Hi,
I really want to do the couch to 5k but I'm too scared to do it!! I had my baby 12 months ago and I put on a bit of weight which makes me really self conscious about running, and just feel like I look silly. You all sound like you're nailing it, and I'm worried about just not being capable.
I know all that sounds daft, but is there anyone else who felt this way? Just wanting to hear some success stories from people in the same boat I guess!
Thanks!
Me me me. I hadn’t just had a baby but I felt really self conscious and was really unfit! But I quickly gained confidence with this brilliant plan. And remember, if you go out and start this plan, you’re way ahead of all those still sitting on the couch! You can do it and we will support you.
So it’s a long long time since I had my baby but I am overweight. I thought I would be self conscious but I felt so good about achieving the goals that I forgot to feel silly. You are way ahead of the people sitting on the coach once you start. I run around my local area mostly and I have not had one derogatory connect from others and definitely had a few nods of ‘we’re in this together’ from other runners. I felt running for a minute a huge challenge at the beginning and this morning I ran for 28mins! The programme really works. You got this.
Wow! What a great achievement 
I'd be thrilled if I managed that.
The cold reality is most people are too wrapped up in their own bubbles to even see you fully.
Those that do are more likely to think positive things like "good for get getting out there...wish I could"
This programme is fantastic and teaches you more than just how to run if you let it... but you've got to get out the door 👍😉
Please do read the guide to the programme which I'll add in one sec...
Welcome...
Do, please check this post out... so much great advice there..
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
If you want success stories... you are in the right place.. and also the right place for support, encouragement, empathy, sympathy and the odd shove if needed
Slow and steady is the mantra... I am famous or infamous for always going on about it...it works... it really does.
As for feeling self conscious... thousands have felt like you... they started running at night, in deserted places or similar.
Folk are too busy with their own lives to notice us..if they do, it is often because they are envious.. or runners who are not able to run that day...
You are yet another of our AWESOME Mamas... out there, after having your small one and determined to be healthy and happy for that small person
Be proud and know that when you head out for the runs, you may feel as if you are on your own, but we all run with you... and I will be the one right by your side, whispering, slow and steady.
Get out there and enjoy... we shall watch for your first post x
Hi Tabby! I am going to start by saying I have NEVER been a runner. In my youth I’d rather miss a bus and wait 30mins than run for it. 🙈 I’ve never been skinny, and I’m ok with that, but my first run, before I left the house I was really self conscious and thought people would give me funny looks but honestly? Nobody cares. Before you know it you have passed whoever is coming the other way and you’re gone. Blast your music in your ears, focus on and enjoy it (I’ve got some absolute classics on my playlist like vengaboys and nsync - oh yes I have!) 😁
I had my little boy 7 months ago and I know how you feel, believe me I do. My body has changed. I have changed. I’m doing this for me. Not necessarily to lose weight but to feel fitter and for some time for me and I really do feel great when I get back. Please bear in mind I am starting week 2 today. I’m not experienced at all, just a fellow mummy who’s giving it a go.
Take it slowly. It’s a jog not a sprint. I got confused by the term ‘run’ when really it’s just a slow jog. Sending you positive vibes 👍🏻 Xx
Yes I felt I just couldn’t do it. And I just did. There’s just no one out there pointing and laughing. People are either supportive or too busy to notice. Do it for you. 👍
Hardest part is the first run TT. Many will relate to your story (including me but for different reasons) You’ll surprise yourself after a while & wont give a stuff what others may or may not think!! As Oldfloss says “slow & steady”. It’s your C25K, run it at your pace. Happy running 🏃♀️ I
I agree with all the posts above, after 2 babies I am somewhat flabby and started off so so slow I was convinced people would laugh at me in all my running gear plodding about . Just give it a go, as other
posters say most people are in their own bubble and don’t even see you. I only see other runners now, since I started and often spot and smile at other stop start runners as clearly they are doing C25k and I look in admiration that they are out there doing it. If you get nervous just think about your little one, and how much they will thank you for being fitter and healthier.
Ok, so I can't relate to the baby situation because I am a bloke!! But what I can relate to is that fear of taking that first step out of the door. It's the worst feeling ever. All I can tell you is that only yesterday, I took that step and completed W1R1. I cannot express enough how great it felt actually doing it!! You will not regret it!! I am a fantastic excuse maker ... the best ... so if I can do it, you can for sure.
