Intro

[Lottie74]

Hi, I’m 45 yrs old and carrying a lot of extra weight. I am looking to boost my fitness and lose weight in an attempt to feel healthier. I’ve never attempted running before but the Couch to 5k didn’t scare me like other plans I’ve looked at x

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate]

Hi Lottie 🙂

Welcome to the forum.

[CaptFrey Graduate]

Hi Lottie, Welcome and the programme works, I am very overweight- have my own shade of red on the weight chart! I had never run in my life since school and now run regularly graduated last month, I cannot run 5k in 30 minutes but i can run 30 minutes or longer and you will too. It was tough and I repeated weeks and runs and the initial runs hard, I thought that I would never do it but I did. One thing that got me through was the support of people on the forum. In a nutshell enjoy and welcome.

[Lottie74 in reply to CaptFrey]

Thank you, I’ve had to dig deep to pluck up the courage to take this step and any advice and support will be a great help!

[CaptFrey Graduate in reply to Lottie74]

I even bought actual running shoes when I finished the programme. Enjoy your runnings 😁

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

I said the same!!

We are all superstars thanks to this magical programme and the support off people on here 🤩

[Nilsam Graduate]

Good luck, Lottie74. You have joined a great programme. Nice and gentle to start with. Post regularly and read all the basic guidelines on stretches and hydration. Post questions if you are unsure and you will get loads of support. Go you, Lottie! 🤸🏻‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️👍

[nowster Graduate]

Hi!

If you are really really unfit, can I suggest three half-hour brisk walks spread over a week before you attempt your first run?

Good luck!

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to nowster]

That’s a great shout! 👏👏👏

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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.

Enjoy your journey.

[sally1993]

Good luck Lottie I have my second run today so we are starting out together! The first one wasn't as bad as I thought because I listened to everyone's advice on here and went sloooowww xx

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Well hello gorgeous Lottie! 😍 👋

And welcome to the forum!

So so pleased you reached out!

I only found it at week 5 but it’s such a fab place- I couldn’t have done it without the support on here! You’re so lucky to be here from week 1!

Don’t use the F (fail) word as you will never fail on here.. you may have practice runs and you may stop and walk .. if you do that’s fine ... walk to complete then repeat and when you complete as you should then move on to the next .. no hard or fast rules 😀

It’s a fab little running family and we do have such fun!

What can I tell you that will help?.. hmm think

🤔 💭

I’m very new to running but it will give you massive hope to know at week 1 I couldn’t run for barely 20 seconds! A minute sounds easy UNTIL you try! But this programme is magical and you stick with it and work thru the weeks at your own pace.. if you need to repeat weeks or repeat runs then go for it! It’s your own individual journey - I’m so excited for what you are about to embark on 👏👏

You can read some of my posts if it helps.. I’ve not found it easy BUT I have found it do-able

I’ve even found myself making healthy swaps to my diet tho it is work in progress.. I didn’t tackle both as I know myself and I would have failed.. embedded the exercise first .. being honest the diet swaps naturally evolve 👍

Finally I’ve attached a link.. remember SLOW! I ran at snail pace 🐌 but it was still too fast!

Posting after every run really helped me as the people on here are so encouraging!

Best of luck!

youtu.be/9L2b2khySLE(Not working as expected?)

[Els_runs Graduate]

Hi Lottie

I am also overweight and when I started I really really struggled to run for 1 minute, it took everything I had to keep going, now I am running for 25 minutes!!! It isn’t easy but the sense of achievement outweighs the difficulty by miles!!

100% you can do this!!

Good luck xx

[SallyLondon]

Very best of luck Lottie. I'm about five stone over the healthy BMI range. I graduated last week. I'm slow but I don't care - I know I am getting healthier. If you have a local park to exercise in, I'd recommend going at the less popular times - it will help with social distancing and you'll see your fellow die-hard joggers who are out early or perhaps in the drizzle while the fair weather types are still in bed. The people who are in the park for exercise tend to be friendly and encouraging and that really helps. If you thought jogging in drizzle was something you'd never do, believe me, you'll rejoice in it once you've been exercising in sunny 22 degrees weather. Welcome, you won't regret doing this programme and there's loads of support and information on here.

[Feltip Graduate]

Welcome Lottie, and the very best of luck to you as you start this journey

I'm relatively new here, starting week 4 tomorrow, so cant offer much advice. But I will say the support on here is extraordinary, the positivity of strangers is quite something.

And if you think you are going slow slow down some more

I will look forward to reading your progress

[Smile23 Graduate]

Welcome Lottie

I am a little older overweight and despised running. Only ended up here because i was goaded into it by a friend.

I have just come back from week 5 run2 and i am feeling like i can do this.

Have faith in yourself. The program and celebrate what you do achieve dont dwell on what you dont

Everyone here are so friendly and supportive

Enjoy😘