Absolutely useless ‘runner’

[Roweyja03]

So I started the c25k app before I went to America on honeymoon, I only had time to do just under 2 weeks. I’m now back from honeymoon, a million stone heavier and I’ve started again at week 2. I’ve struggled so much I hardly even completed it. Lots heavier and even less motivation than before 🙈 I felt fat and ugly and terrible on my honeymoon and loads of my clothes barely fit. So I’m fed up! Got back on slimming world and healthy eating today but would love to find the motivation to stick to the ‘running’.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Stop knocking yourself. It takes time to become a runner. If you want it you will get there.

You need persistence and determination and belief in yourself. We know you can do this.........you just have to persuade yourself. Approach it all with positivity, not desperation, and you will succeed.

Have you read the guide to the plan? healthunlocked.com/couchto5... it is full of tips.

You can do this.

[Roweyja03 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thankyou! I’ll have a read

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

First, a honeymoon means congratulations are in order.

I, and many of my friends over the years, found that whenever we went stateside a strange thing happened and all our clothes shrank. I think it’s a well documented phenomenon.

So... ok... you enjoyed yourself... that’s allowed, no, that’s required on any holiday, especially a honeymoon. You’ve gained a few pounds, I’m not buying the million stone but I know where you’re coming from... that’s allowed too. A useless runner would come home, quit and hit the couch... not you. You’ve come home with motivation or you wouldn’t have run... two weeks off and most of us would be having a tough run... you’re not alone there. Here’s the thing though... you were tougher than that run... you got the job done... you’re not useless, you’re a victory. You’re back on it and you will succeed and hit all your goals... happy running.

[Roweyja03 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That’s very kind thanks for the support! Perhaps after a few days healthy eating I’ll be feeling abit more positive and have some better runs!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Roweyja03]

For sure... I stood on scales in Texas a long time ago and when I deciphered what that 320 meant I was devastated... but I did the same as you just said... healthy eating as soon as I got home, and I stayed focused on that for 48 weeks each year until I was healthy weight. Sadly, I didn’t do the other bit and actually get healthy! You’re doing both and that’s the best way forwards by far.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Ok I will try and motivate you my way. First of all you are not useless you are a wonderful person who just got married(so did I by the way 10th of july). I put on 4 and a half stone after quitting smoking 6 years ago and I wasn't happy. For a few months I did brisk walking 6 days a week twice a day then couldn't go any faster so started c25k . To date I have lost just over 3st. Cut out my over indulgence of chocolate and I'm still running. There is no quick fix it's took me just over a year to lose the weight which is still on going.

Believe in yourself you can do it . Just go slow, plenty of water 7 days a week. Keep coming back and post on here for advice or support. You can do this. Good luck 😊😊

Congratulations on your wedding

[Roweyja03 in reply to Buddy34]

Congrats to you too!! I know it takes time and I’m getting frustrated and bored before even giving it time 🙈 a little embarrassed of just how difficult I’m finding it but I suppose at least I’m giving it a go! Thank you for your support it’s much needed!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

And congratulations to you as well Buddy34 - you kept that quiet!!

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

No no I did post on here around the 15th of july that I got married and me and my ' husband ' kept it a secret from everyone even our whole family but they were all so pleased once they got over the shock 😊

[backintime Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Congrats buddy...I missed that too

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to backintime]

😊😊😊

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Congratulations, Buddy! That’s fantastic news.

[Zebadee1 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Congratulations on getting married! (must have missed your post). 10/7 is a great date, my daughter's birthday 😀

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Zebadee1]

Thank you. We got married and never told anyone then surprised all our families. Then last night my daughter's were taking both of us for dinner . Thought it was just a few of us we walked in and there was 30 plus family members there. So it was our turn to be surprised. Great time had by all😊😊

[Bluepup1 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Congratulations Buddy! 🤗 x

[Vintage61 Graduate]

Congratulations and bet you had an amazing honeymoon despite the million stone!!!!

