After a year of virtually no exercise I finally Completed my first C25k run today and managed it surprisingly okay. My main problem was actually starting, I tend to sit and berate myself and tell myself how much weight I’ve piled on and how fat I am and how long it’s going to take me to work it all off and how I’m the biggest I’ve ever been and all it all then feels super overwhelming. This usually results in me staying in bed and feeling depressed and cancelling any feint plans I had to exercise/move around.
If anyone has any tips for combatting this negativity in my head I’d appreciate the support. I really hope I can keep this up. 😳
Just taking small steps to overcome irrational fears and build your positive thinking is what it's all about! You have taken a positive step, so can now aim to make it a routine that you'll grow to enjoy. Don't overdo the exercise and ensure that you do simple warm-up & warm-down exercise/stretch routines to avoid injuries and post-run stiffness. If you have weight issues, tackle your diet and drink plenty of water (not alcohol)!Good luck!!
Thank you so much for the advice. I defo think pacing myself and not going mad too early will help, I have a tendency to dive in and overwhelm myself with unrealistic targets like exercising every day (which I never stick to) which just confirms my negative thoughts. Am trying with the healthy eating and no drinking too, am so pleased I found this forum as I really think it will help!
I don’t think there’s any easy answer. I am very self-critical. I’m working my way through a bad period of depression so everything feels negative for me right now. I’ve started Couch to 5K because something has to change. I can’t go on like this and so that’s my motivation. You can do it!!!
Hiya, this is very similar to myself! I’ve been off work for most of last year with depression and although I’m back to work now, i really want to change my habits and I know only I can do it, it’s just really hard sometimes. Motivation and negative thoughts are defiantly my nemesis. Trying to be kind to myself and give myself lots of praise, make sure you do too! hope this forum helps you. Xx
Aww it’s hard when u feel stuck in a rut, believe me I have been there! I found that after most runs (won’t lie, some runs were rubbish 😩) I felt super positive about what I’d achieved and it really spurred me on. I told anyone and everyone I was doing the c25k and it almost made me accountable. I had to keep going as I didn’t want people asking about my progress and me saying ‘oh I gave up’
I have really found running to be a massive boost for my mental health. Without boring u, I have had a pretty hard year and this really helps clear my mind. It’s something I can do for me but also for my wee boys so I can be a fit and healthy mummy 😊
I have a friend who was doing it with me but we live in different towns so only ran together once. We messaged each other after each run to keep motivated and we have both signed up for a 5k race in March as something to aim for. Is there someone u could get involved with u? If not don’t worry cos the support on this forum is absolutely incredible! 😃
U will get days u doubt yourself but honestly if u stick to the plan u will surprise yourself how much u can do. And u will feel great about it too! Keep posting on here, there r so many lovely people who genuinely want to see people succeed. Ur not alone 😘
Thank you for your lovely encouragement! I’ve had a tough year too and in the past I’ve felt better after running, but I just can’t seem to get my head in that headspace again at the moment. I really like the idea of doing it with a friend and messaging about progress, I have found when I’ve teamed up with friends to do things before I’ve just encouraged them over to drink wine instead of exercise so is bad for both of us! But that would mean I can do it in my own way and still get encouragement. I will keep posting as it really is SO helpful speaking to people who feel the same. Thank you so much and good luck yourself! Sound alike you’re doing so well! How far along are you? x
I graduated on 30th Dec so still a relatively new runner. But honestly when I downloaded the app I don’t think I really did it with the intention of completing it! It wasn’t until I started telling people I was doing it that I thought I’d better keep going haha! 😂
I found the first run so hard which surprised me as I do walk a fair bit but running felt awkward! I did most of this in the gym as didn’t want people seeing me out trying to run! 🙈
U will hear this a lot on here... drink plenty (even on non running days), go slowly (sometimes my runs were slower than my walk - no joke!), take rest days in between runs and trust the plan. You really can do this and I promise u will start feeling the mental and physical benefits from the start! 👍🏼
One thing that really helped me when I didnt want to get out there, was to focus on 2 thing:
1/ why did I start this program in the first place?
2/ how will I be helping myself if I dont get out there and keep doing it? How else am I going to make the changes I NEED to make.
I combined that by posting on here after each run. That gave me the accountability to this forum, which was also I great motivation.
By also having that regular engagement with the gang here, you get amazing support. Great help and advice when you struggle and a well deserved pat on the back when you do well.
So do please keep going, and do keep coming back to us.
Well done on making a start. I’ve found that in the 2 months I’ve been jogging my mood has improved hugely. It’s knowing how much better I feel in my head that makes me keep going. Just getting out in the fresh air and getting your heart going can really help! Focus on how you’ll feel afterwards and let that motivate you. Speak kindly to yourself- you can do it.
Ah thanks for sharing Lee, I was afraid someone would say that. But it’s something I’ve had for years so I guess I can’t expect it to just vanish. I like the idea of being “stubborn” to continue, I’ve been called stubborn in the past so I guess I need to use that positively! Thanks for your comments and support!
I think it's something we 'learn' as we grow, as a kid NOTHING is impossible and nothing is beyond what you can do, then as we mature and our brains finish developing then it's something that comes along with that.
When I feel like I need to stop I start off by saying don't be stupid, I've only just started and then when the voices start to get louder the longer I press on I switch to one more minute, one more minute.
The main thing is to try to enjoy each run and don't let it become a chore, the more I enjoy the running the less Gremlins I get as it's for ME and I'm doing it because I want to and not because I have to.
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