Don't know about everyone else but I have experienced a few benefits since starting, I'm now in week 8 run 2.
I use my inhaler less. Going from daily and pretty much like an aqualung during week 1 to hardly ever now and running 28 mins without taking it out of my pocket.
I sleep much better, especially the night of a run.
I have more energy in general.
I am eating better... Less rubbish.
Less anxiety and more confidence.
What benefits have everyone else noticed.
That is a great list - fantastic for you! You should write that out and stick it up somewhere, so if you ever feel like not going out, you’ve got your evidence as to why you should.
My benefits - 1) mentally, I like knowing that I’m doing something that is physically good for me and I’m always in such a good cheerful mood the whole day after a run!
2) Have a sore left hip (especially after 3rd child), hip ain’t been sore since around week 3 or 4 of C25K, in October!
3) whilst rather subjective and not yet sure if it’s a compliment, my children say that I’m much cooler since I started C25K!
Great question, made me think - Thanks!
I was similar. Stopped wheezing by week 3. No anxiety meds since starting running. I'm too scared to stop now 🤣
That's excellent. Great reason to keep going..!!
I am eating better (less junk food too) and drinking more water. I’m feeling happier, it’s boosting my mood and helping with my anxiety and depression (I haven’t been in a very good place). I am sleeping better. I find that I get more done because I have more energy. Before I would get home from work and sit down all evening, eating junk food, drinking alcohol and complaining about what was going on. Now I get things done around things done around the house. I’m much more positive now. I’m so grateful to have started this journey.
That is fantastic - to see so many benefits at only week 4! That is really encouraging to make this a change for life. Keep posting when you move through the weeks - it’s a great way to make yourself accountable and for good advice. Well done your progress so far.
Great question...
for me feel more energetic afterwards, and much warmer
Positive thinking, learning to accept
Slightly less wobbly bottom 😉
Well put. Love it. 👍
I've only just completed week 1 but I found that I havent suffered once from my sciatica all week
Wow, that is great, hopefully if eases off altogether as you work through the programme. Roll on week 2!
These are great benefits - well done!
1) More confident as I know I'm doing something good for myself!
2) Able to get up earlier - makes the drag to work a little more pleasant.
3) I've been really concentrating on my posture, even when just walking, and now I'm much better at "walking tall". 
Keep up the good work!
Three things: mood, mood and mood. I'm a much happier person. ☺️
It is incredible, isn't it? A beautiful discovery. 👍 I wonder if we could find a picture of a happy biscuit. 😁
Thanks. I used to use this avatar when I was indeed a grumpy biscuit in the school staff room. Although that feels like a different lifetime now, I've grown rather attached to it. Maybe it does give the wrong impression though. ☺️
Just finished week 6. I have lost a stone. Beginning to believe in myself again. Surprised at how well my knee ( old acl repair and cartilage problems) is coping with it. Getting lots of support from my family . Heart rate has dropped and hopefully will be able to ski better!
A stone??!! That is fantastic. Well done on your progress so far. ⛷⛷⛷
Great question Cowps. Definitely a lot more energy on a daily basis and I think I'm a lot more chilled out. But for me I had put on 4st 6lbs since stopping smoking and I've lost the lot and running helps maintain that.😊
That is incredible. Well done. It must have taken a lot of motivation too. Very impressive. 👍
What a post! It should be on a poster! I definitely feel more positive and energetic. This has meant the people have commented that I have become "annoyingly positive". 😁 Tee hee 👍
Ok agree I sleep better smile more and can’t believe I am about to start week 5.
Thank you for all your inspiring posts.
Golden oldie
Greater belief in my physical ability. I never thought I could run for more than three minutes, but this week I start Week 9.
Definitely fitter.
Definite improvement in mood, especially for the rest of the day after a run. This is massively important as I’ve been struggling for a long time with depression. This was my main reason to start.
