Hello everyone,
I’ve completed week 1 and week 2. It’s been just over a week since completing week 2. I’m not sure if should continue to week 3 or repeat week 2? I’m really struggling to stay motivated.
I’ve gained just over a stone after a painful breakup and I am also struggling with my mental health. I definitely feel better after completing a run. I struggle to push myself when I feel tired after work etc.
Thank you.
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.
This plan can transform lives, making people fitter, healthier and corny though it sounds, happier.
Write down all the reasons why you started in the first place, then tick them off as they no longer apply and then you can go back to the couch permanently...........or carry on getting fitter, healthier and happier.
Enjoy your journey.
Thank you x
Well done for getting going - hold onto the way that doing a run makes you feel good. It’ll get even more rewarding if you keep going. Are you worried about losing the fitness you’ve gained during the week without a run? You’re probably fine to go on directly to week 3, but if you’re happier repeating week 2 there’s no harm in that. If it were me I’d have a shot at week 3 just for the psychological lift, but it’s your choice - there’s no rush. Tell us how you get on!
Thank you x
Do what feels best for you, maybe try week 3 and don’t beat yourself up if you end up going back to week 2. I completed week 1 then did 2 more runs of week 1 before going onto week 2.
I am so glad to go out every other day now, it is having much more effect on my mental health than physical health. Good luck, hope you get back into the swing. X
Thank you x
Hi I’d do week 2 again and it’s hard we’ve all been there I’m just on week 9 now but I stop started quite a few times and I let every little thing stop me but keep at it it will help you immensely xx keep going xx
Thank you x
Hi, Pinkyoga.
No one said you had to do it in the timescale of nine weeks. I had a blip after week five so ended up being behind for a couple of days. I’ve now caught up.
I started running round an empty car park but as I’ve got through the app onto longer running times I moved to a nearby field and that had been better. More to see, softer ground and so more enjoyable.
Remember too it’s about setting your own pace when you run. It’s a slow plod for me, no racing. Go back to week one if you feel like it and start again. No one is judging you. Don’t give up! Good luck.
Thank you x
Regularly checking in on this forum to read other people’s posts can massively help motivation! Also keep a little journal of why your doing it and hire you feel both before and after a will help too. Good luck
Thank you x
Don't give up, keep motivated and it'll help you better than any meds or pshyco analaysis. It'll proove to you that you can do this, you are getting stronger each week and you are taking control of your life. Take care of n°1. Each passage to the next week is a moment of doubt especially when life is emotionally difficult but I've really found it to be helping me to overcome so many emotional and mental barriers, making me feel more confident in myself. There's a French film that springs to mind 'La vie n'est pas une fleuve tranquille', Life is not a smooth flowing river. Just run out all those thoughts. Exhaust them. Squash them and then look around you during your run, appreciate the small things in life, and listen to lifes noises and identify the soothing ones and focus on them. I've been doing this training on my rebounder in my sons room, who has been at his Dad's for 3 months now. On his wall is a poster of Jude Law. He keeps me going as I stare into his beautiful blue eyes!!!!!
Thank you x
Week 3 seemed like too much of a jump up for me at first so I repeated week 2, in fact I repeated it twice. Do what feels right for your body. 🙂
Hi everyone! You’ll be pleased to know I completed the 1st run of week 3! It was a struggle but I did it. Kept it slow and steady. Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement.
Well done! Hang on to that feeling - the weather is going to be nice for a few days I think so might be easier for you to get out There! Good luck. 🏃♀️
I so often feel the same. I feel too tired to bother, think of all the reasons not to go and have to really push myself to make the effort. As soon as my running shoes are on I do feel slightly lighter and by the end of the run my mood has changed - it is the feeling that I get at the end I focus on to make myself leave the house. I have just completed my first run of week 5. I can’t say I don’t struggle to go out because I do but that feeling makes it all worth it.
Go at your pace, delight in the fact you are leaving the house and be proud of yourself
That sounds just like me! Well done on making it to week 5. You got this 💪 x
What I thought before I started this was that 'proper' runners found running easy. What I appreciate now is that everyone, probably even Mo Farah, finds a run hard, not necessarily for the whole run, but personally speaking I find the getting out the door and getting through the first third of it hardest of all. Other bits feel quite difficult on and off. I probably have only a few minutes if I'm honest where it all feels like second nature, but those fleeting moments seem to outweigh all the rest of it. I don't run for mental health particularly, although I appreciate many do, but I love the feeling that my 53 year old body can run for more than 30 minutes non-stop now. I feel like I'm future-proofing my physical health with every run and that must be good for mental health I think.
Most definitely! You should be super proud of yourself, that’s a great achievement. Keep up the good work! x
Dont give up x
1. you say about mental health and how you feel better after a run. I struggle to get motivated to go out so I try and do it, before lock down with a group, or now I run to the shop pick something up then walk home.
2. Dont beat yourself up about the weight, you can lose this, try and be mindful what your eating and why .
I just snack all the time after tea... I'm not hungry, it's a habit!
3. I would repeat week 2 if you think this will help x
Thank you! x
Struggling - please help motivate me!
Struggling with motivation
Struggling with motivation
Struggling so much, need motivation to 
Struggling to motivate myself!! 
