How long before I see results?

[Mandyj58]

Hi everyone I'm starting the couch to 5k tomorrow 😬😬. My question is how long will it be before I start to see a difference in my legs specifically my thighs. I've sat at a desk for 35 years and it's taken its toll and I need to get into a swimming costume by the end of March 🙏

[GoogleMe Graduate]

We'll tell you when you've done that first run...

[mrrun Graduate]

It depends on what kind of difference you'd like to see. Runners legs get stronger and that comes with mileage. Toning and weight loss come with hard work, long runs and diet change. And lots of discipline. It all depends on your target and how you go about it. Are good changes doable? They definitely are though.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the this is not a quick fix forum.

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

Measure yourself before you start and then at the end of each week a you will be able to answer the question. You will undoubtedly lose inches from various parts of your anatomy and if you do non impact cross training on your rest days it will happen quicker.

How quick will vary, but by March you could well have a pert little runner's bum and thighs like iron.

Enjoy your journey

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

Never mind what you see, it’s how it’ll make you feel that counts!

[Brooko Graduate]

I guess it depends on you and your situation. I have read it takes 12 attempts to form a good habit and 3 to form a bad one so that means 4 weeks. At 4 weeks for me I learned to run slow. To ignore everyone else and I watched a you tube video on Candence and slow jogging that changed my view on running. Take it one day at a time one run at a time and GO SLOW 👍🏼 ps after 5 weeks people are saying have you lost weight 👍🏼👍🏼

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Ditch the scales... check out the links...take it slow and steady...

Eat healthily...move gently.. strength and stamina work regularly.. and maybe, just maybe.. you will feel a change....

[Coddfish Graduate]

I’d recommend focusing on your health through the programme, some weights work, and being sensible about what you eat. The rest will follow.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate in reply to Coddfish]

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Focusing on health and becoming both stronger and fitter is much more long-lasting than doing it solely for aesthetics.

The aesthetics will come!

[Fluffiness Graduate]

Ignore the scales as they are not a good measure! Go with how you feel, how your clothes feel, how toned your body gets - balance your running with health eating habits and keeping busy and active on your non running days!! Enjoy the journey!!

[theoldfellow]

After your first run you will see immediate results. Your legs will hurt, your ankles will hurt, and you will have discovered that you cannot run 60 seconds 8 times in 30 minutes.

But there is also good news. You can change this. You have taken the most difficult first step. In 9 or 10 weeks (it took me 12, 'cos I had to do week 1 twice, and then got a cold later) you will be able to run for 30 minutes non-stop, albeit very slowly.

You will probably put on some weight, as muscle weighs more than fat. But you will discover that your clothes fit better, and the belt is tighter, and after each run you will feel the great joy of being a runner. Next summer you will want to run in the swimsuit.

If you want to use running as your only means of losing weight, then you will need the next step of running for an hour at a time, again very slowly. After about 30 minutes exercise the muscles run out of stored energy, and the liver starts to convert fat to fuel.

I lost 8 kilos in the first year, just by running, and not adding extra food. But others have lost much more by combining running with a restricted diet.

Final advice, keep posting here. We are all in this together.

Welcome to the runners.❤

[Silkey]

Hi Mandy, each person loses weight differently. I met people who lost quite a good bit of weight and some not so much because their muscle mass increased. They noticed that even though the weight did not go down so much, their body toned up more and lost inches around their body. The most important thing is to enjoy it. I personally feel a lot better after a training session.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

Do you have to lose weight?

If yes, pay extra attention to any pain. Running is of high impact on joints. Surplus weight would make it worse.

It is important that you do it (relatively) right.

[Mandyj58]

Thanks for all the tips everyone I’ll let you know how I get on 👍👍