Brighter wardrobe. Can get away with wearing fluorescent clothes in public 🤣😂🤣
Greater clarity of thought - Funny one this, I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but what seemed a difficult problem before a run, becomes far more manageable afterwards 🤔
Proof that certain people were wrong about me. I was picked on at school a lot by staff as well as fellow pupils about being unable to run. I wasn’t popular (because I didn’t like Bros 🙄🤣) so my classmates always volunteered me for the 1600m run at every sports event and I hated it - I came in last every time, hiding my tears. The teachers told me I was unfit and the kids laughed.
When I first ran 5k I realised how much their actions had held me back for so long. I feel free from all that now and I still think Bros were pants (apart from maybe one song which was Ok-ish).
Clearly a person of taste DrEdFullyunfit!! I’m with you on Bros🤣 You’ve proved to yourself that you have faith in your own abilities. No one can hold you back now👍🏻
My daighter just gave me a pair of leggings which are bright florals because she's 'not brave enough to wear them' LOL.
Loved reading your story (except about the horrible schooldays, but you came good!). Greater clarity of thought is another strong benefit - yes!
I'm so glad you have decided not to be defined by negativity. Go you!
I have a confession to make: I teased my friend mercilessly at school because I could sing and she couldn't. I still belong to a choir now and I was talking to someone there who said she joined because she was teased at school and wanted to prove everyone wrong. It made me feel dreadful and ashamed of my behaviour. 😔
If I could talk to my 11 year old self now, I would tell her to shut the **** up! Maybe your tormentors feel like that too.
#bekind 💚
Ah Speedy, we all do stupid things as children (and then sometimes as adults too). Thing is, I guess I expected to be teased by the other children, it’s the teachers comments that affected my feelings about running. Of course I wanted to prove her wrong, but couldn’t, so I convinced myself I was rubbish at running. I’m still not sure I’m that good now, but plodding along in my new fluorescent gear, I try to give the look of a pro who has been going for miles if anyone looks to be questioning my fitness 😂🤣😂
The main benefit for me was that I felt more positive about life. When I started I had four niggling health issues (nothing serious but they were frustrating) which I was either waiting for doctor's advice, prescriptions or hospital referrals, so in effect I was waiting on other people. Starting Couch25k meant I was in control and I soon started to feel much better about everything.
It's a stress reliever, more energy, sleeping better, lost almost 2 stone and better results for blood sugar cholesterol etc so looking good and feeling good.
Too scared to stop now.🏃♀️🤞
I too had hip pain before I started running. I haven't had so much as a twinge since I started C25K
Very similar. Well done, and stick with it. Then do a local parkrun ?
Wonderful, positive posts! Once you manage to break out of vicious cycles (circles?)by running regularly, you suddenly find yourself in a positive ‘angel cycle’, in which there is a broad spectrum of benefits - all listed in the above posts. Keep on runnin’, folks!😊👍🏻
The main benefit I’ve noticed is an improved pelvic floor! I wasn’t expecting that one but it’s a great confidence boost. Also I can get into work trousers with ease now - another confidence boost!
This is great to hear! 😊
I’m finding an improvement in my mood. I started C25K for mental health reasons and I’m pleased to say that running is definitely helping. If I feel depressed or anxious, I always feel better after a run.
I don’t have any scales so I don’t know if I’ve lost weight. I’m drinking more water since running so I think I’m looking better generally.
A very good question, for me it’s the 3 inches that have gone from my waist and more spring in my step, same for Willow being stronger and fitter in our 60’s is amazing
Oh and 7 weeks smoke free which i’m not sure i would have managed without running and doing yoga
Before I started running I found this article that listed the benefits of running because I wanted to see if they were really all true: openfit.com/benefits-of-run...
Since starting this program, I have noticed a bunch of benefits from running, most importantly how much better I feel. I don't huff and puff after walking up a flight of stairs anymore and everyday life just seems easier. I am lighter on my feet as well, which is a huge plus since I used to sound like an elephant when I walked around upstairs. The cost and convenience benefits listed in the article is something that I noticed immediately. I remember how much I used to pay per month to go to a gym, and I would never end up going. Now I've fallen in love with running and it's 100% free.
Benefits!
Running solo
Running bore
Lost my running mojo :(
W2R3 - Running gods are close
