Better late than never

[Littleotter]

Been waiting to start couch to 5 for 5 months. Just done my first run today as yesterday I got the results of my health screening. My cholesterol is too high and my waist is too big. I’m 71 so a bit nervous of starting running. I walk a lot with dog so average 12k steps a day which I thought was okay. However apparently my body is habituated to that level of exercise so I need to do more intensive exercise to get results. My first run was okay except mystified as to where the hills have come from that I’d never noticed before as I walked along the pavements. Dog also bemused by the change of pace!

[backintime Graduate]

Congrats on starting! 12K steps a day is already great but I bet the dogs are going to be over the moon with the extra pace soon

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Enjoy your journey

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Well done on getting started - that’s the hardest part done! The great news is that you are doing something wonderful for your body - it’s not too late & you’re not too old at all. My tips - your brisk walk can be faster than your run! Having this is mind will help stop you getting too out of breath too soon as you build stamina. There’s also this - the Japanese slow jogging technique

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...(Not working as expected?)

I love this low impact way of running and still run this way all the time. So if you need to slow down as the durations increase, you could try this. The brilliant news is that gentle running is a great way of shifting that stomach visceral fat that is really bad for us - I’ve lost about 4 1/2 inches and feel better than I have in years. Good luck!

[Littleotter in reply to DiscoRunner]

Thanks so much for the video. I will try that next time. It looks perfect for me.

[Debston Graduate]

Well done for taking the plunge and getting started! And yes, I'm still discovering hills left, right and centre in the place I have lived for 10 years and never noticed! They pop up from nowhere! Good luck with it all and keep letting us know how you're getting on.