. Have faith. Keep it up 👍👍

[Jerichomile Graduate in reply to Jasminflower59]

“The fitness does build up” 👍 you’re right - I’ve found that to be a minor miracle!

[OeyZoey]

That's amazing news! Well done. It doesn't matter whether you're on week 1 or week 9, we're all on the same journey and we should all celebrate our victories! I'm on week 3 now and I'm absolutely loving it. Go you! I can't wait to hear how you're getting on every week!

[Kevtrev]

And well do for you at least you got your trainers on and got out the door and did it that on it’s own is the hard bit trust me it does get easier and you’re endurance will improve as did mine you have got this. I remember my first week I thought I was dying lol now I can run over 10 minutes without a stopping and my run after my next it’s a 25 min run but all I can say is trust the program it does get you there’s it definitely works. The other thing is to stretch before and after your run and hydrate before your run and just make sure you drink more water from now on it’s the key that helps you happy running 😉😉🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Carlosbrown Graduate]

Brilliant and well done you. C25k will become a part of you so stay with it. Remember the first steps are the hardest, one step at a time and stay positive. Be great to see your updates as you progress on your amazing journey. Well done x

[Sarigne Graduate]

Well done! That's seriously fab, and absolutely the best kind of attitude to have about the whole thing. You'll go far!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Congratulations we have completed week 1 a couple of times now and enjoying it being easier

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Cracking job! Keep posting, I'm already over invested😁

[Hipster73 Graduate]

Your 7 year old will be so proud of you when you run together. Regular dog walkers and the like will begin to recognise and encourage you. You deserve to hold your head high. It takes courage to bring about so much change. I wish I know you and could see your transformation for myself but I’ll keep an eye out for your posts on here. By the way, I went from an 18 to an 8. You have to aim high to achieve big. Good luck to you. X

[Scram Graduate]

Well done you! I did week 1 twice and it made a real difference to my confidence as I could see how much I'd improved each time. Once I started to move through the rest of the runs it did become easier as my fitness has improved. Keep going you are doing great!

[Hidden]

Well done! I remember my first week, I couldn’t believe there was an 8th 1 min run. I thought there were only 7! I struggled to finish it but didi it. It sounds like youve got the same determination. Just carry on and good luck!

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

Take your time. You'll get there.

I absolutely hated W1. Those 8 reps were just so soul destroying; I was sure my podcast was stuck on repeat and I was just re-running the final minute again and again. As the runs got longer and less repetitive, I grew into it more and more.

Graduated yesterday, so proof that it can be done (even though my 9 weeks ended up being 9 months courtesy of a lay off after Week 2 in July last year due to a nasty flare up of tendinitis in my knees).

[JkBrauer]

Congratulations! I am so proud of you too! Keep it up, you are going to make it with such a great attitude!

[LostPanda]

I love that you are determined and focused, keep going! Best of luck with your journey.

[CoolCrochetCat]

Well done! I could only manage 42 seconds at first. Take it slow and repeat the second week if you need to - I did this as it helped me feel more mentally prepared for the next step. Only just done the first run on week two but I felt so happy doing it that towards the end, I challenged myself to continue running through the last two minute walk. I did it and that has made feel more confident about week 3. Just go at your own pace and 'good on ya' for sticking with it. 😃

[DiverIzzie Graduate]

Well done!!! First week really is the hardest - once you’ve got into the programme it’ll become addictive!

[Bluemoon1958 Graduate]

And you should be proud of yourself. I am now at week 5 and nor run for 35 years. Stick at it and you will see and feel massive benefits. Good luck

[blu54]

Way-2-go, that's what I did until I was comfortable with my breathing then i move up a week.

Unfortunately I did give up as I never managed to get past week 5 and sustained some sort of muscle strain (suspect it might have been due to unsuitable trainers!), that literally took months to correct.

However, thanks to your communication, I fancy I might try again - 3rd time lucky maybe!!

[Ions123 Graduate]

Totally agree - Yay for you! Awesome!

I found the early runs hard - just keep doing what you're doing.