Hi all. I'm Steve, 31, over weight at 18 stone (all belly) and lazy! 😁 I do nothing but sit on the sofa in between work (where I'm sat down) and eat nothing but crap, 8 years worth. The thought of running makes me feel like I'd rather walk through a roll of barbed wire and sit back on the sofa 🤣. I've only found this app 3 minutes back and my brain is already talking me out of it! Is this normal? Any time the word exercise is mentioned around me, it makes me want to go hide in a dark cupboard 😂.
I'm one of these people who say, Right I'm back at the gym Monday, But when it comes to Monday, I'll find a chipped fingernail, or I've lost an eyelash over the weekend so I can't start this week.
So... Is there anyone who was in the same boat as me, and actually completed the c25k? Has it made a difference? Has it made you enjoy running rather than absolutely hating the thought of it? Has it made you think differently about your lazy life style?
Thanks all for taking the time to read this, Probably while your sat on the sofa, like me 😂
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Many start out saying they always hated running, only to find that their body chemistry changes through exercise and they become slaves to the hormones driving them out on their run, like it or not.
To be frank, you won't complete the programme unless you really want to, so a change of mindset on your behalf would make your chances of success much greater.
What is not at question is the ability of C25K to totally change people's lives, in ways that they could not even begin to imagine at the outset. Not only will you reduce your risk of a whole host of life limiting conditions, you will be fitter and corny though it sounds, you will almost definitely feel better about yourself and happier.
Give it a go.
You have nothing to lose and from your starting point, everything to gain.
You can do it, the hardest part is putting your shoes on and getting out there.
None of us on here were already runners (or we wouldn't do Couch to 5k, we'd do some other programme). I wasn't sure I could do it, thought I'd give it a go, and lo and behold here I am a graduate who just did 5k.
If you want to do it you CAN !
We will offer all the help and support you want but you have to do the running bit : )
Getting started is the hardest part but once you do make the initial effort it does get easier. Before I started I was the same as you, overweight, and my routine was work, eat, watch tv, sleep until I got told off by my doc. That was the motivation/scare I needed to get me going. I struggled with some of the runs but i just repeated them and finally completed the programme. I've said before on this forum that if I can do it anyone can so just go for it and good luck.
🤣🤣 hey. Yep I was not the girl who did exercise at all a year + ago, and now I get antsy if I've missed a a few runs! But it doesn't happen instantly and it seems overwhelming at first until you do it. I still get the gremlins now telling me it's cold or wet or I'm tired. I have to fight past those thoughts and go, just putting my running gear on usually helps as it trains my brain we are running! Once I'm out I enjoy it and I feel loads better after.
Initially you just have to start. I did my first run/walk in a very baggy hoody to hide me and I went very early in the morning to avoid people. I've since found they genuinely don't care. Or really see us.... they just see runner or someone trying and either think fair play or I couldn't do that! I used to think like that too lol.
The first run I was beetroot red and out of puff but I came on this forum and got told to slow down. I did and by the end of week 1 I was hooked. The app trains you to go slow and get fit in stages and you run, walk so you can acheive it. It isn't about distance or speed, it is just getting out there and doing it. I always refuse to stop once my goal is set and that helped me loads with each session but also the app overall.
Just start. Try 3 sessions and see if you improve by session 3. I listened to Sarah Milligan and eventually figured out I could listen to music at the same time too, as the app pauses your music when you need to hear the next instructions. So much easier with music!
Each week builds on the week before and the beauty of running is how quickly you improve. It was the best thing I did and no matter how you do, you are doing more than anyone sitting on the coach!
So give it a go.... when are you going to start your first session and what trainers will you use? 😊🏃♂️
Ah that's great. Go you! I'll make a start today, but im going to try get swimming in between days not running, as I used to really enjoy swimming. Most of my trainers are actually sports/ running trainers anyway. But if I keep it up until week 3 I'll go and buy some just for the occasion 😁. Last year I went to a local running shop, brought a very expensive pair with every good intention of going out running, but I must of broke a nail or something as I never made it out... At all!! 😂😂😂
Hehe this made me laugh. I actually had a pair of very expensive running trainers for three years before they got used. I was so proud when they eventually had to be retired with worn down treads and totally grubby from months of really good use. 😀. First steps are the hardest, I hated running for 40+ years and wouldn’t even attempt it, in all my school years I think I got away with two runs in total. 😂. Now my favourite event is a half marathon and it is such a big part of my life. Good luck on your first run.
C25k is an amazing plan for anyone. I started October 2018 and in May 2018 I was 16st 5lbs now I am 13st 5lbs . With better eating (cutting out the chocolate) and running 3 times a week I have been able to achieve this. You are better picking 3 days a week and sticking to it mine are mon, wed and Friday, and I feel so much better for running lots of energy never tired. So please give it a go you might even suprise yourself. Good luck 😊😊
I think we are always looking for a quick fix (me included) especially for weight loss then you realise it's going to take time and that's when things work out . Come back and let us know how you get on 😊
If you give it a go, you run a risk of loving it as most of us on here do. A lot of us started because we were fed up with being unfit and got hooked. You clearly want a change too as you are looking into it. Just try it, give it a go and we are all here to support you and get you off that sofa when you need a shove!
It is hard work and there are ups and quite a few downs. But once you get in the grip of it it is addictive. Graduated nearly a year ago. Weight loss takes a while to start, but it’s the toning up that is most noticeable. I want to know why my wrists have lost the most weight - strange. Strange bony structures start to appear i.e. knees and collar bones. Then you find yourself eyeing up strange coloured Lycra and bright trainers. All disposable income then gets channeled to purchasing yet more of the stuff as you get to smaller sizes. You get to learn knew jargon - ic and vrb for example. And snails take on a whole new meaning.
I started C25K in March, wearing running shoes that I had bought back in 2016 and never worn! Some of us take a while to get started.. 😅 But, despite being overweight (obese, actually) and very unfit, I have completed the programme and am now mainly enjoying most of my runs and yesterday I took part in my first ever 5km race and ran it in 39 minutes!. Back in March I was struggling to run for one minute! Literally counting down the seconds until I was allowed to walk again! C25K really works, good luck and let us know how your first run goes. Take it slow and steady, you can do it!
Hi Steve, are you ok? Did you start? You must have finished week 1 by now? I have someone in my bed, with the same story as you. I want to share your progress with him to get him off the sofa! So...common, I am counting on you....😉
Hiya I did make a start. I got to run 3 on week one a suffered with real bad shin splint. Meanwhile Sunday our new dog arrived so I haven't ran since I suffered with the shin splint, but have been very active walking and on a strict diet. I'm going to get back to it this week. Possibly even start from run 1 again. I put a post up about the shin splint, and I've had many inboxes with very helpful advice, and things to try. It's been great. So I'll crack on this week and keep you posted 😁
I say to everyone, if I can do, there is no doubt you cannot do. And I say this with the greatest I don't know the word in English....humility?? all I can say is week 1, I didn't think I could run 1 min without dying but today, I ran 20 minutes non stop and LOVED it...you know, if you want to get this feeling of overwhelming feeling of success, and feel energetic and feel like OMG, I did this..then this program is the easiest of all. You don't have to go anywhere special. Just put ur shoes on and plug inloud music and just follow the program...go slow...and trust me, this is the best thing I have done for myself..the support of this group us unimaginable. Here, the senior co runners are so eager to give tips....
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Is it normal to be unmotivated to run at this time of year? How do I get myself back out there?
Hello!! I’m new to all this 😊
Im new here .. hello all :) 
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