Old grey man 🍷

[wolseyjohn1953]

Suffering stress and anxiety,just started running and unfit ,it’s a struggle,at present just walking and running.how do you motivate 😀

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

It’s okay that it’s a struggle, and if you accept that, and just keep going, you will without fail see an improvement in your fitness, little by little. I promise. And that WILL motivate you to keep going, I think.

When I started C25K I just promised myself I would stick to the plan and complete it. I also promised to not beat myself up about how slow I was running, or dwell on how hard I was finding it. After that? Who knows? I didn’t commit to keeping on running after the plan...but 2.5 years later I am still running. Seeing the improvements in my fitness and mental health are what motivated me! Still do, really. That and I now love how good I feel after a run.

For me, I made going out for a run completely non-negotiable in my head. So, in a way I didn’t need specific motivation as such, as it wasn’t up for debate. I was pretty strict with myself! (And it wasn’t easy).

I wish you all the best! Do it, you won’t regret it.

[Tom-cat Graduate]

My tip would be to conduct a little research to evaluate if there is a local run group conducting the c25k programme. I found two! Having attended the first meet with some trepidation. (Men in tights! What's that all about?) The couch to 5k group were all strangers to me on the first week. Now we all greet each other with a smile and a warm greeting. I'm glad I joined them. I'm sure they have provided the continued motivation throughout the c25k programme. Mixed abilities and backgrounds, but all keen to support each other.

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to Tom-cat]

Ta Tom 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden]

One of the unexpected and amazing benefits of C25k is the positive impact it has had on my mood and well-being. I first did C25k last spring/summer before injury stopped me in week 9. In all those weeks one of the most wonderful benefits, in addition to feeling fitter, was that I felt so much more positive and my mood was lighter almost immediately. My whole family noticed how much more fun I was and then the difference in my mood when I was injured and couldn't run. I'm now back to C25k and have just finished week 7. The running has lifted me out of the winter blues and has changed my mindset completely. That alone is a great motivation to keep going.

Another great motivator is to keep posting your runs on the forum and joining in with the conversations in other people's posts. The banter is often hilarious and a great mood lifter.

Good luck!

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to Hidden]

Thanking you Delly-dot🏃‍♂️

[Amblerman Graduate]

It helped me in the early weeks of the programme just to just focus on the next piece of running be it 60 seconds or 90 seconds or whatever and to treat each one as a success to be celebrated. It was difficult at times getting out there in the early days but trust me after a while you will be so buzzing with your new found ability that you will be cursing your rest days as you want to be out there doing the next run. (Oh and by the way always observe the rest days otherwise you risk getting injured). Take it slowly when running.

Keep at this my friend. The rewards are enormous. If it helps I started C25K when I was 62 and I too am old and grey. The only regret I have was not starting to run again 30 years earlier!!

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to Amblerman]

Thanking you ,hope to run 3 runs a week ,all new to me ,done 3 runs so far ,just run and walked for the time being ,I’ve enjoyed so far ,and good on you amblerman thank you 🏃‍♂️

[dieOR5k Graduate]

And be kind to yourself and your body. If something hurts, slow down or take extra rest. When you need help, we’re here. I’ve asked for and received that help to keep going. 😊 enjoy.

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to dieOR5k]

Thanking you 🏃‍♂️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ta Ian 🏃‍♂️

[agirlinwinter Graduate]

I started C25K to help with my mental health (depression and anxiety). I struggled to complete the first run and I didn’t think I would get through the programme. I am doing the final run of the programme tonight. Trust the programme - it works. Take it one run at a time. I’ve found huge benefits for my mental health.

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to agirlinwinter]

Lovely to hear 👍

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to agirlinwinter]

Brilliant and thanks 🏃‍♂️

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to agirlinwinter]

Good on you ,🏃‍♂️

[Speedy60 Graduate]

You have to find a mindset where running is non negotiable. Don't let the gremlins in! I'm not saying it's easy, it does require a good dose of bloodymindedness, but like others, I found the benefits to my mood a great motivator in itself. Hopefully, you will too.

You can always post here for advice and support. It's a very friendly forum.

Good luck.

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to Speedy60]

Thanks for the advice speedy🏃‍♂️

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

I use something to aim for. I am planning on doing the Cardiff half next year (not this year... Yet!) and start the super half if I can. I am also planning on raising as much money for parkinsons uk as I can, but to do this I needed to start at the beginning and do c25k. To make sure I finished it I booked into a 5k run about a month after I completed it, thus is what kept me going for consolidation, as that is the danger zone for giving up (at least it would be for me) I have now got a local 10k that I am booked to complete amonth after i should complete bridge to 10k. Knowing I have to be ready for this and wanting to have run that far at least once before I do the race keeps me going.

I need an external motivation to complete these things, or I might not manage it!

[wolseyjohn1953 in reply to Smelliepoo]

Good on you and thanks for your post 🏃‍♂️