A great bit of advice I got from another member in here (tedbedders) was to set yourself a time, keep telling yourself you are going to do it at that time ... no excuses!! Be prepared too, have everything you need ready, phone charged, headphones, water if needed ... just throw your gear on and get out there. Even if you run for only 30s ... you are DOING IT!! And as someone else has said in the above replies, people won't look at you and laugh, they will look at you with admiration and be thinking "every credit for getting out there and doing it" or wishing they had the determination to do it!!
So you CAN do it and like me, you may just surprise yourself and do a lot more than just 30s running!!
You've got this, we're all with you. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I was very embarrassed to begin, and couldn't even tell my husband until I'd done my first 3 runs.
When I thought about it, I realised my fear was that it gave others the right to comment on my fitness, my shape etc.
It actually doesn't.
Most people are impressed with *anyone* running *any distance*. You will also find you are not the largest/slowest/oldest (delete as appropriate for any insecurity) person out there.
I also kept drawing on what I wanted my children to see me modelling about health and fitness, but also about persevering when others might judge you. That helped too.
I've now lost all my baby weight (6 pregnancies in 5.5 yrs), feel great and my children and friends think I am a runner.
You've got this
We have all ages, shapes, sizes, etc. on here, everyone running for their own reasons. We're all running with you, just virtually. You're not on your own, this forum is great, supportive and motivational.
Not sure anyone here wasn't nervous about starting, putting your shoes on and tying them up for the first time to head out the door is probably the hardest, once you do that, it's easier.
Hi Tabby - buddy up with Aillsley who’s also a first timer and nervous about getting out there! Think you’d find we all had a hard time getting into this for all sorts of reasons, it’s not easy but just keep plugging away and you’ll nail it too!
I'm up for that if you are Tabby
Don’t be scared and don’t worry about what people think put it this way how can people who sit on the couch judge you at least you have downloaded the app come on here for advice and what to do the running. When I did it the first week it killed me I couldn’t wait until the 60sec of running finished and went to walking now I can run 28min without stopping and more in the tank and I was over weight I’ve cut my drinking down so if I can do it you definitely can so getting your trainers on and some jogging bottoms on and a top is all you need to do. And if you think you’re slow you’re going faster than the ones that sit on the sofa 😉🏃🏻♂️ happy running
I can’t really add to the fab and encouraging answers you’ve already received. The question to ask yourself is, do you notice joggers when you walk or drive past them? I’m sure you don’t even give them another thought apart from ‘good on him/her’.
Self consciousness can be reduced by a nice long T-shirt to hide our bums😄
I second long t shirts! 🙌🏻 Well done elsiebea! 😁
Back in February I made the decision to do something about myself. I was scared too and when I did week 1 run 1 I had to stop half way through the first 60 second run. I then thought this is daft here I am at 5am every other morning doing something I’ve never done before and for what because all I feel is daft and worn out. But I carried on and throughout the whole experience I stopped and started but more started than stopped and on Saturday 25th May I graduated after completing week 9 run 3. The change that I experienced is so obvious and you feel these changes over the weeks. Go for it because you can and take your time because you can and enjoy it because you can and complete it because you can and you will. Sometimes I had 2 days rest and once I even had 3 but I stuck to it and I did it and you will too.
Back in February I made the decision to do something about myself. I was scared too and when I did week 1 run 1 I had to stop half way through the first 60 second run. I then thought this is daft here I am at 5am every other morning doing something I’ve never done before and for what because all I feel is daft and worn out. But I carried on and throughout the whole experience I stopped and started but more started than stopped and on Saturday 25th May I graduated after completing week 9 run 3. The change that I experienced is so obvious and you feel these changes over the weeks. Go for it because you can and take your time because you can and enjoy it because you can and complete it because you can and you will. Sometimes I had 2 days rest and once I even had 3 but I stuck to it and I did it and you will too.