You’re not useless, you’re a superhero for getting back on it and the healthy eating. Trust the program, hydrate and run slow and it WILL happen. Warning though, don’t expect that million stone to move straight away as you build muscle so measure yourself first. I’m a big bird and so far lost half a stone but the inches are coming off for sure. Good luck my lovely. And remember there are lots of clever peeps on here who will answer your questions and novice runners like me who don’t know so much but love running and have been through the program. Go for it!!! 🏃🏻‍♀️👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Oi! Stop that!

Hardly even completing is completing. Well done!

If you get out there and run the motivation will find you.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Don’t beat yourself up Rowey! You got married and went to America - there’d have been something wrong if you didn’t come home heavier! Deep breath, start again with the plan, you know it makes sense! Stay hydrated and take it slow and you’ll be fine! Let us know how you get on!

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

You’re back - so you must want to do this. Well done you 🏅 Carrying out a healthy eating programme alongside is a brilliant idea and I wish I’d thought of it first time around. I call my fat Ethel: personalising it has really helped. Now if I’m craving something unhelpful, I know it’s really Ethel talking. Don’t want to go for exercise ? Not me, Ethel. And do I want Ethel to rule me ? Do I heckers ?!!! Sounds daft, but it’s working for me. Your fat is the enemy, not you. Give it a name and push it around a bit ! We’re all right here cheering you on x

[Michelle1960 Graduate]

I can only repeat what others have said:

Congratulations, you are amazing for even trying, take it slowly, you will get there!

[Gem2844 Graduate]

I know how you feel, disheartened every time you put clothes on and they don’t fit as you want, I was the same this time last year after my second daughter, I was desperate to feel good about myself and no one really gets that! Being told you look good doesn’t help if you don’t feel it!

I started back on slimming world on my own in February and started doing C25k in April. I have lost just over 1.5st and 2 runs til graduation! You can find the motivation to do this.. it’s in you. On my running days I put my running stuff on the bed ready for my evening run and when I’m out it’s like a release! This forum is great for support and there is no such thing as a fail coz you went out there and did it... for you. So keep smiling and keep running your amazing! 😘

[Comfortnotspeed]

Hi and congratulations! A wedding, a honeymoon and a return home 🙂 It’s not surprising you might be finding anything a challenge right now-after all the buzz and excitement. Give yourself a break! Take it bit by bit and go slow. One day at a time. Running helps you feel good although you might not feel it as your waiting for the walk to arrive! Good luck. You’re worth it! 👍

[Rubygrace-]

You can do this I guarantee it. Just listen to iannodatruffe and read the tips, I did and I can now do 10k. Never in my wildest did I think I get this far, I couldn’t run for a bus beforehand. Congratulations on your wedding and best wishes x

[EileenCl]

You can do it! Determination, keep your eye on your goal, you’ll get there. Congratulations!

[smeeagain Graduate]

No one is useless....you went out and did week 2 again....that proves my point...next week is week 3 DONT give up...you can do it!!!!

[Mrsflax81]

Hi, it's so nice to hear that someone else is struggling even at the beginning. I follow c25h on Strava to map my pace and runs and I have found this really useful and a motivator to beat my pace and distance unless I have a crappy run

Plus I then see all the people who have graduated C25k and are running 6 miles in 30mins!!! 😳😱

I'm struggling, I m overweight and unfit. But I keep at it. I started in May and am still only on week 3 as I consolidate and repeat as I can never run all the runs. I ran with my 8yr old last week and did a week 2 run it was nice to see I could manage it and he couldn't but I still found the 90 secs hard even though I can manage 3.mins. Nevermind I think just take it run by run. You may have a crappy run for several times but that 1 run that is brilliant will push you forward. Plus the fact you get out there and run, whatever size you are, means you are better than most.

My sister is a much smaller size than me but does no exercise. She may look fitter but she's not and that helps push me forward.

Hope this all helps and keep at it. We'll eventually get there .

