In Feb this year I was overweight and at risk of going back onto meds for my diabetes.
I started on a diet (healthy eating) and exercise programme of Zumba, swimming and walking. I lost 2 stone and felt great, but I got a rotator cuff injury that ruled out swimming. I decided to go for C25K instead. I have never been a runner and I have neuropathy in my feet, which means they are numb/painful and it impacts my balance.
So I invested in good trainers and 11 weeks later (2 week holiday break) I am another 10lbs down, my blood sugars are so good that I am no longer diabetic if I was tested (Doctor chuffed to bits)AND I ran for 4.5 k in 30 min today. I am 63 years old and feel fabulous
Planning to meet my secondary goal of completing a park run before Christmas with my pal who completed C25k last year and inspired me to do it
It’s a great programme
Not sure how to get my graduate badge?
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Runningdumpling
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Congratulations. 🎉👏🏼🎉 You have a lot to celebrate! There should be a pinned post for December graduates - leave a comment on there & you’ll have a badge before you can blink. 😄
Thanks Java, I remember week 1 thinking it simply wasn’t possible for me to run for 30 min, just goes to show it’s possible. If I can do it, anyone can
Thanks WillowandSola, sounds like you have done brilliantly. I have only been using my iPhone to track my distance, so I might be way off... not that fussed, just wanted to run for 30 min
iphone is fine it won’t be too far off it’s just such a great thing to be able to do we started in April then had a couple weeks off in may and started again 5 june and since then have both lost three and a half inches off our waists without shifting much weight but it’s great to feel fitter and blood pressure and cholesterol down
Congratulations: I too completed the programme today, and am 1.5 stones lighter and feel much better for it and am over 60 as well. Have Park run in diary for 28th, which will be different, did the programme on a treadmill!
Congratulations on completing C25K, well done, now go and celebrate, what a great Christmas present to yourself, you will enjoy the festive season even more so now. 😊 🏃🏾 🎓
Huge congratulations - all your hard work really paid off, and I can empathise because my story is very similar. I'm 61, and in February my blood sugar was just into the diabetic range (HbA1c = 7%), and I was 17 stone 9 lbs. My doctor said I could either go on metformin, or attempt to reverse it with diet and exercise. I opted for the latter and started C25K in May and finished 11 weeks later (had a 2 week gap in middle of week 9 due to a dodgy knee which had to heal, during which time I got gait analysis done and proper supportive trainers.
I'm now just over 4 stone lighter, and my HbA1c is 5.3%, so not even in pre-diabetic range.
Since graduation I've used the NHS Couch to 5k+ podcasts (there are three with varying workouts and Laura talking you through them), and then done the Bridge to 10k and just completed my first 10k run on Wednesday in 74 minutes. Also doing Parkrun. I have not yet achieved 5k in 30 minutes, but still improving. (Best time so far 35:00).
I'm not sure if I'll do it tomorrow - my local parkrun (Abingdon) is a bit of a quagmire if it's been raining, as part of it is along the Thames towpath. But Parkrun is a great occasion - very friendly, and wonderful to take part in.
Don’t wait, go to a Parkrun you’ll never look back. You won’t be the slowest or the oldest, parkrun is completely inclusive. They always have a tail walker or two to keep you going and encourage, or just to chat to. By the way well done on your weight loss, keep up the good work.
You’re an inspiration to us all. I’m determined to be Fit By 50. I just had my 49th and have also just completed Couch to 5K. I’m going to repeat that for a while then go for the 10K after Christmas. Good luck on your 25K
Thanks so much Uke5. You can do it, once you’ve run for 25 min then 28 you know you can do 30. I have confidence that you will be successful, as you sound like you have a plan and drive
Thank you for your encouraging story. My parents and brother were/are type 2 so that, and iffy blood pressure, keeps me running. Also on a low sugar diet. I don't carry any extra weight, so this running thing has to work! So far, so good!
Thanks Runawaytrainer, my GP said that type2 diabetes can be influenced by lifestyle and I know that it’s a matter of balance between food and exercise
Congratulations!🎉👏 You have given yourself the best present ever! My husband started running after I did C25K to keep his blood sugar levels down and it works brilliantly. Wishing you many happy runs 🙂
I ‘run’ my first one next week. Just started training so will be using the app on the day. Family pressured me into it as they are here for holidays from the Friday night. I’ll be walking a lot but hey ho! 😄
• in reply to
.... I hope it’s. Ether weather than this morning. I’m just home from Cu treeing and still to thW our. Lol
Congratulations. You must be so proud of yourself. And 4.5k in 30 mins is very impressive. Now you need to stay focussed but, if you've set yourself another goal you're half way there!
Hi Lifluf, I am interested to see what I do in a Parkrun, as I have only measured distance on my iPhone and I’m not sure how accurate it is, so I’ll see but will be pleased if I finish
I would recommend the free Strava app now you're a graduate. It shows your route, speed and even breaks it down into sections. I think it's quite accurate.
It’s the greatest feeling when you graduate. And how incredible that you’ve kicked your diabetes into touch and your health has improved. You’ve proven it’s never too late. I only started running in February at the age of 56 and last week got my first ever medal. Keep up the good work and good luck with your first park run. 🏃♀️👏🏻
Tonj, well done you too, I can’t remember ever winning a medal of any kind, never been athletic. But I have realised how much better I feel physically and mentally when I’m fitter.
Hello to you and very well done. This programme is amazing and frankly life changing. Obviously you will have to change your name to running gazelle or something like that. Theres plenty of advice on what to do post graduation. Some go straight onto extending to 10K. I ( I'm about the same age as you) just consolidated by running 5k a couple of times a week and enjoying being outside and feeling good. I'd recommend doing something like this as you will probably surprise yourself by getting faster without really trying. I also started to gradually run a bit further. Anyhow that's all part of the running journey for us all. In the meantime..... CONGRATULATIONS
That is absolutely fantastic! Reading that makes feel so happy even though I don’t know you! 😂 you taken charge of a few issues and shown them who’s boss! Well done!
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I did it!!! I can’t quite believe it :)
Graduated today!
Graduated today 
W5R1 done - can’t believe it!
Graduated - can’t believe it!