My reason for feeling embarrassed was that I was a 66 year old bloke who had put on weight following a back injury. I was really worried about how I would look, what others might think, and whether I could do it etc etc. My OH was a bit surprised, but really supportive...she bought me my first running watch when I finished C25k. I discovered that my running gear was a cloak of invisibility; for the most part nobody even glanced in my direction. I got one odd comment. I was following in the wake of some fast runners, just bumping along at my own pace, and I passed a man and woman walking. The man said "huh, this one's just a jogger!" The quick reply from his OH was "he is moving a damn sight faster than you ever do!" Sums it up really....anybody worth listening to will be completely with you and the rest just won't notice you are there. Just take it at your own pace, really slowly to begin with as you build up strength and confidence, and you will be so glad you took those first tentative steps. Running is great "me" time and really perks you up for dealing with what life throws at you. I am 67 now, half a stone lighter, still happily chasing PBs and trying to crack the 5k in 30 minutes; your potential is so much greater, so just go for it...the effect for me has been transformative. You have so much more time to enjoy it (which you will once you get going). 😊😊
Unbelievably I lost weight while I was pregnant but over the last 3 years the weight has come back and I’m now the heaviest I’ve been in my life and felt so fat and horrible so decided to give this app a go. I’m about to run w8r1 at lunch time which is 28 minutes and it is the best feeling ever! I run round the lake behind our house and pass people all the time but never seen anyone look at me as if to say what on earth do you think you’re doing?!? Even if they did I don’t care because I know why I’m doing it, I want to be slimmer, I don’t want my son to have a fat mum. I even look forward to running early on a Sunday morning now I can’t wait to get out there and the feeling when I’ve finished is great I have so much energy to do things the rest of the day. The hardest part is doing the first run, don’t think about it just get out there and give it a go xx
You’ve had some brilliant answers on here and it shows we all feel self conscious sometimes in different ways but yet we can all grow in confidence and surprise ourselves too.
Be proud that you’re thinking about starting, I used to look at runners and think ‘I wish I could do that’ and now I do!
I also felt so self conscious and as daft as it sounds , before I got my proper running gear, I almost felt I was a fraud and not a runner so shouldn’t wear running clothes! What absolute rubbish and my running wardrobe has grown along with my confidence and now I don’t really care!
One woman from my sons swimming even said to me not long ago ‘ did I see you running the other day?’ My initial emotion was embarrassment but actually she is now starting c25k as said she’s always wanted to do it and I’d given her the encouragement needed to start.
Good luck , get those trainers on and out the door!
Before I started I would see people running when I was out walking my dog and would think to myself 'I wish I could do that ' then I found c25k and thought I would give it a go . The plan really is amazing and anyone can do it. So give it a try you might be surprised. Good luck 😊😊
Wow!! Thank you all so much! You're words of encouragement are amazing 😃 I kind of feel obliged now!? 😆😉
That's the spirit!! You CAN do it!! If you want a virtual running buddy shout up. I do w1r2 tomorrow and after doing the first run, I'm actually excited about it because of how great I felt after, not only digging deep to do the first run, but the feeling I got after completing it!!!
Hi TabbyT
I also have the app on phone. I’m psyching myself up as had surgery 5 weeks ago and should be able to do light exercise from next week. I’m scared to start too. I live in London and see all sorts jogging 😂
There are many people who feel the same about their bodies, but it’s OK really. When you get out for W1R1... the hardest bit will actually be over.
And you will have the support of people on here, many are self conscious in one way or another...
The neighbours might see!
I’m too fat!
I’m too old!
People might laugh!
What will I look like!
... when you get running all this will not matter, because only you will matter ❤️
I'm sure most of us here felt that way, I know I did! If you feel self conscious maybe try and go out in the morning when there's fewer people about or wear a baseball cap so you feel a bit more anonymous. Whatever you do, take a deep breath and just GO! I guarantee you it will be the best thing you have done for yourself in ages. After the first few runs you won't give a fig about anyone else and you'll look back in a few weeks time amazed at what you can do. Good luck! 😊
Absolutely start. I was 3 stone over weight and have been over taken by 🐌 but I’ve done it. You CAN do it and we will all virtually cheers you on !! I don’t care what I look like when I run as I’m off the couch and have stepped away from the dominoes ! Give it a go. 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️
Too much Tech just slowed up the start! 
Am I too fat to start couch to 5k?
Newbie about to start W2!
When's it start to get easier 