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Congratulations on your wedding. Running will make you feel better all round. Weight loss might be one result of it, but there are many other benefits, such as feeling much better psychologically. Stick at it and you WILL feel better in all sorts of ways.

[Hidden]

Congratulation and I think you sound amazing. The fact that you have come back determined to crack this means you will. Take one day at a time and go slowly.

I have a calendar on my kitchen wall and each time I run I write it on there and somehow it makes me feel really positive when I look at how far I’ve come.

I’m not over weight but I couldn’t complete the runs in week two so already you’re doing better than I did. I am now on week 8 run 3 and I can’t believe it.

If you need to repeat weeks then do until you feel happy. Take as long as your need and Good Luck. You CAN do this. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Zigas]

Don't beat yourself up. Start again at week 1 and take it from there. You WILL do this. I've just started both WW and c25k and it's silly things that can motivate me. I spent ages going through my music collection (which I painstaking added to Google play some years ago) and had fun making a play list of upbeat songs. Now I'm looking forward to getting out there so I can listen to them. Good luck with your journey. X

[Novice1955]

One thing at a time get your eating under control for a few weeks and when you are feeling positive from your weight loss start the programme again. You can do it !!!!

[Volkswarren]

Do t sweat it, I got to week 9 and had two weeks off, couldn’t believe how far back it pushed me, just start again from week 1 if you need to.

[Vicjo Graduate]

Well done for starting again. I’ve only just started-hopefully finishing week 1 this morning. We can do it together! Xx

[Moomeister Graduate]

keep going. I am exactly the same as you, following slimming world and boy do I struggle with running. Each week I have just completed each section and have been puffed and near stopping ... but I am now at week 5 and about to attempt run 3. Trust me the programme works and builds you up gradually. Imagine if you keep at both slimming world and C25K what you could look like by Xmas!x

[Bluepup1 Graduate]

Congratulations Rowey! 🤗 x I think everyone has said it all so I may be repeating ‘stuff’ x

Even the most disappointing run is prep for your next run (we all have good and bad days inc the pros) so no run is useless and neither are you!

You’ve had an amazing experience and should be proud of that so go easy on yourself - I think on such occasions enjoying yourself and not worrying should be compulsory (if not made into law lol)

Just take things slowly, ease back into it and repeat any runs/weeks if you feel you need to 🤗 x

[RunRach Graduate]

Hello 👋

So much of running is the mental battle to get out there and just do it! I’ve experienced this myself this week- my mind says that I’m too tired or that I will go tomorrow instead but the best piece of advise I can give you is keep going! Do you listen to music when you run? This is a must for me to keep me motivated, I also listen to the podcast runpod.

I am by no means a natural runner but have gone from not even running for 30 seconds to running 25 minutes straight in less than 2 months. The hardest battle by far is the mental battle we all have before a run but it is so worth it for the way you feel after! Good luck you can do this

[GettingThere4me in reply to RunRach]

Quick question please. What’s the podcast run pod?

[RunRach Graduate in reply to GettingThere4me]

It’s this pod cast online it’s by Jenny Faulkner a celeb she talks to all sorts of celebrities every week for half an hour from athletes to comedians to broadcasters about why they love running/tips etc

[GettingThere4me in reply to RunRach]

Thanks I’ll take a look x

[trapeze]

everyone's different Rowejia, when i was first doing it it felt great until the 9 weeks were done, then i lost my way a bit. Almost a feeling that this lark was for "proper "runners not for the likes of me. I restarted and tried to learn a little about self disclipline. It can be difficult, but have another go, or several other go's until you feel comfortable with yourself.

[Runrunner Graduate]

Thats normal feeling after honey moon / holidays. It will take you a couple of runs before you start feeling better about running and yourself. Just dont listen to the negative and go for it.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

If you're determined to make a change; things will change.

It sounds like you're at the right point to embrace the change, new stage in life, (congratulations to you both🎉🥂🎉) get a grip of the eating habits and just keep plodding through the programme.

I personally guarantee you'll be feeling differently about yourself by week 7. 😉👍🏻