Graduation Day

[Logan1980]

4 months ago I asked the question am I too heavy to run as I was weighing around 26 stone. After weeks of letting my mind win and convince me I was too heavy to run I decided to just give it a go, I thought if I listen to my body it will soon tell me if i am overdoing things. Today I graduated Couch to 5k, I still need to do a lot of work on my diet so I am still weighing around 25st but it goes to show your never to heavy and if you just listen to your body, keep it slow and steady and most importantly trust the programme you can get to the stage of running for 30 minutes nonstop. I started this journey for obvious reasons I wanted to start exercising and to try and get fitter which naturally has happened. What I didn’t expect to get out of this and what has actually been the most important thing has been the positive effect it has had on my mental health. The first few weeks were the toughest as I have started and then quit so many of these things in the past so it was all about sticking with it, the end of week 5 got surprisingly emotional after completing the 20 minute run and tears were shed which I think was the realisation of how far I had come and also knowing that the moment I started 5 weeks ago was the moment I finally took back control of my life. The final few weeks were easier than the first few and today on the final run I found myself just enjoying it and taking it all in, I felt as though I could have gone quicker and further but for me today wasn’t about that it was more of a victory lap. I am really looking forward to continuing my running with a couple of consolidation weeks then on to 5k and my first Park Run with the goal being bridging to 10k and a charity run in 2020. Couch to 5k really has changed my life and I can’t wait to continue my running and for the first time in years I am genuinely proud of myself. 😀🏃‍♂️

[Benttoe Graduate]

How fabulous! SO well done. (You are a couple of weeks ahead of me).

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉What a splendid achievement! It’s amazing how running improves mental health, isn’t it? Don’t forget to consolidate your runs for about three weeks, before embarking on your next phase of training. Your running legs are still babies! 😁

[Joggingonthewildside Graduate]

Well done to you congratulations

[Laurzmum Graduate]

That is an amazing post!!! What a great and inspiring story. Don’t wait too long till you join the parkrun - even if you walk till you are ready to do the 5k. Lots of people walk or run/walk and it is such a positive place to be. Parkrun is fab as is your achievement 🎉🎉🎉

[Kevtrev]

A huge congrats you’re doing great and a lovely story of your journey but this is only the start for you the key is to have goals which you have without them that’s a problem as you can go back to your old ways that’s why I have goals too but you have got this far and you are doing it. consolidation runs which is very good I did 6 but in between I was doing parkruns which are fun and you meet some really nice people 100% worth doing but you need to register first online which is easy and free and you need to print your barcode off I had mine laminated the wife did that for me you see we all have our stories and I enjoyed yours 👏👏👏👏 well done you so you should of been jumping up and down with joy I know I was 😉 I hope you have had a gait analysis if you haven’t it’s free but the trainers you might need a support shoe or a neutral shoe they are a bit expensive but if you go to a running shop not sports direct they don’t have a clue go to runners need have a gait analysis its free you either buy them there or go online which you will get a deal but runners need price match on the web and you will get a deal well worth it and if you think they are expensive just put it this way far cheaper to buy the trainers than to have an injury and pay for a physiotherapist and then get a correct pair of running trainers. If you have already done so I apologise if you haven’t get yourself down and do it I’m only saying it for your own benefit.

And also I did race for life 5k at the moment I’m training for a 10K which seems to be improving my parkrun time also join bridge to 10K I’m using a free app called 10K by zenlabs or there is a plan on bridge to 10K so it’s up to you but you have done fantastic and the journey has only just begun like you say you want to loose weight that’s what I have done to I’m going to the gym 3 times a week and and I run 3 times a week including parkrun and I do a diet Akins not for everyone but it’s worked for me but I do have a couple of beers at the weekend only a few as I don’t want it interfering with my training lol 😂 so enjoy it you are going to have a blast and welcome to this forum 😉 and I would love to here your progress on here so keep posting 😉🏁🏅🎓🙏👏🏃🏻‍♂️👍😀🏆✅👍😉😀

[Gwenllian1 Graduate]

That is just inspirational! You must be so proud of yourself! Take it gently and keep going. There are lots more adventures still to come!

[NettieNoo Graduate]

You should be proud, what an amazing achievement! I started running to deal with stress and lost weight as a side issue (I needed to lose some, but it wasn't my primary reason.) If you keep at it and eat sensibly, the weight will continue to just drop off (I am not 'on a diet' because I know I'll get obsessed with food, but I have cut out sugar, cut carbs right down and only drink alcohol once a week - other than that I eat what I like, when I like and I have an occasional treat - so carbs/ sugar thing went out the window after Parkrun yesterday, when I had a slab of coffee cake!) The thing that really resonated with me from your post was the 'taking control' thing. Me too. I feel in charge of myself for the first time in years. It's a bloody good feeling isn't it?

[LeeU Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating, likewise, in May I was over 25 stone, not sure by how much as my electronic scales had weighed me over 25 stone previously and was erroring out.

I graduated (for the second time) a few weeks ago, it's a great feeling isn't it?

I have lost around 3 stone since restarting C25K, I watch what I eat, using MyFitnessPal to log everything (I'm very strict with it too).

I consume, on average, 1400-1500 per day and try to hit 10k steps minimum every day, on rest days I use the treadmill to walk up hill for 30 minutes (I've posted this up before take a look at it if you have access to a treadmill).

Take a few weeks to consolidate and then continue your running journey.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations to you Logan1980 on completing C25K with week 9 run 3 and graduating, well done, you should be very proud of yourself 😊 🏃 🎓

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message on the July healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated from C25K 🎓 🏃 😊

[Debston Graduate]

Woohoo and congratulations 🎊 🎉 🎈 🏃 🎓 🥉 🏆 ☺!!! You absolutely should feel really proud of yourself, it is a fantastic achievement and just the beginning of a fitter, happier you. ☺

[Dalmorangie Graduate]

Logan, that is a fantastic post massive 👏👏👏👏 to you! Must say the weight isn’t dropping off me yet as I thought it would but as you rightly say (1) the fact that you get to be literally up & running is a huge benefit of C25K and (3) talk about supercharging the old positive mental attitude batteries!

A couple of people I’ve spoken to say that the weight loss starts to kick in with more regular running as your body has to get into a particular zone to start burning it off.

Yours is a really encouraging story, 👍 for sharing it and happy running!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That’s such a good post and very inspiring thank you for sharing

[EileenCl]

I am so thrilled for you. That is so inspiring. Just keep going now, it will change your life.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Congratulations! An amazing achievement both physically and mentally. You’re the boss