Three months in, here’s my update 🙂

[Rigpig]

It’s three months today since I started week 1 of C25K, looking back on the happiness from that first week when I realized I was committed and was actually going to give this a 100% effort seems strange, it’s three months later and I really feel that running, fitness and just better choices are actually a great big part of my life and if you knew me before you would find that strange as well 😒

So where am I? Well, I can quite comfortably run for 30 minutes and every week that goes by I improve a bit on my pace and the distance covered, I’m still slow but getting better and although I’m not at 5k yet I think I will be by the end of February.

I’m also in week 2 of the magic 10 plan and have run for 35 minutes at least 4 times now, this week I’ll uprate that to 39 minutes ( remember thinking three minutes was going to be hard, well it’s not and neither is 39 🙂) I’m excited that in just a few weeks I’ll be able to run for an hour! did I just say an hour?

I’m still overweight by quite a bit mainly because, although, I kept with the program over Christmas I did put more weight on than before I started. Since I got back from Holiday I've really settled into a routine and my total net weight loss since before starting C25K is 9 lbs, my legs are toning up, my waist is 2 inches smaller and my confidence has come back. I actually went swimming in public last weekend, something that was unthinkable a few months ago. My clothes are also a lot looser and It won’t be long before I’m back in my old clothes, this time I will not be going back up a waist size. Ever!

I sleep better, according to my tech devices by around 45 minutes per night better and I actually had a 9 hour sleep a couple of weeks back which is unheard of for me because I have struggled to get more than 4 hours of unbroken sleep my entire life, this more than anything has made the biggest difference, I feel great mentally, people are commenting on how happy and relaxed I seem.

So if that’s me after 3 months and you are just starting out, think where we both will be in a year from now 😁

Happy running everyone

Tim

[Khobarrunner Graduate]

Excellent stuff Tim. It’s amazing the changes that come from following the plan and where it can take you. Keep going and happy running.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well done you! I remember you starting C25K - and then finishing! You’ve come a long way. Fabulous that you are feeling so much better. 👏🏼👏🏼🎉👍😄

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Its really amazing all the changes you've mentioned and others have noticed as well. Congratulations and just keep going. 😊😊😊👍

[DevonBluebird]

What a great post, you give all of us still in the process so much to look forward to! Thanks for that and good luck with your getting to an hour! Wow!! 😃

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

That's a good post from you Rigpig, nice to know that you enjoyed your runs and especially JuJu's Magic 10K, although I am a Graduate10, I have not ran a 10K since November 2019 so I am also doing that plan, tomorrow I also will be running for 39 minutes, providing that there is no hail storm, I intend to run from 09.01 to 09.40, if my maths are correct, that is 39 minutes. 😊 🏃🏾

[RunningMigster Graduate]

What a fantastic post Rigpig.

And a great advert for the program.

Starting just a few short weeks before you, it was a real pleasure watching you and a few other start around the same time and progress through this.

But you know what, even though this program really works, and even though the support from people on here is amazing, when you're out there on a tough run, there is only you that can see it through. When you've got every excuse in the world not to go out, only you can get yourself out of the door.

So big thumbs up to the program and the forum, but at the end of the day, you did this! So massive kudos to you.

Looking forward to 'virtually' run alongside side all the way to 60 minutes / 10k!

Well done you

Mig

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

You know what Mig, you are absolutely right. There have been many runs where I've not felt it and wanted to stop but I get through those by saying "I'll give it a couple more minutes and see where I'm at" Then "well I'm nearly half way there now so shut up and get on with it" But if it wasn't for this forum and the inspirational posts I've read from other people on this journey and being able to share my own success, bitch about my doubts and generally just waffle on I might just have given up before I really got started. So thank you all for that. This is a really positive community of great people and how rare is that on the Internet today?

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Rigpig]

Hear, hear!!

[Roxdog Graduate]

What a great post! You completed the plan quickly and your progress is inspirational to us all. Having only graduated a couple of weeks ago, myprogress is slow and steady, but getting those 30 minute runs to feel comfortable and believing I can actually do them is great! Small steps to progress to 5k - Am not there yet but will get there. It would be lovely to run for a whole hour regardless of the distance or speed!

Thanks for posting!

[59er Graduate]

If ever there was an advert for C25K you're it! I think it's great that you have come so far and are now seeing the benefits of your hard work. If there was an emoji for I take my hat off to you I'd send it! 👍

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to 59er]

Thanks 59er

3 Months, 12 short weeks, I remember reading somewhere on here during my first week or so that it took 12 weeks to make something a habit in your life. For me this has been so true but it hasn't been 12 weeks, I think it was about 4 before I got edgy if I couldn't run for whatever reason

[59er Graduate in reply to Rigpig]

It seems you're making a habit of doing better each time you go out as well as better life style choices! This programme is so good for so many things - mental health, weight loss, self confidence, determination and you don't even need a prescription! 😄 You know what I'm saying.......

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Hey Rigpig, it’s good to hear how you’re getting on, and it seems very well indeed! Keep it up, and keep us informed 👍😁

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Excellent post from another of the class of 2019. Doesn't seem like 5 minutes ago when we were all saying, '8 minutes? They want me to run how long?'.

Keep up the good work. 👏👏👏

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

True Story! I looked at some of my early posts the other day, they seem a bit naïve now even after only 3 months but the enthusiasm was there and still is

[Mum22boys Graduate]

Fantastic post. Great to hear how good you feel and how much it's changed your life. I'm sure a lot of people will be motivated by reading this. Keep it up 🏃‍♂️

[agirlinwinter Graduate]

That’s amazing, well done! Thanks for sharing your success, it’s really encouraging for someone who is still working through Couch 3 5K.

[Thisoneistrying Graduate]

That's fantastic. Well done. I'm having a blip at the moment so it is really encouraging to read your update. Thank you x

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to Thisoneistrying]

All you need is one run and the blip is behind you I use the Nike Running Club App and there are some great coached runs on there, there's one called "I Need a Win Run" which really helps if you are not "feeling it"

It's totally free and great to use, highly recommended

[Thisoneistrying Graduate in reply to Rigpig]

Brilliant. Shall try that, thank you x

[Nilsam Graduate]

That is a great update, Rigpig, and fantastic progress. 🏃‍♂️😎👍

[Leosmit Graduate]

That was so great to read. A great advert for taking charge of one’s own health. Top marks to you, sir!

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to Leosmit]

Thanks, It feels great and I'm smiling about the changes every day

[Redvic97 Graduate]

What a great read. Your enthusiasm is evident and it’s great to hear how you’re progressing. It’s amazing when we look back to what we thought was impossible a few weeks ago. It’s a combination of personal determination spurred on by all the lovely people on here. This forum is a special place and you’re part of it. Thanks for the encouragement 😉

[Hidden]

I'm on week 1 and reading a post like yours is sooo inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[Rigpig Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Good to know, thanks for commenting

Time flies and before you know it you will be posting a similar update .

[Sar9 Graduate]

Amazing ☺️ well done you, a lovely and very positive post!